Enchanting Bulgaria: A Backroads Journey Through History

† Explanation of BAC Ride Fee – This fee is not included in the Estimated Cost and is non-refundable once submitted. The Ride Fee for US and Canada is $85 and $150 for all other countries, both are per participant.

Ride Description

Overview

Off the beaten path Europe is hard to find these days, but Bulgaria fits the bill.  Alongside a wonderfully well-preserved culture, ancient ruins and medieval churches, lies beautiful back country and quaint countryside.  Bulgaria's hearty local cuisine, rocky and wild wilderness, and a plethora of traditional spas are perfect for experiencing the country by bike. 

This ride is 16 days and 15 nights with 11 full cycling days.  The journey starts in the storied and beautifully weathered city of Sofia, one of the oldest inhabited cities in Europe.  We begin our Bulgarian biking adventure at the Rosslyn Central Park Hotel where we meet for a trip briefing and Happy Hour at 5:00 pm before a welcome dinner in a traditional Bulgarian restaurant.

On the following day, a 30-minute transfer to Yablanitsa begins our biking exploration.  The ride on each day will be between 30-47 miles with an average elevation ascent of 1,900 ft.  

Cycling in the foothills of the Balkans and alongside the Beli Vit river, we slowly wind upwards to the small village of Malak Izvor before we climb up to Bogoi Pass.  Once over the pass we cruise downhill through the gorgeous forests of the Sredna Gora Mountain and into the Valley of Southern Bulgaria, to Koprivshtitsa, a town with a revolutionary past and rich history.  Our next destination is Hisaratya leading to a transfer to Plovdiv, Bulgaria’s second city, where a walk takes us back to antiquity as we discover the Roman amphitheater and a wander along the town's cobblestone streets. 

The journey continues through spectacular gorges, past caves, and fascinating formations en-route to Velingrad, the spa capital of the region.  It's Bulgaria at its unspoiled best, a cache of natural beauty and ancient history, comfortable accommodations, and fresh cuisine in idyllic surroundings.  We spend two nights providing a full day to relax in the spa or walk around the lovely town.

Continuing our journey, we’ll ride up to the southern slopes of Pirin mountains then down to the charming town of Melink.  Passing through remote, small villages, great open panoramic fields, past sandstone pyramids, and eighteenth-century architecture, we stop at the holiest and biggest monastery in Bulgaria.  A transfer from Melnik to our Sofia hotel, the Rosslyn Central Park leads to our last Happy Hour and final dinner.   

This is your opportunity to experience local hospitality, fresh, traditional cuisine in idyllic surroundings, breathtaking landscapes, and comfortable accommodations—making for an unforgettable two-wheeled adventure.

This is an international roaming tour supported by SpiceRoads Cycle Tours, a specialized biking tour company whose experienced cyclists have insider country knowledge.  

The ride is limited to 20 participants who are expected to ride the entire distance.  Ebikes and tandems are welcome following review by tour leader. 

Health and Safety

Participants are expected to come to the tour in good health and ready to ride. Should someone's health become compromised, and the group’s health and safety placed in jeopardy, a plan will be developed by the ride leader(s) and communicated to all individuals. The expectation is for the group to work together to mitigate any spread of infection or illness as a means to ensure the tour can continue as planned.  

Ride Rating

We will cycle 394 miles over 11 days with a daily average of 36 miles and 1,874 feet of climbing.  Using the BAC rating, Enchanting Bulgaria is rated 2B with 11 required riding days and 2 rest days. Two riding days exceed the 2B rating with a 2,900 and 2,600 (foot) elevation climbs.  One day includes a 7.5 mile ascent to a mountain summit.

GPS files

GPX files will be made available to all riders before the ride.

Weather

Bulgaria’s climate is temperate and generally favorable with average June daytime temperatures 68 – 82 (F) and nighttime temperatures from 64 – 72 (F).  Average rain days are 4-5/month.  Expect colder temperatures on the mountain passes.  Be prepared for rain, cooler weather in the evenings and warm, sunny days. 

Lodging & Meals

Included in the tour cost are 15 nights lodging that range from local, traditional, and charming hotels to deluxe properties.  Accommodation is included from June 5, 2026 until the day of departure, June 20, 2026.  15 Breakfasts, 12 Lunches, and 15 Dinners plus 15 Happy Hours offering beer, wine, light beverages and snacks are included.

Logistics

Enchanting Bulgaria begins and ends in Sofia, at the Rosslyn Central Park Hotel, a prime location in the very heart of Sofia on the famous Vitosha Boulevard lined with thematic open-air coffees, restaurants and artisan shops.  The tour begins on the afternoon of June 5, 2026 with a trip briefing and bike fitting before the 5:00 Happy Hour.  Participants are responsible for travel to the hotel at the start of the tour and from the hotel at tour’s conclusion. 

Mountain bikes and E-bikes are available for rental directly from SpiceRoads.  Contact pitchaya@spiceroads.com for information. For those bringing their own bikes, bike box storage is available.

