8-Day Rafting, Hiking and Biking Tour in Bulgaria and Greece

8 Days Duration

Experiences

About This Tour

Push beyond ordinary travel on this 8 day cross-border expedition through Bulgaria and Greece, combining a summit ascent of Musala Peak, high-altitude trekking...

Duration: 8 Days · Tour type: Shared · Activity level: Easy · Accommodation: Included · Budget · Transport: Included · Wheelchair access: Not applicable · Cities: Ioannina, Arahtos, Sofia, Rila, Vikos–Aoös National Park · Languages: English

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Ioannina

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What's Included

Return transportation by coach from pick-up and drop-off points
Stay 3 nights in a guest house in Govedartsi village, Rila National Park
Stay 2 nights in a tent campsite in Ioannina, Greece
Stay 1 night in a mountain hotel at Seven Rila Lakes
Stay 1 night in Sofia
Daily breakfast
Lunch box during activity days
Daily dinner
Explore Rila National Park
Visit Musala Peak, the highest peak in the Balkan Peninsula
Visit Malyovitsa Peak
Visit the Seven Rila Lakes
Experience a guided city tour of Sofia
Enjoy access to a swimming pool with thermal mineral water
Visit the historic city of Ioannina in Greece
Receive full rafting equipment, including a helmet, neoprene suit, life jacket, jacket, and neoprene boots
Cover river usage fees
Experience rafting in Vikos and Arachthos Canyons
Receive camping equipment, including a two-person tent, mattress, and sleeping bag
Benefit from a qualified rafting instructor
Benefit from a qualified mountain guide
Travel between Sofia and Ioannina with included transportation
Cover all highway tolls
Travel with insurance coverage included

Not Included

Personal expenses
Flights

Itinerary

1

Day 01

Arrive in Sofia and Head for the Rila Mountains

Arrive in Sofia and connect instantly with your local team at the airport or a pre-arranged point. Step straight into Bulgaria's layered past at St. Alexander Nevsky Cathedral, where golden domes dominate the skyline. Step straight into Bulgaria's layered past at St. Alexander Nevsky Cathedral, where golden domes dominate the skyline. Descend beneath the city at Ancient Serdica, where Roman streets lie preserved under modern Sofia. Descend beneath the city at Ancient Serdica, where Roman streets lie preserved under modern Sofia. Enter the Rotunda of Saint George, a 4th-century relic hidden among government buildings. Enter the Rotunda of Saint George, a 4th-century relic hidden among government buildings. Uncover archaeological treasures at the National Institute of Archaeology. Uncover archaeological treasures at the National Institute of Archaeology. Drive into the alpine calm of Govedartsi village, where the Rila Mountains rise around you. Drive into the alpine calm of Govedartsi village, where the Rila Mountains rise around you. Settle into your hotel, enjoy a hearty dinner, and shift into mountain mode.
2

Day 02

Hike to Musala Peak, the Roof of the Balkans

Fuel up with breakfast and head for the Yastrebets chairlift. Rise above the forest line and launch your ascent from Yastrebets Hut. Rise above the forest line and launch your ascent from Yastrebets Hut. Trek through raw alpine terrain toward Musala Hut, surrounded by glacial landscapes. Trek through raw alpine terrain toward Musala Hut, surrounded by glacial landscapes. Pause for a picnic in the silence of the Rila wilderness. Pause for a picnic in the silence of the Rila wilderness. Push onward to Ice Lake, where the altitude sharpens every breath. Push onward to Ice Lake, where the altitude sharpens every breath. Tackle the final climb and reach Musala Peak at 2925 meters. Tackle the final climb and reach Musala Peak at 2925 meters. Stand at the highest point in the Balkans and absorb uninterrupted mountain horizons. Stand at the highest point in the Balkans and absorb uninterrupted mountain horizons. Descend with purpose and return to Govedartsi for dinner and recovery. Descend with purpose and return to Govedartsi for dinner and recovery.
3

