Penguin Travel

SNOW POWDER, STUNNING LANDSCAPES AND TOTAL TRANQUILITY
Snowshoeing is another way of exploring the mountains – and offers spectacular views. It gives you the freedom of exploring nature from a different angle – vast fields with virgin snow coverage, majestic frozen peaks, quiet century-old forests, hidden below the snow paths…There is no better way to discover the beauty and tranquility of the mountain, walking even outside the marked trails. This tour takes you off-the beaten tracks, combining spectacular views of two of the most beautiful Bulgarian mountains – Vitosha and Rila. We spend the evenings in cozy places, where you will have the chance to share a glass of red wine with the locals and meet in close with their way of living.

Tour Highlights
   • Kamen Del peak offers the best panoramic view to Sofia city
   • The nature landmark Zlatnite Mostove (The Golden Bridges)
   • Skakavitsa – the highest waterfall in the Rila Mountains
   • The Rila Monastery is the most popular tourist site among all monasteries in Bulgaria   
 

See below dates for guaranteed departures. Other dates also possible within the best period and provided the minimum group size is fulfilled.

Download our trip-dossier as PDF

Departure dates:
10 January 2010
24 January 2010
14 February 2010
28 February 2010

Country region:   Vitosha and Rila Mountains

Price without flight ticket:   590.00 EUR

Trip plan:
 

Day 1: Meeting at Sofia airport and transfer to the city centre for overnight.
Day 2: After a short transfer to the nature landmark Zlatnite mostove area (The Golden Bridges), we head towards Kamen Del (1862m.a.s.l) – the peak that offers the best view to the city of Sofia. Then we continue  walking along the border of the nature reserve Torfeno Branishte (Peat reserve) to Aleko mountain base, from where we take the cabin lift to Simeonovo. The bus will wait there to transfer us to our hotel. In the afternoon we plan a sightseeing stroll in the center of Sofia. Walking time 3:30 hrs. uhill/downhill: 580m / 130m
Day 3: Transfer to Kumata hut, which is a starting point for the snowshoeing towards the highest peak of Vitosha Mountain – Cherni Vrah (2290m). After a cup of warm tea at the top we start descending to Aleko Mountain Base where the bus waits to transfer us to Govedartsi village in Rila Mountain.  Walking time 6-7 hrs; uphill/downhill: 600/500m
Day 4: A day dedicated to snowshoeing in the region of Maliovitsa Valley - Mecca of the Bulgarian Alpinism. Passing by Maliovitsa hut (1950m), we continue further on to Maliovitsa Peak (2729m). Then we descend back to Maliovitsa Mountain Base and transfer back to the hotel. (*Reaching the top is only possible in good weather and stable snow. Otherwise we will stick to the lower parts of the mountain). Walking time: 7 hrs, uphill/downhill: 1000m
Day 5: . Today we climb the highest peak in Bulgaria and on the Balkan Peninsula – 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.). 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. Walking time: 6 hrs; uphill/downhill walk: 750m
Day 6:  Today we explore another area of the mountains starting from Skakavitsa hut (1876m). After enjoying the frozen waters of the highest waterfall of the mountain, we continue in the direction of the renowned Seven Rila Lakes – probably the most famous area in the Rila Mountains. Once reaching the 5th lake (The Kidney), we start descending heading towards the Rila Lakes hut (2150m) where we stay overnight. Walking time: 5.30hrs; uphill walk: 800m / downhill walk: 200m)
Day 7: A nice walk through the venerable woods of Macedonian pines (Pinus peuce) awaits us on our way to Pionerska hut. The bus will be there, waiting to transfer us to Sapareva bania village, where we visit the hottest geyser in continental Europe – 103 °C. Then we continue with a transfer (approx. 2 hrs.) to the famous Rila Monastery, inscribed in the UNESCO World Heritage List in 1983. We make a guided tour here and then head back to Sofia for overnight. Walking time: 1.30 hrs; uphill walk: 80m / downhill walk: 650m 
Day 8: Transfer to the airport for departure.

Walking with snowshoes is rather adventurous and although not technically difficult it could be a bit strenuous over mountain slopes. Reasonable physical condition is required.

 

Accomodation and food:   Guesthouse (days 1, 2, 7) , 3*** family-run hotel (days 3, 4, 5) and a mountain hut (day 6) with rooms with private facilities on halfboard (breakfast and dinner included). Luggage is taken care of throughout the whole trip (except for the evening of day 6 when you will have to take some luggage for the night in the hut).

Luggage transport:   Luggage is taken care of throughout the whole trip (except on Day 6, where you should bring along enough clother for one night in the hut)

Price of extra services:   Single room supplement: 90 EURO

Included in the price:   transfers from/to Sofia airport; snowshoes and ski poles; accommodation and boarding as mentioned above; English-speaking guide and private transfers throughout the tour; cabin lift tickets;  VAT and all local taxes.

Excluded from the price:   map (could be requested in advance when booking the tour); tips; alcohol drinks; cigarettes and other personal expenses.

Practical information:    We have a unique proposal, which gives you the opportunity to stay at the Bulgarian ski resorts for one week more at the incredibly low price! We can offer a great variety of means of accommodation - 2,3 or 4-star hotels. For more information please check "Vacation extensions".For low-cost flights to Bulgaria please check:Wizz Air - http://wizzair.com/; Sky Europe - http://www1.skyeurope.com/; Easy Jet - http://www.easyjet.com/; Germanwings - http://www.germanwings.com/; My Air - http://www.myair.com/; Penguin Travel – http://www.flybulgarien.dk/; Norwegian Air Shuttle - http://www.norwegian.no/

Recommended travel period of the year:   January - March

Necessary equipment: daypack (40 l); winter walking waterproof boots (hard-soled); gloves/mittens; sunscreen lotion; sunglasses with UV protection;For the full list with recommended items see the detailed trip dossier.

Links to additional information:   
http://www.walkingbulgaria.com/
http://www.ski-bg.com

Tour difficulty:   C 

These tours include trekking which is a little harder, normally on a challenging terrain. We take it for granted that you are in good condition and fit. You should be physically prepared at home to get the maximum of the tour. Most of the trekking is done at a greater height (max 3000m).

Group Size:   Min. 2 persons.

Vacation Extensions:
Pamporovo (Bulgaria)
Borovets (Bulgaria)
Bansko (Bulgaria)
Winter Birding Tour "Red-breasted Goose" (Bulgaria)

Gallery

• 
• 
• 
• 
•