|
Horseback riding tours
Rides in
Bulgaria
Intro to Bulgaria
----------------------------
 AlbaniaHungary Slovenia Romania
|
|
|
|
|
|
Across the Mountains to the Rila Monastery Trek
Mountains
Bulgaria
A unique mountain hike above the clouds of the highest mountains on The Balkan Peninsula. This trek takes place in the two mountain chains which contain the Balkan Peninsula's highest peaks and houses vast national parks, rare vegetation and a rich animal life. The trip is structured to take the adventurous traveler to wonderful remote regions with beautiful and unspoiled natural landscapes. If you do not have the time for extensive trekking in the world's biggest mountain ranges, this tour is strongly recommended. Here you can enjoy the physical challenge of alpine landscapes above the tree line, as well as the lovely cultural treasures of Bulgaria and the warm hospitality of the local people.
Tour Highlights
♦ Rila Mountains are the highest mountains in Bulgaria and on the whole Balkan Peninsula with Mount Musala - 2925 m a.s.l.
♦ Pirin Mountains are the second highest in Bulgaria after Rila Mountains and the third in the Balkan Peninsula (Mount Vihren 2914 m a.s.l.).
♦ Rila Monastery (1147 m a.s.l.) is the most popular
tourist site among all monasteries in Bulgaria equally for its size,
natural surroundings, architecture, wall paintings and ancient history.
|
Walking Tour
|
|
Meeting:
|
Plovdiv
|
|
Airport:
|
Plovdiv / Sofia
|
|
Transfer:
|
Included from Sofia or Plovdiv Airport
|
|
Riders:
|
Min
4 riders
Max
12 riders
|
|
Trip Brochure (PDF) 
Trip Rating
|
|
|
|
Rates and Dates for 2012
Rates include:
Accommodation in 3* hotels with private facilities, meals (except lunches) English-speaking guide and private transfers throughout the tour; entrance fees for the caves and the lifts; All local taxes.
| A | 2012 | 8 day trip, MAP | 8d / 7n | €545 | $730 |
Transfer Option:
|
2012
|
Transfer from Sofia or Plovdiv airport is included at set times
|
There is a guide accompanying you throughout the whole trip, meeting you at the airport upon arrival and leaving you at the airport again for departure. We use well-trained and experienced local people with good knowledge of English.
Tour Dates for 2012
Note: July 24 and Oct 16 2011 departures are also suitable for more novice riders.
|
Rates do not include:
Lunches. Maps (could be requested in advance when booking the tour), entrance fees, tips, alcohol drinks, cigarettes and other personal expenses. Gratuities
Day 1. Arrival
Arrival at Sofia airport and transfer to the mountain village of Govedartsi (1150 m a.s.l.), where we stay overnight (1hr drive). This is our base for the hikes in Rila Mountains for the next 4 nights. All starting points of the walks for the next days are within 30min transfers. /dinner/
Day 2. Govedartsi – Vada Hut – The Seven Rila Lakes – Govedartsi
We start after breakfast with a short transfer (9 km) to Vada hut (1410 m a.s.l.). From the Vada hut we start ascending in the direction of Lovna hut and then to the area of The Seven Rila Lakes. The path follows the summit between the rivers Dzherman and Cherni Iskar, offering fine views towards both Vitosha and Verila mountains. Eventually we make a hike among the famous glacial lakes. On our way back we will descend on a hidden treasure – an unmarked trail that goes past 3 stunningly beautiful waterfalls.
/breakfast and dinner/
Uphill walk: 1,050 m (3,444 ft); downhill walk: 850 m (2,788 ft); walking time: 6-7 hrs
Day 3. Govedartsi – Maliovitsa resort – Prekorechki Lakes – Govedartsi
Short transfer to the Maliovitsa resort. From there the path weaves up along the valley to the wide circus of Prekorechki Lakes, enclosed by the steep slopes and rocky walls of several peaks exceeding 2700m (Popova Kapa, Kupenite, Iglite etc.). We visit The Scary Lake before walking downhill on a steep rocky slope to the west coast of Yonchevo Lake (more than 200m long) and further to Maliovitsa resort.
