Rila-Pirin-Rhodopes, the mountains of the South

Dinner and overnight on site.

Departure on foot at 1400m to an area of alpine pastures offering a beautiful view of the northern slope of the Rila Mountain. 2-hour bus transfer from the village of Bistritsa (1000 m) to Plovdiv, European cultural capital in 2019, south-east of Sofia, in the late afternoon. Accommodation in a small and cozy hotel near the pedestrian street in old Plovdiv, dinner at your leisure.
4 to 5 hours of walking, altitude difference + 400 m, - 800 m.

Day 3: Plovdiv/Batchkovo Monastery/“The Wonderful Bridges” /Smolyan
Visit old Plovdiv and its houses with beautiful colored facades, its streets, its Roman amphitheater, its museums... Transfer to the heart of the Rhodopes via the famous Batchkovo Monastery, home to precious artistic and historical testimonies, the oldest of which date back to the 11th century. Visit the monastery and its refectory richly decorated with frescoes. Then continue to the village of Zabardo for a hike to the “Wonderful Bridges”, two marble arches of spectacular dimensions (60m). Dinner and overnight in a small traditional charming hotel in Thepelare.
A total of 3 hours of walking, altitude difference +400m, -50m.

Day 4: Perelik Refuge/Chiroka Laka/Devin/Trigrad
Very beautiful hike that takes us on old caravan trails, and which offer beautiful views of the entire Rhodope Mountains. Crossing the Moursalitsa ridge and crossing the summit of the massif, Golyam Perelik (2191m) on foot. We go back down to the village of Gela. In the afternoon, visit the listed village of Chiroka Laka, with its characteristic architecture. The region is also known for its traditions of weaving and traditional songs (“The Mystery of Bulgarian Voices”). Road to the village of Trigrad, overnight stay in the village 1200m away, a few kilometers from the Greek border. Dinner on site.
6 hours of walking, altitude difference + 500m, -700m.

Day 5: Trigrad and Yagodina Gorges/Beglika
By a panoramic road overlooking the Trigrad Gorges, large cliffs carved into the limestone, exceeding 200m in height, we drive through fields and coniferous forests to arrive at the edge of the Boujnovo Gorges. Visit the Yagodina cave which has beautiful concretions. Continue to the village of Tchala and the Beglika dam (2 hours transfer); the atmosphere is close to that of the Great Lakes of North America! Accommodation for 2 nights in simple bungalows by the lake 1700m away.
5 hours of walking, altitude difference +550m/-350m.

Day 6: Lake Beglika by kayak
A quiet start to the morning to appreciate the beauty of the place. We embark on two-seater kayaks for a ride in this paradisiacal setting. Picnic on an island in the lake, or on land. In the afternoon, mountain bike ride or forest walk. Dinner and night in our accommodation the day before.
4 hours of kayaking (mountain biking or walking: 2 hours).

Day 7: Velingrad/Dobarsko/Bansko
We set off by bike along the road leading to the spa resort of Velingrad. Along the way, we will stop in Kostandovo to visit a traditional carpet workshop. Swim in a spa pool (hot water guaranteed) and lunch. Transfer to the village of Dobarsko located on the southern slope of the Rila mountain (1050m away). Visit the church built at the beginning of the 17th century, remarkable for its frescoes painted around 1614. We arrived in Bansko/Dobrinitche in the early evening. Accommodation for 2 nights in a hotel or family cottage. Dinner on site.
2 to 3 hours of mountain biking (approx. 22 km of trail), altitude difference +/- 100m.

Day 8: Pirin National Park
First approach to the Pirin National Park, the second largest massif in Bulgaria due to the altitude (over 2000m) of a very alpine character, the park is also classified as a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Small morning transfer (10km) to reach the small station of Bezbog at an altitude of 2200m. We start a nice walk in an area of alpine pastures to the largest lake in Pirin, Lake Popovo. Possibility to push towards the highest granite peak of the massif (Mount Polezhan, 2861m) which offers a magnificent view. Possibility to swim in one of the thermal water pools in the Bansko region, visit the city center which still offers a traditional aspect. Dinner and night in our accommodation the day before.
6 hours of walking, altitude difference +850m/-850m.

Day 9: Mount Vihren and its surroundings (Todorka Pass - Demianitsa Valley)
Bansko is considered “the gateway” to Pirin National Park, rich in dozens of mammal species (wolves, bears, foxes...) and classified as a UNESCO World Heritage Site. A 30-minute transfer takes us to the Vihren refuge for a start on foot at an altitude of 1950m (departure also possible from the Banderitsa refuge). We start our hike with a glimpse of a 1300-year-old pine tree!!! It is the oldest tree in Bulgaria. The highest point in the Park is Mount Virhen, which offers an impressive view of the great karst ridge and the southwest side of the mountain. If the weather is too bad to undertake this hike, we will take a stroll along the side of the Banderichki Lakes or a hike over the Todorka Pass to the Demianitsa River. Transfer to the Rila Monastery area, night at the nearby hotel, dinner at the restaurant.
6h30 of walking, altitude difference +1100m/-1100m.

Day 10: Rila Monastery/Rila Lakes/Maliovitsa
Early in the morning, we will visit the Rila Monastery, one of the most beautiful monuments in the country. This site is rightly listed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Founded in the 10th century, then decorated with a tower in 1335, the Monastery is one of the highlights of the Bulgarian Orthodox religion. Transfer to Panitchichte, north of the Rila Massif (approx. 1h30). A chairlift takes us to the Seven Lakes Rila chalet (2100m). Loop in the alpine pastures area to discover the magical Cirque des Sept Lacs; descent by the chairlift. Stop at the open-air pools in Sapareva Bania, before reaching the village of Govedartsi. Accommodation for two nights in a small hotel, dinner on site.
5 hours of walking, altitude difference +/- 550m.

Day 11: Maliovitsa Massif/Sofia
Departure for a beautiful loop in the Maliovitsa massif (summit at 2730m). The terrain is steep and stony at times. For those who wish, option to stay at Lake Elenino Ezero (2400m)... Descent along the same route. Transfer in the afternoon to Sofia, the capital (1h30), check in at the hotel. City stroll in the evening, free dinner.
6 hours of walking, altitude difference +/- 1000m.

Free meals.

The course of this program is given for information purposes only. It may undergo modifications or adjustments, depending on technical criteria, safety requirements or the climatic conditions of the moment. In this case, only those responsible for UCPA supervision are authorized to take the necessary decision (s).