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Rila Monastery and 7 Rila Lakes Self-Guided Shared Trip from Sofia

star-4.541 Reviews
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Sofia, Bulgaria
Rila Monastery and 7 Rila Lakes Self-Guided Shared Trip from Sofia
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Rila Monastery and 7 Rila Lakes Self-Guided Shared Trip from Sofia
The 7 Rila Lakes and Rila Monastery
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From $47.13

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Number of travelers
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Free cancellation
Up to 24 hours in advance. Learn more
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Safety measures
icon13 hours  (Approx.)
Mobile ticket
iconOffered in: English
Good for avoiding crowds

Overview

Reaching the Seven Rila Lakes by public transport typically involves two buses, a shuttle and most of your day. Take the pain out of transportation—while maintaining total independence—with this cost-effective shared transfer. Visit both these beautiful glacial lakes and the Rila Monastery, a UNESCO World Heritage site, with ample time for hiking.
  • See the Seven Rila Lakes and the UNESCO-listed Rila Monastery in one day
  • Enjoy more than half a day exploring the lakes and Rila National Park
  • Revel in the history, frescoes, and relics of Bulgaria’s largest monastery
  • Shuttle departs from and returns to a convenient central Sofia location
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From $47.13

Lowest Price Guarantee
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Round-trip shared transfer
Transport by air-conditioned minivan
Driver
Entrance fees - Rila Lakes chairlift ticket (20 BGN per person, approx 10 EUR, two-way)
Gratuities
Food and drinks
Guide services
pl. "Sveti Aleksandar Nevski" 4 , pl. "Sveti Aleksandar Nevski" 4, 1000 Sofia Center, Sofia, Bulgaria
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Meeting point is at the car parking, behind St. Alexander Nevski cathedral and in front of La Cattedrale restaurant

7:00 AM
This activity will end right where it started.
  • Confirmation will be received at time of booking
  • Not wheelchair accessible
  • A moderate to intensive amount of walking is involved (walking/hiking experience is a must)
  • Comfortable walking shoes and clothes suitable for mountain/walking are required
  • Sun cream and sunglasses are strongly recommended
  • Operates in all weather conditions, please dress appropriately
  • Dress code at the Rila Monastery: high heels, short skirts and trousers, shirts with no sleeves, etc. are not allowed in the monastery.
  • Minimum age is 5 years
  • Near public transportation
  • Not recommended for travelers with back problems
  • Not recommended for pregnant travelers
  • No heart problems or other serious medical conditions
  • Travelers should have a moderate physical fitness level
  • This tour/activity will have a maximum of 36 travelers
  • OPERATED BY URCA Ltd
You can cancel up to 24 hours in advance of the experience for a full refund.
  • For a full refund, you must cancel at least 24 hours before the experience’s start time.
  • If you cancel less than 24 hours before the experience’s start time, the amount you paid will not be refunded.
  • Any changes made less than 24 hours before the experience’s start time will not be accepted.
  • Cut-off times are based on the experience’s local time.
  • This experience requires good weather. If it’s canceled due to poor weather, you’ll be offered a different date or a full refund.
  • This experience requires a minimum number of travelers. If it’s canceled because the minimum isn’t met, you’ll be offered a different date/experience or a full refund.

Learn more about cancellations.

The answers provided below are based on answers previously given by the tour provider to customers’ questions.
Q:
What is the policy on face masks and attendee health during Rila Monastery and 7 Rila Lakes Self-Guided Shared Trip from Sofia?
A:The policies on face masks and attendee health are:

  • Face masks required for travelers in public areas
  • Face masks required for guides in public areas
See all safety measures taken by Rila Monastery and 7 Rila Lakes Self-Guided Shared Trip from Sofia.
Q:
What is the policy on sanitization during Rila Monastery and 7 Rila Lakes Self-Guided Shared Trip from Sofia?
A:The policies on sanitization are:

  • Hand sanitizer available to travelers and staff
  • Transportation vehicles regularly sanitized
See all safety measures taken by Rila Monastery and 7 Rila Lakes Self-Guided Shared Trip from Sofia.

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Reviews

4.5
star-4.5
41 Reviews
5 stars
30
4 stars
7
3 stars
3
2 stars
1
1 star
0

Reviews by Viator travelers

Showing 1-10 of 41 reviews
star-5
Nice trek into the mountains
Marwan_A
, Sep 2021
This is a very nice self guided (on your own) tour. Need to be in reasonably good shape to make the trek up the mountain. Pack variable clothes as weather changes and you will need to shed some layers. Address somehow got me to the wrong place, google S. Alexander Nevski Cathedral.
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1 traveler found this review helpful
star-5
Amazing nature and an incredible culture site
Angel_N
, Sep 2021
The itinerary was explained very well. The hike around the lakes was pleasant - you can choose different levels of difficulty. The view from above the lakes was magnificent. The monastery was absolutely splendid. I highly recommend this trip to everyone.
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star-5
Worth it!
Christine_L
, Sep 2021
Our driver/guide was very friendly and explained the itinerary thoroughly before we left the city. Though it’s a full day, we didn’t feel rushed and felt like we had enough time to enjoy the 7 lakes and Rila Monastery on our own pace. Both of these were the highlights of our trip to Bulgaria, so we enjoyed every moment!
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star-5
The trip was really good!...
MarieChristin_A
, Sep 2021
The trip was really good! Our driver was amazing, he explained everything really well and there was no guide needed for this tour. The day was really great
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star-5
Definitely a must!
joycegrech72
, Sep 2021
A very nice day trip, especially if weather is nice and clear! Highly recommend this tour. Although self-guided, it was very easy to manage on our own.
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star-5
Best day in Bulgaria
Soline_H
, Aug 2021
the discovery of the Seven Rila Lakes was an incredible experience. from the meeting point at the back of the cathedral to the chair lift, and many lanes, the entire walking itinerary has been explained to us with great clarity. Cherry on the cake, the rila monastery really deserves attention, even if it requires a bit of road following the seven lakes. small note to those ladies who would like to visit the monastery, remember to take something to cover your shoulders and knees to be able to enter :) a big thank you to the organizers for this wonderful day !!!! Lots of good memories here
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star-5
Do not hesitate, it's worth it
Inna
, Jul 2021
It's worth it to wake up so early to see such amazing landscape. We had a great guide, very helpful. No need much hiking experience, only good shoes and jacket. The monastery is beautiful and we had enough time to enjoy both the mountain and the monastery!
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2 travelers found this review helpful
star-5
definitely worth it!
Johana_L
, Jul 2021
great trip, breathtaking views, definitely worth participating. we had enough time for the longer route even though we wouldnt consider ourselves being super fit. rila monastery complex was an interesting experience as well, it was raining which made the atmosphere even more adventure-ish
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star-5
beautiful views, overall great trip
Johana_L
, Jul 2021
beutiful trip - we had enough time to walk the longer route (even though we wouldn’t consider ourselves being super fit hikers) and the views were breathtaking. definitely was a highlight of out bulgarian adventure. the rila monastery complex was beutiful as well, we didnt visit any exhibition though
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star-5
Easy and Quick
Rogue R
, Oct 2019
Not much to rate here, they picked us up and dropped us off as needed. We had adequate time and the bus driver was very good. I would recommend that you bring pants for the Monastery because they were not happy with the length of my (male) shorts.
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