Pirin Mountains walking break
Pirin Mountains walking break
Pirin Mountains walking break
5 Days Starting and ending in Bansko, Bulgaria
Visiting: Bansko, Mount Vihren, Mount Polezhan
Tour operator:
Tour code:
740
Group Type:
Independent
Guide Type:
Self Guided
Special diets catered:
Vegetarians
Tour operated in:
EnglishTrip Styles:
Tour Overview
A five day self-guided Pirin Mountains walking holiday, within Pirin National Park which protects this spectacular range. The Pirin Mountains boast more than 60 granite peaks with elevations of over 2,500m and, on this short holiday, you trek to the top of two of them. These are Mount Vihren (2914m), Mount Polezhan (2,850m), but you also head up to the exquisite heights of Todorina Porta Pass at 2,550m, with superb views all around. This is a centre-based holiday, staying at a small, family-run hotel in Bankso, a popular ski resort in winter months
Highlights
Itinerary
Day 1 : Arrival/ Bansko
Location: Bansko
Accommodation: Hotel
Accommodation Name: Accommodation in Bansko
Arrive in Bansko, where you'll be based for the next four days. You can get to Bansko by public bus from Sofia, there are several departures daily, with a journey time of approximately 3.5h.
Day 2 : Todorina Porta Pass (2,550M) 15Km
Location: Bansko
Accommodation: Hotel
Accommodation Name: Accommodation in Bansko
Meals Included: Breakfast
A short transfer (30mins) brings you to Vihren Hut, from where you start walking. En route to the starting point, you can make a short stop to see the Baykusheva Mura, the oldest pine tree in Bulgaria, with an approximate age of about 1,300 years. First, you follow the river that runs beside the hut, but soon you make a left turn and start ascending on a rocky trail and reach the rocky peaks that surround the valley. Take a break at the two glacial Frog Lakes from where you can see the north face of Mount Todorka. You continue your ascent towards the Pass and, after a short and steep ascent, you get to the highest point for the day – Todorka Pass. A beautiful view awaits on a clear day – with the Eyes of Todorka (two glacial lakes) to the east, and Strajite ridge in the background. The return path will take you down to Demyanitsa hut and eventually to an asphalt road where your transfer will pick you back to Bansko.
Walking for the day: 15km, ?550m, ?1,000m, 7-8h
Day 3 : Mount Vihren (2,914M) 8Km
Location: Mount Vihren
Accommodation: Hotel
Accommodation Name: Accommodation in Bansko
Meals Included: Breakfast
After a short transfer (30mins) to Vihren Hut, you head towards the highest summit of Pirin National Park - Mount Vihren (2,914m). The route will take you to the peak through its southwest ridge, and the last section of the climb finishes with a slightly more technical part (no scrambling) facilitated by a steel rope. The descent follows a different path back to the starting point where your transfer car will be waiting for you to take you back to Bansko.
Walking for the day: 8km, ?? 1,000m, 6-7h
Day 4 : Mount Polezhan (2,850M) 8Km
Location: Mount Polezhan
Accommodation: Hotel
Accommodation Name: Accommodation in Bansko
Meals Included: Breakfast
Today you will explore a different part of the mountain, climbing one of its most scenic peaks, Mount Polezhan (2,850m). An early transfer will take you to the nearby town of Dobriniste (20mins), from where you will take a chairlift to the Bezbog Hut (2,240m), where your hike begins. The walk is much more relaxed than the previous day, although the last section is quite bit steep and rocky (no scrambling). Once you get to the top, in good weather, you will be able to enjoy an amazing 360-degree view, including some of the landscapes you explored yesterday. Return along the same path, taking the lift back to the car park, where your transfer will pick you up and get you back to Bansko.
Walking for the day: 8km, ?610m, ?610m, 6-7h
Day 5 : Departure
Location: Bansko
Meals Included: Breakfast
You depart using public transport (there is a local bus station with regular departures to Sofia and Plovdiv) or private transfer (upon request).
What's Included
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Accommodation
4 overnights in a small family hotel are included.
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Meals
4 breakfasts are included in the package.
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Transportation
All transportation as described in the itinerary is included.
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Route Notes and Maps
Detailed route notes and maps (a digital copy, provided before the tour) are included.
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GPS Tracks
GPS tracks are provided as part of the tour.
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Phone Assistance
24/7 phone assistance by our local office representative is included.
What's Not Included
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Insurance
Insurance is not included in the package.
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Airfare
Airfare and connecting land transfers are not included.
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Additional Meals
Meals not listed in the itinerary are not included.
