Bulgaria’s Rila and Pirin Mountains
8 day tour
Day 1
Arriving at Sofia Airport, where you will be welcomed by your guide. Short transfer to the center of the capital city and accommodation in a hotel. Dinner (optional) and overnight at hotel Niky 3* (www.hotel-niky.com) or similar.
Day 2 – about 110 km
Musala summit
Breakfast at the hotel. Short morning transfer (45 min.) to the Borovets ski resort. Next is a 40 minute transfer with gondola to the higher parts of the mountain. Ascent to the highest peak of Bulgaria – mount Musala (2926 m.). The alpine views of glacial lakes and ridges from the summit are amazing. Lunch will be a picnic (optional) Return back to Borovets with the gondola. The walk takes 6 h. in total. In the evening, short transfer (20 min.) to the Malyovitsa ski resort, where we will be accommodated in a nice hotel, situated in the dense pine forests of Rila Mountain. Dinner (optional) and overnight at hotel Alen Mak 3* (www.booking.com/hotel/bg/alen-mak-hotel.bg.html) or similar.
Day 3– about 75 km
Seven Rila Lakes
Breakfast. Ascent of mount Malyovitsa – one of the symbols of the region. The summit offers an amazing 360 degree view towards the countless peaks and glacial lakes. Lunch (optional) will be a picnic. The route further follows a ridge, which leads to the famous Seven Rila Lakes. Descent with a chairlift (20 min.) to a nice hotel located at the beautiful Panichishte ski area. The whole trek takes 7 hours. Accommodation, dinner (optional) and overnight at hotel Magnolia 3* (www.booking.com/hotel/bg/magnoliya.bg.html) or similar.
D ay 4 ) – about 200 km
Rila monastery
Breakfast. It is a more relaxing day – hike to the beautiful Skakavitsa waterfall (64 m.) and descend back to Panichishte (2,30 h.). From here we will be traveling to the world famous Ria Monastery – a UNESCO listed site. Tour of the Holy monastery, hidden deep in the very heart of the mountain. Lunch (optional) at a local mehana. Transfer to Bansko, a town of old traditional buildings and typical Bulgarian folk music, at the foot of the impressive Pirin Mountain. Accommodation in a nice family hotel and dinner (optional). Overnight at hotel Bisser (www.en.bisser-bansko.com/0749/828-17/index.html) or similar.
Day 5 – about 40 km
After breakfast we will take a short transfer (30 min.) to a mountain hut at 2000 m. Next is ascent to mount Vihren (2914m) – the highest peak of Pirin and the most technical part of the walking tour. About 6 hours for the ascent and descent and some incredible views of alpine peaks, marble rock walls and glacial lakes. Lunch (optional) will be a picnic. Return back to Bansko and same accommodation. Dinner at a traditional mehana (optional), where you will be able to taste the local meals and hear the traditional music. Overnight.
Vihren Summit
Day 6 – about 40 km
Breakfast. Start with a 30 minute morning transfer to Vihren hut. From here we will hike through the amazing central part of the mountain – dozens of glacial lakes are on our way until we reach the high pass of Todorka. Descent via the Todorka’s eyes lakes through a century-old pine forest to the Demyanitsa hut. Lunch (optional) will be a picnic. Descent to Bistritsa hut, where our transport will be waiting for us. Today’s hike will take 6 hours. Short transfer to Bansko and same accommodation. Dinner (optional) at the hotel and overnight.
Day 7 – about 40 km
Breakfast. Transfer (30 min.) to the Gotse Delchev hut, from where we will take the chair lift to the famous Bezbog ski area. Next is hike to the Popovo lake – the largest glacial lake in Pirin Mountains – some amazing views and scenery. Lunch (optional) will be a picnic. Ascent to the Kremenski lakes, one of the most impressive cirques here in Pirin, and return back to the chair lift. Today we will spend 5 hours on trekking. Return back to Bansko and our family hotel. Dinner (optional) at the hotel and overnight.
Day 8 – about 180 km
Breakfast. Transfer to the capital city Sofia (2,30 h.). Lunch (optional and depends of the flight schedule) at traditional restaurant in the capital city. Tour of Sofia – visit to the cathedral St. Alexander Nevski, the Parliament, the churches St. Sophia and St. George, the Sinagogue, the National Theatre. Transfer to Sofia Airport and departure.
Cathedral St. Alexander Nevski
End of the program.
Price includes:
- All the accommodations, mentioned in the program in family 3* hotels
- All the breakfasts, mentioned in the program
- All the transportations with comfortable 18 + 1 seated mini bus
- The instant assistance of a licensed, english speaking mountain guide
- All the gondola and chair lift tickets
Price does not Include:
- Lunches , dinners and beverages
- Tickets for museums and historical monuments
- Tips and personal expenses
Price: Upon request
Supplements:
- 7 lunches with mineral water on set menu – 50.00 euro
- 7 dinners with mineral water on set menu – 90.00 euro
*The rates are net with included VAT
Tour difficulty: Moderate
Suitable for: People with some mountain experience in good shape; children elder than 14 y. o.
MUNTEANU VICTOR NICOLAE
MUNTEANU SIMONA
MUNTEANU GABRIELA CATALINA 30.03.2009
MUNTEANU MIHAELA DIANA 24.07.2014
ASAVEI CRISTIAN IONUT
ASAVEI CATALINA IONELIA
ASAVEI DARIUS CRISTIAN 22.01.2010
ASAVEI AMALIA STEFANIA 30.03.2014