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Rila, Pirin and Olympus Mountains
€950.00 – €1,040.00
The quoted costs are based on groups of 3-4 or 8+ participants. For different group sizes, please contact us.
We offer the ultimate 9-day trekking adventure to the highest mountains in Bulgaria and Greece – Rila, Pirin and Olympus mountains. We’ll climb the peaks of Musala – the top of the Balkans in Rila (2925 m), Vihren (2914 m, Pirin Mountains) and Mytikas (2917 m, Olympus Mountains). We will visit some of the major sights on the way, like the Seven Rila Lakes and the Rila Monastery.
Price includes
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Brief itineraty
Highlights
Price includes
Price includes:
✅ All the group transfers during the trip;
✅ Mountain guide and all the expenses of the guide;
✅ All the accommodations – 6 on a double/twin room basis with private facilities and 2 in mountain huts with dorm rooms and shared facilities (no shower), according to the itinerary;
✅ Breakfasts, dinners and packed lunches (excl. the arrival and departure days);
✅ Local taxes and VAT.
Not included:
❌ Lift tickets for the Musala gondola and the Rila Lakes lift;
❌ Travel/mountain rescue insurance – obligatory;
❌ Entrance fees to museums and other sights.
❌ Drinks;
❌ Tips.
Download PDF
Rila, Pirin and Olympus mountains day-by-day itinerary – click to download
Brief itineraty
Day 1: Arrival day
Accommodation in the village of Govedartsi for 2 nights.
Drive time: 1.45 hours
Day 2: Mount Musala in Rila Mountains
Total walking for the day: +650/-650 m, 6 hours, option to extend
Day 3: The Seven Rila Lakes and Pirin Mountains
Accommodation in Bansko for 2 nights
Total walking for the day: +500/-500 m, 5 hours, option to extend
Day 4: Mount Vihren (2914 m) – the top of Pirin
Total walking for the day: 8km, +1000/-1000 m, 7 hours
Day 5: Olympus National Park in Greece
Accommodation in mountain huts with no shower and dormitory rooms/common facilities for 2 nights
Total walking for the day: 6.5 km, +1190/-230 m, 3.5 hours.
Day 6: Mount Mytikas (2917 m)
Total walking for the day: 7.5 km, +1360/-730m, 8 hours
Day 7: The Mouson Plateau and The Sea
Accommodation in a hotel by the sea coast.
Total walking for the day: 8.5 km, +190/-1500 m, 5 hours.
Day 8: The Rila Monastery
Accommodation in a hotel by the Rila Monastery.
Total drive time: 6 hours
Day 9: Departure
Total drive time: 2.15 hours
Highlights
- The top of the Balkans – Mount Musala
- The challenging Mytikas peak in Olympus Mountains – the top of Greece
- Mount Vihren in Pirin Mountains
- The Rila Monastery
- The Seven Rila Lakes
- The National Parks of Rila, Pirin and Olympus
- The Mediterranean sea coast
Itinerary
Day 1: Arrival
Drive time: 1.45 hours
The village of Govedartsi, Rila Mountains
On the first day of your trip you`ll be collected from your hotel in Sofia or the Sofia airport and driven to the first location of your walking trip in Bulgaria – the village of Govedartsi in the foot of the Rila mountain range, where we will spend the next two nights.
Itinerary
Day 2: Mount Musala
Total walking for the day: +650/-650 m, 6 hours, option to extend
Borovets, Rila Mountains
We start with the first of our 3 peaks in the plan – it is the highest one, but not the most difficult. We will climb the top of the Balkan Peninsula today – Mount Musala.
Morning transfer from Govedartsi to Borovetz – 20 min. From the ski area of Borovets we will take the gondola lift up to 2400 m, the start of the Musala tour. We will ascend to the highest peak of the Balkans by following the classic route along Musala Hut and Ledeno Ezero Hut. The trail passes the two terraces of the glacial valley, near 5 lakes. The highest of them – Ledenoto Ezero (The Icy Lake) is located at 2750 meters of elevation, near Ledeno Ezero Hut.
There is an option for more experienced hikers to follow the airy ridges east and west of Musala, instead of the main path. Contact us for details.
We return the same way back in order to get the gondola on time and descend back to the start point.
Itinerary
Day 3: The Rila Lakes
Total walking for the day: +500/-500 m, 5 hours, option to extend
Panichishte, Rila Mountains
We start the day with a 1.15h transfer to the famous area of the Seven Rila Lakes in Rila National Park. The chair lift will take us up to 2100 m from where we start our loop around this part of the mountain.
