
Incredible Day tour from Sofia to 7 Rila lakes and Rila monastery
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September 2026
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Who is going?
Adults
Age 13 and over
Children
Age 12 and under
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Free cancellation up to 24 hours before. Same price on Viator, Outty earns a commission.
Traveler rating
4.9/5
Based on 10 traveler reviews. Ratings and reviews provided by Viator and Tripadvisor.
Quick answer
Is Incredible Day tour from Sofia to 7 Rila lakes and Rila monastery worth booking?
Incredible Day tour from Sofia to 7 Rila lakes and Rila monastery is a 0.2-hour experience in Sofia, Bulgaria, from $153 per person. It scores 57 out of 100 on the Outty Ranking, which we label “Worth a Look”, based on a 4.9/5 rating across 10 reviews. Cancellation is free up to 24 hours before the start time. Same-day spots are currently showing.
- Outty Ranking
- 57 / 100
- Rating
- 4.9/5 (10)
- Duration
- 0.2 hours
- From
- $153 per person
You will have the unique opportunity to visit and take wonderful photos of the two most interesting and beautiful destinations in Bulgaria in one day. The excursion combines active recreation - hiking and cultural immer
What you get
About this experience
You will have the unique opportunity to visit and take wonderful photos of the two most interesting and beautiful destinations in Bulgaria in one day. The excursion combines active recreation - hiking and cultural immersion in ancient times. Energy and magic are usual words in the descriptions of the Seven Rila Lakes – The Tear, The Eye, The Kidney, The Twins, The Trefoil, The Piscine an The Lower lake. At the end of the hiking is waiting 360 panoramic view. A moderate amount of walking is involved. After the hike we are heading southwes where we will show you the hidden treasure of the early Christianity. Deep in the Rila Mountain is situated the biggest symbol of Christianity in Bulgaria- Rila Monastery. The Monastery was founded by the hermit St. Ivan Rilski in the beginning of X century. The monastery is the most visited cultural site in Bulgaria. Part of UNESCO World Heritage Site. You will be captivated by the beautiful scenery during the trip!
What's included
Included
- Bottled water
- In-vehicle air conditioning
- Tea and coffee
Not included
- Lunch
- GST (Goods and Services Tax)
What you'll see and do
Seven Rila Lakes
The van will take us to Rila National park. About 2 hours transfer. Our trekking starts at 1800 altitude and ends at 2500 altitude at the last lake called The “Tear”. From that point we can see the all 7 lakes! You will be walking in to the Rila National park to see the crystal pure lakes. Most of the lakes are glacial and their names are connected to their shape. Panoramic view to Vitosha, Rila and Stara Planina mountains. Additional info: • A moderate walking is involved • Duration: 3-4 hours • Prepaer sandwiches and water • Bring Sunscreen • Comfortable clothes and walking shoes
180 minutes here · Admission not included
Rila National Park
It was established on 1992 to protect several ecosystems of national importance. Its altitude varies from 800 m (2,600 ft) to to 2,925 m. Forests occupy 534.81 km2 or 66% of the total area. There are approximately 1,400 species of vascular plants, 282 species of mosses and 130 species of freshwater algae. The fauna is represented by 48 species of mammals, 99 species of birds, 20 species of reptiles and amphibia and 5 species of fish, as well as 2,934 species of invertebrates, of which 282 are endemic.
Pass by without stopping
Geyser
The only one natural geyser in Bulgaria, with the hotest water- 103°C
5 minutes here · Admission included
Rila Monastery
After the lakes we will explore Rila National park from the south part of the mountain, where we will show you the hidden treaser of the early Christianity. Deep in the Rila Mountain, in the southwestern part of Bulgaria is situated the biggest symbol of Christianity in Bulgaria- Rila Monastery. The Monastery was founded by the hermit St. Ivan Rilski in the beginning of X century. The monastery is the most visited cultural site in Bulgaria. Part of UNESCO World Heritage Site. Тhe monastery has been a part of several epochs from our history.
120 minutes here
Where it starts and ends
Meeting point
Sofia
We will meet you infront of the main gate!
Hotel pickup
Pickup is available for selected locations. Pickup begins about 5 minutes before departure.
Ends at
We will meet you infront of the main gate!
Before you book
- Cancellation
- For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.
