A two-day route in the heart of Rila that combines climbing Musala (2,925 m) - the highest peak on the Balkan peninsula - twice over, a circuit of the Marichini lakes and a night at the Zavrachitsa hut. Over the two days we cross eight summits: Aleko, Lyudmil Yankov, Musala (twice), Mancho, Golyam and Malak Bliznak, and Marishki Chal - a trek that shows Rila from sides most walkers never see. The route is for hillwalkers in very good physical condition with experience of the high mountains in summer.
Tour Highlights
- Musala (2,925 m)
- The Marichini lakes
- The Zavrachitsa hut
- Mancho peak (2,766 m)
- Golyam and Malak Bliznak
What's included
Included
- Complete organization and coordination of the program
Tour Itinerary
We take the gondola from Borovets up to the upper Yastrebets station (2,369 m) - nearly 1,100 metres of height gained in under half an hour. From here we head right along the ridge, away from the busy classic route, and enter the wilder, emptier side of the Musala crown.
The first summit is Aleko, and after it Lyudmil Yankov (2,792 m). Formerly „Bezimenen“ - the Nameless - it was renamed by presidential decree only in early 2025, and now carries the name of the mountaineer, poet and hero of „Everest '84“, a man whose story is inseparable from this mountain. We stand on the fourth highest peak in Rila, with the whole Musala ring spread out in front of us.
From here to Musala (2,925 m) the views on a clear day - to Pirin in the south, Vitosha to the north-west and the Rhodopes to the south-east - are a priceless reward.
After a well-earned rest on the summit we descend south from Musala into the Marichini cirque. The four Marichini lakes are set in steps between 2,300 and 2,500 metres, enclosed by the Bliznatsite, Marishki Chal and Mancho - an amphitheatre of rock and water with almost no trace of the tourist flow. The area has been a nature reserve since 1951. From here the water runs down the Tiha Maritsa, towards the plains and the Maritsa itself.
From the cirque we continue along the waymarked path to the Zavrachitsa hut (about 2,162 m, on the left bank of the Prava Maritsa). The hut opened as long ago as 1935 and was conceived as a base between Musala and Belmeken; today it is a welcoming place with home cooking and a warm atmosphere after a long day on the hill.
We set off early from the hut and head for Mancho (2,771 m) and the Bliznatsite. The route follows green and red waymarks to the south-west, gaining height gradually. After Malak Bliznak, Musala comes into view - and the last climb to the summit follows.
From Musala we descend by the standard path - past the Everest shelter and the Ledeno (Icy) lake, through the Musala hut - back to the Yastrebets lift station and down to Borovets.
Option B: in unfavourable weather on the second day we descend directly from the Zavrachitsa hut to Borovets on the waymarked route past the Chernata Skala and the Maritsa hut.
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: