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Ffestiniog Travel · Escorted tour

Bulgaria’s Hidden Secrets

Escorted 12-day Romania and Bulgaria circuit from Bucharest via narrow-gauge rail

Illustration of Bulgaria’s Hidden Secrets

Ffestiniog Travel's Bulgaria's Hidden Secrets is a 12-day escorted tour departing from London, flying to Bucharest, and ending in Sofia. The itinerary combines cultural and historical sites with scenic rail journeys through Romania and Bulgaria. Travellers spend 11 nights in a mix of 3-4 star hotels and family-run boutique properties, all en-suite. The tour includes two signature rail experiences: the narrow-gauge mountain line from Septemvri to Bansko, which climbs to Avramovo at 4,100 feet, the highest railway station in the Balkans; and a main-line journey from Sofia back to Ruse. A tour leader from London accompanies throughout, joined by local professional guides at key destinations. The pace is relaxed, with two nights in Kyulevcha and two in Plovdiv, allowing time to absorb each location. Highlights include the Madara Horseman UNESCO site, 14th-century rock churches at Ivanovo, Veliko Tarnovo's citadel, Thracian tombs, Rila Monastery, and a vintage tram ride through Sofia. The tour suits history-lovers, repeat rail travellers, and those seeking guided comfort with cultural substance.

What to know before you look closer

  • Only one departure is scheduled for October 2027; confirm availability and book early.
  • The from-price of GBP 3,990 (USD 5,329) covers accommodation, most meals, tours, and rail fares; flights are included but in Economy Class.
  • Day 6 in Plovdiv and the free time in Bansko are unguided; the rest of the tour is escorted with local guides at key sites.

Day by day

  1. Day 1overnight: Bucharest

    Flight to Bucharest

    Morning flight from London Heathrow to Bucharest, capital of Romania. Transfer to hotel followed by short, guided city tour.

  2. Day 2overnight: Kyulevcha

    Across the Danube

    After a short drive through southern Romania, we enter Bulgaria at the city of Ruse and arrive at the village of Kyulevcha. We spend 2 nights with dinners at a delightful small hotel.

  3. Day 3overnight: Kyulevcha

    The Madara Horseman

    Drive to the nearby Madara Horseman (UNESCO listed), an archaeological site dating from pre-historic times. Afternoon visit to the UNESCO World Heritage Ivanovo rock cut churches dating from the 14th Century. Return to Kyulevcha for dinner and overnight.

  4. Day 4overnight: Veliko Tarnovo

    Veliko Tarnovo

    We visit the village of Arbanassi to see the Church of the Nativity. Continue to Veliko Tarnovo, Bulgaria’s former capital city. A short walking tour will include the famous citadel and we overnight in a family run private hotel in the old town.

  5. Day 5overnight: Plovdiv

    Shipka Pass & Thracian Tombs

    Continue over the Shipka Pass to Kazanlak to visit the Thracian tombs, then to Plovdiv for a 2-night stay. Our small hotel is situated in the heart of the old city.

  6. Day 6overnight: Plovdiv

    Plovdiv

    After a short guided walk the rest of the day is free to explore independently. The old city has much to offer – beautiful 19th Century houses, a Roman theatre and stadium dating from the 2nd Century and one of the first mosques built by the Ottomans on Bulgarian land.

  7. Day 7railovernight: Bansko

    Narrow Gauge to Bansko

    Main line train to Septemvri followed by a journey over the highly scenic narrow gauge rail line to Bansko. This line also boasts the highest station in the Balkans – Avramovo (4100 ft). Arrive at the ski resort of Bansko late afternoon. We overnight and enjoy dinner at a well appointed guest house.

  8. Day 8overnight: Sofia

    Rila Monastery

    After a little free time in Bansko we drive to Rila Monastery where lunch is included. A tour of the monastery includes, apart from the main church, the 14th Century fortress tower, monk’s cell, jewellery and ethnographic exhibitions. Continue by road to Sofia, Bulgaria’s capital.

  9. Day 9overnight: Sofia

    Sofia & VintageTram Tour

    Most of the day is free to explore with an unlimited travel pass for metro, trams and buses before a late afternoon three hour vintage tram tour with local guide. The tram stops at, amongst other places, the Lion’s Bridge, National Palace of Culture and the Vasil Levski National Stadium.

  10. Day 10railovernight: Ruse

    Return to Ruse

    Mid-morning train through pleasant mountain scenery to Ruse, arriving late afternoon for overnight stay.

  11. Day 11railovernight: Bucharest

    Ruse Railway Museum

    Morning visit to the National Railway Museum at the original Ruse railway station (built 1866) followed by afternoon train from Ruse to Bucharest.

  12. Day 12rail

    Bucharest to London

    Late morning rail transfer to the airport for flight to Heathrow, arriving early evening.

The moments this trip is built around

  • Day 3Visit the Madara Horseman UNESCO site and the 14th-century Ivanovo rock churches carved into the cliffsides.
  • Day 4Walk through Veliko Tarnovo's old town to see the citadel overlooking Bulgaria's former capital.
  • Day 7Ride the narrow-gauge railway from Septemvri to Bansko, passing Avramovo, the highest railway station in the Balkans at 4,100 feet.
  • Day 8Tour Rila Monastery, including the 14th-century fortress tower, jewellery and ethnographic exhibitions.
  • Day 9Ride the vintage tram tour in Sofia, stopping at the Lion's Bridge, National Palace of Culture, and Vasil Levski National Stadium.

Included

  • Flights in Economy Class by scheduled airline
  • Rail travel as specified
  • Other travel by private mini-coach
  • Vintage tram tour
  • Sofia transport ticket
  • Hotel accommodation in Bucharest and Sofia
  • Other accommodation in smaller boutique hotels and guest houses, all en-suite
  • All breakfasts, 1 lunch and 3 dinners
  • Entrance tickets as specified in the itinerary
  • Airport and other transfers
  • Services of a tour leader from London and throughout the tour plus local professional guides
  • All local taxes/fees
  • All gratuities

Questions travellers ask

Is train travel included?
Yes. The tour includes two main rail journeys: the scenic narrow-gauge line from Septemvri to Bansko (with the Balkans' highest station) and the main line from Sofia to Ruse. Both fares are included in the package price.
Is this an escorted tour?
Yes. Ffestiniog Travel provides a tour leader from London who accompanies the entire group. Local professional guides join at destinations for walking tours and site visits.
What are the main highlights?
Historic sites including the Madara Horseman UNESCO site, 14th-century Ivanovo rock churches, Veliko Tarnovo's citadel, Thracian tombs, and Rila Monastery. Mountain scenery at Shipka Pass and Bansko, the narrow-gauge railway to Avramovo, Plovdiv's old city, and a vintage tram tour in Sofia.
What accommodation is provided?
Larger cities have 3 or 4-star hotels (My Continental Hotel in Bucharest, Hotel Hebros in Plovdiv, Arte Hotel in Sofia). Smaller towns use boutique hotels and guest houses, all en-suite: Eco Villa Bulgara in Kyulevcha, Gurko Hotel in Veliko Tarnovo, Momimi Dvori Hotel in Bansko, and Residence House in Ruse.
What meals are included?
All breakfasts, one lunch (at Rila Monastery), and three dinners are included. The itinerary specifies dinners in Kyulevcha (both nights), Bansko, and Sofia.
How much walking is involved?
Short guided walking tours in Veliko Tarnovo, Plovdiv, and Sofia. Day 6 in Plovdiv and free time in Bansko allow independent exploration. Travel between sites is by coach or train; visits to Madara Horseman and Rila Monastery are by vehicle with modest walking at each site.

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