Day 03

Electric Mountain Biking in Rila National Park

Day 3: Ride the Wild Trails of Rila National Park Start early and gear up for an electric mountain biking adventure. Start early and gear up for an electric mountain biking adventure. Ride full-suspension bikes across rugged forest trails and open alpine paths. Ride full-suspension bikes across rugged forest trails and open alpine paths. Navigate terrain designed to balance adrenaline with breathtaking scenery. Navigate terrain designed to balance adrenaline with breathtaking scenery. Flow through Rila National Park's untouched landscapes. Flow through Rila National Park's untouched landscapes. Return to the village and unwind with well-earned downtime. Return to the village and unwind with well-earned downtime. Enjoy dinner and prepare for another active day.
4

Day 04

Hike Across the Seven Rila Lakes

Check out and transfer to Panichishte, the gateway to the lakes. Ascend quickly by chairlift to Rila Lakes Hut. Ascend quickly by chairlift to Rila Lakes Hut. Hike toward Lake Peak and unlock a panoramic reveal of all seven glacial lakes. Hike toward Lake Peak and unlock a panoramic reveal of all seven glacial lakes. Experience the surreal symmetry and colors of this natural amphitheater. Experience the surreal symmetry and colors of this natural amphitheater. Pause for a picnic surrounded by alpine stillness. Pause for a picnic surrounded by alpine stillness. Explore the cirque, moving between lakes shaped by ancient ice. Explore the cirque, moving between lakes shaped by ancient ice. Descend and check in at your hotel for rest and dinner. Descend and check in at your hotel for rest and dinner.
5

Day 05

Travel to Greece and Discover Ioannina

Depart Bulgaria and journey south into Greece. Arrive in Ioannina, a lakeside city steeped in Ottoman and Byzantine heritage. Arrive in Ioannina, a lakeside city steeped in Ottoman and Byzantine heritage. Settle into a campsite experience that brings you closer to nature. Settle into a campsite experience that brings you closer to nature. Wander through the old town's stone alleys and historic atmosphere. Wander through the old town's stone alleys and historic atmosphere. Enjoy dinner under open skies and embrace the slower rhythm of Epirus.
6

Day 06

Raft Through the Emerald Waters of Vikos Canyon

Transfer to Vikos Canyon, one of the deepest gorges in the world. Gear up and receive a full safety briefing. Gear up and receive a full safety briefing. Launch into the Vikos River and navigate its emerald currents. Launch into the Vikos River and navigate its emerald currents. Paddle through shaded corridors formed by towering canyon walls and plane trees. Paddle through shaded corridors formed by towering canyon walls and plane trees. Ride gentle rapids while absorbing one of the Balkans' most dramatic landscapes. Ride gentle rapids while absorbing one of the Balkans' most dramatic landscapes. Return to camp for dinner and downtime. Return to camp for dinner and downtime.
7

Day 07

Raft the Arachthos Canyon and Return to Sofia

Check out and move toward Arachthos River Canyon. Prepare for a more technical rafting descent with stronger rapids. Prepare for a more technical rafting descent with stronger rapids. Navigate Class 3+ waters with dynamic drops and fast-moving sections. Navigate Class 3+ waters with dynamic drops and fast-moving sections. Stop at a hidden riverside waterfall for rest and striking photo moments. Stop at a hidden riverside waterfall for rest and striking photo moments. Exit the canyon and begin your return journey to Sofia. Exit the canyon and begin your return journey to Sofia. Arrive in the evening, check in, and enjoy a final dinner. Arrive in the evening, check in, and enjoy a final dinner.
8

Day 08

Departure from Sofia

Enjoy breakfast and a final moment in Sofia. Explore local shops or relax before departure. Explore local shops or relax before departure. Transfer to the airport or your selected drop-off point. Transfer to the airport or your selected drop-off point.