Bulgaria is a land of wild winter mountains offering some extraordinary opportunities for snowshoeing. With a reliable snowfall it is fast becoming a well recognised destination for winter activities. Bulgaria dates back to the 7th century making it one of the oldest states in Europe, and offering you, the visitor, a true cultural experience. During this week of snowshoeing we will hike in various national parks in the Rila, and Pirin mountains, mountain ranges which on average have 2 to 3 metres (6 to 9ft) of snow in winter - perfect! In addition, this trip features excellent hotels carefully chosen to show you Bulgaria in 'comfort'.
The mountain ranges of Pirin and Rila provide excellent snowshoes routes and on this trip we will visit both areas. Both National Parks are home to a rich flora and fauna, including brown bears, jackals, wolves, wild boars, deer, and chamois.
We will combine snowshoeing through pine forests, plateau, summits, and ridges, with the chance to experience the ancient culture of this beautiful country. With a professional local qualified guide you will have the chance to get 'under the skin' of Bulgaria learning about its turbulent past, and how its people see its future.
This Snowshoeing Trip to the Arilla & Perin Mountains showcases these beautiful mountain ranges. The hikes are moderate to challenging with spectacular views & a huge sense of achievement on completion. Stoyan was both an excellent guide & passionate about his country. Philippa UK. March 23
It was a wonderful trip - beautiful scenery, good food, an expert guide and I learnt so much history while enjoying time in the mountains. Debbie from UK. March 23
Our guide Stoyan was marvellous, he made the whole trip fun but safe too. Some of the walks were tough, but so rewarding. A highlight for me, apart from the walking, was the fabulous Bulgarian lunch ww had in a traditional "folk" restaurant. Wonderful food and great fun company after some long trails in the mountains.
Joanne UK 2023
I very much enjoyed the holiday. Lots of good snow and fantastic views on clear day. My favourite excursion was ascending Polejan.
I really enjoyed visiting the mountains and seeing the fantastic scenery. The food in Bulgaria was generally very tasty, wholesome food. My best moment of the trip was reaching the summit of Polejan. Another highlight was the last meal in the restaurant in Bankso.
I enjoyed the Bulgarian experience thanks to the enthusiasm of Stoyan who freely shared his passion & extensive knowledge of a remarkable country. It is a beautiful country and I appreciated seeing the different scenery in different mountains, the various accommodation along the way and I enjoyed being driven through the countryside (excellent driver by the way, good fun and very courteous). I was sorry to miss high-level hikes into the Pirin Mountains (due to sore feet!) but I was better by day 6, the highest point I reached - then, I could enjoy being out in some serious weather conditions. The steep descent through indigenous Beechwood forest was beautiful and the mountain hut where we enjoyed delicious, rustic, heart-warming soup was a treat.
Was very surprised by the landscape and also that the hotels were better than I expected. It really was a very interesting trip in terms of the culture and also being able to learn so much about Bulgaria from Stoyan our local guide. Highly recommend it.
Today you will arrive at Sofia, the historic capital of Bulgaria, where you will spend your first overnight. Your flight should arrive no later than 1400hrs to allow time for a guided tour of the historic city of Sofia. Built on the Iskar river the city has many mineral springs and baths, combined with a city centre of impressive architecture. Your guide will meet you at the airport, transfer you to your hotel, and then take you on a tour of the city.
We will provide a time for the group pick up once we have everyones flight arrival times. You can, of course, arrive later and we can organise a private pick up at the airport, but this will not be included in your fee.
This morning we begin with a short journey to the mountain of Vitosha. Vitosha is the symbol of Sofia and a favorite place for local people for hiking, mountain biking and running in the summer months, and skiing and snowshoeing in the winter. Our vehicle will take us high up the mountain to around 1700 metres (5559ft) where we will start our snowshoe hike along an easy trail which offers fabulous views to the Valley of Sofia, the Balkan mountains to the north, and the Rila mountains to the south. Today we will enjoy lunch at a mountain hut whose name translates as 'Maidens Rock'. The hut is half way down our gentle descent and is famed for it's nettle soup which goes down well with the local Bulgarian white cheese. Leaving the hut we continue our way down the mountain passing the beautiful frozen waterfall of Boyana which attracts local ice climbers. Once we reach Boyana we have a transfer to the tiny ski resort of Panichishte in the Rila mountains which is famous as the gateway of the 'Seven Lakes' area. It may be well known to Bulgarians, but you are unlikely to encounter other nationalities in Panichishte.
Ascent: 410m (1340ft) Descent: 1200m (3924ft) Duration: 6h00
Driving Distance: Sofia to Boyana 10km (6 miles) 20min Boyana to Panichishte 79km (49 miles) Duration: 1h30
This area is one of the most popular in Bulgaria on account of its beautiful scenery and wild nature. We start with an easy ascent through pine forest before taking a side valley, called Skakavitsa, where we are aiming for the Skakavitsa mountain hut, the oldest hut in Bulgaria, where we can enjoy a morning coffee. If conditions allow we will take a detour to the waterfall, or at least to the view point for photos. We will then climb further through the forest heading for the lakes reaching above the tree line and a feature known as the Dry Ridge, this offers fantastic views to the Skakavitsa valley and the Seven Lakes. All in all today is a wonderful circular hike. On the descent if your legs feel tired you can opt to take a chairlift down to the valley. The chair lift costs approximately 9 Euros, but please note this is not included in your trip fee as the intention is to descend through the pine forest.
Ascent: 744m (2432ft) Descent: 608m (1988ft) Duration: 6h00
After a leisurely breakfast we head back up the mountain to the chairlift and ease into the day with a ride to the top at 2100m ((6867ft). The lift takes us to the 'Rila Lakes' mountain hut, but with our longest day ahead of us we will immediately begin our climb towards Razdela Pass which sits at 2610m (8535ft). We head, first of all, towards Fish Lake then to the old 'Seven Lakes' mountain hut and onwards to the ridge on the eastern side of the cirque known as the 'Green Ridge'. Eventually we will see Razdela Pass ahead of us, this is a famous meeting point with six different trails crossing on this pass. Our goal is to a high point at approximately the same altitude of the pass and not the pass itself which is too difficult to reach in winter. We will spend most of our day above the treeline, and it really is a day of amazing panoramic views. We will be able to see all of the Seven Lakes from our high point, before we begin our gentle descent to the valley and back to a well-earned Bulgarian beer.
Ascent: 681m (2226ft) Descent: 953m (3116ft) Duration: 6h30
This morning we head to the former Bulgarian Mountaineering School at Malyovitsa where we will begin our snowshoe hike. An easy day today with a morning of snowshoeing, followed by lunch in a traditional tavern, and then a drive to the famous ski area of Bankso. We begin by walking up the valley to Malyovitsa mountain hut which sits in a high and impressive combe surrounded by jagged alpine peaks and cliffs. Our goal is what the local mountaineers call the 'second balcony', this is simply a high terrace surrounded by impressive mountains which sits at 2220m ((7259ft). Today we will be able to see around 20 high mountains, including the summit of Mount Malyovitsa, perhaps Bulgaria's most famous mountain peak sitting at 2729m (8924ft). These Rila mountains are some of the most dramatic, alpine and challenging in Bulgaria and have for centuries acted as a magnet for mountaineers. It was in however not until 1938 that the epic north face of Mount Malyovitsa was conquered. The Malyovitsa mountain hut is testament to climbers past and present with its walls adorned with photos and stories of ascents. Today we will also pass a monomer to Bulgarian climbers and mountaineers who have perished in the mountains across the world. By lunchtime we will have descended to Mala Cherkva village for lunch in a traditional tavern. The restaurant has a great reputation for local food such as Bulgarian bean soup, or Kavarma which is the name given to a stew cooked in a claypot. After lunch we begin our drive to Bankso, but if the group wishes it we can also stop en route at Sapareva Banya. The town is home to the hottest mineral geyser in Europe which erupts every 7 seconds sending a jet of water 7 metres (23ft) high. The thermal baths which cost approximately 4 Euros are modern and clean, and will supply you with a towel if you would like to have a quick dip!
Ascent: 492m (1608ft) Descent: 492m (1608ft) Duration: 3h00
Driving Distance: Morning - Panichishte to Malyovitsa 99km (61 miles) Duration: 2h00. Afternoon - Malyovitsa to Bansko 90 km (55 miles) Duration : 1h45
In 1983 the Pirin National Park was designated a UNESCO World Heritage Site. The park contains 176 lakes among 400 square km (250 square miles) of fragrant pine forests and granite peaks. Fang-toothed predators make their home here – bears, wolves and jackals – but exploring on snowshoes we are more likely to spot the park’s abundant birdlife: wall-creepers, peregrine falcons and four types of woodpecker number among 170 species seen here. The Pirin mountains are also home to more than one hundred peaks reaching over 2000m (6560ft).
Our snowshoe hike today will begin on the northeastern slopes of the Pirin mountains, at Gotse Delchev hut. An easy ascent with a chairlift ride takes us higher up the mountain, to the Bezbog hut. After our picnic lunch we will make our way to the summit of Bezbog 2645m (8675ft), where we can enjoy the stunning views of the rocky summits of the Pirin range. We then climb to the nearby summit of Polejan which sits at 2851m (9351ft) and is one of the highest points of the Balkan peninsula. Going to the summit will be decided by your guide based on the group stamina, conditions and time available. After taking in the views we will head back to the hut at Gotse Delchev and make our way back to Bansko.
Ascent: 757m (2475ft) Descent: 757m (2475ft) Duration: 6h00
Today we will be doing one of the most well-known snowshoeing treks in Bulgaria, a round trip of the Bunderitsa cirque. We head first of all to the lush pine forests of Bunderitsa valley and the beginning of our trail. Once we have climbed above the trees one we will be greeted with a view of the imposing Mount Vihren, Pirin's marble giant! Mount Vihren which sits at 2914m (9557ft) is the highest point of the Pirin Mountains, third on the Balkans after Mount Musala in the Rila Mountains and Mount Mitikas in Greece. Its looks like a huge marble stone pyramid with its north face a 400m (5248ft) vertical wall.
Once we have taken in the views of Vihren we will visit the Bunderitsa lakes. They all are named based on their shape and appearance, there is the Eye, the Frog, Long lake, Fish lake, the Spoon and the Green lake. After our lake tour we will return to the Vihren mountain hut and begin our journey back to Bansko where this evening we will have a traditional dinner, arranged for you in one of the legendary Bansko taverns.
Ascent: 714m (2334ft) Descent: 714m (2334ft) Duration: 5h30
This morning we will drive from Bansko to the airport in Sofia city. The group transfer will leave Bansko at approximately 0800hrs, arriving at the airport at 1030hrs. If you require an early private transfer this can be arranged, but we would ask that you aim to have a flight leaving from 1230hrs onwards. The departure time from Bansko may change to a later time once everyone has submitted their flight details.
Extra nights in Sofia can easily be arranged if you would like to have more time in the capital.
It is always our aim to complete the proposed itinerary outlined above, however, it may be necessary for our guides/instructors to adjust the daily itinerary based on the weather conditions, group safety and enjoyment.
On all our trips we aim to accommodate our guests in well-situated, clean, characterful, family run accommodation. Our suggested accommodation, listed below, is subject to availability at the time of booking. We have given details of our favoured venues and those we intend to use. If unavailable we will book alternative accommodation of a similar standard.
Our trip fees are based on two people sharing a room. If you are travelling on your own your booking will be based on a twin bedroom sharing with someone of the same gender.
However, on many of our trips single rooms are available on request for a supplementary fee. We recommend booking as early as possible to secure a single room as these are always limited in number. Please contact us for details.
