This winter adventure will lead you to the Rila Mountains (the mountain of water). Following the wildlife trails in the pine forests and small vibrant rivers, you will forget about city life. The accommodation is in a guest-house with traditional food and hospitality, where you can listen to Bulgarian folklore music while sitting next to the fireplace. There is an option to visit the thermal mineral pool at the foot of the mountains or taste a fine Bulgarian wine on the way.
Additional information: There is no need to be experienced or familiar with snowshoeing, the snowshoes are easy to equip and after the first steps you will feel the freedom of walking over the snow.
Price per person: 470 € (for a group of 4 people)
Duration: 5 days/4 overnights
Best period: January – March
Technical difficulty: easy to medium (depends on the group fitness) ask us for strenuous if you dare!
Transport: transfers by a private car/bus
Itinerary
Day 1: Pick up from the airport
Today you will reach the Rila Mountains by private transfer (2 h). The itinerary for day 1 will be chosen on spot and according to the flight times of arrival. There are plenty of options to warm-up for the next days.
Day 2: Hike to the peaks Mechit and the hut Mechit
Today the group will start from the village and will ascend steep to the Mechit hut (1670 m), after a tea break, there will be an option to go further to the peaks Malak (small-2535 m) and Golyam (big-2568 m) Mechit. Meandering around the peaks is the cobbled King’s road (probably an old Roman road remade by King Ferdinand I for an easy reach to the sacred Rila Monastery).
Duration: 2 hours, ascent: 500 m, descent: 500 m (to the hut and back)
Day 3: Hiking to Yonchevo Lake (2013 m)
After breakfast the group will head to Ovnarsko footpath, then ascend (1-2 h) in a pine forest until Yonchevo Lake crossroad. From Yonchevo Lake the group will reach the Malyovitsa Alpine Training Centre and drive back to the guest house.
Duration: 6 hours, ascent: 650 m, descent: 650 m
Day 4: Hiking to The Seven Rila Lakes and SPA
Today the group will enjoy the views of the Seven Rila Lakes and/or Skakavitsa Waterfalls (80m high), famous for the ice climbing opportunities. The walk to the Seven Rila Lakes is one of the most famous in Bulgaria and the view from the Lake Peak is a must. After the hike, there is an option for SPA in the hot mineral pools of Sapareva Banya.
Duration: 4 hours, ascent: 650 m, descent: 650 m (without the Lake Peak)
Day 5: Hiking in Malyovitsa valley
Malyovitsa, a symbol of Bulgarian mountaineering and alpinism. There are a lot of routes for climbing and hiking in this area. From the Alpine Training Centre, there is a trail to the hut Malyovitsa (1960 m) where the group will stop by for tea. Depends on the group fitness, you make an attempt to reach the peak Malyovitsa (2729 m).
Duration: 2-3 hours, ascent: 550 m, descent: 550 m (without the peak)
This tour can be easily tailored, please ask us for different varieties of the program.
The price includes:
The price excludes:
