Rila and Pirin Mountains and Lakes

Rila and Pirin Mountains and Lakes

35 Views
8 Days From

$1209

Rila and Pirin Mountains and Lakes

8 Days Starting in Sofia, Bulgaria and ending in 2770 Bansko, Bulgaria

Visiting: Sofia, Govedartsi, Borovets, Malyovitsa, Seven Rila Lakes, Bansko, Rila Monastery, Polezhan

Tour operator:

The Natural Adventure

Tour code:

364

Group Type:

Independent

Guide Type:

Self Guided

Physical rating:

Moderate

Special diets catered:

Vegetarians

Tour operated in:

English
From: $1209

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

The Rila and Pirin Mountains are often called the Bulgarian Alps, and for good reason. On this eight day, self-guided walking holiday, our carefully crafted itinerary takes you up to some of the ranges’ highest peaks, and across other magnificent glacial trekking terrain. You are based in two different locations, Govedartsi village and the historic town of Bansko, so that you get the most of both Pirin and Rila National Parks, their respective Mt. Vihren, and Mt. Musala being two much sought after summits. This trip also includes a trek to Seven Rila Lakes, and the UNESCO Rila Monastery

Highlights

  • Pirin National Park

  • Rila National Park

  • Mount Vihren

  • Seven Rila Lakes

  • Rila Monastery

Itinerary

Expand All

Day 1 : Arrival And Transfer To Govedartsi

Location: Sofia

Accommodation: Hotel

Accommodation Name: Hotel Krusharskata House or similar

Meals Included: Dinner

Once you arrive in Sofia, you are transferred from the airport to Govedartsi village (approx. 1.5h), located at the foothills of Rila Mountains, where you are based for the next three days.



Day 2 : Mount Musala (2,925M)

Location: Govedartsi, Borovets

Accommodation: Hotel

Accommodation Name: Hotel Krusharskata House or similar

Meals Included: Breakfast, Dinner

An early morning transfer (approx. 30mins) takes you to Borovets, the oldest mountain resort in Bulgaria, where you take a 40mins gondola ride to the Yastrebets area. You arrive above the tree line at an altitude of 2,369m, where you see your goal for the day: Mount Musala. Walk on a flat dirt road leading to Musala Hut, located next to Musala Lakes. After the hut, start hiking on a rocky trail which passes by a couple of glacial lakes, the most famous of which is Ledeno Ezero. From the top of the mountain (2,925m) in good weather, you can see as far as Greece to the south and the Danube River to the north. The way back is on the same trail, taking the gondola down to Borovets. A transfer takes you back to your guesthouse in Govedartsi.



Walking for the day: 14km, ↑↓ 700m, 6h

Day 3 : Mount Malyovitsa (2,729M)

Location: Govedartsi, Malyovitsa

Accommodation: Hotel

Accommodation Name: Hotel Krusharskata House or similar

Meals Included: Breakfast, Dinner

A short transfer (30mins) takes you to the start of your walk, Malyovitsa Ski and Mountaineering Centre. Initially, you follow a river which takes you to the Malyovitsa Valley. Walk for about one hour through coniferous forest to reach Malyovitsa Hut. Climb gradually to the summit, via the main ridge of the Rila mountains, with views across to the looking south to the famous Rila Monastery (which you visit on Day 5). The way back is along the same trail. When you reach the ski resort, you are picked up and transferred to Govedartsi village.



Walking for the day: 14km, ↑↓ 1,000m, 7-8h

Day 4 : Seven Rila Lakes (2,600M)

Location: Seven Rila Lakes

Accommodation: Hotel

Accommodation Name: Hotel Krusharskata House or similar

Meals Included: Breakfast, Dinner

In the morning you are transferred (1h 15mins) to the Panichishte area. From here you get on a chairlift which takes you to an altitude of 2,100m and the Seven Rila Lakes Hut. Your circular walk around the glacial lakes starts from here. Each of the lakes is named after its shape and characteristics: Lower, Fish Lake, Trefoil, Twin, Kidney, Eye and Tear, the highest one at almost 2,600m. The trail leads you past five of them, with an option to take fairly steep treks to the other two. The return path is to Vada hut, where you are collected and transferred back to your guesthouse.



