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

Select Date and Travelers

You can select up to 15 travelers in total.

Adult (13-99) Minimum: 1, Maximum: 15

Child (5-12) Minimum: 0, Maximum: 15

Infant (0-4) Minimum: 0, Maximum: 15

Book online or call: +1 437 970 2890

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: English
Driver
Round-trip shared transfer
Transport by air-conditioned minivan

Entrance fees - Rila Lakes chairlift ticket (25 BGN per person, two-way)
Gratuities
Food and drinks
Guide services
Mountain rescue insurance

Overview

This self-guided, shared shuttle tour will take you to both the 7 Rila Lakes area in the morning and then in the afternoon to the UNESCO Rila Monastery in the Rila National park - Bulgaria's most famous natural and cultural sites. In the morning the shuttle bus tour bus will take you to the start of the hiking routes ar the Rila Lakes area and base station of the chair lift from where you can take the chair-lift up in the mountain. You have more than 5 hours for your self-guided tour of the Rila Lakes area. After that in the afternoon the shared shuttle will take you to the Rila Monastery - Bulgaria's most visited cultural and historical site. You have more than 1 hour to explore the monastery site on your own.

Itinerary

St. Alexander Nevski Cathedral

Enjoy stunning morning views of Sofia's main landmark

15 minutes
Seven Rila Lakes

Admire the beautiful Seven Rila Lakes at your own pace

6 hours
Rila Monastery

Admire the biggest Christian Orthodox monastery in Bulgaria

1 hour
Rila Shuttle

Travel with ease to the Rila mountains from Sofia on the Rila Shuttle

13 hours
Rila Mountains

Enjoy the beauty of the Rila Mountain in Bulgaria

13 hours
Rila National Park

Spend your day at Bulgaria's most beautiful mountain

13 hours

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
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.

Free Cancellation

June 19100% refund

June 20No 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

4.7

212 reviews

Total review count and overall rating based on Viator and Tripadvisor reviews

5 stars

176
4 stars

23
3 stars

6
2 stars

2
1 star

5

We perform checks on reviews

We had a great experience touring New York City with Jonathan. He's a great tour guide and he made it very memorable and enjoyable. The tour was also super informative and I'm glad to have had a great tour guide during my visit in NYC. Would definitely recommend this tour to anyone looking for a tour her We had a great experience touring New York City with Jonathan. He's a great tour guide and he made it very memorable and enjoyable. The tour was also super informative and I'm glad to have had a great tour guide during my visit in NYC. Would definitely recommend this tour to anyone looking for a tour her We had a great experience touring New York City with Jonathan. He's a great tour guide and he made it very memorable and enjoyable. The tour was also super informative and I'm glad to have had a great tour guide during my visit in NYC. Would definitely recommend this tour to anyone looking for a tour her We had a great experience touring New York City with Jonathan. He's a great tour guide and he made it very memorable and enjoyable. The tour was also super informative and I'm glad to have had a great tour guide during my visit in NYC. Would definitely recommend this tour to anyone looking for a tour her We had a great experience touring New York City with Jonathan. He's a great tour guide and he made it very memorable and enjoyable. The tour was also super informative and I'm glad to have had a great tour guide during my visit in NYC. Would definitely recommend this tour to anyone looking for a tour her We had a great experience touring New York City with Jonathan. He's a great tour guide and he made it very memorable and enjoyable. The tour was also super informative and I'm glad to have had a great tour guide during my visit in NYC. Would definitely recommend this tour to anyone looking for a tour her

Reviews by TravelOne travelers

Showing 1-5 of 176 reviews with 5 stars

Do book with them if you’re heading to Rila

Published on May, 2025

Booked for the above self guided tour. On the day itself, before the driver sets off, a guide was there to provide us with maps & very useful information pertaining to the trip. Despite it being a self guided tour, the guide is always available via WhatsApp. I like how the schedule runs; about 6hrs for Rila Lakes & one full hr for Rila Monastery. That’s ample time for both spots. In fact, a day before the tour, the guide already dropped us certain crucial reminders (weather,dress code,food options etc). That’s much appreciated. The driver is also very punctual in bringing us from one point to the other. I would highly recommend anyone who’s looking to head to Rila to book direct with them.

Good communication and lovely day trip

Published on May, 2025

Great communication and clear schedule leaving a good amount of time at both the 7 lakes and the monastery. You arrive early at the lakes for the hike which meant (for us at the end of may) that we were pretty much the only ones up on the mountain. Self guided meant there was the free choice to fill in you hours on the mountain and decide on your own how heavy the hike was going to be. Would definitely recommend for others!

The best guide

Published on May, 2025

Wow talk about clear and informative information, our guide Philip was the best! Clearly explaining everything you need to know from pick up points to tips on white hiking routes to take. If only all guides were as good! Highly recommend.

Well organized tour!

Published on May, 2025

It was a truly amazing trip to the Rila Lakes and Rila Monastery. The tour is very well organized, Philip provides all the information you need, and the bus ride felt safe and comfortable. Thank you for this unforgettable day!

Strongly recommendation

Published on May, 2025

The trip was so good, although we joined a self-guided tour, the guide introduced some information about the trip and the lakes in the morning first, then started the tour. I think it’s really informative and helpful.

Compare Similar Experiences

Current

Rila Monastery and 7 Rila Lakes Self-Gui ...

13 hours

Free Cancellation

212

Rila Monastery with Optional Boyana Chur ...

8 hours

Free Cancellation

800

Plovdiv Full Day Tour from Sofia

8 hours 30 minutes

Free Cancellation

202

Plovdiv and Koprivshtitsa 11-hour Full-D ...

Likely To Sell Out

11 hours

Free Cancellation

170

Private city walking tour of Sofia

2 hours

Free Cancellation

122

The Seven Rila Lakes & Rila Monastery

12 hours

Free Cancellation

Rila Monastery and Boyana Church Self-Gu ...

Likely To Sell Out

8 hours

Free Cancellation

The Seven Rila Lakes - Small Group Day T ...

Likely To Sell Out

10 hours

Free Cancellation

Private City Tour of Sofia

2 hours to 4 hours

Free Cancellation

The Most Affordable Private Sofia Walkin ...

2 hours to 4 hours

Free Cancellation

Market Food Tour

3 hours

Free Cancellation

2 Hours Walking Tour in Sofia City and T ...

New On TravelOne

2 hours

Free Cancellation

Flexible Group Day Trip to Rila Monaster ...

10 hours

Free Cancellation

Customers Who Bought This Tour Also Bought

Rila Monastery with Optional Boyana Chur ...

8 hours

Free Cancellation

800

Admission Ticket to the Museum of Illusi ...

1 hour to 2 hours

Free Cancellation

513

Wine Tasting in Heart of Sofia

1 hour

Free Cancellation

480

Day tour to Skopje, North Macedonia - Sm ...

Likely To Sell Out

12 hours

Free Cancellation

341

Sofia Pub Crawl Tour of The Hidden Uniqu ...

4 hours to 5 hours

Free Cancellation

258