Explore The ... - <Em>Mountains</Em> Of <Em>Bulgaria</Em> By Walking Softly Adventures
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A 3-mile long cable car line ascends 3,400 vertical feet into the Rila Mountains from its lower station in Borovets. A gentle walk through alpine meadows and groves of stunted mugo pines brings you to the still waters of the Musala Lakes. A great way to familiarize yourself with Bulgaria's capital city. A serpentine road twists its way to the meadows of Popovo Livadi at the crest of the range before descending to the Mesta River. About the website Newsletter Archives Press Clippings Client Log-in Passport information (from U.S. Accommodations on June 21 are with shared bath facilities. After about an hour of walking, arrive at the shores of the Ribno Ezero ("Fish Lake"), the largest lake in the valley nestled against the headwall of the lower B�nderishki Cirque. After lunch, travel by vehicle across the southern Pirin Range. After the hike, depart for the town of Bansko at the foot of the Pirin Mountains. All around you rise the snow-flecked ramparts of the Rila Mountains. As its name suggests the Bulgaria Factbook is a source of basic information about Bulgaria. Ascend past the lovely Hvo�nato Ezero ("Juniper Lake") to gain the crest of the range. Ascend to gem-like lakes cupped in mountain basins, and revel in the joy of a ridgetop walk where you can let the mountain breezes sweep your cares away. At the end of the day, follow a trail past Dolnoto Ezero ("Lower Lake") and continue through meadows and woods to return to the trailhead. Before dinner, wander through the streets of the village, or possibly, ascend to the St. Boyana�s frescoes have undergone nearly 40 years worth of restoration work. Cool your heels at the pretty Popinol�shki waterfall before traveling the rest of the way to Melnik by vehicle. Day 5 Breakfast, lunch & dinner included Overnight in Bansko Start your exploration of the Pirin Mountains with a choice of hikes in the B�nderitsa Valley. Day 9 Breakfast, lunch & dinner included Overnight in Sofia This morning explore Kovachevitsavillage, set on a bench above the gorge of the Kanina River. Deep in a forested valley, contemplate the frescoes that grace the walls and ceilings of the Rila Monastery, a testimony to the pride and faith of the Bulgarian people. Descend into the Vasilashki Cirque and hike through the Demyanitsa valley to trail's end. Descend past the small tarns of the Spanopolski Ezera and on to the Yane Sandanski Chalet in the Popina L�ka area on the southwestern slope of the Pirin Range. D�lgo Ezero makes a good turnaround point, or you can continue to the saddle known as Todorina Porta for far-ranging Pirin vistas. Enjoy a walking tour of central Sofia including the imposing Aleksandar Nevski Cathedral and the eye-catching Church of St. Enjoy walks to Bulgarian mountain villages, and savor the pleasure of an overnight stay in a restored village kashta. Follow paths through streamside meadows and groves of pine. Following the tour of central Sofia, visit the Boyana Church, a World Heritage Site, in the village of Boyana (today a hill suburb of Sofia. From atop the bluffs near the Sveta Zona chapel, enjoy classic views over Melnik. From the chapel, the path descends easily through flowering meadows and woodlands passing the chapel of St. From there, enjoy a panorama of Rila�s high peaks. George chapel that crowns a wooded ridge-top above the village.5 The village of Kovachevitsa in the Rodopi Mountains 5 Hiking from Kovachevitsa.5 Inside a Kovachevitsa house. Green meadows accented with clumps of pine and picturesque boulders make for joyous walking at the start of the day. I found the architecture and culture�including music�[of Bulgaria] more stimulating than I had expected. I had seen your slide shows, so I wasn't surprised by the beauty of the mountains. If energy and interest permit, hike even further to Okoto Ezero ("Eye Lake"), and Sulzata Ezero ("Teardrop Lake"). If you choose, you can continue through the sandstone pyramids of the Melnik "badlands" to the exquisite Rozhen Monastery. If you�d rather, you can enjoy a morning hike to Hvo�nato Ezero before traveling by vehicle to the Yane Sandanski Chalet to meet up with those hiking across the mountains. In a traditional Bulgarian mehana, fine food, drink, and music cap off your adventure-filled days. In the afternoon, travel back to Sofia by vehicle. Introduce yourself to Bulgaria; a warm welcome awaits you! Its cobalt waters reflect the grandeur of surrounding peaks including the brilliant limestone summit of Vichren, highest in the Pirin. John of Rila set in lush, deciduous woods on the slopes of the valley. Later in the afternoon, depart for the Rila Mountains and the village of Borovets, your base for three nights.5 The peak of Musala (right) seen from Yastrebets cable car station. Learn more about the architecture and art of the World Heritage Boyana