5★ Kempinski Spa Hotel, Balkan Peaks & Rila Monastery

TRIP FULL and at maximum capacity, if you're quick our Amalfi trip in April 2027 has spaces, staying in a Boutique family owned Guest House: https://www.meetup.com/outdooraholics/events/315468082

Summit one of the Balkans' highest mountains, unwind in the luxury of a 5★ Kempinski spa hotel, and discover the spectacular UNESCO listed Rila Monastery, all in one unforgettable long weekend.

We take on Vihren Peak, the third highest mountain in the Balkans, climbing 1,050m through the dramatic limestone scenery of Pirin National Park.

After the hike, unwind at the luxurious 5★ Kempinski Grand Arena Bansko, complete with three heated pools, saunas and an outdoor jacuzzi beneath the mountains.

The weekend finishes with a visit to the magnificent Rila Monastery, before a final evening exploring Sofia, Bulgaria's lively capital.

📏 Key Info
• 🌙 Nights: 3 (Fri–Mon)
• 💷 Cost: £418
• 🥾 Difficulty: Tough 6–7 hrs hiking
• 🛶 Activities: Hiking, sightseeing and spa
• 🛌 Room Type: Hotels - Twin ensuite
• 🚐 Transport: Private minibus
• 🍽️ Meals Included: All Breakfasts
• ✈️ Start & End City: Sofia (free transfer to Hotels)
• 🚐 Airport Transfer: Group transfer included for suggested flights

🌟 Trip Highlights
• Summit Vihren Peak - 1050m ascent - Third highest mountain in the Balkans
• 2 nights at the luxurious 5★ Kempinski Grand Arena Bansko (LINK)
• Full spa access included - all 3 pools, saunas, outdoor jacuzzi & bar
• Visit the Rila Monastery (UNESCO World Heritage Site)
• Final evening in Sofia to enjoy the capital’s nightlife
• Qualified English speaking Bulgarian mountain guide (1 guide per 8 hikers)
• Private transport throughout

🌅 Trip Description
This trip combines a stunning mountain adventure with the luxury of a 5★ Kempinski spa hotel.

After flying into Sofia, we transfer to Bansko, Bulgaria's premier mountain resort, where we spend two nights at the 5★ Kempinski Grand Arena.

Saturday is the big day as we head high into the spectacular Pirin Mountains to climb Vihren Peak (2,914m), the highest mountain in the Pirin range and the third highest in the Balkans. The route passes through the dramatic scenery of Pirin National Park, a UNESCO listed wilderness of jagged limestone peaks, alpine lakes and ancient forests, before reaching a classic Balkan summit with panoramic views stretching across Bulgaria and into Greece.

Back at the Kempinski, it's time to relax. Spend the afternoon recovering in the luxurious spa, enjoying heated indoor and outdoor pools, multiple saunas and the outdoor jacuzzi before heading out for dinner in Bansko.

On Sunday we slow the pace with a visit to Rila Monastery, Bulgaria's most important cultural and spiritual landmark. Hidden deep within the mountains and founded over 1,000 years ago, it is one of Eastern Europe's greatest historic treasures.

We finish the weekend in Sofia, where you're free to enjoy the city's restaurants, bars and cafés before flying home on Monday.

🛏️ Accommodation & Transport
• Bansko (2 nights) – Twin bedded en-suite rooms at Kempinski Grand Arena (LINK)
• Sofia (1 night) – Twin bedded en-suite rooms at Budapest Hotel (LINK)
• Transport:
Private group minibus: Sofia Airport → Bansko → Sofia

📅 Itinerary

Friday – Arrival & Transfer to Bansko

Meet at Sofia Airport and transfer by private vehicle to Bansko, Bulgaria’s premier mountain resort, set beneath the towering Pirin peaks.

Check into the 5★ Kempinski Grand Arena, settle in and enjoy the pools, spa facilities and local restaurants.

Saturday
• Hike: Vihren Peak (2914m)
• Grading: Tough
• Ascent: 1050m
• Hiking time: 6 – 7 hours

An early start takes us into Pirin National Park for the highlight of the weekend. We climb Vihren Peak, the third highest mountain in the Balkans, through the dramatic limestone scenery of UNESCO listed Pirin National Park.

From the summit, panoramic views stretch across Bulgaria and into Greece.

The afternoon is yours to relax in the 5★ Kempinski spa, with heated pools, saunas and the outdoor jacuzzi before dinner in Bansko.

