Continuing our summer holiday journey through Bulgaria, the Dubai Chronicle’s team just conquered the Seven Rila Lakes. If you haven’t followed the coverage of a summer holiday in Bulgaria, please check the following articles from the past weeks:
- Bulgaria is the summer holiday destination of 2012
- How to reach from Dubai to Bulgaria
- How to apply for a visa to Bulgaria
- Unique celebration attracts tourists to the old capital of Bulgaria
The Seven Rila Lakes are without a doubt one of the most notable natural attractions on the Balkan Peninsula, a dream destination not to be missed. Their beauty touches the thousands of Bulgarian and international visitors who visit them.
The Seven Rila Lakes, located in the Dangskiya region of the northwestern Rila Mountains, are glacial lakes. They are scattered at the foot of a massive cirque that includes the peaks Suhi Chal (Dry Peak), Otovishki, and Haramiya. The lakes have been named for their shapes and qualities. The highest of them is Tear Lake, which gained its name for its crystal-clear water. It is 2,535 meters high, directly beneath the Otovishki Peak. Next is Eye Lake, the deepest of the seven at 37.5 meters. It is oval and an intense blue when the weather is good. Divers have explored this lake to gain further information about it. Somewhat lower than Eye Lake is Kidney Lake, named for its kidney shape, which has a surface area of 85 hectares and steep rocky banks. Next comes the Twins. Wide at both ends and narrow in the middle the lake resembles an hourglass. During dry years, the lake becomes two smaller lakes, and this is the source of its name. Farther down the trail are Three-leafed Lake and Fish Lake. The Seven Lakes Shelter is on the banks of Fish Lake. The lowest lake is appropriately called Lower Lake, which feeds the Dzherman River. The lakes are all connected by narrow streams.
Fish live in some of the lakes – minnows ands trout – but in general these high mountain lakes are an unsuitable habitat for marine life because of their frigid water temperature, fed by rain and snowmelt.
Nowadays, during the weekends thousands of tourists head to explore the Seven Rila Lakes. With a tour guide one can reach to the highest lake in few hours and come back even faster. The hiking journey is suitable for fit people of all ages. You can see mostly young people, but kids bellow seven with grandmothers over seventy are not an exception. Until few years ago, reaching the Seven Rila Lakes was a trip of few days, but nowadays a modern lift, although a bit scary one because it is open, takes you for about 25 minutes up in the mountain, near the hiking route.
The video above shows a view from the lift. The wether is fantastic, with temperatures less from 10 to 15 degrees than in the cities. An essentials for tourists are the hat and the sun screen, as you can seriously burn just in few hours. Food and beverages are available on the way and there is really no need to prepare and carry it from home, unless you firmly prefer home cooked meals.
Prepare yourself to get in touch with unparalleled natural beauty and peacefulness. The Seven Rila Lakes, are famous for its strong spiritual and self-discovery powers. Every year on August 19, there is a large gathering of the White Brotherhood or Danovites, who congregate to celebrate their New Year. The celebration takes place near Kidney Lake and consists of ritual rhythmic unison dancing in a large circle. For the Danovites, the Rila Mountains are a holy place where thousands of devotees gather every year to greet the dawn.
The best option discover the Seven Rila Lakes for yourself is joining an organized two or three-days excursion with a sleepover. Many tour operators in all Bulgarian cities offer weekend travel packages including transportation, 2 nights hotels stay, food and tour guide services. The cost per person varies from 120 Leva ($80) to 170 Leva ($120).
For further information and ideas on Bulgarian travels, please visit: www.dubai-bulgaria.com and Like the dedicated FB page: http://www.facebook.com/DubaiBulgaria
