How many travellers will be in my group?

Maximum 12 travellers — that's the cap on every Undiscovered Destinations small-group tour. Small enough to eat in a local family home; large enough to share the wonder with other like-minded travellers.

Yes, solo travellers are welcome on every small-group tour. A private single room is offered on every trip, with the single-room supplement listed alongside the departure price. If you’d rather share, you can opt for a twin room with another solo traveller of the same gender. Around 60% of UD travellers come solo, so you’ll be in good company.

How fit do I need to be?

Fitness requirements vary by itinerary, from gentle to demanding. The day-by-day tour dossier sets out walking distances, terrain and any altitude so you know what to expect. If you have specific concerns, speak to our team before booking — they can talk you through a typical day.

When are the next departures?

The next available departures are 27 April 2027; 7 September 2027; 9 May 2028. See the "Choose your departure" table further up the page for the full schedule and per-departure pricing.

Will my departure definitely run?

Yes. Departures marked Guaranteed on this page run whether one traveller books or twelve. We never cancel a confirmed tour for lack of numbers, so you can book flights and time off around it with confidence.

What's included in the tour price?

Included items vary by tour — see the full list above. On this trip, expect: Arrival and departure transfers; Overland transport throughout with professional driver; All accommodation; and more. International flights and travel insurance are not included.

Where exactly does this trip go?

This tour visits Bulgaria. Each destination has its own page with practical information, climate, and the attractions our specialists recommend — linked from the itinerary above.

Bulgaria12 daysMax 12 travellersSolo-friendlyGuaranteed departures

Essence of Bulgaria

A 12-day journey from Sofia through Rila's monastery, Rhodope villages, Plovdiv's Roman ruins, and the rose-filled Balkan highlands.

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About this journey

What to expect on this trip

As we know it today, Bulgaria is an urbanized, skilled society, where modernity coexists with much that is traditional. Heritage plays a highly visible role in the society, with medieval churches, monasteries and numerous folk festivals being held in rural places. Nevertheless, such traditions provide a contrast with contemporary Bulgaria’s rapid transformation into a modern European society. Embark with us on an itinerary which has been designed to take in as many of Bulgaria’s highlights as possible, while keeping cross-country travel as manageable as possible. Our journey starts with a tour of the vibrant capital Sofia before leaving for Southern Bulgaria, with its rich cultural heritage and dramatic Pirin mountain scenery. We continue to the central region along the Rhodopes mountains, via picturesque villages and narrow gorges to Trigrad where unspoilt nature dominates.

Finally, we spend time in the wonderful city of Plovdiv and continue to the North in the shadow of the Balkan Mountains with its fascinating mix of historical old towns and archaeological treasures, from the ancient Thracian Tomb in Kazanlak, via the world-famous rose valley and back to the capital. Within Bulgaria’s beguiling blend of nature and history, unforgettable adventures are guaranteed.

The journey

Essence of Bulgaria

What makes this trip special

Drawn from the full tour dossier — the standout days, encounters and views our specialists keep coming back to.

Your route

The highlights

Sofia Walking Tour
Explore Bulgaria's capital on a guided walking tour taking in the golden-domed Alexander Nevski Cathedral, the ancient Sveta Sofia church, the City Garden, the Russian Church, and the Art Nouveau Synagogue.
Rila Monastery and St John's Cave
Visit Bulgaria's most famous cultural monument, set in the majestic Rila Mountains, and admire the Church of Rozhdestvo Bogorodichno with its apocalyptic frescoes. Take a flat 3.5km walk along the Rilska River to the hermit cave of St John of Rila.
Rozhen Monastery and Melnik Wine Cellars
Walk through acacia forest and sandstone "sand pyramids" to the 13th-century Rozhen Monastery on a tranquil plateau. Visit the home of a historic wine merchant and taste wine in natural cellars beneath the building in Bulgaria's smallest town.
Kovachevitsa and Rhodope Highland Villages
Detour to the stone-built architectural reserve of Kovachevitsa in the Rhodope foothills, home to a peaceful mix of Bulgarian Christians, Pomaks, and Turks. Explore the alpine village with its stone tile roofs and small galleries.
Yagodina Cave and Eagle's Eye Platform
Walk through the stalagmite-filled Yagodina Cave for 45 minutes through five-level galleries. Take a 4WD Jeep to the Eagle's Eye viewing platform at 1,563 metres for a 680-metre sheer drop view over Buynovo Gorge.
Shiroka Luka Bagpipe Village and Bachkovo Monastery
Meet a bagpipe master in the architectural reserve of Shiroka Luka, who demonstrates the making of the traditional Kaba Gajda. Stop at Bachkovo Monastery, Bulgaria's second largest, founded in 1083, with its fine architecture and dramatic frescoes.

