Rila Pirin Mountain Trek
This trek takes place in the two mountain chains which contain the Balkan Peninsula's highest peaks housing vast national parks, rare vegetation and rich animal life. The trip is structured to take the participants to remote regions with beautiful and unspoiled natural landscapes. If you do not have the time for extensive trekking in the world's biggest mountain ranges, this tour is strongly recommended. Here you can enjoy the physical challenge of alpine landscapes above the tree border, as well as the cultural treasures of Bulgaria and the warm hospitality of the local people.
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Details |
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Price Includes |
(HK-9650-P) |
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accommodation in 3 star hotels, mountain huts, guesthouses |
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transfer to/from Sofia or Plovdiv airport and private transfers throughout the tour |
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English-speaking guide |
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VAT and all local taxes |
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Price Excludes |
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flights, maps (could be requested in advance when booking the tour), entrance fees, tips, alcohol drinks and other personal expenses. |
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Suitability / Level |
Demanding |
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Theme |
Activity Days
(Click to Search All) |
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Itinerary
& Highlights |
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Departure dates for 2008:
05 July; 12 July; 26 July; 02 August; 30 August; 06 September;
Itinerary:
Day 1: Arrival at Sofia or Plovdiv airport and transfer to the hotel in Rila Mountains (1600 m a.s.l.), where we stay overnight. 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 and Skakavitsa waterfalls. Then the path goes uphill to the Seven Rila lakes hut where we stay overnight. Walking time is about 4-5 hrs (uphill walk: 900m; downhill walk: 200m).
Day 3: Breath-taking sceneries await us after breakfast along the way to our next target - the renowned Rila Monastery. We stay overnight in a hotel by the monastery walls. The whole trek takes about 6-7 hrs (uphill walk: 500m; downhill walk: 1500m).
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 1hr 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. Walking time - 2-3 hrs (uphill walk: 150m; downhill walk: 150m).
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. 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: 900m; downhill walk: 300m).
Day 6: Today's walk is a real delight. The track goes descending towards the valley of Zheleznishka River and follows its stream all the way further to Pirin hut, 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: 100m; downhill walk: 950m).
Day 7: In the morning we head to the final stop for the Rila-Pirin trek, the smallest town of Bulgaria - Melnik. Here is also the Rozhen Monastery, which we will 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: 100m; downhill walk: 1350).
Day 8: Transfer to Sofia or Plovdiv Airport for departure.
Highlights:
- Rila Mountains are the highest mountains in Bulgaria and on the whole Balkan Peninsula with Mount Musala - 2925 m a.s.l.
- Pirin Mountains are the second highest in Bulgaria after Rila Mountains and the third in the Balkan Peninsula (Mount Vihren 2914 m a.s.l.).
- Bansko is situated at the northeastern foot of Pirin Mountains beneath the highest and the most beautiful Karst part of the mountain. If you add to this its architectural and historical value, Bansko is the pearl in the Bulgarian necklace.
- Melnik is the smallest and one of the most fascinating towns-museums in Bulgaria famous for its sandy pyramids and local brand of red wine.
- Rila Monastery is the most popular tourist site among all monasteries in Bulgaria equally for its size, natural surroundings, architecture, wall paintings and ancient history.
- Rozhen Monastery is one of the few medieval monasteries, which has preserved its original appearance, authentic architecture and monumental pictorial art.
FOR LOWCOST FLIGHTS TO BULGARIA please check: Wizz Air; Sky Europe; Easy Jet; Germanwings; My Air; Flybulgarien; Norwegian Air Shuttle. CONNECTING THE TOUR: in summer time there are loads of opportunities to book a cheap flight to Bourgas or Varna Airport instead of landing at Sofia Airport. We can arrange for you public transport tickets or private transfer to the starting point of the tour. |
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Accommodation
& Centre Details |
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We stay overnight in 3-star hotels (days 1, 3 & 4) with rooms with en-suite facilities and in mountain huts (days 2, 5 & 6) and guesthouses (day 7) with shared facilities on FB (breakfast, lunch pack and dinner included). |
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Holidays
Extras |
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