Walking for the day: 13km, ↑ 610m ↓ 1,220m, 7-8h

Day 5 : Rila Monastery And Bansko

Location: Bansko, Rila Monastery

Accommodation: Hotel

Accommodation Name: Three-star family hotel Rahoff or similar

Meals Included: Breakfast, Dinner

After breakfast, a transfer (2h) takes you to Rila Monastery, a UNESCO World Heritage Site. The sanctuary was founded in the 10th century by the hermit Saint Ivan Rilski and boasts a collection of historic buildings: the Church of the Holy Virgin, a monastery museum, medieval kitchen and tower. Later you continue by car to Bansko, a Pirin Mountains ski resort where you stay for the next three nights.





Day 6 : Todorina Porta Pass (2,550M) Or Mount Vihren (2,914M)

Location: Bansko

Accommodation: Hotel

Accommodation Name: Three-star family hotel Rahoff or similar

Meals Included: Breakfast

A short transfer (30mins) brings you to Vihren Hut, from where you can choose between two great routes. En route to the starting point, you can make a short stop to see Baykusheva Mura, the oldest pine tree in Bulgaria at 1,300 years old. As both routes are equally inspiring, you can also consider booking an additional overnight in Bansko to do them both and get the most of your hiking adventure.



Option 1: Todorina Porta Pass (2,550m)



First, follow the river that runs alongside the hut, then take a left turn to ascend a rocky trail overlooking the valley. Here you find two glacial lakes – also known as the Frog Lakes, which are a great spot for a break. Looking north, you see the north face of Mount Todorka. 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 – the Eyes of Todorka (two glacial lakes) to the east, and the jagged Strajite Ridge in the background. The return path takes you down to Demyanitsa Hut and, after a bit more walking, you reach a road where you are met and transferred back to Bansko.



Option 2: Mount Vihren (2,914m)



The route takes you to the peak along its south-west ridge, the last section of the climb finishing with a slightly more technical part (no scrambling) facilitated by a steel rope. Once you reach the top of Mount Vihren, you are rewarded with spectacular views of the Pirin Mountains. The descent follows a different path back to your starting point, where you are met by your transfer, to take you back to Bansko.



Walking for the day (option 1): 15km, ↑550m, ↓1,000, 7-8h

Walking for the day (option 2): 8km, ↑↓ 1,000 m, 6-7h

Day 7 : Mount Polezhan (2,850M)

Location: Bansko, Polezhan

Accommodation: Hotel

Accommodation Name: Three-star family hotel Rahoff or similar

Meals Included: Breakfast

Today you explore a different part of the Pirins, trekking to one of their most spectacular peaks, Mount Polezhan (2,850m). An early transfer takes you to the nearby town of Dobriniste (20mins), where you take a chairlift to Bezbog Hut (2,240m), located next to a crystal clear lake, a beautiful starting point for your day’s hike. The walk is much more relaxed than the previous day; still, the last section towards the peak will be a 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 and see some of the places you explored on the previous day from another angle. You descend to the starting point along the same trail, and take the lift back to the car park where you are met and transferred back to Bansko.



Walking for the day: 8km, ↑610m, ↓610m, 6-7h

Day 8 : Departure

Location: Bansko

Meals Included: Breakfast

Depart by public transport (there is a local bus station with regular departures to Sofia and Plovdiv) or private transfer (upon request).



