“Hiking In Bulgaria and Thermal mineral water.”
8 Day Hiking Tour and Spa Hotel Stay with Thermal Mineral Water in Bulgaria
Spa Hotel Belchin Spring - Belchin village, 2025 Bulgaria
Spa and Trekking Tour in Bulgaria
During this 8-day multi-guided hiking tour, you will get to know the landscapes of Bulgaria’s most striking mountains and the use of thermal mineral water in favor of human health. As a matter of fact, the combination of unique styles of the places, environmentally friendly concept and specially selected hotels with thermal mineral water offers guests an unforgettable touch to the power and gifts of nature.
Highlights
- 5 hiking days, 5 to 8 hours of hiking daily
- 7 nights, spa and wellness in specially selected hotels with thermal mineral water
- Explore National Park Rila and Pirin National Park
- Visit to the Musala Peak, Malyovitsa Peak and Seven Rila lakes
- Visit to Vihren Peak, Bezbog Peak, and Popovo Lake
- Visit to the Rila Monastery (UNESCO World Cultural Heritage)
- Guided tour of Sofia town
- Free airport transfers
Skill level
- Beginner
8 days with instruction in English
The organizer also speaks: Spanish
Group size: Maximum of 18 participants
Airport transfer included:
Plovdiv Airport
Airport transfer included:
Sofia Airport
Accommodation
Belchin Spring Spa Resort
Belchin Spring Spa Resort is a result of our desire to create an oasis where people can rest and relax, striving to fill up the long-opened gap between urban man and nature. Coming here, one can hardly believe that this other reality was so close to their monotonous daily life and city noise.
Hot Springs Medical & Spa Hotel, Banya Spa Resort
The new home of the mineral waters Hot Springs Medical & Spa Hotel is located in Banya Spa Resort. In the foot of three majestic mountains (Rila, Pirin, Rhodope) in the beautiful Razlog Hollow next to the biggest ski resort on the Balkan Peninsular – Bansko. Pure mineral springs is known for ages. Local legends still tell the story of Roman legionnaires who after fierce battles came here to restore their strength with the help of the therapeutic mineral water. Today they proudly continue the age-old tradition.
Program
Day 1: Sofia - Sofia tour - SpaHotel Belchin Spring
From Sofia, the Green Valleys team will be waiting to greet you at the airport or the parking lot behind Alexander Nevski Cathedral. Alternatively, you can arrange your pick-up point in advance with a member of their booking team. During the Sofia tour, you will visit to the St. Alexander Nevsky Cathedral, Rotunda Saint George, discover Complex Ancient Serdica, unravel the National Institute of Archaeology
Transfer to the Spa Hotel Belchin Spring, check-in at the hotel and free time. Enjoy hotel dinner and relaxation time in the charming atmosphere to get ready for the next day.
Day 2: Spa Hotel Belchin Spring - Musala summit - Spa Hotel Belchin Spring
- Hiking difficulty: Moderate (3 from 6)
- Elevation: 571 meters (2354 meters - 2925 meters) / 1873 feet (7723 feet - 9596 feet)
- Distance: 13.70 kilometers / 8.512 miles
- Duration: 6,00 hours (hiking time only)
Today after breakfast, you depart towards Yastrebets chairlift, leading to the Yastrebets Hut (2369 meters / 7772 feet). From there, you will start trekking to Musala Hut (1 hour). Enjoy a picnic amidst the captivating tranquillity in the area of the beautiful Rila Mountains.
After the break, you will continue hiking to the Ice Lake (2709 meters / 8887 feet ) (1.5 hours). From there, you will start the last hike to Musala Peak (2925 meters / 9596 feet) (30 minutes). After a stay on the peak, you will head back to Yastrebets Hut (3 hours).
Return to the hotel to enjoy some hot thermal mineral water. Enjoy hotel dinner and relaxation time in the charming atmosphere to get ready for the next day.
Day 3: Spa Hotel Belchin Spring - Malyovitsa summit - Spa Hotel Belchin Spring
- Difficulty: Strenuous (4 from 6)
- Elevation: 1006 meters (1723 meters - 2729 meters) / 3300 feet (5652 feet to 8953 feet)
- Distance: 6.5 kilometers / 4 miles
- Duration: 8,00 hours (hiking time only)
After breakfast, you will continue your adventure in the area. You will depart towards the region of Malyovitsa. The journey takes about half an hour to the starting point for trekking in the region of Malyovitsa at an altitude of 1,700 meters / 5652 feet. From there, you will take a hiking trek to the next stop (1 hour).
Malyovitsa Hut is at an altitude of 1960 meters / 6430 feet, from where a panoramic view of Rila Mountain opens up. Enjoy a pleasant picnic amidst the captivating tranquillity in the area. The next track will take about one hour to the Second Terrace. These are rough rocky rivers passing two plateaus (1 hour).
Take the next trek to the Malyovishki Lakes (Elenski Lakes), which are a group of three glacial lakes (30 minutes). After a short break, you will start the last trek to the Malyovitsa Peak at 2,729 meters / 8 feet above sea level (30 minutes). Trekking back to Malyovitsa Hut and board the coach.
