This comprehensive tour offers the chance to discover the amazingly rich cultural and natural heritage of one of Europe's most beautiful but least known countries – Bulgaria.

•  The Rila Mountains (highest point 2,925m ) is the highest on the Balkan Peninsula. It is also famous for its gorgeous alpine scenery and numerous glacial lakes. The magnificent Seven Lakes sequence is one of the most popular.

•  The Pirin Mountains (highest point 2,914m) is a realm of white firs, edelweiss and glacial lakes. The main ridge has a distinctive alpine character and there are more than 60 marble and granite peaks, rising over 2,700m. The most attractive is its northern and central section, which is a World Natural Heritage Site .

•  The Rhodopes (highest point 2,191m ) is ‘the mountains of the legendary Orpheus'. It has a tender scenic beauty and is famous for the numerous natural phenomena and for the cultural traditions of the local people.

•  The Balkan Range (highest point 2,376m ) is the longest chain that stretches from west to east, dividing the country into two halves. The most impressive and beautiful is its central section where a number of natural reserves are located.

•  Mt. Vitosha (highest point 2,290m) is just minutes away from the capital city, which makes it a most famous walking area for its citizens. The ‘stone rivers' natural phenomena and a number of endemic species are particularly fascinating.

Highlights are the many ancient monasteries and churches that lie scattered amongst mountains, and we will visit some of the most outstanding examples. We will experience the tranquillity of traditional life in remote mountain towns and village we will stay in some of them, all famed for their unique and well-preserved architecture.