Musala, with a height of 2925 meters, is the highest peak of the Rila Mountain and the entire Balkan Peninsula. The name of the peak comes from the word “Mus Allah”, which means closer to Allah. The old name for the peak is Tangra. In this three-day adventure in the Rila National Park, we will reach the highest peak of the Balkans and visit a tourist gem of Bulgaria – the famous Rila Lakes.

Rila National Park is the largest national park in Bulgaria. It is located 100 kilometers southern of Sofia, in the central part of the highest region of the Rila Mountains.

The park contains rare and endangered species of flora and fauna, as well as historical monuments of exceptional importance. Some of the largest rivers of the Balkan Peninsula originate there.

The Rila Mountain is known for its glacial lakes, of which there are over 150 and which are mostly located at an altitude between 2100 and 2500 meters.

Apart from Musala, the other famous peaks are: Dimitrov (2902 m), Maljovica (2730 m), Rilec (2715 m)… The name Rila comes from the Thracian word “Roula” which means “full of water”.

Tour plan:

Departure in front of the hotel in Niš at 1:00 p.m. Traveling through Serbia and Bulgaria with stops along the way for rest and border formalities. Arrival in Borovec (1315 m above the sea level) in the evening. Accommodation. Dinner. Overnight stay.

After the breakfast, a gondola ride from Borovec to a height of 2250 meters. Ascent to Musala (2925 m above sea level), which is the highest peak of the entire Balkans. The view from the top is unreal. After the ascent, return along the same route as when arriving in Borovec. Dinner. Overnight stay.

After the breakfast, transfer from Borovec to Sapareva Banya (1 hour) and Panichishte (1590 m above sea level) for 45 minutes. Gondola ride up to a height of 2100 meters above the sea level. One of the most beautiful hiking trails in Bulgaria, we visit the Seven Rila Lakes: the Kidney, the Eye, the Tear, the Twin, the Trefoil, the Fish and the Lower Lakes. The Seven Rila Lakes are a group of lakes of glacial origin, which are the most visited tourist destination in Bulgaria due to their specific natural beauty. We will also climb the Vazov peak (2659 m above the sea level), which is an unavoidable part of this adventure. After the tour, return to Panichishte and further to Banya. Lunch break. Departure to Niš. Arrival in Niš in the late evening. End of program.

Details:

  • Transportation by high tourist van/minibus
  • Two nights in private accommodation in 1/2 and 1/3 rooms
  • Mountain guide services
  • Tourist guide services
  • Residence tax
  • Trip organization costs
  • Food
  • Gondola ride on second day: 15 per person
  • Gondola ride on third day: 12.5 per person
  • Travel health insurance (with extra charge for extreme sports)
  • Individual expenses

Sneakers, a few pairs of socks, T-shirts, a hooded waterproof parka, sweatshirt, back up clothes and shoes, sunglasses, a cap, suntan cream. It is also recommended to take candy bars, nibbles, refreshing beverages and water. Put everything into a small backpack.

In the private accommodation of our hosts at the specified locations.

Cash: cash, up to 7 days before departure, or in installments – the first installment is 50% upon registration, the rest of the following month by depositing a check in dinar equivalent at the mid-rate of the National Bank of Serbia on the day of payment. This program was made on the basis of 7 registered passengers. In the event of changes in the monetary market (or the market of goods and services) or an insufficient number of registered passengers, the travel organizer reserves the right to correct prices, change the program or cancel the trip no later than 5 days before the start of the trip.

This tour is one of the easier mountaineering climbs. For departure from Belgrade, an additional payment of 20 euros per person in dinar equivalent is necessary. Transportation from Belgrade is organized for a group of at least 6 passengers. The organizer reserves the right, in case of unforeseen circumstances, to change the itinerary, no later than two days before the start of the trip.

The organizer of the trip is travel agency Nature Travel Office, licence number OTP 19/2023-A issued by the Business Register Agency as of 10 March 2023. Nature Travel Office is insured by an insurance policy against responsibility for travel agencies in case of insolvency and liability in case of damage to the traveller, number 3000001622, by the insurer MILENIJUM OSIGURANJE ADO Belgrade. The policy is valid from 13 February 2023 to 13 February 2024. In this program, travel agency Nature Travel Office applies their general terms and conditions of traveling, which are included in signing up for the trip.