Odysseia-In was a visionary project for its time, founded 28 years ago by Lubomir Popiordanov.
Joining this tour you will enjoy some spectacular hikes in the Southeastern Europe’s highest mountain ranges – Rila, Olympus, Pirin. But not only the height is spectacular, these mountains are also Protected National Parks with rich flora and fauna. These rocky mountains will fascinate you with their overwhelming precipices, jagged peaks and panoramic views. The rest of the tour is about traditional food, local cultures, one monastery and a harbor!
Balkan Hiking tour begins in arrival in Sofia – the capital of Bulgaria. From there we head to Govedartsi village, set in the Northern footsteps of Rila National Park. Traditional home-dinner in the cozy atmosphere of a family-run guesthouse.
Ascent to Mount Mussala (2925m, the highest peak on the Balkan Peninsula). Early transfer to Borovets resort, take Gondola lift to Yastrebets peak and from there we head to Mussala Peak. In the afternoon: transfer back to Govedartsi village.
We will start the day with a short transfer to the starting point of our climb to Malyovitsa Peak (2729m.). Following the main Ridge we will reach the Seven Lakes Glacial Circus, considered to be one the most sacred Bulgarian lands.
Our last mountain walk in Rila National Park will bring us to the Ortodox Sanctuary – Rila Monastery (UNESCO). To reach it we will have to climb to the main ridge and from there descent more than 1000 meters through meadows and forests. Late transfer to Bansko town set in the footsteps of Pirin National Park. Traditional dinner with folklore music. Read more
Transfer to Vihren hut (1.980 m) and ascent of the beautiful marble peak of Vihren (2914m) by a steep and demanding mountain track. Later in the afternoon, transfer to Melnik (2h30). In the evening walk around the town and admire the unique architecture of the place.
In the morning we will have a round trip around the Melnik Pyramids Nature Phenomena. Later we will visit of Rojen monastery, 16th c. and after lunch we will have a transfer (3 hours) to the Greek village Litochoro.
Transfer to Prionia from where we will begin our walk, at an altitude of 1000 m. We will walk through shady beech and fir forests, where we will enjoy a variety of woodland birds and flowers. Our way will continue up to an altitude of 2060m, to the refuge A where we will spend the night.
If weather permits and there is no snow, we will ascend to Mytikas (2.917meters). It is Greece’s highest peak! (This involves some scrambling on a well-defined route. Then we hike towards refuge B for a last overnight in the mountain.
Today start your trek from Refuge B and walk down to Gortsia village. In the afterenoon we will have a transfer to Thessaloniki. Later in the evening, we will enjoy a walk along the waterfront from the port to beyond the Aspros Pirgos (White Tower).
Transfer to Thessaloniki airport and flight back home. Balkan Hiking tour ends.
Lubomir Popiordanov, CEO of Odysseia-In, has a huge background: master of law, mountaineer, passionate traveler, photographer, painter, author of a book, producer of films, publisher and philanthropist, freelance journalist…!
Momchil is a mountain guide, who has turned his hobby – trekking and climbing in the mountains – into a profession. He prefers working in the high mountains, but also likes going to all places with beautiful and well preserved nature. He speaks French.
Denitsa leads many of our Spanish and English groups in summer. She is an active ecologist and in the front lines of the Bulgarian organizations for nature protection. She loves flowers and all little creatures on earth.
Simeon is passionate about travel and takes every opportunity to hit the road. It could be the dirt road on his bike, or the 1300steps to reach Machu Picchu, or the fresh snow up in the Mountains…He speaks English and Spanish.
Zornitsa or just "Zori" is really passionate about being in the mountains and exploring the world by hiking. She is qualified mountain guide in English and German language and works as an interpreter too.
Biliana is an experienced mountain guide. Her favorite mountain ranges are the alpine Rila and Pirin. She also has a passion for medieval art and music. Bilyana speaks German, English and Italian.
Martin is a very experienced mountain guide. Apart from that he is also a team-building instructor. Martin is a big fan of free riding and off piste skiing. Martin speaks Spanish, French and English.
Ivaylo is our wine expert - WSET® CERTIFIED Level 2 Wines & Spirits by the London Wine & Spirit School, also a certified tour guide. He speaks fluently English and German, regularly visits wine events in Bulgaria and also adores travelling.
Mihail or just Misho is a licensed mountain leader and in the summer is usually “outdoors”. He loves working in the field of responsible tourism and education of mountain guides. Mihail speaks German and English.
Mitko is a mountain guide with a lot of knowlidge about nature and wildlife. He has graduated the University of Forestry and leads summer and winter snowshoeing groups. Mitko speaks English and Spanish.
Stela is is a passionate traveler, nature enthusiast and active mother. She has graduated as Bachelor in Geology and International Travel and Tourism. Her interests are: hiking, ski-touring, folklore dances and children education.
Ivan has climbed 18 peaks in the Alps including Montblanc and Dufourspitze. Travelling a lot across the whole Balkan Peninsula, he has climbed almost each mountain in Macedonia, Albania, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Greece, Romania and Montenegro.
Odysseia-In was a visionary project for its time, founded 28 years ago by Lubomir Popiordanov.
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