Peninsula (Mount Vihren 2914 m a.s.l.). chairlift to the Bezbog hut (2,236 m, Introduction: (925 m a.s.l.) is one of the 7,335 ft.) - the start of today's trek, The Mountains – named after biggest winter resorts in the country. which is a 30 minute ride. The target of Perun, the god of Thunder, are the day is Mount Polezhan, the fifth 's wildest peaks, comprising Dobrinishte is famous for it's minaral highest peak of Pirin mountain (2,851 m, numerous protected areas and no less pools with average temperature of the or 9,353 ft). There are incredible views than 60 mountains over 2,500 m, or water + 34o C on the way to the top and from the 8,202 ft, high. Generally speaking, the summit itself. One can count 17 glacial terrain is alpine, meaning that most of Itinerary: lakes from a single point, including the the trekking is done above the tree biggest lake in Pirin – Popovo Lake. zone. This tour features stupendous Day 1. Arrival at or Airport These are probably the most beautiful views of crystal-clear mountain lakes, and transfer to Bansko for overnight panoramic views available from these green dales, extraordinary rock accommodation. mountains. It takes approximately 5 hrs formations and rich wildlife. During the /dinner/ to complete the walk. We return to the rest of the trek there will be Gotse Delchev hut via the same lift. opportunities to explore the mountains Day 2. In the morning we have a transfer Transfer to the hotel in Bansko. either alone or as part of an to Vihren hut. The path gently ascents in Walking time: 6hrs; Uphill walk: 650 m impromptu trek organised with the Bunderishka valley, reaching Todorina (2,132 ft); downhill walk: 650 m (2,132 local guide. Porta. We start descending from there, ft) Bansko is a three-hour drive from passing by the beautiful Todorini Ochi /breakfast, dinner/ Sofia and Plovdiv and is located on Lakes (Todora’s Eyes Lakes) and then the outskirts of the entering the circus of Vasilashki Lakes. Day 4. A fairly difficult ascent to Mount – the largest protected area in Further down we enter the old Mura forest Vihren (2,914 m, or 9,560 ft) awaits us. Bulgaria. It will be your base camp on and reach Demianitsa hut. We continue In the morning we go by bus to the this walking holiday. With its special following Demyanitsa River and end the Vihren hut (30 minutes; 1,950 m, or architecture of Ottoman and Greek trek at Todorova Ornitsa, where the bus 6,397 ft). En route there will be various origin, Bansko offers visitors a wealth waits to take us back to the hotel. opportunities to enjoy most of the Pirin's of experience. The stone houses, Walking time: 6-7hrs; uphill walk: 800 m; peaks and also the Vlahini and many of which look like miniature downhill walk: 900 m Bunderishki lakes. If the weather is good monasteries, exist side by side with /breakfast, dinner/ we have lunch on the peak itself, the modern structures of this little enjoying the amazing scenery. After that town, which boasts only 12,000 Day 3. After breakfast we start with a we return to the Vihren hut, and by bus, inhabitants. Bansko boasts a transfer to the foothills of the Pirin to the hotel in Bansko for dinner and multitude of restaurants and local Mountains, but this time to Dobrinishte (a overnight accommodation. eateries as well as a lively cafe scene. 15 minute drive). Dobrinishte is a Uphill walk: 1,000 m (3,280 ft); downhill balneological resort, east of Bansko, walk: 1,000 m (3,280 ft); walking time: 7- Special highlights: famous for its mineral springs since 8 hours. Pirin Mountains are the second ancient times. From there the bus travels (Please note: This route involves highest in Bulgaria after on to the Gotse Delchev hut (about 20 min negotiating a steep path all the way up Mountains and the third in the Balkan drive; 1,450 m, 4,757 ft). Here we take the and down, with many sections passing Penguin Travel DMC-Bulgaria 1 Address: 9 Orfej Str., 1421 Sofia, BULGARIA; Phone: +35924001050; E-mail: [email protected] over rocks. It is only recommended for You will stay 4 nights in a family run hotel VAT and all local taxes. tourists in good physical condition. (3 stars), with rooms with private Otherwise, please consider the bath/toilet on half board (breakfast & The price does not include: map alternative programme for Day 3, dinner included). In case you decide to (could be requested in advance when which includes walk in the circus of stay in a mountain hut as a part of a booking the tour), tips, entrance fees, Bunderishki Lakes: There we visit customized tour, which can be requested lunches/lunchpacks, alcohol drinks, Muratovo, Ribnoto (The Fish), Dulgoto in advance, please note that you may cigarettes and other personal expenses. (The Long), Zhabeshkoto (The Frog) have to stay in a dorm where shower/toilet and Okoto (The Eye) lakes. On the are shared with few other rooms. Blankets way we enjoy beautiful breathtaking and linen are provided in the huts – no Joining instructions: panoramic views, flowers and the need to bring such with you. Low-cost flights to Bulgaria: please crystal waters of the rivers and the check: - http://wizzair.com/; ; lakes. It takes about 4-5 hrs to Tour type: GT Easy Jet - http://www.easyjet.com/; complete this tour, which returns to Germanwings - the Vihren hut before heading back to Difficulty grade (trekking days only): B http://www.germanwings.com/; My Air - the hotel in Bansko by bus. (days 1 & 2), C (day 3) http://www.myair.com/; Penguin Travel – Uphill walk: 400 m (1,312 ft); downhill http://www.flybulgarien.dk/; Norwegian walk: 400 m (1,312 ft); walking time: Best period: June – September Air Shuttle - http://www.norwegian.no/. appr. 4 hrs) Joining the tour: in recent days there /breakfast, dinner/ Weather: are loads of opportunities to book a Temperatures expected for this period are cheap flight to Bourgas or Varna airports Day 5. Transfer to Sofia / Plovdiv between +10 and +25oC. Temperatures instead of landing at . We airport for departure. above 2000 m a.s.l. may drop to -5C after can arrange for you a bus or train ticket /breakfast/ the end of August. Rainfalls or short but to Sofia or Plovdiv, where most of the heavy showers are possible, being a bit tours start. Here are some approximate All walks in the original program prolonged during spring and late autumn. prices for transfers: could be adjusted by the guide on By bus: Bourgas or Varna to Sofia – spot depending on the physical Equipment and clothing: appr. 20 Euro/person one way (appr. 5- condition of the hikers (there is a Necessary items: daypack (35 l) or larger 7 hrs drive) diversity of hiking trails in the one (60 l) if you decide to stay overnight in By train: Bourgas or Varna to Sofia – mountains, varying in difficulty a mountain hut; 3-season walking appr. 15 Euro/person one way (sleeping grade). waterproof boots with suitable ankle compartments +10 Euro). For train support; waterproof outer shell garment schedules please check: The tour provides the opportunity (breathable if possible!); sunglasses with http://bdz.creato.biz/en (appr. 7-8 hrs more days to be added to the UV protection; sunscreen lotion; trekking drive) program if purchased in advance. sticks. By plane: Bourgas or Varna to Sofia – These could be spent on self- For the full list with recommended items appr. 100 Euro/person one way (for guided walking in the area, more see “General”. schedules and prices please check: guided walks, guided sightseeing http://www.air.bg/en) (appr. 1 hr flight) tours to famous places nearby Group size: Min. 2 persons Private transfers: Bourgas airport – (Sofia, Rila Monastery, Melnik and Sofia (appr. 4 hrs drive): 150 Euro/car Rozhen Monastery, Kovachevitsa The price includes: accommodation and (1-3 pax); 190 Euro/bus (4-7 pax); etc.) etc. Please ask for quotation boarding as mentioned above, transfers – Sofia (appr. 6 hrs drive): for any of these possibilities. to/from Sofia and ; English- 