The hotels we aim to use on this trip are all 4* except for one night when we are in a 3* establishment. The hotel grading system in Bulgaria does not equate to that used in other European countries such as France, or Switzerland. However, a 4* hotel in Bulgaria is the best available, and will offer a good level of service and comfort, often with a swimming pool and spa area.
In the capital city of Sofia we stay at the 4* Hotel Sveta Sofia, which means Saint Sofia. The hotel is perfectly located on a quiet pedestrianised street in the centre of the city and close to all facilities as well as to the main tourist attractions, sights, shopping centres, restaurants, cafes and nightclubs. The hotel is just 5 minutes walk from Serdika Metro Station. The bedrooms have en suite facilities, and air conditioning. We will spend one night in Sofia before moving on.
Sofia Market Hall and the famous Women's Market can be reached on foot in just a few minutes, and Sofia Airport is just 9km (5.6 miles) away. Shuttle services to the airport are offered by the Hotel upon request and at a surcharge.
The 3* Hotel Magnolia is situated in the pine forests that surround the Rila mountains. It is just a short distance from the start of our two snowshoe hikes in this area. It is a modern building, with spa facilities surrounded by garden grounds. The bedrooms are all ensuite, spacious, and most rooms have balconies. You will spend two nights at the Hotel Magnolia.
The Krusharskata Kushta is a starting point for many winter and summer routes such as The Seven Rila Lakes, The Urdini Lakes, Jonchevo Lake, and Musala Mountain. This family run hotel is open all year round and is located on the outskirts of the mountain village of Govedartsi. The hotel has 45 beds in rooms that are equipped with free wifi, bathroom, mini bar, and hairdryer. Most rooms also have a terrace.
Bansko is a bustling ski resort that is well known in Bulgaria. As well as the new parts of the town, there is also an ancient heart that is worth exploring. The Hotel Friends is near the centre of the village with easy access to the cafes, bars and restaurants. The rooms are well equipped with en suite facilities. The hotel also has a spa for anyone who wants to relax or ease their muscles. The hotel has a reputation for good food, and friendly and efficient service.
Arrival
On arrival your meeting point is the airport in Sofia, the capital of Bulgaria. You will meet your guide at the airport at a time that will be confirmed once we have all the arrival times of the members of your group. Your flight should arrive no later than 1400hrs to allow time for a tour of the city of Sofia in the afternoon. If your flight arrives after the group transfer has departed we can organise a pick up for you at a cost of 10 Euros to be paid to the driver. The airport in Sofia is less than 30 minutes from the city centre.
Departure
On your departure day you will be transferred from Bansko to Sofia airport. A group transfer to the airport is included in your trip fee. We aim to leave your hotel in Bansko at 0800hrs, to arrive at the airport at 1030hrs. If you need to leave Bankso earlier we can arrange a private transfer to the airport at a charge of 50 Euros per vehicle which allows you to share the cost if necessary with any others departing ahead of the group transfer.
Extra nights in Sofia can easily be arranged if you would like to have more time in the capital.
You might like to consider extending your trip with extra nights at the beginning in the beautiful city of Plovdiv, the European Capital of Culture for 2019, or with extra nights at the end in the capital city of Sofia. Both cities are well worth a visit with a rich and varied culture and heritage.
For details of how to get direct to Plovdiv by public transport click here. For information about visiting Sofia click here.
When booking a trip we ask you to acquire insurance to cover you for the following:
Mountain Rescue Insurance
It is a condition of booking that you are insured against medical expenses, injury, illness, death, mountain rescue, cost of repatriation and personal accident risks. Please ensure that your insurance covers you to the maximum altitude given on your trip itinerary. The maximum altitude for any trip can be checked on the 'At A Glance' box on each trip page. Most of our trips have a maximum altitude of 3,000 metres. If you are unsure or are joining a bespoke trip, then please ask us for specific details.
Trip Cancellation/Curtailment Insurance
You should also have insurance to cover trip cancellation and curtailment. Please note that your deposit and balance payments are non-refundable, unless it is Tracks and Trails who cancel the trip due to a failure to reach the required minimum numbers. In this case we will offer you a refund or the option of transferring to another trip if one is available. We also advise that you should have insurance which covers baggage loss/equipment damage as Tracks and Trails will not be held responsible for loss/damage to baggage/equipment.
