Transbalkan Trek
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Troyan Shipkovo Cherni Osam Chiflik Haidushka Pesen Beklemeto Dermenka Hut Dobrila Hut Vasil Levski hut Mount Botev Kalofer by vehicle trekking to Plovdiv Bulgaria Trekking Dossier ref: BGTRBALTREK Transbalkan Trek Updated: 141206/ML This trip offers a combined trek through mountains where we stay overnight (2 hours from the monastery walls and visit the nearby Oreshaka two of the most exciting natural reserves in Plovdiv; 2.5 hours from Sofia). museum of local crafts. In the afternoon we leave the Balkan mountains: Kozyata Stena and [D] for Apriltsi, where we will stay overnight. Please Severen Dzhendem, as well as a visit to the make sure you have any non-essential items of Troyan Monastery. We climb Mount Botev – Day 2. In the morning we start off from Beklemeto luggage packed up straight after arrival at the the highest peak in the Balkan mountains (at (1,320 m, or 4,330 ft) heading towards the peak hotel. It will be taken and returned to you on Day 7. 2,376 m, or 7,795 ft) and enjoy the imposing sections of the mountains leading to the Troyan Uphill walk: 450 m (1,476 ft); downhill walk: 650 m view of the low-lying Sredna Gora mountain pass (1,525 m, or 5,003 ft), before continuing (2,132 ft); walking time: around 5 hours and the fertile Thracian Valley. After westwards. From here the path follows the summit [B][D] descending the extremely steep southern of the Balkan ridge, passing along the southern slope of the Balkan, known as “Tarzan’s slopes of Kozyata Stena Reserve. The northern Day 4. In the morning we will embark on a short walkway”, we visit the small town of Kalofer. slopes of Kozyata Stena (1,562 m, or 5,124 ft) sightseeing trip around Apriltsi (506 m, or 1660 The mountain huts lie like pearls on a thread house an impressive population of Edelweiss, which ft), which affords you a good insight into the local with the walking paths in between. You will flower during the summer. This trek takes around way of living. Apriltsi combines the hospitality of be accompanied the whole time by a highly- three hours from Beklemeto. From there, the route local people, with the cosiness of its hotels and trained English-speaking mountain guide. travels northwest to the Haidushka pesen hut guesthouses, and the beauty of mountain nature, (870 m, or 2,854 ft; around 2 hours 40 minutes), leaving guests with wonderful memories. Here you Special highlights: weaving along the upper stream of Rogacheva will find the kingdom of the rocks. Inaccessible Balkan Mountains (highest peak: Mount Botev river. En route we pass a rocky gully famous for and steep formations rise from all sides of the 2376 m a.s.l.) are the longest (550 km) and the its avalanches in winter. We now have about 7 km mountains. At around noon we take a walk biggest of all mountains in Bulgaria. (4.3 miles) to go before we reach the village of along one of the new local eco-paths (offering Cherni Osam is a village, perched on both banks Chiflik (600 m, or 1,968 ft; 1 hour 20 minutes from magnificent views across the Balkan mountains and of the Cherni Osam River and an excellent base to the Haidushka pesen hut). Then we transfer to our the towering Mount Botev) to the Pleven hut (1,390 explore the National Park Central Balkan. hotel in Beklemeto. m, or 4,560 ft) where we will stay overnight. Chiflik is a village located at the upper stream of Uphill walk: 250 m, or 820 ft; downhill walk: 950 m, Uphill walk: 900 m (2,952 ft); downhill walk: 100 m the Beli Iskar River. or 3,116 ft; walking time: about 7 hours (328 ft); walking time: 3-4 hours Troyan Monastery “Assumption of Virgin Mary”, [B][D] [B][D] being the 3-th largest in Bulgaria, is built in the style of the Bulgarian Renaissance. Day 3. After breakfast we head off from Beklemeto Day 5. Our path set out from the Pleven hut, Beklemeto Pass (1320 m a.s.l.) is a mountain to the Dermenka hut (1,504 m, or 4,934 ft). This through a beech forest, reaching a place called resort very popular for summer and winter route features a pleasant descent along the Cherni Murgata. Then it continues by the foothills of “Milk mountain marches in the high part of the Osam river, where the Steneto Reserve (included in Peak”, crossing the springs of several rivers before mountains. the UNESCO World Network of Biosphere reserves entering a pleasant spot containing huge stones Plovdiv (160 m a.s.l.) ranks as the second on account of its virgin nature) awaits us. Then and