Rila-Pirin Mountain Trek (Bulgaria), Guaranteed departures

Rila-Pirin Mountain Trek (Bulgaria), Guaranteed departures

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8 Days From

$805

Rila-Pirin Mountain Trek (Bulgaria), Guaranteed departures

8 Days Starting and ending in Sofia, Bulgaria

Visiting: Sofia, Musala, Borovets, Govedartsi, Malyovitsa, Bansko, Rila Monastery, Tevno Lake Shelter

Tour operator:

Penguin Travel

Tour code:

BGPIRRIL

Guide Type:

Fully Guided

Group size:

4 - 12

Physical rating:

High, Medium

Age range:

16-99

Special diets catered:

Vegetarians, Vegans

Tour operated in:

English

Activities:

Trekking, Walking

Private Available:

Request A Private Tour

From: $805

NB: Prices correct on 05-Nov-2024 but subject to change.

This tour is no longer available, please see similar tours below or send an enquiry

Tour Overview

A unique mountain hike above the clouds in the highest mountains on The Balkan Peninsula. During this 8-day trek, we will visit the highest peak on the Balkan Peninsula - Musala in the Rila Mountains (2925m a.s.l.) and the giant of the Pirin Mountains (Vihren, 2914 m a.s.l.). We will explore enormous national parks, housing vast alpine meadows, stone rivers, glacial lakes, rare vegetation and rich animal life. We will also visit the most prominent Bulgarian monastery and probably the most famous Bulgarian landmark - the Rila Monastery. Highlights - Rila Mountains - the highest mountains in Bulgaria and on the Balkan Peninsula with Mount Musala - 2925 m a.s.l. - Pirin Mountains - the second-highest in Bulgaria after Rila Mountains and the third in the Balkan Peninsula (Mount Vihren 2914 m a.s.l.). - Rila Monastery (1147 m a.s.l.) - the biggest monastery in Bulgaria, part of UNESCO World Heritage List

Highlights

  • Rila Mountains

  • Mount Musala - 2925 m a.s.l. , the highest peak on the Balkans

  • Mount Vihren 2914 m a.s.l.

  • Rila Monastery (1147 m a.s.l.)- the most popular tourist site among all monasteries in Bulgaria

Places You'll See

Rila-Pirin Mountain Trek (Bulgaria), Guaranteed Departures

Climbing Mount Vihren

The Scary Lake

Mount Musala

The Scary Lake

Seven Rila Lakes

Rila Monastery

Panorama From Mount Vihren

On Top Of Mount Vihren

Itinerary

Expand All

Day 1 : Sofia

Location: Sofia

Accommodation: Hotel

Arrival at Sofia airport and transfer to our hotel for overnight. -/-/-

Day 2 : Musala Climb - Govedartsi

Location: Musala, Borovets, Govedartsi

Accommodation: Hotel

Meals Included: Breakfast, Dinner

We start the day with a transfer to Borovets (70 km). From here we will take the cable car to Yastrebetz (2300 m) and then start our climb to the highest peak on the Balkan Peninsula – Musala (2925 m a.s.l.). The view from the top is truly breathtaking – you can see the other 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. Transfer to Govedartsi (1150 m a.s.l.), where we stay overnight (40 min. drive from Borovets). B/-/D
Walking: 6 hrs; Uphill walk: 650 m (2,132 ft); downhill walk: 650 m (2,132 ft)

Day 3 : Govedartsi - Maliovitsa Resort - Prekorechki Lakes - Govedartsi

Location: Govedartsi, Malyovitsa

Accommodation: Hotel

Meals Included: Breakfast, Dinner

After breakfast, we embark on another stunning trek. We will start from Maliovitsa resort, going up along the valley to the wide circus of Prekorechki Lakes. The lakes are enclosed by the steep slopes and rocky walls of several peaks exceeding 2700m. B/-/D
Walking: 6,5 hrs; Uphill walk: 850m (2,788 ft); downhill walk: 850m (2,788 ft)
Optional hike: an optional hike for a good day is the climb of the Maliovitsa peak, where we will experience a 360-degree open scenery of the most Alpine part of the Rila Mountains. Walking: 6 hrs; Uphill walk: 1016m (3,332 ft); downhill walk: 1016m (3,332 ft)

Day 4 : The Seven Rila Lakes - Rila Monastery - Bansko

Location: Bansko, Rila Monastery

Accommodation: Hotel

Meals Included: Breakfast, Dinner

We start the day with an early transfer to Pionerska hut. From here we take the chairlift to the Seven Rila Lakes (above 2200m a.s.l.). We will then start our loop hike to the Razdela saddle and the stunning "Zeleni Rid" ridge. From here we start descending back to the chair lift. We continue with an hour-long transfer to Rila Monastery - the biggest monastery in Bulgaria, listed as a UNESCO Heritage site. Afterwards, we continue with a drive to Bansko where we will spend the night. B/-/D
Walking: 5 hrs; Uphill walk: 400 m (1320 ft); downhill walk: 400 m (1320 ft)

Day 5 : Pirin Trek, Bezbog - Tevno Ezero

Location: Bansko, Tevno Lake Shelter

Accommodation: Hut

Meals Included: Breakfast, Dinner

The next two days we are embarking on a trek that will take us to the most beautiful part of Central Pirin Mountains. We will start from Bezbog hut (2240m a.s.l.)and after 4-5 hours of walking we will reach Tevno Ezero hut (2512m a.s.l), where we will spend the night. B/-/D
Walking: 6 hrs; Uphill walk: 450 m (1470 ft); downhill walk: 150 m (492 ft)

Day 6 : Tevno Ezero - Demyanitsa Hut - Bansko

Location: Bansko

Accommodation: Hotel

Meals Included: Breakfast, Dinner

Today's walk offers stunning views over two of the most beautiful glacier lakes of Pirin - Prevalski (2664m a.s.l.) and Valiavishki (2300m-2475m a.s.l.) lakes. It will take us about 5-6 hours to reach the road under Demyanitsa Hut, where we will meet our driver who will take us back to Bansko. B/-/D
Walking: 6 hrs; Uphill walk: 150 m (492 ft); downhill walk: 650 m (2,132 ft)

Day 7 : Bansko - Mount Vihren - Bansko - Sofia

Location: Sofia

Accommodation: Hotel

Meals Included: Breakfast

A fairly difficult ascent awaits us today - to the highest peak in Pirin Mountains - Mount Vihren (2914m a.s.l.). On our way to the peak, we will have a chance to enjoy scenic views of many of Pirin's high peaks, as well as the Vlahini and Bunderishki glacial lakes. We will also get to see the endangered Edelweiss flower and many other rare plants native to the karst parts of the mountain. Transfer back to Sofia for overnight. B/-/-
Walking: 6-7 hrs; Uphill walk: 1,000 m (3,280 ft); downhill walk: 1,000 m (3,280 ft)

Day 8 : Departure

Location: Sofia

Meals Included: Breakfast

Transfer to airport for departure. B/-/-

What's Included

  • Accommodation

    6 nights at standard hotels in a double room with en-suite facilities; 1 night in a hut (shared facilities)

  • Airport Transfers at Destination

    airport transfers on day 1 and day 8

  • All Domestic Transportation (including internal flights)

    all ground transportation

  • Fully Guided

    English-speaking guide

  • Local Taxes

    VAT and all local taxes

  • Lift tickets

  • Luggage is transferred from point to point except on days 5-6

  • Meals

    meals as per program (B-breakfast, L-lunch, D-dinner)

What's Not Included

  • Country Entry Visas

  • Drinks with Meals

  • Entrance Fees

  • Tipping and Gratuities

  • additional transfers

  • Insurance

  • Personal exenses

  • Flight tickets

  • Drinks and meals not mentioned

Optional Extras

  • Extra transfer

    In days outside the itinerary. The price is per vehicle.

  • Map

    could be requested in advance when booking the tour

Accommodation

6 nights at standard hotels in a double room with en-suite facilities
1 night in a hut (shared facilities)

Mode of Transport

airport transfers on day 1 and day 8
luggage transfers from point to point (except on days 5-6)

Check out our Q&As

  • Are children permitted to take part in the tour?

    Yes, they are

  • What currencies are required for this tour?

    Bulgarian Lev

  • Are the local guides on the tour English speaking?

    Yes

  • Are all entrance fees included in the price?

    No ,they are not.

  • Are flights included in this tour?

    No ,they are not included

  • Can you assist with pre or post tour accommodation?

    Yes, on request.

  • Are airport transfers included in this tour?

    Private transfer Sofia airport - hotel on day 1 and shared transfer to Sofia airport on day 8

Reviews of this operator

Santana Musial  

Excellent company

12-Jun-2023

Excellent company. They hire really professional guides and the timeline of all the trips is done really well. We really enjoyed our experience and can highly recommend it. My husband and I did the 5-stans tour.

Hannah  

Penguin are fantastic!

12-Mar-2023

Penguin are a fantastic tour company - I have travelled with them twice now and have thoroughly enjoyed both trips. They are well run, excellent value, and go above and beyond to try to meet customers' needs and requirements. Would definitely recommend travelling with Penguin :)

Mauricio Alpizar  

Penguin Travel in 2023

19-Oct-2023

In 2023, I have joined extremely interesting trips organized by Penguin Travel. The destinations (Iraq, Pakistan, Angola and Chad) are so heterogeneous that any attempt to compare them would be nonsense. What I can confirm is that Penguin managed each one of these trips in a very efficient and customer-oriented way. Dimo and his team are committed to delivering unforgettable experiences. Besides, they regularly enhance their itineraries to adapt to changing conditions and to optimize the tour scope. All my groups were small, which contributed to a very friendly environment throughout the trips. I look forward to joining other Penguin tours in the near future.

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1 Select your preferred date

Saturday - Saturday

Jun 28, 2025 - Jul 05, 2025
$805

Saturday - Saturday

Jul 12, 2025 - Jul 19, 2025
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Saturday - Saturday

Aug 09, 2025 - Aug 16, 2025
$805

Saturday - Saturday

Sep 06, 2025 - Sep 13, 2025
$805

Book with Confidence

  • Low Deposit

    Penguin Travel requires a minimum deposit of 30% or the full booking value, whichever is less, with the final balance not due until 46 days before departure.

  • Cancellation Policy

    We don't charge a cancellation fee, here is a summary of penguin travel charges.

    Up to 46 days before tour starts: Forfeit 100% of deposit.

    At 45 days before tour starts: Forfeit 100% of booking price.

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