A whole-day guided trek to Rila Mountains, exploring probably the most eminent area in the mountains – The Seven Rila Lakes and the most famous tourist attraction in Bulgaria – Rila Monastery (UNESCO).
Explore the Seven Rila Lakes & Rila Monastery: Guided Trek in Bulgaria
$62
Reviews
About This Tour
Inclusions
English-speaking guide
Fuel surcharge
Exclusions
Chairlift tickets - 25 BGN per person
Entrance fee for the Rila monastery's museum (optional)
Food and drinks
Gratuities
Hotel pickup and drop-off
Tour Plan
Departure from the meeting point
Departure at 07:00 from the car park in front of La Cattedrale restaurant, at the south-east corner of Alexander Nevski Square
Seven Rila Lakes hike
The tour begins with an early transfer to the Rila, followed by a brief cable car ride to the Seven Rila Lakes Cirque. The glacier lakes are at between 2100 and 2500m/6800 and 8200ft above sea level, with name fitting their shapes, like Babreka (the Kidney), Okoto (the Eye), and Salzata (the Teardrop). As we need to follow strict time schedule depending on your fitness we can either walk the whole trek around all lakes, or make the stroll shorter and skip some of them (normally the two highest ones).
Rila Monastery visit
Admire the impressive Rila Monastery (UNESCO)- its architecture and the frescoes present the apogee of the Bulgarian Renaissance art. With an about 1-hour guided tour of the most treasured monuments in the inner yard and the Monastery museum (optional), you will learn the most fascinating facts and stories about the biggest Bulgarian monastery complex.
Return at the meeting point
Return at the starting point of the tour at approximately 19:30
Meeting / Pickup
Meet on location or pick-up: Customers can come to our location or we can pick them up on request.
Know Before You Go
- Public transportation nearby
Please Note
- Not wheelchair accessible
- Food:
- although there are two huts on our way where we can purchase some basic food (i.e. beans soup, meatballs, tea) we advise you to come prepared with a lunch pack from Sofia, because the programme today is rather tight and for sure we won’t have much time for a proper lunch.
- Difficulty:
- the hiking route is moderately arduous, with individual brief paths featuring steep inclines. Please bring along comfortable walking boots. Sandals and flip-flops are not accepted. Rain jacket might be useful in summer as heavy showers sometimes occur in the afternoons.
- Important!
- Kindly note, that 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. Keep in mind that some of the lakes may be covered in snow.
- Not stroller accessible
- Not suitable for pets
- Infants must not sit on laps
- Infant seats unavailable
- Not recommended for people with back problems
- Not recommended for pregnant travelers
- Not recommended for people with heart conditions
- Important!
- As with all lifts the one, used for the hike to The Seven Rila Lakes, may stop anytime (due to strong wind, power cuts, etc.). In the rare case, this happens, an alternative hike will be offered on spot by the guide. Mind that such a situation does not make you eligible for a refund.
- Tour with ONLINE (cloud-based) Audio-guide in different languages (EN, ES, IT, FR, DE, RU). INTERNET required to download and use.
Cancellation Policy
- Refund if cancelled at least 1 day before the event
Reviews
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3 Comments
4.4
Exploring the Seven Rila Lakes was an unforgettable adventure, with each lake more stunning than the last, especially when we reached the last one surrounded by towering peaks. The guided trek was well-paced, but we wished for a bit more time at the Rila Monastery to soak in its beauty before heading back to Sapareva Banya.
4.8
We had an amazing time trekking through the stunning landscapes of the Rila mountains, with each lake more beautiful than the last. The highlight was definitely visiting the Rila Monastery, where we soaked in its rich history and serene atmosphere; however, it would have been great to have a bit more time to explore the grounds.
4.2
The breathtaking views of the shimmering lakes were simply mesmerizing, and my guide shared fascinating stories about the monastery that added depth to the experience.