Trekking Bulgaria’s Rila and Pirin mountains

Trekking Bulgaria’s Rila and Pirin mountains


From £1,255
Altitude 2,914m Grade: T2

Trek to the Seven Lakes of Rila with day walks from valley bases and visit the unspoilt Bankso village.

If you are looking for a holiday where you can enjoy decent length days out on the hill, look forward to a shower and a comfy bed each night, keep the costs down and not have to travel too far then trekking the Rila and Pirin mountains will tick all the boxes.

Bulgaria, a fascinating country where east meets west, is the home to some beautiful mountains which are easily accessible from the capital, Sofia. We ascend through beech and pine forests, juniper and dwarf pine to reach the upper alpine zones of both the Rila and the Pirin ranges, studded with lakes of all sizes. Mountain huts provide welcome refreshments for the thirsty walker along the way and the views are truly breath taking.

Utilising short transfers by vehicle and some chairlifts, we are able to get high into the mountains each day, bag a few summits and return to a hotel in the valley each night. We visit the Seven Lakes of Rila, Bulgaria’s most famous landmark, the beautiful Rila Monastery, and enjoy wonderful hospitality, traditional food, folklore and music in the valley bases where we stay.

This trip will operate with a minimum of 4 participants with a Bulgarian leader.

Dates & Prices

Show prices in
All prices in Euros are guide rates, not live rates
All prices in US Dollars are guide rates, not live rates

Availability

Dates
Flight Inclusive
AvailabilityDays
With Flight
Price
Land Only
Price
With Flight **
Select
4th Jul 2026 - 11th Jul 2026 Closed8 £1,255£1,505
1st Aug 2026 - 8th Aug 2026 Spaces8 £1,255£1,505 Book Now
22nd Aug 2026 - 29th Aug 2026 Spaces8 £1,255£1,505 Book Now
5th Jun 2027 - 12th Jun 2027 Spaces8 £1,355£1,605 Book Now
3rd Jul 2027 - 10th Jul 2027 Spaces8 £1,355£1,605 Book Now
31st Jul 2027 - 7th Aug 2027 Spaces8 £1,355£1,605 Book Now
21st Aug 2027 - 28th Aug 2027 Spaces8 £1,355£1,605 Book Now

* A deposit of £300 will be required at checkout.

** Flight prices are estimated and will be confirmed prior to final payment.

Payment Schedule:
Initial Deposit as quoted above upon booking
Interim Deposit £300, due 4 months before departure
Final Balance due 10 weeks before departure

What's Included

  • Estimated International flights from London (flight inclusive package)
  • Accommodation - 7 nights Hotels
  • Meals - 7 breakfasts, 6 lunches, 7 evening meals
  • Qualified Bulgarian tour leader
  • All team members will receive a free logoed gift (for clients residing outside of the UK a postage charge will be applied)
  • Baggage transfers
  • 24 hour back up and support from UK staff
  • 15% discount off the RRP on clothing and equipment purchased at the Adventure Peaks shop

What's Excluded

  • Travel Insurance
  • Meals except those specified in 'Inclusions'
  • Drinks and personal spending
  • Personal equipment
  • Visas if required

Insurance

It is essential for a trip of this type that you are adequately insured. When researching insurance options, please ensure the policy covers you for the following:

  • Cancellation or curtailment
  • Helicopter rescue (most insurance companies will no longer cover for ‘search and rescue’ but providing you stay with the group, they will assist with ‘rescue’)
  • Repatriation
  • The altitude that you are expected to attain
  • The location especially when travelling to Antarctica
  • Grade of trek/climb/expedition
  • Medical cover

We are aware the following provide insurance:

For UK based clients:

Treks under 7000m - Campbell Irvine Direct : http://www.campbellirvine.com/AdventurePeaks Tel: 0207 938 1734
For Trekking Peaks under 7000m (such as Mera & Island Peak) ensure to contact them directly prior to purchasing a policy, including your trip itinerary to ensure your trip is covered

True Traveller Ins: www.truetraveller.com Tel: 020 3822 0200 for treks, some Nepali trekking peaks and low technicality higher peaks like Peak Lenin or Aconcagua
The B.M.C.: www.thebmc.co.uk Tel: 0161 445 6111

