8 days tour

Peaks & Lakes Of The Pirin And Rila Mountains

Peaks & Lakes Of The Pirin And Rila Mountains

This tour includes:

Guide

English-speaking mountain guide

Transport

Private transportation throughout the tour (air-conditioned minibus).

Accommodation

4 nights in Bansko (3* hotel, en-suite twin/dbl rooms) 1 night in Panichishte/Sapareva Banya (2-3* hotel (tourist class); en-suite twin/dbl rooms) 2 nights in Govedartsi (3* family pension, en-suite twin/dbl rooms)

Meals

7ั… Breakfasts 7ั… Dinners

Others

All ground transfers (incl. pick up/drop off at Sofia Airport) Chairlift/cable car lift tickets

Not included:

Others

Museum entrance fees Drinks and extra meals Tips Insurance

Start planning your experience

Itinerary of your trip Peaks & Lakes Of The Pirin And Rila Mountains

  • Day 1 Day 1
    • 12:00 am - 11:59 pm

      Day 1

      We meet you at Sofia Airport and transfer you to Bansko at the foot of Mount Pirin (appr. 2,30hrs).

      (If you are landing in Sofia on the tour starting date, your flight should be landing before 15:00. If you are staying already in Sofia before the tour starts we will pick you up from your accommodation and drive you to the airport to meet the rest of the group.)

  • Day 2 Day 2
    • 12:00 am - 11:59 pm

      Day 2

      Chair cable car to the Bezbog Hut. This is the setting-off point for the hiking trek to the Polezhan Summit (2851m/9354ft) which offers one of the most beautiful panoramas in the Pirin, over 17 stunning glacier lakes, including the largest Popovo Lake (30m/100ft deep). Polezhan is the 5th highest summit in the Pirin. It is surrounded by three Cirques with three groups of lakes - Disilishki in the north, Polezhanski in the south and Strazhishki in the west. We use the classic route trough the northeast ridge, which is not difficult or too steep, except of the last 20-minute stage of the summit. (5hrs of walking; from 6,9km/4,3miles to 7,9km/4,9miles; climbing and descending from 770m/2526ft to 840m/2756ft)

  • Day 3 Day 3
    • 12:00 am - 11:59 pm

      Day 3

      Today, we visit one of the most picturesque parts of the Pirin: the Banderishki Lakes Cirque. Many trekking routes cross this beautiful area. We pass among some of the 16 glacial lakes, revealing one by one as we climb the terraces. The walking trek through the Todorina Porta takes us directly to the Yulen Nature Reserve, from where, by way of the Todorini Ochi  (Todoraโ€™s Eyes) Lakes, we descend into virgin fir groves to the Demyanitsa Hut. From here, we follow a shady path along the Demyanitsa River. (6-7hrs of walking; from 15,3km/9,5miles to 7,8km/4,85miles; climbing from 612m/2008ft to 470m/1542ft and descending from 1215m/3986ft to 470m/1542ft)

  • Day 4 Day 4
    • 12:00 am - 11:59 pm

      Day 4

      The target today is Mount Vihren: Bulgarias second-highest and the Pirins highest summit. Breathtaking views offer themselves to us as we climb through the Golem Kazan (The Giant Cauldron) area bounded by the 400m/1300ft tall northern face of Vihren. Today you will explore the Karst parts of Pirin, which are also home to the endangered Edelweiss, the elusive Wallcreeper and the shy Balkan Chamois (wild goats). (6-7hrs of walking; 7,3km/4,54miles; climbing and descending 960m/3150ft.)

  • Day 5 Day 5
    • 12:00 am - 11:59 pm

      Day 5

      We bid farewell to Pirin and set off for Rila. Our first stop is the Rila Monastery, a UNESCO World Heritage Site. This is the most famous and largest Christian monastery in Bulgaria. The exceptional frescoes in the central church form a gallery of masterpieces of Renaissance art and could be considered a Bulgarian analogue of the frescoes of the Sistine chapel. Thence, we proceed to the Panichishte Resort, where we visit the Skakavitsa Waterfall (70m/230ft) before supper or simply ramble in the shady woods near our mountain lodge (the nearby SPA resort Sapareva Banya may also be used as a place to stay overnight). (3-4hrs of walking; 7km/4,5miles; climbing and descending 300m/950ft)

  • Day 6 Day 6
    • 12:00 am - 11:59 pm

      Day 6

      We go by cable car to the foot of the Seven Rila Lakes Cirque. Trekking past the Lakes (each named after their most characteristic feature, like The Kidney Lake, The Twin Lake, The Trefoil Lake etc.), we continue along the crest where we enjoy further stunning views towards the Urdini and Elenski Lakes and the Rila Monastery in its deep valley beneath us. Passing the Malyovitsa Summit (2729m/9088ft, known as the cradle of Bulgarian rock climbing and mountaineering), we descend into the valley of the same name and settle into a family hotel at the village of Govedartsi. (7hrs of walking; 18km/11miles; climbing 800m/2600ft and descending 1200m/3960ft)

  • Day 7 Day 7
    • 12:00 am - 11:59 pm

      Day 7

      Today, we climb the Balkans highest summit: Musala (2925m/2596ft). A cable car takes us from the Borovets Resort to the setting-off point for the trek. The serrated wall of Musala never leaves our sight as we ascend through stone rivers and past glacier lakes and alpine huts. The genuinely impressive view from the peak to the surrounding mountains offers a deserving end to the whole adventure. As we celebrate with a cup of fragrant herbal tea, we can enjoy the summits of all major mountain ranges in Bulgaria  Balkan, Sredna Gora, Vitosha, Rhodopes, Pirin and of course  Rila. (6hrs of walking; 14,20km/8,82miles; climbing and descending 690m/2264ft)

  • Day 8 Day 8
    • 12:00 am - 11:59 pm

      Day 8

      Transfer from Govedartsi to Sofia Airport (appr. 1,30hrs).

      (If you are departing on the last tour day, your flight should be scheduled to depart after 11:30. If you are staying in Sofia after the tour we will drop you off at your accommodation instead of the airport.)

+5
Experience Style

Experience Style

Mixed

There will be challenging activities such as hiking, biking, canyoning and trekking, but youโ€™re also going to have other means of transportation and relaxed moments to just chill.

Accomodation level

Accomodation level

Medium

This accommodation includes essential services like a hot shower, electricity, and a nice and comfy bed.

Experience Type

Experience Type

Small Group

Youโ€™ll be accompanied by a small group of travelers just like you.

Physical Rating

Physical Rating

Challenging

Long and challenging experience. Youโ€™ll be required to have good physical fitness to go on it. In some of these activities you'll need previous experience on similar activities.

Age range

Age range

Min: 13 / Max: 70

Age range allowed for this experience.

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