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Bulgaria's Mountains And Monasteries
Sofia, Bulgaria
11 Days
From $3595
Hiking and Culture
Bulgaria's Mountains And Monasteries
Sofia, Bulgaria
11 Days
From $3595
Hiking and Culture
Trip Overview
Undercover Bulgaria—A Hidden Gem of Mountains, Monasteries, and Living Traditions
Long hidden behind the Iron Curtain, Bulgaria remains one of Europe’s best-kept secrets—a land of soaring mountains, ancient monasteries, and rich cultural contrasts. On this journey, we’ll explore the remote beauty of the Rhodope, Pirin, and Rila Mountains, where quiet trails wind through traditional villages and history lives in every stone.
Our path takes us deep into the heart of Bulgaria’s Pomak (Bulgarian Muslim) communities, where we’ll walk from village to village, stay in local guesthouses, and learn about a way of life that has endured for centuries. Along the way, we’ll also visit three of Bulgaria’s most iconic Orthodox Christian monasteries, offering a fascinating window into the country’s spiritual and cultural diversity.
The natural world is just as compelling—expert rare wildflowers, striking limestone formations, and birdlife unique to the region. With its fresh, organic cuisine, warm hospitality, and stunning landscapes, Bulgaria is as welcoming as it is unexpected. You may not have had it on your bucket list—but once you’ve experienced its beauty, traditions, and soul-stirring mountain trails, you’ll wonder why not.
Maximum group size: 14
Highlights
- Hiking beautiful mountain landscapes with deep gorges, spectacular caves, ancient forests, and flower-filled meadows
- Experiencing the culture and cuisine of a little-known region of Eastern Europe
- Visiting the Bachkovo, Rozhen, and Rila Monasteries
- Observing life in traditional Bulgarian villages and traditional vernacular architecture
- Touring Sofia, Bulgaria's capital city, and Plovdiv, the oldest city in Europe
Inclusions
- A female Bulgarian English-speaking mountain guide and an AGC guide (provided there are 8 or more registered - if there are fewer than 8 on the trip, there will not be an AGC guide).
- 10 nights lodging in twin/double rooms with private toilet and shower
- 10 breakfasts and 9 lunches and dinners
- All transport within Bulgaria including a private bus with A/C
- Entrance fees to sites that are included in the itinerary
- Tips for the bus driver and restaurant staff
What's not included: Travel to and from Bulgaria, alcoholic beverages, snacks, guide gratuities, and travel insurance
Trip Info
This trip is for women in good physical condition who enjoy hiking in beautiful countryside and want to learn about the history and culture of Bulgaria. Although for the most part the hiking is moderate, there are occasional steep ascents and descents on rocky paths. The trip is rated 3. Prior to beginning the trip, participants should be engaging in aerobic conditioning, such as walking vigorously up hills, jogging, cross country skiing or stair stepping for 30 - 45 minutes at least 4 times a week.
Rating: 1 2 [3] 4 5.
On this trip we combine hiking with cultural exploration, including visiting some of the major monasteries, learning about the culture of Bulgarian Muslim women, eating traditional Bulgarian food, touring its two largest cities, visiting limestone caves, and listening to Bulgarian music. Following traditional shepherds' paths, forest tracks, and ancient Roman roads, we hike in the Rhodope, Pirin and Rila mountains between 1-5 hours per day, with time to stop for photographs, look at nature, and talk to local people. Our daily hikes will take us through a mixture of silent forests and open meadows, as well as over some rough and rocky terrain with occasional steep ascents and descents.
In Sofia we will be staying at one of the nicest hotels in the city. Other than that we'll stay in comfortable tourist-class hotels, often family-owned, that are classified two to three star by the Bulgarian classification system. These hotels offer twin rooms with private facilities. Where possible, we try to use smaller more atmospheric hotels.
Trip Resources
Itinerary
Below is the proposed itinerary for the trip. As is true on any adventure travel trip, plans for any specific day may be modified due to weather considerations, unforeseen circumstances, new opportunities, and group interests.
DAY 1
Plan to arrive any time before 3:30PM. today. Our hotel, the Crystal Palace, is one of the nicest in Sofia and is located right near the city center, a short walk to the Nevski Cathedral and other historic sites. If you arrive before your room is ready, you can leave your luggage and go out for a walk - despite the different alphabet, Sofia is an easy city to navigate. We'll plan to meet at our hotel at 5:30PM for a welcome and introductions. At 6:30PM we'll meet up with our Bulgarian guide for the first of many delicious dinners together.