Sunday

• Activity: Visit Rila Monastery
• Visit time: 2 hours

After breakfast, we travel to the magnificent Rila Monastery, Bulgaria's most important cultural and spiritual landmark. Founded over 1,000 years ago, it sits hidden amongst the forests of the Rila Mountains and is recognised as a UNESCO World Heritage Site.

After time to explore, we transfer to Sofia, where the guided part of the trip ends. The evening is free to enjoy the city's restaurants, bars and cafés.

Monday – Sofia & Departure

After breakfast, enjoy free time in Sofia before making your own way to the airport.
The metro to the airport is simple and inexpensive (approx. €1).

🍽️ Food
Breakfast is provided each day. As we are staying in a town with many shops and supermarkets you are free to buy your own favourite items for lunch each day as per your own dietary preferences/requirements. For dinner you can explore the local cuisine with some great restaurants here. The hotels offer a buffet breakfast one day and a packed breakfast the other and can cater for most mainstream dietary requirements. If you are unsure, please check with us in advance.

💷 Cost & Booking
• £418.

How to book:
• Click “Attend” and pay a £100 deposit by PayPal to secure your space
• Remainder due within 7 days (by bank transfer) - we'll email details

Payment terms:
• Payments are non-refundable and non-transferable
• When the trip is sold out, fully paid spaces may be advertised to the same gender (see FAQ for details)

✅ Price Includes
• 3 nights’ accommodation in twin bedded en-suite rooms (2 in the spa hotel, 1 in Sofia city)
• Breakfast each day (1 day is a packed one due to early start)
• Use of the hotel pools and spa at our Spa Hotel
• Private minibus throughout the trip and back to Sofia
• Complimentary fixed time airport transfer at the start
• Hikes by trained guides (Outdoor First Aiders)
• Compliance with the 2018 Package Travel Regulations, including financial protection

❌ Price Excludes
• Flights, dinners and lunches
• Local airport transfer on the last day (Metro is approx 1 Euro)

✈️ Flights, Start & End Times
All times below are local Bulgarian time.

Arrival – Friday (Sofia Airport → Bansko)
For anyone arriving on one of the suggested flights below or already at the airport – we offer a complimentary group transfer, departing 2:20pm from Sofia Airport - TERMINAL 2. We will wait up to 3 hours for delays on the listed flights below only.

Inbound flights – 18.09.2026

• Wizzair flight: W64302
8:10am from London Luton (LTN) → Sofia Terminal 1 (SOF) landing 1:20pm
• British Airways flight: BA892
8:20am from London Heathrow (LHR) → Sofia Terminal 2 (SOF) landing 1:30pm
• Ryanair flight: FR9961
9:00am from London Stansted (STN) → Sofia Terminal 2 (SOF) landing 2:00pm

If you arrive later or on a different flight, you’ll need to make your own way to the accommodation in Bansko. Flights are not part of the package. You are responsible for reaching the meeting point, even if your flight is delayed or changed so please ensure your travel insurance covers travel disruption.

Return – Monday

The trip ends at the hotel in Sofia and you can make your own way to the airport. The cheapest way to do this is via metro (underground) and it costs about 0.80 Euros, taxis are also cheap.

Please book return flights with a comfortable buffer, as we are not responsible for missed connections; your travel insurance should cover delays or disruption. Due to risks of delays in the journey/accidents/breakdowns/road works etc, we recommend exploring Sofia and taking an evening flight.

🛡️ Insurance & Entry Requirements
It is essential that you have travel insurance which covers:
• Emergency medical treatment
• Hiking (up to 3000m in this case)
• Cancellation and curtailment
• Travel disruption (e.g. if you cannot reach the start of the trip due to delayed or cancelled flights)

You will be required to provide a copy of your insurance policy. Without valid insurance, we cannot accept you onto the trip and no refund will be due in this case.

Outdooraholics cannot verify what any policy covers – you must confirm this directly with your insurer. The guide accepting your policy details is not confirmation that it is valid or adequate.

Entry requirements:
• Valid travel documents for Bulgaria, including a passport and visa if required
• Bulgaria is in the EU – please check entry rules for your nationality

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• New to Our Overseas Trips? – Perfect for first-timers, answers “what to expect”
• About Us – Who Outdooraholics are, credibility & history
• ❓ FAQs – Answers to the most common queries

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