Sofia – 4 hours hike at Rila Mountains National Park and the 7 Rila Lakes – Bansko
We transfer 2hours via hills and dams to Rila mountains at Pionerska hut. Take a chair lift till about 1600 till 2100 mt altitude. There we walk around 4 hours between crystal clear glacial lakes (called the 7 Rila lakes) – nested amidst majestic peaks.
On return to the upper chairlift station, we stop for lunch at the mountain hut. Afterwards we descend by the lift to its base at 1600mt and take our bus down the mountain to the hot mineral water springs area named Sapareva Banya. There we may visit the mineral pools.
In the afternoon transfer to Bansko, the best winter resort in Bulgaria with the longest ski runs and the richest cultural history. The town of Bansko is situated at the foot of the Pirin mountain. We spend the overnight in Banko, enjoying the beautiful nature.

Hiking in Pirin Mountains National Park and Vihren peak
We transfer about 30 minutes till 1800 meters altitude at the end of asphalt road by a small mountain hut. There we start hiking on a steep marble pyramid of Vihren peak (2914mt) which takes about 6-8 hours both ways. We see jagged peaks, small lakes, pine bushes, small streams. Transfer back to Bansko for 30 minutes. Lunch today can be either packed or at the local hut.
Dinner is in a local restaurant (mechana) possibly with live gipsy music.

Melnik town and wine tasting
After breakfast we transfer for about 45 minutes till the valley of Struma river.
Optional: We stop for white water rafting (level 2) for about 2 hours.
Further we transfer to Melnik town, located on the southern slopes of Pirin mountains. Hike between sandstone pillars between 2 and 4 hours, depending on the group preferences.
In the afternoon we visit a local museum-house and try local wines in a cave dug into the sandstone cliffs. Overnight and dinner Melnik.

Melnik – Rhodopi mountains and caves – Devin
This morning we transfer to Dolen village, and walk around to see the houses and people who work on chopping/slicing rocks into layers for house roofs or wall decoration. We can spend a few time here experiencing the rural lifestyle.
Further we transfer to Dospat Reservoir, located on the river of Dospat in the Western Rhodope Mountains, at 1,200 m altitude. It is the largest dam in Bulgaria, and the nature around it is enchantingly beautiful. We take a walk, or we can enjoy a boat ride in the reservoir waters.
In the afternoon we reach the spa town of Devin. The town is mostly famous for its mineral springs known from ancient times. This area was settled by the Thracians around 1400 B.C. Later, during the 17th century, many Christian Bulgarians in this area were cruelly forced to convert to Isliam. However, they keep their Bulgarian traditions and language alive to this day.
Devin has several mineral water springs with a temperature between 37 and 44C. The water is clear, colourless, palatable, odourless, hyper- and homeo-thermal, mildly mineralized, and contains hydrocarbonates of sodium and small quantities of fluorine. Dinner and overnight in Devin.

Hiking in Yagodina canyon and cave
Today we visit Devils throat canyon and cave (large underground hall with waterfall) and spend the day hiking to Yagodina canyon and cave (stalactites and stalagmites, pearls and dendrites). Another dinner and overnight in Devin.

Devin – Hiking in The Wonderful Bridges – Bachkovo Monastery – Plovdiv
This morning we transfer the village Shiroka Laka, where we enjoy the panoramic views of the village, and can take a short walk around.
Further we pass by Pamporovo, one of the most popular ski resorts in Bulgaria.
We hike the nature phenomena “Wonderful Bridges” a rock phenomenon situated in the karst valley of the river Erkyupriya in the West Rhodope Mountain. They are situated at 1450m above the sea level, at the foot of Golyam Persenk peak. These 2 famous bridges are formed by the corrosive power of the once flooding river in the past that hollowed out the marble plate’s flaws into a deep water cave, whose ceiling collapsed, forming majestic marble bridges. The debris were also carried away by the river.
Later we transfer towards the city of Plovdiv, where we will spend the night. If interested in religious sites, we stop for a visit in Bachkovo Monastery, from the 11th century, one of the richest galleries of traditional Bulgarian religious art with exquisite murals and medieval icons.
Dinner and overnight in Plovdiv.

Plovdiv –Sofia Airport
Morning visiting the city of Plovdiv, or direct transfer towards Sofia Airport for the return flight.