The Best From Rila Mountain, Bulgaria - The Highest on The Balkan Peninsula

Rila is the highest mountain in Bulgaria and on the Balkan peninsula. Its highest peak is Musala which with its 2925 meters takes the 6th place among European mountains, after Caucasus Mountains, Alps, Sierra Nevada, Pyrenees and Mount Etna. From the mountain lakes start the biggest Bulgarian rivers - Iskar, Maritsa (Evros) and Nestos. Here is located also the biggest national park with a lot of rare and protected flora and fauna. This program includes visiting the most interesting cultural and natural Rila phenomena – Skakavica waterfalls, Seven Rila lakes, peak Musala and the ancient Rila monastery.

Prices

Per person for minimum 6 clients - 2860 €2717 €

The group is maximum 6 people

All advertised prices exclude VAT

Itinerary

Day 1: Sofia

Gathering of the group at 16:00 at Sofia airport, transportation to the hotel.

Day 2: The Skakavitsa Waterfall and Haramiyata Peak (2465 m) - 6-7 hours

We depart from Sofia early in the morning. After about 1:30 hours we would reach the resort Panichishte and the "Zeleni preslap" hut. Here we start the trek. We gain elevation, while walking through a beautiful alder and spruce-fir forest, and after about 1:30 hours of fresh walk we would reach the oldest hut in Bulgaria – the "Skakavitsa" hut. About 30 more minutes of walking and we reach the highest and most beautiful waterfall in Rila mountain – The Skakavitsa Waterfall. The area is a reserve and is surrounded by venerable white-fir forests.




Malyovitsa hut & Malyovitsa peak


Afterwards, we would continue ascending, reaching the Suhia Rid ridge, and the "Rilski Ezera" hut. After a short lunch break , we would continue walking until in less than an hour, we would reach the old "7 Rila Lakes" hut, from where we would start the ascent of the emblematic and legendary Haramiyata peak.

Looking at it from the west, Haramiyata is a spectacular pyramid-shaped peak, with sharp and steep ridges. The west face, starting from the "Twin Lake" is a tough challenge, even for the experienced alpinists. Don’t be afraid, because we would climb the peak from the easy-to-reach, but not less beautiful east ridge. From it’s highest point, you would be amazed by the absolutely breath-taking scenery in front of you – the beautiful Rila lakes, the sharp and edgy Malyovitsa ridge, and Vitosha mountain.

Afterwards we go back down to the hut "Rilski ezera" for a good rest and preparing for the next day.

Day 3: The Seven Rila Lakes (2696 m) - 4-5 hours

After we wake up and have breakfast, we will take the path which leads to "Ivan Vazov" hut and we will make a roundabout of all the 7 lakes.




Musala peak


The Seven Rila Lakes are, without a doubt, the most impressive wonders of the nature on the Balkan Peninsula. A peace of heaven on earth, like in the fairy tales, which one definitely has to see and feel in his lifetime. The lakes are lying terraced in a huge circus, with several beautiful peaks hanging above – Suhi Chal peak, Otovishki peak and Haramiyata (which we would have already climbed the previous day). Every single lake has its own name, given because of its form and features. The highest lake is called Salzata which means the Tear Drop, because of its crystal-clear waters, at a height 2535 meters above sea level. Every year, on the 19th of August, the so-called Universal White Brotherhood gathers near the Twin Lake to celebrate their New Year, with the special ceremonial dance called "Paneurhythmy". Rila mountain is holly for the members of the brotherhood, also called Danovists, which is the reason they gather here from all around the world on this date, to watch the sunrise on the 19th of august.

Afterwards we would reach the Tear Drop Lake, and then climb the next peak in our trek – Otovishki peak, which rises 2696 meters above sea level. After we enjoy the heavenly view from the top, we would continue walking on the path to the unique "Ivan Vazov" hut, where we will spend the night at 2300 meters above sea level.




