8-Day Hike at the Champions of the Balkans

Ziua 1 · Welcome to Sofia!

1. 1

   Sofia

   4 ore

   Upon arrival at Sofia you'll be met and transferred to your hotel. The remainder of the day is free to relax or independently explore Sofia. Perhaps head to the Vitosha Boulevard in the city's vibrant center with views towards the Vitosha Mountain, wander around the streets and see the iconic St. Alexander Nevski Cathedral with its gold-plated domes.

   There will be a welcome meeting with your guide.

2. 2

   St. Alexander Nevski Cathedral

   2 ore

   St. Alexander Nevsky Cathedral is a Bulgarian Orthodox cathedral in Sofia, the capital of Bulgaria. Built in Neo-Byzantine style, it is one of the 50 largest Christian church buildings by volume in the world. It is one of Sofia's symbols and primary tourist attractions. St. Alexander Nevsky Cathedral in Sofia occupies an area of 3,170 square metres (34,100 sq ft) and can hold 5,000 people inside.

Overnight in Sofia, Sofia Palace Hotel (or similar)

Ziua 2 · Trek To The Musala Peak

1. 1

   Borovets Ski Resort

   2 ore

   The group will be transferred to the foothills of the Mount Rila at the resort of Borovets (1300 m /4265 ft), a famous ski resort in winter, settled in a beautiful pine forest. Check-in at the hotel and preparing of one-day backpacks for the hike.

2. 2

   Rila National Park

   8 ore Intrarea inclusă

   From Borovets resort the group will take the cabin lift to the altitude of 2300m / 7545 ft from where starts the guided climbing to the peak of Musala (2925m/9596ft). The trek passes by the hut Musala and sets off on an ascending along a zig-zagging path. In less than 3 hours, passing by the beautiful Musalenski Lakes, it leads to the very peak. In the evening there is free time in the resort. You can enjoy the swimming in one of the hotels pools in the resort.

3. 3

   Oprirea 3

   6 ore

   Guided climbing to the peak of Musala, the highest peak of the Balkan Peninsula, 2925m. In winter Rila is covered with thick layers of snow. In summer, when the snow thaws, all the rivers are full of water. This water feeds the fascinating Rila lakes, which are more than 200.

   Take plenty of photos and enjoy a picnic lunch at the summit before starting the descent back down the slopes of the mountains.

   Hiking Stats: Distance: 13 km, Ascend: 750 m, Descend: 750 m, Walking Time: 6 hours

Breakfast in the hotel · Lunch pack

Overnight in the Hotel Samokov (or similar)

Ziua 3 · Borovets – Rila Monastery - Bansko

1. 1

   Rila Monastery

   2 ore Intrarea inclusă

   The group continues the journey towards the next Mountain, Pirin Mountain. Along the road (fewer than 2 hours) we will make a diversion to visit the famous Rila Monastery. The Monastery is settled deep in the heart of the Rila Mountain and the road towards it follows the valley of the Rilska river. It is the most impressive monastery complex in Bulgaria. It has an exceptional historic, cultural and art value. Its more than thousand year old history is connected with the name of the hermit Ivan Rilski. The original architecture and the invaluable documents that are preserved here in the library and the museum of the Monastery make it a key Bulgarian landmark. It is a Unesco World Heritage site.

2. 2

   Bansko

   4 ore

   Bansko is an old traditional town in the foothills of the Mount Pirin. Due to the ski area nowadays it has become an international canter for winter and summer tourism.

   Check-in in the hotel in Bansko. In the afternoon you can enjoy the hot mineral water in one of the many swimming pools at the nearby village of Banya, located only 5 km (3 mi) from the town.

Overnight in the 3 Mountains Hotel (or similar)

Ziua 4 · Trek To The Vihren Peak

1. 1

   Vihren

   8 ore

   Transfer to the starting/finishing point of the hike. In the morning the group will be transferred to the end of the asphalt road next to the hut Vihren (1955м /6414 ft). From here starts the ascending towards the peak of Vihren (2914 m/ 9560 ft). The path is rocky but well-trodden. After 4 hours approximately the group will reach the summit. Needless to say that in good weather the highest peak of the mountain offers the best views in the whole area. The panorama of the rugged mountain peaks around and the deep blue lakes settled in the glaciers circuses has made Pirin so attractive and desired destination of the hikers from all over the world. In less than 3 hours the group will drop down back to the hut Vihren and transferred back to Bansko. The hike is circular and it shows the whole splendor of the mighty peak of Vihren.

