Overview
Ascend Bulgaria’s two highest peaks
South-western Bulgaria is dominated by two dramatic mountain ranges, the
Pirin and the equally imposing Rila. We begin in the Pirin Mountains,
trekking across glacial moraines and high passes and attempting an ascent of
Mt Vihren (2914m). Moving on to the Rila Mountains, we visit the Rila
Monastery, a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Then cross the mountain range,
through ancient forests to the glacial lakes for which these mountains are
famed. We conclude by summiting Musala (2925m), the highest peak in
south-eastern Europe, before returning to Sofia. Highlights * Ascend Bulgaria’s two highest peaks
* Enjoy the well-preserved flora and fauna of the ‘Pirin’ and ‘Rila’
National Parks, with varied birdlife, brown bear, wolves and a wealth of
alpine flowers.
* Visit the Rila Monastery, a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
* Sample Bulgaria’s tasty national cuisine and outstanding regional wines. ItineraryDay 1
Fly to Sofia; transfer to Bansko.Fly to Sofia. On arrival in the late afternoon, we transfer 2 hours 45
minutes to our hotel in Bansko, an atmospheric mountain town at the gateway
to the Pirin Mountains, which will be our base for the next three nights. In the evening our guide will hold a welcome briefing and discuss the week
ahead and answer any questions. *Molerite Hotel or similar* Day 2
Hike across the Todrina Porta pass (2500m) via Vasilashki and Bandersihki
lakes.Having hiked up the Demyanitsa Valley, we start a long steady climb which
takes us first past the Vasilashki lakes, then two more small but beautifully
formed lakes known as the ‘Eyes of Todorka’. Eventually, we cross over the
high pass Todorina Porta (2,500m), an outstanding viewpoint, before
descending steeply via the Bunderishki lakes to the Vihren hut where we will
be picked up and driven on down to our base. This evening dinner is not
included, leaving you free to choose your own place to eat from the many
traditional inns and restaurants in the town. *Molerite Hotel or similar* Day 3
Ascent of Mt. Vihren (2914m), the highest peak in the Pirin Mountains.Today we will attempt an ascent of Mt. Vihren (2,914m), the highest peak in
the Pirin National Park and the second highest in Bulgaria. Beginning from
the Vihren hut, our walk takes us steadily up into the dramatic Golyam Kazan
cirque which lies directly beneath Vihren’s towering 400-metre high north
wall. Here, as well as enjoying breath-taking mountain scenery, we can also
find several beautiful endemic alpine flowers such as the delicate yellow
‘Pirin Poppy’. From the cirque, a long exciting scramble takes us up white
marble rocks to the summit, which on a clear day offers a wonderful panorama
over the entire Pirin range. There follows a steep descent back down to our
bus for the return to Bansko. Once again this evening’s dinner is not
included, leaving you free to choose your own place to eat. *Molerite Hotel or similar* Day 4
Visit the Rila Monastery, a UNESCO World Heritage Site and walk in the
surrounding nature reserve.Leaving Bansko, we transfer to the Rila Monastery, a UNESCO World Heritage
Site. As well as visiting the monastery itself, we will also have a pleasant
walk in the surrounding forests which have been designated a nature park.
During our walk we will have the chance to visit a couple of isolated chapels
and a cave which are closely associated with the intriguing life story of St.
Ivan Rilski, a local hermit who was to become the patron saint of Bulgaria.
Our accommodation for this night will be a hotel conveniently located in the
beautiful Rilska Reka valley, just a short drive from the Monastery. *Hotel Gorski Kut or similar* Day 5
Panoramic hike through the heart of the Rila Mountains.Whilst our luggage is transferred round the mountains by road, we make a long
demanding trek through the heart of the Rila National Park. Our route leads
us up and over one of the highest and most imposing ridges in the Rila
Mountains. Finally rejoining our bus on the other side of the range, we
transfer to our hotel in the small village of Govedartsi, where we will be
based for two nights. *Family Hotel Djambazki or similar* Day 6
Ascent of Mt Malyovitsa (2729m).Today we explore the region at the head of the Malyovitsa Valley and attempt
an ascent of Mt. Malyovitsa (2,729m), one of the highest and most imposing
peaks in this part of the Rila Mountains. The whole walk offers stunning
views, as well as an opportunity to observe an interesting variety of typical
alpine birds. We then return to our hotel in Govedartsi for a second night. *Family Hotel Djambazki or similar* Day 7
Ascent of Mt Musala (2925m); transfer to Sofia.Having checked out of our hotel, our goal for today is Mt. Musala (2,925m),
the highest peak on the Balkan Peninsula. To accomplish the ascent as a day
walk, we will use the cabin-lift from Borovets which will take us up to a
starting altitude of about 2,300m. The route to the summit is well-graded,
winding up past a succession of sparkling glacial lakes around the shores of
which one can find blooming the endemic ‘Rila Primrose’. We then end the day
with a short 90 minute transfer to Sofia, where we will spend our final
night. *Hill Hotel or similar* Day 8 Fly to London.Fly back to London
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