The Mighty Central Balkan

  • Season: Summer

  • When: 4 days, 3 nights

  • Adventure: 2 Adventurer

  • Difficulty: 2 Moderate

189 EUR Full Price
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The Mighty Central Balkan

27 – 30 JULY 2023

Come and dive into the beauty of Central Balkan – а program encompassing one of the most emblematic places in Stara Planina

We offer you an intriguing trekking encompasses one of the most emblematic spots of the Balkan. We are going to hike its highest summit – Botev peak, we will go through the alpine traverse of Stara planina. We will enjoy the highest waterfall in Bulgaria – Raiskoto (Paradise) praskalo and will enjoy the hospitality of the local mountain huts. Come with us and become part of this mountain fairy tale.

Stara Planina (or the Balkan, how it is called as well) is the oldest mountain range in Bulgaria dividing the country from west to east. Its central part is the most spectacular one and attracts a lot of mountaineers. Part of it is within the boundaries of the National Park “Central Balkan” which is one of the three national parks in Bulgaria. Stara Planina is often neglected comparing to Rila and Pirin – the highest mountains in Bulgaria. But everyone who has touched to it once knows very well its beauty – the highest waterfalls are here, old beech forests, vast alpine meadows, cosy mountain huts and hospital hosts. Stara Planina for us is something more than its natural beauties – here we feel connected with Mother Nature, we feel like being at home. In the same time Stara Planina has one of the harshest climate when it comes to be angry. Stara Planina is vast enough in variety of aspects and has something for everybody. But the most attractive part remains the Central Balkan no matter if you look at it from north or south.

The huts/shelter we are going to stay offer delicious cooked food, electricity and some of them – bathroom with hot water (extra paid at the spot).

This program is suitable for people with a good stamina and previous mountaineering experience. The longest day is 8-9 hours walking. If you are not sure if this program fits to you, we recommend to call us in advance and we will help you to make a decision. We know that each good mountain experience starts with a proper route choice.

Photos from previous adventures

Price Includes

Mountain guide

professional local mountain guide

Accommodation

3 nights in mountain huts/refuges

Price Does Not Include

Food

you may buy it from the huts or bring it with you

Insurance

travel and mountain insurance

Personal expenses

transport and any personal expenses

Important! You should have valid mountain insurance for this trip. You can purchase one on preferential price here: Parana. Use promo code basecamp for 5% discount.

Day 1: Vidima (Apriltsi) – Pleven hut – Botev shelter
We are gathering in Vidima village, Apriltsi at about 10 a.m. where the route starts. We will have a short briefing before settting off to Pleven hut which is about one hour hike. In good weather there is a spectacular view towards Botev peak and reserve Severen Dzhendem. This is the way we will go through to reach our destination for the day – Botev shelter. It is located west from the summit, on the main ridge. Its location and cosy atmosphere in the charming dining room attracts many people here. Duration: 4-5 hours. Highest point for the day: 2053 m asl.

Day 2: Botev shelter – Ambaritsa hut
Today we will do so called Stara Planina traverse passing through several peaks that form the backbone of the oldest mountain in Bulgaria. Golyam Kupen peak is the most impressive one having technical approach with a fixed rope. The only one glacier lake in the mountain is situated south from the peak even it’s getting dry sometimes. Magnificent views are everywhere around us in case the mountain wants to reveal them to us. If weather allows, we may climb also Ambaritsa peak before going down to the very charmed Ambaritsa hut situated at 1520 m asl.Duration 5-7 hours. Highest point for the day: 2255 m. asl.

Day 3: Ambaritsa hut– Levski hut – Rai hut
We start with climbing back to the main ridge before passing it on its south side. Underneath us is the deep valley of Stara river. Panoramic path goes east in the alpine first before get into the old beech forests. In another hour we reach our mid stop for the day – Vasil Levski hut. Time for lunch before moving to the second part of this amazing day. Moving up back to the alpine we are reaching another reserve called Dzhendem with fascinating pristine nature with many creaks and waterfalls. Finally, we reach Rai (Paradise) hut situated underneath the same named waterfall – the highest one in Bulgaria. There are not enough words to describe this magical place, so we are leaving you to feel it.
Duration 8-9 hours.Highest point for the day: 1950 m. asl.

Day 4: Rai hut – Botev peak – Pleven hut – Vidima
Final day but what a day! We start by climbing the highest peak in the mountain. The route goes through the challenging and really fascinating Tarzan path. We will reach the summit in about 2.5-3 hours. From there we go down to Botev shelter and back to Pleven hut following our up-track on Day 1. We will have a well-deserved break here before our final descent to the parking lot.
Duration: 6 hours. Highest point for the day: 2376 m. asl.

* We keep the rights to change the program in case of force majeure circumstances. Our guide can adapt the route depending on weather and group conditions having people safety a top priority.


* Reservation should be done no later than 10 days before the program. Reservation is considered confirmed if payment is processed within 3 days after booking.


* A list of required equipment will be sent to you right after you sign in for this program. If you don’t have anything from it, we may assist you to get it. The most important thing for us are suitable mountain shoes.

Guide

Stanislav Radkov
Languages: English and Bulgarian


Ever since he was young he has been wandering the mountains, summer or winter. In the last 10 years he has been very actively engaging in back-country/ski mountaineering.
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189 EUR Full Price
See what's included?

Pay in advance -

€189

Clear

Methods of Payment

You can pay for the experience you have chosen online by Bankcard, PayPal or bank transfer.

Have a question?

Feel free to reach out and we're happy to answer any questions you may have.

info@basecamp.tours

+359 894 505 117

blvd. Cherni Vrah 90, Sofia 1407, Bulgaria

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