Snowshoeing in Vitosha and Rila Mountains (Bulgaria)

NOW POWDER, STUNNING LANDSCAPES AND TOTAL TRANQUILITY
Snowshoeing is another way of exploring the mountains – and offers spectacular views. It gives you the freedom of exploring nature from a different angle – vast fields with virgin snow coverage, majestic frozen peaks, quiet century-old forests, hidden below the snow paths…There is no better way to discover the beauty and tranquility of the mountain, walking even outside the marked trails. This tour takes you off-the beaten tracks, combining spectacular views of two of the most beautiful Bulgarian mountains – Vitosha and Rila. We spend the evenings in cozy places, where you will have the chance to share a glass of red wine with the locals and meet in close with their way of living.

Tour Highlights

• The 15m high Boyana Waterfall
• The Boyana Church, inscribed in the UNESCO World Heritage List in 1979
• Skakavitsa – the highest waterfall in the Rila Mountains
• The Rila Monastery

Departure Dates:
01 January 2009 – 31 March 2009 – every day;

Country Region: Vitosha and Rila Mountains

Price Without Flight Ticket: 650.00 EUR

Trip Plan:
Day 1: Meeting at Sofia airport and transfer to the city centre for overnight.

Day 2: After a short transfer to the foots of Vitosha Mountains we head towards Boianski Waterfall – the biggest and most beautiful in Vitosha Mountains, which is frozen in winter and very famous among ice-climbers. On the way down we will visit Boyana Church, listed as a UNESCO World Heritage site. Walking time 4 hrs; uphill/downhill: 400m

Day 3: Transfer to Kumata hut, which is a starting point for the snowshoeing towards the highest peak of Vitosha Mountain – Cherni Vrah (2290m). After a cup of warm tea at the top we start descending to Aleko Mountain Base where the bus waits to transfer us to Govedartsi village in Rila Mountain. Walking time 6-7 hrs; uphill/downhill: 600/500m

Day 4: Short transfer to Maliovitsa Mountain Base. We make a circle, first heading to “Ovnarsko” region, then to Yonchevo Lake and then descending back to Maliovitsa Mountain Base. Transfer back to Govedartsi. Walking time: 5 hrs; uphill/downhill: 540/400m

Day 5: Another day of snowshoeing in the region of Maliovitsa Mountain Base, this time to Maliovitsa hut (1950m) and further on to Maliovitsa Peak (2729m). Then we descend back to Maliovitsa Mountain Base and transfer back to the hotel. (*Reaching the top is only possible in good weather and stable snow. Otherwise we will stick to the lower parts of the mountain). Walking time: 7 hrs, uphill/downhill: 1000m

Day 6: Today we explore another area of the mountains starting from Skakavitsa hut (1876m). We will visit the famous Skakavita Waterfalls and continue to Rila Lakes hut (2150m) where we stay overnight. Walking time 4 hrs; uphill/downhill: 600/150m

Day 7: A nice walk awaits us along the renowned Seven Rila Lakes – probably the most famous area in Rila Mountains. After that we descend to Pionerska hut, where the bus waits to transfer us to the famous Rila Monastery. We make a guided tour here and then head back to Sofia for overnight. Walking time: 5 hrs; uphill/downhill:150/ 700m

Day 8: Transfer to the airport for departure.

Walking with snowshoes is rather adventurous and although not technically difficult it could be a bit strenuous over mountain slopes. Reasonable physical condition is required.

Accommodation and Food: Guesthouse (days 1, 2, 7) and a 3*** family-run hotel (days 3, 4, 5) with rooms with private facilities and a mountain hut (day 6) with shared facilities on halfboard (breakfast and dinner included). Luggage is taken care of throughout the whole trip (except for the evening of day 6 when you will have to take some luggage for the night in the hut).

Luggage transport: Luggage is taken care of throughout the whole trip (except on Day 6, where you should bring along enough clother for one night in the hut)

Price of Extra Services: Single room supplement: 90 EURO

Included in the price: transfers from/to Sofia airport; snowshoes and ski poles; accommodation and boarding as mentioned above; English-speaking guide and private transfers throughout the tour; entrance fee for Boyana Church, VAT and all local taxes.

Excluded from the price: map (could be requested in advance when booking the tour); tips; alcohol drinks; cigarettes and other personal expenses.

Practical Information: We have a unique proposal, which gives you the opportunity to stay at the Bulgarian ski resorts for one week more at the incredibly low price! We can offer a great variety of means of accommodation – 2,3 or 4-star hotels. For more information please check “Vacation extensions”.For low-cost flights to Bulgaria please check:Wizz Air – http://wizzair.com/; Sky Europe – http://www1.skyeurope.com/; Easy Jet – http://www.easyjet.com/; Germanwings – http://www.germanwings.com/; My Air – http://www.myair.com/; Penguin Travel – http://www.flybulgarien.dk/; Norwegian Air Shuttle – http://www.norwegian.no/

Recommended travel period of the year: January – March

Necessary Equipment: daypack (40 l); winter walking waterproof boots (hard-soled); gloves/mittens; sunscreen lotion; sunglasses with UV protection;For the full list with recommended items see the detailed trip dossier.

Tour difficulty: C

These tours include trekking which is a little harder, normally on a challenging terrain. We take it for granted that you are in good condition and fit. You should be physically prepared at home to get the maximum of the tour. Most of the trekking is done at a greater height (max 3000m).