tall grass. The trail meanders among these Bulgarian city in population and size. The old town it’s on to the village of Cherni Osam itself. Steneto large pieces of rocks to the Hristo Botev hut (2,050 of Plovdiv is one of the oldest European towns is also a recognised bird zone. The number of m, or 6,725 ft). Then we cross the river bed of contemporary to Troy and Mikena. birds registered here is higher than in any other the Haidushka river before walking through alpine reserve in the Central Balkan region. In Cherni meadows to the Vasil Levski shelter, where we stay Osam we will make a short stop at the local Natural overnight. ITINERARY History Museum, maintained for many years by a Uphill walk: 900 m (2,952 ft); downhill walk: 300 m Day 1. Arrival at Sofia or Plovdiv Airport and Bulgarian teacher. Then we transfer to the Troyan (984 ft); walking time: 4-5 hours transfer to the Beklemeto pass in the Balkan Monastery, where we will take a short stroll along [B][L][D] [email protected] www.penguin.dk Day 6. Walking by the ski runs near the Vasil Accommodation: Levski hut, signposts will lead you to the highest We stay in 3-star hotels (days 1, 2 & 3) and peak in the Balkan mountains – Mount Botev guesthouse (day 7) with private facilities and in a (2,376 m, or 7,795 ft). The Botev peak was formed mountain huts (days 4, 5 & 6) with shared facilities by granite deposited by the older Sredna Gora on HB (breakfast & dinner included). Lunchpacks mountain onto the folds of the still-forming Stara are included for the mountain treks during the days Planina range. During the development of what are 5, 6 & 7. now the Balkan mountains this granite was broken up by river erosion. As a result, the terrifying rock Luggage transportation: faces of the Northern Dzhendem and the Heavenly Unnecessary luggage will be transferred as follows: rocks to the south were shaped. The time needed Day 3: from Beklemeto Pass to Apriltsi and then to reach Mount Botev from Vasil Levski hut is one more time from Apriltsi (upon arrival) as you approximately four hours. From the peak the track will see it again on Day 7 weaves among the rocky slopes of the mountain, Day 7: from Troyan to Plovdiv, also picking you up providing excellent view to the precipice of the from the town of Kalofer en-route Southern Dzhendem as well as the surrounding peaks. You can also see the roof of the Rai hut – our last stop for today. We have around a 1.5 Tour type: IT+/GT hour walk from Mount Botev to the hut, passing the Heavenly Rocks and the Heavens Waterfall Difficulty grade: B (days 2, 3 & 4) / (“Raiskoto pruskalo”). At a height of 124.5 m (408 C (days 5 & 6) ft), it is not just the highest waterfall in Bulgaria, but on the entire Balkan Peninsula. We spend the Best period: June – September night in the Rai hut (1,560 m, or 5,118 ft). Uphill walk: 1,000 m (3,280 ft); downhill walk: 900 m (2,952 ft); walking time: about 5.5 hours Weather: [B][L][D] Temperatures expected for this period are between +10 and +30C. Temperatures above 2000 m a.s.l. Day 7. The route begins with a descent along the may drop to -5C after the end of August. Rainfalls stream of Toundzha river to the resort settlement of or short but heavy showers are possible, being a bit Panitsite (taking about three hours). Some 6 km, or prolonged during spring and late autumn. 3.7 miles, further on is the town of Kalofer (600 m, or 1,968 ft), where the bus will be waiting to take Equipment and clothing: us to the city of Plovdiv, where we stay overnight. Necessary items: daypack for days 2 & 3 (35 l) Uphill walk: 20 m; downhill walk: 970 m (3,182 ft); and rucksack for the rest days in the mountains; walking time: 4 hours 3-season walking waterproof boots with suitable [B][L][D] ankle support; waterproof outer shell garment (breathable if possible!); sunglasses with UV Day 8. After breakfast you will have transfer to protection; sunscreen lotion. Sofia or Plovdiv Airport for departure (transfer time: For the full list with recommended items see 20 min to Plovdiv Airport or 2 h to Sofia Airport) “General”. [B] Vaccination: Optional. See “General” for more information. Guaranteed departures for 2007: 16/6; 07/7; 21/7; 11/8; 01/9; 15/9 (other dates also possible upon request) Price: 360 EURO Single room supplement: 70 EURO The price includes: accommodation and boarding as mentioned above; transfer to/from Sofia and Plovdiv; English-speaking guide; luggage and private transfers as mentioned above; VAT and all local taxes.