THE WILD NATURE OF HIGH BULGARIA
Some of the highest mountains in Europe are situated in Bulgaria. This tour will give you the chance to visit all those magnificent forests, lakes and summits, that are much wilder and not crowded like the Alps. This tour will also allow you to merge in the traditional romantic atmosphere of the old towns in Bulgaria. Climb both highest peaks Musala and Vihren, hike trough the Seven Rila lakes, overnight in a hut at 2515 m. is just a glimpse of the adventures, in store for you.
Witness the alpine world of Rila and Pirin. The mountain beauties of Bulgaria are waiting to be discovered!
Day 1. Arriving in Sofia and meeting with your tour guide. Transfer to the town of Samokov, situated at the foot of Rila Mountain,. A settlement of traditions in woodcarving and icon painting, in Samokov can be seen some old churches and beautiful houses from the revival period. Accommodation in a family hotel. Short briefing about the tour. Traditional dinner and overnight.
Day 2. Breakfast. Short morning transfer (20 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 view of glacial lake and ridges from the summit are amazing. Lunch will be a picnic. Return back to Borovets with the gondola. The walk takes 6 h. in total. Back to the town of Samokov. Same accommodation and dinner. Overnight.
Day 3. Breakfast. Today is a bit longer but not a difficult hike (7.30 h.). Morning transfer to a small ski resort and ascent to the beautiful peak of Maliovitza (2729m), situated in the rockiest and most alpine part of Rila. Lunch will be a picnic. Hike along the main ridge of the mountain and descent through the famous Seven glacial lakes – one of the best sites of Rila – to a nice family hotel in the forests nearby.Accommodation and dinner. Overnight.
Day 4. Breakfast. It’s a day for relaxation after the long treks. Morning transfer to the town of Sapareva Banya with the hottest mineral geysers in Europe (103 degrees) and from there to the world famous Rila monastery.Lunch in a traditional restaurant and visitation to the holy monastery. In the afternoon – transfer to Bansko, a magnificent old style town at the foot of the impressive Pirin Mountain.Accommodation in a lovely little family hotel, where our host will prepare traditional meals for dinner. Overnight.
Day 5. Breakfast. It is time for the most technical part of the trek – the ascent to mount Vihren (2914m.), the highest peak of Pirin. We start with a short morning transfer to a hut, situated at 2000 meters and from there we need about 6.30 h. for the ascent and descent of the summit. Lunch will be a picnic. During the day we will be able to witness some incredible views of alpine peaks and marble rock walls. Return to the town of Bansko and same accommodation. Dinner in a traditional Bansko tavern. Overnight.
Day 6. Breakfast. Start with a 30 minute morning transfer to Vihren hut. Fro there it is a walk trough the very central ridge of the Pirin Mountain. Lunch will be a picnic. During this trek we will be able to see stunning views of many lakes and the entire mountain. Reach to the little hut Tevno ezero (Dark Lake) at 2515 m., in the very heart of the mountain. The walk takes 6.30 h. in total. Accommodation in the hut at the foot of the impressive mt. Kamenitza. Dinner and overnight.
Day 7.Breakfast. It is an easy trek today.Descent from the Tevno Ezero hut through a group of glacial lakes,and pine forest to a beautiful village zone nеаrby (4 h.). Lunch will be a picnic. Short transfer from there to the town of Melnik – The smallest in Bulgaria, with it’s 300 inhabitants. Melnik is a place of old traditional Bulgarian houses and red wine, famous all over the world. Accommodation in a nice hotel and dinner in a traditional tavern. Overnight.
Day 8. Breakfast. Today is a day of short and easy walk. From Melnik to the Rojen monastery, one of the oldest Bulgarian monasteries in Bulgaria it’s only 2 hours trek. With it’s amazing icon paintings and great historical heritage, Rojen monastery is a must see. We can also enjoy some great views of Pirin massif from there. Lunch in a nice traditional restaurant.In the afternoon, тransfer to Sofia and accommodation in a hotel in the historical center. Overnight.
Day 9. Breakfast. Sightseeing tour of the historical center of the capital of Bulgaria. Later, a short transfer will take us to the Sofia airport.Departure.
Minimum/maximum participants: 6 to 18
Price includes: •All the accommodations, mentioned in the program •All the dinners, mentioned in the program •All the breakfasts, mentioned in the program •All the lunches, mentioned in the program •All the transfers •The instant assistance of a licensed, english speaking mountain guide •All the gondola tickets Price does not Include: •All the drinks, during dinners •Tickets for museums and historical monuments •Tips and personal expenses Price: Upon request
