This Tour Is a Lighter Version of the Pirin-Rila Trek, Which Combines The
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Introduction: one of the oldest European towns Bansko by bus, with a short stop to the contemporary to Troy and Mikena. oldest tree in Bulgaria (more than 1,300 This tour is a lighter version of the Yagodina Cave is among the longest years old!). Later in the afternoon we will Pirin-Rila trek, which combines the caves in Bulgaria (more than 10 000m embark on a short sightseeing trip along high and challenging Pirin Mountains' mapped so far), considered to be one of the streets of Bansko, visiting the Holy beauty with the serenity of the Rodopi the most beautiful in Europe with its Trinity church, some traditional crafts Mountains range, the latter known as outstanding stalactites, stalagmites, shops and enjoying the unique of the legendary musician Orpehus. columns, ponds and cave pearls in them. architecture of the houses there. During the trek, you will get to explore The Devil's Throat Cave has its name Walking time: 5hrs ; Uphill walk: 300 m some of Bulgaria's more remote and from the fact that if you let something flow (984 ft); downhill walk: 300 m (984 ft) forgotten regions. Mountain border in the cave river it never comes out again. /breakfast, dinner/ villages, which were closed to foreign There is a cave waterfall - one of the visitors not so long ago, enable the highest underground waterfalls in Europe, Day 3. Bansko – Dobrinishte – Mount tourists to experience some elements 42 m high. Polezhan – Leshten - Kovachevitsa of authentic Bulgarian culture and Bachkovo Monastery is the second In the morning we have a transfer to the country life. On the tour we also visit largest Bulgarian monastery. foothills of the Pirin Mountains, but this caves and the second biggest time to Dobrinishte (a 15 minute drive). Bulgarian monastery. Itinerary: Dobrinishte is a balneological resort, east of Bansko, famous for its mineral Tour highlights: Day 1. Arrive at Sofia or Plovdiv Airport springs since ancient times. From there and transfer to Bansko for overnight the bus travels on to the Gotse Delchev Pirin Mountains are the second accommodation (about 3 hrs). hut (about 20 min drive; 1,450 m, 4,757 highest in Bulgaria after Rila /dinner/ ft). Here we take the chairlift to the Mountains and the third in the Balkan Bezbog hut (2,236 m, 7,335 ft.) - the Peninsula (Mount Vihren 2914 m Day 2. Bansko - Vihren hut – start of today's trek, which is a 30 a.s.l.). Banderishki Lakes - Bansko minute ride. The target of the day is Rodopi Mountains: The Rodopi After breakfast we head for the foothills of Mount Polezhan (2,851 m, or 9,353 ft). Mountains (highest peak: Golyam the Pirin Mountains, above the Vihren hut There are incredible views on the way to Perelik (2191m a.s.l.) are the oldest (1,950 m, 6,397 ft). We reach the latter by the top and from the summit itself. One mountains on the Balkan Peninsula. bus (a 20-minute ride) and continue on can count 17 glacial lakes from a single Bansko (925 m a.s.l.) is one of the foot to the glacial lakes close to the point, including the biggest lake in Pirin biggest winter resorts in the country. Bunderitsa River. There we visit the – Popovo Lake. These are probably the Shiroka Luka (1060 m a.s.l.) Muratovo, Ribnoto (The Fish), Dulgoto most beautiful panoramic views Numerous houses preserving the (The Long), Zhabeshkoto (The Frog) and available from these mountains. It takes typical Rodopean architecture, Okoto (The Eye) lakes. The superb view approximately 5 hrs to complete the speech, songs and customs of local to the neighbouring peaks (most of them walk. We return to the Gotse Delchev people have given the village the higher than 2,500 m, 8,202 ft) is hut via the same lift. Our next meeting status of an architectural, complemented by the aroma of mountain with traditional Bulgarian architecture ethnographic and folklore reserve. herbs and the cries of Nutcrackers and will take place in Leshten village and Plovdiv (160 m a.s.l.) ranks as the Ring Ouzels. This walk will take about 3-5 further to the village of Kovachevitsa second Bulgarian city in population hours depending on the weather (1,050 m, or 3,444 ft) (some 70 km (43 and size. The old town of Plovdiv is conditions. After that we go back to miles) from Dobrinishte). The overnight in Kovachevitsa will be preceded by a Walking time: 5hrs; Uphill walk: 400 m Luggage transportation: short walk along the paved streets (1,312 ft); downhill walk: 450 m (1,476 ft) Luggage is taken care throughout the and the stony walls of the ancient /breakfast, dinner/ whole trip. A small rucksack (35 l) for houses