Turn your next holiday into an unforgettable combination of community service and leisure travel on a Worker Bee Tours Mountain Hut Service Project. Our one week packages provide an easy way for motivated individuals and groups to make a positive social contribution in the beautiful Bulgarian outdoors. We take care of all of the details, organizing volunteer work, sightseeing, transportation, meals and lodging. All you have to do is show up at the appointed time and leave the heavy lifting to us.
Exploring Bulgaria
Interwoven with the service project, we make time to discover Bulgaria. Spend your afternoons hiking through picturesque landscapes on Bulgarian mountain trails, where you can enjoy the tranquility of nature and stunning panoramic views. Explore historical and cultural sites, where walking through the cobblestone streets of ancient towns offers a testament to Bulgaria’s rich history and heritage. Indulge in the local cuisine, savoring the flavors of fresh salads, hearty stews, and delectable desserts. Each meal is an opportunity to taste the culinary delights that Bulgaria has to offer.
Each itinerary includes a visit to at least one of the most important Bulgarian tourist destinations, such as Rila Monastery or Old Town Plovdiv, both UNESCO World Heritage sites. Rila Monastery, a significant symbol of the Bulgarian identity, offers a glimpse into the spiritual traditions of the country. Marvel at its intricate frescoes and architecture, and soak in the serene atmosphere. In Plovdiv, one of the oldest cities in Europe, visitors can explore layers of history from civilizations ancient and modern.
A Unique Travel Experience
This trip offers a unique blend of service and exploration. You’ll gain a deeper understanding of Bulgarian culture, create lasting memories, and have the satisfaction of contributing to a community. This is a chance to experience Bulgaria in a different way. Join us on this journey and get to know Bulgaria from a new perspective.
Highlights of the Mountain Hut Service Project Experience
- Make New Friends. Get to know people from different backgrounds and nationalities working shoulder to shoulder with international and Bulgarian volunteers. Many of our participants form lifelong friendships on these projects.
- Optimize Your Time. We do all of the advance preparation for you so that your volunteer efforts are meaningful and useful without losing time on the administrative hassles of trying to set it all up yourself.
- Explore the Outdoors. We include special activities on every day of the trip. Whether it is a day hike, harvesting wild berries, or picking herbs for tea, there is always something unique and exciting to do.
- Discover Bulgarian History and Culture. We make the most of every opportunity to introduce our teams to local culture and history, picking out the best and most important landmarks, museums, and sights for you to visit and explore.
- Make Memories. We are grateful for your desire to serve, your choice of volunteering with us, and hope your Mountain Hut Service Project will produce memories to last a lifetime.
Itinerary
All of our Bulgarian Mountain Hut Service Projects run from Saturday to Saturday, starting and ending in Sofia, Bulgaria. Travelers from the western hemisphere typically fly the previous day, arriving in Sofia on the day the tour begins. Most European cities have flights that can depart on the morning of the tour and arrive in Sofia in the afternoon or evening. Other departure points should check airline timetables to determine appropriate flight reservations. Extra nights are available at the hotel in Sofia, on either end of the tour, for an additional charge. We also offer cultural and historical add-on trips to enhance the overall experience for participants who have the time and desire to discover more of Bulgaria while they are here.
Day 1 – Saturday: Sofia Arrival
Arrival at Sofia International Airport and transfer to the hotel. Optional walking tour of Sofia. Evening orientation and mixer for the team. Dinner near the hotel.
Day 2 – Sunday: Travel to the Mountain Hut
Breakfast/brunch at the hotel. Morning free. Depart lunchtime for the work site. Sack lunches available during travel. Arrival and registration at the Mountain Hut, followed by an optional short hike or other group activity. Dinner at the hut.
Days 3 – 6 – Monday – Thursday: Mountain Hut Service Project
Breakfast, lunch and dinner at the hut each day. Work assignments may include building, painting, cleaning, renovating, chopping wood, cooking, gardening, and more. We try to be as helpful as we can be, taking into consideration the number of volunteers in the group and the skills we bring with us to the project. We identify specific goals for each individual project. Please see the individual project itineraries for more detailed work descriptions.
Part of each day will be set aside for free time as well as optional leisure activities including hiking, berry picking (in season), games, sports, music, and more.
Day 7 – Friday – Cultural Excursion and Sightseeing
Breakfast and group photo at the mountain hut. Depart after breakfast for an all day excursion to local historical and cultural sites. Lunch on the way or at one of the sites. End the day in Sofia. Farewell dinner with the team.
Day 8 – Departure
Breakfast at the hotel. Airport transfer with ample time to check in and board your flight home. For those with later flights, free time for last minute shopping and/or sightseeing around Sofia (information and guides available.)
Past Bulgarian Mountain Hut Service Project Teams
Video
https://youtube.com/shorts/z6fuSARIIzw
Important Information
Price Includes
- Round trip airport, bus or train station transfers.
- 7 nights accommodation, 2 in a Sofia hotel and 5 at the mountain hut location.
- All meals.
- Day touring as per the itinerary, including entree fees.
Price Excludes
- Visa costs (if any). Participants are encouraged to inquire about travel and entry regulations for their passport country.
- Transport from city of origin to Sofia, Bulgaria.
- Travel and health insurance (may be purchased separately.)
- Personal items, souvenirs and incidental expenses.
- Gratuities.
Terms & Conditions
Prices are listed per person, based on double occupancy (hotels) and group accommodations at the mountain hut. Single rooms are often available for a separate fee, but not at every mountain hut. All tours are subject to availability. Families and groups may qualify for discounts based on shared accommodations and other cost savings.
