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

Well organized, coach was clean and comfortable with air con. The seven lakes were lovely and Rila monestary was interesting. The only thing I wish I had known is that on weekends the cable car up the mountain is super, super busy and it's essentially a ski lift so you only fit two people at a time. We arrived at 8:45am but I didn't get to the top of the mountain for hiking until 10:30am, even though I went straight to the queue. This meant there wasn't quite enough time to do the longer hike and I was worried about getting down the mountain in time. Had I known I might have booked to do this on a week day instead as the coach times are the same irrespective of the day of the week. Part of the problem was the lift doesn't open until 9am I think, and there were lots of busses of people arriving at the same time. Not the organisers fault but I think it should be flagged at booking.

Everything was wonderful! The lakes were spetacular. Enought time to do everything. Maybe the monastery could be less time, but all good! Defenetly the best thing to in Sofia!