Introduction: Rising to 2290 m a.s.l. the peak is the Snowshoeing is another way of fourth highest point in and offers Last edited by: NK 08/12/2009 exploring the mountains – and offers amazing views to the city of , The spectacular views. It gives you the and Sofia . Day 3. Transfer to Kumata hut, freedom of exploring nature from a which is the starting point for the different angle – vast fields with virgin Skakavitsa waterfall is the highest snowshoeing towards the highest snow coverage, majestic frozen waterfall in the Mountains (approx. 80 peak of Mountain – peaks, quiet century-old forests, m fall of the water), situated in Skakavitsa (2290m a.s.l.). The hidden below the snow paths…There reserve, in the . route to the peak follows the is no better way to discover the beauty border of the natural reserve and tranquility of the mountain, Itinerary: “Torfeno Branishte” (Turf walking even outside the marked Reserve) and offers panoramic trails. This tour takes you off-the Day 1. Meeting at Sofia Airport with views to Rila Mountains. After a beaten tracks, combining spectacular our representative and transfer (25 cup of warm tea in the small views of two of the most beautiful min.) to the city center for cafeteria of the weather station Bulgarian mountains – Vitosha and overnight. on the top, we start descending to Aleko Mountain Base, where Rila. We spend the evenings in cozy /dinner/ places, where you will have the the bus waits to transfer us to chance to share a glass of red wine village in Rila with the locals and meet in close with Day 2. After a short transfer to the Mountains. their way of living. nature landmark Zlatnite mostove (6-7 hrs; uphill walk: 600m; area (The Golden Bridges) we start downhill walk 500m) Special highlights: walking in the direction of Momina /breakfast, dinner/ Skala hut, where we will stop for a Rila Monastery (1147 m a.s.l.) is the most popular tourist site among all short break. From the hut we head Day 4. We start with a short monasteries in Bulgaria equally for its towards Kamen Del (1862m.a.s.l) – transfer to Maliovitsa Mountain size, natural surroundings, the peak that offers the best view to Base (about 25 min.). Walking architecture, wall paintings and the city of Sofia. Then we continue, along the picturesque valley of ancient history. walking along the border of Torfeno Maliovitsa river we reach Branishte (Peat Maliovitsa hut (1950m) in about 1 Kamen Del peak (1862 m.a.s.l.) reserve) to Aleko mountain base, hour. After a cup of herbal tea we offers the best view to Sofia city. from where we take the cabin lift to continue first passing through first Simeonovo. The bus will wait there and second “ledges”, than by The nature landmark Zlatnite to transfer us to our hotel. In the Elenino lake to the top of Mostove (The Golden Bridges) is the afternoon we plan a sightseeing Maliovitsa (2729m a.s.l.). Then largest stone river on Vitosha stroll in the center of Sofia. (3.30 we descend back to Maliovitsa mountain. hrs; uphill walk: 580m /downhill Mountain Base where the bus will walk: 130 wait to transfer us back to the Cherni Vrah (The Black Peak) is the /breakfast, dinner/ hotel. (*Reaching the top is only highest summit of Vitosha Mountain. possible in good weather and stable Penguin Travel DMC-Bulgaria 1 Address: 9 Orfej Str., 1421 Sofia, BULGARIA; Phone: +35924001050; E-mail: [email protected] snow. Otherwise we will stick to overnight. On our way we pass by Group size: Min. 2 persons the lower parts of the the Twin, the Triple Leaves, the mountain). and the Down lakes. (5.30hrs; The price includes: accommodation (7 hrs, uphill/downhill walk: uphill walk: 800m / downhill walk: and boarding as mentioned above, 1000м) 200m) transfers from / to Sofia Airport; all /breakfast, dinner/ /breakfast, dinner/ transfers as per program; English- speaking guide throughout the tour; Day 7. A nice walk through the cabin lift tickets; VAT and all local taxes. Day 5. Today we climb the highest peak in Bulgaria and on venerable woods of Macedonian pines () awaits us on The price does not include: map the Balkan Peninsula – (could be requested in advance when (2925 m a.s.l.). Short transfer our way to Pionerska hut. The bus will be there, waiting to transfer us booking the tour); tips; alcohol drinks; brings us to ski resort, cigarettes and other personal expenses. where we take the lift to to Sapareva bania village, where we visit the hottest geyser in Yastrebets Peak (2369 m a.s.l.). Enjoyable walk along continental – 103 °C. Then we continue with a transfer (approx. Joining instructions Dwarf Pine massifs with the jagged form of Mount Musala at 2 hrs.) to the famous Rila Monastery, inscribed in the Low-cost flights to Bulgaria: please the background leads us to check: Wizz Air - http://wizzair.com/; Sky Musalenski Lakes, lying at the UNESCO World Heritage List in 1983. We make a guided tour here Europe - http://www1.skyeurope.com/; foots of the peak. The view Easy Jet - http://www.easyjet.com/; from the top is truly breath- and then head back to Sofia for overnight. (1.30 hrs.; uphill walk: Germanwings - taking – you can make out the http://www.germanwings.com/; My Air - remaining peaks of Rila 80m / downhill walk: 650m /breakfast, dinner/ http://www.myair.com/; Penguin Travel – Mountains; the marble edges of http://www.flybulgarien.dk/; Norwegian the Mountains; Mount Air Shuttle - http://www.norwegian.no/. Vitosha and the Day 8. Transfer to the airport for Mountains; the green summits departure. Joining the tour: in recent days there of the Rodopi Mountains; and /breakfast/ are loads of opportunities to book a last, but not least, the long cheap flight to Bourgas or Varna airports body of the Balkan range. (6 Accommodation: instead of landing at Sofia Airport. We hrs; uphill/downhill walk: 750m) Guesthouse (days 1, 2, 7), family-run hotel can arrange for you a bus or train ticket /breakfast, dinner/ (days 3, 4, 5) and mountain hut with to Sofia or , where most of the rooms with private facilities on halfboard tours start. Here are some approximate Day 6. Today we explore (breakfast and dinner included). Luggage prices for transfers: another area of the Rila is taken care of throughout the whole trip. By bus: Bourgas or Varna to Sofia – mountains, starting with a appr. 15 Euro/person one way (appr. 5- transfer (approx. 1.15 hrs.) to Difficulty grade: C 7 hrs drive) Pionerska hut. From the hut we By train: Bourgas or Varna to Sofia – will walk around 1.30 hours to Best period: January – March appr. 10 Euro/person one way (sleeping Skakavitsa hut (1876m). The compartments +10 Euro). For train route goes most of the time Weather: schedules please check: through of the oldest nature Temperatures expected during winter vary http://bdz.creato.biz/en (appr. 7-8 hrs from +10 to -15oC (usually from – 5 to + drive) reserves in Bulgaria that o preserves hundred years old 5 C). Heavy snowfalls or cold spells, fogs By plane: Bourgas or Varna to Sofia – Macedonian pines (Pinus and wind storms could be unexpectedly appr. 100 Euro/person one way (for peuce). Reaching the hut we variegated by hot spring-like weather. schedules and prices please check: continue walking 25 minutes http://www.air.bg/en) (appr. 1 hr flight) more to the famous Skakavitsa Equipment and clothing: Private transfers: Bourgas airport – Waterfall. After enjoying the Snowshoes and sticks will be provided Sofia (appr. 4 hrs drive): 150 Euro/car frozen waters of the highest upon arrival by us. Please, dress in layers (1-3 pax); 190 Euro/bus (4-7 pax); waterfall of the mountain we (breathable)! Do not use cotton Varna airport – Sofia (appr. 6 hrs drive): continue in the direction of the underwear! 170 Euro/car (1-3 pax); 210 Euro/bus renowned Seven Rila Lakes – Necessary items: daypack (40 l); winter (4-7 pax) probably the most famous area walking waterproof boots (hard-soled); Transfers from Bourgas or Varna airport in the Rila Mountains. Once gloves/mittens; sunscreen lotion; to the railways/bus stations in these reaching the 5th lake (The sunglasses with UV protection; cities – 25 Euro per car one way (1-3 Kidney), we start descending For the full list with recommended items pax), 45 Euro per bus one way (4-7 pax) heading towards the Rila Lakes see “General”. hut (2150m) where we stay

