| DURATION: 8 days PRICE: € 710 |
DIFFICULTY: 2/3 (of 4) BEST PERIOD: June-September |
START/FINISH: Sofia TOUR TYPE: Self-guided |
Mount Rila is considered Bulgaria’s best alpine tourism site, offering a huge diversity of marked hiking trails of varied difficulty levels. Two large international tourist trails (the Е4 and the Е8) cross the mountain. The Rila offers not only the Balkans’ highest peak (Musala, 2925m), but also plentiful glacier lakes (more than 180, in fact!), deep river valleys, broad alpine meadows, and diverse flora and fauna. The Rila National Park is the largest of Bulgaria’s three national parks and one of Europe’s largest.
The walking treks are rather arduous and suitable for people experienced in alpine trekking, where rapid changes of the weather conditions may also occur. Some of the days offer opportunities for choosing between different hiking options, depending on weather and clients’ fitness.
A day trip to the Rila Monastery, a UNESCO heritage site and probably the most famous tourist attraction in Bulgaria is a natural extension of this tour, which many clients prefer to book with us. This involves an extra night in Sofia which is normally appreciated by everyone, allowing also more time to explore the capital. Check the ”Prices, Dates & Remarks” tab for further details.
You walk every day with just a daypack. The rest/unnecessary luggage either remains inside the transfer vehicle, or in your accommodation.
/The tour program can be shortened or extended. Check the OPTIONS tab to find out more. The order of the walks on days 3-5 can be changed for logistical reasons./
Day 1: Sofia
We meet you at Sofia Airport and transfer you to a city centre hotel.
Day 2: Sofia – Mount Cherni Vrah – Golden Bridges – Govedartsi (5,00-5,30hrs; 16,50km; +690m/-1120m)
A panoramic walking route takes you across the crest of Mount Vitosha, including climbing the local high point of Cherni Vrah (2290m) as a prelude to the arduous, yet more picturesque hiking treks across the Rila. Along the way, you cross the broad alpine meadows of the Torfeno Branishte (The Peat) Nature Reserve, dip into old spruce groves and follow a path to the stone rivers of the Zlatni Mostove (The Golden Bridges) natural feature. From here, you are transferred to the Rila Mountains and the village of Govedartsi for three overnight stays.
Days 3-5: (in the afternoon of Day 5 you will be transferred to Borovets resort; final details with the order of the walks from Govedartsi village will be available inside your tour program, which will be emailed to you prior to your arrival in Bulgaria)
Walk A: Govedartsi circular trail (5,30-6hrs; 20km; +720m/-720m)
A circular route through the low parts of the Rila above Govedartsi prepares you for more difficult hiking treks to come. Rambling along the path, you enjoy a fascinating kaleidoscope of changing landscapes and wonderful panoramas of rocky peaks and deep valleys in the Malyovitsa part of the mountain.
Walk B: Govedartsi – The Seven Rila Lakes – Govedartsi (6-7hrs; 16-18km; +1100-1300m/-1100-1300m)
A shaded path through the Rila’s ancient spruce forests takes you up to the alpine parts of the mountain and the Cirque of the Seven Rila Lakes. Located at between 2100 and 2500 metres above sea level, these famous glacier lakes will charm you with their magnificent scenery which you can survey from the edge of the highest one.
Walk C: Govedartsi – Malyovitsa – Scary Lake/Yonchevo Lake or Mount Malyovitsa – Malyovitsa – Govedartsi – Borovets (5,30-6hrs; 12-15km; +880-1040m/-880-1040m)
Today’s route takes you to the beautiful Malyovitsa Valley and thence high over the alpine peaks sheltering the secretive Strashno Ezero (The Scary) Lake. More enthusiastic mountaineers may opt for an alternative hiking trek to the Malyovitsa summit which offers incredible views over the nearby crests and peaks of the Rila.
Day 6: Borovets – Black Rock – Maritsa Hut – Saragiol King’s Hunting Lodge – Borovets (several options: 2-8hrs; 8-29,50km; +20-1260m/-20-1260m)
Today, you can opt between a brisk morning walk (combined with an afternoon visit at the King’s hunting residence in Borovets) and a rather long (yet not steep) hiking trek to another less-visited part of the Rila. The route passes through ancient coniferous woods and continues along the Maritsa River valley, gently climbing to the Royal hunting lodge at Saragiol, from where you return to Borovets along a different route (or use the chairlift to cut the mileage).