Full itinerary · 12 days

Free — no sign-up

Dates & prices

Choose your departure

Reserve your place with a £350 per-person deposit; the balance is due 70 days before departure. Prefer your own space? A single room is available on every departure.

Our departures are guaranteed to run. We never cancel a confirmed tour.

Departs	Returns	Status	Price pp	Single supp.
27 Apr 2027	8 May 2027	Guaranteed	£3,095	+£320	Book now
7 Sept 2027	18 Sept 2027	Guaranteed	£3,095	+£320	Book now
9 May 2028	6 May 2028	Guaranteed	£3,095	+£320	Book now
5 Sept 2028	16 Sept 2028	Guaranteed	£3,095	+£320	Book now

Departure
27 Apr 2027 → 8 May 2027
Guaranteed
From
£3,095 pp
Single supp. +£320
Book now
Departure
7 Sept 2027 → 18 Sept 2027
Guaranteed
From
£3,095 pp
Single supp. +£320
Book now
Departure
9 May 2028 → 6 May 2028
Guaranteed
From
£3,095 pp
Single supp. +£320
Book now
Departure
5 Sept 2028 → 16 Sept 2028
Guaranteed
From
£3,095 pp
Single supp. +£320
Book now

Can’t find the right fit?

Every one of our Bulgaria journeys can be rebuilt around your dates, pace and interests — or we’ll design something entirely new.

Tailor my trip

What's included

What your tour price covers

Included in the price

Arrival and departure transfers
Overland transport throughout with professional driver
All accommodation
Services of English-speaking guide / tour leader
Meals as listed
Entrance fees for sites listed as part of the itinerary

Budget separately for

International flights (, contact , us, for expert advice and a quote)
Any airport taxes
Travel Insurance
Visa – when required
Drinks
Items of personal nature
Tips (Discretionary)

Before you go

Essential information

Shared across all tours that visit this destination. Read alongside your individual tour dossier for trip-specific details.

Foreign Office travel advice

We constantly monitor official travel advice, including the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office (FCDO) Bulgaria Travel Advice, and will always advise clients of any warnings before departure. At the time of writing, there are no specific warnings against travel to the parts of Bulgaria that we visit on our tours.

Please contact us if you have any specific concerns or would like to understand what measures are in place to ensure your trip remains safe and trouble-free.

Voices from the road

What travellers say about us

Reviews from ninety-plus small-group adventures worldwide, written by the people who took them.

“All went well on our train adventure from London to Istanbul. The guides, especially Olaf, were professional and knowledgeable. ”

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Stewart Mitchel, UK

“Guides and drivers in both Bulgaria and Romania were very knowledgeable, professional, friendly and helpful. Excellent tour, obviously well researched. All the tours we've done with UD have been very good ”

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Chris Fleckney, UK

“London to Istanbul by train - great trip from concept to execution. Very glad to have participated. Mark was an excellent and empathetic leader. ”

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Ken Nathanson, Hong Kong

Helped by Mark Huggins

“The tour leader, Olaf Stals, did a sterling job. Charming, accessible, enthusiastic and a good communicator. Olaf has an in-depth knowledge of the mechanics of seamless travelling and managed the group very effectively. The tour was challenging but very good organisation and professional tour leadership made it a success.”

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Gustavo Musto, Uruguay

“When asked by other travellers why I book with Undiscovered Destinations, it's because of the chance to visit places few, if any, other tour operators go to. ”

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Oliver Grumitt, UK

“The tour leader, Olaf Stals, did a sterling job. Charming, accessible, enthusiastic and a good communicator. Olaf has an in-depth knowledge of the mechanics of seamless travelling and managed the group very effectively. The tour was challenging but very good organisation and professional tour leadership made it a success.”

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Gustavo Musto, Uruguay

“Given the countries involved, I thought the accommodation was better than I expected. Our guide was knowledgeable. He was kind and provided snacks and stories to while away the very long driving days. ”

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Traveller from the UK

“An excellent trip. We saw all that we expected to and more. Very good guide, helpful and considerate. Tour met and exceeded my expectations ”

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Martin Robathan, UK

“Quite the best guide and driver we have encountered in 45 years of travel.”

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John Davies, UK

“You have a good choice of more adventurous options. Standards are good. Prices competitive”

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Stewart Mitchell, UK

Want to customise this tour?

Make Essence of Bulgaria your own — adjust the route, dates, pace or who travels, or start from a blank page with a specialist. We'll bring the details of this trip straight into your enquiry.

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