∗ From Sofia – our team will be waiting to greet you at the Sofia Airport or you can arrange your pick up point in advance with a member of our booking team.
∗ Sofia tour: Please note, we can do first day or the last day depend of the flights.
–           Sofia tour. (English speaking guide)
–           Visit to the St. Alexander Nevsky Cathedral.
–           Rotunda Saint George.
–           Discover Complex Ancient Serdica.
–           Unravel National Institute of Archaeology.
∗ Bulgarian Arts and Crafts Tour.
You may choose to visit and do a workshop at one of the follwing places. Please let us know beforehand which one you would like to visit:

• Artikos – Shop Gallery “Crafts and Arts Workshop”: Crafts and arts workshop for traditional Bulgarian souvenirs, Icons and Crucifixes made from wood, metal, ceramics, made by hand. https://artikos.bg/en/
• Craft Blаiv: Bulgarian traditional craft workshop. Embroidered clothes, Ceramic dishes, Copper and metal household items from the region, Production of household curtains from the region. https://zanaiat.bg/
• Workshops Potoche: Small family work shop for traditional Bulgarian gifts and souvenirs. The work shops in run by mother and Daughter. https://www.potoche.bg/workshops/
• Bulgarian Tapestry: Creative workshop for Bulgarian embroidery and needlework: Bulgarian embroidery is a beautiful embroidery that is not just decoration. It is a story, a symbol, coded information. It is a testament to the rich spirituality of our ancestors and their pursuit of beauty. https://goblen-bg.com/

Bulgaria has an extremely rich tradition of arts and crafts – with many items and techniques unique to particular regions or towns. By looking at the craft traditions of Bulgaria, you’ll be able to learn a huge amount about the traditions and beliefs of the people… as well as the lifestyles of Bulgarian people throughout history.
∗ Hotel dinner and relaxation time at the charming atmosphere to get ready for the next day.

∗ Today after breakfast we are departing toward Vitosha mountain. The starting point of the trek is just 30 minutes’ drive from the hotel.
∗ Starting point of the trek is Aleko Konstantinov hut.
∗ Hiking trek to the Cherni peak takes about 02:30 hours.
∗ After a break on the peak and meditation practice we will hike back to the starting point.
∗ Trash collection in a Vitosha mountain.
∗ Transfer to Sofia Arts and Crafts Tour tour.
Bulgaria has an extremely rich tradition of arts and crafts – with many items and techniques unique to particular regions or towns. By looking at the craft traditions of Bulgaria, you’ll be able to learn a huge amount about the traditions and beliefs of the people… as well as the lifestyles of Bulgarian people throughout history.
You may choose to visit and do a workshop at one of the follwing places. Please let us know beforehand which one you would like to visit:

• Artikos – Shop Gallery “Crafts and Arts Workshop: Crafts and arts workshop for traditional Bulgarian souvenirs, Icons and Crucifixes made from wood, metal, ceramics, made by hand. https://artikos.bg/en/
• Craft Blаiv: Bulgarian traditional craft workshop. Embroidered clothes, Ceramic dishes, Copper and metal household items from the region, Production of household curtains from the region. https://zanaiat.bg/
• Workshops Potoche: Small family work shop for traditional Bulgarian gifts and souvenirs. The work shops in run by mother and Daughter. https://www.potoche.bg/workshops/
• Bulgarian Tapestry: Creative workshop for Bulgarian embroidery and needlework: Bulgarian embroidery is a beautiful embroidery that is not just decoration. It is a story, a symbol, coded information. It is a testament to the rich spirituality of our ancestors and their pursuit of beauty. https://goblen-bg.com/

∗ We will visit the Artikos – Shop Gallery “Crafts and Arts Workshop” where you can see many different traditional Bulgarian crafts and arts. Here we will purchase some supplies to gift to the School of Arts and Crafts we will visit later.
∗ Visit to the School of Arts and Crafts “Dimitar Ekimov” – Arts and Crafts Boarding School for Underprivileged Children. Its focus is on bright and gifted children from the poorest strata of society. Children growing up in complete social isolation and bearing the stigma of doom, children deprived of the right to an equal start and a chance for development.
∗ Hotel dinner and relaxation time at the charming atmosphere to get ready for the next day.

