Bulgarian Walking, Wildlife and Cultural Holidays in Bulgaria's Mountains
Private Tours in Bulgaria 
If you would like to arrange a private tour in Bulgaria just for you, whether you be an individual or a group, then Balkan Trek will be happy to assist. Having created for you a unique itinerary based on your own precise requirements, we can then organise all the logistics of the trip, providing all transport, accommodation and meals, as well as the services of an experienced guide. To turn your dreams into reality, and to discover the best of Bulgaria, then simply send us an e-mail to office@balkantrek.com and leave us to tailor-make the trip of a lifetime for you.
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Hiking in Bulgaria 
Organised hiking in Bulgaria began over one hundred years ago, but it was during the communist period that hiking in Bulgaria reached the zenith of its popularity. Mountain hiking was then enthusiastically promoted in Bulgaria as being a physically and socially beneficial form of recreation. As well as amongst native Bulgarians, hiking in Bulgaria became extremely popular for walkers from other socialist countries, notably Czechoslovakia and the German Democratic Republic. Following the collapse of communism throughout most of Europe, the popularity of hiking in the Bulgarian mountains temporarily diminished. However, today there has been a new upsurge of interest in hiking in Bulgaria, and more and more walkers from around the world are coming to Bulgaria to enjoy hiking holidays in the Bulgarian mountains. Today Bulgaria is criss-crossed by thousands of kilometres of hiking trails, and the scope for organising hiking holidays in Bulgaria is limitless, with something for every interest and ability. We at Balkan Trek are able to organise bespoke hiking holidays in Bulgaria for walking and rambling clubs as well as other groups of any size. |
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Birdwatching Holidays in Bulgaria 
Bulgaria, justifiably, has become one of top the birdwatching destinations for birders from around the world. The scope for birdwatching holidays in Bulgaria is enormous. Bulgaria has an excellent variety of bird habitats including coastal wetlands, extensive areas of forest and Mediterranean type scrublands and rocky habitats. There are also large areas of non-intensive agricultural and grassland habitats, and of course high mountains as well. An extensive network of 114 Important Bird Areas (IBAs) has now been identified in Bulgaria. Balkan Trek can organise comprehensive birdwatching holidays in Bulgaria for clubs, societies and other organisations or individuals wanting to enjoy some of the best and most rewarding birding in Europe.
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Butterfly Tours in Bulgaria 
Bulgaria is the perfect destination for those interested in butterflies. With over 200 species of butterflies in Bulgaria, the fluttering wings of butterflies in Bulgaria make the countryside a kaleidoscope of colour during the summer months. Recently, a network of 50 Prime Butterfly Areas has been established in Bulgaria. These are the regions that have been identified as the most important for butterflies in Bulgaria in terms of 53 key target species of butterflies of international conservation concern. Balkan Trek is able to organise specialist butterfly tours for clubs, societies and all those interested in observing and photographing the butterflies in Bulgaria. |
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Herpetology in Bulgaria 
Bulgarian herpetofauna is rightly acknowledged to be one of the richest in Europe and attracts herpetologists from around the world, with numerous species of lizards and plenty of snakes, not to mention the fascinating tortoises and terrapins, as well as salamanders, newts and a wonderful variety of frogs and toads. For those interested in finding, observing and photographing amphibians and reptiles in the wild, the opportunities for herpetology holidays in Bulgaria are great. Balkan Trek is able to arrange special herpetological tours in Bulgaria for societies, clubs and individuals with a special interest in the amphibians and reptiles of Bulgaria.
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Botany in Bulgaria 
Bulgaria is a botanic paradise, and one of the best destinations in Europe for those interested in finding and photographing a wealth of wild plants. Because of its location, one can find and photograph plants from a large number of different regions in a relatively small area. Alpine plant enthusiasts will find the Bulgarian mountains a veritable treasure-trove of alpine flowers and rock plants, while lovers of Mediterranean wildflowers will enjoy exploring the hidden valleys and karts outcrops of southern Bulgaria. With approximately 70 species of orchids growing in Bulgaria, the Bulgarian countryside also offers many delights and surprises for orchid enthusiasts. Furthermore, Bulgaria also has numerous endemic species of plant which are unique to the country, and these provide a great attraction to those wanting to see or photograph something new. Whether you are an alpine garden society or other group or club of plant specialists, Balkan trek can design and organise specialist botanic, orchid and alpine plant tours in Bulgaria as well as other types of wildlflower holidays for the general enthusiast.
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Caving in Bulgaria 
Cave exploration and biospeleology have a long and well-established history in Bulgaria. The first Bulgarian caving society was founded as early as 1929. Today there is a large and well-organized network of caving clubs in Bulgaria, with a total membership of more than 800 people. There are well-over 5000 caves and potholes in Bulgaria including 62 caves longer than 1000 metres and 52 potholes deeper than 100 metres. Balkan Trek can organise caving tours in Bulgaria for clubs, societies and individuals interested in discovering the hidden world of Bulgarian caves.
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Horse Riding in Bulgaria 
Horses have been part and parcel of Bulgarian life from ancient times, and the key role of the horse and horsemen in Thracian times has been widely researched by historians and archaeologists. Indeed, one of the most interesting and impressive archaeological sites in the country is the mysterious bas-relief known as the Madara Horseman which was carved onto the cliffs near the village of Madara near Shumen. Today the Shumen region is home to the largest and oldest stud farm in Bulgaria, founded in 1864 for the purpose of supplying the Ottoman army with its horses. There are great opportunities for pony trekking and horse riding holidays in many parts of Bulgaria. For those who would like to try a horse riding holiday in Bulgaria, Balkan Trek can organise horse riding holidays in Bulgaria up to a week in length and focused in the beautiful Rhodope (Rodopi) Mountains.
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Landscape & Wildlife Photography 
Not surprisingly, with its diverse landscapes, and unrivalled biodiversity, Bulgaria is a landscape and wildlife photographer’s paradise. Bulgaria offers spectacular mountain vistas, stunning coastal scenery, picturesque villages and towns, photogenic rural scenes, as well as a chance for outstanding portrait shots of local people, not to mention the wealth of beautiful birds, butterflies, insects and flowers. There is a dramatic photo around every corner, and something to capture the attention and skills of every photographer, whatever his level or interest. Balkan Trek is able to organise landscape and wildlife photography holidays in Bulgaria for camera clubs, photographic societies, or anyone else interested in the delights and challenges of nature and landscape photography.
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Study Tours in Bulgaria 
With its rich history and numerous archaeological and other cultural sites, Bulgaria is the perfect destination for study tours. The list of possible themes and areas of interest is limitless, ranging from archaeological tours focusing on the treasures of ancient Thrace to monastery tours visiting the most beautiful and historic Bulgarian monasteries. There are opportunities for wine tours and cookery holidays, as well as Bulgarian folk dance and music tours, and holidays focusing on Bulgarian handicrafts. Balkan Trek can organise historical, archaeological and other cultural tours of all types and for every level of interest, whether it be school parties, student groups, or other specialist clubs and societies.
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