170 Euro/car (1-3 pax); 210 Euro/bus speaking guide, transfers as per itinerary; (4-7 pax) Accommodation: group. We have prepared your In order to achieve it we advise you to GENERAL vacation so that you can concentrate start walking, jogging or cycling ======on new impressions and experiences, everyday. Swimming a couple of TOUR TYPES & GRADES awaiting you all the time. Here is a times a week is also highly We provide different varieties of tours description of the various tours: recommended. You do not need as regards to their types and difficulty GT: Group tours much to get yourself in shape. And grades! There is a guide accompanying you don't forget that the most important Whether you will choose individual throughout the whole trip, meeting tip for an unforgettable active holiday and group tours with a guide or you at the airport upon arrival and is to choose a trip which corresponds combined tours with a guide for some leaving you at the airport again for to your physical condition! part of the trip depends on you. We departure. We use well-trained and B: Moderate emphasize on using local experienced local people with good Most of you, who are used to walking experienced guides with knowledge knowledge of English. The group size during a long weekend, will be in of the local language, culture, history, is normally 6-12 people, if not condition to cope with a tour of this art, etc. The tours are conducted in specially mentioned. level. You should be in good health the English language. Guides in other ------condition and not too bad physical languages are available upon --- condition. We have successive days request. Difficulty grades of longer and more difficult walking Tour types To prepare yourself for the best of and days of lighter walking. Some Our tours are divided in different tour your vacation we recommend that parts of the day routes are done at a types, regardless of being guided or you start planning it in an advance. higher altitude. The paths are in good not or if someone travels alone or in a Good physical condition is required. condition. We walk for 5-7h a day.

Penguin Travel DMC-Bulgaria 2 Address: 9 Orfej Str., 1421 Sofia, BULGARIA; Phone: +35924001050; E-mail: [email protected] You are free to skip some walks and Eastern Europe, at specific times of Population - 7 538 000 (2003) (83,9 have a rest. the year. Check latest requirements % ethnic Bulgarians; 9,4% Turks; C: Difficult with your travel clinic or doctor prior 4,7% Roma; rest – smaller minorities These tours include trekking which is to departure. Russians, Armenians, Vlachs, Jews, a little harder, normally on a ======Karakachans etc.) challenging terrain. We take it for Money and personal expenses Relligion – 82,6% Orthodox, 12,2% granted that you are in good condition You will need some extra money to Islam, 0,7% Protestant, 0,5% and fit. You should be physically cover meals, drinks and extra trips Catholics, 4,1% Others. prepared at home to get the not included in the tour price. Capital city - Sofia (1 377 531 people maximum of the tour. Most of the Additional money for souvenirs and in 2006) trekking is done at a greater height personal things could also be spent. Bigest towns - Plovdiv, Varna, (max 3000 m). As on other tours you That is why it is always necessary to Bourgas, Rouse, , are free to skip some treks and have have Bulgarian money in cash. , a rest. The payments in Bulgaria are usually Mountains - 37 (biggest - Balkan ======made in "LEV" (BGN), which is the Mountain: length - ~ 550 km.; width ~ = official currency. The exchange rate 30-60 km.); (highest - Rila Mountain - Extensions: Yes, Black Sea with EU and USD is quite changing peak Musala - 2 925 m.a.s.l.) This is a unique proposal, which sometimes, but approximately it is: Boundaries - North - Romania; East - gives you the opportunity to stay in BGN:EU - 2:1; BGN:USD - 1,6-1. Black Sea (coastline 378 km.); West - Bulgaria for one week more at the Credit