Accommodations: Crystal Palace (or similar), Sofia
Included Meals: Dinner
Accommodations: Crystal Palace (or similar), Sofia
Included Meals: Dinner
DAY 2
After breakfast we'll go for a guided tour of Sofia, the capital city. The city is an interesting mix of the old and venerable, and new and tacky. Our tour will include some of the most famous sites, such as the Alexander Nevsky Cathedral. After checking out of the hotel and eating a picnic lunch, we set off east, making our way through the Thracian Plain to Plovdiv, Bulgaria's second major city. Plovdiv is the oldest continuously inhabited city in Europe, with a history going back over 8000 years. After dropping off our bags, we'll explore the city on foot. Our guide will show us old Plovdiv with its many churches, museums, old-style houses, and ancient theater, followed by dinner in the heart of the city. Tonight, we'll stay in a hotel short walk from the old part of town.
Accommodations: Hotel Ramada Plovdiv Trimontium (or similar), Plovdiv
Included Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Daily Activities: Guided tour of Sofia, Explore Plovdiv
Accommodations: Hotel Ramada Plovdiv Trimontium (or similar), Plovdiv
Included Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Daily Activities: Guided tour of Sofia, Explore Plovdiv
DAY 3
Today we leave cities behind and head for the hills! We head south, making our way via the Chepelarska Gorge to the Rodopi Mountains. Our first stop is the Bachkovo Monastery, the second largest in Bulgaria. Founded in 1083, the monastery is known for the unique combination of Byzantine, Caucasian, and Bulgarian culture, united by the common faith. Its most remarkable feature is the frescoes that are seen everywhere. As well as looking around the monastery, we will also walk in the beautiful valley behind it. At the edge of a botanic reserve, there are several interesting chapels tucked away in the forest.
After a picnic lunch we drive into the heart of the Rodopi Mountains, stopping off at the picturesque village of Shiroka Luka, famous for its traditional architecture. From there we complete our transfer to Smolyanski Ezera (Smolyan Lakes), a small mountain resort situated above the town of Smolyan.
Accommodations: Hotel Mountain Lake (or similar), Smolyanski Ezera
Included Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Daily Activities: Hiking (~3.1 miles; ~2 hours; ~600 feet elevation +/-)
After a picnic lunch we drive into the heart of the Rodopi Mountains, stopping off at the picturesque village of Shiroka Luka, famous for its traditional architecture. From there we complete our transfer to Smolyanski Ezera (Smolyan Lakes), a small mountain resort situated above the town of Smolyan.
Accommodations: Hotel Mountain Lake (or similar), Smolyanski Ezera
Included Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Daily Activities: Hiking (~3.1 miles; ~2 hours; ~600 feet elevation +/-)
DAY 4
The Rodopi Mountains are their most beautiful in the spring, and on our hike today, we will get to see the mountains in all of their glory. We begin the day with a wonderful panoramic hike along the main ridge of the Perelik Massif. Throughout our hike, we will see blooming wildflowers, meandering rivers, and vistas for miles. We skirt just below the summit of the Rodopi’s highest peak, Mt. Golyam Perelik (7100ft), before ascending Mt. Golyam Snezhnik (7178ft) just two meters lower! We can enjoy a well-deserved lunch and rest on the summit of Mt. Golyam Snezhnik before descending to the picturesque village of Gela. Our bus will meet us in Gela, and we will drive to our hotel in Yagodina for dinner.
Accommodations: Yagodina: Family Hotel (or similar)
Included Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Daily Activities: Hiking (~9.3 miles; ~5-6 hours; ~1,000 feet elevation +/-)
Accommodations: Yagodina: Family Hotel (or similar)
Included Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Daily Activities: Hiking (~9.3 miles; ~5-6 hours; ~1,000 feet elevation +/-)
DAY 5
This is a region of karst limestone and today we'll explore its glories- caves, gorges, and beautiful rock formations. We'll start with an hour's walk right out of our hotel, through the forest and down into Buynovo Gorge and Yagodina Cave. This cave is one of the most spectacular in the country with numerous stalagmites, stalactites, and other unusual cave formations. Part of the cave also contains a fascinating prehistoric dwelling that still preserves a selection of original artifacts. Meeting our bus, we then drive round into the neighboring Trigrad Gorge and our second cave, known as The Devil’s Throat. This takes the form of an enormous cavern into which drops a thundering waterfall. It is here that the legendary Thracian musician Orpheus is said to have emerged from the Underworld after a failed attempt to rescue his wife Eurydice. After we emerge from the cave, we'll walk back to Yagodina through the beautiful karst limestone region, famed for its amazingly rich flora that include many endemic species.
