Alpine mountain bike adventure in Rila and Vitosha mountains
Have you ever thought of going above 2000m with a bike or you have done it and want to do it again? This tour is specially designed for the enduro mountain bikers who love biking in pristine alpine landscapes including crystal clear glacier lakes, wild rivers, waterfalls, big glacier valleys, high alpine peaks and meadows with abundant wildlife. Surrounded by the alpine beauties and positive energy of the mountains every uphill and harder stage seems easier and pleasant and fillls you with strength and desire to bike and see more and more.
The biking in the highest mountain in Bulgaria includes the historic Kayser’s way made in the beginning of 20C by the Bulgarian Tzar Ferdinand to show Rila Mountains beauties to the Austrian Kayser. You will bike down to the lowest southern parts of the mountain and visit typical villages of the region. You will also see the Brown Bear sanctuary in Belitsa, where dancing bears used by the gipsies in the past are rehabilitated and brought back to normal life. At the end you will have the option to choose either to finish the tour with a pleasant downhill ride of 1300 vertical meters from Bezbog lake to Dobrinishte village or take a rest and do a cultural trip to the biggest and most famous monastery in Bulgaria – Rila monastery.
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Details |
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Price Includes |
(MB-9655-P) |
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accommodation in family hotels, guesthouses and mountain hut on HB |
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equipped mountain bike (without helmet!) |
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English speaking mountain bike guide |
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luggage transportation |
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transfer from/to Sofia or Plovdiv airport |
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VAT and all local taxes. |
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driver with a supporting vehicle |
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Price Excludes |
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tips, entrance fees, alcohol drinks and other personal expenses. |
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Suitability / Level |
Demanding |
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Minimum Age |
16 |
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Theme |
Activity Days
(Click to Search All) |
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Max Group Size |
12 |
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Itinerary
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Departure dates:
06 June 2009 - 03 October 2009 - every day ;
Trip plan:
Day 1: Meeting at Sofia airport and transfer to the city centre for overnight.
Day 2: Short transfer to Aleko hut in Vitosha Mountains. Biking in the alpine parts above the tree line to Cherni Vryh Peak (2290m a.s.l.), the highest in Vitosha Mountains. Downhill ride follows along the meadows to Yarlovo village. Transfer to the village of Govedartsi in Rila Mountains. (28 km; highest elevation: 2290m; uphill biking: 400m; downhill biking: 1200m)
Day 3: 30min drive brings us to Borovets ski resort. The biking starts on a dirt road along the famous Kayser’s way via the rock formation Wolf’s stone, Chakar Voivoda hut, Sara Giol palace and further upstream along Prava Maritsa River to Zavratchica hut at 2200m where we stay overnight. (20 km; highest elevation: 2200m; uphill biking: 800m; downhill biking: 100m)
Day 4: Today we continue biking on the Kayser’s way surrounded by stunning alpine peaks and meadows. The road climbs at 2450m and the goes down to Granchar hut (2200m) situated in the Granchar circuss with 3 glacier lakes. We continue downhill on a dirt road and asphalt road to Treshtenik area for overnight. (18 km; highest elevation: 2450m; uphill biking: 500m; downhill biking: 800m)
Day 5: Nice dirt road will lead us from Treshtenik in direction to Semkovo resort. We bike in forests at around 1800m and pass through Toritsa, Solishteto and Vranchevo areas. Overnight in Semkovo. (15 km; highest elevation: 1850m; uphill biking: 300m; downhill biking: 300m)
Day 6: Biking today takes us to Belitsa via the picturesque village of Dobarsko. The route starts with a downhill ride near Belitsa River, then climbs up to Krotov Chuchur place, Titevica and Dobarsko hut. From there we continue downhill to the small village of Dobarsko. After a rest and visit of the two old churches we hit the dirt road downhill along Klinica River to Dolno Dragalishte village, then climb up a small hill and bike down again to Belitsa town. Here we will visit the dancing bears rehabilitation park. (25 km; highest elevation: 1700m; uphill biking: 300m; downhill biking: 850m)
Day 7: . Relax day, which will allow us to visit the most famous Bulgarian landmark (equally for its size, natural surroundings, architecture, wall paintings and ancient history) – Rila Monastery and the sandy pyramids by Stob village nearby. We end up in Sofia, where some time at leisure may be spent in the late afternoon hours for sightseeing, shopping etc.
Day 8: Transfer to Sofia airport for departure
Highlights:
• Vitosha mountains – it is of an volcanic origin and a big part of it is proclaimed for national park which is the oldest one on the Balkans. Its highest peak is Cherni vrah (2290) and there are 2 natural reserves in the mountain as well as the longest cave in Bulgaria (Duhlata – 17 km long).
• Cherni vrah (Black peak) – the highest peak in Vitosha mountains – 2290m with great panoramic views.
• Rila mountains – are the highest mountains in Bulgaria and on the whole Balkan Peninsula with Mount Musala - 2925 m a.s.l. with very rich biodiversity and 4 Natural reserves.
• Govedartsi – a small village in the foothills of rila mountains famous for cattle breeding.
• Borovets – one of the most biggest ski resorts and oldest mountain resort in Bulgaria, with former residence of the Bulgarian kings.
• Kayser’s way – built at the end of 19th century by the Bulgarian King Ferdinand for showing the beauties of Rila mountains to the Austrian Kayser.
• Granchar lakes – 3 beautiful glacier lakes in the Granchar circuss.
• Semkovo – famous ski resort in Southern Rila. • Dobarsko – small typical mountain village with 2 old churches from 19 c.
• Belitsa – small town in Rila housing the Belitsa dancing bears park. • Bezbog lake – a beautiful glacier lake at 2200 m in Pirin mountains.
• Rila Monastery (1147 m a.s.l.) is the most popular tourist site among all monasteries in Bulgaria equally for its size, natural surroundings, architecture, wall paintings and ancient history.
FOR LOWCOST FLIGHTS TO BULGARIA please check: Wizz Air; Sky Europe; Easy Jet; Germanwings; My Air; Flybulgarien; Norwegian Air Shuttle. CONNECTING THE TOUR: in summer time there are loads of opportunities to book a cheap flight to Bourgas or Varna Airport instead of landing at Sofia Airport. We can arrange for you public transport tickets or private transfer to the starting point of the tour. |
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Accommodation
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Guesthouses/family-run hotels with en-suite facilities (days 1, 2, 4, 5, 6 and 7) and dorm (twin rooms if available) in a mountain hut with shared facilities (day 3) on halfboard (breakfast and dinner included)Ordering lunchpacks is available in each of the hotels if necessary for the day tours (at the amount of 5-6 Euro) |
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Holidays
Extras |
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