Summer Mountain Walking And Hiking Tour

Best periods: July and August

Itinerary: Arrive Sofia (3 nights) - drive & walk in the Pirin Mountains (3 nights) - drive & walk in the Rila Mountains (3 nights) - drive & walk in the Rhodope Mountains (3 nights) - drive to Plovdiv (2 nights) – drive to/depart Sofia

Day 1
Arrive Sofia airport and check in your hotel for three nights.

Day 2
A day for adaptation and for visiting historical and cultural sites. Sofia is the capital of Bulgaria. The city is one of the most ancient settlements in Europe, and has originated on an important crossroads by curing mineral springs at the foot of Mt. Vitosha. Some of the most interesting sites in downtown Sofia:
Remains of ancient Serdica - the fortress was built at the time of the Roman Emperor Markus Aurelius, later reconstructed and reinforced several times in the 3rd - 4th centuries and in the 5th - 6th centuries. Remains of the fortress have been preserved and are exhibited in the subway in front of the Presidency (the Eastern Gate and a part of an ancient street).
St. George Church (in the inner yard between Sheraton Hotel and the Presidency) is the oldest preserved building in Sofia. It dates back to the 4th century. One part of it (the rotunda) resurrected after the Huns' invasion was used as a Christian temple. Beyond the church there are the ruins of the ancient town.
St. Alexander Nevski Cathedral is Sofia’s most popular landmark. In the Crypt (underground) there is an exceptional exhibition of Orthodox icons, dating from 13th – 19th centuries.
The National History Museum is the most important single collection of country's archaeology, history and culture. The magnificent Thracian gold treasures are on display there.
The Boyana Church (11th – 12th centuries) is a cultural monument of international significance, a UNESCO World Heritage Site. The most remarkable characteristics of the church are the frescoes from 1259. They impress with the humanistic trends, which were unusual for the medieval period. The frescoes were painted by an unknown Bulgarian painter in the style of the Turnovo School of Painting and are considered the finest examples of Bulgarian medieval art.

Day 3
Full day in Mt. Vitosha, which is half an hour drive from city’s downtown area. It is the most favourite place for local citizens for weekend walks. It has been declared a National Park in 1934. There are a lot of mountain paths, chair and cabin (gondola) lifts, which go as high as the summit Cherni Vrukh, i.e. “Black peak” (2,295 m). Starting point to the peak is "Aleko" chalet (1,810 m) and the summit can be reached within 1Ѕ - 2 hrs walk (one direction).

Day 4
Depart for the town of Bansko, located 160 km south of Sofia, in the foot of the Pirin Mountains. En route we’ll make a detour to visit Rila Monastery which is the most famous monastery in Bulgaria, one of the most remarkable monuments on the Balkan Peninsula. It is situated at an altitude of 1,150 m in the gorgeous natural scenery of the Rila Mountains. It is the most important among the Bulgarian monasteries, being an original national museum with a century-old history. Because of its international significance Rila Monastery has been declared an UNESCO World Heritage Site. Close to the monastery are the rock-cell and the grave of St John of Rila, the founder of the monastery in the 10th century

Afternoon arrival and settle in at your hotel in Bansko for the next three nights. One of the prettiest Pirin mountain towns, Bansko is situated at the foot of the Pirin Mountains and right below the Pirin National Park, declared a UNESCO World Heritage Sites of Nature. Although in recent years Bansko has also become known as a popular winter sports resort, here the old lives hand in hand with the new, where the modern centre gives off onto small cobbled streets with timber framed houses sheltering behind stout double doors.

The next two days for walking & hiking in the Pirin Mountains

Day 5   
Half an hour drive to reach “Gotse Deltchev” chalet (1,450 m), followed by chair lift (Ѕ hr) to gain height and reach "Bezbog" chalet (2,236 m). Walk and hike in the area to enjoy spectacular scenic views and glacial lakes. Return to your hotel late in the afternoon.

