Transbalkan Trek (Bulgaria)

Transbalkan Trek (Bulgaria)

This trekking tour follows the crest of the longest Bulgarian mountain chain, which has also given the name of the whole peninsula, and descends on the Southern side to the most beautiful town from the Bulgarian revival period– Koprivshtitsa.
The tour is very diverse - in the first days you follow lighter trekking in the lower parts of the mountain among picturesque villages and monasteries. But unlike our other Teteven Balkan tour, which focuses more on ethnography and pastoral nature, here the emphasis is on the experience in the high mountains. However the trek requires good physical condition as luggage transport will not be possible the last three days of the trek.

Tour Highlights:
The Central Balkan National Park (716 sq. km) was established for the conservation of the unique nature of the Central Balkan Mountains. One-third of the park’s territory comprises nine reserves, four of them – Boatin, Tsarichina, Steneto and Dzhendema are part of the world Biosphere Reserves Network under the UNESCO “Man and Biosphere” program..
Glozhene Monastery was built in the 13-th century by the Ukrainian prince Glozh, housing an icon at the age of about 1000 years.
Koprivstitsa is a historical town, an architectural reserve, still preserving the atmosphere of the Bulgarian National Revival period.


Itinerary:
Day 1. Sofia
Arrival to Sofia Airport. Transfer to your hotel for overnight.

Day 2. Sofia - Saeva Dupka cave - Glozhene Monastery - Golyam Izvor (550 m)
After breakfast a 1.5 hours drive takes us to Saeva Dupka cave. Its five halls and 400 metres of corridors offer some of the most beautiful cave formations in the country. The visit takes about an hour and then we drive to the village of Glozhene where our walking tour starts at the outskirts of the village. An hour later we reach Glozhene Monastery, perched on a cliff high above the valley of Vit River. A 1000-year old icon of St. George can be found in the monastery. From the monastery we continue to Golyam Izvor for overnight. B/-/D
Walking: 3-4 hours; +650/-590m Meals 

Day 3. Day 3. Golyam Izvor - Chertigrad (1280 m.) - Yamna (750 m) – Lopian (500 m)
A short transfer will take us to the end of the village where our trek will start. We just follow a dirt road passing the small deserted village of Slatina After passing the village the path starts climbing among ferns and pasture land and after 3.5 hours walks we reach Chertigrad where we stop for lunch.. Chertigrad is an ancient fortress built by the Thracians in 4-3-rd century BC. There is not much left from the fortress but the place offers stunning views over the Balkan range. We arrive in the village of Yamna after another 1.5 hours walk South-West. After that you have a short transfer to Lopian village. Dinner and overnight in a guest house. B/-/D 
Walking:5-6 hours; +730/-540m B/-/D

Day 4. Lopian - Svishtplaz Hut (1470 m)
Today we are heading to the crest of Central Balkan to join fo the next three days one of the longest European mountain trails Kom-Emine. To reach Svishtiplaz Hut there are two different trails passing through old beech forests. B/-/D 
Walking: 5-6 hours; +720m 

Day 5. Svishtiplaz - Momina Polyana Hut (1640 m)
Most of the trail today is above the tree line and following the international Kom-Emine waymarking. We walk at an altitude of 1800-2000 m, climbing Mt Kossitsa (2000m), Mt Paskal (2029) and Mt Kartala (2031) before descending to Momina Polyana Hut where we stay overnight. B/-/D
Walking: 5 hours; +550/-480 m; 

Day 6. Momina Polyana - Benkovski Hut (1540 m)
Another day of high mountain walking. From Momina Polyana hut we start again climbing up the ridge to Mt Kartala, from where we continue to the East along the Kom-Emine trail. We pass by the deserted hut Planinski Izvori, where hundreds of wild horses graze in the free before we climb the highest point of our trek – Mt. Tetevenska Baba – 2070 m. from where we start going down to Popovi Grobove saddle (Antonski Pass).Here we leave the trail descending North-East and after another 1-1.5 hours walking and passing by some shepherd cottages we reach the small hut Benkovski. B/-/D
Walking:4.5- 5 hours; +430/-530 m; 

Day 7. Benkovski – Popovi Grobove – Anton (810 m) - Koprivshtitsa
On the last trekking day we return to Popovi Grobove saddle from where we start a steep descent to the South on the other side of the mountain. Our vehicle with the rest of our luggage will be waiting in the center of the village Anton to drive us for another 20 km to our hotel in Koprivshtitsa.
Koprivshtittsa is the most interesting, most beautiful and most important town from the National Revival Period in Bulgaria (also called Renaissance). Its distinctive architecture, colourful houses, cobblestone streets and old churches have the spirit of the breaking through decades in the life of modern Bulgaria. In the middle of 19th c. the economic and spiritual progress of Koprivshtitsa turned the town into a symbol of the reviving nation. B/-/-
Walking: 4-4.5 hours; +260/-980 m; 