Cost & Administration

Cost is per person, double occupancy.  The price includes 15 nights lodging, 15 breakfasts, 12 lunches, and 15 dinners, BAC Happy Hour refreshments, cycling jersey, and light drinks/snacks while cycling. The cost does not include the non-refundable $150 BAC fee, the cost of optional activities, or alcoholic beverages at included meals. Tips are included for tour guides and driver. Participant fee is fixed regardless of currency exchange fluctuations.  A deposit of $3,800 is due upon registration and $3,075 is due by December 15, 2025.

Singles & Solos Policy

It is recommended that singles who want a roommate try to find their own. However, after receipt of the initial deposit, a single rider without a roommate will be placed on the ride and given until 2-months from signup but not later than December 15 to find a roommate. If they are unable to find a roommate, they will have the option to receive a full refund (minus the BAC Ride Registration Fee and Payment Processing Fee) or pay the Solo Supplement cost ($890) to  stay on the ride. If a single pays the supplement, they may continue to seek a roommate, but must plan to participate without a roommate if necessary. The Ride Leader will assist by attempting to match singles who apply for the ride.  

The solo supplement payment of $890 is due by December 15, 2026 and can be paid by Zelle or check.  To pay using Zelle:  

●     In your bank's website, add Bicycle Adventure Club as a new recipient, with email address treasurer@bicycleadventureclub.org

●     Initiate a payment

●     In the Message block, enter the name of your ride.

If you have questions, contact Nancy Bohnett nbohnett@bicycleadventureclub.org or Ernie Coose erniecoose.bac@gmail.com.   Checks should be made out to “BAC” with a notation of the tour name included on the check and mailed to:  Bicycle Adventure Club, PO Box 23998, San Diego, CA 92193.

EU EUROPEAN TRAVEL INFORMATION AND AUTHORIZATION SYSTEM (ETIAS)

TRAVEL AUTHORIZATION: ETIAS will not be implemented until about 6 months after the EU completes its Entry/Exit System (EES), an automated IT system for registering non-EU nationals. The EES is anticipated to be functional sometime in 2025, but that is also uncertain. The ETIAS process will require short-term travelers to apply online, pay a small fee (€7 – roughly $7.40) and then wait up to 96 hours for applications to be approved. The authorization is good for a three-year period or until the traveler’s passport expires – whichever comes first. Unlike the ETA, ETIAS will not be required for a layover as long as you remain within the airport's international transit area and do not leave to enter the country itself.

For all of these programs, airlines will be required to notify passengers of requirements in enough time in advance of their flights to complete the process. BAC will continue to update members as the things change.

Cancellation Policy

The BAC Ride Registration Fee and Payment Processing Fees are not refundable unless the entire tour is canceled because the number of participants registered is less than the minimum established for the tour. Refunds of tour payments will depend upon whether a replacement rider signs up, and on costs that can be recouped. The amount refunded will be based on the principle that the tour’s remaining participants will not incur any additional cost as a result of cancellations. If the canceling participant is replaced, a refund will be made at that time. If the canceling participant can't be replaced, any refund will be determined after the ride and final expense report are completed. If a single participant cancels and another roommate cannot be found, in addition to other costs that cannot be recouped the canceling roommate may also be liable for the solo supplement fee of the roommate remaining on the tour. BAC encourages members to purchase trip cancellation insurance. 

Ride Participant Responsibility

Please remember that BAC Ride Leaders are volunteers, and that successful tours depend on participants providing much of their own support. Participants are expected to come to the ride well trained, in good health and ready to accomplish the required daily riding using well-maintained bicycles. All participants should accept responsibility for a safe and enjoyable tour. We encourage you to read the ride description carefully and respond to requests from the Ride Leader. While on the ride, support your Ride Leader with offers to help with various tasks such as happy hour preparation and cleanup. Please do not interfere with the ride by inviting non-participants onto any portion of the ride or tour. Please keep the Ride Leader informed of any special request you might have and respect the Ride Leader’s decisions. 

Insurance

Before participating in any BAC tour, you should assess whether your medical and travel insurance coverage is sufficient. BAC maintains insurance that covers expenses related to accidents, medical emergencies such as sudden and unexpected sickness, and repatriation. This coverage applies when touring outside the US and your home country, regardless of your nationality. It will cover you door-to-door for a maximum of 90 days but will expire if you make a side trip not related to the BAC tour for more than 7 days before or after. There is limited coverage for a family member to join a covered person in an emergency. The policy covers the cost of treatment for Covid and other unexpected illnesses, but not quarantine. You should ensure that your vaccinations are up to date. Coverage is subject to a $1,000 deductible.

Sign-up

To register for this ride, use the sign-up links just above the Ride Description. After preliminary acceptance, you will be moved to the pending list and receive an email requesting you to go back to the BAC site to digitally accept the terms of the Release of Liability (ROL), and pay the Tour Deposit and the non-refundable BAC Ride Registration Fee by credit card. There is a $150.00 international ride fee. As soon as your deposit has been processed, your name(s) will be added to the Participant List. BAC members with questions may contact the Ride Coordinator by "clicking" the name at the top of this Ride Description.