Night 1-3
See Tripadvisor ReviewsHotel St. George, Borovets
Spend the night in family-run hotel in a very centre of the beautiful mountain resort. Hosts here are very friendly and the views are abasing!
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Spend 15 days discovering Bulgaria's best natural and historic landmarks
Take the first step towards a private travel experience, customized just for you.
About this tour:
The Grand Tour of Bulgarian Mountains truly lives up to its name. This “Grand Tour” takes you to the most magnificent natural locations in Bulgaria, while also taking time to explore the history and culture of this fascinating country.
Explore the three most magnificent and beautiful mountain ranges in Bulgaria, each special and significant in its own way. As you hike through the Rila, Pirin, and Rhodope ranges, you’ll ascend to the summits of Mount Musala, Mount Malyovitsa, and Mount Vihren.
You’ll also spend an exhilarating day crossing the famous Marble Ridge in the Pirin mountains, known especially for a knife’s edge section of trail called “The Foal” which is only two feet wide.
In addition to beautiful natural scenery, you’ll have opportunities to explore preserved historic villages, tour monasteries, and take city tours of Bulgaria’s two largest cities: Sofia and Plovdiv. The Grand Tour of Bulgarian Mountains is a complete and well-rounded experience that introduces you to the best attractions Bulgaria has to offer. Don’t miss this incredible tour!
Welcome to Bulgaria! Your guide will meet you at the airport in Sofia and help you transfer to Samokov, a town at the foot of the Rila mountains. Samokov is known for its traditional icon painting and woodcarving crafts, and it is home to beautiful architecture from the Bulgarian Revival period. Later on, transfer to ski resort Borovets. Check in to your hotel and receive a short tour briefing before enjoying a traditional dinner and spending the night.
After breakfast, a 40-minute gondola ride transports you to higher elevations so that you can climb to the summit of Mount Musala (2,926 m / 9,600 ft), the tallest peak in Bulgaria. Enjoy incredible views overlooking the rugged ridges and glacial lakes of the surrounding area. Stop along the way for a picnic lunch, then walk back to the gondola to return to Borovets. Round trip, the hike takes about 6 hours.
Today’s hike is the most technically demanding trail of the tour. Climb to the summit of Mount Malyovitsa (2,729 m / 8,953 ft), which is considered a symbol of the Rila mountains. The hike to the summit and back down again takes about 7 hours to complete and the day is full of amazing scenery. You’ll see jagged peaks, impressive rock walls, and basins carved by glaciers. Stop along the way for a picnic lunch and at the end of the day, return to the same hotel for a third night.
After breakfast, a quick 15-minute transfer brings you to a new trail through a pine forest that leads to the Seven Rila Lakes. These beautiful lakes are connected to each other by small streams and waterfalls, and you’ll follow a trail that ascends beside each of the lakes. The climb ends at the Razdela mountain pass, which offers one of the region’s best viewpoints. Pause to enjoy a picnic lunch and take in the view before descending again to visit the Rila Monastery, which is a UNESCO World Heritage site. Altogether, today’s hike takes about 7-8 hours and you’ll end your day with a traditional meal prepared by the host of your charming hotel near the Rila monastery.
Today’s hike is an easier and slightly shorter route that will take about 6 hours. Begin with a 20-minute transfer to the southern part of the Rila mountains and hike to the Macedonia Hut. After a picnic lunch, continue your walk down into a small village called Dobarsko. Transfer from here to the town of Bansko, which is known for its traditional Bulgarian architecture and folk music. Spend the night here, in the foothills of the Pirin mountain range.
Climb to the summit of Mount Vihren today (2,914 m / 9,560 ft). Transfer from Bansko to a mountain hut (2,000 m / 6,562 ft) where the trail begins. The round trip hike to the summit and back down to this point will take about 6.5 hours and you’ll have a picnic lunch along the way. Be sure to pause frequently to take in the marvellous alpine views of rugged peaks and rock walls formed in marble. After a challenging but rewarding climb to the top of the tallest peak in the Pirin mountains, return to your hotel in Bansko. For dinner, visit a traditional tavern in town.
