Nature & Culture in Bulgaria. Enjoy hiking trails and dive into diverse cultural experience.

If you are looking for a diverse experience that combines inspiring nature, ancient culture and blissful balneology, this program is perfectly tailored for you. We take you to the most exiting places in Bulgaria, revealing its natural beauty, historical heritage and healing energy. The focus is on hiking three of the amazing Bulgarian mountains - Rila, the highest, with Mount Musala (2925 m.) closing the roof of the Balkans, Pirin the steepest, with the impressive pyramid of Mount Vihren (2914 m.) and Rodopi - the most lyrical. This smoothly blends with visiting some of the UNESCO sites and enjoying the culinary, cultural and balneological richness of the country. Feeling exited? Check out the itinerary for this trip and book your ticket today!

Itinerary

Day 1: Arrival at Sofia Airport. Transfer to the hotel. Evening tour of Sofia. Welcome dinner and overnight.

We meet at Sofia Airport and we transfer you to your accommodation in the center of Sofia, the capital of Bulgaria. Check-in and some leisure time. We meet again for an evening tour of the city. We visit the ancient ruins of Roman Serdika, the early Christian rotunda of “St. Georgi”, the former Tsar’s palace, the Orthodox cathedral of “Alexander Nevski”, the Mosque of Banya Basi, the Synagogue – the biggest in the Balkans and the indoor market "Halite". After the walk we continue with a welcome dinner in one of the best contemporary restaurants in Sofia that captures the spirit of the city "`a la carte". We go back to the hotel for some good rest.

Day 2: Seven Rila Lakes Trekking. Transfer to Sapareva Banya. Hot springs bliss, dinner and overnight.

We wake up early, take breakfast, enjoy the coffee/tea and we transfer to the chairlift in the area of Panichishte in Rila Mountain. We take the lift to Rila Lakes Hut where our hiking trip to the Seven Rila Lakes starts. This area is considered as one of the world's energy centers and the seven glacier lakes that spread in the cirque are renowned for their beauty. They are set between 2100 and 2500m/6800 and 8200ft above sea level. Their names reflect their shapes like Babreka (the Kidney), Okoto (the Eye), and Salzata (the Teardrop). We take enough time to contemplate the landscape and we head down to the chairlift. We transfer to Sapareva Banya balneology resort where we enjoy an afternoon of hot springs soaking and relaxation. In the evening we check in at the guest house. Dinner and rest time.

Day 3: Rila Monastery and the old town of Bansko.

We wake up early in the morning, enjoy our breakfast and we transfer to the Rila Monastery. This is one of the most popular UNESCO sites in Bulgaria. It is the the most significant Ortodox Church establishment in the country that played a vital role in preserving Bulgarian cultural and historical heritage through the ages. We take a guided tour of the monastery, both the church and the museum. After this we hit a short trail through the forest that takes us to the cave of St. Ivan Rilski, the Patron of the Monastery. The legend has it that he spent most of his life as an outcast, he lived simply and spiritually in the mountain in a deep connection with nature and God. Once we recharge with the pure energy that runs through that sacred area of the mountain, we had back to civilization in the town of Bansko, renowned for its authentic architecture. The landscape changes a bit as we enter the area of Pirin Mountain. We see steeper and alpine style edges. We check in at the hotel. Leisure time, dinner and good night sleep is what follows.

Day 4: Hiking trip to Vihren Peak. Descend and transfer to the town of Dobrinishte.

We start the day with tasty breakfast. We transfer to Vihren Hut where our hiking trip to Mount Vihren begins. We take the moderate trail and enjoy the beauty of the alpine landscape. Mount Vihren is the highest in Pirin mountain - 2914 m. It is the third highest peak on the Balkans. The etymology of the name comes from the Slavic and means whirlwind. After the spectacular view from the top we descend down to the Vihren hut and we transfer to the town of Dobrinishte which is another popular balneology resort. We enjoy the healing sources of the water, have dinner and a good night rest.

Дay 5: High Mountain Train transfer to Velingrad balneology resort. Hot springs bliss, dinner and overnight.

