The Seven Rila Lakes & Rila Monastery | 12 hours

95 Reviews | Sofia
From $47.52 per person Lowest Price Guarantee
Select Date and Travelers
You can select up to 15 travelers in total.
Adult (12-99) Minimum: 1, Maximum: 15
2
Free Cancellation For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.
Please select a travel date and travelers to show booking options.

Inclusions / Exclusions

  • Mobile ticket
  • Offered in: German, Russian, English, Italian, French, Spanish
  • Transport by air-conditioned bus/coach or minivan
  • English-speaking guide (if guided tour selected)
  • Fuel surcharge
  • Entrance fee for the Rila monastery's museum appr. 5EUR/10BGN (optional)
  • Food and drinks
  • Gratuities
  • Chairlift ticket- appr. 15EUR/30BGN (only cash payments in BGN accepted)

Overview

A whole-day guided trek to the Rila Mountains with its top best locations - the Rila Monastery (UNESCO World Heritage Site) and the 7 Rila Lakes. Experience the two most visited tourist sights in Bulgaria in just one day. Combine great hiking with a full of history visit to the biggest and most important cloister in the country.

Itinerary

  • St. Alexander Nevski Cathedral (Pass By)

    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

    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).

    4 hours

  • Rila Monastery

    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.

    1 hour

  • St. Alexander Nevski Cathedral (Pass By)

    Return at the starting point of the tour at approximately 19:30

Sample Menu

Additional Info

  • Public transportation options are available nearby
  • Not recommended for travelers with spinal injuries
  • Not recommended for pregnant travelers
  • Not recommended for travelers with poor cardiovascular health
  • Travelers should have at least a moderate level of physical fitness
  • 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 FOR MAY AND JUNE DEPARTURES! 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.
  • Important! As with all lifts the one, used for the hike to The Seven Rila Lakes, may halt operations (due to strong winds, power cuts etc.). In this unlikely event, an alternative hike will be offered on spot by the guide. Mind that such a situation does not make you eligible for a refund for the tour.
  • Tour with ONLINE (cloud-based) Audio-guide in different languages (EN, ES, IT, FR, DE, RU). INTERNET required to download and use. Headphones required, too.

Free Cancellation

June 10100% refund
June 11No refund

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.
Traveler Photos
Reviews

4.6

95 reviews

Total review count and overall rating based on Viator and Tripadvisor reviews
  • 5 stars
    74
  • 4 stars
    12
  • 3 stars
    4
  • 2 stars
    1
  • 1 star
    4

Reviews by TravelOne travelers

Showing 1-5 of 74 reviews with 5 stars

Extraordinary view

Published on May, 2025

It’s brilliant experience to travel in seven lake. people was not too much and the view is extraordinary

A must do!

Published on Oct, 2024

Cannot thank Maya enough for the amazing day we had. I would recommend this to anyone, beautiful day out. Difficult terrain in some areas but manageable with a little fitness.

The tour I needed

Published on Sep, 2024

The tour I needed from Sofia to Rila mountains. Very well planned and beautiful scenery! I was a solo traveler, but never been alone - made new friends from all around the world!

Great tour, great guide

Published on Sep, 2024

Our tour was a great mix of nature and history combined with a day-long escape from the city. The tour bus (one of those big ones) was roomy and comfortable. Even in wet weather the Rila Lakes were impressive. Although the tour typically visits the first five lakes, our group was able to see the sixth lake too. At the monastery our guide provided good descriptions of the history and significance of the Rila Monastery. Our guide, Todor, spent a great deal of time walking the bus during the drive answering any questions we had about what we were seeing as well as Bulgaria in general. On tours like this a knowledgeable interactive guide like Todor can turn a good tour into a great one.