∗ Today after breakfast we check out from the hotel and will visit a park in Sofia.
∗ Garbage collection in the park in Sofia.
∗ Lunch and relax in a traditional restaurant while enjoying delicious food and lovely atmosphere.
∗ Transfer to the Every Dog Matters EU Shelter (2230, Kostinbrod). We will help out with some of the daily work at the shelter and walk with some of the dogs. You will also gift the shelter the supplies we bought on the first day to support their work.
∗ Departing towards village of Govedartsi in a Rila mountain.
∗ Check in at the hotel in a village of Govedartsi, free time.
∗ Hotel dinner and relaxation time at the charming atmosphere to get ready for the next day.

Hiking Difficulty: Moderate (3 from 6)
Elevation: 571 m (2354 m – 2925 m);1873ft (7723 ft – 9596 ft)
Length: 13,70 km (8.512 mi),
Duration: 6 hours (hiking time only)

∗ Today after breakfast we depart towards Yastrebets chairlift, leading to the Yastrebets Hut (2369 m/7772 ft).
∗ From there we will start trekking to Musala Hut. [1 hour]
∗ A picnic amidst the captivating tranquility in the area of the beautiful Rila Mountains.
∗ After the break we will continue hiking to the Ice Lake (2709 m/8887ft ). Mediation in a magical area of the lake. [1.5 hours]
∗ From there we will start the last hike to Musala Peak (2925 m/9596ft). [30 minutes]
∗ After a break on the peak we will get back to the trek to the Yastrebets hut. The trek takes approx three hours. [3 hours]
∗ Garbage collection in the town of Samokov (nature cleanup).
∗ Return to the hotel in a village of Govedartsi.
∗ Hotel dinner with local music, traditional costume dances and songs from the region. Local people will also be invited to join so you will have the opportunity to chat with them, sing along and dance to local songs together.

Difficulty: Strenuous (4 from 6),
Elevation: 1006 m (1723 m – 2729 m) – 3300 ft (5652 ft to 8953 ft)
Length: 6.5 km – 4 ml
Duration: 8,00 h (hiking time only)

∗ After breakfast we will continue our adventure in the area, we will depart towards the region of Malyovitsa.
∗ The journey takes about half an hour to the starting point for trekking in the region of  Malyovitsa  at an altitude of 1,700 m/5652 ft.
∗ From there we will take a hiking trek to the next stop. [1 hour]
∗ Malyovitsa Hut is at an altitude of 1960 m/6430 ft, from where a panoramic view of Rila Mountain opens up.
∗ A pleasant picnic amidst the captivating tranquility in the area.
∗ Next track will take about one hour to the Second Terrace. These are rough rocky rivers passing two plateaus. [1 hour]
∗ Take the next trek to the Malyovishki Lakes (Elenski Lakes), they are a group of three glacial lakes. [30 minutes]
∗ After a short break we will start the last trek to the Malyovitsa Peak at 2,729 m/8 ft above sea level. [30 minutes]
∗ Mediation at the Malyovitsa peak.
∗ Trekking back to Malyovitsa Hut and board the coach.
∗ Take part in a project to maintain the mountain footpaths with a local ogranisation from National Park Rila.
∗ Hotel dinner and relaxation time at the charming atmosphere to get ready for the next day.

