Tour Itinerary:
Day 1: Arrival at Sofia or Plovdiv airport and transfer to the hotel in the Rila Mountains (1600 m a.s.l.), where we stay overnight (1,20 hours from Sofia; 2,30 hours from Plovdiv). This place will be also the starting point for the trek.
Day 2: The first trekking day is dedicated to adaptation with the high altitude of the mountains and the forthcoming trek. In the morning we make leisure walk within the spruce forest to "Skakavitsa" hut (1876 m a.s.l.) and "Skakavitsa waterfalls". Then the path goes uphill to the "Seven Rila lakes" hut (2100 m a.s.l.) where we stay overnight. The time needed for the trail is about 4-5 hours. Uphill walk - 900 m; Downhill walk - 200 m.
Day 3: Breath-taking sceneries await us after breakfast along the way to our next target - the renowned Rila Monastery (1147 m a.s.l.). We stay overnight in a hotel by the monastery walls. The whole trek is about 6-7 hours. Uphill walk - 500 m; Downhill walk - 1500 m.
Day 4: A short hike to the hermitage of St. Ivan Rilski (2-3 hrs) and sightseeing of the Rila Monastery are planned till noon. After about 1 hour uphill walk through old Beech woods we will reach the hermitage. Then we go back to the monastery for a transfer to Bansko, which will be the starting point for our treks in Pirin Mounatins. In Bansko we will have lunch followed by a short rest in the hotel. In the afternoon we will make a sightseeing trip in the old quarters of the town – a relaxed program before the most difficult day of the tour. Uphill walk: 150 m; Downhill walk: 150 m; Walking time between 2-3 hours .
Day 5: In the morning the bus will help us to overcome a short distance above the town of Bansko. We start walking from "Vihren" hut (1950 m a.s.l.). Very close by the hut is the marble peak of the giant of Pirin Mountains - Mount Vihren (2914 m a.s.l.). The path from now on passes by the glacial "Bunderishki lakes" and along the highest parts of the "Julen" reserve it reaches the "Tevno lake" hut (2512 m a.s.l.) within 7 hours walk, where we stay overnight. Uphill walk - 900 m; Downhill walk - 300 m.
Day 6: The today's walk is also a real delight. The tracks goes descending towards the valley of Zheleznishka River and follows its stream all the way further to "Pirin" hut (1640 m a.s.l.), which is the next stop for overnight. The whole trek takes about 4,5 hours, thus offering some free time to be spent around the lakes by "Tevno lake" hut after breakfast. Uphill walk - 100 m; Downhill walk - 950 m.
Day 7: In the morning we head to the final stop for the Rila-Pirin trek, the smallest town of Bulgaria - Melnik (380 m a.s.l.). Here is also the Rozhen Monastery, where we make a short visit. Some 6 km further, walking among the spectacular sandy pyramids, we reach the town of Melnik, famous for its red wine. The time spent on walking today is about 5 hours. We have a transfer from Melnik to Sofia or Plovdiv (depending on your departure flight) where we stay overnight. Uphill walk - 100 m; Downhill walk - 1350 m.
Day 8: Transfer to Sofia or Plovdiv Airport for departure.
Guaranteed departures for 2008:
05 July, 12 July, 26 July, 02 August, 30 August, 06 September (other dates also possible upon request)!
Notes:
Airfare is not included in the tour price.
Price Includes:
- Accommodation and boarding as mentioned above;
- Transfer to and from Sofia or Plovdiv airport;
- English-speaking guide and private transfers throughout the tour;
- VAT and all local taxes.
Price Excludes:
- Maps (could be requested in advance when booking the tour);
- Entrance fees;
- Tips;
- Alcohol drinks, cigarettes;
- Other personal expenses.
Also see tour packages in:
Europe
Bulgaria
Hiking & Trekking
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