- Hike the Rodopi Mountains, a walker’s paradise of deep gorges, ancient forests and flowering meadows
- Embark on day walks from our comfortable base in a traditional Bulgarian village
- Look out for native flora and fauna, including brown bears, orchids and wildflowers
- Trace the myth of Orpheus, the Ancient Greek bard, who is said to have lived here
- Enjoy a warm welcome and delicious home-produced local cuisine at Yagodina Family Hotel

Bulgaria: Rodopi Mountains
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- Bulgaria: Rodopi Mountains
Reviews
Add your own reviewMore than a trip.
This was a holiday: good food, good weather, relaxing hotel, nice hosts , great group, well organised. An exploration, fabulous unhurried but exhilarating walks, wonderful scenery and an education. Our guide Julian seemed to know and love all the wildlife, the butterflies and birds, the geology, geography, mythology and the current social and political status of Bulgaria. An interesting , informative and stimulating trip for mind and body.
Most Inspirational Moment
Seeing the Wall creepers and enjoying lunches with a view.
Thoughts on Group Leader
Delightful, caring, organised and knowledgeable
Advice for Potential Travellers
Explore the village of Yagodina in your free time. Take good waterproofs, if it rains it rains hard and fast.
Hiking in the Rodopi 2025
This was an excellent walking tour with, as described, moderate walking but with time to stop and enjoy the wildlife and great views. It was very well organised and the village hotel was a good choice for walkers with good rooms, excellent home made food and attentive staff.
Most Inspirational Moment
Watching eagles and woodpeckers while out walking.
Thoughts on Group Leader
Julian was absolutely outstanding - sensible, passionate, knowledgeable and clearly very experienced. He identified each member of the groups interests and then highlighted the relevant flora, fauna and birds as we walked. His 20+ years of experience showed and I would have no hesitation in joining another of his tours - or recommending him to others.
Advice for Potential Travellers
Go while you still can - it seems Exodus has been reducing their Bulgarian tour options recently but this is well worth the experience.
A relaxing nature trip
This is a very relaxing hiking trip with lots of time to explore nature at its best in the Rodopi Mts!
Most Inspirational Moment
The deep gorges around Yagodina were so inspiring.
Thoughts on Group Leader
Nelly was the best! So passionate about these mountains and all their beauty!
Advice for Potential Travellers
This is not alpine hiking but a much easier relaxed pace to explore nature along the way.
Beautiful wildlife everywhere!
Beautiful wildlife everywhere!
Most Inspirational Moment
Being on the top of one of the highest mountains in Bulgaria!
Thoughts on Group Leader
Amazing, knowledgeable and very friendly and sweet!
Advice for Potential Travellers
Bring poles and ankle support shoes
Being on the top of one of the highest mountains in Bulgaria!
Beautiful wildlife everywhere you looked, really nice hikes and beautiful home cooked food!
Most Inspirational Moment
Being on the top of one of the highest mountains in Bulgaria!
Thoughts on Group Leader
Amazing, knowledgeable and very friendly and sweet!
Advice for Potential Travellers
Bring poles and ankle support shoes
Mountains and meadows, raptors and bears and legend.
Walking in the peace of thick pine forested mountains and grassy meadows, with cool crystal clear streams, but in the domain of wild brown bears and raptors. The legend of Orpheus never far away. Meticulously kept hotel, with good food.
Most Inspirational Moment
Finding clear sign of wild brown bears - scat, overturned stones and a bear paw print set INTO the tyre tread of a jeep - which had passed us on the forest track only five minutes previously! Seeing raptors flying, possibly peregrine or maybe a saker falcon.
Thoughts on Group Leader
Svetoslava was an excellent guide. She was organised and fully explained each day's activities including timings etc. She is also qualified in bear studies.
