Snowshoeing in Rila & Pirin Mountains

About
5 days in Bulgaria, including 3 snowshoeing days around the stunning landscape of Rila and Pirin mountains. Visits to Malyovitsa area and 7 Rila lakes in Rila and Bezbog area in Pirin mountains. A traditional welcome dinner in Sofia on the first day will be an introduction to the local cuisine and culture, while the countryside accommodation and contact with the locals will give an idea for the rural life. The cultural gem of the tour will be the city tour of Sofia, one of the oldest cities in Europe.
Description
Description:
Day 1
Sofia Airport - Sofia
Transfer from the airport to the hotel in the center of the city. Depending on the time of arrival
the city tour will be this afternoon or on the last day. Dinner in a traditional restaurant.
Accommodation in Sofia
Day 2
Sofia - Govedartsi - Malyovitsa area (Rila National Park)
Morning transfer from Sofia to Govedartsi village and then to Malyovitsa ski centre. We will start
our first snowshoeing day walking up in the old forest. The area has nice views towards
Malyovitsa peak - 2729 m, the symbol of bulgarian alpinism.
Accommodation in Govedartsi in a family run hotel.
Walking time: +/- 400m; 3.5 - 4h
Day 3
Govedartsi - Rila Lakes - Bansko (Rila National Park)
Early start, drive from Govedartsi to Panichishte area in Rila Mountains – 1,15 hours. Chair lift
up to 2140 m. We start walking along the Dry Ridge until we reach the Kidney Lake. Further we
descend near the Trefoil Lake, the Fish Lake, the old Seven Lakes Hut and above the Bottom
Lake back to the starting point. Lift down to Pionerska Hut. Optional stop at the thermal pools of
Sapareva Banya. Transfer to Bansko region 2:15 hours. Accommodation in Bansko or Gorno
Draglishte village in a family run hotel/guesthouse.
Walking time: +/- 350m; 3.5 - 4h
Day 4
Bezbog Hut - Bezbog Peak (Pirin National Park)
Transfer to Gotse Delchev Hut 50 minutes. We will ride the chairlift up to Bezbog Hut – 2200 m.
The walk to Bezbog Peak – 2653m is above the treeline. The views from the top of the
mountain are spectacular and include all the Pirin Mountains, as well as much of Rila and
Rhodope Mountains. Accommodation in Bansko or Gorno Draglishte village in a family run hotel/guesthouse.
Walking time: +/- 450m; 4-4:30h
Day 5
Bansko - Sofia - Sofia airport
Transfer to Sofia airport - 2:45 hours. Depending on the time of departure we will have the city tour of Sofia before the flight or on the first day.
Included \ Not incuded
The price included:
English speaking mountain guide-driver and all his expenses for accommodation
transport and food
all transfers during the trip with pick up and drop off from Sofia with a private car/bus
accommodation for 4 nights (1 night in Sofia, 1 nights at family run hotel, 2 nights in a
family hotel/guest house) with 4 breakfasts and 4 dinners included
snowshoes and poles rental
3 hikes
custom made itinerary
all taxes
The price not included:
Insurance that covers snowshoeing - obligatory, if you don’t have we can offer one that cost 15 EUR per person
lunches - you will buy packed lunch from the local shops in the villages
drinks
entrance fees for museums
other personal expenses
tips
Notes
Notes
In case of earlier flight on the last day (before 12:30 pm) we will spend the last night in Sofia. For a group between 3 and 8 people there will be a mountain guide-driver with the group. For a group between 9 and 12 people there will be a professional driver with license to drive buses bigger than 8+1 seats and a mountain guide with the group.
Accommodation: 4 nights
Difficulty: easy 3.5-4 hours per day (flexibility to adjust the hiking time regarding the preferences of the group)
Extreme, Excursions , Hiking
Starting point - Sofia, Bulgaria
5 days
Winter
Live tour guide available in English
Maximum number of participants: 12 people