Day 1: Arriving in Sofia we then transfer (1 hour 30 minutes) to the village of Govedartsi where we stay the next three nights in a small family-run hotel at the northern foot of the Rila Mountains.

Day 2: A short drive brings us to the nearby resort of Borovets, from where we will take a cabin-lift high up above the treeline into the Rila Mountains. We then set off on foot into the “Rila” National Park. To begin with we will explore the Musalenski Cirque and its cluster of glacial lakes which lie directly below Mt. Musala (2925m), the highest peak in the Balkans. However, rather than climbing to summit itself, we will then take a less-used path through the “Central Rila” Nature Reserve, before descending to Borovets on foot. The “Central Rila” Reserve is the largest reserve in Bulgaria, and one of the largest in Europe, and was established to protect the biodiversity of the rugged alpine region that lies around Mt. Musala. It comprises a varied mixture of forest, sub-alpine, and alpine habitats, in particularly dominated by rocky ridges, moraines and screes. The flora of the “Central Rila” Reserve is particularly interesting, as it comprises both relict and endemic species. Some of the special species we will be looking out for include: Primula deorum, Pinguicula balcanica, Gentiana punctata, Geum bulgaricum and Rhododendron myrtifolium. The fauna of the “Central Rila” Reserve is also very interesting and includes Balkan Chamois (Rupicapra rupicapra balcanica) as well as large carnivores such as Brown Bear (Ursus arctos) and Wolf (Canis lupus). Wild Boar (Sus scrofa) and Roe Deer (Capreolus capreolus) are quite common in the region. There are also Alpine Newt (Triturus alpestris) and Grass Frog (Rana temporaria) to be seen at the Musalenski Lakes, and in the sub-alpine pastures Viviparous Lizard (Zootoca vivipara), Smooth Snake (Coronella austriaca) and Common Viper (Vipera berus).

Day 3: Today the focus of our exploration will be the region known as Sedemte Ezera (The Seven Lakes). This is one of the most beautiful and most visited parts of the “Rila” National Park. It is situated high the north-western Rila and, as its name suggests, comprises seven glacial lakes that are scattered amongst soft grassy cirques beneath a ring of rocky peaks and cliffs. Despite the very large numbers of people visiting the region of Sedemte Ezera every year, there is still much of interest here for naturalists, especially the flora. Here one can find Bulgarian endemics such as: Alopecurus riloensis, Jasione bulgarica, Primula deorum, Primula farinosa ssp. exigua and Ranunculus aquatilis var. riloense, as well as Balkan endemics such as: Aquilegia aurea, Bruckenthalia spiculifolia, Cirsium appendiculatum, Dianthus microlepis, Gentianella bulgarica, Geum bulgaricum, Heracleum verticillatum, Knautia midzorensis, Pinguicula balcanica, Sesleria comosa and Scrophularia aestivalis. Other interesting rare and endangered species include: Alchemilla pyrenaica, Armeria alpina, Artemisia eriantha, Bartsia alpina, Cystopteris alpina, Empetrum nigrum, Cystopteris alpina, Gentiana frigida, Gentiana lutea, Gentiana punctata, Jovibarba heuffelii, Leontodon rilaensis, Primula halleri, Saxifraga retusa, Subularia aquatica and Symphyandra wanneri. There are also three species of orchid to be seen: Dactylorhiza cordigera, Nigritella nigra, and Pseudorchis albida.

Day 4: Today we explore the region at the head of the Malyovitsa valley, and attempt an ascent of Mt. Malyovitsa (2729m), one of the highest and most imposing peaks in this part of the Rila Mountains. The whole walk offers stunning views, as well as an opportunity to observe an interesting variety of birds including Pallid Swift (Apus pallidus), Crag Martin (Ptynonogne rupestris), Water Pipit (Anthus spinoletta), Grey Wagtail (Motacilla cinerea), Alpine Accentor (Prunella collaris), Black Redstart (Phoenicurus ochruros), Whinchat (Saxicola rubetra), Ring Ouzel (Turdus torquatus), Goldcrest (Regulus regulus), Willow Tit (Parus montanus), Coal Tit (Parus ater), Nuthatch (Sitta europaea), Treecreeper (Certhia familiaris), Nutcracker (Nucifraga caryocatactes), Alpine Chough (Pyrrhocorax graculus), Raven (Corvus corax), Linnet (Carduelis cannabina) and Common Crossbill (Loxia curvirostra). There is also a very good chance of seeing the beautiful yet elusive Wallcreeper (Tichodroma muraria) in the Malyovitsa region.

Day 5: After a short transfer to the “Malyovitsa” Tourist Complex we then set off on a long but beautiful walk right through the heart of the Rila Mountains. We reach the isolated lake Yonchevo Ezero, and from there climb on to the high mountain pass known as Popovokapski Preval (2525m). This region around Yonchevo Ezero has an interesting flora which includes the Bulgarian endemics: Alopecurus riloensis, Jasione bulgarica, Primula deorum, Primula farinosa ssp. exigua and Ranunculus aquatilis var. riloense, as well as Balkan endemics such as: Bruckenthalia spiculifolia, Cirsium appendiculatum, Crocus veluchensis, Dianthus microlepis, Gentianella bulgarica, Geum bulgaricum, Heracleum verticillatum, Pinguicula balcanica and Sesleria comosa. Other rare and endangered species include: Angelica pancicii, Gentiana punctata, Armeria alpina, Bartsia alpina, Gentiana frigida, Jovibarba heuffelii, Leontodon rilaensis, Soldanella rhodopaea and Sparganium angustifolium. There are also three species of orchid to be seen: Dactylorhiza cordigera, Nigritella nigra, and Pseudorchis albida. Beyond the saddle, we leave the boundaries of the “Rila” National” Park, and enter into another protected territory known as the “Rilski Manastir” Nature Park. As we make our way through the open sub-alpine pastures we will look out for birds such as: Golden Eagle (Aquila chrysaetos), Alpine Chough (Pyrrhocorax graculus), Balkan Horned Lark (Eremophila alpestris balcanica), Water Pipit (Anthus spinoletta) and Rock Thrush (Monticola saxatilis). We may also be able to spot Balkan Chamois (Rupicapra rupicapra balcanica), Alpine Newt (Triturus alpestris), Grass Frog (Rana temporaria) and Viviparous Lizard (Zootoca vivipara). Our trail leads us down past Suhoto Ezero (The Dry Lake), and then enters the beautiful ancient forests of another protected territory, this time the “Rilomanastirska Gora” Nature Reserve. These forests are home to large carnivores such as Brown Bear (Ursus arctos) and Wolf (Canis lupis), as well as Beech Marten (Martes foina), Pine Marten (Martes martes), Badger (Meles meles), Roe Deer (Capreolus capreolus), Wild Boar (Sus scrofa), Red Squirrel (Sciurus vulgaris) and Forest Dormouse (Dryomys nitedula). Finally we emerge from the forests at the expansive meadow known as Kirilova Polyana, where our bus will be waiting to pick us up and drive down the valley to our hotel.

Day 6: We begin the day with a visit to the breathtaking Rila Monastery, a UNESCO World Heritage Site. We then set off on a gentle walk through the surrounding “Rila Monastery” Nature Park, visiting some small outlying chapels and other cultural sites that are directly connected to the long and interesting history of the Rila Monastery. Typical birds we are may see during our walk include: Treecreeper (Certhia familiaris), Nuthatch (Sitta europaea), Great Spotted Woodpecker (Dendrocopos major), Black Woodpecker (Dryocopus martius), Nutcracker (Nucifraga caryocatactes), Coal Tit (Parus ater) and Red-backed Shrike (Lanius collurio). Also widespread in the region are Fire Salamander (Salamandra salamandra), Slow Worm (Anguis fragilis) and Aesculapian Snake (Elaphe longissima). The shady beech forests are not the best habitat for flowers, but we may find Lilium martagon, Neottia nidus-avis and several other orchids from the genus Epipactis. After lunch, we set off from the Rila Monastery, to begin a long transfer round the south-western foot of the Rila Mountains, first following the Struma valley south, before bending east and making our way over the Predela pass which separates the Rila Mountains from the Pirin Mountains. Our goal is the small town of Belitsa, where we will be based for the next two nights. During the late afternoon, we will also have the chance to see the special Centre for the Re-adaptation of Dancing Bears which was established in the mountains above the town in 2000.

Day 7: Today we explore one of the Belitsa Eco-trails. This walk, a route know as “The Trail of the Glacier” takes inside the boundaries of the “Rila” National Park to explore in more detail some of the higher sub-alpine and alpine eco-systems, including a small group of glacial lakes known as the Vapski Ezera. During the walk some of the typical flowers that may be seen include: Genista depressa, Digitalis viridiflora, Galium verum, Euphrasia salisburgensis, Epilobium angustifolium, Geum coccineum, Angelica pancicii, Soldanella rhodopaea, Doronicum austriacum, Gentiana punctata, Gentianella bulgarica, Campanula alpina, Dianthus microlepis, Senecio abrotanifolius, and Leontodon riloensis, as well as orchids such as: Nigritella nigra and Pseudorchis albida. The fauna of the region includes butterflies such as Apollo (Parnassius apollo), Nicholl's Ringlet (Erebia rhodopensis), Ottoman Brassy Ringlet (Erebia ottomana balcanica), Pearl-bordered Fritillary (Boloria euphrosyne), Balkan Copper (Lycaena candens) and Black-veined White (Aporia crataegi). The most typical dragonfly to be seen is the Moorland Hawker (Aeshna juncea), but one can also find here Northern Emerald (Somatochlora arctica). The presence of the latter species in the region is particularly interesting as it is one of the most recently discovered species of Odonata in Bulgaria. It is only known from a handful of boggy sites in the Rila Mountains and appears to be a glacial relict.

Day 8: Leaving Belitsa and the “Rila” National Park, we then drive back to Sofia where the tour ends.