Detailed Trip File

Home , Govedartsi, Pirin, Rila, Rila Monastery, Vihren

Detailed trip file

GUIDED One Foot Abroad Guinness Enterprise Centre, Taylor's Lane Dublin 8, Ireland RILA MOUNTAINS-MOUNT MUSULA PIRIN MOUNTAINS-MOUNT VIHREN UK: +44 (0)20 8123 0599 RILA MONASTERY Ireland: +353 (0)1 443 3973 BANSKO: HIGHEST AND MOST BEAUTIFUL KARST USA: +1 917 267 7524 PART OF THE MOUNTAINS France: +33 (0)4 83 58 05 47 [email protected]

O Romania: Dracula’s Carpathian Montains

Summary

A unique mountain hike above the clouds of the highest mountains on The Balkan Peninsula.

During the trek we will visit the highest peak on the Balkans in Rila mountains (Musula, 2925m) and the giant of Pirin Mountains (Vihren, 2914m). We will explore enormous national parks, housing vast alpine meadows, stone rivers, glacial lakes, rare vegetation and rich animal life. The biggest Bulgarian monastery (Rila Monastery) and probably the most famous Bulgarian landmark will also be visited as a part of the trip.

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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Itinerary

8 days itinerary

Day 1: Arrival in Bulgaria and transfer to the village of Govedartsi Day 2: Loop hike to Vada Hut and the seven Rila Lakes - 900m/6 hours Day 3: Hike to Maliovitsa resort and Prekorechki lakes - 900m/7 hours Day 4: Climb to the Musula peak - 650m/6h30mins Day 5: Transfer to the Rila Monastery and walk to the town of Bansko - 400m/3 hours Day 6: Climb to the Mount Vihren Day 7: Walk to the Popovo lake and the Valiavishki lakes Day 8: Transfer back to Sofia. End of the trip

Day 1: Arrival in Bulgaria and transfer to Govedartsi

Arrival at Sofia airport and transfer to the mountain village of Govedartsi (1150m), where we stay overnight (1hr drive). This is our base for the hikes in Rila Mountains for the next 4 nights. All starting points of the walks for the next days are within 30min transfers.

Day 2: Govedartsi – Vada Hut – The Seven Rila lakes – Govedartsi – 900m/6 hours

We start after breakfast with a short transfer (9 km) to Vada hut (1410 m a.s.l.). From the hut we start ascending in the direction of Lovna hut and then to the area of The Seven Rila Lakes. The path follows the summit between the rivers Dzherman and Cherni Iskar, offering fine views towards both Vitosha and Verila mountains. Eventually we make a hike among the famous glacial lakes. On our way back we will descent on a hidden treasure – unmarked trail, that goes past 3 beautiful waterfalls.

Day 3: Govedartsi – Maliovitsa resort – Prekorechki Lakes – Govedartsi – 900m/7 hours

Short transfer to Maliovitsa resort. From there the path weaves up along the valley to the wide circus of Prekorechki Lakes, enclosed by the steep slopes and rocky walls of several peaks exceeding 2700m (Popova Kapa, Kupenite, Iglite etc.). We visit also The Scary Lake before walking downhill on a steep rocky slope to the west coast of Yonchevo Lake (more than 200m long) and further to Maliovitsa resort.

Day 4: Govedartsi – Musula Peak – Govedartsi – 650m/6h30mins

Today we climb the highest peak on the Balkans – Musala (2925m). Short transfer brings us to Borovets ski resort, where we take the lift to Yastrebets Peak (2369m). Enjoyable walk along Dwarf Pine massifs with the jagged form of Mount Musala at the background leads us to Musalenski Lakes, lying at the foots of the peak. The view from the top is truly breath-taking – you can make out the remaining peaks of Rila Mountains; the marble edges of the Pirin Mountains; Mount Vitosha and the Sredna Gora Mountains; the green summits of the Rodopi Mountains; and last, but not least, the long body of the Balkan range. One Foot Abroad – Tel: +353 1 443 3973 – [email protected] Page 2 of 6

Day 5: Govedartsi – Rila Monastery – Stob Pyramids – Bansko – 400m/3 hours

Transfer to the most famous landmark of Bulgaria – Rila Monastery. Sightseeing and leisure hike to the hermitage of St. Ivan Rilski. The next stop nearby are the amazing sand forms near Stob village – The Stob Pyramids. Then we continue on to the foots of Pirin Mountains and the town of Bansko, which is the starting point for the hikes in Pirin Mountains and overnight location for the next 3 nights.

Day 6: Bansko – Mount Virhen – Bansko – 100m/7h30mins

A fairly difficult ascent to Mount Vihren awaits us. In the morning we go by bus to the Vihren hut. En route there will be various opportunities to enjoy most of the Pirin's peaks. The path weaves through “Kazanite” region famous for the incredible variety of plants (Edelweiss among them). If the weather is good we have lunch on the peak itself, enjoying the amazing scenery. After that we return to Vihren hut.

Day 7: Bansko – Popovo Lake – Valiavishki Lakes – Bansko – 650m/5 hours

Transfer to Gotse Delchev hut. Here we take the chair lift to Bezbog hut (2236m), where the walk towards Mount Polezhan (2851m) starts. This trip offers probably the most beautiful panoramic views in the mountains where one can count 17 glacial lakes from a single point, including the biggest lake in Pirin Mountains – Popovo Lake (almost 30m deep)

Day 8: Sofia. End of the trip

Transfer to Sofia airport for departure

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How to get there

Way in & out: Plovdiv, Sofia & Burgas

The best airport to fly in is Sofia airport. The airport transfer is included.

To Sofia - Sofia International airport Airline flying to Sofia: Lufthansa, KLM, Turkish Airlines from Dublin British Airways, Wizzair, Easyjet from London

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What is included?

See below what it is included in this trip. You have many options to make up your trip personal.

Included Optional Not included

- 7 nights in 3* hotels - Maps (can be requested) - Flights (See How to get there tab)

- 7 breakfasts - Insurance - 7 dinners - Drinks - English speaking guide - Lunches - Airport transfers and - Entrance fees transfers during the trip -Luggage transfer -Emergency phone number -Customer Service

Dates & Price

Best prices on the market based on this level of comfort and standard!

Package option Price starts from

8 days - 7 nights – 3* Hotels - half board €510.00 basis - GUIDED

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See you soon

 Keeping in touch

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One Foot Abroad Guinness Enterprise Centre, Taylors Lane, Dublin 8 Ireland

 Loyalty discount for returning customers

3% off all bookings for returning customers. 8% off all bookings made 2 or more months in advance by returning customers (combines 5% early booking + 3% loyalty).

Discounts apply exclusively to basic package.

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