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8-Day Highlights of Bulgaria with a Local

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Overview

Тhis 8-day adventure through Bulgaria provides a great mix of nature, mountains, small villages, hiking, trekking and Bulgarian culture.

This trip is authentic to its core. Instead of resorts and the beach, it focuses on some of the most beautiful parts of Bulgaria including the Rila and Rodopi Mountains as well as Plovdiv, the 2019 European capital of culture.

You'll begin your journey in Sofia, the capital of Bulgaria, and move through the country to the Rila and the Seven Lakes, then to Trigrad, Plovdiv and back to Sofia for your final night.
Hiking & Trekking
Culture & Arts
Adventure
Sightseeing
Outdoors & Nature

Itinerary

Day 1

Arrive in Sofia

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Arrive in Sofia

Upon arrival in Sofia, you will be transferred to your hotel in the centre of the city. In the evening, you'll meet your guide at around 5 pm; he will run you through how the tour will work and what you will be getting up to each day of this fabulous trip. Afterwards, your guide will be able to give you recommendations if you wish to go out and explore the city and find somewhere to have dinner or a drink.

  • accommodation icon
    Accommodation

    Central Point Boutique Hotel3 star

    Note: We will endeavor to book the aforementioned hotels. If, however, we are unable to secure them due to circumstances out of our control, we will replace them with hotels of similar value and standard.
  • transportations icon
    Transportations

    Private Driver from Sofia Airport to Sofia

  • destination icon
    Destinations

    Sofia

Day 2

Rila Monastery & Sapareva Bania Village

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Rila Monastery & Sapareva Bania Village

After breakfast, you will head to the famous Rila Monastery which is located not very far from Sofia. Featuring Baroque arcaded balconies and standing 1,147 metres up in the mountains, the Rila Monastery was the first and largest monastery in Bulgaria. From here, you will continue on to Sapareva Banya, where you will stay overnight. The little town is known for its hot mineral water with healing properties. It has the only active hot geiser in the Balkans.

  • accommodation icon
    Accommodation

    Sapareva Kashta2 star

    Note: We will endeavor to book the aforementioned hotels. If, however, we are unable to secure them due to circumstances out of our control, we will replace them with hotels of similar value and standard.
  • activities icon
    Activities

    Rila Monastery

  • transportations icon
    Transportations

    Minivan from Sofia to Sapareva Banya

  • meals icon
    Meals

    Breakfast

  • destination icon
    Destinations

    Sofia

    Rilski Manastir, Kiustendil

    Saparevo

Day 3

Seven Rila Lakes Hike

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Seven Rila Lakes Hike

This is a huge highlight for every traveller and is a must when visiting Bulgaria. Today after breakfast, you will head off for a hike around the mountains and Seven Rila Lakes. This is a beautiful spot, with stunning views and the perfect way to spend your day. You will spend the full day outdoors, the hike takes around five hours and is moderately difficult. You'll begin at the bottom lake and work your way up to the seventh one. En-route, you will stop for a picnic lunch.

  • accommodation icon
    Accommodation

    Sapareva Kashta2 star

    Note: We will endeavor to book the aforementioned hotels. If, however, we are unable to secure them due to circumstances out of our control, we will replace them with hotels of similar value and standard.
  • activities icon
    Activities

    Seven Rila Lakes

  • transportations icon
    Transportations

    Minivan from Saparevo to Seven Rila Lakes

    Minivan from Seven Rila Lakes to Saparevo

  • meals icon
    Meals

    Breakfast

  • destination icon
    Destinations

    Saparevo

    Kyustendil Province

Day 4

Lake Dospat, Yagodina Cave & Trigrad

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Lake Dospat, Yagodina Cave & Trigrad

After breakfast, you'll check out of the hotel and head off to your next destination, Trigrad, where you will stay in a local homestay. Here, you can expect a fascinating and very enjoyable cultural experience. En-route, you will stop at Lake Dospat and Yagodina cave. Lake Dospat is one of the most magnificent places in Bulgaria, it's water beautifully reflects the pine-covered Rhodope mountains which surround it. Yagodina Cave is the third-longest cave in the country.

