4 days in Pirin: Where the Slavic gods still live

Day 1
Welcome to Sofia. Transfer from Sofia airport or Sofia hotel to Rila monastery, the biggest monastery in Bulgaria – 2 hours. Guided tour – 1 hour, and free time to enjoy that peaceful place. Transfer to the cave of Ivan from Rila, the holy man, founder of the monastery. Light lunch in one of the restaurants near the monastery. Transfer to the village of Banya, rich with its thermal springs. Check-in in a guest house with spa facilities. Dinner at 7.00 in the near village and enjoy the Bulgarian cuisine and traditional songs. Night in Banya.
Day 2
Breakfast in the hotel – 7:30 am. 8:00 am -transfer to the hut Vihren -1950 m.Today we will see the group of glacier lakes, called Bunderishki, and the eyes of Todorka peak and the Vasilashki lakes in the preserved area “Yulen”. From the hut, we’ are going to see the closest lake – the Eye – 10 minutes. The Eye – 2026 m. From there we’ll hike to Muratovo lake – 1 hour. Muratovo lake – 2230 m. From there we’ll take a pass between the bushes and the squats to reach the Fish lake – 1 hour. The Fish lake – 2190 m. After the Frog lake, we have to go to the ridge of Todorka peak – 2600 m. Short break to enjoy the panorama. We’ll see the lakes called Eyes of Todorka and some of the group of Vasilashki lakes. 2 hours walking to hut Damyanitsa- 1895 m. Short break. 2 hours walking on a dirt road to reach the car with our driver. Elevation: 700 m. 7:30 pm. – Dinner in one of the traditional restaurants in Bansko. Night in Banya.
Day 3
6:30 am -transfer to the hut Vihren – 1 hour. We’re going in the valley called “Kazanite” -“Cauldrons”. The area is full of granites and marbles. After the Big cauldron, we have to reach Premkata ridge. Premkata – 2660 m. The guide will show you the right way and you can help yourself with the chains. Break in Vihren – the highest peak of Pirin mountain – 2914 m.From Vihren we’re going in Southwest direction to the area called Kabata. This is the King’s road – it is easier than that going up. The distance from Kabata to hut Vihren 2 hours and 30 minutes.Transfer to Banya to relax with thermal springs. Elevation: 999 m. 7:30 pm. – Dinner in a traditional restaurant in Bansko. Night in Banya.
Day 4
7:30 am. – Breakfast in the guesthouse. Check out. Transfer to Melnik – 2 hours. Melnik is the smallest city in Bulgaria. It’s famous with the production of red sorts of wine, including one unique. Melnik is in the South of Pirin and you can see the differences between the Nort and South. You can feel the Mediterranean spirit. Tasting wine in Melnik in one of the wineries and lunch.Elevation: 200 m.
Transfer to Sofia or Sofia airport – 3 hours.