Get ready for high adventure today and leave your fear of heights at home! Transfer from Bansko in the morning to reach the trail up to the famous main ridge of the Pirin mountains, known as Marble Ridge. Follow the ridgeline, including the famous knife-edge section known as The Foal. Here the trail is just two feet wide with steep drops on either side, so fasten yourself to the security line for safety. This route is beautiful and exhilarating! Descend again into the valley and make your way to the Yavorov Hut (1,740 m / 5,709 ft), where you’ll rest for the night after about 7 hours of thrilling adventures.
After the previous day’s excitement, a calm and relaxing day is welcome. Descend from the Yavorov Hut for about 2.5 hours to return to the town of Bansko. Head to a traditional tavern to eat lunch. After lunch, visit the nearby Dobrinishte Resort to enjoy the mineral pool complex. Return to your familiar Bansko hotel feeling refreshed and ready for a great meal and a good night’s rest.
Travel today to the Rhodope mountain region, stopping along the way at the villages of Leshten and Kovachevitsa. These picturesque local villages have preserved the authentic lifestyle and architecture of the Bulgarian Revival period and visitors can explore them as open-air museums. After lunch in a traditional local tavern, continue driving to reach Shiroka Laka. This town is also an open-air museum full of fantastic architecture and museums. Spend the night here in a traditional hotel deep in the Rhodope mountains.
Travel high into the mountains today, driving for about 30 minutes to reach Gela (1,500 m / 4,921 ft), a picturesque village surrounded by some of the tallest peaks in the Rhodopes. Hike from here through lovely pine forests until you reach Trigrad. Trigrad is another traditional mountain village, strikingly located between vertical rock faces. Spend the night in Trigrad.
After breakfast, visit the scenic Trigrad gorge and a famous cave known as the Devil’s Throat. When you see it you’ll understand why. After a traditional lunch in a nearby restaurant, hike for about 2.5 hours through beautiful meadows and pine forests to reach the next village. From here you can visit another remarkable cave, the Yagodina cave. Transfer from here for about 45 minutes to Devin. Near this town you can visit an unusual rock formation, known as The Elephant, because the outcropping of the rock resembles an elephant’s trunk. Enjoy a traditional dinner and a comfortable night in Devin.
Phenomenal panoramic views and varied landscapes await you today as you hike from Devin to the village of Borino. Discover why this trail is often called one of the best hikes in the Rhodope mountains. It will take about 5-6 hours to complete this lovely route, then transfer back to your Devin hotel to spend another night.
Today is a more relaxing day exploring the Rhodope mountains. Travel for about 2.5 hours to reach the unique natural landmark known as the Wonderful Bridges. Deep in the forests of the Rhodope mountains, the rock has been carved by water and wind to form these two remarkable large arches, the largest of which is 45 m tall and 40 m wide. After exploring this incredible area, visit the Bachkovo Monastery, then continue travelling for about 90 minutes to reach Plovdiv, Bulgaria’s second-largest city, where you’ll spend the night.
Today is another opportunity for you to learn more about Bulgaria’s history and culture. Found within the modern city of Plovdiv is the ancient city of Plovdiv (Philipopolis). Visit the Old Town where you’ll find many fascinating locations, including a Roman stadium and an ancient theatre. After having a meal in a traditional Plovdiv restaurant, drive for 1.5 hours to explore Sofia, Bulgaria’s capital city. Your city tour of Sofia includes visits to the St. Alexander Nevski cathedral, the Parliament building, the National Theatre, Sofia Synagogue, and the churches of St. George and St. Sophia. After a very full day, enjoy a restful night in your hotel in Sofia. Please note that dinner is not included in your tour.
Sadly, your Grand Tour of Bulgarian Mountains has come to an end. After breakfast, transfer to the Sofia Airport in time for your departure flight. Have a pleasant journey!
