Peaks & Lakes of the Pirin and Rila Mountains
Description
Summary
Description
Embark on an eight-day adventure that will take you through the breathtaking landscapes of Bulgaria. This multi-day tour is designed for those who love nature and hiking, offering a unique opportunity to explore the stunning Pirin and Rila mountains. You'll traverse picturesque trails, ascend to the highest peaks, and marvel at the beauty of glacial lakes. Along the way, you'll visit the UNESCO World Heritage Site of Rila Monastery and the charming village of Govedartsi. This tour combines the thrill of outdoor adventure with the serenity of nature, offering an unforgettable experience.
Included
4 nights in Bansko (3* hotel, en-suite twin/dbl rooms)
1 night in Panichishte/Sapareva Banya (tourist class hotel; en-suite twin/dbl rooms)
2 nights in Govedartsi (3* family pension, en-suite twin/dbl rooms)
7х Breakfasts
7х Dinners
All ground transfers (incl. pick up/drop off at Sofia Airport)
Chairlift/cable car lift tickets
English-speaking mountain guide
Private transportation throughout the tour (air-conditioned minibus).
Map
Attractions
Seven Rila Lakes
Skakavitsa WaterfallDaily Itinerary
Day 1 – Day 1: Sofia to Bansko
- Sofia
- Bansko - Arrival day
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Your Bulgarian adventure begins at Sofia Airport, where we'll meet you and transfer you to the charming town of Bansko, nestled at the foot of Mount Pirin. If you're already in Sofia, we'll pick you up from your accommodation and drive you to the airport to join the rest of the group. The journey to Bansko takes approximately 2.5 hours.
Day 2 – Day 2: Hiking to Polezhan Summit
- Bansko
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Today, we'll take a chair cable car to the Bezbog Hut, the starting point for our hike to the Polezhan Summit. This summit offers one of the most beautiful panoramas in the Pirin, overlooking 17 stunning glacier lakes. The hike is not too steep and takes approximately 5 hours.
Day 3 – Day 3: Exploring Banderishki Lakes Cirque
- Bansko
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We'll spend the day exploring one of the most picturesque parts of the Pirin: the Banderishki Lakes Cirque. Our trek will take us past some of the 16 glacial lakes, each revealing itself as we climb the terraces. We'll then descend into virgin fir groves to the Demyanitsa Hut and follow a shady path along the Demyanitsa River.
Day 4 – Day 4: Ascending Mount Vihren
- Bansko
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Our target today is Mount Vihren, the highest summit in the Pirin and Bulgaria's second-highest peak. As we ascend, we'll enjoy breathtaking views of the Golem Kazan area and the northern face of Vihren. The hike will take approximately 6-7 hours.
Day 5 – Day 5: Rila Monastery and Skakavitsa Waterfall
- Rila
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- Skakavitsa Waterfall
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We'll bid farewell to Pirin and set off for Rila. Our first stop is the Rila Monastery, a UNESCO World Heritage Site and the largest Christian monastery in Bulgaria. We'll then proceed to the Panichishte Resort, where we'll visit the Skakavitsa Waterfall before supper or simply ramble in the shady woods near our mountain lodge.
Day 6 – Day 6: Seven Rila Lakes Cirque to Govedartsi
Day 6: Seven Rila Lakes Cirque to Govedartsi
- Seven Rila Lakes
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We'll take a cable car to the foot of the Seven Rila Lakes Cirque and trek past the lakes, each named after their most characteristic feature. We'll then descend into the valley of the same name and settle into a family hotel at the village of Govedartsi.
Day 7 – Day 7: Climbing Musala
Day 7: Climbing Musala
Today, we'll climb the Balkans' highest summit: Musala. A cable car will take us from the Borovets Resort to the starting point for the trek. The view from the peak offers a deserving end to the whole adventure, with vistas of all major mountain ranges in Bulgaria.
Day 8 – Day 8: Govedartsi to Sofia
- Sofia - Departure day
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On the final day of our tour, we'll transfer you from Govedartsi to Sofia Airport, a journey of approximately 1.5 hours. If you're staying in Sofia after the tour, we'll drop you off at your accommodation instead of the airport.
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