The Seven Rila Lakes Day Tour From Sofia
Overview
Available languages
10 hours
Mobile ticket
Spend a day exploring the 7 Rila Lakes on this group hiking tour from Sofia. Accompanied by expert mountain guides, travel from the Bulgarian capital Sofia, to the Rila Mountains - Bulgaria's highest range. Be wowed by sweeping mountain panoramas during a 30-minute chairlift ride, and then set off on foot to explore the lakes. Enjoy personalized attention from our professional mountain guides (if you have selected the guided option). Depending on the group's tempo, all lakes may be visited.
IMPORTANT:
This tour has variations which depend on the season and whether the lift is operating or not. Please read carefully the description of the option that you are selecting. When the lift is closed for maintenance, the hiking tour is prolonged with 2 hours and the difficulty is high, requiring a good fitness level! During the winter and springtime, the lakes are NOT visible and will NOT be experienced as they are covered in snow.
Additional Info
Public transportation options are available nearby
Not recommended for travelers with spinal injuries
Not recommended for pregnant travelers
Travelers should have at least a moderate level of physical fitness
Please wear hiking boots; sandals and flips-flops are not permitted on this tour
It is advised you wear warm clothing and bring a rain jacket, sunglasses and sunscreen with you
Minimum age is 9 years
A moderate amount of walking is involved (4 to 5 hours)
The Audio-guide in different languages (EN,ES,IT,FR,DE,RU) is ONLINE (cloud-based). INTERNET is required to download and use. Headphones required for listening, too.
Cancellation Policy
For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.
What To Expect
Vasil Levski Monument
The trip starts at 07:00 from the Vasil Levski Monument (Embassy of Slovakia)
Panichishte
Once the group departs from the starting point, you'll reach the Panichiste lift and buy lift tickets (if the lift is operating and not closed for maintanance)
What‘s Included
Transport by air-conditioned bus/coach or minivan
Parking Fees
Professional guide (if guided tour selected)
Chairlift ticket (Approx. 16 Euro per person or 31.30 BGN)
Gratuities
Food and drinks
Options
Lakes below the snow guided
Rila Lakes covered in snow: The area is beautiful, but the weather can be very demanding, and proper hiking equipment and clothes are required.
Lakes without the lift in ES
Spanish-speaking tour guide: Access to the lakes only by foot. Proper equipment and previous trekking experience required. Total walking distance 17 km.
Spanish-speaking tour guide
This option is with a Spanish-speaking tour guide, who'll be with the group for the entire duration of the tour.
Self-guided tour
Transport only tour: Only with a driver, who'll collect you from the starting point of the tour and bring you back. There's no tour guide.
English-speaking tour guide
English-speaking mountain guide & a cloud-based audioguide in different languages:internet connection and headphones required
Lakes below snow in Spanish
Lakes NO lift, self-guided
Longer hiking tour. Proper equipment and previous trekking experience required. Total walking distance 17 km. Guide NOT incl.
Lakes without the lift guided
Lift closed for maintenance: Access to the lakes only by foot. Proper equipment and previous trekking experience required. Total walking distance 17 km.
Reviews
102 reviews
Total reviews and rating from Viator & Tripadvisor
Was great just come...
Perly r,,Oct 27, 2025
- Review from Viator
5.00Was great just come prepare for snow wind and rain. We rented a 4x4 to go up to the chalet to save some time which was great
Worth every step
Sara P,,Oct 5, 2025
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00Guide was amazing and tokd us stories about the lakes & the park itself. The hike to the top and down again took little over 5 hours because of heavy snowfall prior to my visit, but the guide waited and paced himself. Amazing area to explore this way and can definitely recommend!
Must see place with this amazing tour organizer.
5vipinj,,Sep 25, 2025
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00Amazing tour. We are so glad to book the tour with guide. The payment and booking process was smooth and we got instant emails. They sent us detailed information about tour including guide name, phone, time etc. The tour began on time. Guide explained everything in the bus, including weather and currency. The track was arduous but guided slowed down for us as we are not regular trackers. In the end everything was perfect. We captured some amazing pics. Thank you.
Impressive view poor English guidance
shlomogloberson,,Sep 23, 2025
- Review from Viator
3.00Although we paid for a guide in English, we were not guided:: I expect that the guide will hand me a page on which all the trails are marked in English with relevant information (distances, altitudes), and all the cross roads were tourist ( which do not speak Bulgarian) can take the wrong turn. But the view was impressive and the driver was excellent.
Beautiful. Recommend do self guided.
Jill W,,Aug 28, 2025
- Review from Tripadvisor
3.00Beautiful location. The tour guide was disappointing. She wasn’t very communicative and didnt check we all saw if she got moving again after we’d stopped for breaks. Left people behind! We stopped to spend time at the less interesting places and we rushed through the last part of the loop which is the most beautiful. I’d recommend doing self guided.
It was a very good trip,...
Michael C,,Aug 23, 2025
- Review from Viator
4.00It was a very good trip, but a bit badly organised. We were given four different start times between 9.30 and 10 and then ended up leaving at 10.10 because someone was late (probably confused by the many different times given). It also says eight hours and we were gone for ten. Otherwise though the trip was good and enjoyable and the walk well led by Maya. We saw all the lakes. Quite hard walking because the path is very uneven and steep, glad I had proper hiking shoes, but good fun and beautiful views.
Was absolutely marvelous!...
Irene G,,Aug 20, 2025
- Review from Viator
5.00Was absolutely marvelous! Loved our guide Maya and the lakes were just gorgeous. Next time want to see the Dance. Highly recommend!
Yeah, good!
Anthony M,,Aug 6, 2025
- Review from Viator
5.00Top organization, guide speaks very good English and very friendly! Very beautiful landscapes it was perfect, great day!
Well organized tour for beautiful views
Irina L,,Jul 24, 2025
- Review from Viator
5.00Well organized tour. The tour guides are so nice and keep great track of everyone :) I will say that I was surprised at how much hiking we had to do so be aware that you must have good tennis shoes or better, bring hiking shoes. It was about 2 hours up and 2 hours down after we took the lift. I enjoyed the exercise and the views! Beautiful park. Bring snacks or even a sandwich to refuel along the way.
Breathtaking views and great experience
Roving36471473621,,Jul 18, 2025
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00Absolutely stunning hike with unforgettable scenery. The guide was knowledgeable and friendly. Everything was well-organised. Highly recommend!
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