Mountain Hiking Package - Bulgaria
Duration: 7 days/6 nights in resort
Trip Name:
Trip Ref:
Activity Level:
Highlights:
Mountain Trekking Adventure Bansko
ABA SP1407
Medium
This package is for reasonably fit persons who like to
challenge themselves. The package can be geared in the
level of hikes to the participants and is therefore just an
example of the range of mountain trekking in the
Bansko area.
DAY-TO-DAY ITINERARY
Day 01:
Tuesday Depart Dubai 20.30 hrs - Arrive in Sofia 23.50 hrs
Upon arrival in Sofia’s International Airport, meet our representative and transfer to the hotel (4
star). Assistance will be provided for room allocation and check-in. As it will be late snacks & cold
drinks will be provided.
Overnight at Hotel in Sofia including breakfast.
Day 02:
Wednesday AM - Transfer to Bansko (150km/ approx 3hrs )
After Breakfast we will start our drive to the Pirin Mountains passing Vitosha, Rila and Blaogoevegrad
before turning into the Pirin National Park and reaching our destination – an all season resort hotel,
which will be our Adventure Centre for the next 6 days. All rooms have ensuite bathrooms and
balconies. WiFi is available throughout the resort.
Absolute Bulgaria Adventure Ltd.
Cedar Lodge, Bansko, Bulgaria: [email protected]
Website: www.absolutebulgaria.com
Day 02:
Wednesday PM – Hiking in the Rila Foothills
Taking our packed lunches with us we will be driven 15 minutes to the start of the hike.
Following logging trails through the pine forests you will wind your way to a ridge. From
here you can view the splendour of the Pirin Mountain range where you will be hiking in the
next few days. Head back to base via the ancient town of Dobarsko, famous for its ‘holy
spring’ water.
Distance: 10km
Climbing: 200m
Descending: 200m
Drive time: 15mins
ALL TRAILS ARE MARKED
Dinner and Overnight at Resort Hotel
Absolute Bulgaria Adventure Ltd.
Cedar Lodge, Bansko, Bulgaria: [email protected]
Website: www.absolutebulgaria.com
Day 03:
Thursday - Hike to Yadarov Hut
After Breakfast we will transfer to the Radenka Resort and Spa from where we will start our
hike today. Our route takes us over the wide alluvial plain through meadows and across small
streams before we reach the foothills of the Pirin Mountains. We follow a trail which winds
through scenic evergreen forest before emerging on a ridge with a view across the Rila and
Rhodope mountain ranges.
Now the path gets steeper and after another 2 hours finally reaches the Yadorov Chalet (hut) at
1740m which is our destination today. Here we will enjoy lunch with magnificent views of the
high peaks of the Pirin Mountain range.
Descent via the mountain road and back to Radenka, where if time permits, there will be the
opportunity for a swim in their pool.
Distance: 18 km
Climbing: 750m
Descending: 750m
Drive time: 15mins x 2
Day 04:
Friday - Hike in the Pirin Mountains (including overnight)
After Breakfast you will be transferred to Dobrinishte and via the scenic mountain road (30
mins drive) to Gotse Delchev hut (1450m), where you will take a chair lift up to Bezbog Chalet
(2236m) for the start of today’s trek. After a short hike around Bezbog lake you will ascend a
ridge and from the top will see 3 glacial lakes, the largest of which, Lake Popovo, in the
distance, is our destination today. Along the way we will pass waterfalls and enjoy some of the
best mountain views in the “Switzerland of the Balkans”.
Absolute Bulgaria Adventure Ltd.
Cedar Lodge, Bansko, Bulgaria: [email protected]
Website: www.absolutebulgaria.com
Bezbog Chalet and Lake (2270m)
Lunch will be taken by the lake and we will return on the same route to Bezbog Chalet.
Difficulty: Easy-Medium
Distance: 15km
Ascent: 250m
Drive time: 30 mins
Hiking Time 6-7 hours
Descending: 250m
As this is high mountain country early in the season (June) you may encounter snow in the
passes which can alter the grading to challenging. At any time in the summer months
weather conditions may be variable (including strong sun, high winds, and low cloud/poor
visibility). You should be prepared with the correct clothing/protection for all conditions.
Dinner and Overnight at Bezbog Chalet
Absolute Bulgaria Adventure Ltd.
Cedar Lodge, Bansko, Bulgaria: [email protected]
Website: www.absolutebulgaria.com
Day 05:
Saturday - Bezbog to Vihren via Damienitsa Hut
After an early Breakfast we will depart for the start of our hike. The first part of the route to
follows the trail we took yesterday, after an hour we branch off west and continue on our climb
above the tree line to the Todorka Porta from where you can see the 7 lakes of the high Pirin
range. From here it is a 2 hour downhill hike passing the lakes (where you can take a swim if it’s
hot) along trails and meadows to the Vihren Hut where your transport will be waiting to take
you back to your base. (This is a full day’s hike and it can be shortened by diverting to
Demianitsa Hut and down to Bansko through a well-marked forest trail, if the weather is bad or
fitness levels are an issue)
On a clear day the views from the high point on this trail (Todorka Porta) are magnificent
Difficulty –Medium
Distance: 22 km
Hiking Time: 6- 8 hours
Ascent: 650m
Descending: 320m
Absolute Bulgaria Adventure Ltd.
