Arrival transfer, check in at your hotel. Private introductory tour of Sofia - – the capital city of Bulgaria, which Constantine the Great once called “My Rome” – Alexander Nevski Memorial Cathedral, St. Sofia 6th c basilica, Parliament Square, National Theatre and the Old City Garden, Presidency, St. George Rotunda, the ruins of Ancient Serdica. dinner and overnight at your hotel.

Departure to Plovdiv. Tour of the Old Plovdiv Architectural reserve – Ancient Theatre, the National revival houses complex, St. Constantine and Helena Church, Djumaya mosque square, the Roman Stadium, Kapana artistic neighbourhood of Plovdiv, the longest pedestrian street in the world with remains of Roman forum. Overnight at your hotel.

Morning departure to Assenova Fortress – the gateway of the Rhodope mountains, located on a high rockyridge on the left bank of the Asenitsa River. Proceed to Bachkovo Monastery – the 2nd largest monastery in Bulgaria, built in the 11th c. and connected with the history of the 3rd Crusade. Afternoon arrival to Pamporovo mountain resort. Walk in the region, dinner and overnight.

Day dedicated to the Rhodope mountains. Walk to Snejanka peak ( 1926 m ) and further to Orphey`s rocks with wonderful panoramas of mountain peaks, valleys and lakes. Continue further to the group of Smolyan lakes. If not too tired, in the afternoon you can enjoy a 1 h walk on eco-path Nevyastata and the small St. Panteleymon monastery nearby.

Departure towards Shiroka Luka museum village, photo stop. Shiroka Laka is famous for its authentic Rhodopean houses set in tiers on both banks of the local river. The old houses feature two storeys, oriels, built-in cupboards and a small cellar with a hiding place. The thick white walls hide the yard from the outsiders' eyes. The yard is small and slab-covered and has a typical stone drinking fountain in the middle. Proceed to Teshel village. Walk in the region of Trigrad and Byunovo gorge. During the tour we will visit Yagodina cave - one of the most famous and most-visited caves in Bulgaria. Its galleries extend to a length of 8,501 meters, which makes it the 4th longest cave in Bulgaria and the longest in the Rhodopes. The temperature in the cave is between 6 and 8 degrees all year round, and it has a humidity of more than 90%. Yagodina Cave is a multi-level complex, primarily marble and artifacts from the Neolothic Age (both the Stone Age and the Bronze Age) have been discovered Late afternoon departure towards Bansko museum town, following Mesta river valley. Arrival at the hotel, rest.

Day dedicated to the beauty of Pirin mountain National Park ( UNESCO site ). Transfer to the nearby town of Dobrinishte – a town located between the 3 mountains: Rila, Pirin and the Rhodopes. Take the seat lift to go to Bezbog hut ( 2240 m above sea level, wonderful panoramas of Pirin mountain ). Walk in the region of Bezbog lake and possibly further to Popovo lake - the largest lake in Pirin mountain and the 2nd largest mountain lake on the Balkan peninsula. Return back to take the lift to Dobrinishte and transfer to Bansko museum town, where we will have a walking tour and spend a second night.

Departure north to Rila Monastery – UNESCO site, the largest monastery in Bulgaria, located 1100 m above sea level in Rila Mountain National Park. Visit the monastery`s museum, main church and yard. Admire wooden balconies, azure fretwork, collonades, facades and colourful frescoes, silhouetted against a fantastic panorama of mountain peaks. National Historical Reserve since 1976. UNESCO site since 1983. Early afternoon to Borovets mountain resort - the oldest Bulgarian winter resort with a history that dates back to 1896. Borovets was originally established at the end of the 19th Century as a hunting place for the Bulgarian Kings. Borovets gradually developed into a modern ski resort with hotels, restaurants, bars and a network of ski runs and lifts along the slopes of the Rila Mountains, providing for a whole range of winter sports.

Day in Borovets resort for walking/ hiking/ trekking or relax. Dinner at the hotel, overnight.

Take our packed lunch from the hotel and transfer from Borovets to Pionerska Hut. Take the chair lift to the 7 Rila Lakes, climbing from 1585 to 2100 m above sea level. From there we will explore the area of the Seven Rila Lakes – they are of glacial origin and are the most visited group of lakes in Bulgaria, especially in July and August. The highest lake is situated 2500 m above sea level. Each lake carries a name associated with its most characteristic feature "The Tear", "The Eye", "The Kidney", "The Trefoil", "The Fish Lake", "The Lower Lake". The lakes are located one above the other and are connected by small streams, which form tiny waterfalls and cascades. After a pleasant walk in the region, take the lift back to Pionerska hut and transfer to Sofia. Arrival, check in at the hotel and overnight.

Departure transfer