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The "Champions" Of The Balkans Hike

Mount Rila-Mount Olympus-Mount Pirin
 
If you are considering a hike in the mythic Mount Olympus, the home of the Ancient Greek gods, but also want to hike up to the highest mountain of the Balkans, Rila Mountain, than this trip is for you.
We offer you a trip to the three tallest mountains of the Balkans:
1) Rila Mountain in Bulgaria, with Musala peak at 2,925 m;
2) followed by Mount Olympus in Greece, with Mytikas peak at 2,918 m, and
3) in third place Pirin Mountain with Vihren peak at 2,914 m, also in Bulgaria.
It will take you through two beautiful countries in the Balkans: Greece and Bulgaria with lots of diverse nature, culture and food in less than a week.
The Balkans, an area of Eastern Europe, is the perfect place to have an epic hiking vacation as most of it is covered by mountain ranges. But they also border strikingly with the Mediterranean Sea, which means that you can finish at the pristine beaches with clear blue water or head to some of Greece’s famous islands.
Trip Highlights
  • Trek in the Rila Mountain National Park, plus the fascinating lakes.
  • Visit to the Rila Monastery, a Unesco World Heritage site.
  • Trek in the Pirin Mountain National Park, a Unesco World Heritage site.
  • Visit to the Greek Olympic coast.
  • Trek in the Mount Olympus National Park, the home of the Greek gods.
  • The possibility to continue your vacation to some of the famous Greek islands.
Trek Suitability
For those who want to reach the tops of the three peaks, should be:
  • Fit and active traveler
  • Ready to spend 2 nights in mountain huts (no hot shower)
  • Walk 3 days (6-7 hours) along rocky terrain
For those who want to climb the last stretch to the peak of Mytikas (optional), should be:
  • Experienced mountaineer
  • Without any serious fear of heights
  • Ready to easy scramble (up to grade 3 UIAA climbing), but exposed.
For all the rest:
The treks are circular and it is not obligatory to reach the very top of the peaks.
Itinerary
Ask for more information here:
Prices per person for 8 days / 7 nights in a group of:

5 - 6 Persons EUR 899
3 - 4 Persons EUR 999
     2 Persons EUR 1199

In Brief
RANGE
Active
TRIP TYPE
Group Tours
STARTS
Sofia, Bulgaria
ENDS
Sofia, Bulgaria / Thessaloniki, Greece
DEPARTS
Daily / mid - June to mid - October
GROUP SIZE
Min 2 / Max 6
HOTEL RATING
4 star hotel
TOUR GUIDE
Yes - escorted by a tour guide
MEALS
Breakfast: 7, Lunch: 3, Dinner: 5
COUNTRIES
Bulgaria, Greece
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Day1one
Welcome in Sofia!
Welcome to Sofia, Bulgaria!
Upon arrival at Sofia you'll be met and transferred to your hotel. The remainder of the day is free to relax or independently explore Sofia. Perhaps head to the Vitosha Boulevard in the city's vibrant centre with views towards the Vitosha Mountain, wander around the streets and see the iconic St. Alexander Nevski Cathedral with its gold-plated domes. There will be a welcome meeting with your guide.

Day2two

Trek to the Musala peak
Sofia - Borovets - Musala - Borovets
This morning our group will be transferred to the foothills of the Mount Rila at the resort of Borovets (1300m), a famous ski resort in winter, settled in a beautiful pine forest. Check-in at the hotel and preparing of one-day backpacks for the hike.
 
From the resort the group will take the cabin lift to the altitude of 2300m from where starts the guided climbing to the peak of Musala, the highest peak of the Balkan peninsula, 2925m. The trek passes by the hut Musala and sets off on an ascending along a zig-zagging path. In less than 3 hours, passing by the beautiful Musalenski Lakes, it leads to the very peak. Take plenty of photos and enjoy a picnic lunch at the summit before starting the descent back down the slopes of the mountains. In the evening there is free time in the resort. You can enjoy the swimming in one of the hotels pools in the resort.

Day3three

The Rila Monastery
Borovets – Rila Monastery - Bansko
The group continues the journey towards the next Mountain, Pirin Mountain. Along the road (fewer than 2 hours) we will make a diversion to visit the famous Rila Monastery. The Monastery is settled deep in the heart of the Rila Mountain and the road towards it follows the valley of the Rilska river.
Bansko is an old traditional town in the foothills of the Mount Pirin. Due to the ski area nowadays it has become an international centre for winter and summer tourism.
Check-in in the hotel in Bansko. In the afternoon you can enjoy the hot mineral water in one of the many swimming pools at the nearby village of Banya, located only 5 km (3 mi) from the town.

