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GOVEDARTSI, RILA MOUNTAINS ADVENTURES
Guaranteed departures for 2009:
Every day from June to September (other dates also possible upon request)
SUMMARY
The Rila Mountains range is not only the highest in Bulgaria and the Balkan Peninsula, but also within southeast Europe. The tallest peak is Musala (standing at 2,925 m). Many of the summits here are close to 3,000m high. Rila (an old Slavic word, meaning "Water Mountain") looks like a rough sea of mountain ridges and peaks, and boasts deep gorges with no less than 150 crystal clear lakes. Generally speaking, the Rila Mountains comprise two parts: west Rila with Maliovitsa Peak, the Rila Monastery and the Seven Rila Lakes; and east Rila, housing the ski resort of Borovets and Musala Peak. The Seven Rila Lakes, lying like pearls on a thread, are the main reason for Rila's attraction to alpine trekkers and wanderers. Thanks to mild winds from the Mediterranean Sea, the mountains have an entirely unique vegetation. A big part of the National Park is also under the protection of UNESCO.
The village of Govedartsi (1,200m) lies in the Cherni Iskar River valley. It is a perfect starting point for trekking tours to west or east Rila.
All walks in the original program could be adjusted by the guide on spot depending on the physical condition of the hikers (there is a variety of hiking trails in the mountains, varying in difficulty grade). Rila is more gentle compared to Pirin Mountains and also the tracks substratum is not as rocky as in Pirin (recommended for hikers with less experience on walking over rocky slopes).
 
SPECIAL HIGHLIGHTS
Rila Mountains are the highest mountains in Bulgaria and on the whole Balkan Peninsula with Mount Musala - 2925 m a.s.l.
Govedartsi village (1200 m a.s.l.) is situated some 73 km to the southeast of Sofia. It is a mountain resort, primarily used during winter.
Borovets (1350 m a.s.l.) is the oldest international and most popular mountain resort in Bulgaria.
The Seven Rila Lakes The circus of "Seven Rila Lakes" is the most beautiful one in Bulgaria. They bear the following names: Salzata (The Tear), Okoto (The Eye), Babreka (The Kidney), Bliznaka (The Twin), Botanicheskoto or Trilistnika (The Botanical), Ribnoto (The Fish lake), and Dolnoto (The Lower Lake).
Maliovitsa resort is a famous place of the Bulgarian alpinism and mountaineering.
Rila Monastery (1147 m a.s.l.) is the most popular tourist site among all monasteries in Bulgaria equally for its size, natural surroundings, architecture, wall paintings and ancient history.
Strashnoto lake (The Scary lake) (2465m a.s.l.) is the biggest and highest situated in the circus of the Prekorechki lakes.
Musala (2925m/9,596ft) is the highest peak in Bulgaria and the entire Balkan Peninsula. The peak is situated within the Rila National Park. All the major mountains in Bulgaria can be seen from the summit.
 ITINERARY
Day 1. Arrival at Sofia airport and transfer to Govedartsi village in Rila Mountains (1hr drive).
Day 2. In the morning we board the bus and head for the Vada hut (1,410 m). This is the starting point for the trek to The Seven Rila Lakes – probably the most eminent hiking area in Rila Mountains. The path follows the summit between the rivers Dzherman and Cherni Iskar, offering fine views of both the Vitosha and Verila mountains. Wandering for a while among the glacial lakes we arrive in the region of Goreloto, where the next hut, Lovna, is situated. The trek ends again at Vada hut. (6 hrs; uphill walk/downhill walk: 900m)
Day 3. Short transfer to Maliovitsa resort. From there the path weaves up along the valley to the wide circus of Prekorechki Lakes, enclosed by the steep slopes and rocky walls of several peaks exceeding 2700m (Popova Kapa, Kupenite, Iglite etc.). We visit also The Scary Lake before walking downhill on a steep rocky slope to the west coast of Yonchevo Lake (more than 200m long) and further to Maliovitsa resort. (7 hrs; uphill/downhill walk: 900m)
 Day 4. Today we climb the highest peak on the Balkans – Musala (2925 m a.s.l.). Short transfer brings us to Borovets ski resort, where we take the lift to Yastrebets Peak (2369 m a.s.l.). Enjoyable walk along Dwarf Pine massifs with the jagged form of Mount Musala at the background leads us to Musalenski Lakes, lying at the foots of the peak. The view from the top is truly breath-taking – you can make out the remaining peaks of Rila Mountains; the marble edges of the Pirin Mountains; Mount Vitosha and the Sredna Gora Mountains; the green summits of the Rodopi Mountains; and last, but not least, the long body of the Balkan range. (6 hrs; uphill/downhill walk: 750m)
Day 5. Transfer to Sofia airport for departure.
* The tour provides the opportunity more days to be added to the program if purchased in advance. These could be spent on self-guided walking in the area, more guided walks, guided sightseeing tours to famous places nearby (Sofia, Rila Monastery, Plovdiv etc.), cycling, birdwatching around Sofia at Dragoman Marsh or along Maritsa River and Pazardzhik hills etc. Please ask for quotation for any of these possibilities. Additional accommodation only (price per night per person in twin room on halfboard) is mentioned inside the pricelist.
 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/C/D (*depending on the clients’ fitness the guide may adjust the difficulty of the program on the spot)
Accommodation:
We live in a family run pension with rooms with private WC/shower on halfboard (breakfast & dinner included).
Group size: Min. 2 persons
Single room supplement: 60 €
 The price includes: accommodation and boarding as mentioned above, transfer to/from Sofia; private transfers throughout the trip; lift tickets for Day 4; English-speaking guide; VAT and all local taxes.
The price does not include: map (could be requested in advance when booking the tour); lunches; tips; entrance fees; alcohol drinks; cigarettes and other personal expenses.
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