Sofia

The Seven Rila Lakes & Rila Monastery

4.6(109 reviews)12hFree cancellation

Description

Experience Bulgaria’s two ultimate highlights in a single day. This expertly timed day trip combines a breathtaking hike to the panoramic Seven Rila Lakes with a cultural visit to the historic Rila Monastery, the largest and most important spiritual landmark in the country. It is the ultimate mountain-and-culture combo designed to maximize your time without feeling rushed. - Conquer the highlights of the Rila Mountains in just one day from Sofia. - Trek past the spectacular lakes with stunning panoramic views (chairlift ticket optional/paid locally). - Rila Monastery: Enjoy ample time to explore the vast UNESCO-listed complex and its famous frescoed church. - Relax in an air-conditioned vehicle with a professional driver navigating the mountain roads. - Active yet Accessible: A moderately active trek perfect for travelers with basic physical fitness and comfortable shoes.

Highlights

Full-day Tours
Short term availability
Audio Guides
Excellent Quality
Weather Dependent - Weather-Proof
Day Trips
Additional fees
Car Tours
Extreme Sports
Top Product

What makes this experience special

Language guide

Inglese

Audio guide

Tedesco, Russo, Inglese, Italiano, Francese, Spagnolo

Transfer included

Raduno al punto d'incontro

What's included

Included

Visit to Rila Monastery
Parking Fees
Professional Tour Guide OR Cloud Audio Guide App (depending on the option you select have booked)
Round-trip transport by air-conditioned minibus or coach

Not included

Rila Monastery Museum (Optional; entrance to the main courtyard/church is free)
Food and drinks
Gratuities
Chairlift ticket- appr. 16EUR (only cash payments in euro accepted)
Hotel pickup and drop-off

Itinerary

1
Departure at 07:00 from the car parknext to Vasil Levski Monument, in front of the Embassy of Slovakia
Admission included
2
The tour begins with an early transfer to the Rila, followed by a brief cable car ride to the Seven Rila Lakes Cirque. The glacier lakes are at between 2100 and 2500m/6800 and 8200ft above sea level, with name fitting their shapes, like Babreka (the Kidney), Okoto (the Eye), and Salzata (the Teardrop). As we need to follow strict time schedule depending on your fitness we can either walk the whole trek around all lakes, or make the stroll shorter and skip some of them (normally the two highest ones).
Admission included
3
Admire the impressive Rila Monastery (UNESCO)- its architecture and the frescoes present the apogee of the Bulgarian Renaissance art. With an about 1-hour guided tour of the most treasured monuments in the inner yard and the Monastery museum (optional), you will learn the most fascinating facts and stories about the biggest Bulgarian monastery complex.
Admission included
4
Return at the starting point of the tour at approximately 19:30
Admission included

Meeting point

IMPORTANT: The meeting point next to Vasil Levski Monument, in front of the Embassy of Slovakia| | GPS coordinates: 42.69677705130451, 23.336332286917877 | Please, be there 15 min. in advance!

Useful information

Public transportation options are available nearby
Not recommended for travelers with spinal injuries
Not recommended for pregnant travelers
Not recommended for travelers with poor cardiovascular health
Travelers should have at least a moderate level of physical fitness
Food: although there are two huts on our way where we can purchase some basic food (i.e. beans soup, meatballs, tea) we advise you to come prepared with a lunch pack from Sofia, because the programme today is rather tight and for sure we won’t have much time for a proper lunch.
Difficulty: the hiking route is moderately arduous, with individual brief paths featuring steep inclines. Please bring along comfortable walking boots. Sandals and flip-flops are not accepted. Rain jacket might be useful in summer as heavy showers sometimes occur in the afternoons.
IMPORTANT FOR MAY AND JUNE DEPARTURES! Kindly note, that availability of the tour depends on the weather conditions and the operation of the chairlift.
The terrain will be very wet and slippery and there will still be snow in the area. Walking in such conditions requires adequate equipment (good trekking boots, waterproof clothes and a warm layer beneath the jacket). The hike is demanding, so a good fitness level is also required. Keep in mind that some of the lakes may be covered in snow.
Important! As with all lifts the one, used for the hike to The Seven Rila Lakes, may halt operations (due to strong winds, power cuts etc.). In this unlikely event, an alternative hike will be offered on spot by the guide. Mind that such a situation does not make you eligible for a refund for the tour.
Tour with ONLINE (cloud-based) Audio-guide in different languages (EN, ES, IT, FR, DE, RU). INTERNET required to download and use. Headphones required, too.
Mobile or paper ticket accepted

Cancellation policy

Free cancellation available

More than 1 day before100% refund
Between 0 and 1 days before0% refund

Prices by age band

Adulto12-99 anni
€40

Review distribution

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Available options

Audio App: Rila & 7 Lakes Hike
⚠ 16 EUR Lift NOT Included: The chairlift ticket to the lakes is excluded. ➤ You MUST pay 16 EUR locally in CASH. No cards or online tickets accepted. NO Lunch Stop Included: Bring a packed meal & water! Also, you may share a bus with a guided group (NO English host for you here). ★ Audio App: Lakes & Rila: with NO live guide. Bring a smartphone, internet & headphones! ℹ Closed-toe boots are required.
ENG Guide: 7 Lakes & Rila Hike
⚠ 16 EUR Lift NOT Included: The chairlift ticket to the lakes is excluded. ➤ You MUST pay 16 EUR locally in CASH. No cards or online tickets accepted. ★ Hike 7 Lakes & Rila Abbey: with a live English guide. ℹ Hiking boots required. Bring a rain jacket & packed lunch—there are NO food stops on this tour! ➤ Bus To The Rila Monastery: After the hike, enjoy a comfortable bus ride to the UNESCO Rila Monastery. NO food stops—ensure you have a packed lunch!
Late Oct-Nov: Lakes Hike
Weather Contingency: If lift is closed, fit hikers hike + get a FREE Monastery day! Unfit do Monastery today + FREE Plovdiv day. Cold gear needed! ★ Late Autumn Lakes Hike: runs normally in good weather. ⚠ Bad weather may close lift unexpectedly! If closed, +3h hike needed or alt tour offered.
Basic Transport: Rila & Lakes
⚠ 16 EUR Lift NOT Included: The chairlift ticket to the lakes is excluded. ➤ You MUST pay 16 EUR locally in CASH. No cards or online tickets accepted. ❌ NO Live Guide Included: This option provides a bus seat only. You explore independently and may share the bus with a guided group. ★ Transport To Lakes & Abbey: with NO live guide or app. ℹ Bring closed-toe boots & packed lunch—there are NO food stops here!
Oct Hike: Chairlift May Close
★ October Rila Lakes Hike: warning: Chairlift may be closed. If closed: Fit hikers hike today + FREE Monastery another day! Unfit do Monastery today! ⚠ Closed Lift Options: Unfit hikers also get a FREE Plovdiv tour on another day! Fit hikers get a FREE Rila Monastery tour on another day. Gear need
Winter Snow: 7 Lakes Hike
⚠ Winter Gear Mandatory: Waterproof winter boots, gloves & thermals required. Lift may close due to bad weather. Extra steep walking if lift closes ★ Winter Snow Lakes Hike: has deep snow & freezing temps. Monastery EXCLUDED today! All guests get a FREE Rila Monastery tour on another day