Pirin Mountains walking break
Pirin Mountains walking break
Pirin Mountains walking break
5 Days Starting and ending in 2770 Bansko, Bulgaria
Visiting: Bansko, Todorina House, Vihren, Polezhan
Tour operator:
Tour code:
740
Group Type:
Independent
Guide Type:
Self Guided
Special diets catered:
Vegetarians
Tour operated in:
EnglishTrip Styles:
Interests:
Tour Overview
A five day self-guided Pirin Mountains walking holiday, within Pirin National Park which protects this spectacular range. The Pirin Mountains boast more than 60 granite peaks with elevations of over 2,500m and, on this short holiday, you trek to the top of two of them. These are Mount Vihren (2914m), Mount Polezhan (2,850m), but you also head up to the exquisite heights of Todorina Porta Pass at 2,550m, with superb views all around. This is a centre-based holiday, staying at a small, family-run hotel in Bankso, a popular ski resort in winter months
Highlights
Itinerary
Day 1 : Bansko
Location: Bansko
Accommodation: Hotel
Accommodation Name: 3* family hotel Rahoff or similar
Arrive in Bansko, where you’ll be based for the next four days. You can get to Bansko by public bus from Sofia, there are several departures daily, with a journey time of approximately 3.5h.
Day 2 : Todorina Porta Pass (2,550M) | 15Km
Location: Todorina House, Bansko
Accommodation: Hotel
Accommodation Name: 3* family hotel Rahoff or similar
Meals Included: Breakfast
A short transfer (30mins) brings you to Vihren Hut, from where you start walking. En route to the starting point, you can make a short stop to see the Baykusheva Mura, the oldest pine tree in Bulgaria, with an approximate age of about 1,300 years. First, you follow the river that runs beside the hut, but soon you make a left turn and start ascending on a rocky trail and reach the rocky peaks that surround the valley. Take a break at the two glacial Frog Lakes from where you can see the north face of Mount Todorka, also known as Mount Todorin. You continue your ascent towards the Pass and, after a short and steep ascent, you get to the highest point for the day – Todorina Porta Pass. A beautiful view awaits on a clear day – with the Eyes of Todorka (two glacial lakes) to the east, and Strajite ridge in the background. The return path will take you down to Demyanitsa hut and eventually to an asphalt road where your transfer will pick you back to Bansko.
Day 3 : Mount Vihren (2,914M) | 8Km
Location: Bansko, Vihren
Accommodation: Hotel
Accommodation Name: 3* family hotel Rahoff or similar
Meals Included: Breakfast
After a short transfer (30mins) to Vihren Hut, you head towards the highest summit of Pirin National Park – Mount Vihren (2,914m). The route will take you to the peak through its southwest ridge, and the last section of the climb finishes with a slightly more technical part (no scrambling) facilitated by a steel rope. The descent follows a different path back to the starting point where your transfer car will be waiting for you to take you back to Bansko.
Day 4 : Mount Polezhan (2,850M) | 8Km
Location: Bansko, Polezhan
Accommodation: Hotel
Accommodation Name: 3* family hotel Rahoff or similar
Meals Included: Breakfast
Today you will explore a different part of the mountain, climbing one of its most scenic peaks, Mount Polezhan (2,850m). An early transfer will take you to the nearby town of Dobriniste (20mins), from where you will take a chairlift to the Bezbog Hut (2,240m), where your hike begins. The walk is much more relaxed than the previous day, although the last section is quite bit steep and rocky (no scrambling). Once you get to the top, in good weather, you will be able to enjoy an amazing 360-degree view, including some of the landscapes you explored yesterday. Return along the same path, taking the lift back to the car park, where your transfer will pick you up and get you back to Bansko.
Day 5 : Departure
Location: Bansko
Meals Included: Breakfast
You depart using public transport (there is a local bus station with regular departures to Sofia and Plovdiv) or private transfer (upon request).
What's Included
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Accommodation
4 overnights in a small family hotel
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Meals
4 breakfasts
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All transportation as described in the itinerary
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Detailed route notes and maps (a digital copy, provided before the tour)
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GPS tracks
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24/7 phone assistance by our local office/representative
What's Not Included
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Insurance
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Airfare and connecting land transfers
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Meals not listed in the itinerary
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Tickets for the chairlift to Bezbog Hut on day 4 (BGN18 / €9 pp)
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Personal expenses such as phone calls, extra transfers, tips, etc.