/breakfast; dinner/
Uphill walk: 850m (2,788 ft); downhill walk: 850m (2,788 ft); walking time: about 6.30 hrs
Day 4. Govedartsi – Musala Peak – Govedartsi
Today we climb the highest peak on the Balkans – Musala (2925 m a.s.l.). A short transfer brings us to the Borovets ski resort where we take the lift to Yastrebets Peak (2369 m a.s.l.). Enjoyable walk along Dwarf Pine massifs with the jagged form of Mount Musala as the background, leading us to Musalenski Lakes which lie at the foot of the peak. The view from the top is truly breathtaking – 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 green summits of the Rodopi Mountains; and last, but not least, the long body of the Balkan range.
/breakfast; dinner/
Uphill walk: 650 m (2,132 ft); downhill walk: 650 m (2,132 ft); walking time: about 6.30 hrs
Day 5. Govedartsi – Rila Monastery – Stob Pyramids – Bansko
Transfer to the most famous landmark of Bulgaria – the Rila Monastery. Sightseeing and leisurely hike to the hermitage of St. Ivan Rilski. The next stop nearby is the amazing sand forms near Stob village – The Stob Pyramids. Then we continue on to the foots of Pirin Mountains and the town of Bansko, which is the starting point for the hikes within Pirin Mountains and our overnight location for the next 3 nights.
/breakfast, dinner/
Uphill walk: 150 m (492 ft); downhill walk: 150 m (492 ft); walking time between 2-3 hours
Day 6. Bansko – Mount Vihren – Bansko
A fairly difficult ascent to Mount Vihren awaits us today! In the morning we go by bus to the Vihren hut. En route there will be various opportunities to enjoy most of the Pirin's peaks. The path weaves through “Kazanite” region famous for the incredible variety of plants (Edelweiss among them). If the weather is good we have lunch on the peak itself while enjoying the amazing scenery. After that we return to Vihren hut.
/breakfast, dinner/
Uphill walk: 1,000 m (3,280 ft); downhill walk: 1,000 m (3,280 ft); walking time: 7-8 hours.
Day 7. Bansko – Popovo Lake – Valiavishki Lakes - Bansko
Transfer to Gotse Delchev hut. Here we take the chair lift to Bezbog hut (2236 m a.s.l.), where the walk towards Mount Polezhan (2851 m a.s.l.) starts. This hike offers probably the most beautiful panoramic views in the mountains where one can count 17 glacial lakes from a single point, including the biggest lake in Pirin Mountains – Popovo Lake (almost 30m deep).
/breakfast, dinner/
Uphill walk: 650 m (2,132 ft); downhill walk: 650 m (2,132 ft)
Day 8. Departure
Transfer to Sofia airport for departure (2,30hrs drive). /breakfast/
Meeting:
Plovdiv
Airport:
Plovdiv / Sofia
Transfer:
Included from Sofia or Plovdiv Airport
Distance:
1.5 to 2 hours
There is a guide accompanying you throughout the whole trip, meeting you at the airport upon arrival and leaving you at the airport again for departure. We use well-trained and experienced local people with good knowledge of English.
|
Tack:
|
|
--
|
|
Horses:
|
|
--
|
|
Pace:
|
|
Trekking on a moderate to challenging terrain. Most of the trekking is done at a greater height (max 3000 m). As on other tours you are free to skip some treks and have a rest. Day 3 and 6 are challenging.
|
|
Level:
|
|
(2.5
to
4
out of 5) Moderate to Challenging
|
|
Riders:
|
|
Min
4 riders
|
Max
12 riders
|
|
There is a guide accompanying you throughout the whole trip, meeting you at the airport upon arrival and leaving you at the airport again for departure. We use well-trained and experienced local people with good knowledge of English. The group size is normally 6-12 people, if not specially mentioned.
Difficuly:
You should be in good shape. The paths are not always in the best condition and the marking can be scarce. There are day-treks with big ascents and descents. Changing weather conditions /even in midsummer/ play an important role when trekking at a very high altitude and may cause changes of the preliminary route. This is to be decided by the mountain guide on the spot. Normally, the treks are 6-8h per day, but some can be longer. Preliminary trekking experience is an advantage, but not necessary if you are really in good shape. Note that during some of the days, you should personally carry your baggage, which is naturally an additional difficulty.
Luggage transportation:
Luggage is taken care of throughout the whole trip.
Passport and Visa Requirements:
Passport valid for at least three months beyond length of stay required by all nationals referred to in the chart except:(a) 1. EU nationals holding a valid national ID card. Note: EU nationals are on. more
Temperatures expected for this period are between +10 and +25 C. Temperatures above 2000 m may drop to -5oC after the end of August.