Day 7: Borovets – Mount Musala – Borovets (5,30hrs; 14,50km; +690m/-690m)
The attempt on the Balkans’ highest summit Musala (2925m) is left for the ultimate day. The hiking is not particularly arduous, yet is particularly panoramic, with the rocky face of Musala visible the whole time while you transit a number of Cirques, glacier lakes and mountain shelters. The view from the peak to surrounding uplands and peaks is head-turning.
Day 8: Borovets – Sofia
Transfer from Borovets to Sofia Airport.
Rila Monastery (UNESCO) extension: most tourists prefer to call on the Rila Monastery on their way to Sofia, or to have more time to see the capital by booking one or two extra overnight stays there. Booking additional days in Sofia before or after the tour also offers opportunities for day trips with us to Plovdiv, Koprivshtitsa, or Veliko Tarnovo. Contact us for further details.
Hiking time: hiking time only is mentioned on each day (not including stops for pictures, picnics, breaks, etc.); these are based on an average hiker’s speed of 4-5km/hr on flat terrain, additional 30min for each 300m elevation gain, and a backpack weighing not more than 10-15% of your body weight. Still, this varies a lot on the terrain and hiking experience of each client.
Limited time offer:
Price: 710 € per person in twin/dbl room
(Already saw a tour with similar program and price? Give us a chance to convince you why our offer is much better!)
Single room supplement: 115 € (obligatory for all individual clients)
Solo travelers supplement: 470 € (incl. also sgl room supplement)
(Traveling solo? Ask us to join you to an existing reservation in order to reduce the above price)
Rent of hiking poles: 20 €/person
Price includes: transfers to and from Sofia Airport (on first/last tour date only) and all other transfers in the itinerary (pre-defined/fixed schedule of the daily transfers, which you need to follow); accommodation in 3-star and family hotels (en-suite rooms); breakfast every day; supper on Days 2 to Day 4 incl. (options to have dinner outside your hotel in Sofia and Borovets resort are numerous); luggage transport; GPS tracks; detailed descriptions of routes in English; tourist maps of the Rila & Vitosha mountains; emergency hotline, and all local taxes.
Price does not include: cable car tickets; extra food and drink; medical insurance; personal expenses.
Best period: this tour can start every day during the period mid-June – mid-September; traveling on later dates is also possible (till the end of October), but with a program reduction (the climb to Mt. Musala will be waived since the lift used for it won’t be working after mid-September).
Extension to Rila Monastery (UNESCO): 110 € per person (in a group of 2 persons or more sharing a double room; single room supplement: 30 €) (included: pick-up from Borovets on Day 8 ->transfer to Rila Monastery -> 1,30-2hrs free time to explore the monastery -> transfer to Sofia -> overnight in 3* centrally located hotel (incl. breakfast); not included: lunch and dinner on Day 8, airport transfer on Day 9, guiding services).
Suggested versions of the original 8-day tour (mind the possibility to add extra days and hikes in other mountains of Bulgaria (Pirin, Rhodopes). We are flexible on making any combination, which would suit your travel plans. For full description of each day check the original 8-day tour or get in touch with our travel agent for details.
Option 1: 6 days/5 nights (suitable if your flights are on Day 1 and Day 6)
* N.B.: The order of the hikes may be changed for logistical reasons;
Day 1. Sofia Airport -> Sofia
Day 2. Sofia -> Vitosha Mountains -> Govedartsi (5hrs of walking; 13,5km/8,39miles; climbing 554m/1818ft and descending 977m/3205ft.)
Day 3. Govedartsi -> The Seven Rila Lakes -> Govedartsi (5-6 hrs of walking; 18,7km/11,6miles, climbing and descending 1310m/4298ft)
Day 4. Govedartsi -> The Scary Lake/Mt. Malyovitsa -> Borovets (5-7,30hrs of walking; from 12km/7miles to 18,7km/11,6miles, climbing and descending from 880m/2887ft to 1600m/5249ft.)
Day 5. Borovets -> Mt. Musala -> Borovets (5-6hrs of walking; 14,20km/8,82miles; climbing and descending 690m/2264ft)
Day 6. Borovets -> Sofia Airport
* N.B.: Option to book an extension to Rila Monastery (UNESCO) (scroll down for details)
Option 2: 4 days/3 nights (suitable if you are already staying in Sofia before the tour starts and extend again your stay there after the tour ends on Day 4)
* N.B.: The order of the hikes may be changed for logistical reasons;
Day 1. Sofia (morning pick up from clients’ hotel) -> Vitosha Mountains -> Govedartsi (5hrs of walking; 13,5km/8,39miles; climbing 554m/1818ft and descending 977m/3205ft.)