We will climb up the Dry Ridge which offers great views towards the lower of the Rila Lakes – The Bottom Lake, The Fish Lake, The Trefoil and The Twins lakes. We pass by the shores of the biggest of the Rila Lakes – The Kidney Lake. Further we ascend by the Eye Lake and up to the highest one – The Teardrop.
1.45h transfer to the town of Bansko and accommodation for 2 nights.
Itinerary
Day 4: Mount Vihren
Total walking for the day: 8km, +1000/-1000 m, 7 hours
Bansko, Pirin Mountains
Exciting day is in front of us – the ascent of the highest peak of the Pirin Mountains – Vihren Peak, the stone kingdom of the Balkan Chamois and the Edelweiss flower. Transfer back to Vihren Hut, which is the start point of the route today. The route is short in km but with steady inclination and rocky terrain, so be well prepared with walking sticks and good boots.
Note: in case you have fear of heights and rocky passages, we would recommend you to follow the south trail only – up and down the same way. Otherwise the loop we suggest initially traverses the slopes of Vihren and we ascend from the north, where the last passage is a bit more technical (please read below), then we descend from the south back to Vihren Hut.
The ascending trail traverses the east slopes of Vihren until we enter the so-called Big Pot – a glacially formed cirque which divides Vihren from the Marble Ridge, with impressive views towards the north face of Vihren. We ascend up to Premkata Col (possible detour to the Foal Ridge and back) and finally follow the markers up along the rocky slope of Vihren. This part of the trail requires little scrambling and although it is not risky (secured by a metal chain) nor requires any special skills, it is not suitable for people with strong fear of heights. The descent from the top is on the other (south) side, until we reach Vihren Hut and get our transport back to Bansko.
Itinerary
Day 5: Olympus National Park
Total walking for the day: 6.5 km, +1190/-230 m, 3.5 hours.
Litochoro, Olympus Mountains
We are leaving the area of Pirin National Park today and are heading south. We will enter Greece and drive down to the sea coast, passing by the city of Thessaloniki, in order to reach the small village of Litochoro. From Litochoro we will drive up the winding road towards the trailhead for the Olympus mountains climb – Prionia.
Ascend up to the hut of Agapitos at above 2000 m and overnight accommodation.
Itinerary
Day 6: Mount Mytikas
Total walking for the day: 7.5 km, +1360/-730m, 8 hours
Olympus Mountains
A challenging day ahead of us – we will climb the respectful top of Olympus Mountains today and stay overnight at 2700 m, at the Mouson Plateau. Firstly we ascend to the Zonaria trail fork, where we will leave our main luggage and continue up with light rucksacks. Ascend of the peak of Skala – the second highest of Olympus with its 2911 m, with great panoramas towards Mytikas. From here starts the technical part of the Mytikas climb. The next section will take us 1.5 to 2 hours total to the peak and back, and it is not suitable if you are unwilling to challenge your fear of heights and mental stamina. The route is not technically difficult, but is exposed and requires focus and concentration, while moving on the rocks and passing by the Kakoscala – the Evil Stairs on the way to the top.
The mass practice is to complete it unroped, but we are ready to assist if additional help and belaying is in need in order to guarantee your safety and mental comfort.
Descend back to our trail fork, from where we follow the panoramic trail of Zonaria, until we reach the Mouson Plateau (The Muses Plateau) and our next hut for the night.
Itinerary
Day 7: Mouson Plateau and the Sea
Total walking for the day: 8.5 km, +190/-1500 m, 5 hours.
Lemos Ridge, Olympus Mountains
We are descending the mountain today, after enjoying a beautiful sunset and sunrise from our location at 2700 m, from where both the magnificent peak of Stefani and the sea far below us are visible.
We will pass the panoramic Lemos ridge and the hut of Petrostrouga on the way day, passing by the alpine ridges, the coniferous and lower down the broadleaf forests. Short drive and we are by the beach.
Accommodation by the sea coast for a night and time to enjoy the beach in the afternoon.
Itinerary
Day 8: The Rila Monastery
Total drive time: 6 hours
Rila Monastery, Rila National Park
We have some early morning time to say “Goodbye” to the sea and the mountain, before leaving for our next aim – the UNESCO site of the Rila Monastery.
A long transfer back to Bulgaria, which will take us to the world famous UNESCO heritage site in Bulgaria – the Rila Monastery, for a visit and overnight stay. We will enjoy the monastery during its quiet late afternoon hours, away from visitors, and spend the night in the beautiful valley of Rilska River, in a local family hotel.
Itinerary
Day 9: Departure
Total drive time: 2.15 hours
Sofia
Morning transfer to Sofia – 2.15h. Time permitting, a sightseeing tour around the city center. Departure from the Sofia airport.
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