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 About the website Newsletter Archives Press Clippings Client Log-in Passport information (from U.S. State Dept) Trip Evaluation (Hiking) Trip Evaluation (Heritage) |
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 June 14-22, 2008 Plan your arrival for June 13, 2008 Plan your departure for June 23, 2008 Printable Version of itinerary  Come to the edge of Europe and discover exotic Bulgaria! The trails of the Rila and Pirin National Parks will take you into the heart of some of the wildest mountain scenery left on the continent. Follow paths through streamside meadows and groves of pine. Ascend to gem-like lakes cupped in mountain basins, and revel in the joy of a ridgetop walk where you can let the mountain breezes sweep your cares away. Deep in a forested valley, contemplate the frescoes that grace the walls and ceilings of the Rila Monastery, a testimony to the pride and faith of the Bulgarian people. Under an ancient grape vine, immerse yourself in the palpable peace of Rozhen Monastery. Wander amidst the strange sandstone pinnacles of the sun-soaked Melnik badlands. Enjoy walks to Bulgarian mountain villages, and savor the pleasure of an overnight stay in a restored village kashta. In a traditional Bulgarian mehana, fine food, drink, and music cap off your adventure-filled days. Introduce yourself to Bulgaria; a warm welcome awaits you! |
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 5 The St. Nicholas Russian Church, Sofia |
Day 1 Breakfast, lunch & dinner included Overnight in Borovets From central Sofia, the bulk of Mount Vitosha (whose name means "twin peaks") dominates the view to the south and hints at mountain adventures to come! Enjoy a walking tour of central Sofia including the imposing Aleksandar Nevski Cathedral and the eye-catching Church of St. Nikolai. Following the tour of central Sofia, visit the Boyana Church, a World Heritage Site, in the village of Boyana (today a hill suburb of Sofia. The Boyana Church was built within the compound of one of thirty five fortresses that once defended the city of Sredets (Sofia). The church consists of three buildings dating from the 11th, 13th and 19th centuries. The interior walls of the 13th century structure—the Kayolan Chuch (named after its donor) is covered with frescoes executed in 1259 in Byzantine style by an anonymous artist. The murals depict 240 figures in 89 scenes and comprise one of the most important collections of medieval paintings in Europe. Boyana’s frescoes have undergone nearly 40 years worth of restoration work. Later in the afternoon, depart for the Rila Mountains and the village of Borovets, your base for three nights. |
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2 Breakfast, lunch & dinner included Overnight in Borovets Enjoy a choice of hikes in the Rila Mountains from your base at Borovets. A 3-mile long cable car line ascends 3,400 vertical feet into the Rila Mountains from its lower station in Borovets. Weather permitting, we’ll ascend via the cable car on a 23 minute ride to the Yastrebets Chalet (7,710 ft). From there, enjoy a panorama of Rila’s high peaks. Looking south, you’ll gaze upon the summits of Deno, Irechek, Malka Musala, Musala, and Aleko. A gentle walk through alpine meadows and groves of stunted mugo pines brings you to the still waters of the Musala Lakes. You can continue further along a well-built trail to additional lakes tucked away in higher basins. The more difficult hiking option continues up the ridge past Ledenoto Ezero ("Icy Lake") eventually gaining the summit of Musala at 9,397 feet, the highest point in Bulgaria! From the summit, sweeping views extend to Mount Vitosha to the north and the Pirin Range to the south. |
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 5 Bliznaka Ezero, Rila Seven Lakes.  5 View over the Rila Seven Lakes. |
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3 Breakfast, lunch & dinner included Overnight in Borovets Enjoy your choice of hikes in the Rila Seven Lakes Basin (Tsirkus Sedemte Rilski Ezera). Starting from the Vada Chalet, hike through woods and meadows into the basin. Wander through the lake-spangled cirque carpeted by flower-filled meadows. All around you rise the snow-flecked ramparts of the Rila Mountains. Relax on the shores of Ribnoto Ezero ("Fish Lake"), Trilistnika Ezero ("Three Leaf Lake"), or the beautiful Bliznaka Ezero ("Twin Lake") which are set like gems in the main part of the cirque. Those who want more hiking can ascend to Bubreka Ezero ("Kidney Lake") adjacent to a sweeping, "Sound of Music-style" ridgetop meadow called Suhiya Rid. If energy and interest permit, hike even further to Okoto Ezero ("Eye Lake"), and Sulzata Ezero ("Teardrop Lake"). At the end of the day, follow a trail past Dolnoto Ezero ("Lower Lake") and continue through meadows and woods to return to the trailhead. |
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 5 Principal church at Rila Monastery |
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4 Breakfast, lunch & dinner included Overnight in Bansko Travel to the Rila Monastery nestled in a deep valley on the western flanks of the Rila Mountains. Portions of the monastery, which was inscribed on the World Heritage list in 1983, date to the 14th century though a large portion of the monastery was reconstructed in the 19th century after a devastating fire. The monastery’s five-domed Sveta Borgoroditsa church dates from 1834 and is dedicated to the Birth of the Virgin; the walls and domed ceilings of its external gallery are graced with brilliant frescoes that will take your breath away! You can wander through the impressive 19th century monastery kitchen and along the multi-storied, arcaded verandahs that ring the interior of the monastery compound. |
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 5 St. Luke chapel. |
After lunch, hike to the chapel of St. John of Rila set in lush, deciduous woods on the slopes of the valley. From the chapel, the path descends easily through flowering meadows and woodlands passing the chapel of St. Luke en route. After the hike, depart for the town of Bansko at the foot of the Pirin Mountains. Tonight, a splendid Bulgarian meal awaits at a traditional mehana ("tavern"). | ||
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 5 Ribno Ezero, Bûnderitsa Valley. |
