The Seven Rila Lakes & Rila Monastery Full-Day Tour from Sofia
by Traventuria
Choose from 6 available options
How do you want to book?
Book on Viator Confirmed right away, but you pay full price.$104.44Overview
The tour starts at 7:00 AM from the parking lot near the Vasil Levski Monument in front of the Embassy of Slovakia in Sofia. Participants travel by air-conditioned bus or minivan to the Rila Mountains. Upon arrival, there is a short cable car ride to the Seven Rila Lakes Cirque, located between 2,100 and 2,500 meters above sea level. The group can hike around the lakes for up to four hours. The full circuit covers all seven glacier lakes, which are named after their shapes, such as Babreka (the Kidney), Okoto (the Eye), and Salzata (the Teardrop). A shorter hiking route is available that skips the two highest lakes. The hike includes some moderately difficult sections with steep inclines and requires suitable footwear like walking boots; sandals and flip-flops are not allowed. Weather conditions may affect the chairlift operation, and in case it is not running, an alternative hike will be offered. After the hike, the tour visits the Rila Monastery, a UNESCO World Heritage Site. A guided tour of about one hour covers the monastery’s architecture, frescoes, and the museum, which has an optional entrance fee. Participants learn about the historical and artistic significance of Bulgaria’s largest monastery complex. The tour returns to Sofia, arriving around 7:30 PM. Included in the tour are transportation by air-conditioned vehicle, an English-speaking guide if the guided option is selected, and fuel surcharges. Entrance to the monastery museum, food and drinks, gratuities, and the chairlift ticket to the lakes are not included. The chairlift ticket must be paid in cash (Bulgarian lev only). There are two huts along the route where basic food and drinks can be purchased, but the schedule allows little time for a proper lunch, so bringing a packed lunch is recommended. The hike requires a good fitness level and appropriate clothing for potentially wet and slippery terrain, especially in May and June when snow may still be present. An online audio guide in several languages is available for download and requires internet access and headphones.
Highlights
What's included
What's not included
Itinerary
Departure from Sofia
The tour departs at 7:00 AM from the car park next to the Vasil Levski Monument, located in front of the Embassy of Slovakia.
Seven Rila Lakes
The tour starts with an early transfer to the Rila Mountains, followed by a short cable car ride to the Seven Rila Lakes Cirque. These glacier lakes lie between 2100 and 2500 meters (6800 and 8200 feet) above sea level. Each lake is named after its shape, including Babreka (the Kidney), Okoto (the Eye), and Salzata (the Teardrop). Depending on fitness and a strict time schedule, the group can hike the full loop around all lakes or take a shorter route that usually skips the two highest lakes.
240 min
Rila Monastery
The tour continues to the Rila Monastery, a UNESCO World Heritage Site. The guided visit lasts about one hour and includes the monastery’s main buildings, frescoes, and an optional museum tour. The guide provides information on the monastery’s architecture and historical significance as Bulgaria’s largest monastic complex.
60 min
Return to Sofia
Return to the starting point of the tour at approximately 19:30.
Meeting point
IMPORTANT: The meeting point next to Vasil Levski Monument, in front of the Embassy of Slovakia| | GPS coordinates: 42.69677705130451, 23.336332286917877 | Please, be there 15 min. in advance!
End point
IMPORTANT: The meeting point next to Vasil Levski Monument, in front of the Embassy of Slovakia| | GPS coordinates: 42.69677705130451, 23.336332286917877 | Please, be there 15 min. in advance!
Languages
Cancellation policy
- Cancel at least 24 hours before start for a full refund.
Additional info
More things to do in Sofia
- Communist Walking Tour of Sofia
- Transfer services in Sofia with professional driver and cross border fee included
- Admission Ticket to the Museum of Illusions in Sofia
- Lovech, Devetaki Cave & Krushuna Waterfalls Day Trip from Sofia
- Plovdiv, Asen's Fortress and Bachkovo Monastery Small-Group Day Tour from Sofia
The Seven Rila Lakes & Rila Monastery Full-Day Tour from Sofia
by Traventuria
Choose from 6 available options
How do you want to book?
