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  • Bulgaria
  • Blagoevgrad Province
  • Rila National Park
Day trip

From Sofia: The Seven Rila Lakes Full-Day Tour

4.8  / 5
285 reviews
Activity provider:Traventuria Ltd.
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Day trip

From Sofia: The Seven Rila Lakes Full-Day Tour

Activity provider:Traventuria Ltd.
4.8  / 5
285 reviews

From US$ 32.08 per person

Eco-certified
This activity, attraction, or activity provider has been certified eco-friendly by a third-party agency. GetYourGuide works with organizations from all over the world to bring you tours and activities that support sustainable practices.

Enjoy this exhilarating hike into the mountains near Sofia, and discover the picturesque Seven Rila Lakes. After a 90 minute drive to Panichishte, begin your trek and see why these glacial lakes are known as the Blue Pearls of the Rila Mountains.

About this activity

Free cancellation
Cancel up to 24 hours in advance for a full refund
Reserve now & pay later
Keep your travel plans flexible — book your spot and pay nothing today.
Covid-19 precautions
Special health and safety measures are in place. Check your activity voucher once you book for full details.
Duration 8 - 12 hours
Check availability to see starting times.
Live tour guide
English
Optional audio guide
English, Spanish, Italian, French, Russian, German

Experience

Itinerary
  • getyourguide-logo-icon.svg

    3 starting location options:

    La Cattedrale, La Cattedrale, ul. "Oborishte" 1А

  • Bus / coach

    (2 hours)

  • Cable car

    (30 minutes)

  • main-stop-icon.svg

    Rila Mountains

    Hiking (4.5 hours)

  • Cable car

    (30 minutes)

  • Bus / coach

    (2 hours)

  • 3 drop-off locations:

    ul. "Oborishte" 1А, La Cattedrale, La Cattedrale

Main stop

For reference only. Itineraries are subject to change.

Highlights
  • Discover the snow-capped peaks of Rila, a treasure hidden under the blue sky
  • Visit the Seven Rila Lakes, a group of glacial lakes, on a full-day hiking trip
  • Take a chairlift from Panichishte to the top of the world at Rila National Park
  • Admire views of the Rila Mountains, the highest mountain range in Bulgaria
  • Explore Bulgarian nature with a professional mountain guide on your side
Full description

Enjoy a full-day trek into the Rila Mountains to explore the most picturesque area near Sofia and one of Bulgaria's most beautiful natural sites, the Seven Rila Lakes. 

This group of glacial lakes lies between 6,900 and 8,200 feet (2,100 and 2,500 meters) above sea level, surrounded by rugged peaks and deep valleys.

Leaving Sofia, you will drive for 90 minutes to reach the Panichishte resort area, where you board the chairlift to the Rila Lakes mountain hut. 

From here, continue on foot to explore the landscape and its majestic blue pearls – the Eye, the Tear, the Kidney, the Twins, the Trefoil, the Fish Lake, and the Lower Lake.

The route is not difficult and can be altered on the spot depending on fitness levels or strength, following either more gentle routes or steeper gradients. Take your chance to explore the Blue Pearls of the Rila Mountains, and the Seven Rila Lakes.

The local tour operator, Traventuria, was awarded a “Business Which Supports Biodiversity” certification by the Bulgarian Biodiversity Foundation for its “Tours with a Cause” initiative.

Includes
  • English-speaking guide (unless self-guided option chosen)
  • Driver
  • Transfers from Sofia
  • Visit to Rila Monastery (if option chosen)
  • Audio guide (if option chosen)
  • Meals
  • Drinks
  • Personal expenses
  • Tips
  • Chairlift tickets
Not suitable for
  • Children under 12 years
  • Pregnant women
  • People with mobility impairments
  • Wheelchair users
  • People afraid of heights
  • People with altitude sickness
  • People with low level of fitness

Select participants and date

Participants

Date

Meeting point

Meeting point may vary depending on the option booked.

Important information

What to bring

  • Comfortable shoes
  • Windbreaker
  • Sunglasses
  • Hat
  • Hiking shoes
  • Sunscreen
  • Jacket
  • Rain gear
  • Outdoor clothing
  • Quick-dry clothing
  • Trekking gear

Not allowed

  • Baby strollers
  • Unaccompanied minors
  • Slippers
  • Alcoholic drinks in the vehicle

Know before you go

  • The price for a return chairlift ticket is 25 leva (€13) per person
  • The 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. Some of the lakes may be covered in snow
  • The tour can be canceled with the last minute notice (100% refund will be applied) due to harsh conditions or closure of the chairlift

From US$ 32.08 per person

Reserve now & pay later to book your spot and pay nothing today
Reserve now & pay later to book your spot and pay nothing today
  • Give this as a gift

Customer reviews

Overall rating

4.8 /5

based on 285 reviews

Review summary

  • Guide
    4.9/5
  • Transportation
    4.7/5
  • Service
    4.7/5
  • Organization
    4.8/5

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By star rating

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Everything was really nice! They were on time, the car for the transfer is comfortable and has wifi, the guide was super kind, attentive, gave us a lot of informations about the trekking and also about Bulgaria, and was worried about us all the time! Thank you for the good service!

Read more

September 10, 2023

B
Bruna – BrazilVerified booking

Helpful?

This tour is incredible!!! 100% recommended. We met the very friendly, polite and lovely tourguides at a spot close to the city center. We drove around 2h, parked the car and got in a chairlift that brought us higher. Then we hiked. It's so beautiful. Our guide shared so much information about the nature, the country and the people. I highly appreciated this. Enjoyed to the fullest!

Read more

September 9, 2023

N
Nora – GermanyVerified booking

Helpful?

We went on a very bad-weather day and saw nothing of the lakes and the hike was pretty challenging. The group still liked it and had fun but clearly didn’t meet the objective. The guides were amazing, Hristo and Dimitar, but I think the agency should’ve canceled the tour for that day. Overall, if the weather was better we would have had a great day!

Read more

September 8, 2023

P
Petja – GermanyVerified booking

Helpful?

Product ID: 10143

  • Bulgaria
  • Blagoevgrad Province
  • Rila National Park

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