Penguin Travel DMC-Bulgaria 2 Address: 9 Orfej Str., 1421 Sofia, BULGARIA; Phone: +35924001050; E-mail: [email protected] means of accommodation - from home be spent. That is why it is always GENERAL stays (no meals) to 2, 3 and 4-star hotels necessary to have Bulgarian money ======(BB or HB) in Rodopi, Rila and Pirin in cash. TOUR TYPES & GRADES mountains. The payments in Bulgaria are usually We provide different varieties of tours as - - Bansko is no ordinary resort made in "LEV" (BGN), which is the regards to their types and difficulty grades! but a beautiful unspoilt, traditional official currency. The exchange rate Whether you will choose individual and Bulgarian town situated in the south- with EU and USD is quite changing group tours with a guide or combined west corner of Bulgaria. Bansko is a real sometimes, but approximately it is: tours with a guide for some part of the trip discovery for skiers, its enviable snow BGN:EU - 2:1; BGN:USD - 1,3-1. depends on you. We emphasize on using record, great and great value for Credit Cards could be used primarily local experienced guides with knowledge money and apr?s-ski make it a perfect in some supermarkets and of the local language, culture, history, art, setting for skiing holiday without the restaurants in the biggest cities as etc. The tours are conducted in the hustle and bustle of some other resorts well as in the petrol stations. Usually English language. Guides in other (highest ski point: 2560 m). it is marked on their front doors if languages are available upon request. - - Nestling in the pne forests Credit Cards are accepted. ATMs Tour types of the , Pamporovo ("bankomates") are more frequent Our tours are divided in different tour enjoys the reputation of being Europe's (again in the biggest towns only!). types, regardless of being guided or not or sunniest ski resort (with about if someone travels alone or in a group. We 120 sunny days during the Weather Bulgaria have prepared your vacation so that you skiing period). The highest ski can concentrate on new impressions and point here is 1928 m. 25 experiences, awaiting you all the time. - Borovets - Borovets is a long 20 Here is a description of the various tours: established ski resort situated IT+: Individual tours with a guide 15 in the pine forests of the Rila 500 m a.s.l. The same as the Individual tours, with the Mountains. The resort has 1000 m a.s.l. only difference that there is a local guide 10 become very popular with 2000 m a.s.l. provided for some of the days. During the skiers, who appreciate the 5 days with a local guide most probably you good value, the lively Tem C ) ( perature will be together with other tourists. entertainment and of course 0 GT: Group tours the good skiing (highest ski April June August October There is a guide accompanying you point: 2 560m). -5 throughout the whole trip, meeting you at ======Months the airport upon arrival and leaving you at ==== Traveler's cheques take quite a lot of the airport again for departure. We use Equipment and clothing: well-trained and experienced local people time to handle and not each bank You should always remember that you deals with them (in many cases it with good knowledge of English. The must try to keep the weight of your hiking group size is normally 6-12 people, if not takes even few days since their equipment down to a minimum. Your - thus they specially mentioned. deposition in the bank!) packed daypack should weigh no more are not recommended! ------than 10-15 kilograms. Here are some examples of Difficulty grades Recommended items: waterproof comparative costs in Bulgaria (NB: To prepare yourself for the best of your rucksack (60 l) & daypack (35 l); walking prices in mid-range restaurants!): vacation we recommend that you start waterproof boots with suitable ankle - Coffee – 0,3 Euro planning it in an advance. Good physical support; light casual shoes/sandals for - Tea – 0,3 Euro condition is required. In order to achieve it walking and/or for travelling; gaiters; - Beer (0,5 l) – 0,5-1 Euro we advise you to start walking, jogging or loose, casual trousers for trekking; - Soft drink (0,5 l) - 0,4-0,5 Euro cycling everyday. Swimming a couple of waterproof trousers; fleece windstopper - Bottle of water (0,5 l) - 0,3-0,4 Euro times a week is also highly recommended. jacket; windproof, waterproof outer shell - Bottle of mark red wine (0,75 l) - 5- You do not need much to get yourself in garment (breathable if possible!); hat for 10 Euro shape. And don't forget that the most sun protection; sunglasses with UV - Three-course lunch - 4-10 Euro important tip for an unforgettable active protection; sunscreen lotion and lip balm; - Lunch pack - 2-3 Euro holiday is to choose a trip which water bottle; torch (headlamp); mobile ======corresponds to your physical condition! phone; underwear (not cotton); mosquito Cell phone coverage C: Difficult repellent; trekking sticks. Currently the whole territory of These tours include trekking which is a ======Bulgaria is covered with a mobile little harder, normally on a challenging Vaccination: connection. However the trekking & terrain. We take it for granted that you are Tick-borne encephalitis, Marselle fever cycling tours are done in in good condition and fit. You should be and Crimea haemorhagic fever is mountainous areas where the signal physically prepared at home to get the recommended by some medical sources could be weak or even lacking from maximum of the tour. Most of the trekking if travelling in certain areas of Eastern time to time. In such a situation you is done at a greater height (max 3000 m). Europe, at specific times of the year. just need to change your location a As on other tours you are free to skip Check latest requirements with your bit in order to find available network. some treks and have a rest. travel clinic or doctor prior to departure. ======Electricity Extensions: Yes, ski holiday in a Money and personal expenses In Bulgaria two-pin sockets are mountain ski resort! You will need some extra money to cover normal. Voltage is 220 watts. If you This is a unique proposal, which gives you meals, drinks and extra trips not included come from the U.S. or UK you need the opportunity to stay in Bulgaria for one in the tour price. Additional money for to purchase an adapter, which is week more! We can offer a great variety of souvenirs and personal things could also available only in Bulgarian cities and Penguin Travel DMC-Bulgaria 3 Address: 9 Orfej Str., 1421 Sofia, BULGARIA; Phone: +35924001050; E-mail: [email protected] biggest winter and sea resorts. 60 km.); (highest - Rila Mountain - peak Mean rainfall per year - 416 - 650 ======Musala - 2 925 m.a.s.l.) mm. in the lowlands; 650 - 1193 mm. Brief about Bulgaria Boundaries - North - Romania; East - in the highlands Territory - 110 912 sq. km. (coastline 378 km.); West - Rainy days per month – May – 7; Population - 7 538 000 (2003) (83,9 % Serbia, Macedonia; South - Greece, June – 8; July – 6; August – 3; ethnic Bulgarians; 9,4% Turks; 4,7% Turkey; September – 6; (number may be Roma; rest – smaller minorities Russians, Distribution of the lands - 0 - 400 m.a.s.l. higher in the mountains) Armenians, Vlachs, Jews, Karakachans - 59,8 %; 400 - 1000 m.a.s.l. - 27,6 %; Mean daily/night temperatures (up to etc.) 1000 - 2000 m.a.s.l. - 11,9 %; over 2000 1000 m a.s.l.) - May + 22/12 °C; June Relligion – 82,6% Orthodox, 12,2% Islam, m.a.s.l. - 0,7 % + 26/16 °C; July + 28/17 °C; August + 0,7% Protestant, 0,5% Catholics, 4,1% Protected areas - 3 national parks, 10 26/15 °C; September + 23/13 °C; Others. nature parks, 55 reserves, 35 managed Capital city - Sofia (1 377 531 people in reserves, over 350 protected areas and Altitudinal distribution of annual 2006) 500 natural monuments temperatures in Bulgaria Bigest towns - Plovdiv, Varna, Bourgas, ======Rouse, Stara Zagora, Veliko Tarnovo, Weather Pleven Mean year temperature - + 10,5 °C (Abs. Mountains - 37 (biggest - Balkan Min. - -38,3 °C ; Abs. Max. - + 45,2 °C) Mountain: length - ~ 550 km.; width ~ 30-

Penguin Travel DMC-Bulgaria 4 Address: 9 Orfej Str., 1421 Sofia, BULGARIA; Phone: +35924001050; E-mail: [email protected]