Balneotherapy and snowshoeing in Bulgaria

Trip Description

Accomodation

Stay program

• day 1

  France - Sofia - Sapareva Bania

  

  Flight to Bulgaria. Welcome at Sofia airport by our team, then transfer to the Rila massif, to the small village of Sapareva Bania, located at the northern foot of the mountain. Accommodation for 3 nights in a SPA hotel, not far from the famous "geyser", the hottest spring in continental Europe. Transfer: private vehicle, about 1 hour 30 minutes. Accommodation: SPA hotel***. Meals included: evening.

• day 2

  Sapareva Banya - Obessen Kamak (The Hanging Stone)

  

  After a short transfer, visit to the Rila National Park House, then snowshoe hike through the vast coniferous forests and meadows of Lakatichka Rila; superb view of the alpine part of Rila, known as the Bulgarian Chamonix. Then descent to the village of Sapareva Bania via the "Hanging Stone" (Obessen Kamak) and discovery along the way of the Roman remains of Germaeja. Balneotherapy treatments at the hotel. Transfer: private vehicle, about 20 minutes. Walking time: about 4 hours 30 minutes. Positive elevation gain: + 300 m. Accommodation: SPA hotel***. Meals included: morning - noon - evening.

• day 3

  Sapareva Bania - Seven Lakes Circus - Skakavitsa Waterfall

  

  Beautiful loop hike in the famous Cirque of the Seven Lakes of Rila; slowly ascending between the frozen lakes, arrival at the Kidney (fifth lake) at 2300 m, then descent along the rounded ridge to discover the fabulous Skakavitsa waterfall, completely frozen at this time of year... Return by vehicle to Sapareva Bania. Balneotherapy treatments at the hotel. Transfer: private vehicle, about 55 minutes round trip. Walking time: about 5 hours 30 minutes. Positive elevation gain: +750 m. Accommodation: SPA hotel***. Meals included: morning - noon - evening.

• day 4

  Rila Monastery - Pirin National Park - Begovitsa Chalet

  

  Morning transfer to discover the Great Rila Monastery with a visit to the museum, the main church, and the old kitchen. Saint John of Rila was the hermit who founded the first monastery dating from the 10th century. Hike to the cave and the tomb of Saint John of Rila. Then departure by vehicle to the Pirin massif to the village of Popina Laka and ascent with snowshoes to the Begovitsa chalet (1500 m), located in the heart of the forest, in the Pirin National Park... A true gem of nature! Transfer: private vehicle and public bus, about 3 hours 30 minutes. Walking time: about 3 hours. Positive elevation gain: + 550 m. Accommodation: comfortable guarded chalet. Meals included: morning - noon - evening.

• day 5

  Kosia Reka - Begovitsa Chalet

  

  Discovery of the beautiful Kozia Reka valley (the valley of the chamois). We are in the heart of the wildest and least frequented part of the massif… Along the forested ridges, the view to the south is fantastic… Then, discovery of the most beautiful cirques of the Pirin… After a picnic in a cabin under the snow, return to the chalet at the end of the afternoon. Possibility to ski around the chalet. Walking time: about 5 hours. Positive elevation gain: + 650 m. Accommodation: comfortable guarded chalet. Meals included: morning - noon - evening.

• day 6

  Spano Pole - Sandanski - Melnik

  

  Arrival today on the great Pirin plateau, called "Spano Pole" (2100 m). The landscapes here are of wild splendor! After lunch at the small Ladybug refuge, descent on snowshoes towards the small village below, then a short bus transfer to reach the Sandansky balneotherapy center, where we will no doubt dive into the superb thermal mineral water pool. Balneotherapy treatments, then departure for the village of Melnik, with its original houses, built in an extraordinary site where the atmosphere of a bygone era still reigns... Tasting of local wines... Transfer: private vehicle and public bus, about 50 minutes. Walking time: about 5 hours. Positive elevation gain: +700 m. Accommodation: Hotel***. Meals included: morning - noon - evening.

• day 7

  Melnik - Blagoevgrad - Sofia

  

  Departure for a hike in the morning, weaving between the fairy chimneys to the Rojene Monastery (17th century), very well located between the last slopes of the Pirin and the sand towers. Superb view of the border massifs of Greece and Macedonia. Then, drive to Sofia and stop in the town of Blagoevgrad to visit its old quarter. Arrival in Sofia in the late afternoon, then free time to stroll around the city. Transfer: private vehicle, about 3 hours, with visits along the way. Walking time: about 2 hours. Positive elevation gain: + 150 m. Accommodation: Morning - Noon.

• day 8

  Sofia - France

  

  Morning visit (if the departure time allows) of the capital, one of the oldest in Europe: Alexander Nevsky Cathedral, Saint Sophia Basilica, Russian Church of Saint Nicholas, Saint George Rotunda... Transfer to the airport, then flight to France. Transfer: private vehicle, about 30 minutes. Meals included: morning.