High Peaks of Bulgaria
High Peaks of Bulgaria
High Peaks of Bulgaria
8 Days Starting and ending in Sofia Airport
Visiting: Bansko, Demianitsa Hut, Vihren, The Monastery of Saint Ivan of Rila, Rila, Malyovitsa, Sofia
Tour operator:
Tour code:
TVB
Recommended For:
Guide Type:
Fully Guided
Group size:
6 - 16
Physical rating:
High, Challenging
Age range:
18 to 99
Special diets catered:
Please inform Exodus of specific dietary requirements
Tour operated in:
EnglishTrip Styles:
Interests:
Activities:
Tour Overview
South-western Bulgaria is dominated by two dramatic mountain ranges, the Pirin and the equally imposing Rila. We begin in the Pirin Mountains, trekking across glacial moraines and high passes and attempting an ascent of Mt Vihren (2914m). Moving on to the Rila Mountains, we visit the Rila Monastery, a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Then cross the mountain range, through ancient forests to the glacial lakes for which these mountains are famed. We conclude by summiting Musala (2925m), the highest peak in south-eastern Europe, before returning to Sofia.
Highlights
Itinerary
Day 1 : Start Bansko
Location: Bansko
Accommodation: Hotel
Accommodation Name: Molerite Hotel or similar
Meals Included: Dinner
For those not on the group flight, we recommend that you time your arrival to join the group transfer from Sofia Airport, as the journey time is 2.5hrs and a private transfer will be costly. In the evening our guide will hold a welcome briefing and discuss the week ahead and answer any questions.
Day 2 : Hike Across The Todrina Porta Pass (2500M) Via Vasilashki And Bandersihki Lakes.
Location: Demianitsa Hut
Accommodation: Hotel
Accommodation Name: Molerite Hotel or similar
Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch
Having hiked up the Demyanitsa Valley, we start a long steady climb which takes us first past the Vasilashki lakes, then two more small but beautifully formed lakes known as the 'Eyes of Todorka'. Eventually, we cross over the high pass Todorina Porta (2,500m), an outstanding viewpoint, before descending steeply via the Bunderishki lakes to the Vihren hut where we will be picked up and driven on down to our base. This evening dinner is not included, leaving you free to choose your own place to eat from the many traditional inns and restaurants in the town.
Day 3 : Ascent Of Mt. Vihren (2914M), The Highest Peak In The Pirin Mountains.
Location: Vihren
Accommodation: Hotel
Accommodation Name: Molerite Hotel or similar
Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch
Today we will attempt an ascent of Mt. Vihren (2,914m), the highest peak in the Pirin National Park and the second highest in Bulgaria. Beginning from the Vihren hut, our walk takes us steadily up into the dramatic Golyam Kazan cirque which lies directly beneath Vihren's towering 400-metre high north wall. Here, as well as enjoying breath-taking mountain scenery, we can also find several beautiful endemic alpine flowers such as the delicate yellow 'Pirin Poppy'. From the cirque, a long exciting scramble takes us up white marble rocks to the summit, which on a clear day offers a wonderful panorama over the entire Pirin range. There follows a steep descent back down to our bus for the return to Bansko. Once again this evening's dinner is not included, leaving you free to choose your own place to eat.
Day 4 : Visit The Rila Monastery, A Unesco World Heritage Site And Walk In The Surrounding Nature Reserve.
Location: The Monastery of Saint Ivan of Rila
Accommodation: Hotel
Accommodation Name: Hotel Gorski Kut or similar
Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Leaving Bansko, we transfer to the Rila Monastery, a UNESCO World Heritage Site. As well as visiting the monastery itself, we will also have a pleasant walk in the surrounding forests which have been designated a nature park. During our walk we will have the chance to visit a couple of isolated chapels and a cave which are closely associated with the intriguing life story of St. Ivan Rilski, a local hermit who was to become the patron saint of Bulgaria. Our accommodation for this night will be a hotel conveniently located in the beautiful Rilska Reka valley, just a short drive from the Monastery.
Day 5 : Panoramic Hike Through The Heart Of The Rila Mountains.
Location: Rila
Accommodation: Hotel
Accommodation Name: Family Hotel Djambazki or similar
Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Whilst our luggage is transferred round the mountains by road, we make a long demanding trek through the heart of the Rila National Park. Our route leads us up and over one of the highest and most imposing ridges in the Rila Mountains. Finally rejoining our bus on the other side of the range, we transfer to our hotel in the small village of Govedartsi, where we will be based for two nights.
Day 6 : Ascent Of Mt Malyovitsa (2729M).
Location: Malyovitsa
Accommodation: Hotel
Accommodation Name: Family Hotel Djambazki or similar
Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Today we explore the region at the head of the Malyovitsa Valley and attempt an ascent of Mt. Malyovitsa (2,729m), one of the highest and most imposing peaks in this part of the Rila Mountains. The whole walk offers stunning views, as well as an opportunity to observe an interesting variety of typical alpine birds. We then return to our hotel in Govedartsi for a second night.
