Private Tour
Full-day Rila Mountains, Seven Lakes Hike, and Hot Springs Tour from Sofia
Overview
Available languages
Mobile ticket
Explore the Seven Rila Lakes, the jewel of the Rila Mountains National Park and admire breathtaking alpine scenery! Escape the summer heat in Sofia and enjoy the refreshing mountain climate of the highest mountain of the Balkans! Come join us for a pleasant, easy to moderate walk and relax deeply at the end of the day in thermal pools fed by hot spring waters! All this within a day tour from Sofia!
Additional Info
Specialized infant seats are available
Not recommended for travelers with poor cardiovascular health
Travelers should have at least a moderate level of physical fitness
Operator will be in contact with you regarding weather conditions and what to bring (type of clothing, boots, etc.)
Cancellation Policy
For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.
What‘s Included
VAT and all local taxes
Pick up / drop off at your hotel or address in Sofia
Licensed mountain guide throughout the tour
All transfers
Entrance fee for Sapareva Banya thermal spa’s (from 15 Lev / 8 € per person)
Lunch and drinks (allow 5 € - 6 € for a lunch pack or 8 € - 10 € for 3 course lunch in a mountain hut restaurant)
Rila Lakes chair lift tickets (20 Lev / 10 € round trip ticket)
Tips
Personal travel / mountain insurance
Meeting and Pickup
Pickup points
Select a pickup point
What To Expect
Seven Rila Lakes
Two to five hours hike in Rila National Park in the Seven Rila Lakes cirque admiring spectacular mountain sceneries.
Rila Mountains
You will be picked up early in the morning from your hotel or address in Sofia for a wonderful journey in the Rila Mountains. Within 1.5 hours you will arrive at Pionerska hut (1520 m.), from where the group will take a chair lift to the Rila Lakes hut situated above the tree line at 2150 m.a.s.l. in the Rila Mountains National Park.
Options
EN-speaking live guide
Guided hiking tour 2 persons: Full day private guided hiking tour - price for 2 travelers with EN-speaking guide.
Pickup included
Reviews
70 reviews
Total reviews and rating from Viator & Tripadvisor
Beautiful Day
Flyer229877,
Oct 21, 2025
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00We had a wonderful A+ day. Our tour guide Velko made the long drive interesting and made the time pass quickly. He was not only extremely knowledgeable, and a fantastic story teller but warm, sweet, charismatic man. We were disappointed the chair lift was down so we had to pivot to hike a different area but we enjoyed our time on our hike all the same. We were able to stop in a hut to have a cup a tea on the way up to our hike and then at the end we had a delicious lunch that Velko suggested I I try something I never would have and would have regretted had I not. We finished up the day with a stop in the RILA Spa and the hot springs were glorious. The day was over in a flash and our whole group left happy and fulfilled. Thank you Velko for a true beautiful nature Sofia experience. ❤️
Great experience
נוי א,
Oct 18, 2025
- Review from Tripadvisor
4.00At first I was disappointed because it was supposed to be a snow walk and it said that snowshoes were included but the weather was really bad, not snowing enough and the chairlift was closed. It could be a bit batter if the company can specify that if there is not enough snow plan B is suggested. We had an amazing, really special experience and it all thanks to our guide, Velko. He really made this day great, with a lot of knowledge, patients, friendly approach, he took us to a stunning forest walk with waterfalls, it was the most beautiful view I've seen. Thanks to him we finished the day happy and satisfied despite the weather. My best day in Sofia.
Rila mountains in the snow
jasonbT9688CD,
Oct 11, 2025
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00We had a brilliant trip to Rila mountains and the thermal springs with Velko. Velko was a fantastic guide. He was friendly , extremely informative and very knowledgeable. We had a good laugh and I would highly recommend Velko as a tour guide. Many thanks for a great day and the highlight of our holiday.
Seven lakes
L5612VSethanw,
Jul 16, 2025
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00Me and my brother and two cousins had the most amazing time with Velko walking up the seven lakes and we're amazed by the views and after were treated by a relaxing spa visit. Velko was an amazing guide and taught us so much and was very knowledgeable. Equally he was very funny and enjoyable to talk to. Thank you so much for the most amazing time !
Velko is the best guide one can find :)
achihod,
Jun 12, 2025
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00Velko is the most amazing tour guide, funny, knowledgeable, gives background stories and facts, definitley most warmly recommended. Went with him also to longer tours.
Must do tour
AC0005,
May 1, 2025
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00We were pick up in the morning from our hotel by Phil and taken to the starting point. The chairlift was not operational so we went up the mountain in 4wheel drives. It cost the same as the chairlift. We had a great time, the scenery is spectacular. We got to see 6 of the 7 lakes. Phil was a great guide. He messaged me the day before checking we had all the right gear. We only had runners as shoes and he suggested we have waterproof hiking boots. We went to a shop and bought some and I’m so glad we did. It meant we could go further and see 6 of the 7 lakes. Afterwards we enjoyed a soak in the hot springs. All in all a great day made even bee by Phil. Thank you.
Must do tour
Andrew C,
May 1, 2025
- Review from Viator
5.00This was a great tour if you like hiking. Our guide Phil was very knowledgeable, friendly and helpful.
Mindblowing Experience
308uniquep,
Mar 7, 2025
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00We had an incredible experience in this Full Day Trek cum Hot Springs tour. All the effort we took for climbing the Ice Capped Mountain got eased by the extremely Charismatic Mr. Velko. Velko is not only an amazing tour guide but a very sweet person who has made that one day a memorable one. He is very knowledgeable, well spoken and a true gentleman. Such charisma is very rare. He had provided us all the appropriate safety equipment, patiently explained the mechanism and made sure everyone used it correctly. Thank you Velko and Azimut Tours to have made this a superb experience for us.
Best Activity To Do in Sofia
Oliver B,
Feb 14, 2025
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00One of the most enjoyable days imaginable. Daniel was an excellent guide throughout. As we went in the winter, the lakes were covered by snow and it was breathtaking. The thermal spa was a perfect way of ending it too.
Sad
Asha P,
Feb 11, 2025
- Review from Viator
2.00Disappointing and scary experience. The car was in shambles, unclean. We didn’t hike the mountains, it wasn’t great! The tour guide was not up to scratch sadly.
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Operated by Azimut Tours