Day 2. Govedartsi -> The Seven Rila Lakes -> Govedartsi (5-6 hrs of walking; 18,7km/11,6miles, climbing and descending 1310m/4298ft)
Day 3. Govedartsi -> The Scary Lake/Mt. Malyovitsa -> Govedartsi (5-7,30hrs of walking; from 12km/7miles to 18,7km/11,6miles, climbing and descending from 880m/2887ft to 1600m/5249ft.)
Day 4. Govedartsi -> Borovets -> Mt. Musala -> Sofia (late afternoon drop off at clients’ hotel in Sofia (own arrangements) (5-6hrs of walking; 14,20km/8,82miles; climbing and descending 690m/2264ft)
* N.B.: Option to book an extension to Rila Monastery (UNESCO) (scroll down for details)
Option 3: 3 days/2 nights (suitable if you are already staying in Sofia before the tour starts and extend again your stay there after the tour ends on Day 3)
* N.B.: The order of the hikes may be changed for logistical reasons;
Day 1. Sofia (morning pick up from clients’ hotel) -> Govedartsi -> The Seven Rila Lakes -> Govedartsi (5-6 hrs of walking; 18,7km/11,6miles, climbing and descending 1310m/4298ft)
Day 2. Govedartsi -> The Scary Lake/Mt. Malyovitsa -> Govedartsi (5-7,30hrs of walking; from 12km/7miles to 18,7km/11,6miles, climbing and descending from 880m/2887ft to 1600m/5249ft.)
Day 3. Govedartsi -> Borovets -> Mt. Musala -> Sofia (late afternoon drop off at clients’ hotel in Sofia (own arrangements) (5-6hrs of walking; 14,20km/8,82miles; climbing and descending 690m/2264ft)
* N.B.: Option to book an extension to Rila Monastery (UNESCO) (scroll down for details)
Hiking time: hiking time only is mentioned on each day (not including stops for pictures, picnics, breaks etc.); these are based on an average hiker’s speed of 4-5km/hr on flat terrain, additional 30min for each 300m elevation gain, and a backpack weighing not more than 10-15% of your body weight. Still this varies a lot on the terrain and hiking experience of each client.
Where hiking specifics are not mentioned for a certain day, only transportation services are included (with time allowing sightseeing on your own in Rila Monastery – contact us for details).
Best period: the tour can start every day during the period mid-June – mid-September; traveling on later dates is also possible (till the end of October), but with a program reduction (the climb to Mt. Musala will be waived since the lift used for it won’t be working after mid-September). Advance booking is required as some accommodations are small and get fully booked months in advance.
Included:
– Pick up at Sofia / Sofia Airport
– All ground transfers as per program
– Accommodation in twin/dbl rooms with en-suite facilities everywhere, incl. breakfast (three-star hotels (Sofia, Borovets) and family pensions (Govedartsi)
– Dinner included in Govedartsi
– Luggage transfers
– Detailed route notes and maps, GPS tracks
– emergency hotline
Not included:
– Lift tickets and entry fees
– Drinks and extra meals
– Guiding services
PRICELIST:
Per person in twin/dbl room / Single room supplement / Solo travelers supplement (incl. also sgl. room supplement):
Option 1: 625 Euro / 100 Euro / 450 Euro
Option 2: 530 Euro / 75 Euro / 345 Euro
Option 3: 440 Euro / 50 Euro / 230 Euro
Extension to Rila Monastery (UNESCO): Mind the option to extend your stay with a tour to Rila Monastery (pick up from your hotel in Govedartsi ot Borovets). The price is 110 € per person (in a group of 2 persons or more sharing a double room; single room supplement: 30 €). The extension includes:
– pick-up from Borovets Resort or Govedartsi
– transfer to Rila Monastery and then further to Sofia (1,30-2hrs free time to explore the monastery on your own (no guiding services included)
– overnight B&B in 3-star centrally located hotel in Sofia
* N.B.: The extension to Rila Monastery can be done on your last tour day without an additional night in Sofia if your flight departs after 16:00 (the price then will be lower: contact us for details)
SCROLL DOWN FOR ALL DATES