Wild Frontier Conservation - more info
MEETING and DROP-OFF
Our meeting point for pick up is Plovdiv Airport. We will also be able to meet you at Plovdiv bus station. From here we will travel by minibus to Matochina - the journey takes approximately 3.5 hrs . Pick up time is 14:00, 15th September 2012
We'll return to Plovdiv airport or bus station by 1030, 22nd September 2012.
How to get there?
You can travel direct to Plovdiv, but for the full adventure we like doing this, and highly recommend it to you.....
Travelling from London (departing St. Pancras at 13:00 (12:57 Fridays & Sundays)) to Sofia is a two night journey via Brussels (dep. 17:25pm), Cologne to Vienna and travelling on via either Belgrade or Budapest to reach Sofia on the third day. There are also high speed trains connecting London with Brussels and a connecting 'Thalys' high-speed train to Cologne. There we take the excellent overnight 'City Night Line' sleeper train 'Donau Kurier' from Cologne (dep. at 20:06) to Vienna, sit down to a lovely Viennese breakfast on arrival at 8:35 the following morning. A stroll around the beautiful city before continuing our journey either with a direct sleeping car from Vienna (dep.19:48) to Sofia via Belgrade, arriving the next evening; or in case you’ve already explored this stunning Donau capital, carry on with your travel and take a direct sleeping-car from Budapest to Sofia via Romania. You’d board the air-conditioned InterCity train 'Avala', leaving Vienna at 09:52 and arriving in Budapest (Keleti station) at 12:53. From the Hungarian capital Budapest to Sofia, take the direct sleeping-car, leaving Budapest Keleti station daily at 17:45, arriving Sofia at 22:12 next day (day 3 from London).
VISA AND PASSPORT
There are no special visa requirements for EU citizens at the time of going to press. Please check with the relevant embassy for any changes.
HEALTH
The best up-to-date information on health issues can be found at the NHS 'Fit For Travel' website.
MONEY
Bulgarian lev (BGN) The lev is the currency of Bulgaria. It is divided in 100 stotink
FOOD
All meals are provided in the hotel restaurant. Please ensure to notify us of any special dietary requirements when your application has been accepted.
WEATHER
It will still be quite warm, even in September, but expect cooler nights in the mountains.
CULTURE
The project takes place in a very remote area and locals are not used to seeing too many outsiders. Green Balkans have been working there for some time however, and their own staff and volunteers are competent, professional and very friendly.
LANGUAGE
Bulgarian is the official language, but many younger people speak, and are very keen to practice, English.
TIME ZONE
Bulgaria is situated in the EET (Eastern European Time zome) - 3 hours ahead of the UK.
PHONE
International country code: +359
RISK ASSESSMENT
All BTCV projects are subject to a detailed assessment of associated risks and threats. View a summary of the Risk Assessment for this project.
