Hiking Rila - Balkan Rila - Pirin Six days in Rila Eight days in the Balkan Cycling Birdwatching Nature and culture tours Wildlife viewing Butterflies tours Botany tours Wildlife photo tours

Day 1

Arrival in Sofia Airport where our guide is waiting for you. Transfer to the Rila Monastery (about 1.5 hours of driving) - the most visited cultural site in Bulgaria. We will have a look, and if we have a time - a short walk around it. Staying overnight in the monastery or in the nearest hotel.

Day 2

This day we start our passages, starting from the monastery. The path goes along the local river and further turns into a mountain hike bringing us to the “Ribni ezera” circus after 5.30 hours. We spend the night in the “Ribni ezera” hut. Overnight.

Day 3

That day we will make our longest and hardest march - 9 hours. We are heading northwards on the west slope of “Yosifovitza” massif. Afterwards the hike goes down through a wide circus valley. We pass the beautiful lakes and reach “Malyovitza” hut where we stay overnight.

Day 4

After the breakfast we take the main ridge to “Malyovitza” peak and, passing the picturesque lakes “Yrdini ezera”, we arrive at the famous Rilski ezera lakes. Overnight stay in the nearest hut “Rilski ezera”.
5.30 hours.

Day 5 We go down to the town of Sapareva Banya. Here is the hottest mineral spring in Bulgaria - 103 degrees centigrade. We can take a bath and after it our bus brings us to Koprivstitza. The town is an architectural reserve and holds an authentic Bulgarian style and traditions. Walking in the town with possibilities to visit several museums. We can make also a walk outside and have a chance to observe the globally threatened Imperial Eagle who breeds here.
Dinner in one of the many traditional pubs where you can try Bulgarian national cuisine while listening to authentic folklore music.

Day 6

After the breakfast we travel (1 hour) with the bus to “Beklemeto” pass in the Central Balkan National Park - the latest member of PAN Parks. We are already in the Balkan and first we make a 2 hour walk to “Nezabravka” hut. The hike goes, without a change in the altitude, through picturesque treeless meadows. Lunch and short rest in the hut. After lunch we go to “Nezabravka” hut where we stay overnight. Our route goes through the Steneto Biosphere Reserve which boasts century-old spruce forests.

Day 7

Today's stage is short - only 4 hours. We pass through different habitats - old forests, alpine meadows and high cliffs to reach “Levski” hut, where we will stay overnight. In the afternoon we can relax or make a walk in the surroundings.

Day 8

Our next stop is another hut whose name means “paradise”. The route goes through beautiful places with panoramic views to two natural reserves and close to the highest waterfall on the Balkan Peninsula named “Paradise” too - 114 m high.

Day 9

In the morning we head for the “Botev” peak - the highest in Stara Planina Mountain. If the weather is clear we will enjoy nice views to Southern and Northern Bulgaria, as well as to another reserve - Severen Dzhendem. After a picnic we go to the “Pleven” hut for spending the night.

Day 10

A 4 hour pass will bring us to the village of Apriltzi, on the northern side of the Balkan. Lunch and then transfer to Sofia where we can make a sightseeing tour. Staying overnight in a hotel on the Vitosha Mountain.

Day 11

Day of departure

 

Group size: 5-15

Price: 595 EUR

Deposit: 100 EUR

Price includes: ground transfers, accommodation, full board (lunch often will be picnic), guide (2 guides if the group is bigger than 10), optical equipment for birdwatching.

The price does not include: airfares, travel insurance, hard drinks and all items for personal use.

The duration of tours varies between 4 and 9 hours per day. The route is suitable for people with good trekking skills, who want to load themselves physically and in the same time to enjoy the beautiful sights of Bulgarian mountains - Rila and Stara Planina. Throughout our tour we will see more than 70 bird species, many rare and endemic plants, butterflies etc.

Official language for the tour: English.

German and French speaking guides are also available.

We can also offer you a great variety of customized tours according to your preferences.

Should you have any questions or special requirements, please do not hesitate to contact us.