Kongur Peak and the Chestnut Festival in Belasitsa NEW
An ascent of Kongur peak in the Belasitsa mountains and a visit to the Chestnut Festival in the village of Kolarovo, wrapped in the smell of roasting chestnuts. Two days in Belasitsa, where we take in the range's wild nature and its deep quiet, and find secluded corners of thick chestnut forest. We climb Kongur for panoramic views south to Greece and Lake Kerkini, and north to the great Bulgarian ranges. We stay at the welcoming Kongur hut at the foot of the mountain.
Price Includes / Excludes
Price Includes
- Complete organization and coordination of the program
- Travel insurance with limit - 500 euro. The insurance is concluded with the insurance company Euroins
- Transportation during the program
- Licensed guide
- Accommodation in hut
Price Excludes
- Food
- Personal expenses
Tour Itinerary
We leave Sofia early heading for Petrich - around 3 hours by minibus, the last stretch on a dirt road running straight to Kongur hut (1,284 m). The bus takes us to just below the hut, leaving a short walk up. After a brief rest and a check of our packs we set off up the well-waymarked ridge path. The first 2 km or so pass through forest, after which the trees thin and the path comes out onto the open crest -from here the views open up gradually in every direction. The climb is steep in places but asks for no technical skill. Kongur (1,951 m) greets us with one of the most impressive panoramas in south-western Bulgaria: Pirin to the north, Lake Kerkini in Greece to the south, Ograzhden and Belasitsa to the west, and in good visibility the mountains of North Macedonia as well. The ridge is open and windy - a windproof, waterproof outer layer is essential even in sunshine. We descend by the same path to the hut for the night.
An unhurried morning at the hut, with breakfast outdoors looking out over Belasitsa. We drive down to Kolarovo, host of the traditional Chestnut Festival. We spend part of the day among folk ensembles, local dishes cooked by the households of the Podgorie region and, of course, chestnuts roasted and boiled from some of the largest chestnut forests in the Balkans. In the afternoon we set off back to Sofia.
Important:
Three seasons trekking equipment
Shoes
Suitable shoes for the mountain, according to the weather forecast. High ankle or low shoes. You may wear sneakers to change into at the end of the program
Spare socks
Lighting
Headlamp - An absolute must-have accessory for every mountaineer. It may be necessary for the group to start a trek very early or finish the trek in the dark (force majeure). In these situations, each participant must have a headlamp. We recommend going with a proven brand like Petzl or BlackDiamond
Spare batteries
Backpack
About 40 liters backpack - Quite enough for one or two day hikes.
Backpack cover - in case of rain
Clothing top
Depending on the season and weather conditions
T-shirt or thin thermal base layer - from merino or synthetic. In no case cotton material
Fleece
A down jacket or other jacket with synthetic insulation - a thin down jacket is recommended. Evenings and mornings in the mountains, temperatures are low. No expensive down jacket needed
Wind and water proof jacket
Thin hat and gloves
Buff
Clothing bottom
Depending on the season and weather conditions
Comfortable long pants - in the perfect case with zippers for ventilation
Sun protection
Sunglasses
Summer hat
Sun cream with high protection
Buff with UPF protection
Rain protection
Raincoat
-or-
Waterproof top and bottom
Water and food
Water (1.5 liters)
Food for the trek
Money and documents
Money
ID or passport
Other
First aid kit
Trekking poles
Cancellation Policy:
Чл. 89. (Изм. – ДВ, бр. 37 от 2018 г., в сила от 01.07.2018 г.) (1) Пътуващият има право да прекрати договора за туристически пакет по всяко време преди започването на изпълнението на туристическия пакет. The tourist owes a penalty as follows: