Introduction: Govedartsi village (1200 m a.s.l.) is Day 2. We walk to The Seven Rila The Rila Mountains range is not only situated some 73 km to the southeast of Lakes – probably the most eminent area the tallest in the Balkan Peninsula, but Sofia. It is a mountain resort, primarily of Rila Mountains. The path climbs up to also within southeast Europe. The used during winter. the first lake on a ridge through dense highest peak is Musala (standing at dwarf pin , offering fine views of both the 2,925 m, or 9,596 ft). Many of the Borovets (1350 m a.s.l.) is the oldest Vitosha and Verila mountains. We pass summits here are close to 3,000 m, or international and most popular mountain through all the 7 Rila lakes, the highest 9,842 ft, high. Rila (an old Slavic word, resort in Bulgaria. being at 2500m and descend on the meaning "Water Mountain") looks like panoramic Green ridge with views to the a rough sea of mountain ridges and The Seven Rila Lakes The circus of majestic Malyovitsa range. The trek peaks, and boasts deep gorges with "Seven Rila Lakes" is the most beautiful ends again at Vada hut. no less than 150 crystal clear lakes. one in Bulgaria. They bear the following Walking time: 6-7 hrs; uphill walk: 1,050 Generally speaking, the Rila names: Salzata (The Tear), Okoto (The m (3,444 ft); downhill walk: 850 m Mountains comprise two parts: west Eye), Babreka (The Kidney), Bliznaka (2,788 ft); Rila with Maljovitsa Peak, the Rila (The Twin), Botanicheskoto or Trilistnika /breakfast; dinner/ Monastery and the Seven Rila Lakes; (The Botanical), Ribnoto (The Fish lake), and east Rila, housing the ski resort of and Dolnoto (The Lower Lake). Day 3. Short transfer to Maliovitsa Borovets and Musala Peak. The resort. From there the path weaves up Seven Rila Lakes, lying like pearls on Maliovitsa resort is a famous place of the along the valley to the wide circus of a thread, are the main reason for Bulgarian alpinism and mountaineering. Prekorechki Lakes, enclosed by the Rila's attraction to alpine trekkers and steep slopes and rocky walls of several wanderers. Thanks to mild winds from Strashnoto lake (The Scary lake) peaks exceeding 2700m (Popova Kapa, the Mediterranean Sea, the mountains (2465m a.s.l.) is the biggest and highest Kupenite, Iglite etc.). We visit also The have an entirely unique vegetation. A situated in the circus of the Prekorechki Scary Lake before walking downhill on a big part of the National Park is also lakes. steep rocky slope to the west coast of under the protection of UNESCO. Musala (2925m/9,596ft) is the highest Yonchevo Lake (more than 200m long) The village of Govedartsi (1,200 m, or peak in Bulgaria and the entire Balkan and further to Maliovitsa resort. 3,937 ft ) lies in the Cherni Iskar River Peninsula. The peak is situated within the Walking time: about 6.30 hrs; uphill valley. It is a perfect starting point for Rila National Park. All the major walk: 850m (2,788 ft); downhill walk: trekking tours to west or east Rila. mountains in Bulgaria can be seen from 850m (2,788 ft); the summit. /breakfast; dinner/ Special highlights: Itinerary: Day 4. Today we climb the highest peak Rila Mountains are the highest on the Balkans – Musala (2925 m a.s.l.). mountains in Bulgaria and on the Day 1. Arrive at Sofia or Plovdiv Airport Short transfer brings us to Borovets ski whole Balkan Peninsula with Mount and transfer to Govedartsi village in the resort, where we take the lift to Musala - 2925 m a.s.l. foothill Rila Mountains (1,20 hrs from Yastrebets Peak (2369 m a.s.l.). Sofia; 2 hrs from Plovdiv). Enjoyable walk along Dwarf Pine /dinner/ massifs with the jagged form of Mount Penguin Travel DMC-Bulgaria 1 Address: 9 Orfej Str., 1421 Sofia, BULGARIA; Phone: +35924001050; E-mail: [email protected] Musala at the background leads us to Equipment and clothing: Musalenski Lakes, lying at the foots of Necessary items: daypack (35 l); 3-season the peak. The view from the top is walking waterproof boots with suitable truly breath-taking – you can make out ankle support; waterproof outer shell the remaining peaks of Rila garment (breathable if possible!); Mountains; the marble edges of the sunscreen lotion; trekking sticks. For the Pirin Mountains; Mount Vitosha and full list with recommended items see the Sredna Gora Mountains; the green “General”. summits of the Rodopi Mountains; and last, but not least, the long body of the Group size: Min 2 persons Balkan range. Walking time: about 6.30 hrs; uphill walk: 650 m (2,132 The price includes: accommodation and boarding as mentioned above; transfer ft); downhill walk: 650 m (2,132 