Alpine Wildflowers of Bulgaria Tour

This new wildflower tour has a slightly different botanical theme from our other wildflower tours, with a focus on alpine flora. The high mountains of south-west Bulgaria provide us with the opportunity to discover both the diversity of the region’s mountain flora as well as some of the country’s most stunning scenery. Alongside our exploring of mountain flora, we will seek out a beautiful assortment of local, Bulgarian and Balkan endemics.  Alongside our botanising, we also have the opportunity to visit the UNESCO site of Rila Monastery, one of Bulgaria’s most important cultural monuments.  

Late June/early July is usually the optimum time for botanising at these higher altitudes with temperatures predicted to range between 18 and 25 degrees, depending on the location.

ITINERARY

Day 1: Fly from London Heathrow to Sofia
Transfer (30 mins) to the Crystal Palace Hotel for a three-night stay. Dinner included at the hotel.

Day 2: The sub-mediterranean flora of the Golobardo Mountains
We spend our first day in the Golobardo Mountains to the west of Sofia. Although not far from the Bulgarian capital, this region is one of the lesser-known and less frequented ranges of the country, and while exploring here we have the exciting feeling that we are venturing off the beaten track and may have the chance of making some interesting botanic discoveries! Dominated by a sub-Mediterranean flora, we will visit various locations in the mountain to seek out wildflowers in a variety of different habitats. Some of the species we will be looking out for include: Acer tataricum, Allium albidum, Centaurea salonitana, , Dianthus cruentus ssp. turcicus, Centaurea immanuelis-loewii, Himantoglossum jankae, Lilium martagon, Paronychia kapela, Tragopogon balcanicum, Verbascum urumovii, Satureja montana, Scabiosa triniifolia, Xeranthemum annuum.

Day 3: The Botanic reserves of the Vitosha Mountains
A full day spent exploring Vitosha, a large domed mountain massif which rises right on the doorstep of the Bulgarian capital, and which has two fine botanic reserves. Here we will encounter a mix of habitats including coniferous forest, peaty sub-alpine pastures, and rocky biotopes where we shall look for species such as: Lilium jankae, Lilium martagon, Jovibarba heuffelii, Doronicum austriacum, Leuchorchis alba, Gymnadenia frivaldii, Gentiana punctata, Gentiana lutea, Aquilegia aurea, amongst others.
Evening at leisure.

Day 4: Transfer to Bansko with visits enroute to the villages of Dobarsko and Gorno Draglishte
Leaving Sofia after breakfast, we transfer (2 ½ hours) to the small village of Dobarsko located on the southern foot of the Rila Mountains. The village has gained international renown for its tiny stone church densely decorated internally with outstanding 400-year-old frescoes, including two which appear to show Jesus Christ in what some claim to be a representation of a spacecraft. After visiting the church, we head to the neighbouring village of Gorno Draglishte where we will have the chance to enjoy traditional Bulgarian hospitality and a home-cooked lunch, before continuing to Bansko. Once a small historic town, it has now become one of Bulgaria’s premier mountain resorts, where the old town still preserves a photographic charm. Check-in to the Dumanov Hotel for a two-night stay. Evening at leisure.

Day 5: Pirin National Park
A full day spent botanising in the Pirin National Park amongst ancient coniferous forests, sub-alpine meadows and stunning rocky terrain that lie scattered around Mt. Vihren (2914m), the highest peak in the Pirin Mountains. Being the contact zone between limestone and granite massifs, the flora of this region is particularly rich, with many Balkan, Bulgarian and local endemics. Species we will be searching for include: Daphne oleoides, Aquilegia aurea, Campanula velebitica, verticillatum, Viola orbelica, Picnomon acarna, Alcea rosea, Centaurea triumfetti, Centaurea mannagetae var. pirinica, Digitalis viridiflora, Epipactis helleborine, Campanula sparsa, Campanula persicifolia, Cephalanthera rubra, Scorzonera hispanica. 
Evening at leisure.

Day 6: Rila Monastery and the Rila Nature Park
Today we drive into the heart of the Rila Mountains, our first destination, the Rila Monastery, a UNESCO World Heritage site which is one of Bulgaria’s greatest cultural and architectural treasures. The monastery is situated within the heart of the specially protected “Rila Monastery” Nature Park, surrounded by beautiful forests and an array of spectacular peaks. As well as enjoying the monastery itself, we can also explore the surrounding meadow and forest habitats looking for species such as: Verbascum longifolium, Sempervivum ciliosum, Campanula scutellata, Knautia drymeia, Campanula patula ssp. epigea, Campanula sparsa, rhodopensis, Digitalis viridiflora, Linaria dalmatica, Dactylorhiza saccifera, Veronica urticifolia.
We then continue our journey to the northern foot of the Rila mountains and our hotel at Borovets, Bulgaria’s first and foremost mountain resort. Borovets was founded at the end of the 19th century by the Bulgarian monarch, Prince Ferdinand, who established a royal palace here amongst the pines. Check-in to the Hotel Musala for a one-night stay.
Evening at leisure.

