DAY 1

Arrival at Sofia International Airport.

Depending on the arrival time:

City tour of central area or free time.
The city tour usually starts from Alexander Nevski Cathedral, then continue to St. Sophia church,  along the Yellow square and with a view to all emblematic buildings around it, to the Presidency, St. George Rotunda and end with a nice walk along Vitoshka Pedestrian street to the National Palace of Culture.

After this don’t forget to visit on the outskirts of Sofia, to visit the Boyana Church; an UNESCO Heritage.

Day 2

Today we depart early to find the cable car to the entrance of Rila National Park and its famous Seven Rila Lakes. The Seven Rila Lakes are without a doubt one of the most notable natural attractions on the Balkan Peninsula, a dream destination not to be missed. Their beauty touches the thousands of Bulgarian and international visitors each year.
The Seven Rila Lakes, located in the Dangskiya region of the northwestern Rila Mountains, are glacial lakes. They are scattered at the foot of a massive cirque that includes the peaks Suhi Chal (Dry Peak), Otovishki, and Haramiya. The lakes have been named for their shapes and qualities. The highest of them is Tear Lake, which gained its name for its crystal-clear water. It is 2,535 meters high, directly beneath the Otovishki Peak. The deepest of the seven is Eye Lake at 37.5 meters – its oval and intense blue when the weather is good.
The hiking part of the tour starts and ends from the Rila Lakes hut /where cable car ends/ and continue by walking for several hours along the most of the Seven lakes. Be ready for intense walking in order to reach most beautiful lakes. Wear appropriate shoes and bring along a light jacket since weather in the mountain can change swiftly.
At the late afternoon departure to Bansko.

DAY 3 

Bansko

Bansko is a town at the foot of the Pirin Mountains, which are part of Pirin National Park, in southwest Bulgaria. It’s a gateway to numerous ski and snowboard slopes on Todorka Peak, including the challenging Tomba run. Footpaths cross the park’s craggy alpine landscape, home to bears and wolves. The park is also known for the high-altitude Vihren Peak, with forested ridges and striking glacial lakes.When you have a chance visit he temple “Holy Trinity” which is situated in the center of Bansko and it is one of the symbols of the resort. Besides being  one of the most visited attractions of the town, the temple is one of the largest in Bulgaria.

Things to do:

Razlog Horse Riding

Nothing compares to the pleasure of horse riding in the mountains – mountain slopes, fresh air, beautiful scenery, easy movements of the horses or fast galloping through green meadows, clear streams… and the singing of birds.

Horseback riding in the Razlog region, includes riding in the surroundings of the horse base on a route of the customer’s choice, and in accordance with the possibilities and time of riding.

The one-hour ride takes place in the nature of the beautiful Rila Mountains on various terrains, and includes crossing various natural obstacles such as rivers, ravines, fallen trees, climbing and descending slopes, drilling in the forest. This is how the idyll of real, free riding is felt.

For the less prepared, we also offer easier routes on flat terrain, for the time at the customer’s request. Longer routes include visits to natural and historical sites, such as fountains, waterfalls, chapels, churches, panoramic views and picnic areas in the mountains. Physical training is not required.Suitable for absolute beginners, as well as for advanced students.

In winter, the horses go down into the village and the walks and rides are in the fields towards the beautiful Rila Mountains.

Fish your lunch:

For lunch, we offer you another unique experience in the middle of the Rila Mountains. You will go via Belitsa, a town in southwestern Bulgaria, in Blagoevgrad Province, to Ribarnik ‘Rila’ Fish Restaurant.

Belitsa is picturesquely located in the northeastern part of the Razlog Valley, in the valley of the Mesta River, between the southern slopes of Eastern Rila and the northern slopes of Western Rhodopi.

Past Belitsa, 600m up the main road to the resort of Semkovo you will arrive at a great place where you can fish your own lunch and then have the catch prepared by the local chef of your choice for lunch in a unique entourage.

Ribarnik – freely translated as fishpond – is a controlled pond with reservoir, filled with fish and generally used in aquaculture for raising fish or used for recreational fishing – as here at ‘Rila Fish’ Restaurant, or for ornamental purposes.

In the winter, fishing gets an extra unique dimension because you will unexpectedly experience Ice-fishing. Dober appetite.

Bear Parc

In the past, bears were used as small-scale circus attractions.  Fortunately, this way of treating bears was declared ‘illegal’ in 1998. Since the year 2000, an organization called ‘Four Paws’, in collaboration with the French Brigitte Bardot Foundation, is tackling the problem. It was decided that rescued bears would be housed in a forest near Belitsa.

The park is now a refuge and rest home for the ex-dancing bears. It is located on 120,000 square metres of forest in the Rila Mountains, at an altitude of 1,345m. There is an information and medical centre on-site. The area is fenced, and the area that is the natural habitat of the bears is surrounded by a 3 km fence. Feeding is also set up to mimic their natural habitat, with staff hiding food on-site so the bears can train their natural instincts. All bears have names, so when you visit this park you will meet Monti, Violeta, Gabriela, and many more beautiful brown bears.

In the past, the bears would have been chained up in confined spaces for up to 24 hours a day, and fed sugar and alcohol to enhance their ‘performance’. They were physically abused in extreme ways, which makes the park seem like a bear paradise in comparison. Fortunately, the bears are now able to follow their biological clocks and are slowly returning to their peaceful winter dreams.The park offers visitors a rare glimpse of rescued bears in their natural habitat of lush green forests—something you won’t get in a typical zoo. It is a lot of maintenance, but well worth the time and effort.

Jeep Safari: Air-conditioned jeeps will take the clients on a tour around Bansko beautiful surroundings.

Hiking In Pirin Mountains:
Distance from Bansko: Depends on trail – most start 15–30 minutes from town.

Rila Fun: You can go to one of the longest and most picturesque tracks, that offers the pleasure of ‘flying’ on the bobsleigh run while enjoying the beautiful nature.

DAY 4 Driving back to Sofia

Rila Monastery

After the visit to the Stob pyramids our self guided tour from Bansko will take you to the most amazing landmark in Bulgaria – the Rila Monastery, nestled in the Rila Mountains offering beautiful scenery, full of energy. The Rila monastery is listed on the UNESCO list of world heritage and it is a place where all of the Bulgaria Spirit comes together and where nature meets religion. You will have the opportunity to enter the monastery museum and visit the Rila monastery kitchen and explore the life of the monks. 

Stob Pyramids

Still energy for hiking? on the way back from the monastery  you can see the rock pinnacles known as Stob’s Earth Pyramids. Wander through the pure nature to reach the highest point and admire the colourful fairy-tale formations.