Penguin Travel

A unique mountain hike above the clouds of the highest Balkan Peninsula’s mountains. During the trek we will visit the highest peak on the Balkans in Rila Mountains (Musala, 2925m a.s.l.) and the giant of Pirin Mountains (Vihren, 2914 m a.s.l.). We will explore enormous national parks, housing vast alpine meadows, stone rivers, glacial lakes, rare vegetation and rich animal life. The biggest Bulgarian monastery (Rila Monastery) and probably the most famous Bulgarian landmark will also bi visited as a part of the trip.

Tour 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.).
• 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.

Download our trip-dossier as PDF

Departure dates:
10 July 2010
24 July 2010
31 July 2010
28 August 2010
04 September 2010
02 October 2010

Country region:   Rila and Pirin Mountains

Price without flight ticket:   510.00 EUR

Trip plan:
Day 1. Arrival at Sofia airport and transfer to the mountain village of Govedartsi (1150 m a.s.l.), where we stay overnight (1hr drive).
Day 2. 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.
Uphill walk: 1,050 m (3,444 ft); downhill walk: 850 m (2,788 ft); walking time: 6-7 hrs
Day 3. Another stunning trek from Maliovitsa resort, going up along the valley to the wide circus of Prekorechki Lakes, enclosed by the steep slopes and rocky walls of several peaks exceeding 2700m.
Uphill walk: 850m (2,788 ft); downhill walk: 850m (2,788 ft); walking time: about 6.30 hrs
Day 4. Today we climb the highest peak on the Balkans – Musala (2925 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.
Uphill walk: 650 m (2,132 ft); downhill walk: 650 m (2,132 ft); walking time: about 6.30 hrs
Day 5. Transfer to the most famous landmark of Bulgaria – Rila Monastery. Sightseeing and leisure hike to the hermitage of St. Ivan Rilski. We will then stop by the impressive Stob Pyramids and continue on to the foots of Pirin Mountains and the town of Bansko.
Uphill walk: 150 m (492 ft); downhill walk: 150 m (492 ft); walking time between 2-3 hours
Day 6. A fairly difficult ascent to highest peak in Pirin Mountains - Mount Vihren (2914m a.s.l.), awaits us. 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.
Uphill walk: 1,000 m (3,280 ft); downhill walk: 1,000 m (3,280 ft); walking time: 7-8 hours.
Day 7. We head towards the biggest and deepest glacial lake in the mountains – Popovo Lake. Then we continue on to Dzhengalska Porta saddle, which surprises with the magnificent panoramic view. Going past Valiavishki Lakes we reach the valley of Demianishka River, where the bus waits to take us back to Bansko.
Uphill walk: 650 m (2,132 ft); downhill walk: 650 m (2,132 ft)
Day 8. Transfer to Sofia airport for departure (2,30hrs drive).

Accomodation and food:   We stay overnight in 3-star hotels with rooms with en-suite facilities on halfboard (breakfast and dinner included). Luggage is transferred from point to point.

Price of extra services:   Single room supplement: 75 EURO

Included in the price:   7 nights in 3 *** hotels on halfboard; all ground transfers; English-speaking guide; lift tickets; pick up/drop off at Plovdiv or Sofia airport; VAT and all local taxes.

Excluded from the price:   maps (could be requested in advance when booking the tour), entrance fees, tips, alcohol drinks and other personal expenses.

Practical information:    EXTENSION AT THE BLACK SEA COAST: we have a unique proposal, which gives you the opportunity to stay on a sea holiday for extra week after your active tour at an incredibly low price in Sozopol, Nessebar, Sunny Beach, Lozenets, St. Vlas, Golden Sands etc. and all this with arranged transportation right after your tour and before your departure flight. For more information please check "Vacation extensions" below. 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/. in summer time there are loads of opportunities to book a cheap flight to Bourgas or Varna Airport instead of landing at Sofia Airport. We can arrange for you a bus or train ticket to the starting point of the active tour with transfer to the central bus/railway station in these towns, picking you up at the airport upon arrival or vice versa at the end of your tour (this would only cost you appr. 20-30 Euro per car + the bus/train ticket price itself). For detailed information and prices, please look at the trip dossier.

Recommended travel period of the year:   June - September

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

 

Tour difficulty:   D 

Tours of this level demand that you be really in good shape. The paths are not always in the best condition and the marking can be scarce. There are day-treks with big ascents and descents. Changing weather conditions /even in midsummer/ play an important role when trekking/cycling at a very high altitude and may cause changes of the preliminary route. This is to be decided by the mountain guide on the spot. Normally, the treks are 6/8h per day, but some can be longer. Preliminary hiking experience is an advantage, but not necessary if you are really in a good shape. Note that during some of the days, you should personally carry your baggage, which is naturally an additional difficulty. No rock/ice climbing experience is needed.

Group Size:   Min. 4 persons.

Vacation Extensions:
Sozopol (Bulgaria)
Sunny Beach (Bulgaria)
Lozenets (Bulgaria)
Sveti Vlas (Bulgaria)
Nessebar (Bulgaria)
Varna / Golden Sands (Bulgaria)

Gallery

• 
• 
• 
• 
• 
•