TRANSBALKAN TREK
Guaranteed departures for 2010:
19 June, 10 July, 31 July, 14 August, 28 August, 11 September, 25 September (other dates also possible upon request)
SUMMARY
This trip offers a combined trek through two of the most exciting natural reserves in the Balkan Mountains: Kozyata Stena and Severen Dzhendem, as well as a visit to the Troyan Monastery. We climb Mount Botev – the highest peak in the Balkan Mountains (2,376 m) and enjoy the imposing view of the low-lying Sredna Gora Mountains and the fertile Thracian Valley. After descending the extremely steep southern slope of the Balkan, known as "Tarzan's walkway", we visit the small town of Kalofer. The mountain huts lie like pearls on a thread with the walking paths in between. The trip ends in the town of Plovdiv, which is the second largest city in Bulgaria, still housing romantic remains of its old quarters.
The trails that are mostly followed are not really tough but still reasonable fitness or experience in mountain walking and overcoming gradual ascents/descents would be an advantahge.
This is the second classical mountain walk in Bulgaria after the Rila-Pirin trek.
SPECIAL HIGHLIGHTS
Balkan Mountains (highest peak: Mount Botev 2376 m a.s.l.) are the longest (550 km) and the biggest of all mountains in Bulgaria.
Cherni Osam is a village, perched on both banks of the Cherni Osam River and an excellent base to explore the National Park Central Balkan.
Chiflik is a village located at the upper stream of the Beli Iskar River.
Troyan Monastery "Assumption of Virgin Mary", being the 3-th largest in Bulgaria, is built in the style of the Bulgarian Renaissance.
Beklemeto Pass (1320 m a.s.l.) is a mountain resort very popular for summer and winter mountain marches in the high part of the mountains.
Plovdiv (160 m a.s.l.) ranks as the second Bulgarian city in population and size. The old town of Plovdiv is one of the oldest European towns contemporary to Troy and Mikena.
ITINERARY
Day 1. Arrival at Sofia or Plovdiv airport and transfer to Beklemeto Pass in the Balkan Mountains where we stay overnight.
Day 2. In the morning we start from Beklemeto (1320 m a.s.l.) towards the peak parts of the mountains to Troyan pass (1525 m a.s.l.), continuing west after that to Kozyata Stena reserve. From now on we have about 7 km to reach the village of Chiflik (600 m a.s.l.). Then we have transfer to our hotel on Beklemeto. The hiking takes about 5-6 hours. Uphill walk - 250 m; downhill walk - 950 m.
Day 3. After breakfast we head from Beklemeto to Dermenka hut (1504 m a.s.l.). Nice descent along the stream of Cherni Osam River through the Steneto Reserve is expecting us to the village of Cherni Osam. Then we have a transfer to Troyan Monastery for a short sightseeing tour. In the afternoon we leave for Apriltsi, where we stay overnight. Uphill walk - 450 m; downhill walk - 650 m. The whole trek takes about 7 hours.
Day 4. In the morning we make a walk along one of the new local eco-paths to Pleven hut (1390 m a.s.l.) where we stay overnight. Uphill walk -900 m; downhill walk - 100 m. (1-4 hours walk).
Day 5. From Pleven hut the path goes through a beech forest, reaching a place, called “Murgata”. Then it continues by the foothills of the “Milk Peak” to “Hristo Botev” refuge with great views to the majestic rocks of Northern Dzendem reserve (Dzendem means Hell) . From there we start climbing the highest peak of the Balkan Mountains - Mount Botev (2376 m a.s.l.). From the peak the track weaves among the rocky slopes of the mount (The Tarzan's path), providing excellent view to the precipice of the Southern “Dzhendem”. Then we continue to “Rai hut” passing by the Heavens Waterfall ("Raiskoto pruskalo").
Uphill walk: 1000 m (3,280 ft); downhill walk: 900 m (2952 ft); walking time: 6-7 hours
Day 6. We start on a nice panoramic trail through the rocky slopes of the Southern “Dzhendem” passing through many small streams and rock formation, followed by a walk through alpine meadows to “Vasil Levski” hut, where we stay overnight. Possible 20 minutes walk to the beautiful Karlovo praskalo waterfall.
Uphill walk: 600 m (1,968 ft); downhill walk: 450 m (1,476 ft); walking time: about 5 hrs
Day 7. Today we walk downstream the picturesque valley of Stara river proclaimed for a natural reserve. We pass by two other huts enroute and end the trek in Karlovo town (birthpalce of Vasil Levski - the most Bulgarian famous revolotionery during Ottoman rule). Option for a swim in the river under the beautiful Suchurum waterfall near Karlovo. Transfer to the city of Plovdiv, where we stay overnight.
Uphill walk: 0 m; downhill walk: 100 m (3,280 ft); walking time: 4 hrs
Day 8. Transfer to Sofia or Plovdiv airport for departure (2hrs drive).
EXTENSIONS:
Yes, Black Sea
This is a unique proposal, which gives you the opportunity to stay in Bulgaria for one week more at the incredibly low price! We can offer a great variety of means of accommodation - from home stays (no meals) to 2, 3 and 4-star hotels (BB or HB) on the Southern Bulgarian Black Sea Coast:
- Sunny Beach - a big modern resort with hundreds of hotels, cafes, pubs, casinos, water-sports facilities etc.
- Nessebar, Sozopol - small towns (founded by the ancient Greeks) with picturesque Old Quarters and a specific atmosphere.
- Lozenets -a peaceful small village with a beautiful beach. Only 4-5 km from the forests of the Strandzha Mountains where you can go walking, biking or riding horses.
Difficulty grade: B (days 2 & 4) / C (days 3, 5, 6 & 7)
Accommodation:
We stay in 3-star hotels (days 1, 2 & 3) and guesthouse (day 7) with private facilities and in mountain huts (days 4, 5 & 6) with shared facilities on HB (breakfast & dinner included). Lunchpacks are included for the mountain treks during the days 5, 6 & 7.
Group size: Min. 4 persons.
Single room supplement: 75 €
The price includes: accommodation and boarding as mentioned above; transfer to/from Sofia and Plovdiv; English-speaking guide; luggage and private transfers throughout the tour; VAT and all local taxes.
The price does not include: map (could be requested in advance when booking the tour), tips, alcohol drinks, cigarettes and other personal expenses.