Day 7: The Rila National Park
Using a gondola lift to take us high up above the treeline, we can start our walk at an altitude of just over 2350 metres, and then follow a gently undulating trail towards the foot of Mount Musala (2925 metres), the highest peak on the Balkan Peninsula. Here we can enjoy some of the Rila Mountains’ most beautiful alpine flora including species such as: Pinus mugo, Antennaria dioica, Bartsia alpina, Rhodiola rosea, Gentiana lutea, Gentiana punctata, Geum bulgaricum, Silene lerchenfeldiana, Angelica pancicii, Cerastium decalvans, Silene roemeri, Knautia dinarica, Dianthus microlepis, Jasione bulgarica, Aquilegia aurea, Dianthus microlepis, Viola dacica, Pinguicula balcanica, Ranunculus crenatus, Dactylorhiza saccifera, Anemone narcissiflora, Primula minima. However, pride of place must go to the so-called “Primrose of the Gods”, the beautiful local Rila endemic Primula deorum. Having returned to Borovets by the gondola lift, we will then drive back to Sofia for our final night. Dinner included this evening.

Day 8: Transfer to Sofia for return flight to London Heathrow.

NB: Exact order of itinerary may vary according to local conditions and tour manager's discretion.

Please note the maximum group size on this tour is 18 passengers.

Tour Grading: This tour is graded as moderate as walking is involved on this type of tour, however, although the botanising is in the mountains, nothing too long or arduous will be undertaken. Most of the botanical walks return the same way, so there is always the option to walk as far as you are comfortable and return when you feel you have done enough. For example, on Day 2 Golobardo Mountains, this is an out and back walk of 3kms in each direction, botanising along the walk, which follows a forestry track. There is a mountain hut along the route, which provides the option for anyone who doesn’t want to do the full walk to return and linger there, or return to the bus, relax and enjoy the peaceful surroundings.

INCLUDED

• Return flights from London Heathrow to Sofia
• Four nights on bed and breakfast basis at the three-star Crystal Palace Hotel, Sofia (3 at the start of the tour and 1 at the end)
• Two nights bed and breakfast at the three-star Dumanov Hotel, Bansko
• One night bed and breakfast at the four-star Musala Hotel, Borovets
• Two HB dinners, and lunch and one picnic
• Touring itinerary and transfers as detailed
• Tour Manager/local guide and Graham Kendall throughout

NOT INCLUDED

• Single room supplement - £325
• Holiday insurance
• Meals other than those stated
• Items of a personal nature such as drinks, laundry, telephone calls
• Porterage and gratuities

HOTELS

Four-star Crystal Palace Hotel, Sofia  
Centrally located in the capital, Sofia, with easy access on foot to restaurants, historic sites and other facilities, the Crystal Palace Hotel offers comfortable rooms with all modern amenities, including air-conditioning, TV, fridge, coffee machine, Wi-Fi and safety deposit box. The standard rooms do not have balconies but do have openable windows. The bathrooms include baths with a shower over the bath. Other facilities at the hotel include the newly renovate La Branche Restaurant with a garden terrace, and a lobby bar. The hotel is situated close to the ‘Doctor’s Garden’, a lovely little park with a monument dedicated to the medics who died in the Russo-Turkish War (1877–78).
Crystal Palace Hotel Website

Three-star Dumanov Hotel, Bansko
Situated at the foot of the Pirin Mountains, the three-star Dumanov Hotel has been built in a style typical of Bansko during the Renaissance era. Well-located just 1km from the centre of Bansko means everything is easily accessible on foot, including the picturesque old town, restaurants and cafes. Simply designed, the rooms are comfortable and have all modern amenities, including TV, minibar/fridge, electric kettle and Wi-Fi.  All rooms have a balcony and a bathroom with shower and hair dryer. Other facilities include a restaurant, steam bath and hot tub.
Dumanov Hotel Website

Four-star Musala Hotel, Borovets
Built in a typically mountain chalet style the Musala Hotel is well situated amid the surrounding forest of spruce and fir and just 300 metres from Borovets main street. Rooms are bright with wood furnishings, balcony or terrace TV, minibar/fridge and wifi. Bathrooms include baths with a shower over the bath. Other facilities at the hotel include a restaurant and lobby bar, spa facilities (extra charge) sauna, hot tub, hamman and an indoor swimming pool.
Musala Hotel Website