COVID-19 Insurance
As well as medical cover, we recommend that you have appropriate travel insurance so that if you fall ill and test positive for COVID-19 prior to (or during) your trip, you will be financially covered for cancelling your trip. You should also consider booking a policy that covers you if you have to cancel or curtail your holiday because you have to self-isolate. If you choose to cancel, cancellation charges will be payable, but if the reason for your cancellation is covered under the terms of your insurance policy, you may be able to reclaim these charges. Please read the clauses below detailing trip cancellation and curtailment.
Travel Insurance covering COVID-19 is now available from a number of suppliers, Campbell Irvine, Trailfinders and Staysure. Please check their websites for the latest information on what is and isn't covered. It is likely that more companies will offer COVID related cover in the future.
All of the above insurances are detailed in our Terms and Conditions.
If you are joining a trip in the UK helicopter/mountain rescue insurance is not required as this is a free service.
For further details, please read the Insurance section on our website.
When packing for a trip in the mountains it is important to have the appropriate equipment and clothing. This kit list features items we believe are necessary for the weather you might encounter and the accommodation you will be staying in.
Generally clothing for snowshoeing should be equivalent to that used for walking in the mountains in winter. For this trip the following are provided free of charge: snowshoes, and avalanche transceiver. We will also provide probes and snow shovels. The carrying of this safety equipment is compulsory and demonstrates ‘best practice’.
Your guide will meet you with only enough snowshoe equipment for those who have booked it via their Booking Form. If you are bringing your own snowshoe equipment or elements of it then do let us know.
Equipment
Clothing
Comfort
Personal First Aid
Documentation
Additional Items
**Supplementary snacks if you follow a gluten free or coeliac diet**
Leaders are all first aid trained and carry their own first aid kit
The image below gives examples of how snowshoes can be attached to your rucksack
On many of our trips there will be an element of 'group kit' which will be shared amongst our guests. As mountain people you will be used to team work and working together to the mutual benefit and safety of the group.
The 'group kit' will be minimal and usually just a case of sharing a few lightweight 'survival shelters'. For example on a week-long trip you may carry a small shelter for just one day before passing it on to the next person.
If you are booking a trip in winter there will be a few additional safety items. These will be distributed in such a way that no one is over burdened.
Other group items necessary for safety and comfort will be carried by your guide/instructor.
For each of our trips a minimum number of guests is required before we can confirm that your trip will go-ahead. The minimum and maximum number of guests on your trip is displayed in the 'At a Glance' box on the righthand side of the trip page.
We strongly advise you do not book travel until we have confirmed your trip is 'guaranteed' to run. If you book travel before we have confirmed it is 'guaranteed' we cannot be held responsible for any financial loss if the trip does not go ahead.
When booking a holiday as a solo traveller a twin bedded room comprising of two single beds, is booked as standard. This will be with someone of the same gender unless you request to pay extra for your own room. Single rooms are often limited in supply so if you would like to pay a supplement for a single room we urge you to get in touch as soon as possible. This trip has a single supplement of £100.
We go to great lengths to work with first class guides who are passionate about their work. They are all fully qualified, insured, and hold the correct documentation.
Please note your snowshoe guide has complete discretion to make a daily decision on whether or not to take the advertised route based on the weather and the ability of the members of the group. They have our authority to make any route changes they believe are necessary in the interests of safety and enjoyment. This is particularly relevant in a winter environment where the snowpack can change on a daily basis.
Your guide will be a qualified International Mountain Leader. For these snowshoe trips your guide will be Bulgarian. You will benefit immensely from having a 'local' who speaks the language and has knowledge of the traditions, folklore, politics, history, flora and fauna. You can learn more about our guides and instructors on the About Us page.
On this trip you will have access to your luggage each day. As you move from hotel to hotel along your route your luggage will be transported with you in the minibus.