Day 7 : Ascent Of Mt Musala (2925M); Transfer To Sofia.
Location: Sofia
Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Having checked out of our hotel, our goal for today is Mt. Musala (2,925m), the highest peak on the Balkan Peninsula. To accomplish the ascent as a day walk, we will use the cabin-lift from Borovets which will take us up to a starting altitude of about 2,300m. The route to the summit is well-graded, winding up past a succession of sparkling glacial lakes around the shores of which one can find blooming the endemic 'Rila Primrose'. We then end the day with a short 90 minute transfer to Sofia, where we will spend our final night.
Day 8 : End Sofia.
Location: Sofia
Meals Included: Breakfast
Our tour ends after breakfast.
What's Included
-
Transfers for group flights
-
All accommodation
-
All breakfasts, 6 lunches and 5 dinners included
-
Meals
7 breakfasts, 6 lunches, 5 dinners.
What's Not Included
-
Single supplement
-
Travel insurance
-
Visa's and Vaccinations
-
Travel insuranceVisa's and VaccinationsSingle supplement
Food
7 breakfasts, 6 lunches and 5 dinners are included in this trip.Breakfast will usually include tea or coffee, bread, jam, honey and cheese, yoghurt and traditional local specialities such as thick pancakes known as 'katmi' and a rice-based dish called 'rodopski klin'. Most days lunches will be packed. Consisting of bread, cheese, salami, hard boiled eggs, salads, fruit and biscuits. The evening meals will either be taken at the hotels or local restaurants and will consist of typical Bulgarian cuisine.On two evenings whilst in Bansko, dinners have not been included to offer you the opportunity to choose your own place to eat from the many traditional inns and restaurants that are available in the town.Vegetarians and Vegans: Bulgaria is famed for its fresh vegetables and fruit, so vegetarians are usually well catered for. However, it is extremely difficult for vegans, as dairy produce and eggs form the staple part of the diet in this region, and occur in the vast majority of meals. Therefore we recommend that you bring some supplementary items.Please note, special gluten-free products are not available, so those clients with wheat/gluten intolerance should, if needed, bring with them something to replace the local bread and pastries that make up the breakfasts and picnic lunches
Accommodation
Check out our Q&As
-
What is the standard of the hotels on this tour?
7 nights in comfortable tourist-class hotels offering twin rooms with private facilities
-
What is the maximum group size?
16
-
Are vaccinations required for this tour?
There are no mandatory vaccination requirements. Recommended vaccinations are: Polio, Tetanus, Diphtheria, Typhoid, Hepatitis A, Yellow Fever. The risk of malaria is slight but you may wish to consult your GP or travel health clinic for further advice.
-
Are the local guides on the tour English speaking?
Yes
-
What happens if I need to change my holiday date once I’ve booked?
If you wish to make any changes to your booking, particularly if you need to alter any flights booked through us, please let us know as soon as possible. There is a booking or flight amendment fee of £40 per change and flight amendments often incur extra airline costs depending on the changes to be made and if the ticket has been issued or not.
-
How long has the tour company been trading?
Exodus has been trading since 1974
-
What documents will I receive before I travel?
Your final joining instructions and flight details, if booked with us, will then be sent out 2 to 3 weeks before departure. If you would like a hard copy posted, or if you require these any earlier, please contact the customer operations team. We advise that if you are booking connecting travel before receiving these, please ensure you leave plenty of time.
-
Do you operate a “single share” option and how does it work?
Travellers are welcome to opt to share a room with a tour member of the same gender for no additional charge. If you'd like your own room, we can request a single supplement so that you will have your own room throughout.
-
Can I join the tour once it has departed?
You are welcome to meet the group after the tour has departed however there is no reduction in rate for joining a tour after the departure date.
Reviews from Travellers on this Tour
Book with Confidence
-
Transfer as credit to Future Tours
Exodus allows you to transfer existing payments to a future tour to avoid cancellation fees if you can't travel and inform exodus, 43 days before departure.
-
Low Deposit
Exodus requires a minimum deposit of 25% or the full booking value, whichever is less, with the final balance not due until 90 days before departure.
-
Cancellation Policy
We don't charge a cancellation fee, here is a summary of exodus charges.
Up to 70 days before tour starts: Forfeit 100% of deposit.
Why book with tourhub?
Safe & Secure
Your money is protected in an external trust until you travel.
100% Guaranteed Refunds if your trip is cancelled.
The safest way to make overseas, multi-currency payments.
Guaranteed Best Value
Industry leading discounts, we won't be beaten on price.
No cancellation or amendment fees from tourhub.
(Operator terms may apply)
Expert Knowledge
Reliable & unbiased advice from travel experts.
Direct contact with the tour operator via our messaging service.
Inspiration & advice from a community of 6000+ real travellers, influencers & content creators.
Trusted Service
Official partners & licensed agents of 1000+ tour operators worldwide.
Don't just take our word for it...
"Tourhub: Friendliness, Professionalism & Integrity I would happily give tourhub a 6* review if I could..."