5-day motorcycle tour to the best of
Thracian tombs in Bulgaria
Day 1: 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 and the tour starts on next day.![](../../../../Motorcycle Tours/Europe Tours/Bulgaria Tours/Thracian Tombs Tour/dest_star_in1.jpg)
Day 2: 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.
Day 3: 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.
Day 4: 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.
Day 5: 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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