The Seven Rila Lakes and Rila Monastery 12 hrs Full Day Tour from Sofia
- Instant confirmation
- Meet on location, or hotel pickup
- Guided tour in English · Guidance in English, French, Italian, Spanish, Russian, and German
About this experience
A whole-day guided trek to Rila Mountains, exploring probably the most eminent area in the mountains – The Seven Rila Lakes and the most famous tourist attraction in Bulgaria – Rila Monastery (UNESCO).
Group Size & Transport: This is a popular, budget-friendly day tour operating with large 45 to 65-seater coaches. This is not a small-group or minibus tour. You will share the transport with other international travelers.
Next available dates
What’s included
- Transport by air-conditioned minivan
- English-speaking guide
- Fuel surcharge
Not included
- Chairlift tickets - 31.30 BGN per person/ 16 EUR
- Entrance fee for the Rila monastery's museum (optional)
- Food and drinks
- Tip or Gratuities
- Hotel pickup and drop-off
Itinerary
- 1
Departure from the meeting point
Departure at 07:00 am from the bus parking in front of Embassy of Slovakia, next to Vasil Levski Monument.
- 2
Seven Rila Lakes hike
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).
- 3
Rila Monastery visit
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.
- 4
Return at the meeting point
Return at the starting point of the tour at approximately 19:30
Good to know
- Duration
- 12 hours
- How you meet
- Meet on location, or hotel pickup
- Confirmation
- Instant confirmation
- Cancellation policy
- This booking is non-refundable once confirmed.
- Difficulty
- Moderate
- Minimum age
- 12+ years
- Guide
- Guided tour in English · Guidance in English, French, Italian, Spanish, Russian, and German
- Start times
- 06:30 · 06:55 · 06:57 · 07:00 · 08:15
Know before you go
- Public transportation nearby
- Not wheelchair accessible
- 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!
- 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.
- Not stroller accessible
- Not suitable for pets
- Infants must not sit on laps
- Infant seats unavailable
- Not recommended for people with back problems
- Not recommended for pregnant travelers
- Not recommended for people with heart conditions
- Important!
- As with all lifts the one, used for the hike to The Seven Rila Lakes, may stop anytime (due to strong wind, power cuts, etc.). In the rare case, this happens, an alternative hike will be offered on spot by the guide. Mind that such a situation does not make you eligible for a refund.
- Tour with ONLINE (cloud-based) Audio-guide in different languages (EN, ES, IT, FR, DE, RU). INTERNET required to download and use.
Cancellation policy
This booking is non-refundable once confirmed.
Default
Meeting point
View on map
Vasil Levski Monument (Embassy of Slovakia)
- Address
- Sofia Center, Yanko Sakuzov Blvd 9, 1527 Sofia (GPS coordinates: 42.69677705130451, 23.336332286917877) - behind Vasil Levski Monument - IN FRONT OF Embassy of Slovakia, Sofia, Sofia, 1527, BG
- How you meet
- Meet on location, or hotel pickup
- Coordinates
- 42.69676, 23.33676
Illustrative map. Open it in Maps for the exact spot and live directions.
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Frequently asked questions
How long does this experience last?
It lasts 12 hours.
Can I cancel this booking?
This booking is non-refundable once confirmed.
Is this experience guided, and in what language?
Guided tour in English · Guidance in English, French, Italian, Spanish, Russian, and German
Is hotel pickup included?
Hotel pickup is available, or you can meet the group on location.
Where does this experience start?
It starts at Vasil Levski Monument (Embassy of Slovakia), Sofia Center, Yanko Sakuzov Blvd 9, 1527 Sofia (GPS coordinates: 42.69677705130451, 23.336332286917877) - behind Vasil Levski Monument - IN FRONT OF Embassy of Slovakia, Sofia, Sofia, 1527, BG.
Is there a minimum age?
Travellers must be 12 or older.
Still have a question?
Message our team on WhatsApp — we can help with dates, group bookings and anything else before you book.
From AED 246 per person