Church outside Sofia. Looking south, you�ll gaze upon the summits of Deno, Irechek, Malka Musala, Musala, and Aleko. Mountains of Bulgaria by Walking Softly Adventures - Explore the trails of the Pirin, Rila, and Rhodope Mountains. Nicholas Russian Church, SofiaDay 1Breakfast, lunch & dinner includedOvernight in Borovets From central Sofia, the bulk of Mount Vitosha (whose name means "twin peaks") dominates the view to the south and hints at mountain adventures to come! Note: Your hotel in Sofia on the evening of June 13 is included. Other Details about this Trip Dates: June 14-22, 2008 Trip Leaders: Asen Marinov, Krasimir Ivanov, and John Osaki Price: $3,150 Single room for entire trip: $275 Lodging: 10 nights in 4 or 3 star hotels and inns. Perhaps the most beautiful of these, D�lgo Ezero ("Long Lake"), is edged by granite boulders and clumps of mugo pine. Photo by Asen Marinov 5 Hiking beneath the sandstone pyramids of Melnik en route to Rozhen. Portions of the monastery, which was inscribed on the World Heritage list in 1983, date to the 14th century though a large portion of the monastery was reconstructed in the 19th century after a devastating fire. Printable Version of itinerary Other Resources A good place to start learning more about Bulgaria is the Travel Bulgaria website. Proceed further into the mountains heading for the series of lakes that adorn the floor of the upper B�nderishki Cirque. Relax on the shores of Ribnoto Ezero ("Fish Lake"), Trilistnika Ezero ("Three Leaf Lake"), or the beautiful Bliznaka Ezero ("Twin Lake") which are set like gems in the main part of the cirque. Retreat to the cool comfort of a mehana in the nearby village of Rozhen for a mid-day meal. Settle in for the night in the picturesque town of Melnik at the heart of a wine-producing region.5 The Georgiiski Ezera (lakes) on the hike across the Pirin. Sit under an ancient grape vine and absorb the special ambiance and tranquility of this place. Starting from the Vada Chalet, hike through woods and meadows into the basin. The Boyana Church was built within the compound of one of thirty five fortresses that once defended the city of Sredets (Sofia). The church consists of three buildings dating from the 11th, 13th and 19th centuries. The interior walls of the 13th century structure�the Kayolan Chuch (named after its donor) is covered with frescoes executed in 1259 in Byzantine style by an anonymous artist. The monastery�s five-domed Sveta Borgoroditsa church dates from 1834 and is dedicated to the Birth of the Virgin; the walls and domed ceilings of its external gallery are graced with brilliant frescoes that will take your breath away! The more difficult hiking option continues up the ridge past Ledenoto Ezero ("Icy Lake") eventually gaining the summit of Musala at 9,397 feet, the highest point in Bulgaria! The murals depict 240 figures in 89 scenes and comprise one of the most important collections of medieval paintings in Europe. The road then ascends into the Rhodope Mountains. The Sofia City Guide is a great little website that "cuts to the chase" with information on the city�things to watch for and watch out for! The Sofia Echo is Sofia's English language newspaper. The trails of the Rila and Pirin National Parks will take you into the heart of some of the wildest mountain scenery left on the continent. The United Nations World Conservation Monitoring Centre provides data on Pirin National Park including its history, administration, physical features and a list of important plant and animal species found in the park. This evening, enjoy traditional Bulgarian cuisine at a farewell dinner! Those who want more hiking can ascend to Bubreka Ezero ("Kidney Lake") adjacent to a sweeping, "Sound of Music-style" ridgetop meadow called Suhiya Rid. Today you have the option of hiking across the Pirin Mountains via the pass known as B�nderishka Porta. Tonight, a splendid Bulgarian meal awaits at a traditional mehana ("tavern"). Under an ancient grape vine, immerse yourself in the palpable peace of Rozhen Monastery. Visit the Rila and Rozhen Monasteries and overnight in a well-preserved Bulgarian mountain village. Wander amidst the strange sandstone pinnacles of the sun-soaked Melnik badlands. Wander through the lake-spangled cirque carpeted by flower-filled meadows. Weather permitting, we�ll ascend via the cable car on a 23 minute ride to the Yastrebets Chalet (7,710 ft). You can continue further along a well-built trail to additional lakes tucked away in higher basins. You can wander through the impressive 19th century monastery kitchen and along the multi-storied, arcaded verandahs that ring the interior of the monastery compound. Your breakfast tomorrow is also included.5 Hiking in the Pirin National Park. Your destination is the well-preserved village of Kovachevitsa (3,500 feet above sea level) where you�ll enjoy an overnight stay at a superb traditional kashta lovingly managed by the Kapsazov family.