We call it the Mastika Express for a reason. But you will make your own stories and associations in these magical mountains. Also see itinerary for Rila Mountains trip.

Trip Summary

Day 1 – Arrive and/or meet in Sofia and enjoy some city-life before heading to the "hills" ◊ We'll introduce you to the wines of Bulgaria at a private wine tasting before dinner at Papa Joe's ◊ Night walking tour of Sofia.

Day 2 – Transfer to Rhodope Mountains ◊ Long ride to Trigrad, home of The Devil's Throat Cave ◊ Ride: 31 miles / 50 km.

Day 3 – Explore the Devil's Throat Cave ◊ Long ride to Siroka Luka ◊ Stroll through cobbled alleyways of this tiny mountain village, home to famous Bulgarian National School for Folklore Art ◊ Optional but highly recommended detour to Kingdom Chamla, a high mountain hippie village ◊ Ride: 31 miles / 50 km.

Day 4 – Get on the Mastika Express ◊ Pedal from Siroka Luka to the top of the world, and enjoy a rustic picnic lunch before disappearing on a forested single-track ◊ Magical ride to Miracle Bridges, natural water-carved wonders ◊ Ride: 25 miles / 40 km.

Day 5 – Ride to peaceful Pomporovo and relax at fascinating Momchil Yonak Lodge, an ex-communist leader's guest house in the mountains ◊ Ride: 14 miles / 25 km.

Day 6 – Gentle, rolling terrain out of Pomporovo and then heart-pumping descent to Lucky — we saved the best for last! ◊ Stay in old section of Plovdiv and enjoy the cafés and culture before returning back to Sofia ◊ Ride: 23 miles / 37 km.

Day 7 – Breakfast at hotel ◊ Transfer to Sofia and/or Airport where we bid farewell.

 

Detailed Itinerary

We’re still loading this trip with surprises and specialties, but here is a taste of what you’ll experience daily. Most of our lunches will be packed to carry, except for an opportune rustic picnic in an inviting mountain meadow or two.

Day 1

Meeting on the Mount – Mt. Vitosha and City Lights

Downtown Sofia, Bulgaria
You’ll meet the “BAS boys” as I call them, who will help get you outfitted with bikes or will help you build your own. You may even get a demonstration by local phenom CuCu (prounounced Tsu-Tsu) who can do tricks on a bike that will have you either cringing or clapping. We'll introduce you to the best Bulgarian wines at a private wine tasting before relaxing at one of my favorite Sofia food-havens, Papa Joe’s. Afterward, we'll briefly tour Sofia on foot — a beautiful sight at night.

We suggest that you arrive early if you can and take some time to wander Sofia. You musn’t miss Kim’s favorite cookie shop, or a favorite boutique for Dude Girls who want to do a little shopping, owned by a Bulgarian designer/artist who's craft is unusually refined. Get your city-fix because we're about to launch for the mountains, where we’ll be REMOTE.

Day 2

A lady whose cheeks have taken
on the shape of the very
treasures she unearths!


That old stone bridge
Our first village offers views of the breathtaking Dospat Lake. We’ll rise out of Dospat on a paved road but we'll find dirt quickly, cross streams and an old bridge or two among potato fields. I hope we'll see the Potato Lady, a woman in the fields who’s cheeks have taken on the shape of the very treasures she unearths.

You’ll be ready for a hot cup of coffee or tea after our afternoon descent and it will be difficult to leave the friendly lodge at the bottom. But who knows — the magic in Bulgaria works in unexpected ways — there’s always room for a spur-of-the-moment decision to stay longer or the whole night if so desired.

We know it’s comfy here, but if you can motivate to leave this peaceful garden spot, you will be a charmed guest at an hotel of the honorary village “mayor”, a warm and affable character who is responsible for preserving the caves as well as other natural attractions in this area.

Ride: 31 miles / 50 km

Day 3

Long and spectacular ride from Trigrad to Siroka Luka

Briefly disappear into The Devil’s Throat Cave before our long and spectacular ride from Trigrad to Siroka Luka. We weren't prepared to be as awestruck as we were when we first entered these incredible caverns of darkness roaring with the pulsations of their underground lifeblood, the Trigradska River.

After a long but gentle climb, we’ll pass through a village that isn't really a village but is more like a couple farmhouses, including a lodge (One can't help asking: “How does someone build a lodge here, and who comes?”). Shepherds bark directions to dogs who bark directions to sheep, and farmers who dig potatoes in high mountain fields haul them with horse-drawn wagons.

Genuine folk

A man without his herd
near kingdom chamla
Up, up, up we’ll go to Kingdom Chamla, a hippie village that sits so high and peacefully in the Rhodopes that you really do feel like a king. You have to see it to believe it – one person's dream is now the home and permaculture project of 22 individuals (and growing) who call it home for the summer each year. The friendly enclave will welcome you with fresh, warm cow's milk just as the folk on the road or in the villages will welcome you with rakia. I am sure we might have found rakia in the Chamla stash had we stayed longer during our last visit – perhaps Chamla Rakia will be our quest next summer; I wouldn’t be surprised if they make their own!