Included Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Accommodations: Yagodina: Family Hotel (or similar)
Daily Activities: Hiking (~1.9 and ~4.3 miles; ~3-4 hours; ~635 feet elevation gain & ~1,450 feet elevation loss)
Included Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Accommodations: Yagodina: Family Hotel (or similar)
Daily Activities: Hiking (~1.9 and ~4.3 miles; ~3-4 hours; ~635 feet elevation gain & ~1,450 feet elevation loss)
DAY 6
A half hour drive up the picturesque Buynovska valley brings us to the village of Buynovo where we will start our walk. Our hike today will wander through the mountain meadows and forests close up to the border with Greece. During the Cold War period, this region was known as the 'Zone of Death', as it was a forbidden region patrolled by armed border guards ordered to prevent anyone trying to escape across the Iron Curtain into Greece. Remnants of the old border fence can still be seen. Thankfully today it is a peaceful region, roamed by wolves and bears which can now once again disperse freely between the two countries.
Included Meals: Breakfast, Lunch Dinner
Accommodations: Yagodina: Family Hotel (or similar)
Daily Activities: Hiking (~8.7 miles; ~3-4 hours; ~1,300 feet elevation gain; ~1,800 feet elevation loss)
Included Meals: Breakfast, Lunch Dinner
Accommodations: Yagodina: Family Hotel (or similar)
Daily Activities: Hiking (~8.7 miles; ~3-4 hours; ~1,300 feet elevation gain; ~1,800 feet elevation loss)
DAY 7
Leaving directly from the hotel, we begin our ascent of Mount Sveti Iliya (4,947 feet), a dramatic limestone peak that rises up directly above the village. Although a steep and stony zig-zag climb, the effort is worth it, as we are rewarded by panoramic views that not only stretch out over the village itself, but indeed over much of the Western Rodopi Mountains. From the summit, we make a long descent into the depths of the Trigrad Gorge, where we meet up with our bus for a picturesque drive west through the Rodopi Mountains. We spend the night in the tiny village of Leshten, an architectural reserve famed for its vernacular architecture that has only recently been reclaimed.
Included Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Accommodations: Hotel Leshten (or similar)
Daily Activities: Hiking (~6.2 miles; ~1,315 feet elevation gain; ~1,950 feet elevation loss)
Included Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Accommodations: Hotel Leshten (or similar)
Daily Activities: Hiking (~6.2 miles; ~1,315 feet elevation gain; ~1,950 feet elevation loss)
DAY 8
Leaving Leshten on foot, we have a gentle morning walk descending downstream along another wonderful panoramic trail, following the flank of the Kanina valley. Arriving at a small spa resort at the mouth of the gorge, there will be time for a refreshing swim in one of the mineral water pools, before making our way to a nearby Bulgarian Muslim village. Here we will be welcomed by some of the local women and treated to a home-cooked lunch, followed by a chance to learn about their traditional handicrafts, customs, and folk music. Later in the afternoon, we drive across the southern Pirin Mountains via the Popovi Livadi pass to arrive in Melnik, the smallest and perhaps most beautiful town in Bulgaria, stunningly set in an amazing sandstone gorge. It is more reminiscent of Greece than other parts of Bulgaria, not surprising when you realize how close we are to the Greece border here. Here we will be based for the next two nights at Hotel 'Melnik', perfectly located on the flank of the cliffs overlooking the town.
Included Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Accommodations: Hotel 'Melnik' (or similar)
Daily Activities: Hiking (~3.7 miles; ~3 hours; ~1,165 feet elevation loss)
Included Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Accommodations: Hotel 'Melnik' (or similar)
Daily Activities: Hiking (~3.7 miles; ~3 hours; ~1,165 feet elevation loss)
DAY 9
After breakfast, we take a short drive to the Rozhen Monastery. This is one of the most picturesque and tranquil in Bulgaria and one of the few Bulgarian monasteries from the Middle Ages which has survived relatively intact up to present days. Having looked round the monastery, we set off on foot from the hotel, following a dirt road down a dry valley to the remote village of Zlatolist. Here we can visit an interesting church that is connected with the fascinating life history of a famous local prophetess. Continuing our walk, we follow an ancient pilgrims' trail that threads its way over a sandstone ridge back to Melnik. The remainder of the afternoon and evening will be left free for you to explore this very engaging and picturesque town.
