What you can expect
Guided Walks
Enjoy five fully guided walks that showcase the diverse terrains and natural wonders of Bulgaria.
Historic Cities
Delve into the vibrant history and captivating culture of two significant cities, ancient Plovdiv and the dynamic capital Sofia.
Breathtaking Views
Prepare for a visual feast as stunning landscapes unfold at every turn as you hike through the dramatic Rila, Pirin and Rhodope mountains.
UNESCO Rila Monastery
Discover the majestic Rila Monastery, tucked in Bulgaria's Rila Mountains, famous for its vibrant frescoes and centuries-old architecture.
About this trip...
What's included?
Airport transfers
Private Room
Breakfast daily at the hotel, 7 dinners and 5 lunches
Welcome drink
5 guided walks-
Visits to Rila Monastery, Boyana Church, Rojen Monastery, Trigrad gorge, Shiroka Laka, The Wonderful Bridges, Asen’s Fortress and Bachkovo Monastery
-
Wine Tasting in Melnik
Accompanying Solos Tour Leader
What's extra:
- International flights are not included
- Travel insurance
- Tips & drinks
- Meals when not included in the itinerary
- Activities when not included in the itinerary
Itinerary
- Arrival Bansko
- Bansko
- Bansko
- Bansko
- Bansko-Smolyan
- Smolyan
- Plovdiv - Sofia
- Depart Sofia
What you’ll be doing
Day One: Arrival Day - Bankso
- Dinner Included
Day Two: Pirin Mountains
- Distance - 4.3 miles
- Ascent/Descent of 2,303 feet reaching a maximum elevation of 7,999 feet
- Duration - Approximately 4 hrs
- Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner Included
Day Three: Rila Mountains
Today we will visit Rila – the other mountain range in Bulgaria. We will start with a morning transfer through the lush forests of the "Water mountain", where we will visit the world famous Rila monastery – a UNESCO listed site. After a picnic lunch, the hike through the picturesque valley will bring us to the so called Dry Lake, where we can enjoy the unspoiled nature of Rila, before we return back to our hotel.
- Distance - 5.6 miles
- Ascent/Descent of 1,145 feet reaching a maximum elevation of about 6,398 feet
- Duration - Approximately 3.5 hrs
- Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner Included
Day Four: Melnik
We have a well-earned break from walking today and we can enjoy an included visit the charming village of Melnik. Set in a picturesque valley, with good sandy soil and with 350 sunny days per year it’s no wonder that this region is home to the world famous Bulgarian wine cellars! After an included wine tasting we can enjoy lunch in a local restaurant before heading back to our hotel for the rest of the afternoon at leisure.
- Distance - 2.8 miles
- Descent is 1,063 feet reaching a maximum elevation of about 2,162 feet
- Duration - approximately 1.5 hrs
- Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner Included
Day Five: Bansko-Smolyan
After breakfast, we transfer to the village of Dolen, an amazing example of an ancient Bulgarian settlement often referred to as an ‘open air museum’. After a picnic lunch we set off on our hike through lush meadows and forests down to Trigrad, visiting the famous Trigrad gorge and the ‘Devil’s throat’ cave the largest underground waterfall in the Balkan Peninsula. Later, we continue onto the town of Smolyan nestled in the heart of the Rhodope Mountains.
- Distance - 5.6 miles
- Ascent is 1,273 feet and descent is 2,162 feet reaching a maximum elevation of 4,409 feet
- Duration - Approximately 3.5 hrs
- Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner Included
Day Six: Canyon of the Waterfalls
This morning we can enjoy a light hike to the ‘Canyon of the Waterfalls,’ hidden deep in the highest part of the Rhodope Mountains. After a picnic lunch, we visit the village of Shiroka Luka, an amazing perfectly preserved architectural reserve.
- Distance - 5.6 miles
- Ascent/Descent is 1,316 feet reaching a maximum elevation of about 4,797 feet.
