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THE THREE HIGHEST
Guaranteed departures for 2010:
03 July, 17 July, 14 August, 04 September (other dates also possible upon request)
SUMMARY
This is an unforgettable journey through Bulgaria’s highest and most beautiful mountains, taking you to awesome alpine peaks, ice-cold mountain lakes and rivers, deep silent forests, and green sunny meadows. Highlight of the tour is the climb to the highest peak on the Balkan Peninsula – Mount Musala (2925m a.s.l.), but you will also conquer the giants of Pirin Mountain (Mt. Vihren – 2914m) and Balkan Mountains (Mt. Botev – 2376m). All treks are on the territory of national parks giving you the chance to enjoy untouched wild nature and meet in close with the locals – graceful Balkan Chamois, wild horses, sheep, rare plants (Edelweiss among them)…and the people of course, warmly welcoming newcomers with traditional specialties and fine red wine. Explore the majestic beauty of Rila, Pirin, and Balkan Mountains, climb their highest peaks, discover three different faces of Bulgarian culture and traditions!
Probably the best way to hike the most famous mountains in Bulgaria within a week time. Perfect option for active and dunamic hikers with good experience in mountain trekking.
 
SPECIAL HIGHLIGHTS
Rila Mountains are the highest mountains in Bulgaria and on the whole Balkan Peninsula with Mount Musala - 2925 m a.s.l.
Pirin Mountains are the second highest in Bulgaria after Rila Mountains and the third in the Balkan Peninsula (Mount Vihren 2914 m a.s.l.).
Balkan Mountains (highest peak: Mount Botev 2376 m a.s.l.) are the longest (550 km) and the biggest of all mountains in Bulgaria.
Bansko (925 m a.s.l.) is situated at the northeastern foot of Pirin Mountains beneath the highest and the most beautiful Karst part of the mountain. If you add to this its architectural and historical value, Bansko is the pearl in the Bulgarian necklace.
Rila Monastery (1147 m a.s.l.) is the most popular tourist site among all monasteries in Bulgaria equally for its size, natural surroundings, architecture, wall paintings and ancient history.
 ITINERARY
Day 1. Arrival at Sofia airport and transfer to Plovdiv for overnight (2hrs drive). Time permitting we can make a short stroll in old quarters of the second largest Bulgarian city with houses and cobbled streets from the Revival Period.
Day 2. Early morning transfer takes us to “Panitsite” region, above the town of Kalofer. We start hiking in the beautiful Balkan Mountains, following the stream of Tundza River, reaching Rai hut (1560m) where we stay overnight. (4-5 hours; uphill walk 760m)
Day 3. Mount Botev awaits us today. The path passes by the Heavens Waterfall (more than 100m high) and then steeply weaves among the rocky slopes of the mount, providing breathtaking view to the precipice of Southern “Dzhendem” reserve. Then we descent back to Panitsite on a different track and have a transfer to Govedartsi village at the foot of Rila Mountains. (7 hrs; uphill walk: 800m; downhill walk: 1500m)
Day 4. Loop hike from Vada Hut to the most eminent area in Rila Mountains - The Seven Rila Lakes (above 2200m a.s.l.). The path follows the summit between the rivers Dzherman and Cherni Iskar, offering fine views towards both Vitosha and Verila mountains. Eventually we walk among the famous glacial lakes. (6 hrs; uphill walk/downhill walk: 900m)
 Day 5. Today we climb the highest peak in Bulgaria and on the Balkans in general – Musala (2925 m a.s.l.). Short transfer brings us to Borovets ski resort, where we take the lift to Yastrebets Peak (2369 m a.s.l.). Enjoyable walk along Dwarf Pine massifs with the jagged form of Mount Musala at the background leads us to Musalenski Lakes, lying at the foots of the peak. The view from the top is truly breath-taking – you can make out the remaining peaks of Rila Mountains; the marble edges of the Pirin Mountains; Mount Vitosha and the Sredna Gora Mountains; the green summits of the Rodopi Mountains; and last, but not least, the long body of the Balkan range. (6 hrs; uphill/downhill walk: 750m)
Day 6. Transfer to the most famous landmark of Bulgaria – Rila Monastery. Sightseeing and leisure hike to the hermitage of St. Ivan Rilski. The next stop nearby are the amazing sand forms near Stob village – The Stob Pyramids. Then we continue on to the foots of Pirin Mountains and the town of Bansko, which is the starting point for the hikes in Pirin Mountains and overnight location for the next 2 nights. (3 hrs; uphill/downhill walk: 400m)
Day 7. A fairly difficult ascent to highest peak in Pirin Mountains - Mount Vihren (2914m a.s.l.), awaits us. Short transfer brings us to Vihren hut. On our way to the peak we have various opportunities to enjoy most of the Pirin's peaks, Vlahini and Bunderishki glacial lakes as well as Edelweiss and many other rare plants flowering in the Karst parts of the mountains. If the weather is good we have lunch on the peak itself, enjoying the amazing scenery. (7-8 hrs; uphill/downhill walk 1000m)
Day 8. Transfer to Sofia airport for departure (2,30hrs drive)
 EXTENSIONS
Yes, Black Sea
This is a unique proposal, which gives you the opportunity to stay in Bulgaria for one week more at the incredibly low price! We can offer a great variety of means of accommodation - from home stays (no meals) to 2, 3 and 4-star hotels (BB or HB) on the Southern Bulgarian Black Sea Coast:
- Sunny Beach - a big modern resort with hundreds of hotels, cafes, pubs, casinos, water-sports facilities etc.
- Nessebar, Sozopol - small towns (founded by the ancient Greeks) with picturesque Old Quarters and a specific atmosphere.
- Lozenets - a peaceful small village with a beautiful beach. Only 4-5 km from the forests of the Strandzha Mountains where you can go walking, biking or riding horses.
Difficulty grade: A (day 6) / C (rest days)
Accommodation: Guesthouses/3star hotels with en-suite facilities (days 1, 3, 4, 5, 6 and 7), and mountain hut with dorm rooms with shared facilities (day 2) on halfboard (breakfast and dinner included). Luggage is taken care of throughout the whole trip.
Group size: Min. 4 persons.
Single room supplement: 75 €
 The price includes: accommodation and boarding as mentioned above; transfer to/from Sofia airport; English-speaking guide and private transfers throughout the tour; lift tickets as per itinerary; VAT and all local taxes.
The price does not include: maps (could be requested in advance when booking the tour), entrance fees, tips, alcohol drinks, cigarettes and other personal expenses.
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