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The Seven Rila Lakes Circuit Full Day Hiking Tour from Sofia

Sapareva Banya10 hours
  • Hotel pickup

About this experience

Spend a day exploring the idyllic Seven Rila Lakes on this small-group hiking tour from Sofia. With an expert guide, travel from the Bulgarian capital to the Rila Mountains, the country’s highest range. Be wowed by sweeping mountain panoramas during a 30-minute chairlift ride, and then set off on foot to explore the lakes. During your 4- to 5-hour hike, you’ll see all seven lakes and enjoy frequent stops to capture photos and rest your legs. Enjoy personalized attention from the guide on this small-group tour, limited to 15 people.

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

  • Professional guide
  • Transport by air-conditioned minivan

Not included

  • Tips and gratuities
  • Chairlift ticket 31.30 levs (Approx. 16 Euro per person)
  • Gratuities
  • Food and drinks
  • Hotel pickup and drop-off

Itinerary

  1. 1

    Meeting and departure

    The trip starts at 07:00 behind Vasil Levski Monument - IN FRONT OF Embassy of Slovakia, Yanko Sakuzov Blvd 9, 1527 Sofia (GPS coordinates: 42.69677705130451, 23.336332286917877)

  2. 2

    Arriving at Panichishte chair lift

    Once the group departs from the starting point, you'll reach the Panichiste lift. Here, you'll pay for the chair lift ticket in cash!!!

  3. 3

    Hiking tour of the Seven Rila Lakes

    On arrival at the Seven Rila Lakes cirque — a chain of deep-blue lakes, each named in accordance to its shape, that lead up toward the Rila Mountains’ highest peaks — set off on foot to explore the scenic sights. With your map in-hand and your guide leading the way, stroll at a leisurely pace along the hiking trails. Wander amid rugged peaks and deep valleys, stopping along the way to capture photos. Pause by the impressive lower lake, Dolnoto Ezero, where the water that flows out of the higher lakes is gathered. See Ribnoto Ezero (‘Fish Lake’), the shallowest of the lakes, and Bliznaka (‘The Twin’), which is the largest of the cirque. Marvel at the irregular shapes of Trilistnika (‘The Trefoil’) and Babreka (‘The Kidney’). Then, see oval Okoto (‘The Eye’) before ascending to Salzata (‘The Tear’), the highest of the lakes, where awe-inspiring vistas await. During the hike, there will be frequent rest stops. You’ll also have the opportunity to stop for food at either one of the two huts passed. Choose from the small selection of dishes, such as soup or grilled meat (own expense), or if you’ve brought your own food with you, enjoy lunch al fresco.

  4. 4

    Arriving back at the meeting point

    Arrive back at the starting point Vasil Levski Monument (Embassy of Slovakia) at approximately 17:30

Good to know

Difficulty
Moderate
Minimum age
9+ years
Languages
British English, Bulgarian
Start times
06:30 · 06:55 · 06:56 · 06:57 · 06:58 · 06:59 · 07:00 · 09:55 · 10:00

Know before you go

  • Public transportation nearby
  • Comfortable hiking shoes. Warm clothes (at least one jacket even in the summertime). Drinks, food.

Cancellation policy

This booking is non-refundable once confirmed.

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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, 1527 Sofia, BG, Sofia, 1527, BG
How you meet
Meet on location, or hotel pickup
Coordinates
42.69676, 23.33676
Get directions

Illustrative map. Open it in Maps for the exact spot and live directions.

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From AED 256 per person