Grand Tour of Bulgarian Mountains Itinerary

Day 1 Explore Smakov and Borovets in the Rila Mountains

Welcome to Bulgaria! Your guide will meet you at the airport in Sofia and help you transfer to Samokov, a town at the foot of the Rila mountains. Samokov is known for its traditional icon painting and woodcarving crafts, and it is home to beautiful architecture from the Bulgarian Revival period. Later on, transfer to ski resort Borovets. Check in to your hotel and receive a short tour briefing before enjoying a traditional dinner and spending the night.
Overnight Location: Hotel St. George, Borovets
Meals: Dinner

Day 2 Hike to the Summit of Mount Musala

After breakfast, a 40-minute gondola ride transports you to higher elevations so that you can climb to the summit of Mount Musala (2,926 m / 9,600 ft), the tallest peak in Bulgaria. Enjoy incredible views overlooking the rugged ridges and glacial lakes of the surrounding area. Stop along the way for a picnic lunch, then walk back to the gondola to return to Borovets. Round trip, the hike takes about 6 hours.
Overnight Location: Hotel St. George, Borovets
Distance: 6 Hours Hiking
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Day 3 Hike to the Summit of Mount Malyovitsa

Today’s hike is the most technically demanding trail of the tour. Climb to the summit of Mount Malyovitsa (2,729 m / 8,953 ft), which is considered a symbol of the Rila mountains. The hike to the summit and back down again takes about 7 hours to complete and the day is full of amazing scenery. You’ll see jagged peaks, impressive rock walls, and basins carved by glaciers. Stop along the way for a picnic lunch and at the end of the day, return to the same hotel for a third night.
Overnight Location: Hotel St. George, Borovets
Distance: 7 Hours Hiking
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Day 4 Hike to the Seven Rila Lakes and the Rila Monastery

After breakfast, a quick 15-minute transfer brings you to a new trail through a pine forest that leads to the Seven Rila Lakes. These beautiful lakes are connected to each other by small streams and waterfalls, and you’ll follow a trail that ascends beside each of the lakes. The climb ends at the Razdela mountain pass, which offers one of the region’s best viewpoints. Pause to enjoy a picnic lunch and take in the view before descending again to visit the Rila Monastery, which is a UNESCO World Heritage site. Altogether, today’s hike takes about 7-8 hours and you’ll end your day with a traditional meal prepared by the host of your charming hotel near the Rila monastery.
Overnight Location: Hotel Magnolia, Panichiste
Distance: 7-8 Hours Hiking
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Day 5 Hike to the Macedonia Hut and Dobarsko Village

Today’s hike is an easier and slightly shorter route that will take about 6 hours. Begin with a 20-minute transfer to the southern part of the Rila mountains and hike to the Macedonia Hut. After a picnic lunch, continue your walk down into a small village called Dobarsko. Transfer from here to the town of Bansko, which is known for its traditional Bulgarian architecture and folk music. Spend the night here, in the foothills of the Pirin mountain range.
Overnight Location: Yatse Guesthouse, Bansko
Distance: 6 Hours Hiking
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Day 6 Summit Mount Vihren

Climb to the summit of Mount Vihren today (2,914 m / 9,560 ft). Transfer from Bansko to a mountain hut (2,000 m / 6,562 ft) where the trail begins. The round trip hike to the summit and back down to this point will take about 6.5 hours and you’ll have a picnic lunch along the way. Be sure to pause frequently to take in the marvellous alpine views of rugged peaks and rock walls formed in marble. After a challenging but rewarding climb to the top of the tallest peak in the Pirin mountains, return to your hotel in Bansko. For dinner, visit a traditional tavern in town.
Overnight Location: Yatse Guesthouse, Bansko
Distance: 6.5 Hours Hiking
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Day 7 Hike along the Marble Ridge and Descend to Yavorov Hut

Get ready for high adventure today and leave your fear of heights at home! Transfer from Bansko in the morning to reach the trail up to the famous main ridge of the Pirin mountains, known as Marble Ridge. Follow the ridgeline, including the famous knife-edge section known as The Foal. Here the trail is just two feet wide with steep drops on either side, so fasten yourself to the security line for safety. This route is beautiful and exhilarating! Descend again into the valley and make your way to the Yavorov Hut (1,740 m / 5,709 ft), where you’ll rest for the night after about 7 hours of thrilling adventures.
Overnight Location: Yavorov Hut
Distance: 7 Hours Hiking
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Day 8 Hike to Bansko, then Mineral Pools

