5 Star Kempinski Spa Hotel - Balkan mountains and Rila Monastery, Bulgaria

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This trip is FULL - sorry, it's our only date until July 2026, to be notified if anyone sells their space or when 2026 goes online just email us: info@outdooraholics.co.uk

To see a list of all of our foreign trips click: https://outdooraholics.co.uk/foreigntriplist.pdf

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We’re off to the Balkans to summit the third highest peak on the peninsula for this work-hard, play-hard weekend.

This mountain range has a lot to offer and extending over 2585km2 it is truly vast, it borders neighbouring Greece and has over 100 mountains surpassing 2000m high.

Bansko is a well developed ski resort with restaurants, bars and partying to match, but we're avoiding the crazy crowds of the ski season and conquering it's largest peak with a lavish 5 star Kempinski spa hotel to indulge in.

Bansko is also in Lonely Planets top 3 places to visit in 2025: LINK

HIGHLIGHTS

• Two nights in a luxurious Kempinski 5 star spa hotel
• Time to enjoy the spa and pools (they are included)
• Twin bedded ensuite rooms
• Hike Vihren peak - 2914m (we have approx 1100m of ascent)
• Visit the mystical 10th century Rila Monastery (UNESCO site) set deep in the remote mountains
• Sunday night in a hotel in Sofia city to enjoy the nightlife and bars of the capital
• Local and English speaking guides - approx 1 guide per 8 hikers
• Private transport throughout

HOLIDAY DESCRIPTION

Join us on a hike through the UNESCO World Heritage Site of Pirin National Park to lead us to Vihren - the highest peak of the Pirin mountains. From the rocky summit we see more mountains than we can count, crystal clear mountain lakes, meadows and woodlands with incredible panoramic views as far as Greece and across much of the country of Bulgaria.

To relax and indulge after our hike we’ll return to our deluxe 5-star Spa hotel in the historical mountain town of Bansko. With 3 good size heated pools, many different spa rooms and treatments on offer and even an outside jacuzzi and bar, this really is a work hard play hard weekend.

On our last day, before arriving back in Sofia to enjoy a night at the Bulgarian capital, we visit Rila Monastery to immerse ourselves in the atmosphere of an architectural masterpiece that has its roots dating back over 1000 years and stands as a testament to Bulgaria's rich spiritual and cultural heritage, hidden deep in the mountains in a lush valley.

ITINERARY

Friday

We have a private minibus transfer to Bansko - the best and most popular ski resort in the Balkan mountains and set high at the base of Vihren mountain it's a popular location for hiking too.

Our Spa Hotel

The service at the hotel is great - they cannot do enough to help, the breakfast is lavish and the spa and 3 large swimming pools are fantastic. For independent reviews of our hotel check: LINK

Saturday

Hike: Vihren Peak (2914m)
Grading: Challenging/Tough
Ascent: 1100m
Hiking time: 6 to 8 hours

We set out early to explore the magnificent Pirin mountains - having some of the best preserved conifer woodlands in Bulgaria. The Pirin National Park was declared a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1983 and is dotted with over one hundred glacial lakes. It's also the home of Europe's southernmost glaciers, Snezhnika and Banski Suhodol. Vihren Peak is the mountain’s focal point at 2,914 metres making it the third highest peak in the entire Balkan Peninsular (after Musala and Olympus).

We are hiking up to the summit, it's 1100m of ascent so requires a good level of fitness and experience of mountain hiking. If you have done our Lake District or Snowdon trips you will be ok - it’s similar ascent to those. Alternatively you can skip the Saturday hike and self explore or enjoy a day of indulgence at the hotel and spa.

Hiking boots with ankle protection and good winter clothing are essential, doing this 3km high peak is weather dependent.

Due to an early 7am departure we have a basic packed breakfast today.