Day4four

Trek to the Vihren peak
Bansko - Vihren - Bansko
Transfer to the starting/finishing point of the hike. In the morning the group will be transferred to the end of the asphalt road next to the hut Vihren (1955м). From here starts the ascending towards the peak of Vihren (2914m). The path is rocky but well-trodden. After 4 hours approximately the group will reach the summit. Needless to say that in good weather the highest peak of the mountain offers the best views in the whole area. The panorama of the rugged mountain peaks around and the deep blue lakes settled in the glaciers circuses has made Pirin so attractive and desired destination of the hikers from all over the world. In less than 3 hours the group will drop down back to the hut Vihren and transferred back to Bansko. The hike is circular and it shows the whole splendor of the mighty peak of Vihren.
In the evening you can enjoy the delicious Bulgarian cuisine in one of the many restaurants in Bansko.

Day5five

Bulgaria - Greece
Bansko – Greek border – Thessaloniki – Olympic coast
In the morning the journey continues towards the Greece and the last Mountain of the hike, Olympus. Along the road (approximately 320 km and 4 hours) the group will cross the Bulgarian-Greek border and passing by the city of Thessaloniki will arrive at the Olympic coast on the Mediterranean Sea. Here the group can swim in the clean waters of the sea, while enjoying the views of the Mount Olympus. The night will be spent in a hotel at the coast.

Day6six

Trek to the hut Apostolidis in Mount Olympus
Olympic coast – Gortsia – Apostolidis hut
This day the group starts the trek to the highest peak of the Greece, Mytikas (2918m) in the mountain Olympus. Due to the big difference of the elevation between the starting points and the peak of Mytikas, the group will spend the first night at the highest situated hut on the Balkan peninsula (2697m) before the final ascend to the top the next day. The location of the hut, called the Plateau of Muses, itself is ideal for contemplating the beauty of the rocky peaks of Mytikas and Stefani, the valley bordering the sea, the sunrise and the sunset.
The group will reach the starting point of the hike Gortsia. It will take approximately 2-3 to get to the hut Petrostrouga (1940m) where we can have a rest and refreshments. The ascending continues along a well maintained path in the alpine part of the mountain to the hut Apostolidis.

Day7seven

Mount Olympus, Mytikas peak Day
Apostolidis hut - Mytikas peak - Apostolidis hut - Petrostrouga hut
Being on the Plateau of Muses gives the group the chance to consider, with the help of the group leader, if the weather conditions are appropriate for a climbing to the very top. As the trail (trough Kakoskala, regarded as the safest) is mainly on rocks, it requires dry conditions and good visually. If there are good conditions, those who feel enough energy and lack of fear of the heights, can reach the very peak in less than 1.3 hours with a small backpack. The rest of the group can enjoy the other panoramic peaks in the region as the peak of Profits Elias (2781m), Toumpa (2786m) and Kalagia (2625m). In the afternoon, when the group reunites, it will set off down to the hut Petrostrouga (1940) to spend the night.

Day8eight

End of the trip
Transfer to Sofia/Thessaloniki/Athens
This is the final day and the group will return to Sofia. In less than 3 hours, we will get by foot to the area of Gortsia at the asphalt road, where the bus will wait for us to drive the group back to Sofia. Upon additional arrangements, you can be transported to other places served by airports as Athens, Thessaloniki or nearby coastal resorts. 

Trip highlights

  • Trek in the Rila Mountain National Park, plus the fascinating lakes.
  • Visit to the Rila Monastery, a Unesco World Heritage site.
  • Trek in the Pirin Mountain National Park, a Unesco World Heritage site.
  • Visit to the Greek Olympic coast.
  • Trek in the Mount Olympus National Park, the home of the Greek gods.
  • The possibility to continue your vacation to some of the famous Greek islands.

Trek Suitability

For those who want to reach the tops of the three peaks
This is a trek for fit and active travelers, who are happy also to spend 2 nights in mountain huts. The trek reaches a maximum altitude of 2925m (Musala peak) with just one night spent at approximately 2700m. There are several walking days (6-7 hours) along rocky trails but there isn't any technical difficulty.
Image

The prices start from 899 EUR*

* per person in a 6 person group.

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The Pack Includes

 Sofia Airport arrival transfer Day 1
 2 nights at mountain huts  
 5 nights in hotel in Sofia, Borovets, Bansko, Olympic coast
 Breakfast daily, 3 lunch packs and 2 dinners in huts;
 Guided by an English speaking local mountain guide
 All transportation and transfers in private air-conditioned tourism vehicles

The Pack Does Not Include

 Travel to and from Bulgaria and visa
 Organised luggage transport from hut to hut
 Dinners in the hotels and lunches
 Drinks
 Personal expenses
 Travel insurance