4-Day: Eco Stay in Bulgaria: Hiking, Camping & Yoga

Location icon
RisingSoul Retreat, Belitsa 5363, Gabrovo, Bulgaria
Users icon
Up to 15 in group
Date
May 25 - 28, 2026

Retreat Highlights

  • • Authentic connection
  • • Align with something deeper through nature walks and forest camping
  • • Substance-free space, discover a new way of living
  • • Immerse yourself in community living

About this Retreat

Your Guides

Details of this retreat

This ideal mini break invites you to. step into the rhythm of rural Bulgaria with this 4-day nature immersion at RisingSoul Retreat, nestled in the forests of the Bohemian Balkan Mountains.
Scheduled between our Whispers of Earth Cob Building courses (May 21st & May 28th), working perfectly for guests who wish to extend after our Whispers of Earth Cobbing Workshop, join us for a grounding 4-day immersion in mindful movement, nature, and nourishment. Hike the Bojenci Eco Trail, practice daily yoga, and learn to create vibrant plant-based meals in our open summer kitchen. This short course bridges the energy of building with the calm of being — a perfect way to rest, reconnect, and stay rooted in the RisingSoul community.

Is This For You?
• Slow travellers and nature lovers
• Guests extending their stay after the Whispers of Earth Cob Building Workshop
• Those looking for quiet, authentic rural experiences in Bulgaria
• Solo travellers who want connection without pressure

What Makes This Journey Unique
• Walk the Bojenci Eco Trail, linking traditional villages, forests, and river valleys
• Experience slow travel through hiking, local paths, and natural rhythms
• Practice outdoor yoga and mindful movement, guided but unforced
• Cook and eat together using simple, nourishing plant-based food
• Stay rooted within the RisingSoul rural eco-community
This experience is ideal for travellers seeking authentic rural tourism in Bulgaria, rather than hotels, buses, or box-ticking itineraries.

Schedule

Experience the wonders of Bulgaria with our Resident Coaches Rowena and Bianca, joined by our friend Alina, whose family originally came from the Bojenci area. Alina speaks excellent English and is the perfect person to guide you and share one of Bulgaria’s most iconic villages with you.
Day One: Relax & Rest 25th
• Arrivals & welcome drink
• Optional Yoga
• Massage available
• Community dinner
• Welcome circle & hike info
Day Two: Bojenci Hike 26th
• Breakfast @ RisingSoul Retreat, leave for Tryavna 9:30
• Eco Trail Tryavna to Bojenci 2.h Hike
• Explore Bojenci and have an optional light lunch or refreshing snack and drinks in the museum restaurants or cafes for 3h (Lunch not included)
• Eco Trail Bojenci to camp near Dryanovo – 3h
• Moving Meditation or Yoga
• Campfire and dinner under the stars (Included)
• 1 night camping in a forest (Included Shared Tents) Own sleeping bag & mat required (available for hire, book early to avoid disappointment, limited availability)
Day Three: Explore Moutain History 27th
• Morning Yoga and Meditation
• Hike from camp to Dryanovo
• Bacho Kiro cave – One of the largest and most beautiful caves in Bulgaria (Entry not Included)
• Brunch @ Riverside Restaurant (Not Included)
• Dryanovo Monastery St. Archangel (Entry not included)
• Scenic train ride back to RisingSoul, followed by an evening meal & social gathering
Day Three: Living the Land 27th Alternative Day
• Meditation
• Cold plunge in the river and foraging walk
• Plant-based food workshop
• Sunset Hike
Day Four: Rooted in Nature 28th
• A final morning to ground & regroup
• Breakfast
• Optional farewell lunch @ Chai House (Not Included)
• Departures (Not Included)
Eco-trail walks for all levels.
Please bring comfortable clothes, a lightweight rain jacket, water bottle and suitable footwear if possible.
Note: Schedule is approximate and may change

Getting Here

Location icon RisingSoul Retreat, RisingSoul Retreat, Belitsa 5363, Gabrovo, Bulgaria