Sunday

Activity: Visit Rila Monastery UNESCO LINK
Visit time: 2 hours

Today we visit the magnificent UNESCO-listed Rila Monastery. The monastery is located 1147m above sea level in a remote forest area deep in the mountains and has it’s roots here dating back more than 1000 years.

We have time to self explore and discover this famous but hidden gem of the Balkans.

We then transfer to Sofia. Your guides will check you in the hotel and this is where the guided trip ends. You have a free evening and there are some award winning restaurants and cocktail bars in the capital - the group have been known on past trips to party well into the night.

Monday

After breakfast you have some free time to explore Sofia self-guided, then take the short Metro ride to the airport for the flight home.

COST & PAYMENT

This trip is £426. Click “Attend” and pay the £100 deposit by Paypal. The remainder is due by bank transfer before Sunday 29th June, we’ll email payment details 1 week before.

Trip payments are non-refundable and non-transferable. When the trip is sold out fully paid spaces can be advertised to the same gender, for details: FAQ

START AND END TIME

Times are local time i.e. the times for Bulgaria are in Bulgarian time.

We suggest one of the below 2 inbound group flights, for anyone on either flight or at the airport at this time we arrange a complimentary transfer to the accommodation at 2:00pm. If you arrive later you will need to make your own way to the accommodation (we wait for the suggested flight if delayed)

Inbound flight 19.09.2025
1. Ryanair 7:55am from London Stansted (STN) to Sofia Terminal 2 (SOF) 12:55pm
Flight: FR1730
2. British Airways 8:20am from London Heathrow (LHR) to Sofia Terminal 2 (SOF) 1:30pm
Flight: BA892

RETURN

The trip ends at the hotel in Sofia and you can make your own way to the airport. The cheapest way to do this is via metro (underground) and it costs about 1.60 BGN (£1), taxis are also cheap.

FOOD

Breakfast will be provided each day. As we are staying in a town with many shops and supermarkets you are free to buy your own favourite items for lunch each day. For dinner you can explore the local cuisine with some great restaurants here. The hotel offers a lavish buffet breakfast and can cater for all mainstream dietary requirements.

THE PRICE INCLUDES:

• 3 nights hotel accommodation in twin en suite rooms (2 in the spa hotel, 1 in Sofia city)
• Breakfast each day
• Use of the hotel pools and spa on the first two days
• Compliance with the 2018 Package Travel Regulations including Financial protection
• Complimentary airport transfer at the start for everyone taking the suggested flight option
• Private minibus transport throughout the trip and back to Sofia
• Bulgarian qualified English speaking mountain guides

THE PRICE EXCLUDES:

• Flights
• Meals other than the above mentioned (a typical dinner can be had for approximately £8-£15 excluding drinks)
• Drinks and personal expenses
• Lunch each day
• Transport from Sofia to Sofia Airport on Monday (Metro is about £1)
• Optional hiking pole hire, 5 Euros, £4 GBP or 10 Bulgarian lev, MUST be pre booked 2 weeks or more before
• Any of the optional extras at Rila Monastery such as entry to the museums, guide etc
• Travel insurance

INSURANCE

It is essential that you have travel insurance that covers the cost of emergency medical treatment and also the activity of hiking (up to 3000m in this case). It is also recommended that this covers illness, cancellation and curtailment. You will be required to provide a copy of this before the trip. Without it we cannot accept you onto the trip and no refund will be due in this case.

Outdooraholics cannot verify policies or what they cover so please confirm with your insurer. The guide accepting your policy is not an indication that we confirm it is valid or covers what we list, only your insurers can confirm this.

There are lots of insurers who cover hiking, for example the BMC: LINK
You will also need to ensure you have all valid documents to visit this country including a passport and Visa if you require one. Bulgaria is within the EU.

SAFETY - Your guide is a trained hike leader. Outdoor activities involve a risk of personal injury. Please bring suitable hiking footwear and hiking clothes such as warm clothes, waterproof jacket and trousers - CLOTHING TIPS

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