Return to the hotel to enjoy some hot thermal mineral water and hotel dinner and relaxation time in the charming atmosphere to get ready for the next day.
Day 4: Spa Hotel Belchin Spring - Seven Rila Lakes - Bansko Rezort (Spa Hotel)
- Difficulty: Moderate (3 from 6)
- Elevation: 469 meters (from 2081 meters to 2550 meters) / 1538 feet (6827 feet to 8316 feet)
- Distance: 8 kilometers / 4.971 miles
- Duration: 5,00 hours (hiking time only)
Today after breakfast, you check out from the hotel and depart towards Panichishte resort. From there, you will take the chairlift, which will lead you to the Rila Lakes mountain hut at an altitude of 2081 meters / 6827 feet. Hiking trek to the “Lake Peak” (2535 meters / 8316 feet) from where a panoramic view of all seven lakes is revealed (2 hours).
Have a pleasant picnic amidst the captivating tranquillity in the area of the Seven Rila Lakes and enjoyable afternoon at the Seven Rila Lakes Cirque. Trekking back to ‘Rila Lakes’ hut and the chairlift. Departure towards Banya village, Hotel Hot Springs, Medical and Spa.
Check in at the hotel, free time. Enjoy hotel dinner and relaxation time in the charming atmosphere to get ready for the next day.
Day 5: Bansko Rezort (Spa Hotel) - Vihren Summit - Bansko Rezort (Spa Hotel)
- Difficulty: Strenuous (4 from 6)
- Elevation: 964 meters (from 1950 meters - 2914 meters) / 3162 feet (from 6397 feet - 9560 feet)
- Distance: 6 kilometers / 4 miles
- Duration: 6,00 hours (hiking time only)
After breakfast, you will continue your adventure in the area. You will depart towards Vihren summit (2,914 meters / 9,560 feet above sea level). This is Bulgaria’s second and Balkans’ third highest summit after Musala and Mount Olympus. Short transfer to Vihren Hut (1950 meters / 6397 feet above sea level). From Vihren Hut, you will start trekking to the next stop (1 hour)
Enjoy a pleasant picnic amidst the captivating tranquillity in the area of the beautiful Pirin Mountains. After a lunch break, you will continue hiking to Vihren summit (2,914 meters /9,560 feet above sea level) (1 hour). Inspiring break on the peak and then you will return to the trek to Vihren Hut and board the coach.
Return to the hotel to enjoy some hot thermal mineral water, optional wine tasting. Have hotel dinner and relaxation time in the charming atmosphere to get ready for the next day.
Day 6: Bansko Rezort (Spa Hotel) - Bezbog Peak - Popovo lake - Bansko Rezort (Spa Hotel)
- Difficulty: Moderate (3 of 6)
- Elevation: 409 meters /1341 feet
- Distance: 6 kilometers / 4 miles
- Duration: 6,00 hours (hiking time only)
After breakfast, you depart towards Gotse Delchev Hut (1412 meters / 4632 feet above sea level). From there, you will take the chairlift, which will lead you to Bezbog Hut (2236 meters / 7335 feet above sea level). Later on, you will start trekking to the next stop (1 hour)
After a pleasant picnic amidst the captivating tranquillity in the area of the beautiful Pirin Mountains, you will continue hiking to Bezbog Peak at (2645 meters / 8677 feet above sea level) (1 hour). Take an inspiring break on the top of the peak and heading to Popovo Lake. Return to Bezbog Hut and the chairlift.
Return to the hotel to enjoy some hot thermal mineral water, optional wine tasting. Have hotel dinner and relaxation time in the charming atmosphere to get ready for the next day.
Day 7: Bansko Rezort (Spa Hotel) - Rila Monastery - Bansko Rezort (Spa Hotel)
After breakfast, you depart towards Rila Monastery, one of the symbols of Bulgaria and a popular tourist destination. The monastery lies in the recesses of Rila Mountain between Rilska and Drushlyavitsa Rivers, at 1147 m above mean sea level. Throughout the centuries Rila Monastery has always been the spiritual, educational and cultural center of Bulgaria. The monastery is a part of UNESCO World Cultural Heritage.
Lunch and relax in a traditional restaurant while enjoying delicious food and lovely atmosphere then visit to the St. Ivan’s cave. Transfer back to the hotel and eotel dinner and relaxation time at the charming atmosphere to get ready for the next day.
Day 8: Bansko Rezort (Spa Hotel) - Transfer to the Airport
Today after breakfast, check out from the hotel. Transfer to the airport or you can arrange your drop off point in advance with a member of Green Valleys' booking team.
The Green Valleys team is glad that you spent memorable moments together and they will be happy to meet you soon!
Important information
- In bad weather conditions, the program can be shortened or replaced
- Travelers should have a moderate to good level of physical fitness.
- In case of medical issues or allergies, you should always consult your tour representative if you are not sure of what ingredients a dish contains.