The “Bezbog” chalet is a convenient base camp for individual travellers, who may wish to explore the area on their own. The chalet is a massive building, located on the bank of the lake with the same name. It is a relatively comfortable accommodation, though rooms do not have private facilities, but there are twin and triple rooms available, and a restaurant as well. Some most popular sites in the vicinity and distances (walking time needed for one direction), as follows:
“Bezbog” chalet - Bezbog peak (2,645 m) = 1Ѕ hr.
“Bezbog” chalet - Polejan peak (2,851 m) = 1Ѕ hr.
“Bezbog” chalet - Orlovets (Djano) peak (2,668 m) = 2Ѕ hr.
“Bezbog” chalet - Tevno Lake (through the Kralevdvor circus) = 3ѕ hr. This is one of the most popular routes.
“Bezbog” chalet - Samodivski (Djengal) peak (2 730 m) = 3ј hr.
“Bezbog” chalet - Popovo Lake = 1ј hr. This is an easy and pleasant walk.

Day 6
Half an hour drive to reach "Vikhren" chalet (1,950 m). Ascent of the summit, Vikhren peak (2,914 m), which is second in height to Moussala in Rila and third on the Balkans. Approximately 6 hours pure walking time is needed. Experienced mountaineers may attempt to reach further the famous "Koncheto" ridge. Return to your hotel in Bansko late in the afternoon.

The "Vikhren" and the nearby "Banderitsa" chalets (1,810 m) are other suitable centres for radial walks. Individual travellers can reach both chalets by public transport - there is a minibus shuttle link, operating from Bansko.

Routes in the “Vikhren” chalet area
“Vikhren” chalet (1,950 m) is located 16 km away from the town of Bansko. There is a good asphalt road connection and takes half an hour drive (convenient shuttle service available).
“Vikhren” chalet - Vikhren peak (2, 914 m) = 5 - 6 hrs (return)
“Vikhren” chalet - Vikhren peak - Koutelo peak (2, 908 m) = 6-7 hr.
“Vikhren” chalet - "Koncheto" ridge (through "Kazanite" circus) = 7 - 8 hrs
“Vikhren” chalet - Big Todorka peak (2,746 m) = 6 hrs
“Vikhren” chalet - Big Todorka peak - Little Todorka peak (2,712 m) and return via Todorka Gate and Banderishki Lakes = approx. 6 hr. Chair lift.
"Vikhren” chalet - “Sinanitsa” chalet - Sinanitsa peak (2,516 m) - Sinanitsa Lake (2,200 m) = approx. 8 hr (return)
“Vikhren” chalet - “Banderitsa” chalet = 2 km asphalt road (Ѕ hr.)
“Vikhren” chalet - “Demyanitsa” chalet = 4Ѕ hr.
“Vikhren” chalet - Okoto Lake = ј hr.
“Vikhren” chalet - Ribno Banderishko Lake = 1 hr.

Routes in the “Banderitsa” chalet area
"Banderitsa” chalet (1,810 m) is located 14 km away from the town of Bansko. There is a good asphalt road connection (convenient shuttle service available).
“Banderitsa” chalet - Baykousheva Mura = ј hr.
“Banderitsa” chalet - Kazana refuge = 1Ѕ hr.
“Banderitsa” chalet - Koutelo peak = 3 hr.

More information about Pirin Mountains:
Except for the summit, Vikhren peak (2,914 m), other highest peaks are Koutelo (2,908 m), Banski Souhodol (2,884 m), Polezhan (2,851 m), Kamenitsa and Maluk Polezhan (2,822 m each), Bayuvi Doupki (2,820 m) and Golyama Strazha (2,810 m). Picturesque and favoured by hikers are Todorin Peak (2,746 m), above which there is a ski-track accommodated with a chair lift to the Valley of Banderitsa River; the peaks Sinanitsa (2,516 m), Dzhengal (2,730 m) are very attractive and challenging as well.

Between the peaks Banski Souhodol and Koutelo the main mountain ridge forms a sharp Karst edge, the lowest and the narrowest part of which is called Koncheto. It is about 200 m long and only half a meter wide and owes its name to the fact that inexperienced hikers traversed it as if “mounting a horse”. At present it is easier to traverse thanks to a rope railing.

In Northern Pirin there are more than 170 lakes, which are the most frequented tourist sites in the mountain. Some of the most attractive and popular are the lakes Banderishki, Todorini, Vasilashki, Gazeyski, Valyavishki, Kremenski, Popovo (the biggest in Pirin), Tevno Ezero, Sinanishko, Bezbozhko.