- Duration - 3.5 hrs
- Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner Included
Day Seven: Plovdiv - Sofia
After breakfast we make our way to the Medieval Asen’s Fortress with its beautiful 12th Century church and Bachkovo monastery, the second largest in Bulgaria and home of some of the finest frescoes of Orthodox Christianity. We will contiune our tour in Plovdiv ancient town. Later we transfer to Sofia, the capital of Bulgaria, and check into our centrally located hotel. Here the guide will take us for panoramic tour of the historical centre of Sofia.
- Breakfast and Dinner Included
Day Eight: Departure day - Sofia
After breakfast, we transfer to the airport before our onward flight.
- Breakfast Included
Trip Reviews
Beautiful Bulgaria
My incredible thanks to our tour support, Fiona, for her remarkable patience, understanding, friendship and humour, while sincere thanks goes to the astute, knowledgeable and patient Stoyan, whose unique ability to take us back in history, create a cultural feast for our ears to dine on, while locating great places to actually eat and sites to visit, to bring both Sofia and Plodhiv to an audience ignorant to the historical significance of Bulgaria!
Probably the best guide I've ever met
Just returned from this city break, still buzzing. I've learned so much about the cities and Bulgaria generally, especially from the incredibly knowledgeable and friendly local guide - probably the best guide I've ever met. The tour manager, Fiona, was also excellent: unflappable, great company and always willing to 'go the extra mile'.
Accommodation
Best of Bulgaria
- Four-star Casa Karina, Bansko (4 Nights)
- Three-star Kiparis Alpha, Smolyan (2 Nights)
- Four-star St. Sofia, Sofia (1 Night)
Dates & Prices
Essential Information
- Pirin Mountains - Distance 4.3 miles. Ascent/Descent is 2,303 feet with maximum elevation of 7,999 feet. Duration of approximately 4 hrs.
- Rila Mountains - Distance 5.6 miles. Ascent/Descent is 1,145 feet with maximum elevation of 6,398 feet. Duration of approximately 3.5 hrs.
- Melnik - Distance 2.8 miles. Descent is 1,063 feet with maximum elevation of 2,162 feet. Duration of approximately 1.5 hrs.
- Trigrad - Distance 5.6 miles. Ascent is 1,273 feet and descent is 2,162 feet with a maximum elevation of 4,409 feet. Duration of approximately 3.5 hrs.
- Rhodope Mountains - Distance 5.6 miles. Ascent/Descent 1,316 feet with a maximum elevation of 4,797 feet. Duration of approximately 3.5 hrs.
- Walking boots with good ankle support
- Waterproofs – jacket and trousers
- Walking poles – recommended as they provide good support for the knees, particularly on downhill sections of walks and when conditions are wet/slippery
- Lightweight trousers and shorts with pockets
- Shirts or t-shirts for walking in
- Walking socks – several pairs
- Lightweight fleece or jumper
- Hat & gloves
- Daysack/rucksack for walking
- Umbrella – it can be used also for protection from the sun as well as rain
- Lightweight drinking bottle to carry water whilst walking
- Small first aid kit – plasters, insect repellant, etc
- Good, high factor sunscreen, sunhat and sunglasses – the sun’s strength is often multiplied in mountainous areas.
We recommend that you check passport and visa requirements for the country you are visiting at the State Department if you have a U.S. Passport. Most countries require that your passport have at least six months validity when traveling internationally, and many require that you have one to two blank visa pages for either an entry stamp or visa. As a general rule, please check that your passport has six months validity beyond your planned trip, and if not, please renew your passport with plenty of time to provide Solos with your updated passport information by the final payment due date.
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We recommend that you check if vaccinations are required for your destination at the CDC’s recommendations for your visited destination(s). We also recommend you purchase travel protection. A travel protection plan can often assist with medical emergencies and reimburse costs that are covered by the plan. Please verify coverage details with Solos before you travel.
