SNOWSHOEING ADVENTURE IN BULGARIAN MOUNTAINS
As a country with a continental type of winter and average of 2-3 meter snow cover in the ranges, Bulgaria is emerging as great destination for all type of winter mountain activities. Rila – the highest range in the country, offers some amazing walks and views to its alpine sceneries, pointed peaks with average altitude over and green valleys. The legendary Rhodope mountains – mystical homeland of Orpheus – spread around Bulgarian south. The dense pine forests, amazing scenery, picturesque towns and villages, old traditions, folklore and cuisine make this place a splendid area for an adventure on snow.
Winter is maybe the best season for mountaineering. With the proper equipment – snowshoes and trek poles - a hike through the snow white summits of Bulgaria is an unforgettable fairy tale. The alpine ranges of Rila and Rhodope offer the best opportunities for this unique adventure of bright sun, sparkling white snow, green pine forests and blue skies. All that, combined with the warm evenings by the fireplace in some small family hotels, hidden in the mountain woods, with a rich traditional meal and a glass of the best Bulgarian red wine, turns it into a great experience.
Day 1. Arriving at Sofia airport. Meeting with your tour guide and transfer to a nice family hotel deep in the forests of Rhodope Mountain. Accommodation and short briefing about the tour. Dinner and overnight.
Day 2. Breakfast. Short morning transfer (15 min.) to the beginning of our trail. Next is a 4 hour walk through the magnificent Canyon of the waterfalls – some amazing views to the frozen cascades and overlooks to the mountain. Lunch will be a picnic. Afternoon – another short transfer (1 h.) to the beautiful village of Trigrad, situated between some vertical rock walls. Accommodation in a nice small hotel here. Dinner and overnight.
Day 3. Breakfast. Today is a more relaxing hike (3 h.). We will start with a visit to the famous Devil's throat cave – the legendary way to the kingdom of Hades. Next is the trek trough the beautiful scenery of the Rhodope mountains – centuries old pine forests, meadows and imposing rock formations. Lunch will be a picnic. Visitation to the marvelous Yagodina cave and the Buinovo gorge. Late afternoon short transfer (30 min.) to the town of Devin and accommodation in a nice family hotel. Dinner and overnight.
Day 4. Breakfast. It is a day for leisure. In the morning we will have the opportunity to visit an open air mineral pool. Lunch will take place in a great traditional restaurant. In the afternoon, transfer (3.30 h.) to Rila mountain and accommodation in a comfortable hotel, hidden in the foothils of the range. Dinner and overnight.
Day 5. Breakfast. It is time for the ascent to the summit of Malyovitsa (2729 m.) – one of the symbols of Rila mountain, most technical part of the walking tour. About 7 hours for the ascent and descent to the highest point of Northwest Rila. Lunch will be a picnic. The scenery is just amazing - some incredible views of pointed alpine peaks, rock walls and glacial cirques. Return back to same accommodation. Dinner at the hotel and overnight.
Day 6. Breakfast. From our hotel starts a forest trail, that leads to the famous Seven Rila Lakes area. The trek with snowshoes here is pleasant and easy and takes 5 hours. During this hike we will enjoy the pine forests of Rila range, along with some stunning views towards the main ridge. Lunch will be a picnic. At the end of this trail we will reach a remote family hotel, just below the Seven lakes cirque. Accommodation. Dinner and overnight.
Day 7. Breakfast. Today we will hike with the snowshoes across the Seven Rila Lakes. After an ascent with a gondola to the higher parts of the mountain, our trail will lead us to the fifth lake – the Kidney. Lunch will be a picnic. Descent via the frozen Skakavitsa waterfall. In the afternoon a licensed instructor will show us some ice climbing and everyone will have the opportunity to try. Descent to our hotel. Same accommodation and dinner. Overnight.
Day 8. Breakfast. Transfer to Sofia, the capital of Bulgaria, and departure from Sofia airport.
Price includes:
- All the accommodations, mentioned in the program
- All the dinners, mentioned in the program
- All the breakfasts, mentioned in the program
- All the lunches, mentioned in the program
- The tickets for gondola
- Lesson and guidance from a professional ice climbing instructor
- All the specialized equipment, needed for this tour (snowshoes, trekking poles, inventory for ice climbing)
- All the transportations
- The instant assistance of a licensed, english speaking mountain guide
Price does not Include:
- All the drinks, during dinners
- Tickets for museums and historical monuments
- Tips and personal expenses
Minimum/maximum participants: 2 to 18
Tour difficulty: Moderate
Suitable for: People with some mountain experience in good shape; children elder than 14 y. o.