We do ask that you keep the weight to a maximum of 15kgs (33lbs), and ONE bag per person. Your luggage needs to travel in the group minibus and therefore there is a limited amount of space for the luggage.
Not all of our hotels have elevators, and luggage on wheels is a good idea. You may need to be able to carry your luggage to your bedroom which could involve climbing several flights of stairs.
On your itinerary you will find an indication of the amount of ascent and descent you can expect each day. This offers a guideline to how much effort might be expended each day and allows you to decide, based on previous experience, if your fitness and stamina are correct for the trip.
We make every attempt to ensure these statistics are as accurate as possible, but ask you to note that the most modern of technology used to record these details can show considerable variations in terms of ascent, descent, and in particular distance. In other words no two people using GPS devices on the same route will have exactly the same details recorded at the end of the day.
The statistics given should be used as a 'general' indication of the effort required.
You do not require any maps on Tracks and Trails trips, but if you would like to have a map then your Bulgarian guide can arrange for you to buy some after you arrive in the country. Please ask them on the first evening and they will make arrangements.
You will require 'Domino' maps of the Rila, Pirin and Vitosha mountains. All three are available to buy in Bulgaria. Ask your guide upon arrival if you would like to know where to purchase these maps in Sofia.
In Bulgaria, the climate is continental, with cold winters and warm or hot summers; it is slightly milder along the coast of the Black Sea, and of course colder in the hills and mountains where you will be snowshoeing. The country is exposed to both cold air masses from northern Europe or Russia, and warm air masses from the Mediterranean or North Africa.
In winter, which last from December to February, it is cold throughout the country. Cold air often stagnates on the plains, with cloudy skies and light snowfalls, but these periods may be interrupted by warm winds from the south, which can raise the temperature to 15°Celsius (59 °F) and more, and more frequently by cold air outbreaks from Russia, which can bring strong winds followed by severe frosts.
In the town of Smolyan, one of your overnights, the average temperatures ranges are given as a minimum in February of -3°Celsius (26.6°F) and a maximum average of 10°Celsius (50°F). In April you can expect temperatures to range from 4°Celsius (39.2°F) to 18°Celsius (64.4°F). Note that in the mountains where you will actually be on snowshoes the temperatures will be lower.
Although Bulgaria is in the EU it has not adopted the Euro currency. For Bulgaria you will need to purchase LEV on arrival. It is best to do this once you have been collected by your guide and not to do this at the airport where the exchange rate is poor. Your guide will take you to an exchange facility on the way to Plovdiv. All towns, and even small villages will have ATM machines where you can extract LEV. The currency code for Lev is BGN, and the currency symbol is лв. Current exchange rates.
It is useful to arrive at your destination with some cash in the local currency, however, on most occasions it is relatively easy to visit a 'cash machine' after arrival and withdraw money on a credit or debit card.
In Bulgaria the official currency is the 'lev'. You might see prices quoted in Euros in some tourist areas, but elsewhere you’ll find that other currencies aren't widely accepted or if they are that the exchange rate is not favourable.
Food
On our trips we encourage you to experience local tastes and dishes that reflect the culture of the country and for this reason many of our accommodation options will be family run with a reputation for the traditional food of the region.
If you have a 'special' diet because of an allergy or intolerance to a certain food type which will make you ill the accommodation will cater for this as best they can, eg gluten free, nut free, lactose free.
If you are vegetarian then this is not a problem as the hotels/refuges are used to being asked for vegetarian meals. Our accommodation will try to cater for those with vegan diets but in remote refuges in the mountains this is more difficult. If you would like to discuss the suitability of a trip for a vegan diet please contact us. Gluten-free diets will be possible with regard to the evening meals, but we would advise that you bring along some gluten-free snacks for your breakfasts and lunches.
If you have a 'special' diet which is NOT because of an allergy or intolerance, and is not 'veggie' then we apologise, but we cannot cater for this. The accommodation on the popular routes will be catering for many people each evening, in some cases up to 70/80 meals per night, 7 days a week, and realistically they cannot produce many different meal options unless the food will result in illness.