Advice for Potential Travellers
The hotel is meticulously kept by the family owners, who clearly take pride in their hotel. For example, every morning over an early coffee I saw even the patio being swept clean. Every day. The food is prepared with fresh produce and is very good. The bathroom is a wet room (without a separate shower enclosure) and there is a plastic bowel for washing shirt and smalls if you wish. (Take half a dozen pegs). The mountain tracks can be a little stony in places, a good boot with ankle support is useful on those days. There are some short but steep ascents to be prepared for, but the views are well worth it. The hotel's tap water is quite safe to drink and there are also mountain streams and these have a tap dispense in places for bottle re-filling, but in hot months one or two may be dry - the guide will inform you. Carrying two litres of water is sensible. Take a wetproof top though - just in case of rain even if it looks like it won't, and a plastic sealed container for the lunch sandwich. The trails were not heavily used and there was a sense of having the place to ourselves. The forest tracks open into wide meadows, here the air shimmers with the beating wings of butterflies. Look above for birds, buzzards and raptors were frequently seen. The wall creeper eluded us this time though. Snakes? Never saw any, as they was well gone, alerted by the vibration of our footfall, or else our scent. You are in the realm of wildlife. Chamois were seen as were the signs of wild boar. You are also in bear country. We saw bear droppings and overturned stones where they had been looking for food under. We saw a tree with bear fur trapped in the bark where they had rubbed their backs, and then the bear paw print noted above. It's important to remember though that there is little risk here. Svetoslava explained that any bear would have heard us through our normal walking noise or the inevitable chit-chat amongst the group and would have moved off, or like the snakes detected our smell with the same result. So although it is exciting to know these animals are present, it is equally reassuring to know there is little risk either. I carried a small pair of 8 x 32 binoculars. The border "dead zone" (in communist times) is an interesting day, perhaps take a torch that day to go into the interior troops' bunker, and there are also T72 or PT76 pits each with a concrete shelter for its crew to have a look at. Peace, quiet, thick forests, open meadows with beautiful vistas, cool crystal clear streams, beautiful butterflies and raptors. But it is the presence of the brown bears which sets this trip apart. Like Orpheus you will always want to look back, but in your case with a much happier outcome than his!
Stunning landscape, fascinating guide
An under-appreciated gem. The mountains are stunning, the walking is moderate and achievable in breathtaking scenery, and we saw very few other people on any of the walks. Lots of additional interest in terms of flora and fauna, and the tour guide (Svetla) was extremely knowledgeable on a wide range of subjects, patient and had a great sense of humour.
Everything that was promised by the trip notes and earlier reviews
A lovely week in an undisturbed mountain environment. We hardly saw anyone else on our walks, and Yagodina village is completely calm. It feels such a healthy week – unspoilt and wholesome.
Most Inspirational Moment
Probably when our tour leader confided that he is housing in his roof both a large colony of horseshoe bats AND stone martens (which I had never heard of before). Talk about walking the walk as a conservationist..
Thoughts on Group Leader
Excellent. As a walking leader, Julian had put great thought into a lovely variety of walks; his relationship with the people in Yagodina and the hotel is deeply impressive and it felt as though we got special treatment because of him; and his knowledge of the wildlife is HUGE. An expert on bears, but so much more besides. And he is good company
Advice for Potential Travellers
Trip notes are very good, so nothing to add there. I thought that it was worth spending an extra day at the end to visit Sofia, especially as I was able to get a more convenient flight home that way
Walking in the Rodopi Mountains
Great week walking in the environs of Yagodina, an isolated village in the Rodopi mountains. Super hotel, serving wonderful traditional food.
Thoughts on Group Leader
Excellent. A very Knowledgeable individual with extensive knowledge of the mountains and the flora and fauna. Keen to share his expertise.
A fascinating visit to a beautiful and remote area of Bulgaria
Just returned from an excellent week in the Rodopi mountains. Faultless organisation throughout, from the warm hospitality of the Family Hotel Yagodina, its excellent and plentiful local food, to varied walks through deep forests, sunlit meadows, mountain tops. The leader’s knowledge of the area is second to none and he is generous with his knowledge of the wildlife you may encounter and sharing his understanding of this mysterious landscape, its history and myths, its people and way of life. One of the best Exodus trips I’ve ever been on, highly recommended. Thank you.
Thoughts on Group Leader
Excellent throughout
Start
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Saturday Saturday
28 Jun 2025 28 Jun 2025
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View Trip NotesSaturday Saturday
12 Jul 2025 12 Jul 2025
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19 Jul 2025 19 Jul 2025
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27 Sep 2025 27 Sep 2025
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04 Oct 2025 04 Oct 2025
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View Trip NotesSaturday Saturday
09 May 2026 09 May 2026
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16 May 2026 16 May 2026
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06 Jun 2026 06 Jun 2026
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Saturday Saturday
13 Jun 2026 13 Jun 2026
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Optional Single Supplement +USD 428
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View Trip NotesSaturday Saturday
27 Jun 2026 27 Jun 2026
Saturday Saturday
04 Jul 2026 04 Jul 2026
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Optional Single Supplement +USD 428
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View Trip NotesSaturday Saturday
11 Jul 2026 11 Jul 2026
Saturday Saturday
18 Jul 2026 18 Jul 2026
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View Trip NotesSaturday Saturday
05 Sep 2026 05 Sep 2026
Saturday Saturday
12 Sep 2026 12 Sep 2026
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Optional Single Supplement +USD 428
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View Trip NotesSaturday Saturday
19 Sep 2026 19 Sep 2026
Saturday Saturday
26 Sep 2026 26 Sep 2026
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Land Only Trip Price USD 2205 Book with USD 551 deposit Book with USD 500 deposit
Optional Single Supplement +USD 428
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View Trip NotesSaturday Saturday
03 Oct 2026 03 Oct 2026
Saturday Saturday
10 Oct 2026 10 Oct 2026
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Land Only Trip Price USD 2205 Book with USD 551 deposit Book with USD 500 deposit
Optional Single Supplement +USD 428
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This departure is available for new bookings and has reached the minimum number of passengers required to go ahead. Please click Continue to proceed with booking or contact our Sales team for assistance.
