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THE THREE HIGHEST OF THE BALKANS / Bulgaria / Greece
The Three Highest of the Balkans / Bulgaria / Greece
INTRODUCTION:
Incredible journey to the three highest mountains of the Balkans! This trek will take you to Musala - the highest peak of the entire Balkan Peninsula, Pirin National Park, included in the UNESCO's list and Olympus - the incredible "Mountain of Gods". You will relax deeply in thermal SPA's fed by hot spring waters, visit Angitis - the longest river cave in Greece, and one of the longest in the world and Alistrati, considered to be the most beautiful and decorated cave in Greece, with its rare cave formations. The tour ends with deserved relaxation after the trek at the picturesque Greek coast.
TOUR HIGHLIGHTS:
♦ Two countries and the three highest peaks of the Balkans in 8 days
♦ Sapareva Bania, Dobrinishte and Bania hot thermal water springs and SPA
♦ Rila Monastery – UNESCO World Heritage Site
♦ Stob Pyramids
♦ Rila, Pirin and Olympus National Parks
♦ Angitis - the longest river cave in Greece, and one of the longest in the world
♦ Alistrati cave, considered to be the most beautiful and decorated cave in Greece
♦ Sapareva Bania, Dobrinishte and Bania hot thermal water springs and SPA
♦ Rila Monastery – UNESCO World Heritage Site
♦ Stob Pyramids
♦ Rila, Pirin and Olympus National Parks
♦ Angitis - the longest river cave in Greece, and one of the longest in the world
♦ Alistrati cave, considered to be the most beautiful and decorated cave in Greece
DURATION: 8 days
DIFFICULTY: Medium to Difficult
DIFFICULTY: Medium to Difficult
INCLUDED IN THE PRICE:
Pick up at Sofia airport ♦ all ground transfers as per itinerary ♦ transfer to Thesaloniki or Sofia airports at the end of the tour . gondola (day 1) and chairlift (day 2) tickets as per itinerary ♦ entrance fees for all hot thermal pools as per itinerary ♦ entrance fees for Angitis and Alistrati caves . accommodation in 3 star hotels in double rooms with private facilities on HB (breakfast and dinner included) ♦ English-speaking mountain guide member of UIMLA ♦ guidance throughout the tour ♦ VAT and all local taxes
NOT INCLUDED IN THE PRICE:
Travel to Sofia ♦ lunch (allow 5€ - 6€ for lunch pack or 10€ - 15€ for 3 course lunch) ♦ beverages ♦ entrance fees (museums, monasteries) ♦ items of a personal nature ♦ personal insurance ♦ tips
ITINERARY:
DAY 1. Arrival at Sofia airport and short transfer to the city center for a sightseeing tour. Later we have a transfer (approx. 1.5 hrs.) to Govedartsi village.
DAY 2. Govedartsi - Musala – Sapareva Banya SPA resort
After breakfast we have a short transfer to Borovets ski resort (1300 m) from where we take cable car for a scenic ride to Yastrebets peak (2361 m a.s.l.). Jagged peaks, glacial lakes, stunning alpine views… we spend the day exploring the highest area of the Rila mountains. We visit the second highest alpine lake in Bulgaria – The Icy lake and climb up to the highest peak of the entire Balkan Peninsula – Musala (2925 m a.s.l.). Enjoying breathtaking views we have lunch on the top and later descent back to Borovets via the gondola. Transfer to to Sapareva Banya spa resort. The village situated at the foothills of the north western slopes of Rila is famous for one of the hottest geothermal springs in Europe (103 C). Free time for SPA and dinner in traditional Bulgarian restaurant.
DAY 3. Sapareva Banya - The Seven Rila lakes – Rila Monastery – Bansko
Morning transfer to Pionerska hut from where we take a chairlift up to the Seven lakes hut (2150 m.). We have a loop walk around the Seven Rila Lakes, reaching the Lakes peak (2544 m.), offering great panoramas of the Seven Lakes cirque. Downhill we follow a different route passing by the Kidney, the Twins and the Fish lakes for a close look. At the end of the walk we reach the bus via the chairlift and continue with a transfer to the Rila Monastery, UNESCO World Heritage site and probably the most famous tourist landmark in Bulgaria. In the late afternoon we have transfer to Bansko mountain resort, where we check in a hotel and have dinner.
DAY 4. Bansko – Vihren peak - Bansko
Today we climb the highest peak of the Pirin Mountains – Vihren (2914 m a.s.l.). Early breakfast and transfer to Vihren hut, from where we start the ascent towards the summit. On our way we pass by the dramatic north wall of the peak where edelweiss and Balkan chamoix (Rupicapra Rupicapra) may be seen. We have lunch on the summit and then head back on a different road to the shack. On the way back a short visit of the oldest tree in the mountain – Baikusheva Mura (more than 1300 y.o.). In the afternoon we relax in the hot geothermal water pools in the nearby village of Banya or have a sightseeing tour in the old town of Bansko.