- Languages
- en
- Ticket
- Mobile Only
- Runs on
- Every day
- Group size
- Up to 14 travelers per booking
- Operated by
- campfirebg, ltd
Know before you go
- Specialized infant seats are available
- 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
Photos






What travelers are saying
Outty’s summary of the themes that recur across 10 traveler reviews. Written by us, not quoted from reviewers.
The guide
7 mentionsTravelers single out the guide as the reason the experience works.
Knowledge and storytelling
7 mentionsReviewers describe the commentary as informative rather than scripted.
Photo opportunities
5 mentionsThe views and photo stops come up again and again.
Physical effort
5 mentionsExpect real walking or climbing: reviewers mention the effort involved.
Value for money
2 mentionsTravelers feel they got more than they paid for.
Traveler reviews
10 verified traveler reviews for Incredible Day tour from Sofia to 7 Rila lakes and Rila monastery. Ratings and reviews provided by Viator and Tripadvisor.
Incredible experience with an Incredible guide!
Wow! What a sensational walk! Unfortunately, we could not visit all the lakes because of the weather, however, it was possible to see how wonderful and challenging this tour is. Our guide was Ves, a sensational Cover who showed us everything in detail and explained. It is impressive the attention of Ves to all the details of the tour, an amazing guide and who clearly was very concerned not only with our well being on the tour, but in passing all possible information. Even with the downtime (elevator was not working for a few hours), we managed to meet the schedule. I highly recommend the tour, the Enterprise and the excellent guide.
via Viator (translated)
An Outstanding Day from Start to Finish
We had the absolute pleasure of having Radu as our guide, and we couldn’t have asked for a better experience. From the very beginning, he was proactive and thoughtful—he even reached out to us before the tour to make sure everything was in place. Radu was calm, punctual, and incredibly well-organized, which made the day feel relaxed and enjoyable. What really stood out was how genuinely caring he was. He kept an eye on the mountain weather to help us stay prepared, let us know about restroom stops, and checked in with us about food preferences and needs. His communication was clear and kind throughout. Radu answered all of our questions with patience and insight, helping us gain a deeper appreciation for Bulgarian culture and history. We also loved hearing his personal stories—especially the sweet ones about his grandmother’s garden. Spending the day with Radu was a true highlight of our trip. It felt like exploring with a friend who cared. We wholeheartedly recommend him to anyone visiting Sofia.
via Viator
Trip to the lakes and the Rila Monastery
He was a great hiker and led us to the best views of the lakes. Somewhat quiet but knowledgeable when you asked questions. He drove well. At the Monastery he introduced us to very good pastries which we appreciated after that hike! A long day because driving from one stop to the next was about 1 1/2 hours.
via Viator
A Thoughtful and Charming Guide Who Made My Solo Mountain Day Tour Truly Special
I had an amazing day tour with Lyuben. From the very beginning, Lyuben took the initiative to contact me in advance to arrange the pick-up and share helpful information about what to bring and what to expect. His clear and friendly communication gave me peace of mind and built up my excitement for the trip. When we met, I was immediately struck by how warm, easygoing, and genuinely lovely he was to talk to. Having traveled to Asia himself, Lyuben had so many interesting stories to share, and we easily found common ground. Conversations flowed effortlessly, making the journey feel more like a day out with a friend than a guided tour. Due to unexpected snow, the original hiking plan had to be changed, and we ended up doing two shorter hikes and they turned out to be the perfect way to enjoy the fresh mountain air and stunning views. Lyuben's love for nature and the mountains really came through, and it made the whole experience even more special and grounding. Overall, Lyuben was attentive, engaging, and full of local knowledge, and his thoughtful approach made my solo adventure feel safe, personal, and full of joy. I'm so glad I had the chance to explore Bulgaria’s mountain beauty with someone who truly loves what he does. Highly recommended for solo travelers and small groups alike!
via Tripadvisor
A Thoughtful and Charming Guide Who Made My Solo Mountain Day Tour Truly Special
I had an amazing day tour with Lyuben. From the very beginning, Lyuben took the initiative to contact me in advance to arrange the pick-up and share helpful information about what to bring and what to expect. His clear and friendly communication gave me peace of mind and built up my excitement for the trip. When we met, I was immediately struck by how warm, easygoing, and genuinely lovely he was to talk to. Having traveled to Asia himself, Lyuben had so many interesting stories to share, and we easily found common ground. Conversations flowed effortlessly, making the journey feel more like a day out with a friend than a guided tour. Due to unexpected snow, the original hiking plan had to be changed, and we ended up doing two shorter hikes and they turned out to be the perfect way to enjoy the fresh mountain air and stunning views. Lyuben's love for nature and the mountains really came through, and it made the whole experience even more special and grounding. Overall, Lyuben was attentive, engaging, and full of local knowledge, and his thoughtful approach made my solo adventure feel safe, personal, and full of joy. I'm so glad I had the chance to explore Bulgaria’s mountain beauty with someone who truly loves what he does. Highly recommended for solo travelers and small groups alike!