Cards could be used primarily Serbia, Macedonia; South - Greece, incredibly low price! We can offer a in some supermarkets and Turkey; great variety of means of restaurants in the biggest cities as Distribution of the lands - 0 - 400 accommodation - from home stays well as in the petrol stations. Usually m.a.s.l. - 59,8 %; 400 - 1000 m.a.s.l. - (no meals) to 2, 3 and 4-star hotels it is marked on their front doors if 27,6 %; 1000 - 2000 m.a.s.l. - 11,9 %; (BB or HB) on the Southern Bulgarian Credit Cards are accepted. ATMs over 2000 m.a.s.l. - 0,7 % Black Sea Coast: ("bankomates") are more frequent Protected areas - 3 national parks, 10 - - a big modern resort (again in the biggest towns only!). nature parks, 55 reserves, 35 with hundreds of hotels, cafes, pubs, Traveler's cheques take quite a lot of managed reserves, over 350 casinos, water-sports facilities etc. time to handle and not each bank protected areas and 500 natural - , Nessebar - small towns deals with them (in many cases it monuments (founded by the ancient Greeks) with takes even few days since their ======picturesque old quarters and a deposition in the bank!) - thus they == specific atmosphere. are not recommended! Weather - Lozenets -a peaceful small village Here are some examples of Mean year temperature - + 10,5 °C with a beautiful beach. Only 4-5 km comparative costs in Bulgaria (NB: (Abs. Min. - -38,3 °C ; Abs. Max. - + from the forests of the Strandzha prices in mid-range restaurants!): 45,2 °C) Mountains where you can go walking, - Coffee – 0,3 Euro Mean rainfall per year - 416 - 650 biking or riding horses. - Tea – 0,3 Euro Weather Bulgaria ======- Beer (0,5 l) – 0,5-1 Euro Equipment and clothing: - Soft drink (0,5 l) - 0,4-0,5 Euro 25 You should always remember that - Bottle of water (0,5 l) - 0,3-0,4 Euro 20 you must try to keep the weight of - Bottle of mark red wine (0,75 l) - 5- 15 500 m a.s.l. your hiking equipment down to a 10 Euro 1000 m a.s.l. 10 minimum. Your packed daypack - Three-course lunch - 4-10 Euro 2000 m a.s.l.

5 should weigh no more than 10-15 - Lunch pack - 2-3 Euro ) ( C Temperature kilograms. ======0 Recommended items: waterproof Cell phone coverage April June August October -5 rucksack (60 l) & daypack (35 l); Currently the whole territory of Months walking waterproof boots with Bulgaria is covered with a mobile suitable ankle support; light casual connection. However the trekking & mm. in the lowlands; 650 - 1193 mm. shoes/sandals for walking and/or for cycling tours are done in in the highlands travelling; gaiters; loose, casual mountainous areas where the signal Rainy days per month – May – 7; trousers for trekking; waterproof could be weak or even lacking from June – 8; July – 6; August – 3; trousers; fleece windstopper jacket; time to time. In such a situation you September – 6; (number may be windproof, waterproof outer shell just need to change your location a higher in the mountains) garment (breathable if possible!); hat bit in order to find available network. Mean daily/night temperatures (up to for sun protection; sunglasses with ======1000 m a.s.l.) - May + 22/12 °C; June UV protection; sunscreen lotion and Electricity + 26/16 °C; July + 28/17 °C; August + lip balm; water bottle; torch In Bulgaria two-pin sockets are 26/15 °C; September + 23/13 °C; (headlamp); mobile phone; normal. Voltage is 220 watts. If you underwear (not cotton); mosquito come from the U.S. or UK you need Altitudinal distribution of annual repellent; trekking sticks. to purchase an adapter, which is temperatures in Bulgaria ======available only in Bulgarian cities and Vaccination: biggest winter and sea resorts. Tick-borne encephalitis, Marselle ======fever and Crimea haemorhagic fever Brief about Bulgaria is recommended by some medical Territory - 110 912 sq. km. sources if travelling in certain areas of

Penguin Travel DMC-Bulgaria 3 Address: 9 Orfej Str., 1421 Sofia, BULGARIA; Phone: +35924001050; E-mail: [email protected]