Lovely Hike

Published on Sep, 2024

Seven Rila Lakes was a gorgeous hike! We managed to get to all seven lakes in the three hours that we had, which took a bit of hustling! I had expected us to have more time scheduled at Rila Lakes but when we got on the tour we found out we'd only have 2.5-3hrs (but this is because I hadn't realized that Rila Monestary is 1.5hrs from Rila Lakes). The Monestary was very beautiful and the tour guides had a lot of great information about it! There is a small bakery at the Monestary that serves great bread and for very cheap! The bus was large and comfortable. If you like to hike, I'd definitely recommend Seven Rila Lakes! But if you want to hike a bit slower and see all seven lakes, the day tour to just the lakes without the Monestary might be a better option.

Compare Similar Experiences

Current

The Seven Rila Lakes & Rila Monastery
6992P20
time

12 hours

time Free Cancellation
95
From
$48 /   Person
Rila Monastery with Optional Boyana Chur ...
6992RILA
time

8 hours

time Free Cancellation
800
From
$27 /   Person
Rila Monastery and 7 Rila Lakes Self-Gui ...
15352P6
time

13 hours

time Free Cancellation
212
From
$48 /   Person
Plovdiv Full Day Tour from Sofia
6992P9
time

8 hours 30 minutes

time Free Cancellation
202
From
$32 /   Person
Plovdiv and Koprivshtitsa 11-hour Full-D ...
Likely To Sell Out
6992PLOVDIV
time

11 hours

time Free Cancellation
170
From
$58 /   Person
Private city walking tour of Sofia
14199P6
time

2 hours

time Free Cancellation
122
From
$161 /   Person
Rila Monastery and Boyana Church Self-Gu ...
Likely To Sell Out
6992P26
time

8 hours

time Free Cancellation
36
From
$32 /   Person
The Seven Rila Lakes - Small Group Day T ...
Likely To Sell Out
42558P74
time

10 hours

time Free Cancellation
32
From
$32 /   Person
Private City Tour of Sofia
8728P135
time

2 hours to 4 hours

time Free Cancellation
28
From
$31 /   Person
The Most Affordable Private Sofia Walkin ...
8728P134
time

2 hours to 4 hours

time Free Cancellation
18
From
$20 /   Person
2 Hours Walking Tour in Sofia City and T ...
New On TravelOne
5505690P2
time

2 hours

time Free Cancellation
17
From
$41 /   Person
Market Food Tour
40028P6
time

3 hours

time Free Cancellation
17
From
$45 /   Person
Flexible Group Day Trip to Rila Monaster ...
8728P20
time

10 hours

time Free Cancellation
14
From
$31 /   Person
Customers Who Bought This Tour Also Bought
Rila Monastery with Optional Boyana Chur ...
6992RILA
time

8 hours

time Free Cancellation
800
From
$27 /   Person
Admission Ticket to the Museum of Illusi ...
232290P1
time

1 hour to 2 hours

time Free Cancellation
513
From
$18 /   Person
Wine Tasting in Heart of Sofia
207143P1
time

1 hour

time Free Cancellation
480
From
$32 /   Person
Day tour to Skopje, North Macedonia - Sm ...
Likely To Sell Out
87479P2
time

12 hours

time Free Cancellation
341
From
$101 /   Person
Sofia Pub Crawl Tour of The Hidden Uniqu ...
120248P1
time

4 hours to 5 hours

time Free Cancellation
258
From
$19 /   Person
Rila Monastery and 7 Rila Lakes Self-Gui ...
15352P6
time

13 hours

time Free Cancellation
212
From
$48 /   Person
Plovdiv Full Day Tour from Sofia
6992P9
time

8 hours 30 minutes

time Free Cancellation
202
From
$32 /   Person
Plovdiv and Koprivshtitsa 11-hour Full-D ...
Likely To Sell Out
6992PLOVDIV
time

11 hours

time Free Cancellation
170
From
$58 /   Person
Private city walking tour of Sofia
14199P6
time

2 hours

time Free Cancellation
122
From
$161 /   Person
Plovdiv and Rila Monastery tour in one d ...
102527P1
time

10 hours to 11 hours

time Free Cancellation
79
From
$158 /   Person
Sofia Party Pub Crawl - Party Tour of So ...
67401P1
time

