Jump to Navigation
0808 250 7442
You are here » Home » Bulgarian Winter Experience - Family holiday

Bulgarian Winter Experience - Family holiday

Trip type: 
Active & Family
Adventure level: 
3. Moderate
Max group size: 
16
Avg user rating: 
Awaiting reviews
Europe, Bulgaria | 8 days
Trip code: 
FBG
Family Holidays | Min age 5yrs
What's included: 

Transport - Bus, skis, snowboard, snowshoes, horseback

Accommodation - Hotel/Pension (5nts), Mountain hut (2nts)

Meals - 7 breakfasts, 3 lunches & 2 dinners

Trip Highlights: 
Experience a week of fun winter activities in the stunning Rila Mountains
Enjoy snowboarding or skiing lessons
Go snowshoeing to glacial lakes
Building igloos
see full itinerary >>
You'll follow an itinerary which has been researched and planned by our experts, saving you all the hassle of organising the trip. The itineraries are designed to minimise the time spent travelling and maximise the variety of experiences.
We often have multiple itineraries so please check to see which itinerary is suitable for you, by selecting the relevant tab.
Itinerary options
Itinery Map

Itinerary

(Departures in 2012-13)
  • Day 1 - Sofia
  • Day 2 - Skiing or Snowboarding
  • Day 3 - Skiing/Snowboarding; Sledding
  • Day 4 - Skiing/Snowboarding; Igloo Building
  • Day 5 - Horse Riding
  • Day 6 - Snowshoeing
  • Day 7 - Snowshoeing
  • Day 8 - Tour Ends
Extensions and Extras: Extend your holiday and see more of the world. View additional tours for this trip »
Day
1

Sofia

The tour starts in Sofia where you'll meet your Leader and the rest of your group, before making the hour and a half drive to Borovets in the Rhodope Mountains. Although Borovets is no longer Bulgaria's biggest ski resort, it is the oldest, with a history that goes back to 1896. Tucked in amongst the pine woods that cover the slopes, the resort is situated on the northern slopes of the Mousala ridge on the eastern part of the Rila Mountain. With plenty of snow, clean air and excellent pistes, Borovets is the perfect place for some winter recreation. It caters for all levels of experience, from those who have never tried snowsports before, to those who compete at an international level, so there is something for everyone. 

Flora Apartments - 4 nights

Day
2

Skiing or Snowboarding

After breakfast you will be kitted out with the equipment that you will be using over the next 3 days. You will be given the choice of learning to ski or snowboard. Having decided and received boots, skis, ski poles and snowboards, you head out onto the slopes for your first lesson. Lasting 4 hours, you will hopefully have begun to get to grips with your chosen sport by the time that you finish. Downhill skiing has long been the most popular form of skiing; in fact it was first taken up as a leisure activity by the British in Victorian times. However in recent years snowboarding has become the fastest growing winter sport. It is important to stay hydrated, so taking a bottle of water with you is a good idea. As are packs of mini mars bars when blood sugar levels start to get low!

The afternoon has been left free for you to do as you please. You might like to hit the slopes again and practice your new-found skills, or maybe simply rest tired legs and use the time to relax. Of course, snowball fights are always popular as well! (B)

Day
3

Skiing/Snowboarding; Sledding

This morning sees you back on the pistes again for your second lesson. During the 4 hours you will practice what you learned the day before gradually building on it as you go. In the afternoon you have a go at sledding, during which you can enjoy the snowy peacefulness as the sled runners glide through the snow in the pine forest that surrounds you. (B)

Day
4

Skiing/Snowboarding; Igloo Building

You have one final ski/snowboard lesson this morning, so this is your last chance to practice everything that you have learned while in Borovets. The afternoon sees you learning how to build igloos! The kids will love building it and then being able to hide away inside their creation when it's finished. (B)

Day
5

Horse Riding

You head back out to the ski lift this morning, but without your skis and snowboards. Instead you meet your horses and once on board you ride to the Malka Lukovitsa and Golyam Giol areas where you stop for lunch. The trail goes in a loop back to Borovets, going past the Shumnatitsa chalet on the way. In total you will be in the saddle for around three hours. Riding in the snow is a unique experience and your mounts are surprisingly sure-footed as you navigate your way along the mountain trail. It provides a very different viewpoint than those you will have had on skis or snowboards and there is no shortage of stunning scenery to take in. Once back in Borovets you say goodbye to your new four-legged friends and make your way to Govedartsi (1hr), where you spend the night.

Govedartsi Mountain Hut (BL)

Day
6

Snowshoeing

It's a ten minute drive to the starting point of your snowshoeing today. Your Group Leader will give a quick lesson on how to put on your snowshoes and how to use them with a pair of poles to move around. It really isn’t difficult at all and, although you might feel a little ungainly at first, you’ll soon discover that you can climb even a fairly steep slope with ease. With snowshoes you can go almost anywhere - which means you can get to places that skiers cannot. To ease you into it you will walk for around an hour (4km) along forest paths until you reach the Vada mountain hut, where you pause for a break. From here it's then approximately another two hours of walking to Lovna mountain hut. You then have the rest of he afternoon free to do as you please. If you're itching to get back on the slopes after the break from skiing or snowboarding, you might like to enjoy some different pistes with some optional skiing (additional charge).

Rilski Lakes Mountain Hut (BLD)

Day
7

Snowshoeing

Donning your snowshoes again you set off a circular route through the 7 Lakes region. Depending on the weather conditions it can take anywhere between 2-4hrs, but it is well worth it. This is probably the most famous area in the Rila Mountains and you head for the fifth lake (The Kidney). From here you snowshoe to the Skakavitsa Waterfall, which is the highest waterfall on the mountain. You will marvel at how it's frozen waters have literally been paused in time. You stop for lunch nearby at the Skakavitsa Mountain Hut. After lunch you drive the 20km (approx. 40mins) to Sapareva Banya. This is a town famous for it's thermal springs and you will visi the baths and have a well deserved soak to relax at the end of a busy holiday. 

Villa Uyut - 1 night (BLD)

Day
8

Tour Ends

You leave the mountains behind this morning and return to Sofia. Depending upon flight schedules, there may be time for a short walking tour of the city. In common with many European capitals, Sofia has a fascinating mix of historic buildings, museums, parks and galleries to explore. Most of the main sights are located within walking distance of one another making it easy to get around. Amongst the most popular sights you’ll see are: the Alexander Nevski Church, whose massive domes are reminiscent of St Paul’s in London; the nearby Russian Church with its characteristic gilded ‘onion’ spires; the National Art Gallery and Sofia City Garden. Of course there are shops too. The main shopping boulevard is Vitosha Street but there’s also an extensive indoor market and a couple of former soviet era government buildings, now converted to department stores and malls. (B)

Prices from

$1,143
Exc.flights
$1,203
Exc.flights
Price includes everything listed above, excluding flights and transfers.

Save 5% when you book 6 months in advance

Save 5% off any of our Family trips when you book 6 months in advance.

* Prices shown on the dates/prices page are before discount. Discount is applied at checkout (step 3).

  • All dates/prices »
  • Start live chat »
  • Email us »
Call us on
0808 250 7442
Opening Hours »

Alternative trips

Families who like this trip also like...