8 Days Hiking and Sightseeing Tour in Bulgaria

Day 1 SOFIA – Bulgarian Capital. (Culture, History)

1. 1

   Sofia Center

   5 hours Admission ticket included

    Arrival at Sofia International Airport.
    Depending on the arrival time: City tour of central area OR transfer to the hotel and free
   time.
    The city tour usually starts from Alexander Nevski Cathedral (+), then continue with St.
   Sophia church (o),
    continue along the Yellow square and with a view to all emblematic buildings around it,
    to the Presidency (o)
    and St. George Rotunda (o)
    we end with a nice walk along Vitoshka Pedestrian street to the National Palace of Culture.
    Pickup and transfer to the hotel. (trip could be made also after check-in so if hotel is close to the center client can go on foot back to it).
    Folklore dinner could be arranged (incl. traditional meals, music and possibly (not available
   every day) – dance show representing most popular of Bulgaria folklore dances, including
   famous Fire dance called Nestinarstvo – against surcharge)
    Night spent in Sofia, hotel 3* or 4* star.

Day 2 ISKAR GORGE AND ITS BEATIFUL TREASURES. (Nature, Hiking)

1. 1

   Zlatna Panega

   5 hours

   ➢ After breakfast transfer to Lukovit town area, especially both rivers Zlatna Panega and Iskar
   River gorge.
   ➢ Tour will start from Zlatna Panega Eco trail – with a nice boat trip on the river (~20min).
   ➢ Boat will go down the river between its lush banks reaching to the dam
   Lukovit.
   ➢ After this we will be transferred to Prohodna Cave (+) (10km - 15min), also known as
   ‘Gods eyes’ – one of the most famous and easily accessible caves in Bulgaria.
   ➢ Hiking can continue along the narrow path after getting out of the cave which leads to the small rock hewn monastery Santa Marina.
   continue to the National Cave House which provides great panoramic view to the Iskar Gorge.
   ➢ Lastly visit to the nearby Stone houses could be made. The 3 houses looking like taken out of a fairytale (one looks like a Hobbit house).

2. 2

   Prohodna Cave

   1 hour 30 min

   known as ‘Gods eyes’ – one of the most famous and easily accessible caves in Bulgaria.
   We follow to the small rock hewn monastery Santa Marina. (one of the several in the region), then it can
   continue to the National Cave House or walk to the some of the several gazebos on the cliffs which provides great panoramic view to the Iskar Gorge.
   small rock hewn monastery Santa Marina. (one of the several in the region), then it can
   continue to the National Cave House or walk to the some of the several gazebos on the cliffs
   which provides great panoramic view to the Iskar Gorge.

3. 3

   Karlukovo

   45 min

   Visit an ancient observatory by the
   Thracians

Day 3 RILA NATIONAL PARK AND ITS SEVEN RILA LAKES. (Nature, Hiking)

1. 1

   Seven Rila Lakes

   12 hours Admission ticket included

   The tour starts with taking on the cable car to the entrance of Rila National Park and its famous
   Seven Rila Lakes.
   The hiking part of the tour starts and ends from the Rila Lakes hut /where cable car ends/
   and continue by walking for several hours along the most of the Seven lakes.
   Be ready for
   intense walking to reach most beautiful lakes and even the panorama view from the Lake
   Peak.

Day 4 PLOVDIV and PAMPOROVO. Some very Bulgarian things to see today, (Culture, Heritage)

1. 1

   Plovdiv

   5 hours

   ➢ Transfer to Plovdiv – second biggest town in Bulgaria and one of the touristic centers. (150km – 2:30h).
   ➢ Plovdiv was always important center of trade, culture, and development. Always thriving it, is considered one of the oldest still living cities in Europe. The evidences are everywhere.
   During the tour of the famous Old town district we will have the opportunity to enjoy its heritage from some of the previous nationalities that lived and ruled the town from the
   beginning.
   ➢ We will see:
   * the Roman Stadium (o),
   * The Roman Amphitheatre (o),
   * The Old Mosque (o),
   * The St. Helena church (+),
   * the Ethnographic Museum (+)
   * and at last – the Bishops Basilica where finest Roman mosaics found in the region could be seen (+).
   ➢ The cobblestone streets and the mix of Bulgarian Revival architecture and remnants from Roman era will fascinate us and take us back in time.

