Forest Diva
About us

About us

About Forest Diva

"Nature loves simplicity, and nature is not stupid."

~Isaac Newton 

Nature welcomes the simple, unpretentious, and pure way of living, and at Forest Diva we believe in the wisdom of nature. We have created a warm and cozy place, completely isolated from civilization in the forests of the Rhodope Mountains, on the opposite bank of the Vacha Dam. It is reachable only by water - by boat provided by us. Here we honour the greatness of Mother Nature and her blessings, striving to live in harmony with her, keeping her intact. Forest Diva's mission is to provide a magical space for recreational activities and events in the embrace of the mountains, in the quiet of the forest amidst clean, healing air and breathtaking views of the crystal waters of the dam. Forest Diva kindly welcomes all those soul-searchers, heart-balancing seekers and travelers from all around who feel the need to find their way back to themselves, rediscovering the deep connection between humans and nature. 

Forest Diva is the place for you if:

You organize yoga retreats, sports camps, creative workshops and training seminars. Forest Diva has a yoga practice and event room suitable for trainings and practices. In warmer weather, events can be taken outside around the outdoor pool or the designated relaxation areas with captivating views of the dam. Winter, on the other hand, welcomes Forest Diva guests with the comfort and warmth of a blazing fireplace with long, intimate and candid conversations away from the hectic pace of the city.

You love nature and are fond of ecotourism, as well as alternative and sustainable types of tourism or nature photography. There are no settlements in a 20 km radius around Forest Diva, which makes the area unique and absolutely untouched by man with an extremely rich biodiversity - herbs and plants as well as wild animals, fish and numerous species of birds.

The area is suitable for hiking in the mountains, walking on eco-trails, photo tourism, fishing, bird and animal watching and more. 

You need a breath of fresh air and a glimpse inside. A stay at Forest Diva predisposes to solitude, reflection and a deeper connection with ourselves. Nature provides peace, harmony and the answer to most questions.

You want to do a good deed and Volunteer  at Forest Diva to help and support our mission, and in return we will provide you with a free stay and meal and plenty of time for yourself. 

Ivan Bahchevanski, founder of Forest Diva and wildlife advocate

"I often say that our capabilities and limitations as human beings lay in our minds and Forest Diva is the proof. When I accidentally came across this place 10 years ago while fishing, something inside me whispered that my life would never be the same. I left the city and dedicated my whole being into creating this place step by step and stone by stone. The mystique of the Rhodope Mountains, the root of the Bulgarian traditions and culture preserved in its bowels, the sound of bagpipes piercing the silence at night as if from ancient times, the crystal waters of the Vacha dam, coming all the way from the Devil's Throat Cave - the most mystical cave in Bulgaria, the magic of this place - magic I felt then, magic I feel today - is the magic I strive to keep, conserve and pass on to the guests who visit Forest Diva.

The creation and construction of the place across the dam with no overland connection, no electricity and no possibility of using technical means, and all the daily work of maintaining, developing and growing the place for so many years now, is a superhuman feat and hardly anyone else in my place would undergo it. But when I'm connected so deeply to the heart of nature, I feel my own calling and mission to create space and opportunity for people to touch its essence, to be more connected to it and to themselves, more pure and aware and more meaningful on their way back in everyday life."

More about the healing air in the Rhodope Mountains - HERE

More about the Devil's Throat Cave - HERE

More about the Bulgarian bagpipe - HERE

REFERENCES

Tanya Haralambova - yoga instructor and founder of OumLife 

When you see or go to a place, you immediately know if it's your place. The place, Forest Diva, the location... It all clicked for us at once.

A place that I certainly know that I will come back to. Warm and cozy, like the feeling of home.

We know that the product is the result of the creator - well this is the host/landlord Ivan Bahchevanski who is the emblem of his place!

Unique, detached, welcoming, warm and delicious, lovingly prepared food, clean blankets, yoga room... What more do we need for a wonderful yoga retreat in the mountains...

The energy and our experience here was and remains AMAZING!

Thank you from the bottom of our hearts!

Dora Damyanova - guest of Forest Diva

The place is more than wonderful! Extremely cozy and peaceful. They offer incredible homemade food. The peace and quiet is spoiled only by the crickets, the wind and the "pet" - a fox that comes by to say "hello" 🙂.

There are eco trails to walk on as well as boat trips. 

The hosts are kind, welcoming and full of stories but no way, they won't intrude if you want to relax.

Their electric power comes from solar panels, so don't bring hair dryers 🙂

We washed our plates after every meal, but after such a delicious meal, they were dutifully washed, so the exercise takes no more than a minute.

In the evening, you can light a campfire in a special place and enjoy the crackle of the trees and the starry sky.

Highly recommended for people who like to be close to nature, in the fresh air, you can fish too, or just fill your eyes and soul with the views.

Wedding photographer Yani Yakov - volunteer and guest of Forest Diva

As an artist, I love being away from civilization. I look for quiet and peaceful places in nature to recharge myself positively, as well as get inspiration in my work. Forest Diva has given me not only that, but so much more. The place is so magnetic that you want to stay there not for days but for months. Ivan (the owner) is an incredibly kind and very intelligent man who is a pleasure to communicate with. He has given his life to the creation and development of the place, so I am happy to help as a volunteer. I urge all good people to go there to feel the magic of the Rhodope Mountains and help maintain and preserve this magical place.

bg_BG