Hike the best trails in Bulgaria’s tallest mountain ranges: Rila, Pirin, and Rhodope
Brave “The Foal” - a two-foot wide knife’s edge section of the Pirin’s famous Marble Ridge
Climb to the summits of Mount Musala, Mount Malyovitsa, and Mount Vihren
Experience the richness of Bulgaria’s history and cultural traditions in open-air museums and villages
14 breakfasts, 13 lunches, 13 dinners are included.
Accommodations for 14 nights along the tour. Accommodation before the tour in Sofia is not included.
Transport for you and your luggage is included. Airport transfers from and to Sofia Airport are also included.
Enjoy your own private tour through the Rila, Pirin and Rhodope Mountains! Prices below are per person sharing a double or a triple room:
This tour is based in hotels except for one night in forest cottage. The hotels on this tour are mainly family-run and you will be accommodated in double room, unless you will choose to pay a supplement and have a single room.
In some cases, accommodation listed below may need to be substituted for other, comparable accommodations.
Single Rooms and Solo Travelers
You can pay a supplement of $250USD to have a private room in a hotel. Contact us and we can try and match single travelers up, where possible.
Spend the night in family-run hotel in a very centre of the beautiful mountain resort. Hosts here are very friendly and the views are abasing!
Magnolia hotel is a beautiful accommodation in small mountain resort, Panichishte. Enjoy the views and lovely rooms.
Small, authentic, family owned guesthouse in Bansko will make you feel like at home.
Everything you need in one location. This cozy mountain hut plus restaurant/buffet is heated and supplied with electricity and indoor plumbing.
Small, authentic, family owned guesthouse in Bansko will make you feel like at home.
In this beautiful hotel you will find everything you need: cozy rooms, free wi-fi and a great restaurant downstairs.
Hotel Arkan Han blends a rustic design, modern amenities, and a good time. This hotel has free Wi-Fi, a TV in the restaurant, a playground for kids, a library, and a bar.
Immerse in the relaxing atmosphere in this stylish and beautiful spa, located in Devin, a small spa town in Bulgarian mountains.
This cozy hotel is located near the centre, but outside the buzz. You will also find a restaurant serving local cuisine just downstairs!
This hotel is clean, comfortable, and at excellent location! The beautiful city centre of Sofia is just outside of your window.
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How hard is the Grand Tour of Bulgarian Mountains?
We rate this trekking tour as a 3 / 5. There are some challenging days, however also some rest days mixed in. Some days involve more technical hikes.
Do I need a visa to travel to Bulgaria?
Check with your local country about visa requirements. You could also try this website, though you should verify with your government.
Are meals included on the Grand Tour of Bulgarian Mountains?
14 breakfasts, 13 lunches and 13 dinners are included.
Do I need insurance?
Yes, it is mandatory to have Health and Medical insurance to join this trip. Get your Travel Insurance.
How do I get to Sofia to start this tour?
Fly to Sofia Airport (SOF). This airport has connections with several major cities in Europe, including London, Munich, Barcelona, Frankfurt, Vienna and others.
Is the Grand Tour of Bulgarian Mountains in English?
Yes, the tour guide is English speaking.
Where does the Cycling Tour in The Rhodope Mountains tour end?
This tour ends where it begins – at Sofia Airport.
Do I need special vaccines to travel to Bulgaria?
Check with your family doctor.
Are there any travel restrictions for Bulgaria?
Please check with your local government about travel restrictions before you book your tour. This map from the US Department of State provides an overview of the current status in countries around the globe. The UK‘s Foreign Office and Government of Canada also provide advice on foreign travel. Note that the travel advice may change depending on your nationality.
When is the best time to travel to Bulgaria for this tour?
The best time to travel to Bulgaria for hiking is from mid-June to mid-October.
Moderate
We rate this trekking tour as a 3 / 5. There are some challenging days, however also some rest days mixed in. Some days involve more technical hikes.
Read about our scale for Tour Difficulty Ratings.
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