Day 1: Leaving Sofia we set off for the Rhodope (Rodopi) Mountains. Our journey takes us through the Sredna Gora Mountains and across the Thracian Plain, before arriving at Asenovgrad, a small town nestled in at the foot of the Rhodope (Rodopi) Mountains. Our accommodation for the night is a beautifully restored 19th century town house.

Day 2: A short drive brings us to the Bachkovo Monastery, one of the largest and most atmospheric monasteries in Bulgaria. As well as visiting the monastery itself we will walk (2 hours) along an ancient pilgrimage trail to seek out several tiny chapels hidden away in a nature reserve in secret valley behind monastery. Having driven on to the village of Shiroka Laka, an architectural reserve preserving fine examples of local vernacular architecture, we will be welcomed in traditional Rodopi style and have an introduction to local folk crafts and customs. A short drive then brings us to the tiny village of Gela where we will be based in a small family-run hotel for the next two nights. The surrounding meadows offer a perfect place to get accustomed to our snowshoes.

Day 3: Setting off on foot from our hotel, this wonderful circular walk (5 hours) takes us through meadows and forests on the northern slopes of the Perelik massif . Here, in the shadow of the highest peaks of the Rodopi Mountains, snow tends to accumulate deeper and last for longer than in most other parts of the mountains. Here not only are we likely to find ideal conditions for snowshoeing, there is a chance to experience a real feeling of wilderness and solitude. Eventually our route drops down to an isolated chapel at the foot of a small conical peak which is known to have been a sacred sanctuary for local Thracian tribes and according to local tradition was frequented by Orpheus. Then skirting a tiny hamlet we arrive back at our hotel.

Day 4: Today's walk (5 hours) is a long, undulating and incredibly varied exploration of the Karabalkan massif. For much of the day we enjoy some stunning panoramic views, especially those south towards the highest peaks of the Rodopi. Using an almost forgotten network of ancient paths and trails, we thread our way between a succession of tiny isolated hamlets, seemingly forgotten by time and the world. Here we have the chance to see some of the most beautiful examples of traditional Rodopi architecture. Wonderful stone cottages that were crafted by master builders. Descending to our bus we then transfer east to the spectacular Trigrad Karst region where we will be based for the next 2 nights in a welcoming family-run hotel in the remote village of Yagodina.

Day 5: After breakfast a short drive takes us to the Yagodinska Peshtera, one of the most beautiful caves in the country. We will spend about an hour walking through the cave, marvelling at the great variety of cave formations which include stalagmites, stalactites, draperies, flowstones, dendrites and cave pearls. If we are lucky, we may also have a chance to get a glimpse of hibernating Greater Horseshoe Bat (Rhinolophus ferrumequinum) and Lesser Horseshoe Bat (Rhinolophus hipposideros). Having visited the cave we then set off on foot (4 hours) following ancient Roman trails across the mountains to the dramatic Trigrad Gorge. Here we will descend underground once more, this time entering the so-called 'Devil's Throat' Cave, a giant cavern which contains a thundering waterfall and in winter is usually home to a huge colony of hibernating Schreiber's Bat (Miniopterus schreibersii). According to legend, this was the cave by which Orpheus emerged from the Underworld after his tragically failed attempt to reclaim his wife Eurydice. After visiting the cave our bus will drive us back to our hotel in the village of Yagodina.

Day 6: During the first part of the day we will team up with an experienced game warden and set off tracking and trying to observe some of the wild animals such a Balkan Chamois (Rupicapra rupicapra balcanica), Mouflon (Ovis orientalis), Roe Deer (Capreolus capreolus), Fallow Deer (Dama dama), Wild Boar (Sus scrofa) and Wolf (Canis lupus), which inhabit this wild and rugged region. The area is also home to Brown Bear (Ursus arctos), but these are likely to be hibernating at this time of year. Depending on weather conditions and the likely location of the animals we may need to access remoter parts of the mountains with an exciting ride in jeeps before setting off on foot to try and locate the animals. Later in the afternoon we then move on to a Spa Hotel in the nearby town of Devin where you can enjoy a relaxing end to the exertions of the last few days with a sauna and swim in a mineral pool, or perhaps you may even decide to treat yourself to a massage or some other spa procedure!

Day 7: Leaving Devin, we drive back to Sofia where, on arrival, there will be time to see some of the main sights of the Bulgarian capital.

Day 8: The tour ends after breakfast in Sofia.