4 hours

time Free Cancellation
73
From
$16 /   Person
Full-day Rila Mountains, Seven Lakes Hik ...
32355P5
time

6 hours to 8 hours

time Free Cancellation
61
From
$117 /   Person
Recently Viewed
Origins of Nazism Walking Tour in Munich
290481P6
time

2 hours 30 minutes

time Free Cancellation
18
From
$18 /   Person
Paris Saint Germain Des Pres Walking Tou ...
Likely To Sell Out
47475P39
time

1 hour 30 minutes

time Free Cancellation
133
From
$38 /   Person
Mount Pilatus & Mount Rigi in just 1 Day ...
336218P1
time

10 hours

time Free Cancellation
5
From
$890 /   Person
RHODES BEST TOUR FOR SOPHISTICATED TRAVE ...
170196P4
time

6 hours 30 minutes

time Free Cancellation
15
From
$1,325 /   Group
Mount Rigi Majesty: A Scenic Tour to the ...
Likely To Sell Out
8283P112
time

6 hours 10 minutes

time Free Cancellation
10
From
$323 /   Person
Vintage 2CV Adventure: 2-Hour Paris High ...
126585P9
time

2 hours

time Free Cancellation
148
From
$213 /   Person
Connect with TravelOne
Louise Berg
Destination Expert
Plan your Next Trip
TravelOne Subscribe
We organise unforgettable vacations.
Subscribe for trending deals.
© Copyright 2025 TravelOne Technologies Inc. | All Rights Reserved.
Visa Card Mastercard Maestro Amex Discover

TravelOne uses cookies to give you the best possible service. If you continue browsing, you agree to the use of cookies. More details can be found in our privacy policy.

Do you have a destination in mind, or would you like TravelOne AI to suggest one?

What is your destination?

Are you visiting Japan for the first time?

Travel Date

What is your general interest for this trip?

City Breakup


Travelers Details


Adults
Ages 12 or above
Child
Ages 8-12
Child
Ages 3-7
Infant
Ages 0-2
Adults
Ages 12 or above
Child
Ages 8-12
Child
Ages 3-7
Infant
Ages 0-2

Accommodation Preferences

Preferred Star Rating?

Property Preference?

Property Location?

Preferred Hotel Chain?

Meal At The Hotel?

Dining Preferences

Which meal package would you like to choose?

What are your meal preferences?

Dining Style Preferences?

Cuisine Preferences?

Dining Atmosphere Preferences?

Preferred Meal Times?

Transportation

What are your preferences for Arrival/Departure Airport Transfers?

What are your preferences for internal transfers?

Guide Support

What kind of guide support do you prefer during your trip?

Preferred Language for Guide?

Preferred Type of Guide?

Group Size for Tours with Guides?

Desired Role of the Guide?

Specific Guide Personality/Style Preference?

Do you need dining recommendations/reservations support from the guide?

Flights Preferences

What are your preferences for onward and return flights?

Cabin Class

Preferred Departure Time

Preferred Arrival Time

Preferred Airlines

What are your preferences for internal flight?

Cabin Class

Preferred Departure Time

Preferred Arrival Time

Preferred Airlines

What type of experiences do you seek while traveling?

