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North-Eastern Bulgaria at a Glance - Ivanovo, Shumen & Madara from Bucharest

2 Reviews 5.00 out of 5 stars Based on 2 traveler reviews collected by Cool Shore Excursions and TripAdvisor | Recommended by 100% of reviewers | Bucharest, Romania
Don't miss out!
On average, this is booked 17 (0) days in advance.

12 to 14 hours (approx.)
Hotel pickup offered
Mobile ticket
Offered in: English

Overview

We offer you a well balanced round trip from Bucharest to north-eastern part of Bulgaria, with a little bit of everything incuded: breathtaking scenery, two UNESCO sites, amazing ruins, historical places, monuments, awe inspiring churches and the best look-out points.

What's Included

  • Bottled water
  • Private transportation
  • Air-conditioned vehicle
  • Photo/video fees at museums/attractions (if any)
  • Visa fee
  • Personal expenses
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Meeting and Pickup

Pickup point

What To Expect

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Our secure website provides real-time availability, and free, no-hassle cancellations up to 24 hours before your tour begins.
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Rock-hewn Churches of Ivanovo

Early morning pick-up from your accommodation in Bucharest. Head south, toward the Bulgarian border. We cross the Danube river on the Friendship Bridge, not far from the Bulgarian border town of Ruse. Ruse is the gateway to the Rusenski Lom, a twisting canyon where medieval monks turned caves near Ivanovo into a rock-cut complex of monasteries. In the 14th century a large community of monks lived here. At the peak of the monastery complex, the number of churches was about 40, while the other premises were around 300, most of which are not preserved today. During the winter season, when one can't visit Ivanovo rock-hewn church, we visit instead the Rock Monastery of St. Dimitar Basarbovski. Built into a sheer cliff east of Basarbovo, this is the only still functioning rock monastery in Bulgaria. The iconfilled church founded in the 15th century and named after the holy man and healer Dimitar of Basarbovo, is reached by a zig-zagging stone staircase.
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1 hour 30 minutes Admission Ticket Free

Monument "1300 Years of Bulgaria"

TRANSFORMERS IN STONE !!! Travel to the city of Shumen for a visit to the impressive Monument to "1300 Years of Bulgaria", also known as the "Founders of the Bulgarian State Monument", a large monument built on a plateau above the city of Shumen, Bulgaria. It was built in 1981 to commemorate the 1300th anniversary of the First Bulgarian Empire.
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1 hour Admission Ticket Free

Tombul Mosque

Next is Mosque Sheriff Khalil Pasha, also known as Tombul Mosque. Located in Shumen, it was built in 1744, and is the largest mosque in Bulgaria and the second largest in the Balkan Peninsula after the mosque Sultan Selim, located in the city of Edirne, the Republic of Turkey..
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1 hour Admission Ticket Free

Madara Rider

Last attraction of the day - the Madara Rider, representing the figure of a knight triumphing over a lion, is carved into a 100-m-high cliff near the village of Madara. Madara was the principal sacred place of the First Bulgarian Empire before Bulgaria’s conversion to Christianity in the 9th century. The inscriptions beside the sculpture tell of events that occurred between AD 705 and 801. The Madara Rider is a unique relief, an exceptional work of art, created during the first years of the formation of the Bulgarian State, at the beginning of the 8th century. It is the only relief of its kind, having no parallel in Europe. It has survived in its authentic state, with no alternation in the past or the present. The inscriptions around the relief are, in fact, a chronicle of important events concerning the reigns of very famous Khans: Tervel, Kormisos and Omurtag.
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2 hours Admission Ticket Free

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Additional Info

  • Confirmation will be received within 48 hours of booking, subject to availability
  • Public transportation options are available nearby
  • Not recommended for travelers with poor cardiovascular health
  • Specialized infant seats are available
  • A current, valid passport is required
  • Please, make sure you owe all the necessary documents and permissions for crossing the border between Romania and Bulgaria.

Frequently Asked Questions (8)

Q: What is the cancellation policy for the North-Eastern Bulgaria at a Glance – Ivanovo, Shumen & Madara from Bucharest?

A: You can cancel up to 24 hours in advance of the tour for a full refund. For a full refund, you must cancel at least 24 hours before the tour start time.If you cancel less than 24 hours before the tour start time, the amount you paid will not be refunded.Any changes made less than 24 hours before the tour start time will not be accepted.Cut-off times are based on the tour local time (EET). Read more Apr 2025

Cancellation Policy

You can cancel up to 24 hours in advance of the tour for a full refund.

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Activity code: C-110977P15

Traveler Photos

Reviews

5.00
2 reviews

Average 5.00 out of 5 stars based on 2 traveler reviews collected by Cool Shore Excursions and partner sites such as Cool Destinations and TripAdvisor

5 stars
2
4 stars
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3 stars
0
2 stars
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1 star
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Don't miss out!
On average, this is booked 17 (0) days in advance.

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What's Included

Activity name

  • Bottled water
  • Private transportation
  • Air-conditioned vehicle
  • Your own dedicated professional English speaking tour-guide (driving)
  • Photo/video fees at museums/attractions (if any)
  • Visa fee
  • Personal expenses
  • Personal insurance
  • Meals
  • Gratuities
  • Madara Rider, 1300 Years of Bulgaria Monument, Ivanovo rock-hewn church, Tombul Mosque

Additional Info

Activity name

  • Confirmation will be received within 48 hours of booking, subject to availability
  • Public transportation options are available nearby
  • Not recommended for travelers with poor cardiovascular health
  • Travelers should have at least a moderate level of physical fitness
  • Specialized infant seats are available
  • A current, valid passport is required
  • Please, make sure you owe all the necessary documents and permissions for crossing the border between Romania and Bulgaria.

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