DAY 5. Bansko - Angitis cave - Alistrati cave and canyon –Thessaloniki city - Litohoro village
After breakfast we check out the hotel and head by the bus towards Greece. Short drive after the border crossing and we arrive for a tour in Angitis - the longest river cave in Greece, and one of the longest in the world. Then we join the bus for another short transfer to Alistrati cave, considered to be the most beautiful and decorated cave in Greece with its rare cave formations. Short cave tour and visit of the nearby Alistrati canyon. Later, passing by the city of Thessaloniki we head towards Litochoro.
DAY 6. Litohoro - Prionia (transfer) - Refugee A - Refugee SEO - Refugee A
Short transfer to Prionia (1100 m) recreational area from where our journey in the mountain of the gods begins. We walk along a beautiful trail through dense beech and pine tree forests to refugee A (2100 m). The refuge well maintained by the family of Kostas Zolotas, an old climber and guide, offers great panoramas of Litochoro coast and the peaks above. Later we head towards SEO refugee area offering splendid views to the dramatic walls of Stefani peak and walk back to Refugee A.
DAY 7. Ref. A - Mitikas or Skolio (2nd highest) - Prionia – Litohoro coast
Today we climb Mitikas (2918 m), the highest peak in Greece and the second highest in the Balkans. In clear weather we admire breathtaking panoramas to the coast of the Aegean sea and the jagged peaks of Olympus national park. We walk back to Refugee A and further down to Prionia where the coach is waiting us for a transport back to the coast for deserved relaxation.
DAY 8. Transfer to Thessaloniki or Sofia for departure.
* Possible extension at the Aegean coast.
DAY 2. Govedartsi - Musala – Sapareva Banya SPA resort
After breakfast we have a short transfer to Borovets ski resort (1300 m) from where we take cable car for a scenic ride to Yastrebets peak (2361 m a.s.l.). Jagged peaks, glacial lakes, stunning alpine views… we spend the day exploring the highest area of the Rila mountains. We visit the second highest alpine lake in Bulgaria – The Icy lake and climb up to the highest peak of the entire Balkan Peninsula – Musala (2925 m a.s.l.). Enjoying breathtaking views we have lunch on the top and later descent back to Borovets via the gondola. Transfer to to Sapareva Banya spa resort. The village situated at the foothills of the north western slopes of Rila is famous for one of the hottest geothermal springs in Europe (103 C). Free time for SPA and dinner in traditional Bulgarian restaurant.
DAY 3. Sapareva Banya - The Seven Rila lakes – Rila Monastery – Bansko
Morning transfer to Pionerska hut from where we take a chairlift up to the Seven lakes hut (2150 m.). We have a loop walk around the Seven Rila Lakes, reaching the Lakes peak (2544 m.), offering great panoramas of the Seven Lakes cirque. Downhill we follow a different route passing by the Kidney, the Twins and the Fish lakes for a close look. At the end of the walk we reach the bus via the chairlift and continue with a transfer to the Rila Monastery, UNESCO World Heritage site and probably the most famous tourist landmark in Bulgaria. In the late afternoon we have transfer to Bansko mountain resort, where we check in a hotel and have dinner.
DAY 4. Bansko – Vihren peak - Bansko
Today we climb the highest peak of the Pirin Mountains – Vihren (2914 m a.s.l.). Early breakfast and transfer to Vihren hut, from where we start the ascent towards the summit. On our way we pass by the dramatic north wall of the peak where edelweiss and Balkan chamoix (Rupicapra Rupicapra) may be seen. We have lunch on the summit and then head back on a different road to the shack. On the way back a short visit of the oldest tree in the mountain – Baikusheva Mura (more than 1300 y.o.). In the afternoon we relax in the hot geothermal water pools in the nearby village of Banya or have a sightseeing tour in the old town of Bansko.
DAY 5. Bansko - Angitis cave - Alistrati cave and canyon –Thessaloniki city - Litohoro village
After breakfast we check out the hotel and head by the bus towards Greece. Short drive after the border crossing and we arrive for a tour in Angitis - the longest river cave in Greece, and one of the longest in the world. Then we join the bus for another short transfer to Alistrati cave, considered to be the most beautiful and decorated cave in Greece with its rare cave formations. Short cave tour and visit of the nearby Alistrati canyon. Later, passing by the city of Thessaloniki we head towards Litochoro.
DAY 6. Litohoro - Prionia (transfer) - Refugee A - Refugee SEO - Refugee A
Short transfer to Prionia (1100 m) recreational area from where our journey in the mountain of the gods begins. We walk along a beautiful trail through dense beech and pine tree forests to refugee A (2100 m). The refuge well maintained by the family of Kostas Zolotas, an old climber and guide, offers great panoramas of Litochoro coast and the peaks above. Later we head towards SEO refugee area offering splendid views to the dramatic walls of Stefani peak and walk back to Refugee A.
DAY 7. Ref. A - Mitikas or Skolio (2nd highest) - Prionia – Litohoro coast
Today we climb Mitikas (2918 m), the highest peak in Greece and the second highest in the Balkans. In clear weather we admire breathtaking panoramas to the coast of the Aegean sea and the jagged peaks of Olympus national park. We walk back to Refugee A and further down to Prionia where the coach is waiting us for a transport back to the coast for deserved relaxation.
DAY 8. Transfer to Thessaloniki or Sofia for departure.
* Possible extension at the Aegean coast.
