The Danube River to the Black Sea – 8 Days
Type of tour: Guided
Level: 3
Duration: 7 Nights
Distance: 37 Miles/day average
Dates: Apr 24, May 28, Jun 23, Jul 29, Sep 1, Oct 5, 2015 (minimum 4 persons)
Tour price: US$1200
Start city: Varna, Bulgaria
End city: Varna, Bulgaria
Tour Description
You will discover the rich heritage of Bulgaria, left by the unique cultures of Neolithic Hamangia, the Thracians, and the Bulgarians along with the renowned civilizations of the Greeks, the Roman, Byzantine and Ottoman Empires. This tour reveals the ultimate beauty of the natural sites hidden in the numerous canyons between the great Danube River and the Black Sea.
This is an adventurous tour on moderate terrain, off the beaten tourist path. Cycling in Dobrudja gives great opportunities for birdwatching and wildlife observation because the Via Pontica Flyway of migrating birds passes through here and is the second largest migration route in Europe.
We also ride along several wetlands, including the lakes of Bugeac, Oltina, Durankulak, Shabla, Iortmac, Onogur and Tauk Liman. There is also a lot of rock-cut or cave cultural sites typical for the region. The most impressive of them are the monasteries of Suha Reka, the sanctuaries of Taban canyon, the cave monastery of St. Andrew, the temple of Cybele in Durankulak, and the grave chambers and altar at Kamen Bryag.
The tour starts from the springs of Suha Reka River, which forms the largest canyon in Dobrudja and finishes at Chirakman Cape, where the ancient city Bizone once flourished before an earthquake caused the colony to slide down into the sea. Once you reach the Black Sea Coast, you will be in awe of the cliffs towering over historical capes and the wide open sea.
Highlights: Guided Daily Program: Guided Day 1: Arrival in Varna Day 2: Kalimantsi – Dobrich (30 miles, 1000 ft height gain) Day 3: Dobrich – Kamentsi (34 miles, 1200 ft height gain) Day 4: Kamentsi – Silistra (33 miles, 1400 ft height gain) Day 5: Silistra – Oltina (36 miles, 1400 ft height gain) The best way to admire the Lake Garlitsa is to cycle along the southern coast. Admire spectacular views of the waterfront and panoramic roads amidst the grasslands. The villages impress with the simple way of living and the environment. After visiting the imposing Dervent monastery we cycle downhill to the rocky banks of the Danube. Pedaling by the great river we finely get to Oltina Lake. The hotel in Oltina offers delicious fresh fish meals. Day 6: Oltina – Vama Veche (25 miles, 900 ft height gain) Day 7: Vama Veche – Tyulenovo (32 miles, 500 ft height gain) Day 8: Kamen Bryag – Kavarna (33 miles, 900 ft height gain) Included Services: Guided Bike Rentals: Guided Pedals: Helmets:
Transfer from the airports of Varna or Burgas is included or from Bucharest and Sofia for an extra cost. Arrival in the village of Kalimantsi. Listen to a presentation of route and safety instructions followed by bike adjustments. Visit he tcity of Varna, or take a horse ride to the Stone Forest nature landmark.
Overnight in Kalimantsi.
The route runs along Suha Reka exploring the open space landscape. Several times we enter the wild nature through fabulous greenways passing marshy dams, quite woods and lonely trees amid the fields. After visiting St. Marina Monastery we have a difficult crossing on dirt roads to reach the flat way to the town of Dobrich in the late afternoon. Here there is a charming old compound which keeps the craftsmen spirit of the 19th-century Bulgarian towns.
Overnight in Dobrich.
In the morning we head north biking among the vast wheat lands of Dobruja. Following the course of Suha Reka River we’ll enter a huge canyon. After a great descent, we bike into the spectacular cliffs, which are decorated with caves, rock hewn churches and galleries. Here we enter the rock corridors of the oldest monastic Christian communities in Europe. Leaving the canyon, we climb to the Crimean Tatar village of Onogur, famous for its beautiful inscribed water fountains. Down in the next canyon is the historical church of Kamentsi village. We’ll stay in a traditional style complex of guest houses.
Overnight in Kamentsi.
Cycling down the rocky valley from Kamentsi we pass en route several Gypsy settlements to reach the ancient ruins of Badjaliyata. This is an ancient Thracian temple carved in a high rock which once was a home of the orphic god Zalmoxis. Tracing our route through the forest, we’ll discover more cave sanctuaries down the wild Taban Canyon. The last sight for the day is at the well-preserved Ottoman fortress Medjidi tabia on the hills above the Danube. Our cozy family-run hotel for the night is close to the stronghold in the vicinities of Silistra.
Overnightin Silistra.
Cycle down to Silistra and take a quick sightseeing tour of the old town. We’ll take a coffee break on the banks of the Danube and head to Romanian border at the outskirts of the town. Here we’ll ride along the last wired border between 2 European Union countries left from the Communist Era, a memorial of the past freedomless world.
Overnight in Oltina.
Today we leave the Danube and pedal uphill from Oltina. We have short rest overlooking the Iortmac Lake where the dry valley of Suha Reka River ends. At noon we approach the Monastery cave of St. Andrew. Here we’ll have a picnic lunch and get on the Plateau Cycling bus to go to the Black Sea Coast at the vicinities of Mangaliain the afternoon. Again on the bikes we’ll discover the hot spots of the Romanian alternative and hippie life in Vama Veche.
Overnight in Vama Veche.
Fascinated by Vama Veche we head to the lonely beaches of Bulgaria. There is enough space and enough time to swim and take our first sun bath for the tour. Cycling around Durankulak Lake give us an opportunity to see the Big Island excavations, revealing one of the biggest and most advanced prehistoric settlements in Europe. Pedaling by the sea coast, we pass the Shabla Cape with the old 18th century Ottoman Lighthouse. Finely we reach Tyulenovo, which is famous for its amazing cliffs and sea caves. The hotel is near the fishing pier at the rocky bay of the village.
Overnight in Tyulenovo.
The last day we’ll cycle along the high cliffs with often panoramic views towards the sea. First we visit the village of Kamen Bryag where a vast natural and archeological reserve sprawls, rich in ancient rock hewn graveholes and altars. The next sites of special interest are Kaliakra Cape and Tauk Liman. Kaliakra is a stunning rock, standing alone in the sea with medieval ruins on it. A horse ride from Bulgarevo village to the Bolata coastal canyon is optional. Another possibility is to have delicious lunch in the renowned Dalboka mussel farm. In front of the high Chirakman Cape we take our last steep downhill and than we cycle up to the town of Kavarna, which is the ending place of this great cycling tour.
Bikes available on this tour, and included in the tour cost (reserved in advance at the time of booking):
The bikes will have FLAT pedals. If you bring your own pedals, be sure to bring your own shoes and also the necessary equipment to change the pedals.
Helmets are available for rent on this tour. However, we recommend that you bring your own helmet for safety and hygiene purposes.
