Itinerary
- Day 1
Sofia
You'll get picked up at Sofia Airport and head to your hotel for the night. It's a chance to settle in and get some rest before the hiking starts tomorrow.
- Start point
- Столична, София, Bulgaria (Your Sofia airport arrival Terminal, 11:00 - 15:00)
Landmarks Sofia Airport - Day 2
Vitosha to Govedartsi
Starting from Aleko Hut at 1810m, you'll trek across Vitosha mountain through the Torfeno Branishte Nature Reserve. The route takes you past Zlatni Mostove, those striking stone rivers formed by golden-colored rocks, then down into the Rila Mountains. By evening you'll reach a family-run pension in Govedartsi village where you'll stay the night.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Dinner
Included Activities
- Trek from Aleko Hut across Vitosha mountain through Torfeno Branishte Nature Reserve
- Visit Zlatni Mostove (Golden Bridges) stone rivers
- Guided mountain hiking with English-speaking guide
Landmarks Aleko Hut Torfeno Branishte Nature Reserve Zlatni Mostove (Golden Bridges) Vitosha Mountain Rila Mountains - Day 3
Yonchevo Lake, Rila Mountains
After breakfast, you'll transfer to Malyovitsa resort and start climbing toward Yonchevo Lake at 2013m. From there the views open up across Rila's neighboring peaks and deep valleys. Later, you'll head back down through an old coniferous forest, finishing back in Govedartsi village.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Dinner
Included Activities
- Trek to Yonchevo Lake in Rila Mountains
- Guided mountain hiking with English-speaking guide
Landmarks Malyovitsa Resort Yonchevo Lake Rila Mountains - Day 4
Musala Peak Area, Rila Mountains
This day takes you toward Musala Peak at 2925m, Bulgaria's highest summit. You'll ride a cable car from Borovets Resort then continue on snowshoes to The Icy Lake refuge at 2710m for close-up views of Musala's rugged summit. Winter conditions mean skipping the final roped section, so you'll head back the same way to Govedartsi.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Dinner
Included Activities
- Cable car ride from Borovets Resort
- Snowshoe trek to The Icy Lake refuge
- Guided mountain hiking with English-speaking guide
- Snowshoes and poles provided
Landmarks Musala Peak Borovets Resort The Icy Lake - Day 5
Seven Rila Lakes to Bansko
You'll transfer to Panichishte Resort and take a cable car up to the Seven Rila Lakes Cirque between 2100-2500m. Walking among the lower five lakes, they'll be frozen and snow-covered but still beautiful to see. Later, transfer to Bansko where you'll check into a family hotel at the Pirin Mountains ski resort for two nights.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Dinner
Included Activities
- Cable car ride to Seven Rila Lakes Cirque
- Tour of lower five Rila Lakes
- Guided mountain hiking with English-speaking guide
Landmarks Panichishte Resort Seven Rila Lakes Cirque Pirin Mountains - Day 6
Bezbog Peak, Pirin Mountains
A short drive takes you above Dobrinishte resort where you'll board a chair cable car to Bezbog Hut. From there, hike to Bezbog Peak at 2645m to see panoramic views of the surrounding summits and ridges. Then it's a transfer back down to Bansko.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Dinner
Included Activities
- Chair cable car ride to Bezbog Hut
- Trek to Bezbog Peak (2645m)
- Guided mountain hiking with English-speaking guide
Landmarks Dobrinishte Resort Bezbog Hut Bezbog Peak - Day 7
Rila Monastery to Sofia
Leaving Pirin behind, you'll transfer to Rila Monastery, a UNESCO-listed site and Bulgaria's largest Orthodox Church establishment. Explore the 20m-high walls surrounding the cloisters, church, and chapel with their unique murals and museum collections. There are optional short walks to St. John of Rila's cave or the scenic sandy pyramids of Stob if you're interested. Later, head to Sofia for a gala dinner and your final night.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Dinner (Gala Dinner)
Included Activities
- Visit Rila Monastery (UNESCO listed)
- Tour of cloisters, church, chapel, and museum collections
Optional Activities
- Walk to cave of St. John of Rila
- Visit sandy pyramids of Stob
Landmarks Rila Monastery Cave of St. John of Rila Stob Pyramids - Day 8
Sofia
Transfer to Sofia Airport for your departure. If you'd like to extend your trip, additional nights in Sofia can be arranged, along with day trips to places like Plovdiv, Bachkovo Monastery, or Koprivshtitsa.
- End point
- Столична, София, Bulgaria (Your Sifia airport departure Terminal, 10:00 - 22:00)
Optional Activities
- Additional nights in Sofia before or after tour
- Day trip to Plovdiv
- Day trip to Bachkovo Monastery
- Day trip to Koprivshtitsa
Landmarks Sofia Airport
