Trail riding in Bulgaria
Europe > Bulgaria

Riding holidays in Bulgaria

Bulgaria offers varied possibilities for riding holidays from itineraries following horseback trails through the very heart of the Rhodopes Mountains to equestrian experiences combining riding, rich cultural discovery and relaxing thermal bath treatments. A member of the European Union since 2007, Bulgaria is full of traditional villages, Orthodox churches, monasteries, ornate mosques and intriguing archeological complexes dating back to the Thrace empire. Here, a mix of traditions and religions exist side by side. Along with the delightfully warm welcome of the Bulgarian hosts the delicious authentic cuisine is the final cherry on the (kürtőskalács) cake!
See all our trips

From the horse’s mouth

  • Riding in the Thrace Empire
    September 2024 JANE aged 56
    All paperwork was checked and double checked by Iris (good job as my passport was out of date) and everything went so smoothly. We had a wonderful time on the "Riding in the Thrace Empire" trip in Bulgaria with Vasco and Maria our fantastic hosts, and their wonderful horses. My horse was Danny, an Andalusian, forward,... Read all
    More about this trip
  • Riding in the Thrace Empire
    September 2024 JULIE aged 55
    There is nothing that needs to be changed about this trip from booking to the actual week riding. We had a blast and thoroughly enjoyed it. Apache looked after me very well and knew his job. He was responsive to my leg when required but also 'knew' the route as well as knew Maria's voice so would know where... Read all
    More about this trip
  • Across the Devetaki Plateau
    September 2024 Sharon aged 58
    One of the top 3 trail / riding holidays I have had. The tempo and variety of riding speeds was probably the best I've experienced, and the hosts were absolutely fantastic in respect of both horse and customer care. I will definitely be returning to do their South Bulgari trail. I rode Danny – great walker, very fit... Read all
    More about this trip
  • Across the Devetaki Plateau
    May 2024 Sara aged 39
    I'll be thinking about this riding holiday for a long time, as this was a favorite! This is a family run business and they were exceptional with their kindness and hospitality; Maria was an excellent guide who is not only super fun to be around, but really made an effort to get to know us. She ensured fast riding at... Read all
    More about this trip
  • Across the Devetaki Plateau
    September 2023 Natasha aged 52
    A great riding trip with lovely unspoiled scenery, cute hotels, fresh, plentiful and varied food and seemingly unlimited good local wine. Guides and the rest of the team a real pleasure and fun to be with, always happy and keen to accommodate. But most of all the horses - calm, fit, surefooted, not lazy, always happy... Read all
    More about this trip
  • Horseriding on the beach in Bulgaria
    Bathing in the sea with the horses
  • Bulgaria on horseback
    Bulgarian village
  • Horses in Bulgaria
    Horseback riding trail in Bulgaria
  • Horseback trail in Bulgaria
    Riding in the Thrace Empire
  • Holiday on horseback in Bulgaria
    A relaxing picnic at the heart of the Bulgarian forest
  • Horses and lake in Bulgaria
    On horseback near a lake
  • Lake and horses in Bulgaria
    Riding by the shores of the beautiful Bulgarian lakes
  • Bulgarian on his horse
    Meeting the locals on our way

Visa & Health

Formalities

Please refer to your home country's Foreign Office website for up-to-date information. Although we endeavour to keep this section updated, requirements can change quickly, and your home country's Foreign Office website takes precedence.

This section is mostly directed towards UK citizen. Other nationalities, please contact us.

Visa

You can travel to countries in the Schengen area for up to 90 days in any 180-day period without a visa. This applies if you travel as a tourist, to visit family or friends, to attend business meetings, cultural or sports events, or for short-term studies or training.
Visits to Schengen countries within the previous 180 days before you travel count towards your 90 days.

At border control, you may need to:

  • Show a return or onward ticket
  • Show you have enough money for your stay
  • Have your passport stamped on entry/exit

Passport validity

You must have a ‘date of issue’ less than 10 years before the date you arrive – if you renewed your passport before 1 October 2018, it may have a date of issue that is more than 10 years ago.
You should also have an ‘expiry date’ at least 90 days after the date you plan to leave.
Check your passport is valid for travel before you book your trip.

EU Entry/Exit System for non-EU travellers

From October 2025, the new EU Entry/Exit System (EES) will start for all non-EU nationals travelling in or out of the Schengen area.
The EES is a digital border system which registers non-EU visitors travelling into the Schengen area instead of stamping their passports.
You will need to have your fingerprints and your photo taken when entering and exiting the Schengen area.

You may experience longer queues at borders when the new system starts. You can read more information here.

Please click here to check the updated entry requirements.

Health

It’s important to take out appropriate travel insurance for your needs. A GHIC or EHIC is not an alternative to travel insurance and you should have both before you travel. It does not cover all health-related costs, for example, medical repatriation, ongoing medical treatment and non-urgent treatment.

UK Citizens: A UK Global Health Insurance Card (GHIC) gives you the right to access state-provided healthcare during a temporary stay in the European Union (EU).

