A classical trekking route in the most beautiful part of the highest mountains on the Balkan Peninsula - Rila Mountains. This is a combination of light walks in the forest covered area and demanding climbs in the rocky parts. You will experience both picturesque green valleys and beautiful granite alpine tops.
Highlights:
Rila National Park – the highest mountains on the Balkan Peninsula
Malyovitsa Peak (2729 m a.s.l.) – the alpine symbol of the Rila Mountains
The Seven Lakes – an unforgettable view to a cirque with 7 glacial lakes, situated one above the other
Rila Monastery – founded in 10th c., the most important Bulgarian spiritual center in the Middle Ages. Under UNESCO protection
Day 1. Arrival to Sofia, where you overnight. Depending on the arrival time you can do some sightseeing in the city.
Day 2. Borovets - Mt. Yastrebets - Mt. Musala - Borovets
The highest peak in Rila Mountains - Musala (2925 m a.s.l.), is the highest point in Bulgaria and in whole Balkan peninsula as well. Short transfer brings you to Borovets ski resort, where you 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 you 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.
Walking: about 6.30 h. Uphill/downhill: 650/650 m
Day 3. Govedartsi – Ovnarsko locality – Malyovitsa complex
The path from the village of Govedartsi to Malyovitsa complex passes through the forest area of the mountains with a gradual ascend, which is not too hard. Malyovitsa complex is a starting point for the most beautiful alpine part of Rila. There is a superb view from here to the symbol of this area - Malyovitsa peak. Overnight
Walking: about 4.30 h. Uphill/downhill: 600/0 m
Day 4. Malyovitsa complex – Elenino Lake – Malyovitsa peak – Malyovitsa complex
Today you meet a great physical challenge, but the reward for your efforts are the splendid panorama views from the top. In the beginning you climb a path via a coniferous forest to Malyovitsa hut. Then the terrain changes to an open and rocky area. You descend gradually, but soon the path becomes steep and passing by some rocky passages you reach Elenino Lake. One more climb to the peak. You descend the same way. Overnight.
Walking: 7-8 h. Uphill/downhill: 1000/1000 m
Day 5. Malyovitsa complex – Malyovitsa hut – Yonchevo Lake – Malyovitsa complex
The program for today starts with a light ascent to Malyovitsa hut, and then you come over a steep slope, covered with squat. After that the ascents become smoother, the trail passes by some ponds and ends at Strashnoto Lake (the Scary Lake). The lake is surrounded by the rocky pinnacles of Kupenite. The view is really impressive. You descend to Yonchevo Lake – a lower situated lake, which is not so “scary”. From here the trails crosses Gyolechitsa and Razhdavitsa ridges and ends at Malyovitsa complex. Overnight.
Walking: 6-7 h. Uphill/downhill: 800/800 m
Day 6. Malyovitsa complex – Vada hut – Lovna hut – Rilski ezera hut
Today you will walk to the most visited and most beautiful lakes in Bulgaria – the Seven Lakes. The route is not demanding and in the forest area mainly.
Walking: about 5 h. Uphill/downhill: 950/500 m
Day 7. Rilski ezera hut – Seven Lakes – Rila Monastery
On the last trekking day you will experience the highlight of this tour – the Seven Lakes and the Rila Monastery. You will climb up, from one terrace with a beautiful lake up to the next, until you reach the point, from where a superb panorama view to all the lakes is revealed. Then you start descending down a ridge, the final part of which is a steep descent to the Valley of Rilska River, where Rila Monastery is situated. Transfer to Sofia and overnight.
Walking: about 7 h. Uphill/downhill: 550/1500 m
Day 8. Departure
Luggage transportation - unnecessary luggage will be transported as follows:
►Day 2 from Sofia to Govedartsi (together with you)
►Day 3 from Govedartsi to Malyovitsa komplex
►Day 7 from Malyovitsa komplex to Rila Monastery and further to Sofia (together with you).
*Please note that on day 6 you will spend the night in a picturesque mountain hut, above the tree line, where luggage transportation is not possible.
*Bag weight – Please bear in mind that you will have to carry it, therefore keeping the weight down is essential.
We recommend trip in the period: June - September
Gallery
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).
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.
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!
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.
10.12.2022 15:21
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...
06.08.2021 17:00
It’s the newest country in the world and one that a lot of people haven’t even heard of. Those who have, usually associate it with the military conflict that has been tearing up the region for decades. But behind all of that, lies a country of ancient cultural rituals, a myriad of colorful local tribes and raw natural beauty. It is still the most challenging destinations for the...
05.08.2021 08:55
Can you name the country with the most pyramids in the world? Nope, it’s not Egypt. The country which holds this record with more than 200 pyramids is actually Egypt’s southern neighbor – Sudan. Though not as big as the Egyptian ones, they are just as impressive and have just as intriguing history, dating back to 8th century BC, to the kingdom of Kush. Since the Sudanese...
01.10.2020 11:45
Rwanda is a small African country, whose name is often mostly associated with the horrific genocide that happened here in 1994. It was one of the most tragic events in the history not only of Rwanda, but the world. However, it was also a turning point in the country's history. It has since then embarked on a new path of social, economic and ecological development and deserves to be known...