The Magic of the Ribni Lakes - Two Days in the Heart of Rila
A two-day walk in the heart of Rila that takes you along the crest of the E4, past Vapa, Redzhepitsa and Kanarata - the orographic centre of the range - with a night at the Ribni Ezera hut beside Smradlivoto lake, the largest glacial lake in the Balkans. Starting from the Semkovo hut, the route is one of the most complete experiences in Rila: alpine lakes, panoramic summits and wild, untouched country at every step.
Price Includes / Excludes
Price Includes
- Complete organization and coordination of the program
Tour Itinerary
We set off from the Semkovo hut (1,750 m), tucked into pine forest in the Kovach part of south-western Rila. We head up the waymarked path, following the Central Rila route, the E4. The climb is gradual and brings us out onto the broad Rila crest, from which a magnificent panorama unfolds - to the east the Musala ridge with the Beli Iskar reservoir, to the west the rocky bulk of Kanarata.
We reach Vapa peak (2,528 m) - unassuming, broad and overgrown with dwarf pine, but blessed with a remarkable view down to the Vapa lakes in the cirque below. This is also the crossroads where the paths to the Ribni Ezera, Granchar and Musala huts divide. We continue along the ridge and make a detour to Redzhepitsa peak (2,678 m), rarely visited and all the more valuable for it. From the white metal cross on the summit a staggering view opens towards the hard-to-reach Redzhepsko lake. From there we reach Kanarata (2,691 m), held to be the orographic centre of the whole of Rila. The views from here towards the Ribni lakes and the Karaalan and Vapa cirques are unforgettable.
We descend to the Ribni Ezera hut (2,230 m), set between the Upper and Lower Ribno lakes in the Ribno Ezero cirque. Time to rest and recover. In the evening, for anyone who would like to, a walk to Smradlivoto lake (about 45 minutes from the hut) - the largest glacial lake in the Balkans, whose dark water holds an ancient legend of a storm that enraged it to the ends of the earth.
After breakfast at the hut we set off in the opposite direction. We climb Malak Mermer and Kanarata, enjoying once more a panorama that takes on an entirely different character in the morning light. We descend by the path towards the Vapa lakes - two crystal glacial lakes set one below the other in the Kovach cirque. The larger covers 2.6 hectares and lies at 2,268 m, the smaller, almost perfectly round, at 2,234 m. The way past them is fed by mountain streams, the habitat of the Balkan trout. We descend back to the Semkovo 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: