Kroushuna's Waterfalls

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8-Days riding adventure in Bulgaria of the Middle Ages and among the splendid caves and waterfalls of the
Central Balkan fore-mountains.

"Some of the finest highland scenery in Europe is found in the Rila, Pirin, Rhodope and Balkan mountain ranges"( The Rough Guide - 1995 )

        The Balkans are the longest chain in the peninsula- over 600 km. Dividing Bulgaria into two distinct halves, the Balkans amaze us with their spectacular natural sights- the river canyons, the rocks, the forests and the high picks
(the highest is 2376 m).
        Our trail takes you to the North side of the Balkans in its central fore-mountains- the land of ancient historical, architectural and extraordinary natural landmarks. The main goal of this carefully designed holiday is to show you the best preserved castles, towers, monasteries and fortresses from the Middle Ages together with the old houses and traditional crafts of Arbanasi village and finally to leave you breathless, while staying in front of the unique waterfalls and caves of the Devetaki plateau. All this fantastic experience will be supplemented by the delicious traditional dishes, fruits and vegetables, cultivated without any chemical treatment and the fine Bulgarian wines. The relief is various, but mainly smooth and pleasant for horseback riding and will give you the possibility to ride free of strain and to enjoy with all your senses the amazing sceneries of the nature.


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• Itinerary: From the Equestrian Centre located near to the town of Sevlievo, to the village of Skalsko, Dryanovski monastery, village of Ledenik, village of Emen, Krushuna's Waterfalls, Rositsa Lake and back to the Equestrian Centre.
• Dates: May - fm 15 to 22
  June - fm 26 to 3 July;
  July - fm 10 to 17
  August - fm 31 July to 7 August; fm 21 to 28 August
  October - fm 9 to 16.
• Meeting point: Sofia Airport.
• Ability: intermediate and higher ability riders.
• Number of riders: 4-8.
• Average hours on the saddle: 4-6.
• Pace: varing from walk on the steeper slopes to a fast pace on the open spaces wich are grate for long canters.
  Usually we are riding 50 % walking, 25 % trotting and 25 % cantering.
  This proportion could be changed according to the requirements and the abilities of the riders.
• Equipment:
  - saddles and tacks: we have both Western and English high quality saddles: Ortho-Flex, Podium, Barefoot and other good models.
  - we recommend you to have: riding helmet, riding boots or chaps, raincoat and warm clothes.
• Horses: we have Shagya Arabs, East-Bulgarian breed, Anglo-Arabs and warmblood horses - all well broken and calm.
  The height of the horses is from 150 to 165 cm.
• The riding guides: the riding guides are experienced and professional and know all the horses and routes well.
  They have a sound knowledge and awareness of safety, of looking after horses and guests out on a ride.
  The leading guide is able to take sole charge of riders and to encourage them to enjoy riding,
  to plan together with them riding time and breaks.
• Maximum weight limit of the riders: 100 kg.
• Accommodation: In authentic rural houses with unique atmosphere or in family hotels, in double rooms with WC and shower. Swimming pools and sauna somewhere.
• Meals: all-inclusive, except hard drinks; the hotels and houses provide the breakfasts and dinners and they offer traditional local dishes. The midday meals are in the open-air during the passages and they consist of warm food, wine and warm up drinks, all included in the price. We offer ecologically clean food, international and traditional Bulgarian cuisine,
  drinks included.
• The program includes: 8 days, 7 nights, 6 days of riding.
• Additional activities: bow-shooting, rowing in lake or down the river with a canoe, cultural tour around the historical landmarks, visit to Devetaki plateau caves and special party night.
• Accompanying children and young people: over 14 years. All the accompanying non-riders will have the possibility to participate in all the abovementioned additional activities.
• Additional information: two guides - riders (one of them with medical qualification) - one leads the group and second is following with a jeep with a mobile phone connection.
  

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  Description of the trail
  
  Day 1:
  
• Pick up from Sofia Airport and transfer to Sevlievo, placed 190 km northeast from the capital.
  
• Arrival at the nice hotel nearby Sevlievo.
  
• Dinner and night at the hotel.
  
  Day 2:
  
• Breakfast in the hotel.
  
• Visit by car of the Ethnografic complex Etara near by the town of Gabrovo.
  The complex presents a village from the 19th century with the main crafts developed at that time.
  The old machines work with a running water and the present craftsmen produce souvenirs on them.
• Arrival at the stable. Saddling the horses and preparing for start, initial instructions by the guides.
• The target is Dryanovo Monastery, placed in Southeast from Sevlievo.
  On the way you will ride through hills and beautiful forests with small creeks and lakes.
• Lunch in the beautiful meadow.
• Night in a hotel 1 km away from Dryanovo Monastery.
• About 25 km (4.5 hours) riding.
  
  Day 3:
  
• Breakfast in the hotel.
• Visit of the Monastery and the cave "Bacho Kiro" above it.
• Start from Drianovo Monastery northward to the village of Ledenik.
  An interesting tower has been preserved, that was built during
  the Second Bulgarian Kingdom (1185-1396). Its first floor is a
  museum showing regional culture and traditions from the past.
  Hotel "Ledenik" in traditional style is offering dinner and a shelter for the night.
• About 21 km (4 hours) riding.
  
  Day 4:
  
• Breakfast in hotel "Ledenik".
• Visit by car of Veliko Turnovo - the ancient capital of Bulgaria from the time of the second Bulgarian Kingdom.
  
  Highligts:
• The ancient Bulgarian capital Veliko Tarnovo. A well-fortified hill has been the house of the Bulgarian tsar (king) and the aristocracy for 2 centuries. The castle and Orthodox churches that have survived from the Middle Ages are telling stories of one impressive history: The year 1185 began with omens. The winter happened to be so mild that the fruit trees all over Europe blossomed even in January. The Bulgarians connected this "God's omen" with the hope of restoring their state, which had been subdued by the Roman 167 years ago. The brothers, Assen and Peter, which owned a miraculous icon, fascinated the people in the church on the day of St.Dimitar and leaded them to an armed uprising. Byzantine rule was swept away to the north of the Balkan Mountains. On the 9 of April 1205 the army of the Fourth Crusade took the capital of Byzantium- Constantinople and founded their own Latin Empire, led by the count of Flanders, Boduen. Tsar Kaloyan (the younger brother of Assen and Peter) attempted to conclude peace with the knights, but they refused haughtily the offered hand. The eventful clash occurred on 14 April 1205 near to Adrianopolis (present Edirne). The army of count Louis was defeated and the Emperor Boduen was captured and taken to the capital Veliko Tarnovo, where later died.
  
  
• Lunch in hotel "Ledenik".
• The next target is the village of Emen.
  You will ride along Yantra river and the fields and forests till the village.
  Arrival at the beautiful country style hotel "Imenieto" with a swimming pool.
• Dinner and night at the complex.
• About 22 km (4 hours) riding.
  
  Day 5:
  
• Breakfast in the hotel.
• Start in northwest direction to the village of Krushuna.
  Riding through beautiful forests with meadows and fields towards the plateau of
  Devetaki with its extraordinary caves, waterfalls and lakes.
• Picnic at the meadow nearby village of Dimcha.
• Night in Krushuna guesthouse under the caves.
• About 39 km (6.5 hours) riding.
  
  Day 6: (Rest day for the horses & riders)
  
• Breakfast in the guesthouse.
• Visit by car of the remarkable Devetaki cave, placed 15 km from Krushuna.
• Lunch at the guesthouse.
• Walking up to the amazing Kroushuna's Waterfalls coming from the caves with the springs.
  You can swim in the small lakes under the waterfalls.
• Just before the Sunset- ride for 1,5 hour to the village of Kurpachevo on a beautiful path above the waterfalls.
• Dinner and night at the guest house.
  
  Highligts:
  
• Krushuna's waterfalls- an unique natural water cascade, whose sparkling waterfalls consist of many shoots and small basins. The region is green and wild with a large variety of plant and animal species. This picturesque area is rich of limestone caves with springing streams and rivers. The biggest cave, called Boninska, contains the longest underground lake (800 m) in Bulgaria. The territory of Krushuna waterfalls is a National park.
  
  Day 7:
  
• Breakfast in the guesthouse.
• Riding from Kurpachevo village to the vertical cave "Garvanitsa" on the plateau,
  then ride to the lake of Kramolin, where we can swim in - with and without the horses.
• Lunch at the lake.
• Riding forward to the bigger lake formed from Rositsa river where the ride is
  finishing and horses and riders are transported to the stable.
• Dinner and night at the hotel nearby the stable.
• About 33 km (5.5 hours) riding.
  
  Day 8:
  
• Breakfast in the guesthouse.
• Leaving for Sofia.
• Departure from the Airport of Sofia.
  
  PRICE: 960 EUR, all inclusive, except hard drinks

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