5-DAY
motorcycle tour to the best of Thracian tombs in Bulgaria
  Tour
starts in Sofia. Meeting at the airport.
If arriving schedule allows - a short ride to the village of
Koprivshtitsa, otherwise
overnight stay in Sofia. Welcome dinner.
 In the morning we will ride to the Starossel tomb - a recent phenomenal discovery in the summer of year 2000, dated
back from the
4th-5th century BC. The uncovered two-chamber grave is approached by monumental stairs
and a corridor and surrounded by a wall made out of some 4000
stone blocks. In the
Starossel tomb archeologists have found a magnificent trove of relics, including
a large gold funerary wreath, other gold jewelry, bronze shields,
helmets and swords, and two sets of silver decorations for horses.
The grave and its surroundings are also thought to have been an
important religious site for Thracians dating from the stone age.
After touring the tomb, we will be heading to the town of Kazanlak, where we
will spend the night in a cozy hotel situated near Koprinka lake.
 On the next morning after breakfast,
a short ride and a visit of the
Kazanlak tomb - one of the most famous
monuments of Thracian culture of the early 3rd century BC, included in the
World Register of Historical Sites of UNESCO for its extraordinary art
gallery. The scenes of funeral procession , the musicians, the Thracian
ruler and his wife, the chariots, the horses and other depictions are all
very interesting. After Kazanlak
tomb you will visit
Helvetika tomb uncovered near the town of Shipka, in
the south foothills of the Balkan Range. The tomb dates back to the 4th
century BC.
The metal part of a Roman soldier's shoe found at the site
indicates that the tomb may have been plundered as early as in Roman
times. The Shipka Tombs are seven in total on an area of central
Bulgaria considered to have been the Valley of the Thracian Kings. We
will continue the day taking on the Shipka pass. On our way you will have lunch
on top of Shipka pass, tasting the
local specialty - the delicious Buffalo milk and then riding through
the town of Gabrovo and Dryanovo monastery to the city of
Veliko Tarnovo.
 On
the next morning a ride to the town of Razgrad and then to the
Sveshtary
tomb which is arguably the finest Thracian tomb yet discovered in Bulgaria,
located 7 km from the town of Isperih. Uncovered during excavations
of a sepulchral mound it dates back to the first half
of the 3rd century BC.
The funeral rites, the building technique, the architectural design and the
rich decoration, distinguished
for Hellenistic models, provide evidence that a Thracian ruler has been
buried there. From the Sveshtary tomb you will be riding to the city of Russe and spending the night
there.
On
the last day of the tour, a full day ride to Sofia with a stop in the city of Pleven for lunch in Kailaka city park. Arriving in Sofia and transfer to the
airport.
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* Prices shown are per rider and double room occupancy.
Passengers on guided tour pay 50 % of Rider's price.
Self-guided tours include motorcycle rental, itinerary, maps,
accommodations, breakfast, and 24 hours phone support.
Supported tours include back-up vehicle with driver, spare
equipment and storage for participants' personal belongings. |
Tour dates: May - October
<br>The biggest Thracian sanctuary on the Balkans)