Compare Conquer the highest peak between the Alps and the Caucasus by Hiking the Balkans vs Balkan Village Trek (8 days progressive ride in Teteven Balkan area) by Penguin Travel
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| Trip |
5 | Excellent
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5 | Excellent
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| Duration | 8 days | 8 days |
| Price From | $ 1,115 | $ 670 |
| Price Per Day | $ 139 | $ 84 |
| Highlights |
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| Trip Style | Group tour | Small group tour |
| Lodging Level | Premium | Standard |
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| Countries Visited | ||
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| Flights & Transport | Ground transport included | Airfare included |
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N/A |
| Meals Included |
Breakfast and lunch packs only |
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| Description |
How about climbing the highest peak between the Alps and the Caucasus? We are going to climb Musala, which at 2925 meters (9596 feet) is the highest peak in the Balkans. Late summer is the perfect time to do it, as the snow has melted and the mountain is most accessible and welcoming, so if this is your idea of a well-spent holiday in mid-September, then join the event now. |
Many and varied are the mountains in Bulgaria, but Teteven Balkan combines the best of them all - picturesque valleys with sparkling rivers and ancient forests with hidden meadows, high ridges and tops, crowned with rocky peaks revealing spectacular views, and villages scattered at the foothills, where life is lived with an old rhythm. |
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.
1 Sofia
Transfer to our hotel for overnight. Private transfer is included.
2 Golyam Izvor - Glozene Monastery-Golyam Izvor
The road passes through meadows and mixed forest. We will ascend the heights above the village where we will see the first beautiful view of the central ridge of Stara Planina and the town of Teteven surrounded by rocky peaks. Then, we will descend through an ancient beech forest at the end of which Glozhene Monastery is located, perched on a high rock, it reveals an even more spacious view of the Danube plain. We will see the monastery and find out about its 800 year old history. Then have a soup for lunch, made by the local staff. After, we take another route to come back to Goliam Izvor, where we will spend the night. B/L/D Duration of the ride: 4 - 5 hours
3 Around the village of Golyam Izvor
After breakfast we start a village trek around Goliam Izvor and the nearby rolling hills. We will see some pretty houses and how the locals live. Then we will move onto some open plane areas, perfect for gallops with a nice view over the valley. B/L/D Duration of ride: 5 hours
4 Golyam Izvor – Brusen - Lopian
The route will take us on the other side of Goliam Izvor and along a small river, supplying the fields, perfect for long galops. Then we pass through the roma neighborhood of Belianovec, before ascending into a pine forest. There we are going to have a nice packed lunch amongst the nature. After the woodlands, we will trekk through an open field again and finish at the outskirts of Brusen, where we leave the horses and get a short drive to ‘Starata Furna’ or the Old oven, our super charming guest house. If not too tired, we can make a car trip to Etropole Monastery and the waterfall nearby (30 min drive). B/L/D Duration of ride: 5-6 hours
5 Lopian – Cherni Vit
The start of the trail passes through mixed forests. Then we get on top of unwooded ridge with beautiful 360 degrees view of the nearby mountains. We will continue along the ridge really soaking in the scenery in the beautiful trek. After we will finally descent to the village of Cherni Vit. In the afternoon we will have a trip by car to an approximately 4 million years old Saeva Dupka cave which is known for its beautiful formations. Overnight in a guest house in Cherni Vit. B/L/D Duration of ride: 5 hours
6 Cherni Vit – Teteven
The ride on this day starts from Cherni Vit leading us close to the the Boatin Reserve which is part of the Central Balkan National Park which protects the nature in the central part of Stara Planina. Overnight in Teteven. Optional trip by car to Troyan Monastery (80 km) and Chiflik Spa.B/L/- Duration of ride: 5 hours
7 Teteven – Golyam Izvor. Back to Sofia
We start with a morning transfer to Cherni Vit village where we have left the horses the previous day. On that last day we have a little bit of forest, some hills, slopes and a beautiful ridge to go through. Then a last scenery of Goliam Izvor, lunch and a transfer back to Sofia for overnight at a hotel. B/L/- Duration of ride: 4-5 hours
8 Sofia - Departure
Transfer to Sofia airport for departure.
