ROCK CLIMBING COURSES IN RILA MOUNTAINS

Guaranteed departures for 2009:
Every day from June to August.

View detailed trip dossier here! (.pdf ~222 k)

SUMMARY
Rock climbing and mountaineering have old traditions in Bulgaria. Bulgarian mountaineers have climbed all peaks in the world, exceeding 8000 m., including The Top of The World - Mount Everest. The best natural conditions of Rila Mountains for acquiring perfect skills are combined with the excellent tradition and reputation of the Bulgarian mountaineering school. The skills of Bulgarian climbing instructors guarantee excellent results and complete safety to the participants in the climbing courses.
At the moment there exist about 120 trekking and climbing routes, 106 of which are concentrated in Maliovitsa Ridge (Granite Paradise) and 14 in the Eastern Ridge of the mountain. For this reason, the Alpine & Mountaineering School is located in the Maliovitsa Ridge of Rila Mountains. It is fully equipped for the course, including an indoor artificial climbing wall.
These courses are designed for adventurous people, always willing to add more skills to their reserve of abilities.  Exercising the shoulder girdle in advance would be a good idea prior departure.

SPECIAL HIGHLIGHTS
Rila Mountains are the highest mountains in Bulgaria and on the whole Balkan Peninsula with Mount Musala - 2925 m a.s.l.
Sofia is the capital of Bulgaria. Founded seven thousand years ago, Sofia is the second oldest city in Europe.
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.

ITINERARY
Day 1. Arrival at Sofia or Plovdiv airport and transfer to Maliovitsa resort in Rila Mountains (1,30 hours from Sofia; 2 hours from Plovdiv).
The time till the end of the day will be spent on aclimatisation walks (self-guided) and in the area.

Day 2-5. For the next five days you will receive tuition and instructor-guided rock climbing exercise. The programe will concentrate on the important knowledge and skills you need to master for rock-climbing and mountaineering. This includes basic climbing techniques as: knots & knot tying; belay methods (mass belay, simultaneous belay, belay in sequence, self belay, top-roping); belay techniques (shoulder belay, belay with climbing gear/hardware etc.); climbing techniques (climbing glacis, edge, open book, crack-ups, overhang climbing, roof climbing); how to rappel; placement of belay – cams, nuts friends and so on; piton placement; equipment types and how to take care of your gear; setting rappel and rope management; an introduction to climbing multi-pitch routes; fixing ropes; styles of climbing (alpine, sport etc.); first aid in the mountains; camps and camping in the mountains; the dangers of the mountains, connected to weather, relief and more; orientation etc.
Depending on the weather conditions, the rest of your time (outside the course) could be spent on treks to some neighbouring areas of interest in the region of Maliovitsa. These include the Svinskoto Lake ("The pig's lake") a 1.5-hour walk; a two-hour trek to the Yonchevo Lake; the Maliovishki Lakes (three lakes between 72 m and 115 m in length, situated in the circus of Maliovitsa) which are a two-hour walk; the Strashnoto ("The Frightful") Lake refuge, a three-hour trek; Orlovets refuge – 2,5 hrs; Maliovitsa hut – 50 min; to Vada hut; the peak of Maliovitsa. The paths along these routes are clearly signposted.

Day 6. This day you will climb Maliovitsa peak (2729 m a.s.l.) on the northeast edge, using the simultaneous belay method. There you may learn too how to fix rope railing. After a sightseeing brake on the summit you will have about 3,30 hrs downhill walk to the hotel. On your way back you will pass Elenino Lake, the second and firs ledges etc.

Day 7. The lessons learnt so far will be applied practically when climbing Maliovitsa Peak today along some of the climbing routes. Now you are expected to competently belay and follow a leader on single and some multy pitch routes, conduct self-rescue and set up vertical hauling system.

Day 8. After breakfast you will have transfer to Sofia Airport for departure.

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 (days 2-6) & D (day 7)

Accommodation:
We stay in 3-stars hotel with en-suite facilities on FB (breakfast, lunch & dinner included).
(* For advanced climbers we recommend 2 overnights at Orlovets or Strashnoto Lake refuges - very close to Rila's best climbing sites. Sleeping bag is necessary.)

Group size: Min. 2 persons.

 

Price: 650 €

Single room supplement: 80 €

The price includes: accommodation and boarding as mentioned above, transfer to/from Sofia airport to Maliovitsa resort; 4 days instructor-guided lessons, 4 hours/day (on English); 2 days practical activities; all necessary equipment (except for climbing shoes); VAT and all local taxes.
The price does not include: map (could be requested in advance when booking the tour), guidance for the rest time outside the program; tips; entrance fees; alcohol drinks; cigarettes and other personal expenses.