Difficulty: Moderate (3 from 6)
Elevation: 469 m (from 2081 m to 2550 m)–1538 ft (6827 ft to 8316 ft)
Length: 8 km–4.971 ml
Duration: 5,00 h (hiking time only)

∗ Today after breakfast we check out from the hotel and depart towards Panichishte resort.
∗ From there we will take the chairlift, which will lead us to the Rila Lakes mountain hut at an altitude of 2081 m / 6827 ft. Hiking trek to the “Lake Peak” (2535 m / 8316 ft) from where a panoramic view of all seven lakes is revealed.[2 hours]
∗ A pleasant picnic amidst the captivating tranquility in the area of the Seven Rila Lakes.
∗ Enjoyable afternoon at the Seven Rila Lakes Cirque. Mediation in a magical area of Seven Rila lakes.
∗ Trekking back to ‘Rila Lakes’ hut and the chairlift.
∗ Visit to the ABS- Active Bulgarian Society Take part of mountain project to help preserve the nature.
∗ Departure towards Bansko, Hotel Orbel SPA.
∗ Check in at the hotel, free time.
∗ Hotel dinner and relaxation time at the charming atmosphere to get ready for the next day.

Hiking Difficulty: Moderately/Strenuous (3/4 from 6)
Elevation: 964 m (from 1950 m – 2914 m) – 3162 ft (from 6397 ft – 9560 ft)
Length: 6 km – 3.72 ml
Duration: 6:00 hours (Hiking time only)

∗ After breakfast we will continue our adventure in the area, we will depart towards Yavorov Hut
∗ Short transfer to Yavorov Hut (1950 m/6397ft above sea level).
∗ From Yavorov Hut we will start trekking to the next stop Кoncheto shelter.
∗ Next trek will take us to the Кoncheto peak at 2886 м / 9468ft.
∗ A pleasant picnic amidst the captivating tranquility in the area of the beautiful Pirin Mountains.
∗ After a lunch break we will continue hiking to Vihren summit (2,914 m /9,560 ft above sea level) – this is Bulgaria’s second and Balkans’ third highest summit after Musala and Mount Olympus.
∗ Inspiring break on the peak with mediation and then we will return to the trek to Vihren Hut and will board the coach.
∗ Visit to a sheltered housing project for people with mental disabilities. We will help out with some daily work of the social workers to support their amazing work.
∗ Return to the hotel to enjoy some hot thermal mineral water.
∗ Hotel dinner with local music, traditional costume dances and songs from the region. The music and dance group will enjoy the meal and drinks together with you so that you have the opportunity to speak to them about the traditional music and dances and their daily lives.

Difficulty: Moderate (3 of 6)
Elevation: 409 m – 1341 ft
Length: 6 km–4 ml
Duration: 6,00 h (hiking time only)

∗ After breakfast we depart towards Gotse Delchev Hut (1412 m/4632 ft above sea level).
∗ From there we will take the chairlift, which will lead us to Bezbog Hut (2236 m/7335 ft above sea level).
∗ Later on we will start trekking to the next stop. [1 hour]
∗ A pleasant picnic amidst the captivating tranquility in the area of the beautiful Pirin Mountains.
∗ After a lunch break we will continue hiking to Bezbog Peak at (2645 m/8677 ft above sea level). [1 hour]
∗ Inspiring break on the top of the peak and heading to Popovo Lake and mediation practice in the area.
∗ Return to Bezbog Hut and the chairlift.
∗ Cooking traditional dishes and then delivery to the Elderly people in the area.
∗ Transfer to the hotel to enjoy some hot thermal mineral water, optionally wine tasting.
∗ Hotel dinner and relaxation time at the charming atmosphere to get ready for the next day.

∗ Today after breakfast check out from the hotel and depart towards Rila monastery.
∗ Visit Rila Monasetry – one of the symbols of Bulgaria and a popular tourist destination. The monastery lies in the recesses of Rila Mountain between Rilska and Drushlyavitsa Rivers, at 1147 m above mean sea level. Throughout the centuries Rila Monastery has always been the spiritual, educational and cultural centre of Bulgaria. The monastery is a part of UNESCO World Cultural Heritage.
∗ Depending on your flight time, you can visit the St. Ivan’s cave and mediation in a magical forest.
∗ Transfer to the Airport or you can arrange your Drop off point in advance with member of our booking team.

We are glad that we spent memorable moments together and we will be happy to meet you soon!