Transbalkan Trek (Bulgaria)

Transbalkan Trek (Bulgaria)

Join an unforgettable hiking trek in the Balkan Mountains that takes you across the longest and most majestic mountain range, which also gave its name to the entire Balkan Peninsula.

This 9-day Trans Balkan trek takes place roughly in the middle of the mountain range, starting on the northern side in the picturesque small town of Apriltsi, reaching the highest peak, Mount Botev (2376 m), and crossing the ridge down the southern side to the village of Rozina. From there, you'll continue by train to the charming Renaissance town of Koprivshtitsa, rich in Bulgaria's history, beautiful architecture, and a unique atmosphere found in its narrow cobbled streets.

Several days are spent hiking far above the tree line, offering the most breathtaking views of both Northern and Southern Bulgaria. Endless meadows, natural springs, spectacular cliffs, and isolated huts are connected by a network of trails, providing daily challenges and experiences in a world teeming with birds, mountain flowers, grazing sheep, and possibly mountain goats and the tracks of elusive brown bears.

Highlights:
Botev Peak - conquer the highest peak of Stara Planina with breathtaking views from the summit, surrounded by the beauty of the Severen Jendem reserve
Central Balkan National Park – a vast protected area (716 km2) with several reserves. You might catch a glimpse of the rare edelweiss and soaring golden eagles
Koprivshtitsa – an authentic Bulgarian village with a special historic atmosphere and well-preserved houses in the colorful Balkan style.

View Full Itinerary

Price Includes:
3 nights standard hotels with en-suite facilities and 5 nights in mountain huts w/shared facilities
Meals according to the itinerary (B-breakfast/ L-lunch/D-dinner)
Private airport transfer from Sofia airport on day 1; group transfer from Koprivshtitsa to Sofia Airport on day 9 at set time
All transport acc. itinerary and train tickets
Luggage transport on days 2,6,7
English speaking guide

Not Included:
Transport to/from Sofia
Eventual private transfer if your flight is early day 9
Entrance fees
Water,drinking and meals not mentioned
Insurance
Personal expenses

Additional Services:
Supplement per person at 2-3 participants: 100 EUR


Gallery


Transbalkan Trek (Bulgaria) (Rated 4.66 / 5 Based on 485 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
4-12
Reservation System Code
BGTRBLKTREK

Hiking the Carpathians - West Ukraine adventure

Meet the Hutsuls - an autonomous ethnic group of Ukrainian highlanders, that always remained...

Ifugao Rice Terraces Trek & Manila

A walk in the famous UNESCO World Heritage site - The Philippines Rice Terraces. The...

Sikkim, Goechala Trek at the foot of Kanchenjunga

Tucked away in the Eastern Himalayas, Sikkim is sandwiched between Tibet to the north, Bhutan to...

View all» What people say about us

Great
Penguin Travel on Trust Pilot
Based on 191 reviews
Trust Pilot
Binky's Review Verified review Verified
Great caucus Explorer trip
Caucus Explorer( Armenia, Georgia and Azerbaijan ) was a great trip . Even though our Van is fully...
Beth, 5 May
Daniel's review Verified review Verified
8 day Caucasus trip
5/5 for the Caucasus trip in apr/may 2025. Everything was well planned and executed.
Haris, 3 May
Maribeth's review Verified review Verified
Excellent and Amazing Tour
Excellent tour. My highlight of the tour is Sarajevo, Mostar, Ohrid and more places. I like the itinerary...
Arnold, 6 April
View all»

Blog

20.07.2026 09:40

Cameroon Tour Guide: Best Places, Costs & Travel Tips

A Cameroon tour delivers more variety in one country than most African itineraries manage across three. Rainforest, volcanic peaks, Sahel savannah, Atlantic beaches and more than 250 ethnic groups sit within a single set of borders - which is why geographers have long called Cameroon "Africa in miniature". It is also one of the continent's least visited destinations, so the crowds you...


15.07.2026 09:02

Mozambique Tour: Your Complete Guide to Africa's Indian Ocean Coast

A Mozambique tour swaps the safari-vehicle crowds for something rarer: 2,500 kilometres of Indian Ocean coastline, coral reefs that rank among the healthiest in Africa, and an Afro-Portuguese culture you will not find anywhere else on the continent. This is a beach-and-culture destination first, a wildlife one second - and that is exactly why it appeals to travellers who have already ticked off...


13.07.2026 11:00

Visit Burundi: Burundi Trip Guide to Lake Tanganyika & Drums

A Burundi trip takes you to one of the least visited countries in Africa, and that is exactly the point. This small nation in the Great Lakes region receives a tiny fraction of the visitors who pour into neighbouring Rwanda and Tanzania, so you get drumming ceremonies, rainforest trails and a 1,400-metre-deep lake almost entirely to yourself. Burundi is not a polished safari product. It rewards...


09.07.2026 09:41

Visit to Morocco: Best Places, Costs & Tips

A visit to Morocco drops you into a country of walled medinas, snow-capped peaks, saffron-coloured deserts and coastline on two seas - all within a few hours' drive of each other. Few destinations pack this much variety into one trip. You can haggle in a Marrakech souk at noon, watch the sun set over Sahara dunes the next evening, and sip mint tea in a blue mountain village two days later. This...