ISKAR AND YANTRA KAYAKING TRIP, BULGARIA

This is a chance to embark on a trip down Iskar and Yantra and rivers in Bulgaria.

The trip is not in any way luxurious. The aim is to enjoy nature, the passion for travel and adventure and the joy of the outdoors. The river trip is planned as a totally relaxing experience. There are no elements of white-water kayaking. You will be properly instructed and led by experienced guides and you will be provided with a BA.

During the trip we will see some beautiful natural sites and we might get a chance to visit some cultural and historical places.

The following program is to illustrate how the trip is planned, but all the details and schedules can be changed and revised due to current water levels of the rivers, safety reasons, extreme weather or other reasons beyond the organiser’s control. Each morning, we will start with tea, coffee and breakfast in the house. We will have a transfer to the starting point.

If there is such an option, we will get lunch somewhere along the way. If not, we could prepare a small packed lunch in the morning.

After we are done with kayaking for the day, our vehicles will be waiting for us at the end point and they would take us back to our accommodation.

There, we will enjoy home-cooked dinner. We will have time and options for short walks in the area.

We will spend all the nights in cosy guest houses situated in quiet and low-key villages.

Itinerary

Day 1

Arrival at Sofia Airport. Pick-up and transfer to Gigen village, near Pleven (approx. 120

miles, 2:40 hrs). Depending on when the flight lands, we could stop somewhere for

lunch.

We settle down at our first guest house. Welcome dinner.

Days 2 - 3

The routes are 25 – 30 km (15 – 18 miles) per day, approx. 4–6-hour trips.

We will paddle down Iskar River. This is one of the larger rivers in Bulgaria and one of the main tributaries to the Danube. There are some segments where the river flows faster, which makes going through them exciting and fun. There may be some small waves and splashes but they do not qualify white-water.

After we are done with our second day of kayaking, we will transfer to our next destination – Belyanovo village, where we will spend the next 3 nights. The transfer is approx. 80 miles (2 hours).

Days 4 - 6

In the next 3 days we will paddle down Yantra river. The routes are 20 – 38 km (12 – 24 miles) per day, approx. 4–6-hour trips.

The exact start and finish points for each day will be determined depending on river levels and the weather.

We will get a chance to enjoy beautiful scenery along the river canyon. On our last day, the paddling trip will be shorter and then we will pack and get ready to go home.

We will transfer to Sofia Airport for our flight back home. (approx. 180 miles, 3:40 hours)

Accommodation:

The village houses have a capacity of up to 15 people.

The rooms are for 2 or 3 and the bathrooms are shared. Hot showers are available.

We will be dining and gathering mostly on the patios in the gardens.

The costs are calculated on a basis of sharing a room with one or two other participants.

If someone requires a single occupancy room, that would be at an extra cost – approx. £90 pounds

Food:

The hosts will provide us home-made dishes. We will be able to try some local cuisine, as well as international dishes. For the dinners there will be soups, salads with fresh vegetables, grilled and baked meats, garnishes, fruits.

For breakfasts there will be tea, coffee, eggs, toast, porridge, local honey, some cheeses, fresh milk, yoghurt. Some days there may be some local favourites to try: banitsa (fine doe and cheese pie), French toast, etc.

Lunches: bottled water and small packed food items will be provided for the kayaking trips. Those will include a club sandwich, tortilla wrap or some baked goods, a fruit, some pre packed snacks. Feel free to bring other snacks as per your tastes and diet.

If anyone has allergies, dietary requirements, or suggestions, these will need to be shared in advance.

Cost: £450 Payable by the end of February 2025.

What is included in the package cost

All accommodation: 6 nights in a village houses, 2 nights in Gigen village, 4 nights in Belyanovo;

All transfers;

All specialized equipment: tandem (2-seat) tourist kayaks, paddles, BA’s;

Local guides;

2 breakfasts in Gigen Village;

2 dinners in Gigen Village;

3 breakfasts in Belyanovo village;

3 dinners in Belyanovo village;

5 packed lunches;

2 breakfasts in Rousse;

What do you need to provide for yourselves + extra costs:

- Airplane tickets to and from Sofia, Bulgaria (or Bucharest, Romania);

- Valid personal travel documents;

- Travel and health insurance;

- 1 lunch after the airport pick-up, on the way to our accommodation;

- Drinks and extra snacks;

- Personal luggage and equipment;

- Sunscreen lotion, bathing suit, slippers, insect repellent, etc.