Included Meals: Breakfast, Lunch
Accommodations: Hotel 'Melnik' (or similar)
Daily Activities: Hiking (~6-8 miles; ~3-4 hours; ~560 feet elevation gain; ~1,525 feet elevation loss)
Included Meals: Breakfast, Lunch
Accommodations: Hotel 'Melnik' (or similar)
Daily Activities: Hiking (~6-8 miles; ~3-4 hours; ~560 feet elevation gain; ~1,525 feet elevation loss)
DAY 10
We begin the day with an optional early morning hike on the Sveti Nikola elevation above Melnik where there are ruins of several churches and monasteries as well as an old fortress. The hill also offers superb views over the surrounding region. Leaving Melnik we travel north up the Struma Valley, and then cut back east into the heart of the Rila mountains. Here we will visit the Rila Monastery and hermitage of Saint John of Rila. This is a UNESCO World Heritage site and is beautifully located beneath the Rila Mountains highest peaks. Aside from the sheer beauty of the many icons, Rila's importance stems from its role as a repository of Bulgarian culture during the different periods that Bulgaria has been dominated by other countries.
We'll start with a visit to the hermitage of Saint John of Rila and have the opportunity to purify ourselves as we climb out a tunnel from his cave (this is optional). We then take a short walk in the surrounding Rila Monastary Nature Park to the monastery itself. We'll take time to look at the many icons and soak up the atmosphere of the monastery itself. Later in the afternoon, we transfer to Sofia for our final night.
Included Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Accommodations: Crystal Palace Boutique Hotel (or similar), Sofia
Daily Activities: Hiking Nikola (~2.5 miles; ~90 minutes; ~450 feet elevation +/-), Hiking Rila Monastery (~2.5 miles; ~90 minutes; ~600 feet elevation gain; 300 feet loss)
We'll start with a visit to the hermitage of Saint John of Rila and have the opportunity to purify ourselves as we climb out a tunnel from his cave (this is optional). We then take a short walk in the surrounding Rila Monastary Nature Park to the monastery itself. We'll take time to look at the many icons and soak up the atmosphere of the monastery itself. Later in the afternoon, we transfer to Sofia for our final night.
Included Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Accommodations: Crystal Palace Boutique Hotel (or similar), Sofia
Daily Activities: Hiking Nikola (~2.5 miles; ~90 minutes; ~450 feet elevation +/-), Hiking Rila Monastery (~2.5 miles; ~90 minutes; ~600 feet elevation gain; 300 feet loss)
DAY 11
Sadly, we say farewell after breakfast. We'll have you back to the Sofia airport by 11 a.m for flights out after 1 p.m.
Included Meals: Breakfast
Included Meals: Breakfast
Reviews
4.7
(23 reviews)
5
(16)
4
(6)
3
(1)
2
(0)
1
(0)
*These are the unfiltered reviews of women who have been on this trip in answer to the question "What made this trip special for you?". We take reviews very seriously and often tweak itineraries based on feedback. Please feel free to contact us about any questions you have.
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Catherine F.
1 month ago
Beautiful country; personable, highly capable guides; wonderful food; opportunities to see and learn about the culture and history of the areas in which we were hiking.
Jennifer J.
1 month ago
Patricia G.
1 month ago
Visiting a country I knew little about. Great hikes, good scenery, interesting history and good food. My personal highlight was visiting the home of a Bulgarian family for lunch.
Cynthia W.
1 month ago
I have wanted to go to Bulgaria for several years and was thrilled to have it work out this year! The hiking was great and visiting the monasteries and learning about their historical significance was also interesting. I would love to go back for another week or two and hike some more in the Rila Mountains!
Melody K.
1 month ago
Bulgaria is a beautiful country and it was wonderful being able to see it from the trails on our hikes. Our excellent and fun guides and the other women travelers, who were wonderful, really made the experience extra special for me.
Susan G.
1 month ago
Some of the most beautiful hiking and scenery I have ever experienced. Visiting a new and historically interesting country. AGC’s formula for small groups and hiring top notch local guides who are interesting and passionate while also providing their own guide to make sure all goes well is beyond wildly successful for their customers and is why so many in our small group are repeat customers, including me.
Bonnie F.
1 year ago
Absolutely Beautiful! Photo’s can not do it justice.
Amy F.
1 year ago
I’ve been wanting to go on this trip with AGC for a long time and it was worth the wait in every way. The itinerary was so well thought out and organized, our guide was incredible, and Bulgaria exceeded my wildest expectations!
Amy C.
1 year ago
The guide and the beauty of Bulgaria
Debra H.
1 year ago
the places and sites visited and (some of) the lodging (excludng Melnik) - the food (specifically the fresh salads were wonderful) I liked the cave days cause it gave us a much needed break, and then some of us took that afternoon off from the hike -
Jennifer C.