  • accommodation icon
    Accommodation

    Family Hotel Arkan Han3 star

    Note: We will endeavor to book the aforementioned hotels. If, however, we are unable to secure them due to circumstances out of our control, we will replace them with hotels of similar value and standard.
  • activities icon
    Activities

    Lake Dospat

    Yagodinska Cave

  • transportations icon
    Transportations

    Minivan from Сапарева Къща to Trigrad

  • meals icon
    Meals

    Breakfast and dinner

  • destination icon
    Destinations

    Saparevo

    Pazardzhik

    Smoljan

Day 5

Hiking the Devil's Path, Rodopi Mountains

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Hiking the Devil's Path, Rodopi Mountains

After breakfast, you'll head out for a scenic hike in the Rhodope Mountains. Make sure you have your hiking boots with you, this walk is steep in a few places and challenging in others! After hiking the Devil's Path, you'll enjoy a picnic lunch before heading to the Eagle's Eye Viewpoint for a panoramic view over the Pirin, Rila and Rodopi Mountains. The viewpoint sits at 1,563 metres above sea level. Your late afternoon and evening are free to enjoy as you wish.

  • accommodation icon
    Accommodation

    Family Hotel Arkan Han3 star

    Note: We will endeavor to book the aforementioned hotels. If, however, we are unable to secure them due to circumstances out of our control, we will replace them with hotels of similar value and standard.
  • activities icon
    Activities

    Eco-Path Hike - Devil's Path

    Eagle's Eye Viewpoint

  • meals icon
    Meals

    Breakfast, lunch and dinner

  • destination icon
    Destinations

    Smoljan

    Yagodina

Day 6

Bachkovo Monastery, Asen's Fortress & Plovdiv Old Town

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Bachkovo Monastery, Asen's Fortress & Plovdiv Old Town

After breakfast, you will depart for Plovdiv, your next destination on this journey. En route, you will make two fantastic stops: the first is at the very popular Bachkovo Monastery. There is a great market just beside the monastery so you can also get a little shopping done. From there, you will head to the well-preserved ruins of Asen's Fortress which is perched in the heart of the Rhodope Mountains on a high rocky ridge. In the afternoon, you'll arrive in Plovdiv.

  • accommodation icon
    Accommodation

    Park Hotel Plovdiv3 star

    Note: We will endeavor to book the aforementioned hotels. If, however, we are unable to secure them due to circumstances out of our control, we will replace them with hotels of similar value and standard.
  • activities icon
    Activities

    Bachkovo Monastery

    Asen's Fortress

  • transportations icon
    Transportations

    Minivan from Trigrad to Plovdiv

  • meals icon
    Meals

    Breakfast

  • destination icon
    Destinations

    Smoljan

    Bachkovski manastir

    Plovdiv Province

    Plovdiv

Day 7

Explore Plovdiv Old Town

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Explore Plovdiv Old Town

This morning, after breakfast at the hotel, you'll go on a special guided tour of Plovdiv Old Town. You will learn about Bulgarian traditions, hear some amazing stories and will pick up some interesting facts. Plovdiv's cobbled streets will take you on a journey back in time to the Roman era. You will then travel back to Sofia, where you will spend your final night. Upon arriving at your hotel, you'll have the rest of the evening to explore Sofia.

  • accommodation icon
    Accommodation

    Central Point Boutique Hotel3 star

    Note: We will endeavor to book the aforementioned hotels. If, however, we are unable to secure them due to circumstances out of our control, we will replace them with hotels of similar value and standard.
  • activities icon
    Activities

    Plovdiv Old Town

  • transportations icon
    Transportations

    Minivan from Plovdiv to Sofia

  • meals icon
    Meals

    Breakfast

  • destination icon
    Destinations

    Plovdiv

    Sofia

Day 8

Departure Day

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Departure Day

Today marks the end of your tour. Your tour guide will drop round to say farewell in the morning. If you would like a transfer to the airport, this can be arranged, otherwise, you are free to continue your travels on your own.

  • transportations icon
    Transportations

    Minivan from Sofia to Sofia AirportOptional Activity

  • meals icon
    Meals

    Breakfast

  • destination icon
    Destinations

    Sofia

Included in Price

  • 7 nights accommodation
  • 9 activities
  • 7 breakfasts, 1 lunch and 2 dinners
  • Airport transfer
  • Entrance fees
  • Ground transportation
  • Licensed English speaking guides

Not Included in Price

  • Alcohol beverages
  • Domestic flights
  • Entry visas / airport departure tax
  • Gratuities
  • International flights
  • Laundry
  • Personal expenses
  • Travel insurance
  • Trekking permits
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