Water
The countries we visit all have tap water which is drinkable. If for any reason a particular hotel is having a problem with a remote mountain water supply they will normally post a sign over the tap indicating that you must not drink the water. At all times you are welcome to ask your guide/instructor if the water can be drunk. We would ask, for environmental reasons, that you avoid using single-use plastic bottles, and bring a water bottle that can be used repeatedly.
A passport with 6 months remaining validity at the end of your stay is generally required for visits to countries outside the EU, such as Norway. Please check the relevant embassy or consulate for other nationalities. It is your responsibility to ensure that you have the correct travel documents and visas for your holiday. Visa requirements and charges are subject to change without notice.
We recommend you check if you require an adaptor for your electrical items at:
http://www.worldstandards.eu/electricity/plugs-and-sockets/
Note that if your trip involves staying in a mountain refuge/rifugio/hut that electric sockets may be in short supply and for that night you may not be able to charge any items. Although the accommodation will have electricity this will often be supplied by solar panels or a generator and limited to use by the staff. For this reason we advise that carrying a small slimline and lightweight 'battery pack' can be very useful for recharging phones which many of you will also use as your camera.
We believe you should book this trip with Tracks and Trails if you feel strongly about supporting people who are working hard to create a future in their own country. In the case of Bulgaria this is a country with a turbulent political past.
We decided to work with our snowshoe guide, Stoyan Milkov and his colleagues because of the dedication and passion they have for their culture and their traditions. Having visited Bulgaria to spend time snowshoeing with Stoyan we were impressed to witness the effort he is putting into promoting Bulgaria as a destination for adventure holidays. As well as developing a market for snowshoeing he is working to increase the amount of hikers, mountain bikers, and trail runners arriving in Bulgaria.
Our trip is not the cheapest in Bulgaria because:
The wearing of an avalanche transceiver, a simple beacon which transmits a signal, is compulsory for all our snowshoe trips and is standard practice for winter sports. We choose to supply them in Bulgaria even although other companies choose not to.
In summary we believe in paying our local agents/guides a fair price for their services, ensuring that you have a holiday that is 'above standard' for Bulgaria, good value for money, and supporting the local economy. We know that when you spend this week with Stoyan, or one of his excellent colleagues, you will learn more about Bulgaria and the Balkans in seven days than you possibly could travelling on your own.
Before booking consider whether you expect to be in the appropriate physical condition on the date of your departure to allow you to fully participate in and enjoy your holiday. If you have any doubts because of an illness or injury it would be advisable to check with your doctor.
For UK residents travelling to an EU country you should obtain and bring with you a free Global Health Insurance Card (GHIC). This entitles you to state provided medical treatment in certain European countries, but is not a substitute for medical travel insurance.
If you have a UK European Health Insurance Card (EHIC) it will be valid until the expiry date on the card. Once it expires, you’ll need to apply for a GHIC to replace it. The UK Global Health Insurance Card (GHIC) lets you get state healthcare in Europe at a reduced cost or sometimes for free. Please check this before departing. We advise that you always carry your insurance documents with details of the Emergency Medical telephone number for your insurance provider, and your policy number.
We feel strongly about protecting the environment and do not encourage the use of single-use plastic items. We would ask that you arrive with a ‘water bottle’ or ‘hydration system’ that can be used repeatedly. We would point out that we operate a ‘zero tolerance’ for rubbish, and would ask you to remove all your rubbish items from the mountain even those you consider to be bio-degradable. In particular we ask that you remove any toilet tissue.
You can read our full policy here.
Working across international boundaries, and with various currencies means that the price of our trips can change overnight. We have, however, undertaken to guarantee that once you have paid your deposit the price of your trip is fixed. In this respect we urge you to book early to ensure that you receive the price advertised on our website. The website price may increase due to currency fluctuations, but we guarantee that the price advertised on the date of your booking will be maintained in your individual case.
When booking a trip during the pandemic we ask that you keep an open mind and be willing to adapt and be flexible.
