You’ll stay at the 3-star B&#x26;B Hotel Sofia Place (or similar) in the centre of town. The hotel features a restaurant serving local and international cuisine, a cosy lobby bar, free Wi-Fi, a sauna and a fitness centre. Breakfast is included.

Sofia

You’ll stay in small, three-star, family-run hotels and guesthouses in a twin room. These typically feature en-suite, private balconies, an onsite restaurant that serves traditional Bulgarian food, Wi-Fi and stellar mountain views.
You will be staying in single rooms by default on this trip. If you're travelling as a couple or with other people and would like a twin/double room please let your host know when booking.

The Mountains

You’ll stay at the 3-star B&B Hotel Sofia Place (or similar) in the centre of town. The hotel features a restaurant serving local and international cuisine, a cosy lobby bar, free Wi-Fi, a sauna and a fitness centre. Breakfast is included.

You’ll stay in small, three-star, family-run hotels and guesthouses in a twin room. These typically feature en-suite, private balconies, an onsite restaurant that serves traditional Bulgarian food, Wi-Fi and stellar mountain views.


You will be staying in single rooms by default on this trip. If you're travelling as a couple or with other people and would like a twin/double room please let your host know when booking.

Cancel up to 31 days before departure and we'll transfer your deposit into credit for a future booking.

Transferrable Deposits

Free date changes up to 31 days before departure.

Free Date Changes

You'll be crossing complex terrain for several hours a day, so a decent level of fitness is recommended.

Bulgarian food is very Mediterranean in flavour. Popular dishes include shopska (similar to Greek salad), moussaka, pastries, stuffed vine leaves, cured meats and hearty stews. Common ingredients are yogurt, cheese, legumes and vegetables. You will be dining at a variety of restaurants, hotels, pubs and wineries, however, all dinners and breakfasts are included in the tour price, except the first night where you're free to experience the city's many restaurants for yourself. Most dietary requirements can be catered for, just let your host know in advance.

Hike the Lakes and Mountains of Bulgaria

You'll be picked up on arrival and dropped off in time for departure. Transfers are included if you arrive on the start day, so please let your host know your flight time. You will be dropped off at the airport on the last day at approx. 18:00, please book flights departing after 20:00.

Guides

4 nights in comfortable, family-run hotels

Accommodation

Meals

To and from the airport and everything in-between

Transfers

Permits

4 nights in comfortable, family-run hotels

To and from the airport and everything in-between

Travel to the buzzing city of Sofia and check into your B&#x26;B in the centre of town. Spend the evening exploring, taking in the sights and experiencing your first taste of Bulgarian cuisine.

Day 1

Head deep into the Rila Mountains and hike through a spectacular alpine landscape of flower-filled meadows and glacial lakes, including the brilliantly named Strashno Ezero (Scary Lake). Descend to Yonchevo Lake and complete the loop back to the trailhead before driving to the nearby village of Govedartsi, where you'll stay in a friendly family-run pension.

Hike the Malyovitsa Valley

Day 2

Drive to Panichishte and take a cable car to the start of the Seven Rila Lake Cirque. Spend the day hiking through a world of jagged ridges, alpine meadows and glacial lakes that will take your breath away. Every step of the way the scenery is magnificent, especially when you reach the high point and look back over what you’ve just accomplished. From the trailhead, drive to the town of Bansko in the Pirin Mountains where you'll spend the next two nights at a family-run hotel.

The Seven Rila Lakes cirque

Day 3

Ascend through the dramatic Golem Kazan (Giant Cauldron) beneath the sheer face of Mount Vihren (2915m). Your guide will point out endangered edelweiss, rare wallcreeper and hopefully some shy Balkan Chamois. Enjoy the spectacular views from the top and then return to your hotel in Bansko.

Hike Mount Vihren

Day 4

Take the cable car to the Bezbog Hut and hike to the summit of Mount Polezhan (2851m) along the classic northeast ridge route. Enjoy a panoramic view of 17 blue, alpine lakes from the peak and then head back to Sofia in time for your flight home.

Mount Polezhan (2851m) and home

Day 5

Travel to the buzzing city of Sofia and check into your B&B in the centre of town. Spend the evening exploring, taking in the sights and experiencing your first taste of Bulgarian cuisine.

Head deep into the Rila Mountains and hike through a spectacular alpine landscape of flower-filled meadows and glacial lakes, including the brilliantly named Strashno Ezero (Scary Lake). Descend to Yonchevo Lake and complete the loop back to the trailhead before driving to the nearby village of Govedartsi, where you'll stay in a friendly family-run pension.

Drive to Panichishte and take a cable car to the start of the Seven Rila Lake Cirque. Spend the day hiking through a world of jagged ridges, alpine meadows and glacial lakes that will take your breath away. Every step of the way the scenery is magnificent, especially when you reach the high point and look back over what you’ve just accomplished. From the trailhead, drive to the town of Bansko in the Pirin Mountains where you'll spend the next two nights at a family-run hotel.

Ascend through the dramatic Golem Kazan (Giant Cauldron) beneath the sheer face of Mount Vihren (2915m). Your guide will point out endangered edelweiss, rare wallcreeper and hopefully some shy Balkan Chamois. Enjoy the spectacular views from the top and then return to your hotel in Bansko.

Take the cable car to the Bezbog Hut and hike to the summit of Mount Polezhan (2851m) along the classic northeast ridge route. Enjoy a panoramic view of 17 blue, alpine lakes from the peak and then head back to Sofia in time for your flight home.

British Pound Sterling

twin/dbl room in 3* Sofia hotel, incl. breakfast and transfer to the airport,

single room in 3* Sofia hotel incl. breakfast and transfer to the airport. 

Hiking Poles

Spread the cost with as many payments as you need. 

25% deposit to secure your spot

Change your trip date up to 60 days before departure.

Flexible Date Changes

Explore the rugged Pirin and Rila Mountains – considered the Balkan Alps - and stay in family-owned hotels

Hike along jagged ridges and through alpine meadows to visit remote glacial lakes

Summit two mountains - Mount Vihren (2915m) and Mount Polezhan (2851m) and stay in family owned independent hotels in between hikes

Soak up a wild landscape that’s home to bears, ibex, eagles and falcons

Hike along jagged ridges and through alpine meadows to visit remote glacial lakes

Summit two  mountains - Mount Vihren (2915m) and Mount Polezhan (2851m) and stay in family owned independent hotels in between hikes

Soak up a wild landscape that’s home to bears, ibex, eagles and falcons


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Hike the Lakes and Mountains of Bulgaria

Hike the Lakes and Mountains of Bulgaria

DURATION

LOCATION

ANNUAL LEAVE

GROUP SIZE

MEETING POINT

ACCOMMODATION

DIFFICULTY

Similar Trips

PROPER
ADVENTURES

EXPERT LOCAL
GUIDES

HASSLE
FREE

SMALL GROUPS
OF GOOD PEOPLE

Hike the Lakes and Mountains of Bulgaria

Hike the Lakes and Mountains of Bulgaria

DURATION

LOCATION

ANNUAL LEAVE

GROUP SIZE

MEETING POINT

ACCOMMODATION

DIFFICULTY

Similar Trips

PROPERADVENTURES

EXPERT LOCALGUIDES

HASSLEFREE

SMALL GROUPSOF GOOD PEOPLE

PROPER
ADVENTURES

EXPERT LOCAL
GUIDES

HASSLE
FREE

SMALL GROUPS
OF GOOD PEOPLE