We start the day with delicious breakfast. We catch the small mountain train to Veligrad balneology resort. The train is a popular attraction both for local people and foreign visitors. For couple of hours it takes us through a senic mountain trail to Velingrad. Today we spend the whole afternoon relaxing and treating our bodies with the bliss of the hot springs.

Day 6: Transfer to Trigradsko Zhdrelo Gorge. Mythology and culture trip. Traditional dinner and overnight.

We wake up energized and ready for the exitment of the new day. We enjoy breakfast and coffee/tea. We transfer to Trigradsko Zhdrelo Gorge where the mythological part of our trip starts. We visit the amazing Dyavolsko Garlo cave (Devil's Throught), the colourful Yagodinska cave and the authentic village of Shiroka Laka. After a day full of impressions, we transfer to our hotel in Smolyan where a traditionally set dinner awaits us.

Day 7: Hiking trip through the Waterfalls Canyon in Rodopi Mountain. Transfer to Plovdiv. Evening tour of the city, dinner and overnignt.

We enjoy the beutiful morning, the food and the coffee/tea and we are ready for the new adventure. We transfer to the beginning of the Waterfalls Canyon trail where our hiking trip begins. We have the option here to take the first part of the trail by horse, assisted by Rizov Horse School. Whichever we choose, we are going to enjoy to the fullest the beauty of this mountain area - the sound of the waterfalls, the forest the view. Around noon we transfer to Plovdiv. On our way we visit Bachkovski Monastery, the second biggest after Rila Monastery. It is a popular pilgrim destination because of the miraculous icon of the Blessed Virgin Mary. We also visit Chudnite mostove (Wonder Bridges). This is a natural phenomenen that was formed by the river Erkupria. Enriched with new knowledge and emotions, we stop in Plovdiv for the night. We take an evening tour of the ancient city, enjoy dinner and take some good rest.

Day 8: Morning sightseeing of Plovdiv. Transfer to Sofia. Goodbie dinner and overnight.

We start the day with some leisure time. Everyone is free to visit sights of interest in the city. At noon we meet at the hotel and we transfer to Sofia. We check in at our accommodation. In the evening we take another guided tour of the city. We enjoy a Goodbie dinner and go back to the hotel.

Day 9: Transfer to Sofia Airport.

> Those of you who have an early flight will be transferred to Sofia Airport.

> If your flight departs in the evening you can opt for a hiking trek in Vitosha Mountains (included in the package price). The tour starts with a transfer to Aleko Hut. Then we go up to Kamen Del Peak which offers the best view to Sofia. From there we take the trail down to Boyana Waterfall. The trip finishes with a visit of the Boyana Church which is one of the most popular cultural sights in Sofia.

> If your flight departs in the evening you can also opt for a paragliding flight over Sofia (not included in the package price). This is one of the best ways to enjoy a panoramic view of the city before saying "Goodbie". Price is 120 BGN per person, photos and videos included.

Accommodation: three-star hotels and family guest houses; breakfast and supper included.

Hiking trails and hiking time: Moderate trail. Hiking base time is estimated on each day (not including stops for pictures, breaks, lunch etc.). The longest trail takes up to six (6) hours. However, this may differ depending on the group and the hiking experience of each individual.

Other Details

Level of experience: Intermediate

Fitness Level: Fit

Equipment: Participants should bring the following items with them: hiking boots, rucksack, trekking poles, water and windproof jacket, rain cover, sun hat, sunscreen, sunglasses, warm hat and gloves, water bottle (1.5L), travel liner (optional), torch, personal first aid kit.

Your Mountain Guide:

Borislav Dimitrov is an experienced certified mountain guide and co-founder of Go Go Adventures Trips Ltd. He is passionate mountaineer and would literary go miles to find the best adventure treks for you. Safety always comes first for Bobi, so you should feel assured that your trip will be handled with care and professionalism in order to have the best hiking experience possible.

Price:

Individual:

Group of two:

Group of three:

Group of four and above:

Price includes: trasportation during the whole trip, 8 nights accommodation, breakfasts and suppers, mountain and medical insurance, English-speaking mountain guide, cable car and train tickets, SPA and Wellness centers entry taxes, all local taxes.

Price does not include: caves and museums entry fees (appr. 20-25 Euros/pers.); extra food and drink; SPA procedures.