Day 1: From the Bulgarian capital Sofia, we transfer east through the Sredna Gora Mountains and then across the Thracian Plain to Asenovgrad, a small historic town nestled in at the foot of the Rodopes. Our accommodation for the night is in a beautifully restored 19th century town house.

Day 2: Leaving Asenovgrad, we drive into the Rodopes via the Chepelarska Gorge, beginning the day with a visit to the Bachkovo Monastery, one of the largest and most atmospheric Bulgarian monasteries. The Bachkovo Monastery was founded in 1083 and although over the centuries it has been ravaged by earthquake, fire and the hands of man, it still remains a unique cultural and historical monument, with outstanding architecture. The Bachkovo Monastery also has many beautiful frescoes and icons. Leaving the Bachkovo Monastery, we drive on into the heart of the Rodopes, and make our way into the Persenk massif. Our goal is the amazing natural rock arches of Chudnite Mostove (The Wonderful Bridges) which lie amidst the forest on the flank of Mount Golyam Persenk (2091m). Chudnite Mostove comprises two giant rock arches below which flow the waters of the stream known as Dalbok Dol. The site is a protected territory, and the whole surrounding region has been declared an Important Bird Area and NATURA 2000 site on account of its rich flora and fauna which includes many endemic plants interesting and birds. After a picnic lunch, we then set off on foot and start a 3-hour ramble around the flank of Mount Kamaka to the hidden village of Zabardo, alternating woodland walking with some stunning open sections. As we walk along the trail we should see numerous species of butterflies as well as many interesting orchids.

Day 3: Today's 6-hour circular walk sees us making an ascent of Mount Golyam Snezhnik (2188m), the second highest peak in the Rodopes, enjoying a wonderful panorama. The peak is renowned as one of the best viewpoints in the whole of southern Bulgaria. The region lies in the heart of 'Mursalitsa' Prime Butterfly Area where there are numerous interesting species such as: Apollo (Parnassius apollo), Mountain Small White (Pieris ergane), Chequered Blue (Scolitantides orion), Alcon Blue (Glaucopsyche alcon), False Eros Blue (Polyommatus eroides), Eastern Large Heath (Coenonympha rhodopensis), Woodland Ringlet (Erebia medusa), Yellow-legged Tortoiseshell (Nymphalis xanthomelas) and Nickerl's Fritillary (Melitaea aurelia).

Day 4: Driving west into the Trigrad Karst region, we make our way up the beautiful Trigrad Gorge. The Trigrad Gorge is not only famous for its spectacular cliffs and numerous caves, it also shelters an amazing variety of plants and animals, many of them rare or endemic species. Indeed the whole region has been declared the 'Trigradsko Zhdrelo' protected territory to conserve the unique biodiversity of this wonderful region. Within the Trigrad Gorge, there have been recorded 39 species of mammals, 8 species of reptiles, 5 species of amphibians and 3 species of fish, as well as 109 species of birds. Perhaps the most famous bird of all those found here is the Wallcreeper (Tichodroma muraria), a rare and elusive bird that flutters around the rocks like a butterfly on strikingly crimson wings. The Wallcreeper (Tichodroma muraria) draws birdwatchers from around the world, as this is one of the most accessible and reliable places to see the species in Europe. The other claim to fame of the region is the 'Dyavolsko Gurlo' (Devil's Throat) Cave. This cave is in fact an enormous chasm with a thundering waterfall. 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, we then set off on foot for a 3-hour walk along the line of a former Roman Road, making our way across the mountains to the neighbouring village of Yagodina where we will be based for the next two nights.

Day 5: We start today's 4-hour walk by first hiking down the gorge of the Chairska River, and then climbing through ancient forests to emerge at an extensive area of glorious flower-filled meadows. Here we will lunch, having plenty of time to enjoy the wildflowers, butterflies and birds that we will see all around us in this enchanting spot. Having crossed the meadows, and then an interesting section of karst plateau, we eventually drop down into the Trigradsko Zhdrelo (Trigrad Gorge) where our bus will be waiting to drive us back to our hotel in Yagodina.

Day 6: Setting off on foot from the hotel, we pick up yet another section of former Roman road, now a beautiful forest trail that is famed for the great variety of orchids that can be found growing alongside it. Suddenly the path emerges at a shelter, perched high on a rocky viewpoint from which one can gaze down into the Buinovo Gorge below. From here, the trail steadily descends to meet the river and road beside a wonderfully preserved Roman bridge and just a short distance from the Yagodina Cave. We will spend about an hour inside the cave, one of the most beautiful in the country, and world renowned for its variety of cave formations including stalagmites, stalactites, draperies, flowstones, dendrites and cave pearls. The cave system also harbours a unique prehistoric dwelling and we will have the chance to see this and learn more about the surprisingly sophisticated way-of-life of the people who inhabited it more than 6000 years ago. Finally, after lunch, we set off on the long but highly picturesque transfer to the Bulgarian capital Sofia, where we will spend our final night.

Day 7: The tour ends with individual departures from the hotel in Sofia.