    Air & Water-Powered Thrill Rides
    Airboat Tours Flyboarding Jet Boat Rentals Jetpacks
    Climbing & Vertical Challenges
    Caving Climbing Ice Climbing Rock Climbing Sea Caving
    High-Adrenaline Aerial Adventures
    Air Tours Hang Gliding Heli-Hiking Helicopter Tours Helicopter Transfers Paragliding Parasailing Skydiving Ziplining
    Land-Based Extreme Driving
    4WD Tours ATV Tours Buggy Rentals Dune Bashing Go Kart Hummer Tours Motor Sports Motorcycle Tours Off-Road Tours Performance Car Driving Road Trip Vespa Rentals
    Sand & Desert Adventures
    Camel Rides Sandboarding
    Snow & Ice Adventures
    Dog Sledding/Mushing Husky Dog Tours Ice Fishing Ice Skating Snowboarding Snowmobiling Snowshoeing
    Unique & Unconventional Challenges
    Bungee Jumping Escape Rooms Flight Simulator Fun & Games Scavenger Hunts Shooting Shooting Ranges Tubing Zorbing
    Water & Surf Sports
    Freediving Kitesurfing Rafting Scuba Diving Surfing Lessons Wakeboarding Waterskiing White Water Rafting
    Classic & Scenic Cruises
    Canal Cruises Catamaran Cruises Dhow Cruises Gondola Cruises Sightseeing Cruises Water Tours
    Multi-Day & Extended Water Journeys
    Multi-day Cruises Ports of Call Tours Shore Excursions Worry-Free Shore Excursion
    Private & Adventure Boating
    Boat Rentals Power Boats Sailing
    Themed & Specialized Cruises
    Dinner Cruises Night Cruises Submarine Tours
    Unique & Alternative Water Travel
    Duck Boat Tours Ferry Services Pack Animal Tours Water Equipment Rentals Water Parks Water Transfers
    Cycling & Eco-Friendly Transport
    Bike Rentals Bike Tours Cycling Cycling Classes E-Bike Tours
    Land-Based Exploration
    Hiking Tours Nature Walks Self-guided Tours Walking Tours
    Nature & Wildlife Conservation
    Eco Tours Nature and Wildlife Tours Wildlife Encounters Wildlife Watching
    Protected Natural Areas
    Involves Animals Involves Poverty Stricken Communities National Parks Nature Parks
    Sustainable & Responsible Travel
    Sustainable Tours Volunteer Tours
    Culinary Classes and Workshops
    Candy Making Classes Chocolate Tours Cocktail Tastings Mixology Classes Olive Oil Tasting Paella Making Classes Pasta Making Classes Pizza Making Classes Wine Making Workshops
    Dining Experiences and Meals
    Breakfast Brunch Dinner Dinner and Show Tickets Lunch Restaurants
    Food & Beverage Tours
    Beer & Brewery Tours Chocolate Tours Coffee & Tea Tours Culinary Tours Pastry Tours Sake Brewery Tour Sake Tasting Street Food Tours Taco Tours Wine Tours
    Food Tastings and Sampling
    Cocktail Tastings High Tea Olive Oil Tasting Sake Tasting Wine Tastings
    Food-Related Cruises
    Brunch Cruises Coffee Cruises Dinner Cruises Lunch Cruises
    Specialized Food Events
    Dining Experiences Dinner and Show Tickets
    Thematic Food Events & Experiences
    Donut Walking Tour Markets
    Classic & General History Tours
    Archaeology Tours Architecture Tours City Tours Cultural Tours Historical Tours
    Historical Landmarks & Sites
    Ancient Ruins Castles Tours Monuments and Memorials Religious Sites
    Industrial & Commercial History
    Factory Tours Plantation Tours
    Literature, TV & Film-Based Tours
    Game of Thrones Tours Harry Potter Tours Literary Tours TV Tours
    Museum & Cultural Institutions
    Attractions & Museums Museum Tickets & Passes Museums Planetariums
    Mystery & Dark History Tours
    Crime Tours Ghost Tours Underground Tours
    Observation & Structural History
    Classic Car Tours Observation Decks Skyscrapers & Towers
    Art & Creative Workshops
    Art Classes Craft Classes Painting Classes Photography Tours Pottery Classes
    City Exploration
    Hop on Hop Off Buses Trolley Tours Tuk Tuk Tours
    Cultural & Heritage Experiences
