Day trip

From Sofia: 7 Rila Lakes and Rila Monastery Self-Guided Trip

4.5  / 5693 reviews
Activity provider:URCA Travel
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Day trip

From Sofia: 7 Rila Lakes and Rila Monastery Self-Guided Trip

Activity provider:URCA Travel
4.5  / 5693 reviews
Likely to sell out

From $53.75 per person

Likely to sell out

Explore the most famous natural and cultural sites of Bulgaria on a self-guided trip to the 7 Rila Lakes and UNESCO World Heritage Site of Rila Monastery in Rila National Park.

About this ticket

Free cancellation
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Duration 12 hours
Check availability to see starting times.

Experience

Highlights
  • Get back to nature at the 7 Rila Lakes
  • Explore the 10th-century Rila Monastery at your own pace
  • Benefit from a convenient round-trip transfer from Sofia city center
Full description
Depart Sofia in the morning and travel by shuttle bus with a friendly English-speaking driver. Journey in air-conditioned comfort to Panichishte in the beautiful Rila National Park. Get briefed on arrival by your driver, who will tell you the different options and routes you can take up the mountain. Ride the chairlift to the 7 Rila Lakes, where you will get 5 hours of free time to go on some amazing nature walks independently to experience the glacial lakes from different perspectives. Board the shuttle bus at the agreed meeting point and relax on the 2-hour drive to Rila Monastery in a deep valley of the Rilska River. Founded in the 10th century, the monastery complex is regarded as one of Bulgaria's most important cultural and historical monuments. Get 1.5 hours to explore the largest Eastern Orthodox monastery in Bulgaria at your own pace. Then, return to Sofia in the evening and get dropped off at the meeting point.
Includes
  • Round-trip shared transfer
  • Transportation by air-conditioned minivan
  • Licensed driver
  • TIckets for the Rila Lakes chairlift and Rila Monastery History Museum
  • Food and drinks
  • Guide
Not suitable for
  • People with mobility impairments
  • Wheelchair users

Select participants and date

Participants

Date

Meeting point

The meeting point is National Art Gallery, in the carpark at Knyaz Alexander 1 square, in front of the former Royal Palace. The nearest metro station is Serdika. Look for the shuttle with the Rila shuttle sign on the front window.

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Important information

What to bring

  • Comfortable shoes
  • Warm clothing
  • Sunglasses
  • Sun hat
  • Rain gear
  • Packed lunch
  • Passport or ID card for children
  • Cash

Not allowed

  • Pets
  • Smoking in the vehicle

Know before you go

  • This trip involves a moderate to intensive amount of walking. Hiking experience is essential
  • The ticket for the 7 Rila Lakes chairlift costs 25 Leva per person, roundtrip and is payable in cash, onsite (no credit cards accepted)
  • Entry fee for the optional visit to Rila Monastery History Museum is 8 Leva per person, payable in cash, onsite (no credit cards accepted)
  • This trip operates in all weather conditions. Please dress appropriately
  • High heels, short skirts and trousers, and shirts with no sleeves are not permitted to enter Rila Monastery
  • Child/baby seats have to be requested in advance, at least 24 hours before travel date

Customer reviews

Overall rating

4.5 /5

based on 693 reviews

Review summary

  • Guide
    4.6/5
  • Transportation
    4.5/5
  • Service
    4.4/5
  • Organization
    4.6/5

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M
Mark – MaltaNovember 8, 2023 – Verified booking
The guide, bus, and anything related to the initial concept of this tour was awesome. Couldn't commend it enough, especially the monastery part. What came upon me and my girlfriend was unforeseen. We took this tour in early Nov and while the weather was sunny, the winds on top of the mountain were blowing strong and the chair lifts to the lakes weren't working. Our guide, Philip, tried to get us on top of the mountain to the chalet by Jeeps (driven by locals) but they were unavailable in the morning. Therefore we had to hike it up. It took us 2hrs as we are not accustomed to trekking at altitude. My girlfriend suffered a small asthma episode and had to keep our pace slow. Therefore, my suggestion is for people who either have conditions or are not accustomed to trekking to do another tour, especially if out of season. In the end, we still were able to go for a trek and see part of the Rila lakes and even if it was windy we still enjoyed it.
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G
GetYourGuide traveler – BelgiumNovember 6, 2023 – Verified booking
Philip was a very good, reliable, friendly and thoughtful guide. Unfortunately we had to hike up to the actual start of the hiking routes because of the strong wind. The wind kept on getting stronger as the hours passed so it was risky to do a longer/more intense hike, but Philip stayed very attentive, he frequently informed us and kept us up to date throughout the trip. The wind and not operating lift caused quite some delay in the scedule, so we only saw the Rila Monastery at sunset and night and for a shorter period than planned. Still it is a beautiful tour to do, and I would surely recommend to book this tour. The pretty intense day is 100 percent worth it!
Helpful?
K
Katica – HungaryOctober 31, 2023 – Verified booking
our tour guide, Philip was amazing, he informed us about every single detail in a WhatsApp group and even in person. he was friendly and nice, shared nice details and stories about the places we visited that day. he was also taking care of us, the communication with him was easy all day. he was reachable when he needed to be but he could be also in silence when he felt we needed a bit rest after this looong journey. recommended tour and recommended guy. ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
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Product ID: 121476

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