The Rila Monastery looked from Malyovitsa peak


Day 4: Malyovitsa peak (2730 m) - 5-6 hours

Today, we are going eastwards, to the wildest and harsh part of Rila Mountain. After we reach the saddle Razdela we will climb Vazov peak (2670 m) From Vazov peak we will see one more astounding lake circus – the Urdini Lakes circus. Afterwards we will descend to the saddle Topilata and then following a huge wide ridge, we would climb to the top of Dodov peak (2661 m). We are going to descend through its steep and narrow east ridge. After we bypass (or climb, it’s your decision) Malak and Golyam Mramorets peaks, we are heading to Malyovitsa peak. After we reach the spectacular mountain top, we would make a longer rest, enjoying the unique view towards the Malyovitsa valley, the sharp alpine peaks around us and the sky-blue Elenino lake below us.

We will take a closer look to the lake, when going down to the hut "Malyovitsa", where we are going to sleep this night.

Day 5: Lovnitsa and Kupenite peaks (2695 m) - 6-8 hours

Today we are making a beautiful round-trip to some of the alpine peaks in the region, from which we will get a closer view towards the wildest and hard-to-reach places in Rila.




The Seven Rila Lakes & peak Haramiyata


First we are going to climb back a part of the route, through which we got down yesterday, make a turn south-eastwards taking a narrow path, and after 1:30 hour walk, we will reach the refuge "Granitna voda". After a short break, in which you would be speechless because of the beauty of the surrounding alpine edges, we will head towards the saddle Zliya Prelez. From the saddle we will be able to see some of the hardest and technical peaks in Bulgaria – Djavolski Igli, or The Devil’s Needles.

Our next stop is Lovnitsa peak (2695 m) Afterwards, following the ridge with several ups and downs, we will ascend Malak Kupen, Sreden Kupen and Golyam Kupen. Then we are going down to the refuge "Strashnoto ezero" with the lake of the same name.

After a good rest, we will continue walking down through the valley, until we reach the "Malyovitsa" hotel, where our bus will pick us up to Borovets resort, where we will sleep in a hotel and take a long rest and prepare for the next day.




The Rila Monastery


Day 6: Musala peak (2925 m) - 5-7 hours

After the breakfast we will take the cabin-lift from Borovets to Yastrebets peak, which is the last station. From here we will walk through a nice wide path, until we reach the "Musala" hut. Afterwards we will enter the Musalenski circus, which is surrounded by the highest peaks in the mountain – Irechek peak, Malka Musala peak, Musala peak and Aleko peak. We would pass the beautiful Musalenski lakes, spread along the circus. Next to the highest among them – Ledeno lake or The Icy Lake there is a refuge, bearing the name of the lake, where we will take a short break, before starting the ascension of Musala peak. We will climb on the north-east ridge.

The peak is 2925 meters high and is the highest one in the Balkan peninsula. The first high-altitude weather-service station in Bulgaria is built on top. Your eyes won’t be stopped by anything but the surrounding peaks, and the other distant mountains like Vitosha, Stara Planina and the Rodopi mountains.

We will go down through the same ridge we used to ascend. And we will sleep one more night in the hotel in Borovets.




The Seven Rila Lakes


Day 7: The Rila Monastery

Today we have a long way, but this time not walking – with our van we will visit the most remarkable and important monument of the Bulgarian spirituality and culture – The Rila Monastery. Before we reach the monastery we will have lunch at a charming restaurant, at the bank of Rila river, famous with the delicious trout it offers. We will afterwards go to the monastery, which stands 15 minutes away from there.

The Rila Monastery was founded in the beginning of the 10th century, by the hermit Ivan, later canonized for saint. The monastery was built by several generations of Bulgarian skilled builders, wood-carvers and painters. In 1983, the monastery became a UNESCO World Heritage Site. After we see the sights of the monastery, we will go to the holy grave of Saint Ivan, which stands 20 minutes away from the monastery.

Then we depart to the hotel in Blagoevgrad, for our last night and deserved rest.

Day 8:

After the breakfast, we will go to Sofia, where your unique mountain adventure would come to an end.




The Rila Monastery