Winter walking and spa tour in Bulgaria

Arrival in Sofia, Bulgaria and transfer from Sofia Airport to the city center.

Next: Guided walking city tour (depending on flight times)

Transfers: 0.30 hours

Night stop: Sofia

Accommodation: 3* hotel

Included meals: breakfast, dinner

The first hike of our trip will reveal us the beauty of Vitosha Nature Park. On the way we will pass through “Peat Nature Reserve” and the Rock Phenomenon “The Golden Bridges”. Lunch break in any of the many mountain huts on the way. Later we will have an afternoon transfer to the heart of Rhodopi Mountains.

Walking time: 3-4 hours

Transfers: 3.00 hours

Night stop: Velingrad town (the SPA-capital of Bulgaria)

Accommodation: 4* SPA-hotel

Included meals: breakfast, dinner

Beglika Lake is one of the highest dams in Bulgaria, more than 1500m above the sea level. In winter time the whole lake is covered by thick layer of ice (popular for ice fishing). We will make a circle route in the fields and peaks above the lake. The walk is in pine forests with some nice views to the lake from time to time. And back to Velingrad for a relaxing afternoon.

Walking time: 3-4 hours

Transfers: 2 hours

Night stop: Velingrad town (the SPA-capital of Bulgaria)

Accommodation: 4* SPA-hotel

Included meals: breakfast, dinner

The area of Yundola (1400m) is famous for its natural pine forests and wild animals. We will make a short walk on the Southern Rila slopes right there, where they meet their neighboring Rhodopi Mountains. Apart from the wild nature the area offers great variety of home-made honey/jam and rugs markets. Back to hotel: for massages/swim/relaxation.

Walking time: 3-4 hours

Transfers: 1 hour

Night stop: Velingrad town (the SPA-capital of Bulgaria)

Accommodation: 4* SPA-hotel

Included meals: breakfast, dinner

Morning ride on the only narrow-gauge train in Bulgaria. The views to the surrounding mountains are astonishing. We might also have the chance to meet with the local Pomac ethnicity, the train serves as their public transport connecting their remote mountain villages. The train will leave us on the highest train station on the Balkan Peninsula – 1267m. From there will make a nice walk on the mountain ridge with spectacular views to the jugged peaks of Rila and Pirin Mountains. In the afternoon: visit of Dobarsko village and the church “St. Theodor Tiron and Theodor Stratilat” – 17th century church with unique frescoes. In the late afternoon: transfer to Bansko town, located on the Northern footsteps of Pirin Mountains.

Walking time: 3 hours

Transfers: 3.30 hours (1.30 hours by train and 2.00 hours by bus)

Night stop: Bansko

Accommodation: 4* downtown hotel

Included meals: breakfast, dinner

The day will be dedicated to a hike in Pirin Mountains. We will start from Gotse Delchev Hut (1400m) to a nearby tourist center Mocharata offering nice views to the surrounding peaks. In the afternoon: visit of Bansko old town (churches, houses-museums).

Walking time: 3 hours

Transfers: 1.00 hour

Night stop: Bansko

Accommodation: 4* downtown hotel

Included meals: breakfast, dinner

We will start the day with a transfer to the Rila Monastery Nature Reserve. The bus will bring us to a high meadow called “Kirilova Polyana” from where we will descent to the monastery. The area reveals a very panoramic view to the high rugged ridge of Malyovtisa region. In the afternoon we visit Rila Monastery – the most important Orthodox sanctuary in Bulgaria. The monastery was founded in the the 10th century and is a UNESCO World Heritage Site.

Transfer to Sofia and a walking-tour of the city center (if not done on day 1).

Farewell dinner in a traditional restaurant.

Walking time: 2 hours

Transfers: 4 hours

Night stop: Sofia

Accommodation: 3* hotel in downtown

Included meals: breakfast, dinner