Rainfalls or short but heavy showers are possible, being a bit more prolonged during spring and late autumn.
You should always remember that you must try to keep the weight of your hiking equipment down to a minimum. Your packed daypack should weigh no more than 10-15 kilograms.
Recommended items: waterproof rucksack (60 l) & daypack (35 l); walking waterproof boots with suitable ankle support; light casual shoes/sandals for walking and/or for travelling; gaiters; loose, casual trousers for trekking; waterproof trousers; fleece windstopper jacket; windproof, waterproof outer shell garment (breathable if possible!); hat for sun protection; sunglasses with UV protection; sunscreen lotion and lip balm; water bottle; torch (headlamp); mobile phone; underwear (not cotton); mosquito repellent; trekking sticks.
Sorry, no video is currently available for this tour.
*Important Notice: The following ratings have been submitted by guests and do not necessarily represent the views of Hidden Trails, its partners or employees.
Every care is taken to ensure accuracy but Hidden Trails is not liable for any errors or omissions.
** No trip reports found
with the tour ID you provided.
|
..view other reports for different trips
We stay overnight in 3-star hotels with rooms with en-suite facilities on HB (breakfast and dinner included). Luggage is taken care of throughout the whole trip.
This trip includes
and can accommodate special dietary requests.
|
Tack:
|
|
--
|
|
Horses:
|
|
--
|
|
Pace:
|
|
Trekking on a moderate to challenging terrain. Most of the trekking is done at a greater height (max 3000 m). As on other tours you are free to skip some treks and have a rest. Day 3 and 6 are challenging.
|
|
Level:
|
|
(2.5
to
4
out of 5) Moderate to Challenging
|
|
Riders:
|
|
Min
4 riders
|
Max
12 riders
|
|
There is a guide accompanying you throughout the whole trip, meeting you at the airport upon arrival and leaving you at the airport again for departure. We use well-trained and experienced local people with good knowledge of English. The group size is normally 6-12 people, if not specially mentioned.
Difficuly:
You should be in good shape. The paths are not always in the best condition and the marking can be scarce. There are day-treks with big ascents and descents. Changing weather conditions /even in midsummer/ play an important role when trekking at a very high altitude and may cause changes of the preliminary route. This is to be decided by the mountain guide on the spot. Normally, the treks are 6-8h per day, but some can be longer. Preliminary trekking experience is an advantage, but not necessary if you are really in good shape. Note that during some of the days, you should personally carry your baggage, which is naturally an additional difficulty.
Luggage transportation:
Luggage is taken care of throughout the whole trip.
Passports
Passport valid for at least three months beyond length of stay required by all nationals referred to in the chart except:
(a) 1. EU nationals holding a valid national ID card.
Note: EU nationals are only required to produce evidence of their EU nationality and identity in order to be admitted to any EU member state. This evidence can take the form of a valid national passport or national identity card. Either is acceptable. Please note that validity of the documents - EU passport and/or ID card issued from one of the EU countries, should be at least three months on the day they leave Bulgaria. Possession of a return ticket and sufficient funds for the length of their proposed visit is required.
Visas
Not required by all nationals referred to in the chart above for the following lengths of visit:
(a) nationals of EU countries for stays of up to 90 days; for stays longer than 90 days nationals will need to register with the local police and obtain the appropriate permit;
(b) 2. nationals of Australia, Canada and USA for touristic stays of up to 90 days.
Note: Nationals not referred to in the chart above are advised to contact the embassy to visa requirements (see Contact Addresses).
| Passport Required? |
| British |
Yes |
| Australian |
Yes |
| Canadian |
Yes |
| USA |
Yes |
| Other EU |
1 |
| Visa Required? |
| British |
No |
| Australian |
No/2 |
| Canadian |
No/2 |
| USA |
No/2 |
| Other EU |
No |
| Return Ticket Required? |
| British |
No |
| Australian |
Yes |
| Canadian |
Yes |
| USA |
Yes |
| Other EU |
No |
This information is not being updated on a regular basis. Hidden Trails does not
take any responsibility for the accuracy of the above information. Please, consult
the embassy or consulate for updated info.
|
|
|
|
Across the Mountains to the Rila Monastery Trek
|