Hiking & SPA

DAY 1 ARRIVAL SOFIA

Arrival at Sofia. Transfer to the city centre for a half day city tour of Sofia. Sofia is a city with a 7000-year history, which makes it a unique phenomenon in Europe, and places it among the settlements dating back to most distant antiquity. It has the hectic atmosphere of a big capital city and a compact centre where all main sites can be visited on foot. Roads from all parts of the world have been meeting here - peoples have come and gone, civilizations have advanced and declined, but the city has remained. The Walking city tour which includes: Alexander Nevski Memorial Cathedral, St Sofia Church, Parliament square, the monument of King Liberator, Russian church, National Theatre, The Ethnographic Museum, The National art Gallery outside, Archeological Museum outside, the Presidency, St. George`s Rotunda. Overnight.

DAY 2 SOFIA – PLOVDIV – DEVIN

Breakfast. Departure for Plovdiv and tour of the Old Town. The city lies on seven hills which are noticeable from quite a distance. The hills, as well as the old town of Plovdiv bring specific color and atmosphere to the town and shape up its unique view and nature. A contemporary of Troy and having survived Mycenae, Plovdiv is a city upon layers of cities and an epoch upon layers of epochs. The most interesting landmark is The Old Town of Plovdiv Architecture Reserve which covers the Three-hill area. It is the original location of the town and almost all of the most interesting history-related sights are within it: cult, residential and public housings, archaeological monuments and museums, narrow cobble-paved streets. In the afternoon continue to Devin. Overnight in the spa resort of Devin, situated amid scenic hills in the heart of the Rhodopes at an altitude of 710 - 780 m. In early antiquity the place was inhabited by the Thracian tribe of the Bessi, and later by the Romans. Devin has several mineral water springs with a temperature between 37 and 44C.

DAY 3 DEVIN - SHIROKA LAKA – GELA –DEVIN

Breakfast. Transfer to Shiroka Laka village-museum - an architecture and ethnographic reserve, well known for its original Rhodope architectural style, musical traditions and history. It is the centre of a region of 5 villages /Stoikite, Gela, Stickal and Solishta/ populated by Christians and Muslems. It was founded after the most massive forceful conversion of the population of the Rhodope mountain to the Islam during the Turkish domination /17th c/. After a walk along the cobblestone streets we continue on foot to Gela village situated in the picturesque valley of Oreshica river in the very heart of the Rhodopes. Walk to Lednitsata Cave, then descend to Shiroka Laka through one of the most beautiful parts of the Rhodope Mountains. Transfer back to Devin for the overnight. Walking for the day: 24 km (8 hours).

DAY 4 DEVIN –YAGODINA CAVE – TRIGRAD GORGE – DEVIN 

After breakfast, a short transfer takes us to the Yagodina Cave. This is the longest cave on the Balkan peninsula (10km). It is located in the canyon valley of the river Buinovska 2 km to the west of the village of Yagodina. One who dares to explore these caves will be rewarded with a once in a lifetime experience. The cave is of karsts type and it is five stories tall, with many labyrinths and abysses inside. Part of the cave is electrified and reveals mysterious formations: draperies, pipe-like stalactites, cave pearls, leopard skin and many hanging stalactites. Some of the formations inside resemble the well-known Santa Claus, Snow-White and The Seven Dwarfs, Virgin Mary and her newborn child, Elephant, and some characters from the Bulgarian culture and tradition. The New Year’s hall is of great interest too. From here start the hiking route through the small village of Yagodina and over the hills and a forest that takes us to the edge of the Trigrad Gorge. Walking for the day: 10km, climbing 650m and descending 100m). Return back for overnight in Devin.

DAY 5 DEVIN – VELINGRAD

Morning transfer to Velingrad. Day at leisure with our special program :

Option 1 – for Lady`s only

Option 2 – Relax program

Dinner in the hotel.

DAY 6 VELINGRAD

Breakfast, Morning walking through the Rhodope mountain on the beautiful eco-path. The path reveals breath-taking views. Walking for the day: 6 km (or aprox. 3 h).

Return back to Velingrad. Possibility to enjoy the SPA facilities of the hotel.

Dinner in the hotel.

DAY 7 VELINGRAD – SEVEN RILA LAKES – RILA MONASTERY

Very early departure to Rila Mountain to continue with a visit of the Cirque of The Seven Rila Lakes. To go there we will use the chairlift. These glacier lakes are set between 2100 and 2500m above sea level, with names corresponding to their shapes, like Babreka (the Kidney), Okoto (the Eye), and Salzata (the Teardrop). Walking for the day: 4-5 hrs incl. 400 m climbing and descending

In the afternoon continue with a visit of Rila Monastery - the most famous and fascinating monastery in Bulgaria, under the UNESCO protection. The entire complex is quite impressive for its size. The 4-floor residential part consists of no less than 300 monks’ cells, 4 chapels, an abbot’s room, a kitchen, a library and guestrooms for donors. The kitchen is particularly interesting for its really huge cooking vessels. The exterior of the monastery is no less intriguing for its high and severe stone walls (reaching 4 floors and even more at some places) cut through by small windows – reminding of a military fort rather than a monastery. Once in the complex, it is worth visiting the monastery’s museum, which hosts a unique work of art, namely The Raphael’s Cross. The cross is made of a whole piece of wood (81cm x 43cm) and is named after its creator. Overnight in a small charming hotel near the Monastery.

DAY 8 RILA MONASTERY – SOFIA – DEPARTURE

After breakfast drive to Sofia Airport and departure.

NOTE: DEPENDING ON THE ARRIVAL AND DEPARTURE FLIGHTS, THE PROGRAM WILL BE AMENDED ACCORDINGLY OR ADDITIONAL OVERNIGHTS IN SOFIA CAN BE ADDED.

Group size : min 2 pax

Local mountain guides: on days 3, 4 and 6

Transport: private car during the whole trip

Package price per person in double room, 2 pax:

Single room use supplement: euro

The package price includes:

• Accommodation based in standard rooms, breakfast included;
• Meal plan: breakfast all days & 2 dinners in Velingrad;
• English speaking local guide on 3, 4 and 6;
• Transport throughout;
• Entrance fees;

The package price excludes:

• Meals – lunches and dinners not mentioned as included;
• Activities marked as optional;
• Personal expenses;