View Trip NotesSaturday Saturday
10 Oct 2026 10 Oct 2026
Saturday Saturday
17 Oct 2026 17 Oct 2026
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Land Only Trip Price USD 2205 Book with USD 551 deposit Book with USD 500 deposit
Optional Single Supplement +USD 428
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This departure is available for new bookings, and will be guaranteed to go ahead once it reaches minimum numbers. Please click Continue to proceed with booking or contact our Sales team for assistance.
View Trip NotesSaturday Saturday
08 May 2027 08 May 2027
Saturday Saturday
15 May 2027 15 May 2027
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Optional Single Supplement +USD 450
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View Trip NotesSaturday Saturday
29 May 2027 29 May 2027
Saturday Saturday
05 Jun 2027 05 Jun 2027
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Optional Single Supplement +USD 450
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This departure is available for new bookings, and will be guaranteed to go ahead once it reaches minimum numbers. Please click Continue to proceed with booking or contact our Sales team for assistance.
View Trip NotesSaturday Saturday
05 Jun 2027 05 Jun 2027
Saturday Saturday
12 Jun 2027 12 Jun 2027
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Available
Land Only Trip Price USD 2310 Book with USD 577 deposit Book with USD 500 deposit
Optional Single Supplement +USD 450
Availability
This departure is available for new bookings, and will be guaranteed to go ahead once it reaches minimum numbers. Please click Continue to proceed with booking or contact our Sales team for assistance.
View Trip NotesSaturday Saturday
26 Jun 2027 26 Jun 2027
Saturday Saturday
03 Jul 2027 03 Jul 2027
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Available
Land Only Trip Price USD 2310 Book with USD 577 deposit Book with USD 500 deposit
Optional Single Supplement +USD 450
Availability
This departure is available for new bookings, and will be guaranteed to go ahead once it reaches minimum numbers. Please click Continue to proceed with booking or contact our Sales team for assistance.
View Trip NotesSaturday Saturday
10 Jul 2027 10 Jul 2027
Saturday Saturday
17 Jul 2027 17 Jul 2027
Availability
Available
Land Only Trip Price USD 2310 Book with USD 577 deposit Book with USD 500 deposit
Optional Single Supplement +USD 450
Availability
This departure is available for new bookings, and will be guaranteed to go ahead once it reaches minimum numbers. Please click Continue to proceed with booking or contact our Sales team for assistance.
View Trip NotesSaturday Saturday
04 Sep 2027 04 Sep 2027
Saturday Saturday
11 Sep 2027 11 Sep 2027
Availability
Available
Land Only Trip Price USD 2310 Book with USD 577 deposit Book with USD 500 deposit
Optional Single Supplement +USD 450
Availability
This departure is available for new bookings, and will be guaranteed to go ahead once it reaches minimum numbers. Please click Continue to proceed with booking or contact our Sales team for assistance.
View Trip NotesSaturday Saturday
18 Sep 2027 18 Sep 2027
Saturday Saturday
25 Sep 2027 25 Sep 2027
Availability
Available
Land Only Trip Price USD 2310 Book with USD 577 deposit Book with USD 500 deposit
Optional Single Supplement +USD 450
Availability
This departure is available for new bookings, and will be guaranteed to go ahead once it reaches minimum numbers. Please click Continue to proceed with booking or contact our Sales team for assistance.
View Trip NotesSaturday Saturday
02 Oct 2027 02 Oct 2027
Saturday Saturday
09 Oct 2027 09 Oct 2027
Availability
Available
Land Only Trip Price USD 2310 Book with USD 577 deposit Book with USD 500 deposit
Optional Single Supplement +USD 450
Availability
This departure is available for new bookings, and will be guaranteed to go ahead once it reaches minimum numbers. Please click Continue to proceed with booking or contact our Sales team for assistance.
View Trip NotesSaturday Saturday
09 Oct 2027 09 Oct 2027
Saturday Saturday
16 Oct 2027 16 Oct 2027
Availability
Available
Land Only Trip Price USD 2310 Book with USD 577 deposit Book with USD 500 deposit
Optional Single Supplement +USD 450
Availability
This departure is available for new bookings, and will be guaranteed to go ahead once it reaches minimum numbers. Please click Continue to proceed with booking or contact our Sales team for assistance.
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- ATOL protected
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- Full refunds in the event of FCDO cancellations or major disruption at your UK departure airport
- Specialist support to rearrange flights and transfers
- Regional flights available from many UK airports
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