Abstract:
Discover the untouched nature, experience Stara Planina, her unusual beauty, power and magic that lies in the intertwined natural and anthropogenic motives. There is no natural monotony. Feel the adrenaline, power and wildness of the mountains, a unique feeling that gives you stay in this undiscovered area.Activities:
hiking routevisit to "aerial spa"
trip with terrain vehicle through woods
Midzor peak climb
Tour description:
The Balkan mountain range (Balkan) lies partially in Serbia, and mostly in Bulgaria. It is about 600 km long, and from 30 to 50 km wide. It stretches from Vrska Cuka on the north to the Black sea on the east, and is the extension of the southern Carpathians.
Harmoniously blended intact nature, interesting history, and rich tradition have made the mountain a perfect place for vacation. Especially attractive and significant natural sights on Balkan include the Bigar stream valley, Midzor (the highest peak), the impressive rocks of Babin Zub, the Temstica river meanedrs, to name a few.
Balkan is a protected area, and it is classified as nature park. Village landscapes resemble dreamlike images, such as the ones of a long forgotten paradise!
ITINENARY:
Day 1 – We depart from Nis at 06:00 AM from the parking lot opposite the City Hall, Vojvode Bojovica Square. We travel through Svrljig, Peris, and Kalna, and we arrive at the plateau in front of the newly built “Stara planina – Falkensteiner” hotel located at Jabucko ravniste. We get ready and begin the route. We climb Babin Zub peak, at an elevation of 1780 m. It is one of the most beautiful peaks of the Balkan mountains, and the view of the surroundings is unforgettable. Rest at the top. We return from Babin Zub northward to the mountain hostel, and to the point from where we started the walk. The hiking route is not difficult, and it requires basic level of physical fitness. The whole route takes about 4, 5 hours. After the route, the group gathers and we travel to the village of Custica, where we are welcomed at one of the best and most beautiful private lodgings on the Balkan mountains, the Sedlar inn. The inn is located at an elevation of 860 metres near the village. It is considered a true “aerial spa” because of the elevation and the surrounding nature. We reach the inn by a terrain vehicle through woods in an atypical adventure. We arrive at the accomodation. Dinner. Sleep.
Day 2 – Wake-up, breakfast. After having breakfast, and getting ready, we start the route. We are transferred to the mountain hostel at Babin Zub (elevation: 1580 m) from where our Midzor peak climb begins. At an elevation of 2169 m, Midzor is the highest peak of the Balkan mountains in Serbia. The distance from the mountain hostel is 8, 6 km, which can be covered in three hours in favourable weather. We return along the same trail to the hostel, pack our equipment, and get ready to return to Nis. We arrive in Nis in the evening. The programme ends.