1 year ago
Meeting people - both the other group members and the lovely Bulgarians we met along the way. Exploring new places filled with beautiful mountains, historical monasteries, and vibrant history and culture.
Catherine W.
1 year ago
Our guides Neli and Julian and the other people in our group. We were very fortunate to have a small group the meshed so well.
Linda B.
1 year ago
The spectacular beauty of the Aleksandur Nevski Memorial Church and the Rila Monastery, breathtakingly gorgeous gorges and caves, fascinating remnants of former civilizations along with enjoyable hikes through stunning scenery and charming villages. Delicious fresh figs, fig ice cream and baclava! Truly a GREAT trip!
Laurie L.
1 year ago
Amazing culture and environment I dont see an individual evaluation for the in-country guide, Neli. She was excellent. Knowledgeable, enthusiastic, energetic and invested. I recommend her participation highly.
Karen G.
1 year ago
Unspoiled countryside. Nobody on the trails! Both guides (Lanie and Nelli) were fantastic. My only and very real disappointment was the fact I was the fifth person on this trip and didn’t receive the first five discount. I know I mentioned it prior to the trip - I don’t know - To me it’s a bit of a scam if people sign up just to get the discount and then transfer to something else.
Monica H.
6 years ago
I loved everything about this trip! It was all so wonderful that it's impossible to pick my favorite part!
Anonymous
6 years ago
Interacting with locals and learning their customs; having a mix of hiking and cultural activities. The one negative for me was some bus rides were too long.
Carolyn S.
6 years ago
It was great interacting with locals. The last day was the highlight with the lift ride and more strenuous hike above treeline and seeing the beautiful lakes. Also enjoyed the luncheon prepared by local ladies and featuring Bulgarian foods.
Julie B.
6 years ago
The monasteries, the solitude of the hikes, the cultural experiences.
Loretta M.
6 years ago
Our Bulgarian guide Nelly was awesome! A negative would be the amount of bus travel but I realize that she wanted to show us some specific sites.
Annmarie E.
6 years ago
I fell in love with Bulgaria on this trip. The food was excellent. The hiking was just the right mix of easy to challenging, with stunning views at every turn. The monasteries were amazing and the history of them so interesting. Two highlights for me were the 5pm service at the Rila Monastery and dancing with the Bulgarian women in Yagodina.
Marie R.
6 years ago
Everything ! it was fabulous. Loved Karen, Loved Nellie (she is wonderful) - loved the integration into the local culture and people.
Linda M.
6 years ago
Lunch Bulgarian Muslim village, seeing traditional handicrafts, hike the last day up to the lakes, the stone work in the houses, ref
Dates & Prices
| Departure Date | Availability | Price | |
|---|---|---|---|
|
October 09 to October 19, 2025 |
FULL |
$3595.00 |
|
|
June 18 to June 28, 2026 |
Available |
$3595.00 |
Make It Your Adventure
Turn any trip into a private experience for your group, or let us design a custom itinerary just for you! Whether it’s friends, family, or colleagues, we’ll make your journey unforgettable.
Common Questions
Your breakfasts will be buffets at the hotels where you're staying. Dinner is in restaurants and is typically soup, salad and dessert with a choice of vegetarian or non-vegetarian entree. Lunches are typically packed lunches. Women are always amazed at just how delicious and fresh the food in Bulgaria is.
Vegetarian options for this trip are available but may be more limited than you are used to. If you are concerned about having enough protein during your trip, plan to bring some plant-based protein sources such as nut butter, instant dried hummus, or high-protein energy bars. If you cannot eat gluten or if you have other dietary restrictions i.e. vegan, you will need to bring some supplemental food with you.
You only need to pay a single supplement if you want to guarantee you have your own room. Otherwise we'll pair you up with someone and then switch roommates every time we switch lodging.
Featured Guide
Sharon is a life-long outdoor sports enthusiast who loves helping people find beauty in nature and take on challenges in the outdoors. She has hiked and climbed throughout the United States, Europe, the Himalayas and Peru. She started guiding for AGC in 2017. Sharon is also a certified Alpine and Telemark ski instructor and has been teaching women to ski for over 25 years.
Featured Guide
Sharon is a life-long outdoor sports enthusiast who loves helping people find beauty in nature and take on challenges in the outdoors. She has hiked and climbed throughout the United States, Europe, the Himalayas and Peru. She started guiding for AGC in 2017. Sharon is also a certified Alpine and Telemark ski instructor and has been teaching women to ski for over 25 years.
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