Penguin Travel

We climb The Balkan mountains highest mount Mt. Botev on this trek.

This trip offers a combined trek through two of the most exciting natural reserves in the Balkan mountains: Kozyata Stena and Dzhendema, as well as a visit to the Troyan Monastery. We climb Mount Botev – the highest peak in the Balkan Mountains ( 2,376 m) and enjoy the imposing view of the low-lying Sredna Gora Mountains and the fertile Thracian Valley. After descending the extremely steep southern slope of the Balkan, known as "Tarzan's walkway", we visit the small town of Kalofer. The mountain huts lie like pearls on a thread with the walking paths in between. The trip ends in the town of Plovdiv, the second largest city in Bulgaria, still housing romantic remains of its old quarters.

Tour highlights:

♦ Central Balkan National Park (highest peak: Mount Botev 2376 m a.s.l.) are the longest (550 km) and the biggest of all mountains in Bulgaria.
♦ Kozyata stena and Djendema reserves housing many threatened wild species.
♦ Troyan Monastery “Assumption of Virgin Mary”, being the 3-th largest in Bulgaria, is built in the style of the Bulgarian Renaissance.
♦ Old town of Plovdiv ranks as the second Bulgarian city in population and size. The old town of Plovdiv is one of the oldest European towns with well preserved Roman theatre.
♦ Saeva dupka cave – one of the most beautiful Bulgarian caves with plenty of rock formations.

Download our trip-dossier as PDF

Departure dates:	Status
11 September 2010	Open for booking
25 September 2010	Open for booking
03 July 2011	Guaranteed departure
17 July 2011	Guaranteed departure
07 August 2011	Guaranteed departure
11 September 2011	Guaranteed departure

Country region:   Balkan Mountains, Cental Balkan National Park

Price without flight ticket:    520 EUR

Itinerary:

Day 1. Arrival at Sofia airport and transfer to the town of Teteven where we stay overnight (2 hrs drive).

Day 2. Skribatna - Lesidren – Saeva dupka.
Short transfer to suburb Skribatna where the trek to Lesidren village starts. The path goes through broad-leaved forest and lush meadows. The minibus is waiting for us at Siniya vir near Lesidren. Short transfer to Lesidren for lunch. Transfer to Saeva dupka cave and then back to Teteven.
Uphill walk: 400 m; downhill walk: 400 m; walking time: 4-5 hours

Day 3. Bogoe - Chiflik.
Transfer to the passage Bogoe via Ribarica village. From there we start our day’s march to Chiflik village famous for its hot mineral springs and swimming pools. The path follows the low ridge between two rivers finally reaching Haidushka pesen area from where the bus will take us to Chiflik.
Uphill walk: 300 m; downhill walk: 100 m; walking time: 5-6 hours.

Day 4. Chiflik – Haidushka Pesen – Kozya stena - Beklemeto
Transfer from Chiflik to Haidushka pesen to continue our trek to the main ridge of Stara planina. The track ascents gradually through the old beech forest of Kozya stena reserve. Then following the ridge we get to Beklemeto. Transfer to Troyan monastery where we stay overnight.

Day 5. Smesite – Zelenikovo monastery - Pleven hut
Transfer to Smesite. This is the start point for the treck to the Pleven hut. The path goes along Zelenikovo monastery and through beech forest and Polenici peak reaches the hut where we stay overnight Uphill walk: 700 m; downhill walk: 200 m; walking time: 7-8 hours .

Day 6. Pleven hut – Murgata – Mt Hristo Botev – Dzendema – Raiskoto praskalo – Rai hut
From Pleven hut the path goes through a beech forest, reaching a place, called “Murgata”.
Then it continues by the foothills of the “Milk Peak” to “Hristo Botev” refuge with great views to the majestic rocks of Northern Dzendem reserve (Dzendem means Hell) . From there we start climbing the highest peak of the Balkan Mountains - Mount Botev (2376 m a.s.l.). From the peak the track weaves among the rocky slopes of the mount (The Tarzan's path), providing excellent view to the precipice of the Southern “Dzhendem”. Then we continue to “Rai hut” passing by the Heavens Waterfall ("Raiskoto pruskalo").
Uphill walk: 1000 m; downhill walk: 900 m; walking time: 6-7 hours.

Day 7. Dzhendema – Panicite – Plovdiv
Descending through the rocky slopes of the Southern “Dzhendem” we finally reach Panicite area where our mountain experiences end. Transfer to the city of Plovdiv, where we stay overnight. Visiting The Old Town we enjoy the atmosphere and the architecture of Bulgarian revival times.
Uphill walk: 0 m; downhill walk: 1000 m; walking time: 4 hrs.

Day 8. Transfer to Sofia airport for departure (2hrs drive).

Accomodation: 6 nights in rooms with private facilities – 4 nights at good hotels (days 1, 2, 3 &7), 1 night in a monastery, 1 night in a hut ( day 5), 1 night dorm with shared facilities on day 6.

Included in the price: ►7 breakfasts, 5 lunches and 1 lunchpack, 4 dinners ( days, 3,4,5 & 6) ►all ground transfers and luggage transfers ►English-speaking guide ►entrance fee Sueva Dupka ►pick up/drop off at Sofia or Plovdiv airport VAT and all local taxes ►NOTE! The price is per person sharing a double room accommodation. Single traveler who has ordered a bed in a shared double room must be prepared to pay for a single room if a room-mate cannot be arranged.

Not included: ►map (could be requested in advance when booking the tour) ►tips ►alcohol drinks and other personal expenses ►Other possible activities (not included in the price) which are optional and payable on spot. If you break the trip plan you pay on your own the extra expenses for transport and accommodation.

Other expenses: Single room supplement: 85 EURO (sgl room is not available on day 6)

Nice to know: we have a unique proposal - ëxtension at the Black Sea coast, which gives you the opportunity to stay on a sea holiday for an extra week after your active tour in Sozopol, Nessebar, Sunny Beach, Lozenets, St. Vlas, Golden Sands etc.

Do you need help with the flight? Please contact us if you would like us to help you find suitable flights at the best price. When helping you to find flights we always try to find the best price for you according to the departure and arrival times. Prices vary depending on the airline and current availability. However, remember that the cheap airfares are often difficult or impossible to reschedule or cancel.
A service charge (non-refundable) will be added if you want us to help you find the appropriate plane ticket.

Low cost flights to Bulgaria: Wizz Air - http://wizzair.com/ ; Easy Jet - http://www.easyjet.com/; Germanwings - http://www.germanwings.com/ ; Penguin Travel – http://www.flybulgarien.dk/ ; Norwegian Air Shuttle - http://www.norwegian.no/, Cimber -  http://www.cimber.com/ ; Airberlin - http://www.airberlin.com ;

Recommended travel period of the year: June - October

Links to additional information:
http://www.walkingbulgaria.com

Group Size:   Min 4 persons (except the guaranteed departures)

Reservation System Code: BGTRBLKTREK

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