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5 Breakfast, lunch & dinner included Overnight in Bansko Start your exploration of the Pirin Mountains with a choice of hikes in the Bûnderitsa Valley. Green meadows accented with clumps of pine and picturesque boulders make for joyous walking at the start of the day. After about an hour of walking, arrive at the shores of the Ribno Ezero ("Fish Lake"), the largest lake in the valley nestled against the headwall of the lower Bûnderishki Cirque. Proceed further into the mountains heading for the series of lakes that adorn the floor of the upper Bûnderishki Cirque. Perhaps the most beautiful of these, Dûlgo Ezero ("Long Lake"), is edged by granite boulders and clumps of mugo pine. Its cobalt waters reflect the grandeur of surrounding peaks including the brilliant limestone summit of Vichren, highest in the Pirin. Dûlgo Ezero makes a good turnaround point, or you can continue to the saddle known as Todorina Porta for far-ranging Pirin vistas. Descend into the Vasilashki Cirque and hike through the Demyanitsa valley to trail's end. |
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6 Breakfast, lunch & dinner included Overnight in Bansko Today is your chance to attempt the limestone summit of Vichren at 9,561 feet. From either the Bûndertisa or Vichren chalets, a rugged path ascends steeply through woods, meadows and mountain basins to the summit crest of the Pirin Range before the final "push" along an open ridge to Vichren’s summit where a 360 degree mountain panorama unfolds! |
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 5 Popovo Ezero. |
Alternatively, you can ride a chairlift through conifer-clad Pirin foothills to the Bezbog Chalet set on the shores of a lovely mountain tarn of the same name. On a serene summer day, the beauty of this little lake (Bezbozhko Ezero) reflecting the surrounding mountain ridges belies its name, Bezbog, meaning "without God," or "godforsaken." Magnificent mountain vistas accompany you on the walk from Bezbog Chalet to the Popovo Ezero, one of the most beautiful of Pirin high country lakes whose crystalline waters sparkle in a splendid mountain setting. | ||
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I had seen your slide shows, so I wasn't surprised by the beauty of the mountains. I found the architecture and culture—including music—[of Bulgaria] more stimulating than I had expected. --NANCY CHAPMAN |
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 5 Hvoînato Ezero.  5 Waterfall at Popina Lûka. |
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7 Breakfast, lunch & dinner included Overnight in Melnik Depart Bansko bound for Melnik. Today you have the option of hiking across the Pirin Mountains via the pass known as Bûnderishka Porta. Ascend past the lovely Hvoînato Ezero ("Juniper Lake") to gain the crest of the range. Descend past the small tarns of the Spanopolski Ezera and on to the Yane Sandanski Chalet in the Popina Lâka area on the southwestern slope of the Pirin Range. If you’d rather, you can enjoy a morning hike to Hvoînato Ezero before traveling by vehicle to the Yane Sandanski Chalet to meet up with those hiking across the mountains. Cool your heels at the pretty Popinolâshki waterfall before traveling the rest of the way to Melnik by vehicle. Settle in for the night in the picturesque town of Melnik at the heart of a wine-producing region. |
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 5 Rozhen Monastery.  5 Melnik badlands.  5 National Revival houses in Melnik. |
Day 8 Breakfast, lunch & dinner included Overnight in Kovachevitsa In the early morning, set out on a short hike to the 18th century Sveti Nikola church, the ruins of a fortress, and the Sveta Zona chapel—all perched atop the bluffs south of Melnik. From atop the bluffs near the Sveta Zona chapel, enjoy classic views over Melnik. If you choose, you can continue through the sandstone pyramids of the Melnik "badlands" to the exquisite Rozhen Monastery. Sit under an ancient grape vine and absorb the special ambiance and tranquility of this place. Retreat to the cool comfort of a mehana in the nearby village of Rozhen for a mid-day meal. After lunch, travel by vehicle across the southern Pirin Range. A serpentine road twists its way to the meadows of Popovo Livadi at the crest of the range before descending to the Mesta River. The road then ascends into the Rhodope Mountains. Your destination is the well-preserved village of Kovachevitsa (3,500 feet above sea level) where you’ll enjoy an overnight stay at a superb traditional kashta lovingly managed by the Kapsazov family. Before dinner, wander through the streets of the village, or possibly, ascend to the St. George chapel that crowns a wooded ridge-top above the village. |
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 5 Hiking from Kovachevitsa.  5 Inside a Kovachevitsa house. |
Day 9 Breakfast, lunch & dinner included Overnight in Sofia This morning explore Kovachevitsa village, set on a bench above the gorge of the Kanina River. (The village is filled with fine examples of National Revival architecture and has been named an architectural and historical reserve by the Bulgarian government.) Or, descend into the Kanina River Gorge following an ancient path that will bring you to the outskirts of the Rhodope Mountain village of Osikovo which enjoys a lovely view of the Pirin Range. In the afternoon, travel back to Sofia by vehicle. This evening, enjoy traditional Bulgarian cuisine at a farewell dinner! Your breakfast tomorrow is also included. |
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Other Details about this Trip Dates: June 14-22, 2008 Trip Leaders: Asen Marinov, Krasimir Ivanov, and John Osaki Price: $3,150 Single room for entire trip: $275 Lodging: 10 nights in 4 or 3 star hotels and inns. Note: Your hotel in Sofia on the evening of June 13 is included. Accommodations on June 21 are with shared bath facilities. Meals: 10 breakfasts, 9 lunches, 9 dinners included Trip Begins at the Radisson SAS Hotel or Crystal Palace Hotel, Sofia, Bulgaria Trip Ends at the Radisson SAS Hotel or Crystal Palace Hotel, Sofia, Bulgaria |
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Printable Version of itinerary
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A good place to start learning more about Bulgaria is the 