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Any items not specifically mentioned as ‘included’ in the programme
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Optional return transfer from/to Sofia
Check out our Q&As
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Are flights included in this tour?
No they aren't
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When to go?
This trip is available every day from late June until the end of September. The weather is best in July and August.
The climate is temperate continental, with an average of 200 days of sunshine a year. It is influenced both by the colder air coming from the north and by the warmer breeze from the Mediterranean. Depending on location and altitude, temperatures vary, but in the June-September period, the daily averages are 15-25C. Spring and autumn are pleasant, with cold nights and occasional rain and thunderstorms. High summer daytime temperatures are rarely too hot as even though temperatures can occasionally reach 30C, the mountains and forests remain cooler, dropping at night to 5-15C. -
What is the fitness level required to do this tour?
Appropriate for experienced walkers in good physical shape. The walks take an average of 7-8h per day with approximately 800-1,000m ascent/descent (read more about difficulty grades). None of the routes involves scrambling, and there are no sheer drops. However, most of the paths are steep and rocky, requiring sure-footedness. You can also shorten most of the routes, if you find them too difficult.
Most of the trails are well-marked and signposted. We strongly advise you follow only marked trails and never try to shorten the path through unknown and unmarked terrain. We will provide you with detailed road notes, maps and GPX tracks, and you can call our 24/7 local assistance phone number anytime. More detailed info on route navigation will be included in your holiday information pack -
Will I know the names and details of all the accommodation before I depart?
Yes
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Are all entrance fees included in the price?
No they aren't
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Is there any free time to explore places during the tour?
As detailed in the itinerary
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Are airport transfers included in this tour?
No they aren't
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Are children permitted to take part in the tour?
No they aren't
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What Ethical Travel credentials does the tour company have?
The Natural Adventure was founded by people who love hiking and cycling in wild and wonderful places. Places that we want to keep that way. Responsible tourism has, therefore, been at the heart of what we do since the get go.
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Am I contributing to any charity by booking the tour?
In April 2020 as a response to the COVID-19 crisis, we launched the Support Local Communities Initiative. We have enabled an option when booking a tour for customers to make a donation to support our local partners. 100% of the donations go directly to our local suppliers.
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Who will be my travelling companions on the tour?
Whether you’re travelling on your own, as a couple, a group of friends, or a family, our self-guided holidays allow you the freedom to choose your own holiday companions.
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What documents will I receive before I travel?
Our self guided walking and cycling holidays typically include: Accommodation, Breakfasts, Luggage transfers, Detailed holiday information pack including GPS-checked and regularly updated route descriptions, road notes and maps, 24/7 phone assistance by our local representative and/or our central office
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What policies are in place for Covid-19?
We are part of the 'Safe Travels' initiative.
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Can I join the tour once it has departed?
Yes, as long as you can reach the next location.
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Do you operate a “single share” option and how does it work?
Accommodations in double or twin rooms (solo travellers are usually accommodated in single rooms at an extra cost; we never mix and match)
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What happens if I need to change my holiday date once I’ve booked?
If possible, and entirely at the discretion of the Tour Operator, a change of the dates may be possible without charging an amendment fee, provided that it is requested at least 30 days before the departure date. In some cases, we will still have to pass to you any non-refundable charges imposed by our suppliers. In all other cases, change of dates will normally be treated as a cancellation.
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Will the accommodation included meet local health and safety regulations?
All places have been carefully checked by us and their quality is regularly monitored. We have selected accommodations that offer friendly service, clean and comfortable rooms and local flavour.
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How long has the tour company been trading?
The Natural Adventure was founded in the UK in 2009, by Peter Duncan, former UK Chief Scout and BBC Blue Peter presenter, and Alex Pazderski, an avid hiker and acclaimed expedition kayaker. Both natural adventurers and keen explorers of wild places and trails, remote communities and responsible tourism partners, Peter and Alex founded our company inspired by the responsible travel values t
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Low Deposit
The Natural Adventure requires a minimum deposit of 20% or the full booking value, whichever is less, with the final balance not due until 42 days before departure.
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Cancellation Policy
We don't charge a cancellation fee, here is a summary of the natural adventure charges.
Up to 42 days before tour starts: Forfeit 100% of deposit.
At 30 days before tour starts: Forfeit 50% of booking price.
At 14 days before tour starts: Forfeit 100% of booking price.