- Mandatory requirement for tourists: Before the start of each mountain hike, clients receive instruction from a licensed mountain guide and undertake to comply with the instructions given to them.
- Changes in the program are possible, based on objective factors, mostly of meteorological nature
Included excursions
- Day 1: Sofia tour
- Day 2: Musala summit
- Day 3: Malyovitsa summit
- Day 4: Seven Rila Lakes
- Day 5: Vihren Summit
- Day 6: Bezbog Peak and Popovo lake
- Day 7: Rila Monastery
Location
National Park Rila
Experience one of Bulgaria’s most striking mountain landscapes with leisurely paces and hike all the way up to the highest of the seven lakes in the largest national park in Bulgaria (National Park Rila). The park is located about 100 kilometers / 62 miles south of Sofia.
In addition, the park contains rare and endangered wildlife species and communities. Self-regulating ecosystems of biological diversity, as well as historic sites of global cultural and scientific significance. Some of the largest rivers in the Balkan Peninsula originate here. In fact, the name Rila is derived from the Thracian word roula – which means a lot of water.
Rila Mountain
Rila Mountain is the highest peak not only in Bulgaria but also in the Balkans. Musala peak with its 2925.4 meters - 9596 feet. is also the seventh highest among European leaders. The Malyovitsa region is the cradle of Bulgarian mountaineering. The region is one of the most popular tourist regions in the Rila mountain.
Malyovitsa
Malyovitsa is a peak in the northwestern part of the Rila Mountain in southwestern Bulgaria. It is 2,729 meters / 8,953 feet above sea level and is one of the most popular tourist regions in the mountain. Its northern and eastern slopes are steep and almost inaccessible while the southern and south-western slopes are more oblique. The main starting point for treks in the region of Malyovitsa at an altitude of (1,700 meters / 5652 feet).
Vihren Summit
Vihren Summit is the highest peak of the Pirin Mountains. It is part of the UNESCO World Heritage – Pirin National Park. The altitude is 2,914 meters / 9,560 feet above sea level. In fact, this is Bulgaria’s second and the Balkans’ third highest, after Musala and Mount Olympus. It is located in the northern part of Pirin and more precisely on the main ridge between Hvoynati peak and Kutelo peak, between the rivers Vlahinska and Banderitsa. Also it is one of the most impressive places for tourism in the Pirin Mountains.
Food
You can choose from different diets, including vegetarian, Jain or non-vegetarian (halal will not always be available) meals. Passengers should advise the tour representative of their preferred diet on day one. The meals are pre-set buffet, and a choice of menu is not available.
Dinners are usually provided within the hotel or restaurant. You should always consult the Green Valleys' team if you have any allergy to the ingredients of the dishes or you are not sure of what ingredients a dish contains.
The following meals are included:
- Breakfast
- Dinner
- Drinks
The following drinks are included:
- Water
- Coffee
- Tea
The following dietary requirement(s) are served and/or catered for:
- Vegetarian
- Vegan
- Organic
- Regular (typically includes meat and fish)
If you have special dietary requirements it's a good idea to communicate it to the organiser when making a reservation
Spa treatments
Guests can enjoy thermal mineral water, unique style, and first-class facilities. Among the offered therapies, you can try between classic and wine treatment. Each offers one-of-a-kind pleasure for the senses as well as health benefits.
You can use all the facilities of these selected hotels: Hotel Hot Springs, Medical and Spa and Spa Hotel Belchin Spring. There will be additional payments for massages, wine therapy, etc.
What's included
- Small group departure with up to 18 participants
- Returning transport will be by coach from pick up point and drop off point
- 7 nights accommodation in 4-star spa hotels on HB service
- Breakfasts
- Dinners
- National Park Rila
- Visit to the Musala peak (The highest peak in the Bulkanian peninsula)
- Visit to the Malyovitsa peak
- Visit to the Seven Rila lakes
- Pirin National Park
- Visit to the Vihren peak
- Visit to the Bezbog Peak
- Visit to the Popovo lake
- Visit to the Rila monastery
- Town of Sofia
- City tour
- Spa and wellness packages and wine-tasting experience
- Profesional mountain guide
What's not included
- Personal expenses
- Flights
- Insurance
How to get there
Recommended Airports
PDV
Plovdiv Airport
126 km
Transfer included
SOF
Sofia Airport
38 km
Transfer included
Arrival by airplane
The Green Valleys team will be waiting to greet you at the airport or you can arrange your pick-up point in advance with a member of their booking team.
Airport: Plovdiv Airport
Airport transfer included: Plovdiv Airport
No additional charges. You can request this in the next step.
Airport: Sofia Airport
Airport transfer included: Sofia Airport
No additional charges. You can request this in the next step.
Cancellation Policy
- A reservation requires a deposit of 30% of the total price.
- The deposit is non-refundable, if the booking is cancelled.
- The rest of the payment should be paid 14 days before arrival.
For this organizer you can guarantee your booking through Tripaneer.com. All major credit cards supported.
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