World Trips: www.worldtrips.com Tel: 1-800-605-2282
Travelex Ins. Services: www.travelexinsurance.com Tel: 1-800 228 9792
Austrian Alpine Club (UK) https://www.alpenverein.at/britannia/ Tel: +44 (0)1929 556870
Rothwell & Towler: www.world-first.co.uk Tel: 0345 908 0161 (under 6400m)
J S Insurance: www.jsinsurance.co.uk Tel: 0800 043 0020
Snowcard: www.snowcard.co.uk (Online Only)
Dogtag: www.dogtag.co.uk Tel: 0333 005 1085 (Check excess etc)

For non-UK based clients:

World Trips: www.worldtrips.com Tel: 1-800-605-2282
Travelex Ins. Services: www.travelexinsurance.com Tel: 1-800 228 9792
True Traveller Ins: www.truetraveller.com Tel: 020 3822 0200
Austrian Alpine Club (UK) https://www.alpenverein.at/britannia/ Tel: +44 (0)1929 556870
AXA Worldwide Travel Ins: www.axainsurance.com Tel: (0) 330 678 3394
Ingle International: www.ingleinternational.com Tel: (USA) +1 833-362-0692
Insure for Less: www.insure4less.com.au (Australian clients) Tel: +61 (0) 2 9312 5168

Insurance for Technical Peaks and High/Extreme altitude (7000m+) – you will find obtaining insurance for these peaks quite difficult, however Global Rescue is used by many clients and our expedition leaders

Adventure Peaks partners with Global Rescue to offer the world’s leading travel protection services. Medical and security emergencies happen. When they do, we rely on Global Rescue to provide our clients with medical, security, travel risk and crisis response services. Without a membership, an emergency evacuation could cost over $100,000. More than one million members trust Global Rescue to get them home safely when the unexpected happens:
https://partner.globalrescue.com/adventurepeaks/


You do not have to use any of the above, but if you make your own insurance arrangements documentary evidence of your own policy is required.

Please forward the details of your Insurance as soon as you have it: we need the insurance company’s name, their 24 hour emergency telephone number and your insurance policy number – info@adventurepeaks.com

Reviews

Anne · 10 years ago ·

We both thought it was a great holiday in a beautiful and fascinating country. The walk on the central Pirin ridge was one of the best ridge walks that I have done. The only thing that I would add is that as a vegetarian I was a bit worried before the trip that vegetarian food would be limited. In fact it was excellent in all the hotels (and indeed the hut) and I was really well catered for.

Richard · 10 years ago ·

I have just returned from your Bulgaria Rila & Pirin trip, and thought you might welcome a bit of feedback. It was excellent, and exceeded my expectations in every way. The whole trip in Bulgaria was well planned and organised, and our guide (Stoyan) was really first class: knowledgeable, patient, reliable and a thoroughly nice guy. The driver (“Jimmy”) was also very reliable and a fun personality. When we got back to Sofia at the end of the trip, they took us on a fascinating tour of the city, which wasn’t even on the itinerary (but ought to be!).

The scenery on the trip was really beautiful, and also pristine: no litter, no eroded paths; and although some areas were busy (it was a holiday weekend in Bulgaria when we were there), there were also places where we walked miles without seeing anyone else. The places we stayed were characterful and genuinely local rather than being impersonal hotels. The food was fresh, plentiful and of excellent quality. There was also a good insight into the history, culture and lifestyles of the area.

Cass · 10 years ago ·

Just came back from the Rila and Pirin Mountains Trek, had an excellent experience and Adventure Peaks were incredibly helpful and friendly during the entire process. I will be using Adventure Peaks again!


Leave a Review

Please login to leave a review for this trip.

You may also like:

Snowshoeing in Bulgaria
Snowshoeing in Bulgaria
From £1,395
2,729m
Grade: T2

8 Days
A snowshoeing adventure through the winter wonderland in Bulgaria's Rila and Rhodope mountains.
Romania - Trekking the Fagaras Mountains
Romania - Trekking the Fagaras Mountains
From £1,495
2,545m
Grade: T3/Backpacking

8 Days With Flight
Climb Romania's three highest peaks with superb ridge walking and lakes
Walkers Haute Route
Walkers Haute Route
From £2,895
2,965m
Grade: T3

14 Days
An Alpine classic from Chamonix to Zermatt crossing eleven high passes
© 2022 Adventure Peaks. Registered in Cardiff, UK No: 4063174.