Day 1: Afternoon arrival at Sofia Airport and transfer by private minibus to the tiny village of Skandaloto. Our hotel for the next two nights is 'Family Hotel Skandalato 1896', a traditional 19th century house which has been attractively restored and turned into a cozy family hotel which is an official local Pan Parks partner.

Day 2: We start the day with a short drive to the Troyan Monastery, one of the largest and most beautiful monasteries in Bulgaria. Believed to have been originally founded during the 16th century, the monastery is famed for its outstanding frescoes and its intricately carved wooden iconostasis. Having visited the monastery, another short drive takes us to the start of the 'Vidimsko Praskala' Eco-trail which leads us up the picturesque valley of the Praskalska Reka, and passes through the ancient beechwoods of the 'Severen Dzhendem' Nature Reserve which are still a refuge for large carnivores such as Brown Bear (Ursus arctos) and Wolf (Canis lupus), as well as being rich in birds and fungi. The goal of this gentle walk (3 hours 30 minutes) is a clearing from which there are fantastic views towards the inaccessible cliffs and awe-inspiring precipices which have given the region its name, the 'Northern Hell', and in particular towards the spectacular 80m-high Vidimsko Praskalo waterfall, one of the most beautiful in the country. Returning to our bus we then drive back to our hotel in the village of Skandaloto.

Day 3: Leaving Skandaloto, we drive south over the Troyan Pass (1525m), crossing the backbone of the Stara Planina mountains, before dropping down towards the Valley of the Roses and making our way to the small historic town of Kalofer. Here we will visit the Kalofer Monastery, originally founded in the 17th century, before setting of on a short (1hour 30minutes) walk around the 'Byala Reka' Eco-trail. With the aid of specially constructed wooden bridges and ladders we can explore an otherwise inaccessible part of the Byala Reka valley at the periphery of the 'Dzhendema' Biosphere Reserve, the largest reserve in the 'Central Balkan' National Park. Leaving Kalofer, we then drive on into the Sredna Gora Mountains where we will have the chance to visit one of the many Thracian tombs which are found in this region. We then finish our transfer in the beautiful historic town of Koprivshtitsa where we will be based for the next two nights in a comfortable family run hotel The town is an architectural reserved famed for its beautifully preserved National Revival Style houses.

Day 4: We begin the day with a wonderful walk (3hours 15minutes) in the mountains above Koprivshtitsa. The route leads through ancient forests and across open pastures from which there are fantastic panoramic views towards the highest peaks of the 'Central Balkan' National Park. The region is designated as the 'Sredna Gora' Important Bird Area and there is a good chance of observing variety of interesting birds during the walk. During the afternoon, there we will then be free time to soak up the tranquility and atmosphere of this beautiful photogenic town.

Day 5: We begin with a drive from Koprivshtitsa through the Sredna Gora Mountains to the small town of Septemvri. Here we will catch a narrow-gauge train for an exciting train ride through the Rodopi Mountains. The train twists and tunnels its way through the mountains to reach Gara Avramovo (1267m), the highest-situated railway station on the Balkan Peninsula. Here we will disembark and rejoin our mini-bus which will then drive us on to the village of Gorno Dragilishte, tucked in at the southern foot of the Rila Mountains. Here we will be based for the next two nights in village houses, one of which 'Guesthouse Deshka' is a local Pan Parks partner.

Day 6: We start the day with a drive to the Semkovo resort from where we set off on a walk (4 hours 30 minutes) into the 'Rila' National Park. The route we will be following is known as 'The Trail of the Glacier' and was set up as part of a local eco-tourism project. The path leads to a small group of high-lying glacial lakes known as the Vapski Ezera and provides a good opportunity to discover more about the biodiversity of the 'Rila' National Park's sub-alpine and alpine eco-systems. Returning to Semkovo, we then drive back to our base in the village of Gorno Dragilishte.

Day 7: Leaving Gorno Dragilishte, we drive across the Predela Pass (1142m) which separates the Rila from the Pirin Mountains. Having reached the valley of the river Struma, we then follow it north for a while before turning off into the Rilska Reka valley and making our way to the Rila Monastery. This is the largest monastery in Bulgaria, beautifully sighted amidst ancient forests and watched over by dramatic rocky peaks. As well as having time to visit the monastery itself, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, there will also be a short walk (1hour 10minutes) in the surrounding 'Rila Monastery Forest Nature Reserve. This beautiful path connects several chapels and other sites associated with the life of Ivan Rilski, the hermit monk who was responsible for the foundation of the Rila Monastery. Later in the afternoon we drive on round the north-western foot of the Rila to the village of Govedarstsi where we will be based for the next two nights at 'Family Hotel Dzhambazki', another local PAN Parks partner.

Day 8: After a short drive, we set off on spectacular and at times challenging walk (4hours) into the 'Rila' Pan Park exploring the dramatic valley of the river Malyovitsa. Our route climbs steadily up this beautiful valley, crisscrossing the sparkling river and ascending rocky moraines to reach Golyamo Elenino Ezero (2472m) a beautiful glacial lake stunningly located beneath Mt. Malyovitsa (2729m). The latter is one of the highest and most imposing peaks in this part of the Rila Mountains. The whole walk offers stunning views, as well as an opportunity to observe an interesting variety of typical alpine birds.

Day 9: Saying goodbye to the 'Rila' National Park, drive north to Sofia where we will spend our final night. Here the rest of the day will be left free for personal exploration of the Bulgarian capital.

Day 10: Tour ends in the Bulgarian capital city Sofia