Nice Places in Bulgaria. Bulgaria Guide.

Tours in Bulgaria - Mountain trekking
There are claimed to be 140 lakes in the Rila, and have given the mountains their name. Rila is an ancient Thracian word meaning "mountain full of water". ...

Constantine and Elena HotelsStara Zagora HotelsSunny Beach HotelsSunny Day HotelsTroyan HotelsTryavna HotelsVarna HotelsVeliko Tarnovo HotelsVelingrad HotelsVidin Hotels » missing destination? As well as having the opportunity to visit the fascinating hill villages of Bansko and Melnik, our trekking rout is through the two major ranges, the Rila and Pirin mountains. There are claimed to be 140 lakes in the Rila, and have given the mountains their name. Rila is an ancient Thracian word meaning "mountain full of water". Few ranges in Europe have so many rugged peaks; 132 are over 6500 feet and 78 rise above 8000 feet. The highest is Moussala (9397ft), the highest in south-east Europe. The Pirin mountains are characterized by many limestone peaks, alpine streams and lakes. Our rout not only takes us into the heart of the range, now on the world heritage list, but to the top of Vihren, at 9564ft, its highest summit. The C grade aspect of this trek is reflected only in need to backpack for the periods indicated below. The rout is not difficult and average daily walking time is around 5 hours. For Days 5 to 9 and Days 11 to 13, it will be necessary to backpack - but not communal food supplies. Otherwise, all you need carry only a light daypack with items for the day.FOOD AND ACCOMODATIONAll food and accommodation are included in the tour cost. Apart from Sofia and Sandanski, where we will be in hotels, most of the time we will overnight in chalet/mountain lodges. As in all high mountains the weather can suddenly turn extreme; waterproofs, a worm sweater and good walking boots are essential items to take. A sheet sleeping bag, or similar, is recommended. A detailed list of personal equipment and clothing will be sent with confirmation of reservation.CLIMATEAlthough Bulgaria lies in the very south-east corner of Europe the climate is never extreme in summer. Better described as moderate continental, we will expect daytime temperatures between 68 and 75 F. Perhaps a degree or two cooler higher in the mountains. Given the time and location of our treks, we will not expect any significant rainfall other than summer showers, and perhaps a rare thunderstorm.The following itinerary is intended as a working guide only. It is subject to variation as a result of weather, local conditions and governmental restrictions. We reserve the right to alter (lengthen or shorten) any trek at any time if necessary.Dates: 18.6.2005, 16.7.2005, 20.8.2005, 10.9.2005 Day 1 Arrival in Sofia airport, transfer and overnight in Borovets (4290ft). The vertical eastern face of this rugged feet rises several hundred feet above the river. The observation platform on the cliff-top offers fine views over Raduilvillage, the Dolnobanska hollow and the town of Dolna Banya. Return to Borovets for dinner and overnight. A hour and a half's walk away is the Chakur Voivoda lodge (6562ft). A little over an hour's walking brings us to Sarugyol meadow and fine views of Deno peak (9153ft), the valley of the Prava Maritsa river and the Moustachal and Moulichal peaks. The Sarugyol lakes are another hour's walk from here. They owe their names (Sarugyolis the Turkish word meaning "yellow lake") to the abundance of yellow flowers surrounding them in summer. We then hike up Shatara peak (8186ft) for some fine mountain views. After enjoying a picnic lunch, we descend via another rout to take the chair lift to Borovets (6 hours walking). To the south, about two and a half hour's walk away, is the Mussala massif. We ascend on a winding path past the Mussala lakes to the top (9397ft). After a picnic lunch we descent to overnight in Borovets (5 hours walking). Transfer by coach to Vada mountain lodge in the North-Western Rila. After a pack lunch we trek to Seven Lakes, some of the most picturesque alpine lakes in the Rila mountains. If the lower part of the cirque, by the sixth lake, is Seven Lakes chalet (7205ft). Dinner and overnight here (five hours walking). We follow the path along a mountain ridge and up and over the Damga mountain (8760ft). The path then drops in a series of steep descents to Rila monastery, set in the thickly-wooded valley below. Behind its heavy gates is revealedexquisite architecture with high arches and columns, 1200 outdoor murals, sunlit verandahs and old fountains. Overnight in a chalet close to the monastery (6 hours walking). Just about here is one of the most scenic spots in the whole of the Rila mountains - fine views of the Elani, Orlovets, and Zlia Zub peaks and the Dvuglav and Iglata peaks. We cross from the left to the right bank of the Rilska river and hike up to Fish Lakes lodge (7316ft), between the upper and lower of the Fish Lakes. It becomes more verdant as we descend below the tree line to Semkovo chalet. Here we are re-unit with our main baggage. From here it is a short bus transfer to Bansko. Bansko is an old town with well-preserved 18-th and 19-th century houses. Bankso is also the startpoint for our trek in the Pirin mountains, Bulgaria's largest national park. From here we make circular walk which take us up Vihren (9564ft), the highest peak in the Pirin. From the lodge we take the path which leads up to Kazana shelter which lies at the height of the cirque ridgewhich divides it from the Malkiya Kazan cirque. Continue to the Premkata saddle and into Vihren. From the summit a steep path to the south leads to Vihrenski Preslap col (in half an hour) and descends past the Vihrenski Voda brook to merge with the path we took earlier. Continue to Vihren lodge and return by coach to Bansko. A short bus transfer brings us to the village of Dobriniste. At first we walk up a mountain road before taking to the trail which leads us to Besbog chalet (7400ft) where we overnight. Surrounded by the highest peaks of the Pirin, we press on up tp Tevnoto Lake, one of the Pirin's finest lakes. We pass by Tevnoto Lake shelter (8250ft) on its south-eastern shore. Cross the Kozi Preval (8235ft) and descent to overnight at Kamenitsa chalet. Famous for its beautifully - carved altar, the monastery church has stained glass windows, murals and fine icons. We visit the village of Melnik, currently in the process of preservation with the support of UNESCO. The houses have solid stone walls, wide balconies and large fireplaces, and are topped by small towers. From here we drive to Sandanski, one of Bulgaria's best known spa towns. Dinner and overnight in the Hotel Sandanski, a 4 star hotel - with swimming-pool. Free time for shopping and sightseeing in the afternoon. The particular hotels you will be accommodated in depend on the season and the tour and will be sent to you on more specific request.