Travellers should ideally arrange an appointment with their GP around five weeks before travelling. This appointment provides an opportunity to assess health risks taking into account a number of factors including destination, medical history, and planned activities.
For those with pre-existing health problems, an earlier appointment is recommended.

Please click here to check health recommendations.

Insurance

It is a condition of your booking with Equus Journeys that you have travel insurance which covers you for the riding activities to be undertaken. Your travel insurance should cover you for medical expenses and repatriation. Your guides may request your travel insurance details before they allow you to ride and may refuse to let you ride if you cannot provide them. You should take your insurance documents with you.

You can check our "Insurance Guide" here.

Voltage

Voltage: 220 V
Frequency: 50 Hz

Budget and money

The lev is the currency in Bulgaria.

Telephone and jetlag

Coutry code: +359
Time zone: UTC+2

Country information

Socio-economical data

Bulgaria has an emerging market economy in the upper middle income range.
From a largely agricultural country with a predominantly rural population in 1948, by the 1980s Bulgaria had transformed into an industrial economy with scientific and technological research at the top of its budgetary expenditure priorities.
The loss of COMECON markets in 1990 caused a steep decline in industrial and agricultural production, ultimately followed by an economic collapse in 1997. The economy largely recovered during a period of rapid growth several years later, but the average salary remains one of the lowest in the EU at 885 leva (€452) per month in September 2015.

Geography

Bulgaria occupies a portion of the eastern Balkan peninsula, bordering five countries—Greece and Turkey to the south, Macedonia and Serbia to the west, and Romania to the north.
The coastline has a length of 354 kilometres (220 mi).

People, culture and traditions

Traditional Bulgarian culture contains mainly Thracian, Slavic and Bulgar heritage, along with Greek, Roman, Ottoman, Persian and Celtic influences. Nine historical and natural objects have been inscribed in the list of UNESCO World Heritage Sites:
- the Madara Rider
-the Thracian tombs in Sveshtari and Kazanlak
- the Boyana Church
- the Rila Monastery
- the Rock-hewn Churches of Ivanovo
- Pirin National Park
- Sreburna Nature Reserve
- the ancient city of Nesebar.
Nestinarstvo, a ritual fire-dance of Thracian origin is included in the list of UNESCO Intangible Cultural Heritage. Fire is an essential element of Bulgarian folklore, used to banish evil spirits and diseases. Bulgarian folklore personifies illnesses as witches and has a wide range of creatures, including lamya, samodiva (veela) and karakondzhul. Some of the customs and rituals against these spirits have survived and are still practised, most notably the kukeri and survakari. Martenitsa is also widely celebrated.

CUISINE
Bulgarian cuisine is similar to those of other Balkan countries and demonstrates a strong Turkish and Greek influence. Rakia is a traditional fruit brandy which was consumed in Bulgaria as early as the 14th century. Bulgarian wine is known for its Traminer, Muskat and Mavrud types.

DANCE
Bulgaria is a relatively small country but within its modern boundaries a wide diversity of folk dance styles can be found
Bulgarian folk dances are normally line dances, with hands joined either in low "V" hold, belt hold (na pojas), crossed in front or "W" hold. Footwork can vary from fast intricate steps (as in the Šop Region) to slow sustained cat-like movements (as in some of the dances from the Pirin region).

Dances from the north have some of the characteristics of dances from southern Romania, just across the Danube, i.e. fast crossing steps, dances from the Pirin Region in the West have much in common with dances from Yugoslav Macedonia, and dances from the Šop region round Sofia have similar characteristics to those from eastern Serbia. This illustrates how boundaries of dance styles do not necessarily conform with politically imposed nationally boundaries.
Regional dance styles

Useful words

Please note that toconsent/agree the Bulgars turn the head as for us to say no.
Some words:
Good morning/afternoon (polite) : zdraveyte
Good morning / afternoon (casual) : zdrasti
Good bye (polite) : dovizhdane
Good bye (casual) : chao
Please : molia Merci : blagodaria
Thank you (casual) : mersi
I am sorry : sazhalyavam (prostete)
Sorry : izvinete me
Yes : da
No : ne
I don t understand : az ne razbiram
Where can I find... ? : kâde e ?
How much is that? : kolko stuva ?

Choosing the right riding holiday

Choosing the right riding holiday

Nearly one third of Bulgaria is covered in forests. In the heart of the Balkans you will be able to find a diverse selection of remarkable natural wonders such as mountains, ancient forests, glacial lakes, caves, immense rocks, and well-preserved flora and fauna eco-systems. Riders who ride through these lands will be impressed by its rich natural beauty found in its nature reserves and national parks. Our trail rides in Bulgaria are suitable for experienced riders who can handle sensitive horses and who are happy with a faster pace.

The Three Mountains trail rideis for riders who enjoy mountainous environments. You ride in three mountain ranges – Plana, Verila and Rila, located south of Sofia.

Riding in the Thrace Empire offers fast riding across the rose and lavender fields of the Thracian Valley