Itinerary

1. Day 1: Arrival at Sofia

   • Arrival at Sofia airport and transfer to the hotel in Sofia (30-minute drive).

2. Day 2: Teteven (Skribatna) to Banishteto to Teteven

   • Transfer to Teteven's suburb Skribatna (2 hours drive) where the trek starts. 
   • The path goes through the broad-leaved forest and lush meadows. 
   • We soon reach the Banishteto area and the main ridge of the mountains over Teteven, from where we enjoy the view over the marvelous Teteven valley. 
   • Then we descend to the town through an old forest following a river valley and check-in our hotel in Teteven.

   Uphill walk 400 m; downhill walk 400 m; walking time: 3 - 4 hours. B/L/D.

3. Day 3: Bogoe to Kozyata Stena hut to Chiflik

   • Transfer to the passage Bogoe via Ribarica village. 
   • From there we start our day’s march to Chiflik village famous for its hot mineral springs and swimming pools. The path follows the low ridge between two rivers, finally reaching the main ridge of the Balkans.
   • Soon we enter the Central Balkan National Park and continue east on the main ridge. Breathtaking views to south and north surround us all the way through the Kozyata Stena reserve, famous for its very rare Edelweiss flower. 
   • We reach Kozyata Stena hut (1562 m a.s.l.), and after a short lunch break, we descent all the way down to the Chiflik resort, where we relax in the hot mineral pool before checking in our hotel.

   Uphill walk 500 m; downhill walk 700 m; walking time: 6 - 7 hours. B/LP/D.

4. Day 4: Cherni Osam to Troyan Monastery to Ambaritza hut

   • Transfer from Chiflik to Cherni Osam village to continue our trek to the main ridge of Stara planina. On our way we stop for short visit at the famous Troyan monastery. 
   • The track ascents gradually through the old beech forest to the St. John The Baptist monastery. 
   • Then following the path through  woods and alpine pastures we get to Ambaritza hut (1500 m a.s.l.) where we stay overnight. 

   Uphill walk 700 m; downhill walk 150 m; walking time: 4 - 5 hours. B/LP/D.

5. Day 5: Ambaritza hut to Kupena peak to Pleven hut

   • From there, we start the hike to Pleven hut climbing our way up to the main Balkan ridge.
   • Soon we reach the main ridge and continue east, passing over one of the most famous Balkan summits - Kupena ( 2168 m a.s.l.) 
   • Then we descent north from the main ridge, walking through the old forest, and we end up in Pleven hut where we can enjoy the great panoramic view of the stunning rocks of Severen Djendem.

   Uphill walk 700 m; downhill walk 500 m; walking time: 5 -6 hours. B/LP/D.

6. Day 6: Pleven hut to Murgata to Mt Hristo Botev to Dzhendema to Raiskoto Praskalo to Rai hut

   • From Pleven hut, the path goes through a beech forest, reaching a place called “Murgata”.
   • Then it continues by the foothills of the “Milk Peak” to “Hristo Botev” refuge with great views to the majestic rocks of Northern Dzhendema reserve (Dzhendem means Hell).
   • From there, we start climbing the highest peak of the Balkan Mountains - Mount Botev (2376 m a.s.l.). 
   • From the peak, the track weaves among the rocky slopes of the mount (The Tarzan's path), providing an excellent view to the precipice of the Southern “Dzhendem”.
   • Then we continue to “Rai hut”, passing by the Heavens Waterfall ("Raiskoto Pruskalo").

   Uphill walk: 1000 m; downhill walk: 900 m; walking time: 6-7 hours. B/LP/D.

7. Day 7: Dzhendema to Panicite to Hisarya resort to Plovdiv

   • Descending through the rocky slopes of the Southern “Dzhendem”, we finally reach the Panicite area where our mountain experiences end. 
   • Transfer first to the Hisarya hot springs resort, where you can relax in a hot mineral pool, and then continue to the city of Plovdiv, where we stay overnight. 
   • Visiting The Old Town, we enjoy the atmosphere and the architecture of Bulgarian revival times.

   Uphill walk: 80 m; downhill walk: 1000 m; walking time: 4 hrs. B/L/D.

8. Day 8: Departure

   • Transfer to Sofia airport for departure (2hrs drive).