Bulgaria · ROSE VALLEY TOURS
The oil-bearing rose is picked at dawn between roughly mid-May and mid-June, and the Kazanlak festival falls on the first weekend of June. Outside that window the valley is farmland with a distillery in it — worth knowing before you book. These 10 are timed, priced, and clear about what is actually flowering when you go.
Ride from Sofia to Buzludzha, Damascena rose oil complex, and Shipka church in one long day with a small-group expert guide.
“Great combinations of venues, pacing between them but most of all a fantastic guide in Marina who brought everything to life through stories, songs, perspective and really made the tour what it was. 100% recommend.”
Full-day Rose Valley tour from Sofia with Rose Festival town time, rose picking, and a working distillery where you can buy rose oil.
“Guide Ivan Studenkov is professional and knowledgeable. He made the best arrangement of the Rose Festival. He let us to spend most times in the rose festival. My family (me and my parents) have a great time to watch the parade. Ivan also provide souvenirs for the trip. We greatly appreciate his effort and recommend the trip.”
A long but well-paced day trip from Sofia to Bulgaria’s Rose Valley, Damascena rose-oil exhibits, and the Birth of Christ temple, plus Koprivshtitsa.
“Our guide, Maria was great. Excellent driver, knowledgeable about the area and the history of Bulgaria. She is organized and communicative. She is also a sweet lady. Unfortunately, there is not much to see at the rose valley. Unless you are a rose lover and you want to buy some rose oil products from the origin, don’t sign up for this tour. The town Koprivshtitsa is quite disappointing. Everything was closed except a few gift shops.”
A long Sofia day trip with early photo time, Bulgaria’s Rose Valley sights, the Damascena rose distillery, Buzludzha, and Shipka churches.
“Great once in a life experience to discover an enchanting abandoned soviet-era monument. The day trip includes discovery of the valley of the roses, which is an interesting plus.”
Rose Valley blooms, then Kazanlak and Thracian Tomb replicas plus Shipka’s Russian Orthodox church on a private day trip from Plovdiv.
“Had a great guide! Explained everything so well and was super friendly! The sights are beautiful. Also gave advise to see other things”
A fast, guided day trip from Sofia to Shipka, Seuthes III’s tomb, Kazanlak UNESCO, and the Valley of Roses with a rose distillery stop.
“Thracian tombs in Shipka. It would be even better if we could visit Buzludzha monument to see it from outside.”
Private Rose Festival day in Kazanlak with guaranteed tickets, Valley of Roses entry, VIP seating, rose picking, and rose-product tasting.
“I wanted to show my business customers the beauty of the Rose valley while this off the season. We managed to make rose picking and behind the scenes visits for the implementation of the Rose festival. Incredible!!!”
One-day Bulgaria highlights from Sofia: Valley of the Roses, Shipka freedom monument, and Buzludzha, with an English guide and small group.
“Escursione molto interessante. Dobrin è stato una guida eccezionale, per tutto il viaggio in macchina ci ha mostrato e spiegato ogni dettaglio. Consigliato”
Small-group rose oil tour from Sofia to Kazanlak, with Damascen rose process, Kazanlak Rose Museum, and plenty of time to shop.
“Our guide Tsetso brought us to the rose valley in Kazanlak. We had a pit stop with some nice local flour pastry and grain drink along the way. We enjoyed the visit to the rose garden, distillery plant and bought some rose products. It will be great if our time coincide with the Rose Festival in early June. Lunch at a local tavern was good. On the way back, Tsetso introduced us to a beautiful Russian church with a rich history. The journey is almost three hours drive from Sophia. Tsetso is very enthusiastic and eager to explain the importance and facts about his country.”
Pick Kazanlak roses in a Bulgarian ritual, taste rose sweets and liqueur, learn rose oil and rose water extraction, then see rose soap making.
“Really great activity with so much local flavor. Absolutely fantastic experience which I totally recommend. Suitable of everyone. Excellent staff and guides on the spot. I'm very pleased.”
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