Directions

Travel info

Top Tip! For guests who book through the website we also offer a 5% thank you discount for supporting us by booking directly with us. Head to our pricing page to select your bed preference and read our booking procedure.
It is also possible to get a bus to Gabrovo or Veliko Tarnovo and then a taxi or connecting bus to Tryavna.
The cheapest airlines with regular flights are Wizzair, RyanAir and EasyJet. You can fly to Varna, Burgas, Plovdiv or Sofia. Without a car, Burgas or Plovdiv which is a great stopover option with a scenic mountain train ride to Tryavna. The trains are slow and scenic but very affordable if you are not in a rush this is a great option. Please note on the BDZ train booking system Tryavna is spelt Tryavna you can get tickets at the station or even on the trains.
A rental car is cheap & easy, we recommend TopCarRental or their economy partner, but you can make it as far as Tryavna or Voneshta Voda by bus or train.
Coaches to Tryavna run from Sofia, Gabrovo, Varna, Stara Zagora and Burgas many go via Veliko Tarnovo. There is a bus from Belitsa to Veliko Tarnovo and Tryavna-Gabrovo. Taxis are cheap and we can arrange an airport transfer if needed and are around 120 euro each way.
We highly recommend flying to Plovdiv and staying with the Old Plovdiv Hostel (please mention us) for a night to discover the sites and vibe of Plovdiv with its ancient sites, old town and university vibe. Awarding a European Culture award it’s a perfect stop over. To get to us, you can rent a car or take the scenic mountain train to Tryavna via Stara Zagora.
You can also break up the journey with an overnight stop in the nearby village of Veliko Tarnovo. We recommend the Rooster Hostel or Sofia where there are many options.
A rental car is cheap & easy, we recommend TopCarRental, but you can make it as far as Tryavna by bus or train. There is a bus from the village to Veliko Tarnovo and Tryavna-Gabrovo. Taxis are cheap and we can arrange an airport transfer if needed.
However, the train or bus is considerably cheaper. Please get in touch for help with travel arrangements and further help if you wish to arrive from other destinations such as Greece, Istanbul & Bucharest which also have ok bus and train routes.
We provide free transfers from Tryavna and Voneshta Voda Once a Day Tuesday – Thursday.
If you are arriving outside of these times, there are taxi’s (15lv, equivalent to around 7 euro) outside Tryavna train or bus stations but we can arrange a taxi for you, if you prefer.
PLEASE NOTE we are not Belitsa near Bansko regardless of what Google tries to tell you. Use RisingSoul Retreat on google maps or the full address Belitsa 5363, Tryavna, Gabrovo and it will bring you straight to use.


What To Pack
Shoes to hike in
Swimsuit
Warm scarf, poncho, comfy cardigan for chili evenings
Wooly hat and gloves if your visiting in Spring or Autumn evenings & mornings can be chilly
Head torch if you like to camp or walk in the evenings
Water bottle with a lid
Insect repellant
Journal
Any meds or special foods you need
Cash in Bulgarian Lvs
Travelling & COVID
Jan 2023 Bulgaria is not currently under any restrictions you are not required to present any COVID related documents. but please be aware that due to the war in Ukraine it is currently an immigration requirement for longer stay guests (over 6 days) to register within 3 days of arrival at the passport office in Tryavna. we will facilitate this for you.
At RisingSoul we are pro freedom of choice, self responsibility and respect that everyone has their own personal circumstances and beliefs regarding our current world situation. We make no judgment whether you vaccinate or not and everyone is welcome. We do kindly ask that you act in the best interests of others and if you have a sickness of any type you delay your arrival until you are happy that you are well enough to be around others.
Of course we can all get sick so you might want to know that private health care is good and not expensive in Bulgaria. Please check your own insurance and rights as a non national in Bulgaria . We have a hospital in Tryavna and good dentists.
Latest COVID Travel Advice
Reopen Europe and the Bulgarian embassy tend to be the best places for recent info.
Please note Bulgaria is not in the Schengen Zone and in most people's cases non EU visitors can stay three months, this now includes the UK.

Travel info

Top Tip! For guests who book through the website we also offer a 5% thank you discount for supporting us by booking directly with us. Head to our pricing page to select your bed preference and read our booking procedure.
It is also possible to get a bus to Gabrovo or Veliko Tarnovo and then a taxi or connecting bus to Tryavna.
The cheapest airlines with regular flights are Wizzair, RyanAir and EasyJet. You can fly to Varna, Burgas, Plovdiv or Sofia. Without a car, Burgas or Plovdiv which is a great stopover option with a scenic mountain train ride to Tryavna. The trains are slow and scenic but very affordable if you are not in a rush this is a great option. Please note on the BDZ train booking system Tryavna is spelt Tryavna you can get tickets at the station or even on the trains.
A rental car is cheap & easy, we recommend TopCarRental or their economy partner, but you can make it as far as Tryavna or Voneshta Voda by bus or train.
Coaches to Tryavna run from Sofia, Gabrovo, Varna, Stara Zagora and Burgas many go via Veliko Tarnovo. There is a bus from Belitsa to Veliko Tarnovo and Tryavna-Gabrovo. Taxis are cheap and we can arrange an airport transfer if needed and are around 120 euro each way.
We highly recommend flying to Plovdiv and staying with the Old Plovdiv Hostel (please mention us) for a night to discover the sites and vibe of Plovdiv with its ancient sites, old town and university vibe. Awarding a European Culture award it’s a perfect stop over. To get to us, you can rent a car or take the scenic mountain train to Tryavna via Stara Zagora.
You can also break up the journey with an overnight stop in the nearby village of Veliko Tarnovo. We recommend the Rooster Hostel or Sofia where there are many options.
A rental car is cheap & easy, we recommend TopCarRental, but you can make it as far as Tryavna by bus or train. There is a bus from the village to Veliko Tarnovo and Tryavna-Gabrovo. Taxis are cheap and we can arrange an airport transfer if needed.
However, the train or bus is considerably cheaper. Please get in touch for help with travel arrangements and further help if you wish to arrive from other destinations such as Greece, Istanbul & Bucharest which also have ok bus and train routes.
We provide free transfers from Tryavna and Voneshta Voda Once a Day Tuesday – Thursday.
If you are arriving outside of these times, there are taxi’s (15lv, equivalent to around 7 euro) outside Tryavna train or bus stations but we can arrange a taxi for you, if you prefer.
PLEASE NOTE we are not Belitsa near Bansko regardless of what Google tries to tell you. Use RisingSoul Retreat on google maps or the full address Belitsa 5363, Tryavna, Gabrovo and it will bring you straight to use.