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Chairlift Tickets
Tickets for the chairlift to Bezbog Hut on day 4 (BGN18 / €9 pp) are not included.
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Personal Expenses
Personal expenses such as phone calls, extra transfers, tips, etc.
, are not included. -
Unspecified Items
Any items not specifically mentioned as ‘included’ in the programme are excluded.
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Optional Transfers
Optional return transfer from/to Sofia is not included.
Mode of Transport
Transportation includes short transfers to hiking starting points and return trips to Bansko, with public bus options available from Sofia, and a chairlift ride to Bezbog Hut on day 4.
Accommodation
Enjoy 4 overnights in a cozy 3-star family hotel, Rahoff or similar, located in Bansko, providing a comfortable base for your walking adventures in the Pirin Mountains.
Check out our Q&As
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What type of accommodation is provided during the tour?
The tour includes 4 overnights in a cozy 3-star family hotel, Rahoff or similar, located in Bansko.
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Are meals included in the tour package?
Yes, the package includes 4 breakfasts.
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Is transportation included in the tour?
Yes, all transportation as described in the itinerary is included, including short transfers to hiking starting points and return trips to Bansko.
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What kind of support is available during the tour?
The tour provides 24/7 phone assistance by a local office representative.
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Are there any additional costs not covered by the tour package?
Yes, the package does not include insurance, airfare, additional meals not listed in the itinerary, chairlift tickets to Bezbog Hut on day 4, personal expenses, unspecified items, and optional transfers from/to Sofia.
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What is the difficulty level of the hikes during the tour?
The hikes involve some steep and rocky sections, but no scrambling is required. The ascent to Mount Vihren includes a slightly more technical part facilitated by a steel rope.
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What is the highlight of the hike to Mount Polezhan?
The highlight of the hike to Mount Polezhan is reaching the peak, where you can enjoy an amazing 360-degree view of the surrounding landscapes in good weather.
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What Ethical Travel credentials does the tour company have?
The Natural Adventure was founded by people who love hiking and cycling in wild and wonderful places. Places that we want to keep that way. Responsible tourism has, therefore, been at the heart of what we do since the get go.
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Am I contributing to any charity by booking the tour?
In April 2020 as a response to the COVID-19 crisis, we launched the Support Local Communities Initiative. We have enabled an option when booking a tour for customers to make a donation to support our local partners. 100% of the donations go directly to our local suppliers.
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Who will be my travelling companions on the tour?
Whether you’re travelling on your own, as a couple, a group of friends, or a family, our self-guided holidays allow you the freedom to choose your own holiday companions.
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What documents will I receive before I travel?
Our self guided walking and cycling holidays typically include: Accommodation, Breakfasts, Luggage transfers, Detailed holiday information pack including GPS-checked and regularly updated route descriptions, road notes and maps, 24/7 phone assistance by our local representative and/or our central office
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What policies are in place for Covid-19?
We are part of the 'Safe Travels' initiative.
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Can I join the tour once it has departed?
Yes, as long as you can reach the next location.
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Do you operate a “single share” option and how does it work?
Accommodations in double or twin rooms (solo travellers are usually accommodated in single rooms at an extra cost; we never mix and match)
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What happens if I need to change my holiday date once I’ve booked?
If possible, and entirely at the discretion of the Tour Operator, a change of the dates may be possible without charging an amendment fee, provided that it is requested at least 30 days before the departure date. In some cases, we will still have to pass to you any non-refundable charges imposed by our suppliers. In all other cases, change of dates will normally be treated as a cancellation.
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Will the accommodation included meet local health and safety regulations?
All places have been carefully checked by us and their quality is regularly monitored. We have selected accommodations that offer friendly service, clean and comfortable rooms and local flavour.
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How long has the tour company been trading?
The Natural Adventure was founded in the UK in 2009, by Peter Duncan, former UK Chief Scout and BBC Blue Peter presenter, and Alex Pazderski, an avid hiker and acclaimed expedition kayaker. Both natural adventurers and keen explorers of wild places and trails, remote communities and responsible tourism partners, Peter and Alex founded our company inspired by the responsible travel values t
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Low Deposit
The Natural Adventure requires a minimum deposit of 20% or the full booking value, whichever is less, with the final balance not due until 42 days before departure.
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Cancellation Policy
We don't charge a cancellation fee, here is a summary of the natural adventure charges.
Up to 42 days before tour starts: Forfeit 100% of deposit.
At 30 days before tour starts: Forfeit 50% of booking price.
At 14 days before tour starts: Forfeit 100% of booking price.