We wake up in beautiful Bansko, Bulgaria’s most famous ski resort. Often compared to the Alps but far more affordable, it is surrounded by dramatic peaks and endless forests. The plan is simple: a gentle hike from Vihren Hut at 1’950 metres to Okoto Lake at 2’062 metres – an easy route with spectacular views. I’m the trip leader and responsible for the group.
As we drive up from Bansko, though, something unexpected begins to appear. Snow. In October. The higher we climb, the icier the road becomes. Eventually, the minibus slows to a crawl, struggling for grip. Everyone presses their faces to the windows, watching the landscape transform. I start to rethink the plan. This isn't exactly what we've prepared for.
Before I can even explain the situation, I hear laughter behind me. One of the travellers leans forward and says, «This is unreal – we weren't expecting this at all!»
When we step out of the bus, the mood is pure excitement. People take photos, throw snowballs and simply enjoy the moment. One woman from Portugal tells me quietly that she has never actually touched snow before. She stands there for a moment, holding it in her hands, smiling like a child.
So, we adapt. There is no need for the full hike. Instead, we walk for about 20 minutes towards the hut, slipping and laughing as we go. People help each other along, turning the uneven path into a shared challenge rather than an inconvenience.
At the hut, we warm up with hot chocolate, sitting together by the windows while the snow keeps falling outside. It feels as though we have stumbled into winter by accident.
But the day still has more in store. In the afternoon, we head to the station for the narrow-gauge train, a scenic ride many have been looking forward to. It is supposed to be one of the highlights. So, of course, that's when we find out it isn't running.
A landslide has blocked the tracks. For a second, I expect disappointment. Instead, someone laughs and says, «Well, this trip just keeps getting better in unexpected ways.»
We pile into a small replacement bus, squeezed tightly together with luggage everywhere. Someone jokes that we look like a group of travelling sardines. Another passes around snacks. Later, we grab a beer, stretch our legs and eventually continue by train to Plovdiv. Because of the change in plans, we actually arrive earlier than expected, which means more time for a relaxed dinner together.
Looking back, nothing that day goes according to the original plan. And yet, it becomes one of the best days of the entire trip.
That is something I experience again and again as a trip leader: The best experiences are the ones you never plan – the surprises, the detours, the small encounters and the shared laughter that simply happen along the way.