What To Pack
Shoes to hike in
Swimsuit
Warm scarf, poncho, comfy cardigan for chili evenings
Wooly hat and gloves if your visiting in Spring or Autumn evenings & mornings can be chilly
Head torch if you like to camp or walk in the evenings
Water bottle with a lid
Insect repellant
Journal
Any meds or special foods you need
Cash in Bulgarian Lvs
Travelling & COVID
Jan 2023 Bulgaria is not currently under any restrictions you are not required to present any COVID related documents. but please be aware that due to the war in Ukraine it is currently an immigration requirement for longer stay guests (over 6 days) to register within 3 days of arrival at the passport office in Tryavna. we will facilitate this for you.
At RisingSoul we are pro freedom of choice, self responsibility and respect that everyone has their own personal circumstances and beliefs regarding our current world situation. We make no judgment whether you vaccinate or not and everyone is welcome. We do kindly ask that you act in the best interests of others and if you have a sickness of any type you delay your arrival until you are happy that you are well enough to be around others.
Of course we can all get sick so you might want to know that private health care is good and not expensive in Bulgaria. Please check your own insurance and rights as a non national in Bulgaria . We have a hospital in Tryavna and good dentists.
Latest COVID Travel Advice
Reopen Europe and the Bulgarian embassy tend to be the best places for recent info.
Please note Bulgaria is not in the Schengen Zone and in most people's cases non EU visitors can stay three months, this now includes the UK.

Please see Find us page on www.risingsoulretreat.com

Accommodation

Various Room & Glamping Options. Full discriptions on www.risingsoulretreat.com

Accommodation
GrassHopper Dorm (7 Day Price)
Accommodation
FireFly Twin (7 Day Price)
Accommodation
Old Stable & Eco Bathroom Single Occupancy (7 Day Price)
Accommodation
Old Stable & Eco Bathroom Double Occupancy (7 Day Price)
Accommodation
KingFisher Ensuite Single Occupancy (7 Day Price)
Accommodation
KingFisher Ensuite Double Occupancy (7 Day Price)
Accommodation
ChurchView Yurt 2 Beds Shared (7 Day Price)
Accommodation
Waterfall Yurt One Bed (7 Day Price)
Accommodation
DIY Camping - Bring Your Own Tent, Mat & Bedding (7 Day Price)

Venue & Amenities

Venue & Amenities
Venue & Amenities
A/C in Rooms icon A/C in Rooms
Free Wifi icon Free Wifi
Spa icon Spa
Sauna icon Sauna
Pool icon Pool
Towels icon Towels
Free Parking icon Free Parking
Kitchen icon Kitchen
Tour Assistance icon Tour Assistance
Hot Tub icon Hot Tub
Coffee/Tea icon Coffee/Tea
Cafe icon Cafe
Restaurant icon Restaurant
Fitness Center icon Fitness Center
Yoga Studio icon Yoga Studio
Housekeeping icon Housekeeping
Bicycles For Rent icon Bicycles For Rent
Immersed in the beauty of the bohemian Balkan mountains of Bulgaria, our community embraces the simplicity and culture of village life. We recognise and embrace the benefits community connection and a reduction in white noise and media exposure.

We are a collaboration of international Karma Yoga Volunteers, providing non profit retreats for all that are called to this magical healing place. We invite you join a Safe & Sacred Space, to Reconnect With Your Authentic Self & Mother Earth.

Meals

Menu
Menu

Menu Types

Natural Home Cooked Plant Based Food Ethical and eco-conscious practices are important to us at the RisingSoul Community! Local Healthy Delicious!

What's Included

  • • Accomodation
  • • 2 plant-based meals daily
  • • Tent for camping in forest

What's Not Included

  • • Flights
  • • Airport transfer to the retreat
  • • Sleeping bag and mat
  • • Lunch
  • • Entry fees to Cave and Monastery
  • • Scenic train ride

Customer Reviews

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