    Costume Dress Up Experiences Cultural Tours Culture Fashion Shows Fashion Tours Lantern Festival
    Dance & Music Participation
    Dance Lessons Dance Shows
    Historical & Traditional Skills
    Archery Classes Swordsmanship Classes
    Language & Cultural Learning
    Language Classes Spanish Lessons
    Performing Arts & Live Shows
    Acoustic Concerts Ballet Tickets Ballroom Dance Shows Belly Dance Shows Broadway Shows Cirque du Soleil Shows Classical Concerts Classical Music Flamenco Performance Live Concerts Musicals Opera Performances Sufi Whirling Shows Tango Dance Shows Theater Shows Traditional Dance Performances
    Exclusive & VIP Experiences
    Once in a Lifetime Experiences Private and Luxury Viator Exclusive Tours Viator Experience Award 2022 Viator Experience Award 2023 Viator Experience Award 2024 Viator VIP Tours
    Private & Personalized Travel
    Private Day Trips Private Drivers Private Sightseeing Tours
    Romantic & Scenic Experiences
    Helicopter Tours Limousine Tours Luxury Car Tours Photo Shoots Romantic Tours Sunset Cruises
    Weddings & Special Celebrations
    Photo Shoots Wedding Ceremonies Wedding Packages Weddings & Celebrations
    Adventure & Sports in Nature
    Horseback Riding Mountain Bike Rentals Mountain Bike Tours Sandboarding
    Boating & Cruises
    Glass Bottom Boat Tours Gondola Cruises Sailing
    Camping & Outdoor Stays
    Camping Honeymoon Packages
    Fishing & Marine Experiences
    Eco Tours Fishing Charters
    Hiking & Exploration
    Glacier Walks Hiking Tours National Parks Natural Attractions Nature Parks Nature Walks Outback Tours Parks
    Paddle & Active Water Sports
    Jet Ski Rentals Kayaking Tours Stand Up Paddleboarding
    Sky & Aerial Nature Experiences
    Hot Air Balloon Rides Northern Lights
    Underwater Exploration
    Scuba Diving Shark Diving Snorkeling Swim with Dolphins
    Wildlife Observation & Encounters
    Aquariums Bird Watching Dolphin Watching Safaris Shark Diving Swim with Dolphins Whale Watching Wildlife Encounters Wildlife Watching Zoos & Wildlife Parks
    Dance & Cultural Party Experiences
    Disco Dance Shows Luaus Samba Dance Shows
    Festivals & Seasonal Celebrations
    Carnival Christmas Festivals Halloween Mardi Gras Oktoberfest Packages & Special Events
    Live Music & Performances
    Concerts Jazz Shows Live Concerts Music Tours Musical Shows Opera Performances R&B/Soul Concerts Rap & Hip-Hop Concerts Samba Dance Shows Theater Shows
    Nightlife & Entertainment
    Adults-only Shows Bar Tours Burlesque Shows Cabaret Casino Tours Comedy Shows Night Cruises Night Tours Nightlife Pub Tours
    Spectacle & Family-Friendly Entertainment
    Children’s Shows & Concerts Circus Shows Family-friendly Shows Fireworks Shows Shows
    Unique & Themed Experiences
    LGBT Friendly Tours Street Art Tour Theme Parks Universal Theme Parks
    Travel by Season
    Autumn / Fall Spring Spring Break Summer Winter Winter Sports
    Healing & Wellness Experiences
    Spas Thermal Spas & Hot Springs Yoga Classes
    Immersive Spiritual Experiences
    Light & Sound Shows
    Sacred & Religious Sites
    Religious Sites Religious Tours
    Spiritual & Cultural Rituals
    Easter Lunar New Year Sufi Whirling Shows
    Traditional & Cultural Bathing Practices
    Arab Baths Hammams & Turkish Baths Onsens
    Ball Sports
    Golf Tours & Tee Times Lacrosse Classes Softball Classes Tennis
    Combat & Tactical Sports
    Martial Arts Classes Paintball
    Extreme & Challenge-Based Sports
    Obstacle Courses
    Spectator Sports & Events
    Baseball Tickets Horse Racing Rugby Soccer Sporting Event Tickets & Passes
    Sports Training & Lessons
    Cycling Cycling Classes Sports Lessons
    Winter Sports
    Skiing Skiing Classes

    Loading questions for you...! Please wait...!

    Loading questions for you...! Please wait...!