SKI TOURING IN RILA & PIRIN NATIONAL PARKS

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1 SKI TOURING IN RILA & PIRIN NATIONAL PARKS HIGHLIGHTS: Rila and Pirin National Parks Mussala 2925m highest peak in Southeastern Europe Seven Rila Lakes symbol of Bulgaria Rila Monastery (UNESCO) Traditional cuisine and Family-run accommodations TRIP SUMMARY: The south-western part of Bulgaria is a land of mountains a rolling sea of independent massifs separated by deep cut gorges and high passes. This is where Rila and Pirin Mountains rise high the highest mountain ranges in Southeast Europe! The peaks tower well above 2500m with the main one reaching nearly 3000m. During our trip we will enjoy Rila National Park: Mussala Peak (the highest on the Balkans); Malyovitsa valley (the Bulgarian Matterhorn) and the Seven Rila Lakes (symbol of Bulgaria). In the heart of Rila mountain we will visit the magnificent painted Orthodox monastery: Rila Monastery (UNESCO). In the second part of our trip we will reach Pirin National Park (UNESCO Nature Heritage). In Pirin we will enjoy two ski tours: one to Mt.Vihren (2914m) and another one in the area of

2 Mt.Todorka (2746m) and Mt.Bezbog (2645m). After the day ski tours we will relax in the traditional local restaurants famous for its delicious cuisine and red wines. Our guides hold national mountain leader diplomas and are professional ski instructors. Some of them are members of the Bulgarian mountain rescue team. All of them have years-long experience in leading ski groups.

3 Day 1: Welcome Arrival in Sofia and direct transfer to Govedartsi village (1.30 hours) in the footsteps of Rila National Park. Night stop: Govedartsi village Accommodation: Guest house Peichevi Included meals: Dinner Day 2: Musala peak (2925m) After breakfast short transfer to Borovets ski center. We take the gondola lift to peak Yastrebets (2360m). From here we start the ascent to Mussala Peak (2925m) the highest peak in the South-eastern Europe and the Balkan Peninsula! If the weather is good and snow conditions are acceptable, we will ski to peak Deno and from there descend to Borovets. Short transfer back to Govedartsi. Transfers: 1 hours Skiing time: 4-6 hours; Ascent: 600m; Descent: 1500n Night stop: Govedartsi Accommodation: guest-house Peichevi Day 3: Metchit peak (2567m) After breakfast short transfer takes you above the village where we start ascending towards hut Metchit (1750m) and then to the peak itself (2567m.) We continue following the mountain ridge and traverse to Lopushki peak (2698m) We descent in the valley of Maliovitsa River. Transfer time: 1.00 hour Skiing time: 5-7 hours; ascent: 1000; descent 1000m Night stop: Govedartsi village Accommodation: guest-house Peichevi Included meals: breakfast and dinner Day 4: Maliovitsa peak (2729m) Transfer to Maliovitsa ski center (1700 m). We will warm up to hut Maliovtsa (1960m). From there we continue in the valley, passing through Elenino ezero up to Maliovitsa peak (2729

4 m). We follow the main ridge and traverse the mountain above 2500m. Descent to area of the Seven Rila lakes. Transfer time: 0,30 min Skiing time: 5-7 hours; ascent 1000m; descent 1000m Night stop: Rila mountains Accommodation: hut Seven Lakes Day 5: Rila monastery (UNESCO) *This ride supposes descent on the south slope and so the conditions should be perfect in order to do it. If not, we will ride in the area of the seven lakes and transfer by vehicle to the monastery afterwards. Today we change the mountain ranges and at the end of the day we reach Pirin mountains. From Rila Lakes hut we climb through the lakes up to the main ridge of the mountain and Razdela area. Descent to Rila monastery and sightseeing tour of the biggest Orthodox sanctuary in Bulgaria. (UNESCO). Transfer to Bansko located at the footsteps of the Pirin Mountain. Accommodation in a 3- star hotel in Bansko. Transfers: hours (depends on the ski route) Skiing time: 5-7 hours; ascent 800m; descent 1500m Night stop: Bansko town Accommodation: 3* hotel Rahov Day 6: Todorka peak (2746m) After breakfast we transfer to Banderitsa area (1700m). We climb to the Todorka peak (2746m) and traverse to the west on the ridge of the mountain to descent by following the Demianitsa valley. Short ransfer back to Bansko. Transfers: 1.00 hours Skiing time: 6-8hours; ascent 1000m, descent 1200m Night stop: Bansko town Accommodation: 3* hotel Rahov

5 ODYSSEIA-IN Sport & Travel Agency Ltd Day 7: Vihren peak (2914m) * This will be technically the hardest day of the whole tour. We will start early in the morning no later than a.m. The Vihren peak involves a lot of climbing and good technical skills. It is climbed only in very good weather and good snow conditions. First we will have a short transfer to the area of Banderitsa area (1700m). We start from there, pass Bunderitsa hut (1810m) and continue in the valley. Our first aim is to climb the Hvoinati peak (2635 m). From there we have a panorama to the Marmor Ridge of Pirin Mountains and also to Peak Vihren. We traverse to the foot of Vihren and then decide if we climb it or not. The climb is done from the south wall, which is the reason for a very early start from Bansko. If the snow is not stable we do not climb the peak. The way back is a descent in the valley and then ski on the ski piste down to Bansko a very long and beautiful downhill to Bansko. Transfers: 1,00 hour Skiing time: 8-10 hours; ascent 1300m, descent 1900m Night stop: Gorno pole village Accommodation: guest house Wild Farm Day 8: Sofia city tour and departure Transfer from Bansko to Sofia (3 hours). We make a sightseeing tour of the capital city and see the main cultural monuments such as the great Alexander Nevski Cathedral, the Roman Ruins of the ancient city, the building of the former Royal Palace, St. George Rotonda. Transfer to Sofia Airport and flight back home. Transfer time: 3,00 hours

6 Price: 635 / per person (valid for a group of 6) Price includes: English speaking licensed ski-guide Accommodation: 3 nights in guest-house, 1 night in mountain hut, 3 nights in 3* hotel All transfers and drives according to the program in private minibus or minivan 8 breakfasts and 7 dinners Price excludes: Failing meals Museum entrance fees Flights and taxes Personal expenses Anything not specifically mentioned as included