via Viator
Good to know
- Duration
- 0.2 hours
- Free cancellation
- Up to 24h before
- Minimum age to book
- All ages
- Availability
- Bookable today
- Runs on
- Every day
- Hotel pickup
- Available for selected locations
- Booked in 30 days
- 4
- Verdict
- Worth a Look
Why this scores 57
The Outty Ranking is a weighted composite. Here is how this experience performed on each component.
Incredible Day tour from Sofia to 7 Rila lakes and Rila monastery: questions travelers ask
Practical detail on this experience, plus the wider planning questions for Sofia.
How much does Incredible Day tour from Sofia to 7 Rila lakes and Rila monastery cost?
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Prices start at $153 per person. The final price depends on the date, the time slot and the number of travelers, and peak weekends in Sofia usually price higher than midweek mornings. Live pricing and remaining availability are confirmed on the booking screen before you pay.
How long does Incredible Day tour from Sofia to 7 Rila lakes and Rila monastery take?
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Plan for about 0.2 hours from start to finish, not counting travel to the meeting point. Most travelers leave another 30 minutes on either side so the rest of the day in Sofia is not rushed.
Is Incredible Day tour from Sofia to 7 Rila lakes and Rila monastery worth it?
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It holds an Outty Ranking of 57 out of 100, which we label "Worth a Look". That score blends traveler sentiment (4.9/5 across 10 reviews), the depth of that review evidence, recent booking momentum, value for money against comparable last minute in Sofia, and how flexible the cancellation terms are.
Can I cancel or reschedule Incredible Day tour from Sofia to 7 Rila lakes and Rila monastery?
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Yes. Cancel free up to 24 hours before the start time for a full refund. Inside that window the booking is non-refundable, and no-shows are not refunded.
Is Incredible Day tour from Sofia to 7 Rila lakes and Rila monastery suitable for kids and families?
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Yes, all ages are welcome. Families should still weigh the 0.2-hour running time, and strollers are easier on the earlier, quieter departures.
How far in advance should I book Incredible Day tour from Sofia to 7 Rila lakes and Rila monastery?
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Around 4 people booked this in the last 30 days, so popular slots go early. Two to three weeks ahead is comfortable in shoulder season, while summer weekends and holidays in Sofia can sell out a month out. Same-day spots do open up when other travelers cancel, so it is worth checking if you are already in town.
What should I bring or wear?
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Bring photo ID, your booking confirmation on your phone, a refillable water bottle and comfortable shoes. Dress for the weather in Sofia and add a light layer if any part of the 0.2-hour experience runs outdoors or after sunset.
Where does Incredible Day tour from Sofia to 7 Rila lakes and Rila monastery start and how do I get there?
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The exact meeting point and directions are on your voucher once you book, and they sit in central Sofia within reach of public transport. Arrive 15 minutes early: late arrivals are treated as no-shows by most operators.
What are the best things to do in Sofia?
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On Outty we rank every Sofia experience on the same 0 to 100 scale, and alongside this one the highest scorers right now include Communist Walking Tour of Sofia, Sofia Highlights 2 Hour Sightseeing Walking Tour, Sofia Escape Room - Teorema Rooms. The city page groups everything into most popular, highest reviewed, last minute and family-friendly so you can build a day around what actually delivers.
When is the best time to visit Sofia?
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Booking patterns follow the same curve: prices and queues climb in peak weeks, while shoulder season gives you better availability on the top-ranked experiences and more room to change plans.
How many days do you need in Sofia?
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Three full days covers the headline sights without sprinting. A workable rhythm is one anchor experience each morning, such as this one, an unhurried afternoon in a single neighborhood, then a food or nightlife booking in the evening. Five days lets you add a day trip outside the city.
Do I book through Outty or through the operator?
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Outty ranks and explains the experiences, then hands you to Viator to complete the booking with the operator directly. The price is the same as booking on Viator yourself, and Outty earns an affiliate commission on the referral, which is how the rankings stay free to read.
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