Finally within the cobbled alleyways and rock-hewn roof tops of Siroka Luka Village, you’ll hear the old-world cloppety-clop of horse-drawn carts and peruse roadside vegetable “stands” filled with fresh colors from local gardens and fields, including multiple varieties of honey and the famous, local Smilian beans. Take time for a coffee or rakia in the square. This village is also home to Bulgaria’s famous National School for Folklore Art.

Ride: 31 miles / 50 km

Day 4

Get on the Mastika Express! A middle distance ride to the Miracle Bridges, natural water-carved wonders.

On our scouting journey in October, it was this day that we coined the trip name The Mastika Express. It was a beautiful ride, punctuated by unexpected adventure
The Mastika Express!
in the back of a logger's flatbed truck that spawned joy and laughter on a single-track descent. See Where in the World is Dude Girl Now? for the full story. While you might not meet our logger friends, you'll have plenty of opportunities to create your own stories on the way to The Miracle Bridges, awesome water-hewn rock formations that are, indeed, miraculous. Hotel Martin will quench your hunger with their stuffed red peppers and grape leaves, among other scrumptious local specialties.

Ride: 25 miles / 40 km

Day 5

Ride to peaceful Pomporovo and relax memorable mountain hideaway, an ex-communist leader guest house in the mountains.

Our climbs today lead us to a grassy land dotted with pine trees and hilltop prayer sanctuaries whose domed altar walls always face east. The cozy, if outdated, Momchil Yonak mountain lodge – once home to an ex-communist leader Todor Zhivkov – will be your reward for the day. You won't forget the experience, the Mastika, or the cooking. Sit back, relax and truly enjoy yourselves and your new friends this evening. If weather permits, we'll dish up a starry surprise for you after dinner, since the Rojen Observatory is nearby, although the starry view from this lodge is extraordinary with or without a telescope.

Ride: 14 miles / 25 km

Day 6

Medium Ride from Pomporovo to Lucky – we saved the best for last! Stay in old section of Plovdiv and enjoy the cafés and culture before returning to Sofia.

We smile every time we remember this ride. We saved the best descent tracks and vistas for today. Our friends’ Fast Food trailer, the “center” of a free-spirited winter paradise for local snowboarders – will serve as our launch point. Don't be surprised if the Fast Food boys send us off with a wave in the morning (they’ll probably be here in the summer, too, “working” on their snowboard lifts and plans). The climbs are gentle and rolling as we ride the ridgelines; fill your water bottles at the many burbling fountains crafted by local individuals as a gift to fellow travelers, and keep an eye out for wildlife! On the long, rocky descent to the destination village below, Lucky, where the thrill of downhill pleasure will end, you'll gasp at the views and colors of the surrounding mountains. We’ll have time for a coffee or final rakia toast to the mountain villages before we explore nearby Bachkovski Monastery, built in 1083. A short transfer to Plovdiv will take you to cultural pleasures, good food, hip shopping area, and cobblestone streets in the oldest section of Bulgaria’s second largest city.

Ride: 23 miles / 37 km

Day 7

Transfer to Sofia and/or Airport for Departure.

Sadly we’ll wave goodbye, but regaling wonderful tales from the Rhodope, even as you board your homebound plane, will have already begun.

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Kim McElhinney
Dude Girl
P.O. Box 2695
Truckee, CA 96160

Cancellation
Cancellations within 90 days receive no refund. If Dude Girl is responsible for the cancellation you will receive a full refund.

Trip Insurance
We strongly recommend cancellation insurance. You are responsible for purchasing your own trip insurance, and for making sure that trip cancellations are covered under the policy you choose. You can review and purchase policies from almost 50 different insurance companies at www.insuremytrip.com. We do not endorse this web site or any of the companies listed on it.

What’s Included
- Door-to-door airport service upon arrival and departure
- All accommodation
- All breakfasts, lunches and dinners
- Services of guide(s), who will lead the riding, handle behind-the-scenes logistics and try to look after your every need, whether translating a menu, confirming your flight or tracking down the best shops in the area
- Support vehicles, which sweep the day's biking route distributing refreshments, assistance, etc.
- Maps and detailed route suggestions
- Baggage transport between lodges
- Bike box storage
- All transportation from rendezvous to drop-off, including private coaches
- All gratuities for baggage, porters and Lodging service
- Bike Mechanic

Price Does Not Include
- International flights (approximately $900-$1,200 for USA-Sofia-USA flights)
- Bikes (this trip assumes - and recommends - that you bring your own; however, let us know if you would like us to provide a bike for you, and we'll arrange.)
- Travel insurance (discretionary)

To reserve a place, you are required to make a deposit of US$500 per person, payable by check, at the time you receive confirmation from us. All reservations are subject to our Terms & Conditions.

Contact us with questions at 530-587-3833.

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