Adventure, Nature, Culture - Penguin Travel

hiking tours
Rodopi Mountains Self-guided Trek
I n t r o d u c t i o n :
Passing through some of the most spectacular
parts of the Rodopi mountains (the Trigrad Gorge,
The Devil’s Throat cave, The Miraculous Bridges and
so on) this trip gives you the opportunity to explore
the mountain without being escorted by a guide,
relying just on your own ability to handle exciting
and surprising situations! The trail affords breathtaking
views over high rocky cliffs, dense woods,
alpine meadows and the tiny villages still housing
the ancient spirit of times gone by. Pre-arranged
accommodation and luggage transportation during
the whole trip ensure the pleasure of unrestricted
walking through the wilderness of the mythical
Orpheus’ native lands.
I t i n e r a r y :
Day 1. Arrival at Sofia or Plovdiv airport and transfer
to Yagodina for overnight.
Day 2. Short walk to Yagodina Cave and then to
Trigrad village for overnight. (11 km; uphill walk: 600 m;
downhill walk – 250 m).
Day 3. Trekking to the remote village of Vodni Pad
and back to Trigrad village. This stage provides good
overview of the way of living for many of the local
people, combined with the serenity in the coniferous
forests en route. (!3 km; uphill walk - 400 m; downhill
walk - 450 m).
Day 4. Starts from Trigrad through alpine meadows
and old forests to the ancient Chairski Lakes and
back passing along the Trigrad Gorge and the Devil’s
Throat Cave. (20 km; uphill walk - 900 m; downhill
walk - 700 m).
Balkan Mountains Self-guided Trek
I n t r o d u c t i o n :
The Fore-Balkan area of the Balkan mountains offers a
unique and diverse landscape, dotted with tiny villages
lost in greenness and flowers, offering visitors not
only tranquillity and calmness, but also the opportunity
to experience the unique and cosy atmosphere of
authentic Bulgarian villages. In this region, traditions
are a big part of modern life. Old water mills are still at
work; fulling mills continue to wash colourful carpets;
the famous “rakia” (brandy) is prepared right before
you; Bulgarian housewives prepare unforgettably
sweet jams made with wild berries; and the old
farmers still make the famous Balkan brine cheese
with sheep and goat’s milk. And all this surrounded by
the wild nature of the Central Balkan National Park and
one of its nine green pearls – the biosphere reserve
of Boatin, housing one of the largest belts of Beech
forest.
I t i n e r a r y
Day 1. Arrival at Sofia or Plovdiv airport and transfer to
Yamna village in the Balkan Mountains for overnight.
Day 2. An introduction walk to the trip through typical
landscapes – from Yamna to the village of Cherni Vit,
with further transfer to Divchovoto village for overnight
(11 km.; 3,5 hours).
Day 3. Delightful walk through the century-old Beech
forests of Boatin Reserve to the village of Ribaritsa,
where you stay overnight for 2 nights (10,5 km.; 3
hours).
Day 4. Loop-like trek along the ridge above Ribaritsa,
descending at the other side of this longest Bulgarian
village (12 km.; 4,30 hours).
Day 5. Transfer to the town of Teteven. Check in into the
hotel (for 2 nights) and time at leisure for sightseeing
and shopping. Afternoon walk to a local waterfall with
extension to “Haidushka poliana” Peak (7 km.; 2,5 hours).
Day 6. Walk to the highest peak by Teteven - Cherven
Peak (1221 m a.s.l.), offering a superb panoramic view
over the town itself and the valley of Beli Vit River.
Descent to Teteven through the village of Babintsi (14
km.; 6 hours).
Day 7. Transfer to the village of Glozhene. Then a
short trek through Morovitsa Cave leads to Glozhene
Monastery, where you can see the 1000 years old
icon of St. George. Descend to the village of Goliam
Izvor for overnight (11 km.; 4 hours).
Day 8. After breakfast - transfer to Sofia or Plovdiv
airport for departure.
A c c o m m o d a t i o n & l u g g a g e
t r a n s p o r t a t i o n :
Family-run hotels with en-suite facilities (days 1, 2, 3, 4,
5 & 6) and in a guesthouse with shared facilities (day
7). The meal plan is based on HB (breakfast and dinner
included). Luggage is taken car throughout the tour.
Extension: Black Sea coast (check our summer
holiday offers at page 35)
Tour type: IT
Difficulty grade: B
Group size: Min. 2 persons.
Best period: May-September
The price includes: accommodation and boarding as
mentioned above, detailed roadbook and map, transfer
to/from Sofia and Plovdiv airport to Yamna; luggage
transfers as per program; VAT and all local taxes.
Day 5. Morning transfer to Beden village. Trek to
Liaskovo village for overnight (15 km; uphill walk - 350
m; downhill walk - 315 m).
Day 6. Walk from Liaskovo to “Skalnite mostove”
hut (1620 m a.s.l.) through century-old coniferous
woods and hidden meadows in-between. Visit to
the rocky phenomenon “Miraculous Bridges” and
transfer to the village of Kosovo for overnight. (13 km;
uphill walk - 635 m; downhill walk - 200 m).
Day 7. Short stroll around the village. Transfer
through Bachkovo Monastery to Plovdiv for overnight.
In the afternoon you can go for a sightseeing
tour in the Old Town of Plovdiv.
Day 8. Transfer to Sofia or Plovdiv Airport for
departure.
A c c o m m o d a t i o n & l u g g a g e
t r a n s p o r t a t i o n :
We stay overnight in small family hotels (days 1, 2, 3
& 4) with private facilities and guesthouses (days 5,6
& 7) with shared facilities (only the latter with private
facilities) on HB (breakfast & dinner included).
Luggage is taken care throughout the tour.
Extension: Black Sea coast (check our summer
holiday offers at page 35)
Tour type: IT
Difficulty grade: B
Group size: Min. 2
Best period: May-September
Included: transfers from/to Sofia or Plovdiv airport;
detailed roadbook with map; luggage transfers;
accommodation and boarding as mentioned above;
VAT and all local taxes.
Trekking Holiday in Sinaia, Bucegi Mountains (Romania)
I n t r o d u c t i o n
The highest and most spectacular mountains near
Bucharest - the Bucegi (2507 m.a.s.l. on Omu Peak),
provide attractive and extremely accessible hiking
area within a 2 hours drive or train ride from the
capital. Here is the popular Prahova Valley with its
resorts. upwards, on the Bucegi Plateau, the winds
and the rains have turned the rocks into spectacular
figures, such as the Sphinx - a rock with the shape
of a human-like face with a lingering and enigmatic
smile and Babele. The Bucegi Mountains are known
for their colorful diversity in plants and it’s strange
erosions. They are the most visited mountains in
Romania.
I t i n e r a r y
Day 1. Arrival in Bucharest and transfer by train to
the hotel in Sinaia.
Day 2-6. Three trekking days in Bucegi Mountains
with local guide are included in the program. The
walks are easy, following flat or slightly steep
terrains, not requiring any special preparation in
advance. Depending on the weather conditions
these could be:
1- Transfer by the cabin lift to “Cota 1400” and further
to the top called Virful Cu Dor. Walk over the plateau.
2- Transfer by the cabin lift to Virful Cu Dor and walk
to the central depression of the mountains, reaching
Pestera chalet (“The cave”) and a monk’s monastery.
3- Transfer to the village of Busteni. Cabin lift will take
Trekking in Northern Albania
I n t r o d u c t i o n :
This is `the genuine trekking tour` at the very heart
of the northern Alps of Albania that brings travelers
in a scenario of amazing mountainous landscapes
with isolated valleys full of charm and ancient pagan
legends.
As such, this journey is recommended to people
already experienced in long walks and with a good
adaptation spirit, because the only accommodation
choice is the hospital traditional houses of the
Albanian “malesore” – highlanders.
I t i n e r a r y
Day 1. Arrival in Tirana and transfer to Kruja for
overnight.
Day 2. Hike up the holy mountain of Kruja and visit
to the Bectasci teqe. Then we continue to Shkodra for
a visit to the Rozafa Castle. Evening relax at Shkodra
lake and overnight.
Day 3. Transfer to the ferry, going through the
spectacular canyon of river Drin and dam Koman.
Overnight in Dunishë - the best location to start all
kinds of hike in the surrounding mountains.
Day 4. Trek to the village of Kukaj (900m a.s.l.). Then
we continue along a shepherd’s path to the remote
landscapes of the Eastern Alps of Albania until
reaching Qafa e Rosit within 6 hours (2000 m a.s.l.).
Overnight in Dunishë.
Day 5. Transfer to the village of Ragam. Trek to the
Pass of Valbona (1966m a.s.l.). Here we use mules to
carry part of the luggage to the next house. The trip
ends in the village of Thethi (800m a.s.l), where we
will stay overnight after up to 6 hrs of walking.
Day 6. Sightseeing in the area of the village and
short hikes to a local cave and waterfall. Overnight.
Day 7. Trekking towards the village of Boga along
Shtegu i Dheneve - the Path of the Sheep. After Qafa
e Thores - the Diagonal Pass (1770m a.s.l.), the trail
descends to Boga. (900 m a.s.l.). Transfer to Tirana.
Day 8. Sightseeing Tirana and transfer to the airport
for departure.
A c c o m m o d a t i o n :
Hotels with en-suite facilities (days 1, 2 & 7) and traditional
guesthouses (rest days) with shared facilities
on FB (breakfast, lunch and dinner included). Single
supplement available only in hotels.
Tour type: GT
Difficulty grade: B/C
Group size: Min. 6
Best period: May-September
Included: transfers, guidance and accommodation
as per itinerary.
you to Babele (“The old women”) – a rock formation,
given the shape of three persons by the erosion.
Walk to Caraiman peak with terrific view over
Prahova valley. Trek to Piatra Arsa and further to the
lift station by Virful Cu Dor.
* The other 3 days could be spend on sightseeing
the neighbouring towns by Sinaia, including Brasov
and its churches, The Bran Castle (owned in the past
by Vlad Tsepesh, the prototype of the legend for
count Dracula), the old city of Fagaras as well as the
monastery and the Peles Castle in Sinaia.
Day 7. Transfer by train to Bucharest and departure.
Note: additional night in Bucharest could be arranged
upon request.
A c c o m m o d a t i o n :
Hotel in Sinaia, equipped with private facilities on HB
(6 nights; breakfast and dinner included).
Extension: Additional night in Bucharest for
sightseeing
Tour type: IT +
Difficulty grade: B
Group size: Min. 2
Best period: May-September
Included: Accommodation as per program; train
ticket Bucharest-Sinaia-Bucharest; transfer Bucharest
airport – railway station (day 1); lift tickets for the
3 trekking days as per program; English-speaking
guide for the 3 trekking days (accommodation, fee
and lift tickets and meals included)
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