 Explore the beauty of nature amidst the magic of winter. Experience the serenity of the spectacular winter backcountry in two of the most appreciated mountains in Bulgaria - Vitosha Nature Park and Rila National Park. Even if you have not tried before, this tour will introduce you to snowshoeing – enjoyable activity that anyone who can walk will quickly master. The trek goes through mountain forests and meadows, alpine plateaus and peaks, valleys and slopes, in order to tire you delightfully before the evening spent in a cozy local family-run pension chatting over a glass of red wine and home-made delicious meals.
Snowshoeing is a bit harder than walking as the efforts in tracing the snow are persistent and sometimes rather demanding in terms of good physical condition.
TOUR HIGHLIGHTS
- Hiking in Vitosha Mountains, overlooking Sofia – the Bulgarian capital city
- Rila Monastery – one of the most famous tourist landmarks in Bulgaria
- Attempt to climb two of the highest peaks on the Balkans – Maliovitsa & Musala
- The tranquility of the snowy mountains outside the crowded ski resorts
ITINERARY
Day 1: Arrival at Sofia Airport and transfer to the centre for overnight.
 Day 2: Transfer to Vitosha Mountains. We start walking from the area called The Golden Bridges, named after the yellow lichens that cover the local ”stone rivers”, which might be snowcapped at that time of the year. Our target for the day is to reach the mountain base by Aleko hut, passing through one of the nature reserves on the plateau areas of the mountains – “Torfeno Branishte” (Peat Reserve). From here we take the bus down to Sofia to unwind (time permitting) before dinner. Overnight in Sofia. Walking time: 4hrs; uphill/downhill walk: 600/150m.
hiking on snow shoes in the mountains of bulgaria, rila and vitosha
Day 3: The walk today starts from the last point reached the day before – Aleko hut. After a transfer to that area we start snowshoeing uphill to the highest peak in the mountains – “Cherni Vryh” (The Black Peak), 2290m a.s.l. It takes some 2hrs to reach the top, where we can enjoy a cup of hot herbal tea and snacks before heading back along another route, encircling the rocks of “Malak Rezen” Peak. Walking time: 4-5hrs; uphill/downhill walk: 600/600m.
Day 4: Morning transfer will bring us to the renowned Rila Monastery (appr. 2,30hrs from Sofia) – UNESCO heritage listed site. Sightseeing tour and time for lunch before transferring further to “Panichishte” resort, from where we will make our way in the direction of probably the most famous area in Rila Mountains – the Seven Rila Lakes. Although frozen and covered with thick snow in winter, the region is still quite attractive at this time of the year. En-route we will pass by the frozen “Skakavitsa” Waterfalls. Overnight stay at The Rila Lakes hut. (*please note that you will have to bring along a change of clothes for this night as you will see the rest of your luggage in the evening of Day 5) . Walking time: 2hrs; uphill/downhill walk: 300/-m.
Day 5: The day will start with a circuit around the circuses of the Seven Rila Lakes (named The Eye, The Tear, The Kidney, The Twins, The Trefoil, The Fish Lake and The Lower Lake). Once finished we will start descending towards Maliovitsa resort through the venerable woods of Macedonian pines, where the bus will take us for overnight stay in a cozy family pension in the village of Govedartsi. Walking time: 5-6hrs; uphill/downhill walk: 250/800m
Day 6: The highest peak in Bulgaria and also on the Balkan Peninsula (Musala, 2925m a.s.l.) will be targeted today. After a short transfer to Borovets resort we ride the Gondola lift towards Yastrebets Peak, which is the best starting point for one-day treks to the peak and back. Commencing from 2370m a.s.l. we will only need to push on some more efforts attempting to reach the highlight of the tour. In good weather conditions the surrounding panoramas are stunning – you can make out the remaining peaks of Rila Mountains, the marble edges of the Pirin Mountains; Mount Vitosha and the Sredna Gora Mountains; the rounded summits of the Rodopi Mountains; and last, but not least, the long body of the Balkan range. Transfer back to Govedartsi for well deserved rest. Walking time: 6 hrs; uphill/downhill walk: 750m
Day 7: The valley of Maliovitsa will be explored today, and depending on the weather conditions we will try to climb Maliovitsa peak itself (2729m a.s.l.). Alternatively we will trace some other routes above Maliovitsa hut (1950m a.s.l.), where the snow is also stable enough to make safe and delightful walks in the alpine parts of the mountain. Overnight in Govedartsi. Walking time: 5-7hrs; uphill/downhill walk: 1000/1000m.
Day 8: Transfer to the airport for departure.
EXTENSIONS
Yes, ski holiday in Bansko, Borovets or Pamporovo
Try skiing and snowboarding in the best resorts in Eastern Europe, or in the sunniest one or in the oldest one in Bulgaria.
Accommodation and luggage transportation:
3-star hotels (days 1, 2 and 3), mountain hut (day 4) and family-run pension (days 5, 6 and 7); everywhere en-suite double rooms; halfboard (breakfast and dinner included; lunchpacks could be ordered at the price of 6 Euro per person per day or you can prepare such by yourself using the shops around your accommodations). Luggage is taken care of throughout the whole trip (except for the evening of Day 4 when you will have to carry some clothes for change for the night in the hut).
Best period: January-March
Group size: Min. 6 persons.
Price: 690€/person
Single room supplement: 90 €
The price includes: transfers from/to Sofia airport; rent of snowshoes and ski poles; accommodation and boarding as mentioned above; English-speaking mountain guide and private transfers throughout the tour; lift tickets in Borovets (Day 6); VAT and all local taxes.
The price does not include: other meals and drinks, map (could be requested in advance when booking the tour); tips; alcohol drinks and other personal expenses
* All prices are Sunshine World Ltd's own prices and we reserve the right to change them at any time
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0207
581 4736 
