Hiking tour in Stara Planina /The Balkan/ and Pirin Mountains

Day 1 - Our tour begins early in the morning by transfer from Sofia to Etara open-air museum of traditional crafts. We'll make a short walk (4 km) to the Sokolski Monastery for a sightseeing and return at the hotel. In the afternoon we set off to the south until we reach the open-air museum of Etara. Spending a night at Etara hotel (built in the traditional Bulgarian architectural style). The restaurant at the hotel offers Bulgarian national dishes and drinks. At the open-air museum those interested can look at our old Bulgarian crafts and buy some typical Bulgarian souvenirs.
Day 2 - After a breakfast in the early morning we cross Stara Planina Mountain (The Balkan Range) by car and stop for a short time on the peak Shipka where tourists will get acquainted with the history of this holy place for Bulgarians and see the memorial to our Liberation from the Ottoman rule. Tourists will keep in their hearts the beautiful view from the peak to the North and the South Bulgaria. We'll reach the town of Kazanlak in about 30 min. Later on we'll visit the Tomb of a Thracian king buried 3000 years before Jesus Christ came. The tomb is World Heritage Site, under UNESCO's Convention for the Protection of the World Cultural and Natural Heritage. A short transfer (46 km) to the countryside Panitzite and there the motor tour for the day ends. From there we begin the ascent to the mountain chalet Ray at the feet of the Stara Planina summit "Botev". The standard hike takes 4 hours. With the start of the trek we enter the Central Balkan National Park. There are 9 nature reserves within its boundaries and 4 of them have been in the World List of the Biosphere Reserves since 1977. We tread along a blazed path and in 2 hours time enter the primeval beech forest in the Nature Reserve Dzhendema; all around us are deep precipices and canyons with torrents and waterfalls running down headlong. With some good luck we could see Chamois on rocks and high cliffs, the proud lords of the highest mountains - the Golden Eagles in the sky above us, and, why not, the brown giant of the Balkan too - the Bear. The ascent begins at 800 m of altitude and goes up to 1560 m where the chalet waits for us. There are 2, 3 and 4-beds rooms. The bathroom and toilet are for common use of all guests. Dinner is here in the chalet's restaurant with the beautiful landscape all around us. We'll stay overnight in the chalet.
Day 3 - March from the chalet Ray (1560 m) to the chalet Vassil Levski (at 1450 m a. s. l.). It is a relatively easy march of some 5 hours. In the chalet Vassil Levski the bathroom and the toilet are also for common use. Marching is practically on a level ground with slight ups and downs. On the way we will visit the highest waterfall in Bulgaria (125 m). The path goes on through places rich in rare and endemic plants. Interesting and rare representatives of the fauna occur in this part of the mountain: Chamois, Bears, Golden Eagles. Beautiful vistas to the surrounding peaks: we are in the middle of the Balkan Range with all its wild virgin nature. Dinner and night at the Vasil Levski chalet.
Day 4 - A hike from the chalet Vassil Levski (1450 m) to the chalet Nezabravka (at 1600 m). Nezabravka offers also 2, 3 or 4-beds bedrooms with common bathroom and toilet on the floor. The march goes on a level ground with slight intermittent ascents and descents. It takes about 5 hours, entering in the beginning a primeval beech forest and gradually going up to the subalpine zone of the mountain. High-mountain landscape and a beautiful panoramic view to peaks and valleys of the Park. Dinner and night at Nezabravka chalet.
Day 5 - A march from the chalet Nezabravka (1600 m) passing by the chalet Dermenka (1570 m) to the pass Beklemeto. The march lasts about 5 hours, on an almost level ground, the path cuts through a primeval spruce forest, crossing open mountain meadows and pastures and enters again an old magnificent beech forest. We will cross some of most picturesque parts of the Stara Planina Mountain with unforgettable scenic views in all four winds. From the pass Beklemeto, where the van will be waiting for us we'll travel to another extraordinarily beautiful mountain: the Pirin National Park in southwest Bulgaria. We lodge in the luxury hotel of DZI (at 1000 m of altitude) with double bedrooms each with bathroom and toilet with running hot water. The hotel affords superb view to the rocky peaks of Pirin. Dinner and night at the Izvorite hotel.
Day 6 - The next day begins with transportation to the chalet Vihren (at 1950 m) and a march to the chalet Banderitza (at 1810 m). This hike is maybe the most tiring one and usually lasts about 6 hours. The track to the summit (peak Vihren at 2914 a. s. l.) is abrupt, winding about rocks, mountain pinnacles and stands of dwarf pine (Pinus mugo). The peak (we hope weather will let us climb it/ affords unforgettable view of the surrounding mountains. If weather will not permit to go up the peak or if we do think climbing it will be very tiresome, we'll pass by at the feet of the mountain and descend to the countryside place called Kazanite at 2445 m a. s. l., not far from the chalet Banderitza. Here we'll have a short respite and will have a look at the one magnificent creation of Nature - a Bosnian Pine (Pinus leucodermis) over 1300 years old. Most tenacious hikers can go downhill to the hotel for about an hour and half; the rest will get onto the van and return to the DZI hotel. Dinner and night at the hotel.
Day 7 - Hiking from the chalet Vihren (1950 m) to the chalet Demianitza (at 1895 m). Four and 5-bed bedrooms with a common bathroom and toilet on the floor. The hike lasts for about 5 hours. The track meanders through forests and open mountain meadows and grassy spaces with beautiful alpine lakes, the ascent to the peak Malka Todorka (at 2580 m a. s. l.) being the most abrupt; topping the ridge the track goes down. Dinner and night at Demianitza chalet.
Day 8 - A march from the chalet Demianitza (1895 m) to the tourist base 'Vaptzarov' (at an altitude of 1250 m). The march takes 5 hours and begins with a picturesque descent on a track along the banks of the fast running Demianitza river. We pass by two beautiful waterfalls, by beautiful natural sights and by the remains of the historic site Gradishteto (meaning "castle"). During the march primeval forests and beautiful mountain meadows alternate. Our van will be waiting for us at the tourist base "Vaptzarov" and we return to the DZI hotel for having a dinner and spending the night.
Day 9 - After an early breakfast we get on the van for a transfer to Sofia for departure, making a short stay in the world-famous Rila Monastery. Arrival in Sofia in the early afternoon where our tour ends.

Size of the group: minimum - 4, maximum - 15
Tour for individuals /1-3 tourists/ - No