Day 8. Koprivshtitsa - Sofia
In the morning you will be transferred together with your luggage from Koprivshtitsa to Sofia Airport for departure. 
B/-/-

 


Price Includes:
Private airport transfers in Sofia airport on day 1; group transfer from Koprivshtitsa to Sofia on day 8
all transport acc. itinerary
luggage transport from day 1 to 4
standard hotels with en-suite facilities (days 1 & 7)
guesthouse with shared facilities (days 2&3) and in mountain huts (days 4
5
6)
7 breakfasts + 5 dinners
English speaking guide

Not Included:
entrance fees
insurance
drinks and meals not mentioned
private transfer to Sofia if your flight is very early
tips
personal expenses

Additional Services:
Supplement per person at 2-3 participants: 90 EUR


Gallery


Transbalkan Trek (Bulgaria) (Rated 4.66 / 5 Based on 378 Reviews.)

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
4-8 p.
Reservation System Code
BGTRBLKTREK
Roundtrip Iran - Classical Persia 990 , 10 Days

Roundtrip Iran - Classical Persia

A cultural trip that will show you both modern Iran and ancient Persia. This is a roundtrip...
Syria and Lebanon Roundtrip 1480 , 8 Days

Syria and Lebanon Roundtrip

Damascus is welcoming you again! Syria has seen some turbulent last years with a war raging the...
Balkan Village Trek (8 days progressive ride in Teteven Balkan area) 820 , 8 Days

Balkan Village Trek (8 days progressive ride in Teteven Balkan area)

Many and varied are the mountains in Bulgaria, but Teteven Balkan combines the best of them all -...

View all» What people say about us

Gunnar Svensson

Tour: Caucasus Explorer
★★★★★
Interesting trip in a different part of the world. with a possibility to learn a lot. Visit to spectacular churches and monastries, museums, wine producers, nature and beautiful cities. This tour is recommended.


Haley

Tour: Saudi Arabia
★★★★★
Fantastic trip with Penguin Travel! Loved all the sights we got to see in Saudi Arabia. Abdulaziz and Lyuben were very helpful, kind, and knowledgeable. Would highly recommend for solo and group travelers, especially those wanting an "off the beaten path" experience. Can't wait to travel with Penguin again!


Milosh Kitchovitch

Tour: Balkan Kaleidoscope
★★★★★
Amazing tour! A great overview of eight Balkan countries with the perfect balance of organized activities and free time. Our guide Anton was the best - organized, calm and has great sense of humor. I highly recommend it. This was my first tour with Penguin and I will definitely be booking more tours with Penguin.


View all»

Blog

24.03.2023 19:16

Stans Country: Exploring the Region, Countries, and Culture

Are you curious about the region of Stans Country and its unique countries? The Stans, also known as the Central Asian countries, include Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan, Turkmenistan, and Uzbekistan. These countries, which share historical and cultural ties, have a lot to offer, from stunning landscapes to diverse ethnic traditions. What region are the Stans? The Stans are located in...


19.03.2023 10:17

Cape Coast: A city of history, life and magnificent beaches

Cape Coast, a city that lies on the shimmering shores of the Gulf of Guinea, is a land of rich culture, ancient history, and breathtaking beauty. A place tantalizes the senses and awakens the spirit with its vibrant arts scene, sumptuous cuisine, and fascinating heritage. This city, once the capital of the Gold Coast, exudes an air of mystery and enchantment. Its ancient Cape Coast Castle stands...


23.02.2023 13:24

Discovering the Best Time to Visit Iceland: Weather, Northern Lights, Outdoor Activities and Crowds

Iceland is a unique and stunning country, known for its otherworldly landscapes, hot springs, and Northern Lights. However, due to its location close to the Arctic Circle, Iceland's weather can be unpredictable and change rapidly. Therefore, it is essential to know the best time to visit Iceland to make the most of your trip. In this article, we will discuss the best time to visit Iceland based...


10.12.2022 15:21

Saudi Arabia - the birthplace of Islam (tips for visiting the country)

It took really long for Saudi Arabia to decide to open for tourists, but now it is finally a fact and Penguin Travel immediately put the destination on its belt. The Kingdom – known as the spiritual birthplace of Islam, now has a new approach to attract visitors and that's why the visa requirements are changed. The changes are so big, compared to the past that they look almost like a...