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Your Holiday at a Glance

Guided walking holiday	Bulgaria: Rila and Pirin - Bulgaria at its beautiful best
Dates for 2010	Weeks starting 10, 24 & 31 July, 28 August & 4 September available for individuals bookings Any week from late June to mid September for groups of 4 or more
Price	£475 p/p based on 2 sharing Single supplement £70
Grade
Profile	8 days: 6 days Two-centre-based, guided walking. Altitude maximum 2925m. Average: altitude gain 850m, time 6-7hrs
Highlights	Beautiful alpine style mountains with hundreds of shimmering lakes Summiting the highest peak in Bulgaria and the Balkan peninsula Diverse walks in an undiscovered and unspoilt region exploring the ridges, valleys and summits of two beautiful mountains ranges The chance to visit architecturally rich traditional villages, as well as the Rila Monastery, one of the most important sites in Bulgaria A rich flora and fauna protected by National parks, including wolf, bear, ibex and flowers unique to this range of mountains
Accommodation and Meals	3 star equivalent guest houses. They are small family run guest houses, conveniently located for exploring the mountain ranges and offer traditional local cuisine and comfortable accommodation.
What's included	Airport and station transfers from Sofia. (please check for other transfers), all other transport for the week including luggage, 7 nights' accommodation, half board, English speaking guide
What's not included	Travel between the UK and Sofia, lunches (allow about £4 per day), any excursions or entrance fees, drinks to accompany meals in guest houses

Rila & Pirin: Bulgaria at its beautiful best

Bulgaria offers the visitor a culturally and geographically rich and distinct experience. Its diverse landscapes ranges from Alpine snow-capped peaks to the sunny Black sea coast. Still untouched by mass tourism, the mountainous southwest of the country has two impressive alpine ranges: Rila and Pirin. The Rila range is the highest in the Balkan Peninsula, which its peaks reaching almost 3000m. Both ranges, set adjacent to one another, are National Parks with a rich fauna and flora. Our week’s guided walking holiday explores the summits, ridges and cirques of these two beautiful mountain ranges, including summiting the highest point in the Balkan Peninsula, Musala (2925m). Shinning glacial lakes dot the landscapes framing the rugged ridges and bulky peaks. There are over 200 lakes in the Rila range alone.

Walks

For the most part, the guided walks are moderate/challenging in terms of length and height gain. There is one easy day and one more difficult day. A good level of fitness is required and previous mountain walking experience would be beneficial. It is possible to opt out of some days if you are in need of a rest. In addition, the nature of the landscapes means that a good head for heights and surefootedness is essential. Paths are generally good though rugged and often stony and on mountainous terrain.

map rila pirin Bulgaria guided walking holiday

Day 1: Arrival

Welcome at Sofia airport and transfer to the mountain village of Govedartsi where we stay overnight (1hr drive). This is our base for the hikes in the Rila Mountains for the next 4 nights. 30min transfers to start of walks.

Day 2: The seven Rila lakes

Circular walk from Vada Hut to the most eminent area in Rila Mountains - The Seven Rila Lakes (above 2200m). The path follows the ridges between the rivers Dzherman and Cherni Iskar, offering fine views towards both the Vitosha and Verila mountains, before reaching the famous glacial lakes. (6 hrs; uphill walk/downhill walk: 900m)

Day 3: The Scary Lake

Another stunning trek from Maliovitsa resort, ascending to the wide cirque of the Prekorechki Lakes, enclosed by the steep slopes and rocky walls of several peaks exceeding 2700m. We visit The Scary Lake before walking steeply downhill to Yonchevo Lake. (7 hrs; uphill/downhill walk: 900m)

Day 4: Musala (2925m)

Today we climb the highest peak in Bulgaria and the Balkans – Musala. A short transfer brings us to Borovets ski resort, where we take the lift to Yastrebets Peak (2369 m). Enjoyable walking through Dwarf Pine massifs with the jagged form of Mount Musala in the background takes us to the Musalenski Lakes, lying at the foot of the peak. On reaching Musala’s summit, the view is truly breath-taking. You can see the other peaks of the Rila Mountains; the marble edges of the Pirin Mountains; the Sredna Gora Mountains; the green summits of the Rodopi Mountains; plus the full Balkan range. (6 hrs; uphill/downhill: 750m)

Day 5: The Rila Monastery & the Stob Pyramids

Transfer to the most famous landmark of Bulgaria – the Rila Monastery. Sightseeing and leisurely walk to the hermitage of St. Ivan Rilski. The next stop is the amazing sand forms near Stob village – The Stob Pyramids. Then we continue on to the foothills of the Pirin Mountains and the town of Bansko, which is our base for the next 3 nights. (3 hrs; uphill/downhill walk: 400m)

Day 6: Mount Vihren (2914m)

Today we make the fairly difficult ascent to the highest peak in the Pirin Mountains - Mount Vihren. Short transfer brings us to the Vihren hut. On our way to the peak we have various opportunities to enjoy most of the Pirin's peaks, various stunning glacial lakes as well as Edelweiss and many other rare plants flowering in the limestone outcrops. (7-8 hrs; uphill/downhill walk 1000m)

Day 7: The valleys and lakes of the Pirin range

Transfer to Gotse Delchev hut, where we take the chair lift to Bezbog hut (2236m). From the hut we head towards the biggest and deepest glacial lake in the mountains – Lake Popovo. Then we continue on to Dzhengalska Porta saddle, with its magnificent panoramic view, before passing the Valiavishki Lakes and descending into the valley of Demianishka. (6-7 hrs; uphill : 750m; downhill walk: 1000m)

Day 8: Departure and transfer to Sofia airport (2,30hrs drive)

Pirin Guided walking holiday rila pirin Bulgaria

Rila Pirin Bulgaria guided walking holiday

Rila pirin Bulgaria guided walking holiday

Please Note: Further information about your guided walking holiday in Bulgaria will be sent to you prior to your departure. We will endeavour to keep to these walks as far as possible; however they are subject to change. In addition, we like to maintain a certain degree of flexibility to take account of the group’s abilities and interests, and the local conditions. The final selection of walks will be made by your guide during the week after consultation with the group.

Accommodation & Meals

On our guided walking holiday in Bulgaria we use 3 star equivalent guest houses. They are small family run guest houses, conveniently located for exploring the mountain ranges and offer traditional local cuisine and comfortable accommodation.

Name	Type	Details
Dzhambazki Guesthouse	guest house	Small family-run guest house with 8 rooms, gardens and swimming pool, located in a quiet village at the foot of the Rila mountains
Hotel Elinor	Hotel	A stylish family-run hotel with 15 double rooms, a restaurant, garden, and a sauna and steam room where you can relax tired muscles.