Discovering the Balkan National Park

Description

Let's set off together for the Balkan Mountains in Bulgaria, which are ideal for hiking, with a good network of trails and refuges.

The part of the Balkan massif (Stara planina or "old mountain" in Bulgarian) where this circuit takes place has been classified as a National Park since 1991. The presence of many heritage resources (monasteries and Orthodox churches), of natural wealth (a fauna composed of large Mammals), a biodiversity due to the geographical position of the massif (climate barrier between the north and the south of the country) make it a particularly interesting region to explore and discover. Of course, I will be glad to accompany you and to show you this all along this trekking.

If you want to hike through Europe, I also propose a trekking in the Dolomites di Brenta, some hikes in the Austrian Tyrol, and a trek in the Orsiera-Rocciavrè Natural Park for 4 days or a week.

Program

D1: Arrival in Sofia, welcome at the airport, transfer to the pension.
Free time at the end of the day. Overnight in the guesthouse.

D2: transfer by minibus Sofia-Ribaritza, hike to the Vejen hut.
Discovery of the highest part of the Balkan.
Night in the refuge.

D3: Vejen hut - Mount Vejen (2198m) - Echo hut.
Ascent through the mountain pastures to Mount Vejen then descent to the Echo hut.
Optional ascent of the pretty Yumrouka summit (1818m).
Night in the refuge.

D4: Echo hut - Kozia Stena nature reserve - Tchiflik - Beli Ossam.
Hike on the ridges with a magnificent view to the village of Tchiflik, known for its thermal springs.
Night in a lodge.

D5: Beli Ossam - Troyan monastery.
Morning stroll through the orchards towards Troyan monastery (scheduled visit). Visit of the ethnographic museum of the city dedicated to ceramics.
Night in a lodge.

D6: Transfer by bus Troyan-Vidima, chalet Plévén.
Discovery of the highest part of the Balkan. Crossing of a beautiful beech forest, to reach the Pleven refuge (under Mount Botev, the highest point of the Balkan). Possible walk to the Vodnite Doupki cave (about 1.5 hour).
Night in the refuge.

D7: Pleven hut - Djendéma reserve - Mount Botev (2376m) - Raï hut.
Ascent of the highest point of the Balkan, Mount Botev. The landscape varies between crests, wild forests, waterfalls.
Night in a refuge.

D8: Raï refuge - Kalofer monastery - Koprivchtitsa.
Descent to the monastery of Kalofer, where a refreshing swim in the basins of the Byala Réka river awaits us. Transfer by minibus to the picturesque small town of Koprivchtitsa, which is listed as a national heritage site for its original architecture of the National Revival period (XVIII-XIX^th century). It is one of the country's must-see sites.
Night in a guest house.

D9: Koprivchtitsa - Sredna Gora - transfer to Sofia.
Hike in the mountain of Sredna Gora (the city is located at 1000 meters above sea level).
Night in a guesthouse.

D10: Free visit of Sofia.
Return to France.

The price includes

• Supervision by the mountain leader.
• Accommodation.
• Meals (except D1 and D10 lunches and D9 dinner).
• Tourist taxes.
• Transfers and trips in Bulgaria.

The price does not include

• Flights.
• D1 and D10 lunches and D9 dinner.
• Drinks.
• Paid visits (monasteries, churches and museums).
• Anything not mentioned in "The price includes".

Accommodation

• Lodge, hut and B&B.

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