Cedar Lodge, Bansko, Bulgaria: [email protected]
Website: www.absolutebulgaria.com
Day 06:
Sunday – Free Day You can decide on your own schedule or choose from one of the following
Option 1 Horse-Riding
You will learn the basics of
horsemanship, including grooming and
stable management, and then enjoy
horseback riding for the first time. For
experienced riders, opportunities exist
for guided group rides across rolling
countryside and forest trails.
(Maximum 10 persons)
Option 2 ATV Tour
Off road Mountain Buggies offer you
both excitement and safety. The 250cc
four-stroke two seat buggies are fully
featured with 4 point racing safety
harnesses, lights, indicators and are fully
“street legal“. You will be led by
experienced guides who know all the
best routes. 90% of the Buggy routes are
across country tracks, forest trails and
mountain tracks, so you are
guaranteed maximum off road
experience in this exhilarating
activity. (Maximum 9 persons)
Option 3 Mountain Biking
Absolute Bulgaria Adventure Ltd.
Cedar Lodge, Bansko, Bulgaria: [email protected]
Website: www.absolutebulgaria.com
Distance: 26 km
Total climb: 330 metres
Highlight: A small hidden archaeological dig and spectacular views from ‘The Lookout’
A short transfer to Bansko Heights, 4 kms above Bansko, to pick up a trail known as ‘Dead Dog’. Starting off on
forest trails which winds its way up deep in to the forest between Bansko and Dobronishte. About 3 or 4kms
into the trail there is some great downhill, which although has some quite technical parts is still enjoyable for
all levels. After a short stop at a very interesting archaeological dig, out to a point we call ‘The lookout’ for
spectacular views across the valley.
Depending on your ability there are 2 routes to descend from this (technical downhill or fairly easy cart track).
Descending to the valley floor where you will pass a reservoir before heading off toward the next village of
Dobrnishte. A short stop in one of the many cafes or bars in Dobronishte . Heading back off across the valley
over the railway line, over a small stream there is a reasonably short climb and a stream crossing before a
short downhill after which you will head back up to Bansko on a flattish loggers trail. Great views towards
Bansko and Razlog.
OPTION 4 Visit BANSKO Town Centre
Bankso in the winter months of December to March is one of the Balkan Peninsulas’ top ski resorts,
however once the ski season finishes it is a normal everyday working town, so it is very easy to get
the feel of the 'real' Bulgaria. The picturesque Town Centre has kept alive its centuries old traditional
way of decorating the houses, with its stone and wood clad buildings and its cobbled streets.
Absolute Bulgaria Adventure Ltd.
Cedar Lodge, Bansko, Bulgaria: [email protected]
Website: www.absolutebulgaria.com
With fountains, waterfalls and
many cafes/snack bars bordering
it, you can enjoy a winding walk
through some of the town’s
picturesque back streets which
will be a look into the past, with
the high walls and decorative
gates, almost all the cobbled
streets lead back to the square.
Option includes lunch in a typical
Bulgarian restaurant (Mehana)
Day 07
Monday - Hike to the summit of Vihren
For those who enjoy a challenge it’s time to attempt the Pirin’s premier summit, Vihren.
At 2914m (9704ft) Vihren is the third highest mountain on the Balkan Peninsular.
Difficulty – Medium/Challenging
Distance - 18kms
Ascent - 964 mtr
Descent – 964 mtrs
Absolute Bulgaria Adventure Ltd.
Cedar Lodge, Bansko, Bulgaria: [email protected]
Website: www.absolutebulgaria.com
After an early Breakfast we will transfer to Vihren Hut is at 1950m, on an asphalted road 16
Vihren Hut, the starting point for today’s hike km. above the town of Bansko. The road is open
from end April to early November.
After climbing through low forest and alpine
meadows we trek around the Golem Kazan
(The Giant Cauldron) area beneath the
breathtaking sheer 300m/1000ft northern
wall of Vihren.
The views are stunning, yet they are just the
prelude to the panoramas that opens up from
the summit over a sea of jagged peaks with the
possibility to see all the way to Greece on a clear
day.
Although the rivers in the Pirin take their sources from the mountain and there are many springs,
on some long hikes like today you won’t find water during the whole day so we will be carrying
sufficient in our back packs. Your Guides are very experienced and are familiar with the trails, so
you will make it safely to the summit, weather conditions permitting.
Absolute Bulgaria Adventure Ltd.
Cedar Lodge, Bansko, Bulgaria: [email protected]
Website: www.absolutebulgaria.com
Day 08
Tuesday
After Breakfast we will depart for SOFIA and arrive at Terminal 1 approximately 2 hrs before
departure – in time to buy to any last minute gifts or souvenirs.
***End of Arrangement**
The costs include:
- All arrival, departure transfers and drives by a private vehicle with seat belts and airconditioning accompanied by English speaking instructor/ representative/ escort.
- 1 night stay at 4 star hotel in Sofia on twin room basis
- 6 nights stay in a 3 Star resort hotel in Bansko area on twin room basis
- All trekking permits and fees including lift pass
- All breakfast, lunch and dinner during the stay in Bulgaria according to the itinerary.
The costs exclude:
- International Airfare to/from Sofia.
- Bulgarian tourist visa (if required) see http://www.mfa.bg/en/pages/109/index.html
- Optional Activities on Day 06
- Items of a personal nature such as telephone calls, laundry, mineral water and any extra costs
incurred due to natural calamities, flight delays etc.
- Personal insurance, evacuation and medical expenses.
- Anything that is not specifically mentioned in above cost includes section.
Absolute Bulgaria Adventure Ltd.
Cedar Lodge, Bansko, Bulgaria: [email protected]
Website: www.absolutebulgaria.com