The Valley of the Roses and Koprivshtitsa
An exciting full day trip revealing the secrets and splendor of the Bulgarian rose oil production, the ancient Thracian tomb of Kazanlak and the breathtaking mountainous area of the Freedom monument in Shipka.
Price:
from € 60
It is a little known fact that over 60% of the worlds rose oil is produced in a few Bulgarian small valleys tucked between impressive mountain ranges. This is an exciting full day trip that will take you to a fairytale scenery of fields of roses, lavender and sunflowers towered by the rugged peaks of the Balkan Mountain. There your local guide will be revealing the secrets and splendour of the Bulgarian rose oil production at a renowned distillery. Later you will be visiting also visiting the elegant Russian style church of the Nativity and if time allows to the Shipka peak for great panoramic views. The famous Thracian tomb of Kazanluk (UNESCO) dating back from 4th century BC is also on your list of the Valley of Roses wonders list. On the way back the ride will be on a different road with completely different views to gaze at. Your English-speaking driver will stop you for a short break in Koprvishtitsa, a small town showcasing in the best way the Bulgarian Renaissance architecture.
Price: 60 Euro per person
What’s included: English-speaking driver and guide throughout the tour. Transport in modern vehicle (car/minibus) with air condition.
What’s not included: Food and beverages, personal expenses, entrance fees, gratuities.
Extras: Hotel pick-up costs additional 5/10 Euro per reservation (not per person, depends on the hotel location). Tour is offered as well with ONLINE, cloud-based audioguide in different languages (EN, ES, IT, FR, DE, RU). INTERNET required to download and use.
What’s included: English-speaking driver and guide throughout the tour. Transport in modern vehicle (car/minibus) with air condition.
What’s not included: Food and beverages, personal expenses, entrance fees, gratuities.
Extras: Hotel pick-up costs additional 5/10 Euro per reservation (not per person, depends on the hotel location). Tour is offered as well with ONLINE, cloud-based audioguide in different languages (EN, ES, IT, FR, DE, RU). INTERNET required to download and use.
Meeting point: the parking lot behind the majestic Alexander Nevski Cathedral in central Sofia.
Drop off: Alexander Nevsky Cathedral
Duration 11 h / Physical difficulty level Easy
1. Your activity-packed day starts at 7:00 am from the parking behind Alexander Nevski Cathedral. Hop aboard on a small minibus (usually with Wi-Fi) to head south and enjoy a scenic drive through the Bulgarian countryside.2. You will meet your local guide at the town of Kazanluk. The town is located in the heart of the Valley of Roses where over 60% of the world's rose oil is produced and more lavender oil than in the famous Provence, France. From here starts your guided exploration of the lush natural beauty of the valley locked between the Balkan and Sredna Gora mountain ranges. Kindly note that the roses are blooming only once a year from mid-May till mid-June. For the rest of the year, you will not be able to observe blossoming rose fields.
3. You will pay a visit to the Damascena rose distillery where the whole process of rose picking and rose oil production will be revealed and explained to you. It will be one of the most aromatic experiences you will experience in your lifetime.
4. Travel back in time by visiting the UNESCO Thracian Tomb (4th century BC) in Kazanlak and learn about Thracian tribes that lived and fought along the ancient Greeks. A short drive from there, at the foothills of the majestic Balkan Mountains, is the picturesque Shipka Memorial Church.
5. If time allows, you will be driven to the Shipka Monument from where fantastic views on both sides of the Balkan Mountains will widen before you.
6. Koprivshtitsa is a living town, but also an architectural reserve, that is a 2-hour drive from the town of Kazanluk. You will have time to independently discover and marvel at the 19th-century mansions the town is well-known of. You will have enough time to stretch your legs by meandering along the cobbled streets and the numerous small bridges.
7. After another 2-hour transfer, you will arrive back at the original point, where your tour has started in the morning.