What's Included

  • Accommodation

    7 overnights in small family hotels/guesthouses

  • Meals

    Meal plan as described in the itinerary (7 breakfasts, 5 dinners)

  • All transportation as described in the itinerary

  • Airport Transfers at Destination

    Airport transfer to Govedartsi upon arrival

  • Detailed route notes and maps (a digital copy, provided before the tour)

  • GPS tracks

  • 24/7 phone assistance by our local office/representative

What's Not Included

  • Insurance

    Travel insurance

  • Airfare and connecting land transfers

  • Meals not listed in the itinerary

  • Tickets for the gondola in Borovets on day 2 (BGN15, €8 per person)

  • Tickets for the chairlift to the Rila Lakes on day 4 (BGN12, €6 per person)

  • Tickets for the chairlift to Bezbog Hut on day 7 (BGN18, €9 per person)

  • Personal expenses such as phone calls, extra transfers, tips, etc.

  • Any items not specifically mentioned as ‘included’ in the itinerary

  • Return transfer to Sofia at the end of the trip

Check out our Q&As

  • Is there any free time to explore places during the tour?

    As detailed in the itinerary

  • Are all entrance fees included in the price?

    No

  • Are flights included in this tour?

    No

  • Will I know the names and details of all the accommodation before I depart?

    Yes

  • Are airport transfers included in this tour?

    Airport transfer to Govedartsi upon arrival

  • When to go?

    This trip is available from late June until the end of September. Weather is best in July and August. Generally the trip can depart on each Sunday, Monday and Tuesday, although we can cater for departure on other dates, but with some itinerary amendments (upon request).



    The climate is temperate continental with an average 200 days of sunshine a year. It is influenced both by the colder air coming from the north and by the warmer breeze from the Mediterranean. Depending on location and altitude, temperatures vary, but between June-September daily averages are 15-25C. Spring and autumn are pleasant with cold nights and occasional rain and thunderstorms. High summer daytime temperatures are rarely too hot as, even though temperatures can occasionally reach 30C, the mountains and forests remain cooler, dropping at night to 5-15C.



  • What is the fitness level required to do this tour?

    Appropriate for experienced walkers in good physical shape. The walks take an average of 7-8h per day with approximately 800-1,000m ascent/descent (read more about difficulty grades). None of the routes involves scrambling, and there are no sheer drops, but most of the paths are steep and rocky, requiring sure-footedness. Most of the routes can be shortened in case you find them too difficult



    Most of the trails are well-marked and signposted. We strongly advise you to follow only marked trails and never try to shorten the path through the unknown and unmarked terrain. We will provide you with detailed road notes, maps and GPX tracks and you can call our 24/7 local assistance phone number anytime. More detailed info on route navigation will be included in your holiday information pack



  • 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.

  • 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.

  • 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.

  • 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

  • What policies are in place for Covid-19?

    We are part of the 'Safe Travels' initiative.

  • Can I join the tour once it has departed?

    Yes, as long as you can reach the next location.

  • 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)

  • 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.

  • 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.

  • 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

Reviews from travellers on this tour

Paul C  

Summits and Lakes of Rila and Pirin

06-Sep-2022

Couldn't fault the holiday. Very well organized, great selection of routes. Excellent hosts at the two hotels we stopped at, very helpful & friendly.

Bingo  

Natural Adventure Never Disappoints!

12-Jul-2023

This hike in Rila and Pirin is very well planned! You get to hike to the highest mountains of this country and stay at a few family hotels which make your stay even better!

Daisy  

What an Experience!

12-Sep-2022

My sister and I are experienced trekkers and were looking for something quite challenging and adventurous and this really delivered! Climbing the highest peak in the Balkans was absolutely incredible as well as the seven lakes of Rila and the absolutely excruciating Vihren peak. Everything was organised perfectly, the info packs were really detailed and useful, the gps tracker never failed us, the accommodation was perfect and the hosts were SO welcoming and went the extra mile to cater for our dietary preferences (vegan) and made us feel so at home and helped make this an unforgettable trip. Can't recommend enough, we had all the benefits of the trek with none of the faff. Thank you!

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Book with Confidence

  • 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.

  • 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.

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