of both villages. carrying personal items during the daily Walking time: 6hrs; Uphill walk: 650 m Day 6. Trigrad – Yagodina – Devin walks is necessary. It is possible to skip (2,132 ft); downhill walk: 650 m (2,132 After breakfast we leave the hotel in some of the walks and to take the bus ft) Trigrad on foot. A good dirt track, following with the luggage instead. /breakfast, dinner/ the upper edge of Trigrad Gorge, leads to the village of Yagodina (850 m, or 2,788 Tour type: GT Day 4. Kovachevitsa – Dospat Dam ft). It goes through pine forests, – Trigrad agricultural land (especially popular for Difficulty grade: B After breakfast we make a short stroll traditional potato growing), pastures and to the chapel of St.George above meadows. We will reach Yagodina in 2,5 Best period: June – September Kovachevitsa. The return hike takes hrs. From the village the track ascends a about 2-3 hrs. Walking on Dabrash little into the nearby coniferous woods, Weather: Ridge we will meet remains of old before flattening out. Before reaching the Temperatures expected for this period houses and pens, scattered among Yagodina Cave the path becomes steep, are between +10 and +30oC. meadows, woods and interesting rock descending all the time to the riverbed of Temperatures above 2000 m a.s.l. may formations. Once reached, the view the Vucha River. It takes about an hour drop to -5C after the end of August. from the peak is superb, revealing the hike from Yagodina village to the cave. Rainfalls or short but heavy showers are valley of Mesta River, Slavianka There a 45-minute cave tour will await us possible, being a bit prolonged during Mountains and the southern slopes of – please be prepared for the temperature spring and late autumn. Pirin Mountains. After this, our bus will inside the cave (6oC). The bus will be take us some 90 km (55 miles) further waiting by the entrance to the cave, and Equipment and clothing: on to Trigrad village (3 hrs drive; will transport us to Devin, where we will Necessary items: daypack (35 l); 3- 1,250 m, or 4,101 ft) where we stay stay overnight. season walking waterproof boots with for the next two nights. We will pause Walking time: 3-4hrs; Uphill walk: 250 m suitable ankle support; waterproof outer for lunch by the blue waters of the (820 ft); downhill walk: 600 m (1,968 ft) shell garment (breathable if possible!); Dospat dam. /breakfast, dinner/ sunglasses with UV protection; Walking time: 5hrs; Uphill walk: 350 m sunscreen lotion; bottle of water. (1,148 ft); downhill walk: 350 m (1,148 Day 7. Devin - Shiroka Lyka - Bachkovo For the full list with recommended items ft) Monastery - Plovdiv see “General”. /breakfast, dinner/ This morning we start with a short transfer (3 km) to the picturesque site Struilitsa, Vaccination: Day 5. Trigrad – Vodni Pad – where we will walk along the Devin eco- Optional. See “General” for more Trigrad path, offering some fine views of the information. In the morning we continue southeast Valley of Devin River. At noon we continue to the peak of the ridge by Trigrad with a transfer to Shiroka Lyka for short Group size: Min. 4 persons village and then further on to Vodni sightseeing and continue on to Bachkovo Pad village. The walk there will take Monastery - the second largest in The price includes: accommodation around 3-4 hrs, with the route back Bulgaria. We end up in Plovdiv, where you and boarding as mentioned above; along the Trigradska River's stream will have some free time in the late transfer to/from Sofia or Plovdiv airports; taking another two. The path is a afternoon for sightseeing and shopping. English-speaking guide and private pleasant one, passing through Walking time: 3 hrs; uphill walk: 200 m; transfers throughout the tour; entrance coniferous woods all the time. After downhill walk: 200 m). fees for the caves and the lifts; VAT and gentle ascent to the summit of the /breakfast, dinner/ all local taxes. mountains the track follows its highest points, affording views of potato fields Day 8. Early transfer to Sofia or Plovdiv The price does not include: maps and green meadows on the right-hand Airport for departure. (could be requested in advance when side. In Vodni Pad we will stop for /breakfast/ booking the tour), lunches/lunch packs, lunch and a siesta. The return journey tips, alcohol drinks, cigarettes and other is a real delight, tracing the Trigradska Accommodation: personal expenses. River all the way to Trigrad village We stay in excellent family-run hotels, before continuing on to the Trigrad rooms with private facilities (days 1,2,4,6 Gorge (1,450 m, or 4,757 ft) for & 7), guesthouse in Kovachevitsa (Day 3) another 30 minutes.