Book on Viator Confirmed right away, but you pay full price.$104.44Overview
The tour starts at 7:00 AM from the parking lot near the Vasil Levski Monument in front of the Embassy of Slovakia in Sofia. Participants travel by air-conditioned bus or minivan to the Rila Mountains. Upon arrival, there is a short cable car ride to the Seven Rila Lakes Cirque, located between 2,100 and 2,500 meters above sea level. The group can hike around the lakes for up to four hours. The full circuit covers all seven glacier lakes, which are named after their shapes, such as Babreka (the Kidney), Okoto (the Eye), and Salzata (the Teardrop). A shorter hiking route is available that skips the two highest lakes. The hike includes some moderately difficult sections with steep inclines and requires suitable footwear like walking boots; sandals and flip-flops are not allowed. Weather conditions may affect the chairlift operation, and in case it is not running, an alternative hike will be offered. After the hike, the tour visits the Rila Monastery, a UNESCO World Heritage Site. A guided tour of about one hour covers the monastery’s architecture, frescoes, and the museum, which has an optional entrance fee. Participants learn about the historical and artistic significance of Bulgaria’s largest monastery complex. The tour returns to Sofia, arriving around 7:30 PM. Included in the tour are transportation by air-conditioned vehicle, an English-speaking guide if the guided option is selected, and fuel surcharges. Entrance to the monastery museum, food and drinks, gratuities, and the chairlift ticket to the lakes are not included. The chairlift ticket must be paid in cash (Bulgarian lev only). There are two huts along the route where basic food and drinks can be purchased, but the schedule allows little time for a proper lunch, so bringing a packed lunch is recommended. The hike requires a good fitness level and appropriate clothing for potentially wet and slippery terrain, especially in May and June when snow may still be present. An online audio guide in several languages is available for download and requires internet access and headphones.
Highlights
What's included
What's not included
Itinerary
Departure from Sofia
The tour departs at 7:00 AM from the car park next to the Vasil Levski Monument, located in front of the Embassy of Slovakia.
Seven Rila Lakes
The tour starts with an early transfer to the Rila Mountains, followed by a short cable car ride to the Seven Rila Lakes Cirque. These glacier lakes lie between 2100 and 2500 meters (6800 and 8200 feet) above sea level. Each lake is named after its shape, including Babreka (the Kidney), Okoto (the Eye), and Salzata (the Teardrop). Depending on fitness and a strict time schedule, the group can hike the full loop around all lakes or take a shorter route that usually skips the two highest lakes.
240 min
Rila Monastery
The tour continues to the Rila Monastery, a UNESCO World Heritage Site. The guided visit lasts about one hour and includes the monastery’s main buildings, frescoes, and an optional museum tour. The guide provides information on the monastery’s architecture and historical significance as Bulgaria’s largest monastic complex.
60 min
Return to Sofia
Return to the starting point of the tour at approximately 19:30.
Meeting point
IMPORTANT: The meeting point next to Vasil Levski Monument, in front of the Embassy of Slovakia| | GPS coordinates: 42.69677705130451, 23.336332286917877 | Please, be there 15 min. in advance!
End point
IMPORTANT: The meeting point next to Vasil Levski Monument, in front of the Embassy of Slovakia| | GPS coordinates: 42.69677705130451, 23.336332286917877 | Please, be there 15 min. in advance!
Languages
Cancellation policy
- Cancel at least 24 hours before start for a full refund.
Additional info
More things to do in Sofia
- Communist Walking Tour of Sofia
- Transfer services in Sofia with professional driver and cross border fee included
- Admission Ticket to the Museum of Illusions in Sofia
- Lovech, Devetaki Cave & Krushuna Waterfalls Day Trip from Sofia
- Plovdiv, Asen's Fortress and Bachkovo Monastery Small-Group Day Tour from Sofia