to/from Sofia and Plovdiv airport to ft); Govedartsi; transfers for the trekking days /breakfast; dinner/ (day 2: to and from Vada hut; day 3: to and from Maliovitsa; day 4: to and from Day 5: Transfer to Sofia or Plovdiv Borovets; pick up/drop off at Sofia or /breakfast/ Plovdiv airport; lift tickets (day 4); English- speaking guide; VAT and all local taxes. * All walks in the original program could be adjusted by the guide on The price does not include: map (could spot depending on the physical be requested in advance when booking condition of the hikers (there is a the tour); tips; entrance fees; alcohol diversity of hiking trails in the drinks; cigarettes and other personal mountains, varying in difficulty expenses. grade). Joining instructions: The tour provides the opportunity Low-cost flights to Bulgaria: please more days to be added to the check: Wizz Air - http://wizzair.com/; ; program if purchased in advance. Easy Jet - http://www.easyjet.com/; These could be spent on self- Germanwings - guided walking in the area, more http://www.germanwings.com/; My Air - guided walks, guided sightseeing http://www.myair.com/; Penguin Travel – tours to famous places nearby http://www.flybulgarien.dk/; Norwegian Air (Sofia, Rila Monastery, Melnik and Shuttle - http://www.norwegian.no/. Rozhen Monastery, Kovachevitsa Joining the tour: in recent days there are etc.) etc. Please ask for quotation loads of opportunities to book a cheap for any of these possibilities. flight to Bourgas or Varna airports instead of landing at Sofia Airport. We can arrange Accommodation: for you a bus or train ticket to Sofia or You will stay 4 nights in a family run Plovdiv, where most of the tours start. hotel (3 stars), with rooms with private Here are some approximate prices for bath/toilet on halfboard (breakfast & transfers: dinner included). In case you decide By bus: Bourgas or Varna to Sofia – appr. to stay in a mountain hut as a part of a 20 Euro/person one way (appr. 5-7 hrs customized tour, which can be drive) requested in advance, please note By train: Bourgas or Varna to Sofia – appr. that you may have to stay in a dorm 15 Euro/person one way (sleeping where shower/toilet are shared with compartments +10 Euro). For train few other rooms. Blankets and linen schedules please check: are provided in the huts – no need to http://bdz.creato.biz/en (appr. 7-8 hrs bring such with you. drive) By plane: Bourgas or Varna to Sofia – appr. 100 Euro/person one way (for Tour type: GT schedules and prices please check: http://www.air.bg/en) (appr. 1 hr flight) Difficulty grade: B/C Private transfers: Bourgas airport – Sofia (appr. 4 hrs drive): 150 Euro/car (1-3 pax); Best period: June – September 190 Euro/bus (4-7 pax); Varna airport – Sofia (appr. 6 hrs drive): 170 Euro/car (1-3 Weather: pax); 210 Euro/bus (4-7 pax) Temperatures expected for this period o are between +10 and +25 C. Rainfalls or short but heavy showers are possible, being a bit prolonged during spring and late autumn. Penguin Travel DMC-Bulgaria 2 Address: 9 Orfej Str., 1421 Sofia, BULGARIA; Phone: +35924001050; E-mail: [email protected] This is a unique proposal, which gives you Here are some examples of comparative the opportunity to stay in Bulgaria for Weather Bulgaria one week more at the incredibly low price! We can offer a great variety of 25 means of accommodation - from 20 home stays (no meals) to 2, 3 and 4- 15 star hotels (BB or HB) on the 500 m a.s.l. Southern Bulgarian Black Sea 1000 m a.s.l. 10 Coast: 2000 m a.s.l. - Sunny Beach - a big modern resort 5 GENERAL with hundreds of hotels, cafes, pubs, ) ( C Temperature ============================== casinos, water-sports facilities etc. 0 TOUR TYPES & GRADES - Sozopol, Nessebar - small towns April June August October We provide different varieties of tours as -5 (founded by the ancient Greeks) with Months regards to their types and difficulty grades! picturesque old quarters and a Whether you will choose individual and group specific atmosphere. costs in Bulgaria (NB: prices in mid-range tours with a guide or combined tours with a - Lozenets -a peaceful small village with a restaurants!): guide for some part of the trip depends on you. beautiful beach. Only 4-5 km from the forests - Coffee – 0,3 Euro We emphasize on using local experienced of the Strandzha Mountains where you can - Tea – 0,3 Euro guides with knowledge of the local language, go walking, biking or riding horses. - Beer (0,5 l) – 0,5-1 Euro culture, history, art, etc. The tours are =========================== - Soft drink (0,5 l) - 0,4-0,5 Euro conducted in the English language.