   Hiking Stats: Distance: 8 km, Ascend: 1100 m, Descend: 1100 m, Walking Time: 7 hours

2. 2

   Pirin National Park

   8 ore

   The trek to the tallest peak of the Pirin Mountain is at a protected area of the Pirin National Park and declared Unesco World Heritage site.

Breakfast in the hotel · Lunh pack

Overnight in the 3 Mountains Hotel (or similar)

Ziua 5 · Bansko – Greek Border – Thessaloniki – Olympic coast

1. 1

   Greece

   4 ore

   In the morning the journey continues towards the Greece and the last Mountain of the hike, Olympus. Along the road (approximately 320 km and 4 hours) the group will cross the Bulgarian-Greek border.

2. 2

   Oprirea 2

   Trecere fără oprire

   Thessaloniki is the capital of the region of Central Macedonia, Greece, and has about one million inhabitants, the second largest city in the country. In case of interest, we can make a stop there.

3. 3

   Paralia Katerinis

   4 ore

   After passing Thessaloniki, we will arrive at the Olympic coast on the Mediterranean Sea. Here the group can swim in the clean waters of the sea, while enjoying the views of the Mount Olympus. The night will be spent in a hotel at the coast.

Olympic coast, The Olympios Zeus hotel (or similar)

Ziua 6 · Trek To The Hut Apostolidis In Mount Olympus

1. 1

   Oprirea 1

   30 min

   We will reach the starting point of the hike Gortsia. It will take approximately 2-3 hours to get to the hut Petrostrouga (1940 m/ 6365 ft) where we can have a rest and refreshments. The ascending continues along a well maintained path in the alpine part of the mountain to the hut Apostolidis.

2. 2

   Oprirea 2

   6 ore Intrarea inclusă

   Due to the big difference of the elevation between the starting points and the peak of Mytikas, the group will spend the first night at the Apostolidis hut, the highest situated hut on the Balkan peninsula (2697 m /8848 ft) before the final ascend to the top the next day. The location of the hut, called the Plateau of Muses, itself is ideal for contemplating the beauty of the rocky peaks of Mytikas and Stefani, the valley bordering the sea, the sunrise and the sunset.

   Hiking Stats: Distance: 9.8 km, Ascend: 460 m, Descend: 1200 m, Time: 6 hours

Overnight in the Apostolidis hut

Ziua 7 · Mount Olympus, Mytikas Peak Day

1. 1

   Oprirea 1

   3 ore

   This day the group starts the trek to the highest peak of the Greece, Mytikas (2918m) in the Mount Olympus.

   Being on the Plateau of Muses gives the group the chance to consider, with the help of the group leader, if the weather conditions are appropriate for a climbing to the very top. As the trail (trough Kakoskala, regarded as the safest) is mainly on rocks, it requires dry conditions and good visually. If there are good conditions, those who feel enough energy and lack of fear of the heights, can reach the very peak in less than 1:30 hours with a small backpack. The rest of the group can enjoy the other panoramic peaks in the region as the peak of Profits Elias (2781m), Toumpa (2786m) and Kalagia (2625m).

   In the afternoon, when the group reunites, it will set off down to the hut Petrostrouga (1940) to spend the night.

2. 2

   Oprirea 2

   6 ore Intrarea inclusă

   In the afternoon, when the group reunites, it will set off down to the hut Petrostrouga (1940) to spend the night.

   Hiking Stats: Distance: 9.8 km, Ascend: 460 m, Descend: 1200 m, Time: 6 hours

Overnight in the Petrostrounga hut

Ziua 8 · End Of The Trip

1. 1

   Litochoro

   3 ore

   This is the final day and the group will return to Sofia.

   In less than 3 hours, we will get by foot to the area of Gortsia at the asphalt road, where the bus will wait for us to drive the group back to Sofia.

   Hiking Stats: Distance: 5.2 km, Ascend: 30 m, Descend: 830 m, Time: 2,30 hours

2. 2

   Sofia

   5 ore

   Upon additional arrangements, you can be transported to other places served by airports as Athens, Thessaloniki or nearby coastal resorts.