Any holiday taken during the Covid-19 pandemic may be subject to change and with little or no notice of that change. As the past months have proven no-one can predict the situation from one week to the next, however, we will do our very best to gauge the best response to any new developments. New restrictions or guidelines might affect where we eat out, which accommodation we can stay in, and potentially transport arrangements if the numbers in vehicles are restricted.
Itineraries may not be exactly as advertised due to new regulations or restrictions. We are sure there will be various scenarios which we have not even thought about that might lead to a change or adaptation in the itinerary.
Please read our Covid-19 Cancellation Policy and ensure you have appropriate insurance as per our recommendations. We also ask that you make yourself aware of the entry requirements of any country you are visiting on your trip. We have compiled a Travel Links Advice list to help you source the correct information.
Prices may vary depending on date.
Code | Start date | Return date | Dates | Price | Status | |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
BUL1 | Sat 27 Jan | Sat 03 Feb |
Sat 27 Jan - Sat 03 Feb Code: BUL1 |
Price: £1025 | Spaces available | Book |
BUL2 | Sat 17 Feb | Sat 24 Feb |
Sat 17 Feb - Sat 24 Feb Code: BUL2 |
Price: £1025 | Spaces available | Book |
BUL3 | Sat 02 Mar | Sat 09 Mar |
Sat 02 Mar - Sat 09 Mar Code: BUL3 |
Price: £1025 | Spaces available | Book |
This Snowshoeing Trip to the Arilla & Perin Mountains showcases these beautiful mountain ranges. The hikes are moderate to challenging with spectacular views & a huge sense of achievement on completion. Stoyan was both an excellent guide & passionate about his country. Philippa UK. March 23
It was a wonderful trip - beautiful scenery, good food, an expert guide and I learnt so much history while enjoying time in the mountains. Debbie from UK. March 23
Our guide Stoyan was marvellous, he made the whole trip fun but safe too. Some of the walks were tough, but so rewarding. A highlight for me, apart from the walking, was the fabulous Bulgarian lunch ww had in a traditional "folk" restaurant. Wonderful food and great fun company after some long trails in the mountains.
Joanne UK 2023
I very much enjoyed the holiday. Lots of good snow and fantastic views on clear day. My favourite excursion was ascending Polejan.
I really enjoyed visiting the mountains and seeing the fantastic scenery. The food in Bulgaria was generally very tasty, wholesome food. My best moment of the trip was reaching the summit of Polejan. Another highlight was the last meal in the restaurant in Bankso.
I enjoyed the Bulgarian experience thanks to the enthusiasm of Stoyan who freely shared his passion & extensive knowledge of a remarkable country. It is a beautiful country and I appreciated seeing the different scenery in different mountains, the various accommodation along the way and I enjoyed being driven through the countryside (excellent driver by the way, good fun and very courteous). I was sorry to miss high-level hikes into the Pirin Mountains (due to sore feet!) but I was better by day 6, the highest point I reached - then, I could enjoy being out in some serious weather conditions. The steep descent through indigenous Beechwood forest was beautiful and the mountain hut where we enjoyed delicious, rustic, heart-warming soup was a treat.
Was very surprised by the landscape and also that the hotels were better than I expected. It really was a very interesting trip in terms of the culture and also being able to learn so much about Bulgaria from Stoyan our local guide. Highly recommend it.
From Price | £1025 |
Holiday Type | Snowshoeing |
Duration | 8 Days |
Group Size | 4-8 |
Minimum Age | 17 |
Maximum Altitude | 2851m (9351ft) |
Countries Visited | Bulgaria |
Meet In | Sofia airport, Bulgaria |
An aerial tour of the Pirin Mountains above Bansko and Bezbog, with views across to the Rila Mountain range. We will visit Bankso and Bezbog during our snowshoe tour of Bulgaria.
How snowshoes work, and how you should fit them to your walking boots. There are many different models of TSL snowshoes, and this might not be the exact one you will use but it will be similar. In Bulgaria we also use Inook snowshoes if required as they will fit a slightly larger boot.