2. 2

   Assenova krepost (Asen's Fortress)

   1 hour 30 min Admission ticket included

   ➢ After lunchtime, transfer to Asenov’s Fortress (35km – 45min).
   Not only historic the place also provides great views to the surround foothills of Rhodope Mountain and the Asenovgrad town. The church still stands to remind for the glory of the
   stronghold.
   ➢ After lunchtime, transfer to Asenov’s Fortress (35km – 45min).
   Not only historic the place also provides great views to the surround foothills of Rhodope Mountain and the Asenovgrad town. The church still stands to remind for the glory of the
   stronghold.

3. 3

   Bachkovo Monastery

   1 hour

   Next on the road is the Bachkovo Monastery – second biggest in Bulgaria.
   Short stop to enjoy its peaceful life and interesting architecture.

Day 5 RHODOPE MOUNTAINS. Magnificent views from above and below. (Nature, Views, Safari)

1. 1

   1 hour 30 min

   Heading to the symbol of Pamporovo – the Radio & TV tower Snezhanka.
   Its white body stands on the top of Snezhanka peak and could be seen from a far. It is 156 m high and
   provides great views with its 360 degrees panorama from a special terrace above a nice restaurant.

2. 2

   Yagodina Cave

   3 hours Admission ticket included

   Next step on our way via the Rhodopes is Yagodinska cave – one of the longest (more than 10km) in Bulgaria and one of the most beautiful caves in Bulgaria.
   The touristic itinerary is about 1250 m. Be prepared for temperature of about only 6 degrees and high humidity, but also to see some of the most beautiful limestone formations in the area.

3. 3

   Orlovo Oko - Eagle's Eye viewpoint

   2 hours Admission ticket included

   ➢ From the depths of the Rhodopi Mountains next is a
   change of altitude and reach a perfect spot to see the Buynovo river gorge from above –
   the famous Eagle eyes viewing platform.
   We will reach it by taking jeeps for a nice uphill Safari. (prepare for real offroad terrain).

4. 4

   Bansko

   1 hour 30 min

   In the evening (after around 130km - 3h on the road) – we will be reaching Bansko – the biggest
   winter resort nested between the three mountains – Rila, Pirin and Rhodopes, and starting point of many trails and opportunities for adventures in Pirin Mountain.

Day 6 BANSKO ADVENTURES. From Struma River to the beautiful Bansko Valley. (Nature, Adventure)

1. 1

   4 hours Admission ticket included

   After breakfast, pick-up and transfer to one of the bases for Rafting on theStruma Rivers – in the
   Kresna Gorge (50km).
   Here is the place to experience the adrenaline rush going
   down the river Struma and its rapids.
   ➢ The Rafting takes about 3-3:30h. It starts with instructions, full equipment and then – getting in the water.
   The total length of the route is about 12km, but it really
   depends on the time of the year and the water level (after all … safety first). There are boats for 4, 6 and 8 people (depending on availability and group size… or wish to split on teams to have some rivalry)

2. 2

   Bachevo

   2 hours 30 min

   ➢ At the afternoon – transfer to Bachevo Village where horses will be waiting for us to ride. After short instructions, maybe trying to get your horses ready by yourself if you wish (or at least be explained how to do it) and then go for the ride itself.
   ➢ Time planned it 2h per person in the beautiful mountains where Rila, Pirin and Rhodopi Mountains connect.

Day 7 BANSKO and RILA MONASTERY. (Nature, Culture)

1. 1

   2 hours Admission ticket included

   ➢ After breakfast and check out we will transfer to another off-road activity – ATV safari.
   The machines are for 2 pax mostly so you will have opportunity to change the drivers on the
   way, or just enjoy from the backseat - for the ones that are not exactly the off-road drivers’ type. Equipment is provided so we will not get (too) dirty. The whole event duration is about 1:30h (actual driving is about an hour) and goes around the beautiful terrain around Bansko.
   At the end we will be taken back to Bansko.

2. 2

   Rila Monastery

   2 hours 30 min Admission ticket included

   After our ATV adventure we will be transferred to Sofia, but on the way will be able to visit the famous Rila Monastery – biggest and most important monastery in Bulgaria (UNESCO). Entrance to the Monastery yard and the church – richly decorated with murals and paintings (+).
   Optionally the museum could be visited – against surcharge.
   In the vicinity there is a winery complex that, if there is time, could be also visited for a tour of the cellar or even tasting.

3. 3

   Sofia

   150 hours

   As a last overnight in Bulgaria, you can possibly enjoy the nightlife of the capital. Some bookings and arrangements can be done.

Day 8 SOFIA, day of Departure

1. 1

   Sofia

   4 hours

   ➢ Breakfast.
   ➢ Free time OR possible additional activities against surcharge (will be offered either beforehand, when arrival/departure times are known, or on the spot).
   ➢ Transfer to the Airport for taking all the great memories back home.