Compare Conquer the highest peak between the Alps and the Caucasus by Hiking the Balkans vs Beautiful summer in Romania & Bulgaria by Eastern European Experience

Day 1

We will meet in Sofia, the Bulgarian capital, at midday. Following lunch, we will take a tour of the city centre. We will visit the Alexandar Nevski cathedral, one of the most recognizable Sofia landmarks, and we will then head straight for the mountains. We will arrive at the resort of Panichishte, where, time permitting, we can visit the gorgeous 70m (230ft) Skakavitsa Waterfall before supper.

Day 2

We will go by cable car to the foot of the Seven Rila Lakes Cirque and will then trek past the lakes (each named after their most characteristic feature, e.g. the Kidney Lake, the Twin Lake and the Trefoil Lake).
Passing the Malyovitsa Summit 2729m (8953ft), we descend into the valley of the same name and settle into a family hotel at the village of Govedartsi. 6-7hrs of walking, climbing 800m (2625ft) and descending 1000m (3281ft).

Day 3

Today we climb the Balkans’ highest summit: Musala, a unique experience as we ascend up stone rivers and past glacier lakes and alpine huts. We plan to stay in the Everest mountain hut for the evening at 2725m (8940ft), following our descent from Musala. Expect to do at least 7-8 hours of effective walking during this day.

Day 4

After descending to Borovetz, we will be transferred to Bansko at the foot of the Pirin Mountains, where we will have a well-deserved break from hiking before exploring the mountains the next day. In the afternoon we can take a cable car to view the terrain for our hikes over the next two days.

Day 5

In the morning we visit one of the most picturesque parts of the Pirin: the Banderishki Lakes Cirque. We pass some of the 16 glacial lakes, which reveal themselves one by one as we climb the terraces. We will walk through the Todorina Porta (Todora’s Gate), which takes us directly to the Yulen Nature Reserve, from where, by way of the Todorini Ochi (Todora’s Eyes) Lakes, we descend through virgin fir groves to the Demyanitsa Hut. From here, we will follow the Demyanitsa River downstream. Expect 6-8hrs of effective walking, climbing 800m (2625ft) and descending 900m (2953ft).

Day 6

We’ll start early as we attempt to climb Vihren: Bulgaria’s second-highest and the Pirin’s highest summit. Breathtaking views offer themselves to us as we climb through the Golem Kazan (Giant Cauldron) area, bounded by the 400m-tall (1312ft) northern face of Vihren. Today you will explore the Karst zones of Pirin, which are home to the endangered Edelweiss, the elusive Wallcreeper and the shy Balkan Chamois (wild goats). 6-7hrs of walking, climbing and descending 1000m.
In the evening we will have a well-deserved dinner and share the stories of our adventure. After dinner we have an hour-and-a-half transfer to Sandanski, a town with thermal spas. We will stay in a hotel with its own thermal spa pools, where we can recuperate from the previous day’s strenuous hiking.

Day 7

Today is a leisure and rest day, and we are staying in a hotel with thermal spa facilities. We will have a full day to enjoy the waters, whose temperature ranges from 42°C to 81°C. Optional short hikes are possible, as the town of Sandanski is located near beautiful forests. Bulgarian cuisine is an inventive mix of Mediterranean, Slavic and Oriental influences.

Day 8

In the morning we will head towards Melnik, a town which has preserved its 19th century architecture and is located in the middle of a wine region. There are natural pyramid-like formations with hiking trails, which we could visit. Alternatively, we could have a wine-tasting stop before heading to Thessaloniki in Greece to catch the 10:40pm flight to London. You can also choose to extend your stay for 9 more days and join the trip to Mount Olympus and Lake Ohrid, which starts on 22 September.

Day 1: Bucharest – Tulcea- Danube Delta tour- Constanta Historical Town

Your trip to Romania and Bulgaria Black Sea Coast starts early in the morning when you meet your tour guide at your hotel in Bucharest.

Depart Bucharest and drive to Tulcea Harbour, situated on the right bank of the Danube River. From Tulcea we will embark to boat and will explore the wetlands of Danube Delta. Danube Delta watery labyrinth has acted as sanctuary for a tremendous array of wildlife. We recommend you to visit Danube Delta in May this being the best time when most of the migratory birds comes back from their long journey to Africa or even China. More than 300 species of birds make Danube’s Delta their home, including white tailed eagles, cormorants, Egyptian white pelicans and glossy ibises.  If you are a fish lover we will conclude the short tour of Danube Delta with a fish lunch in one of Tulcea Restaurants (optional).

After this wonderful short tour of Danube Delta we continue our drive for more one hour towards Constanta. Reaching Constanta in the afternoon, we take a gentle walk with your local guide who will reveal Constanta past and present. Constanta City, is the most important harbour at the Black Sea. This settlement was founded by the Greeks around 6th century BC. During our sightseeing tour of Constanta we will visit some of the most important tourist attractions of this Black Sea Harbour. We will not miss the famous Casino building, The Genovese lighthouse, the Orthodox Cathedral or the Carol I Mosque. Ovid Square, where the statue of the Roman poet stands, is one of Constanta main attractions and this pedestrianized area is full with restaurants and terraces. Overnight in Constanta – Hotel centrally located

Day 2:  Constanta- Kaliakra Cliffs – Balchik Castle – Varna

Depart Constanta and travel to Bulgaria border. After passing the check point we will stop on the way to Balchik Castle several times for photos or just to admire the beautiful surroundings. One of the stops is Kaliakra Cliffs. Meaning “fine rose” in Greek, Kaliakra in a rocky ridge that extends 2 km into the sea. This is a spectacular wall of sandstone that reaches to almost 70 meters above the Black Sea.   One of the legends said that the reddish color of the limestone cliffs is the blood of the soldiers died in battles for control this strategic point. Stunning views over the Black Sea.

Continue your drive south and, just a few miles outside from Kaliakra Cliffs, visit Balchik Castle and to admire the famous gardens and park. Balchik – in ancient times was known as Dionisopolis (the god of wine) and it was a thriving busy port and wine producer. Here we will visit the Balchik Palace of the favorite places of Queen Marie of Romania. This delightful seafront oriental style residence was commissioned in 1924 by King Ferdinand of Romania as a retreat place of Romania`s Monarchy. Follow the coastal route and we reach Varna. In the evening we can take a relaxing walk in Varna at seaside front. Overnight in Varna – Hotel centrally located

Day 3: Varna- Nessebar- Sozopol

After breakfast, the sightseeing tour of Varna will include a walking in the historical area of the town, visiting one of Varna Cathedral and Churches, The Sea Gardens. We can visit Euxinograd Palace located outside Varna, This chateau-like palace was commissioned by Prince Aleksandur Batenberg in 19th century. The palace itself was designed by a Viennese architect and the gardens were designed by a French landscape designer.

Your Black Sea Coast tour continues along some other sea resorts to Nessebar, a typical Bulgarian town densely packed with historic houses and churches. This unique world heritage site was first settled by Thracian and it was known as Mesambria. It was later taken by Greeks and partially destroyed by Romans. Here we will take a stroll on the cobbled stone streets and admire the beautiful typical Bulgarian architecture of the houses or just hang around of its many souvenir shops. In the evening head to Sozopol town for a memorable experience in a wonderful setting with attractive wooden old houses. The history of Sozopol is typically for Bulgarian Black Sea settlements and fishing ports. Founded by Thracian, conquered by Greeks and later Romans but developed in a thriving port by Byzantine Empire.During the ruling of Constantin the Great the settlement was renamed Sozopolis meaning Saved Town, in reference to adoption of Christianity. Overnight in Sozopol – Hotel centrally located

Day 4 : Sozopol- Burgas-Bachkovo Monastery- Plovdiv

Depart Sozopol in the morning and travel through South of Bulgaria, which is an oasis of lush greenery and dense forest. This region has a wealth of historic buildings, the finest of which are Bulgaria`s two UNESCO – listed monasteries, Rila Monastery and Bachkovo Monastery.

On the way to Plovdiv we will make an interesting stop to one of the famous churches of Bulgaria, Bachkovo Monastery. At the foothills of Rhodope Mountains lies this unique monastery, founded in 11th century by two commanders of Byzantine army. We will admire here the dramatic frescoes of the Last Judgement Scene, or the vaulted ceiling frescoes made by the pupils of the famous Bulgarian Icon and church painter Zahari Zograf.

Continue our day trip to Plovdiv, Bulgaria second largest city. Plovdiv is a pleasant town with a pedestrianized centre, Roman ruins, churches and Bulgarian National Revival mansions. Most of Plovdiv tourist attractions are focused in the Old Town so a walking tour will satisfy our curiosity and wish of discovering ancient history or this rich cultural heritage. During this hours we will visit the National Revival houses, many of the built for the wealthy Bulgarian Merchants. Roman Theater is an impressive marble amphitheater, set in the hillside overlooking the city and Rhodope Mountains beyond. Today this ancient structure dating from 2nd century is used for concerts and plays. Overnight in Plovdiv – Hotel centrally located

Day 5 – Plovdiv sightseeing tour – Rila Monastery – Sofia

Today the journey is long and beautiful. We leave Plovdiv and head to Rila Monastery. After a couple of hours we reach the beautiful Rila Monastery, places inside of Rila National Park. Established in 10th century by St Ivan of Rila, this unique monastery is Bulgaria`s most impressive example of National Revival architecture. Rila`s monks played an important role in preserving the Bulgarian language and history, during the repressive Ottoman rule.

Inside of monastery complex we will visit the most important attractions. From Hrelyo`s Tower you will take pictures of the monastery courtyard. The Church of Nativity is famous for its murals which depicts sinners thrown into an apocalyptic vison of Hell. This magnificent murals that adorn the church walls were made by Bulgaria` s greatest church painter of 19th century.- Zahari Zograf.

After Rila Monastery we continue the tour of Bulgaria towards Sofia. Depending on our arrival time, we can take a sightseeing tour of Sofia and visit the most important tourist attractions of the capital city of Bulgaria. Visit Alexander Nevski Cathedral, the biggest in Bulgaria and according to many – the most spectacular building in Sofia.

We will visit The Church of Sveta Sofia, one of the oldest Christian church dating from 6th century and probably the seat of the city`s bishop during the second Bulgarian Kingdom in 12 century. During this walking tour of Sofia you will admire the opulent Neo-Classical style building of National Theater, built in 1907 by two Viennese architects. The Party House, is Sofia`s most imposing example of Stalinist era architecture. It was built in 1954 to serve as the headquarters of the Central Committee of The Bulgarian Communist Party. Our Sofia`s walking tour will include some other interesting sites such as: colorfully Russian Church, the byzantine style Mineral Baths building, the busy Central Market and Flee Market, or the monument of the Millennium. Overnight in Sofia – Hotel centrally located

Day 6 – Departure and transfer to airport in Sofia