After the previous day’s excitement, a calm and relaxing day is welcome. Descend from the Yavorov Hut for about 2.5 hours to return to the town of Bansko. Head to a traditional tavern to eat lunch. After lunch, visit the nearby Dobrinishte Resort to enjoy the mineral pool complex. Return to your familiar Bansko hotel feeling refreshed and ready for a great meal and a good night’s rest.
Overnight Location: Yatse Guesthouse, Bansko
Distance: 2.5 Hours Hiking
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Day 9 Travel to the Rhodope Mountains

Travel today to the Rhodope mountain region, stopping along the way at the villages of Leshten and Kovachevitsa. These picturesque local villages have preserved the authentic lifestyle and architecture of the Bulgarian Revival period and visitors can explore them as open-air museums. After lunch in a traditional local tavern, continue driving to reach Shiroka Laka. This town is also an open-air museum full of fantastic architecture and museums. Spend the night here in a traditional hotel deep in the Rhodope mountains.
Overnight Location: Hotel Kalina, Shiroka Laka
Distance: None
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Day 10 Hike to Trigrad

Travel high into the mountains today, driving for about 30 minutes to reach Gela (1,500 m / 4,921 ft), a picturesque village surrounded by some of the tallest peaks in the Rhodopes. Hike from here through lovely pine forests until you reach Trigrad. Trigrad is another traditional mountain village, strikingly located between vertical rock faces. Spend the night in Trigrad.
Overnight Location: Hotel Arkan Han, Trigrad
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Day 11 Visit Trigrad Gorge, Devil’s Throat Cave and the Elephant in Devin

After breakfast, visit the scenic Trigrad gorge and a famous cave known as the Devil’s Throat. When you see it you’ll understand why. After a traditional lunch in a nearby restaurant, hike for about 2.5 hours through beautiful meadows and pine forests to reach the next village. From here you can visit another remarkable cave, the Yagodina cave. Transfer from here for about 45 minutes to Devin. Near this town you can visit an unusual rock formation, known as The Elephant, because the outcropping of the rock resembles an elephant’s trunk. Enjoy a traditional dinner and a comfortable night in Devin.
Overnight Location: Hotel Persenk in Devin
Distance: 2.5 Hours Hiking
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Day 12 Hike to Borino

Phenomenal panoramic views and varied landscapes await you today as you hike from Devin to the village of Borino. Discover why this trail is often called one of the best hikes in the Rhodope mountains. It will take about 5-6 hours to complete this lovely route, then transfer back to your Devin hotel to spend another night.
Overnight Location: Hotel Persenk in Devin
Distance: 5-6 Hours Hiking
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Day 13 Travel to the Wonderful Bridges, the Bachkovo Monastery, and Plovdiv City

Today is a more relaxing day exploring the Rhodope mountains. Travel for about 2.5 hours to reach the unique natural landmark known as the Wonderful Bridges. Deep in the forests of the Rhodope mountains, the rock has been carved by water and wind to form these two remarkable large arches, the largest of which is 45 m tall and 40 m wide. After exploring this incredible area, visit the Bachkovo Monastery, then continue travelling for about 90 minutes to reach Plovdiv, Bulgaria’s second-largest city, where you’ll spend the night.
Overnight Location: Hotel Alafrangite, Plovdiv
Distance: Minimal
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Day 14 Plovdiv City Tour, Sofia City Tour

Today is another opportunity for you to learn more about Bulgaria’s history and culture. Found within the modern city of Plovdiv is the ancient city of Plovdiv (Philipopolis). Visit the Old Town where you’ll find many fascinating locations, including a Roman stadium and an ancient theatre. After having a meal in a traditional Plovdiv restaurant, drive for 1.5 hours to explore Sofia, Bulgaria’s capital city. Your city tour of Sofia includes visits to the St. Alexander Nevski cathedral, the Parliament building, the National Theatre, Sofia Synagogue, and the churches of St. George and St. Sophia. After a very full day, enjoy a restful night in your hotel in Sofia. Please note that dinner is not included in your tour.
Overnight Location: Hotel St. Sofia, Sofia
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch

Day 15 Sofia Airport, Departure Day

Sadly, your Grand Tour of Bulgarian Mountains has come to an end. After breakfast, transfer to the Sofia Airport in time for your departure flight. Have a pleasant journey!
Overnight Location: None
Meals: Breakfast