21-23.jun 2024.
Dates
3 days
Duration
12+
Years
moderate
Category

Rila is the highest mountain range in Bulgaria, the Balkan Peninsula, and Southeastern Europe. It forms part of the Rila-Rhodope massif and its highest peak is Musala at an altitude of 2,925 m. Rila National Park has a total area of 81,046 hectares and is the largest of the three national parks in Bulgaria. It was declared a nature park in 1992. On the territory of the park, there are more than 100 peaks, with an altitude of over 2000 meters. In the high parts of Rila, there are more than 120 permanent and 30 temporary glacial lakes. The most famous are the Rila lakes. They are mostly found at the deep bottom of cirques. Some of the deepest and longest rivers on the Balkan Peninsula originate in Rila-Iskar, Marica, and Mesta. The territory of the park is covered by forest ecosystems such as spruce, fir, white pine, and dwarf pine.

On this weekend tour, a challenge awaits us - the ascend to the top of Musala, the highest peak in the Balkans. The next day we will go along the Seven Rila Lakes trail, which is one of the most famous trails in the national park. We will pass through picturesque landscapes with glacial lakes, each of which has its unique beauty. A stay in the mountain environment of the Rila National Park will provide you with a real blessing.

DEPARTURE LOCATION The parking lot at the municipality New Belgrade
DEPARTURE TIME 14 h
INCLUDED IN THE PRICE Transportation from Belgrade

Two nights with breakfast in a hotel in Borovec on Rila - double and triple rooms with private bathrooms

Mountaineering tours on Rila

Transportation by cable car both days to the starting points of the hiking trails

Tours according to the program and tour guide

Local taxes

NOT INCLUDED Other meals and individual costs not mentioned

International travel insurance

Additional notes:

  • Equipment for the Rila tour - ascent to Musala and the seven Rila lakes: Deep hiking boots, and adequate clothing according to the weather conditions. A backpack with the necessary mountaineering equipment. We also recommend hiking poles. Be sure to bring enough water (1.5-2 l) and some food (sandwich, snacks, energy bars, fruit), a spare T-shirt, long pants or tracksuit, raincoat, sun and wind protection, hat, gloves, and headlamp.
  • Information about the hiking trail, day 1: moderate, total duration of about 7 hours with breaks, a length of about 15 km, with a total ascent and descent of about 900 m.

  • Information about the hiking trail, Day 2: easy, total duration about 6 with breaks, length about 12 km, with a total ascent and descent of about 700 m.s

  • Those who do not want to hike, can spend time on their own and enjoy short walks in the surroundings.
  • The Rila tour - the ascend to Musala and the seven Rila lakes is organized for a minimum of 18 registered passengers.
  • Conditions for entering Bulgaria: It is obligatory to bring a passport, it is necessary that the validity of the passport lasts at least 3 months before the expiration date.
  • In case of changes in the monetary market, as well as changes in the prices of carriers and other service providers, the agency reserves the right to adjust the price of the arrangement.
  • In case of insufficient number of registered passengers or unfavorable weather conditions, the deadline for notification of postponement or cancellation of the tour is 3 days before departure.
  • Accommodation: double and triple rooms with private bathrooms in the hotel in Borovec.
  • Food: two breakfasts are provided.
  • Photos used in the gallery: Musala_bg  -Ysmiv4ica, Peak of Musala – YjM, CC BY-SA 3.0 via Wikimedia Commons, Изгрев на връх Мусала – Iliana Teneva; Езеро Бъбрека, Седемте рилски езера and Езеро Окото, Седемте рилски езера– Valeriq Deneva, Rila Lakes – Untravelled, CC BY-SA 4.0 via Wikimedia Commons, Science on the top of the Balkans – Gergana Georgieva.
  • Reservations for the Rila tour - ascent to Musala and the seven Rila lakes:

    • When applying, the entire amount or ~ 40%, i.e. EUR 90, is paid, and the rest of EUR 135 no later than June 7, 2024 (payment is made through an account in dinar equivalent at the middle rate of the NBS on the day of payment).
    • Own transportation: in case you come with your own transport, the price of the tour is 180 EUR. Reservations: When applying, the entire amount or ~ 40%, i.e. EUR 70, must be paid, and the rest of EUR 110 no later than June 7, 2024 (payment is made through an account in the dinar equivalent at the middle exchange rate of the NBS on the day of payment).
  • Trip cancellations by passengers: 

  • If the Traveler cancels the trip in a timely manner (90 to 45 days), the Organizer has the right to compensation only for the incurred administrative costs.
    • 10% if the trip is cancelled 44 to 30 days before the start of the trip,
    • 20% if cancelled 29 to 20 days before the start of the trip,
    • 40% if cancelled 19 to 15 days before the start of the trip,
    • 80% if canceled 14 to 10 days before the start of the trip,
    • 90% if canceled 9 to 6 days before the start of the trip,
    • 100% if cancelled 5 to 0 days before the start of the trip or during the trip.
The organizer reserves the right to correct prices due to changes in the monetary market or changes in accommodation or transportation prices, as well as the right to change the travel program (order of certain contents in the program due to objective circumstances).
The tour is organized by “Balkanica travel agency”, Bijelo Polje. Travel agency Explore Balkans doo acts as a sub-agent of the travel organizer.
1

First day (Friday): Belgrade - Borovec

  • Departure from Belgrade from the parking lot of the municipality of New Belgrade at 2:00 p.m. Driving on the highway towards Bulgaria, via Sofia to Borovets, a tourist resort at the foot of the Rila.
  • With short breaks along the way and a longer one in the evening, we arrive in the mountain and tourist town of Borovec, on Mount Rili, which is located at an altitude of about 1350 m.
  • Accommodation in a hotel in Borovec (double and triple rooms with bathrooms). Overnight stay.
2

Second day (Saturday): Borovec - ascend to the top of Musala

  • Breakfast.
  • We are transported by gondola to the starting point of the hiking trail, which is located at an altitude of 2250 m. We start the ascent first towards the Musala mountain lodge, which can be reached in about an hour via a wide path. Then we continue on towards the highest peak of the Balkans - Musala at 2925 m. The path is stony, near the top there is a cable. Break and rest at the top.
  • The descent to Borovec follows.
  • Information about the hiking trail: moderate, total duration of about 7 hours with breaks, length of about 15 km, with a total ascent and descent of about 900 m.
  • Return to accommodation in the afternoon. Free time in Borovec, which you can spend walking in the surroundings or in one of the restaurants, as well as using the spa and wellness facilities.
  • Overnight.
3

Third day (Sunday): Borovec - Pančište - hiking along the trail Seven Rila Lakes - Belgrade

  • Breakfast. Transfer about 50 minutes to the mountain town of Pančište, which is located at an altitude of about 1600 m.
  • Gondolom se prevozimo do početne tačke planinarske staze koja se nalazi na 2100 m visine.
  • Departure to the hiking trail Seven Rila lakes, which is considered to be one of the most beautiful in all of Bulgaria. They are of the glacial or glacial origin of exceptional beauty - Bubreg, Oko, Suza, Blizanci, Detelina, Ribno, and Donje Jezero. We will also climb to Jezerski Vrh at 2559 m and enjoy the spectacular views.
  • Information about the hiking trail: easy, total duration of about 6-7 hours with breaks, a length of about 14 km, with a total ascent and descent of about 800 m.
  • Return to Pančište, lunch in one of the restaurants.
  • Departure for Belgrade in the late afternoon. Return to Belgrade in the late evening hours, the exact time of return depends on road conditions and road breaks.
izlazak sunca na vrhu Musala, Rila
vrh Musala, Rila
izlazak sunca na vrhu Musala, Rila
Jezero Oko, Sedam Rilskih jezera
Jezero Bubreg, Sedam Rilskih jezera
Planina Rila, Bugarska
Uspon na vrh Musala 2925 m, Rila
meteorološka stanica Musala, Rila