Almost all of Northern Pirin is within the bounds of the Pirin National Park, which is included in the list of the world cultural and natural heritage compiled at UNESCO. The park encompasses the biosphere reserve Bayuvi Doupki - Dzhindzhiritsa, included in the UN List of National Parks and corresponding reserves.

The walking routes in the mountain are marked by vertical labelling - steel poles with numbered plates, indicating the direction and the distance to the next pole, or patches of paint (red, yellow, blue or green) on stones and trees. The chalets and the starting points are accommodated with detailed maps of the mountain with plotted tracks and colouring of the basic labelling. Most favourable for walking and hiking are the months of July and August, and also the period between mid September - end of October.

Day 7
Morning transfer: Drive from Bansko to Panichishte resort in the Rila Mountains, followed by a 2Ѕ hrs walk to reach "Rilski Ezera" chalet (2,150 m) for overnight in the chalet (Note: luggage is transported by the supporting van to our next hotel in Borovets resort). "Rilski Ezera" chalet is situated in the gorgeous scenery of the Seven Rila Lakes Circus. The chalet is a massive 4-floored building and has 150 beds in total. Rooms consist of 2, 3, 4, 5 beds. Half of the rooms have private facilities; however, there are on floor bathrooms and WC as well. There is a restaurant, cafй bar, self-service kitchen, dining room.

The next two days for walking & hiking in the Rila Mountains

Day 8
Full day trekking: Rilski Ezera chalet - Seven Lakes Circus - Vazov peak (2,670 m) – Dodov peak (2,661 m) – Malyovitsa peak (2,729 m) – “Malyovitsa” chalet (1,960 m) – “Malyovitsa” hotel (1,720 m). 8Ѕ - 9 hrs walking time needed. Gorgeous scenery, lakes, ridges, rock formations, etc. the group will be transferred to our next site: Borovets resort (1,300 m). Settle in at your hotel for the next two nights.

Day 9
Take the gondola lift (cable car) for Ѕ hr to reach “Yastrebets” refuge (2,363 m), followed by a 3-hrs hike to reach Moussala peak (2,925 m), the highest point on the Balkans. Late afternoon return to our hotel for rest and individual activities.

Like in Pirin, walking routes in Rila are well marked. The chalets and the starting points are accommodated with detailed maps of the mountain with plotted tracks and colouring of the basic labelling.

Day 10
Transfer Day: we leave early in the morning and drive through the gorgeous scenery of the Rhodope Mountains. En route we’ll spend a few hours exploring the spectacular Trigrad Gorge (a famous Karst formation) and will enjoy the atmosphere of the ethnographic village of Shiroka Lucka. Late afternoon arrival and settle in at a nice guesthouse, picturesquely located in the area of the Smolyan lakes, which will be our base for the next three nights. We’ll enjoy the delicious local culinary specialities prepared for us by the housekeepers.
 

The next two days for walking & hiking in the Rhodope Mountains

Day 11
All day for walks and explore the area of the Pamporovo mountain resort (1,650-1,925 m), to enjoy scenic beauties and breathtaking views, and get introduced to the turbulent history of the region. Legend says the enchanting beauty of these mountains inspired mythological Orpheus, who tamed wild beasts with the heavenly music of his lyre.

Day 12
Morning drive and hike of Golyam Perelik peak (2,191 m) which is the highest in the Rhodope Mountains. Afternoon is at leisure or we can explore in the nearby main town of Smolyan, which has a very interesting History Museum and a nice Art Gallery.

Day 13
Transfer Day: Depart for Plovdiv, the second city of Bulgaria. En route we’ll take a short detour to see Chudnite Mostove (The Wonderful Bridges), another scenic beauty of the Rhodopes and a unique natural phenomenon of rock formations, located at 1,450 m at the foot of Persenk Peak. Late afternoon arrival at your hotel in Plovdiv and settle in for the last two nights of our tour.

Day 14
All day for exploration in the ancient city of Plovdiv. We'll have guided visits to the fabulous Roman Amphitheatre (2nd century), and will enjoy charming 18th–19th century National Revival houses, located in the architectural reserve of the Old Town. Afternoon is free to explore further by your own.

Day 15
Morning: direct transfer to Sofia Airport for your departure flights. End of program.