Penguin Travel

One hike above the clouds among vast alpine meadows, rough mountain ridges and summits standing at nearly 3000 ft. high.

The Rila Mountains range is not only the highest in Bulgaria and the Balkan Peninsula, but also within southeast Europe. Situated at 1350 m above sea level on the northern slopes of the Rila Mountains among age-old pine woods, Borovets is located at the foot of Moussala peak (2925 m) - the highest mountain on the Balkan Peninsula. Borovets itself is easily accessible by road, at a distance of 73 km from Sofia and 126 km from Plovdiv. The nearest town of Samokov is only 10 km from the resort.

 

Tour Highlights

♦ Strashnoto lake (The Scary lake) (2465m a.s.l.) is the biggest and highest situated in the circus of the Prekorechki lakes
♦ Musala (2925m/9,596ft) is the highest peak in Bulgaria and the entire Balkan Peninsula. The peak is situated within the Rila National Park. All the major mountains in Bulgaria can be seen from the summit.
♦ The Seven Rila Lakes: The circus of "Seven Rila Lakes" is the most beautiful one in Bulgaria. They bear the following names: Salzata (The Tear), Okoto (The Eye), Babreka (The Kidney), Bliznaka (The Twin), Botanicheskoto or Trilistnika (The Botanical), Ribnoto (The Fish lake), and Dolnoto (The Lower Lake)

Itinerary:  

Day 1. Arrival
Arrival at Sofia airport and transfer to Borovets ski resort (1150 m), where we stay overnight (1hr drive). Borovets will be our base for the hikes in Rila Mountains for the next 3 nights. All starting points of the walks for the next days are within 30min transfers. All walking tours are guided by professional mountain guides.

Day 2. Borovets – The Seven Rila Lakes
We start after breakfast with a short transfer (16 km) to Vada hut (1410 m a.s.l.). From the hut we start ascending in the direction of Lovna hut and then to the area of The Seven Rila Lakes. The path follows the summit between the rivers Dzherman and Cherni Iskar, offering fine views towards both Vitosha and Verila mountains. Eventually we make a hike among the famous glacial lakes. On our way back we will descent on a hidden treasure – unmarked trail, that goes past 3 beautiful waterfalls.
Uphill walk: 1,050 m (3,444 ft); downhill walk: 850 m (2,788 ft); walking time: 6-7 hrs

Day 3. Borovets – Maliovica
Short transfer to Maliovitsa resort. From there the path weaves up along the valley to the wide circus of Prekorechki Lakes, enclosed by the steep slopes and rocky walls of several peaks exceeding 2700m (Popova Kapa, Kupenite, Iglite etc.). We visit also The Scary Lake before walking downhill on a steep rocky slope to the west coast of Yonchevo Lake (more than 200m long) and further to Maliovitsa resort.
Walking time: 7 hrs; uphill/downhill walk: 900m

Day 4. Borovets – Mount Moussala – Sofia
Today we climb the highest peak on the Balkans – Moussala (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.
Uphill walk: 650 m (2,132 ft); downhill walk: 650 m (2,132 ft); walking time: about 6.30 hrs
Transfer to Sofia airport for departure.
 

Included in the price: ►3 nights in a 4**** star hotel complex in double rooms with en-suite facilities on BB ►all ground transfers► English-speaking guide► pick up/drop off at Plovdiv or Sofia airport ► VAT and all local taxes

Not included in the price: ► other meals (lunch pack can be ordered at the hotel) ► maps (could be requested in advance when booking the tour) ►entrance fees ► tips ► alcohol drinks and other personal expenses.
 

Recommended travel period of the year: May - October
Group Size: min. 2 persons
 

Good to know: ►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.
 

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.
 

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