13 hours
E-voucher
English
Overview
Reaching the Seven Rila Lakes by public transport typically involves two buses, a shuttle and most of your day. Take the pain out of transportation—while maintaining total independence—with this cost-effective shared transfer. Visit both these beautiful glacial lakes and the Rila Monastery, a UNESCO World Heritage site, with ample time for hiking.
Operated by
URCA Ltd
Ratings & Reviews
Average Rating
4.69
/ 5
210 traveller ratings
5
173
4
23
3
6
2
2
1
6
5
|
4
|
3
|
2
|
1
Don’t fall for this expensive tourist trap scam
Sibby-C12, Apr 2025
Please don’t waste your hard-earned money on this tourist trap scam. Here are some reasons: • The cable cars are not working. Instead, they bring you just a few meters higher up the hill with badly maintained jeeps, in which getting whiplash is not unlikely. Highly irresponsible and dangerous. But you still have to pay an extra €15, risking your life and getting a rude and pushy driver. After the nauseating ride, you still have to walk all the way up for another hour by yourself to the point where the cable cars would’ve brought you. • The tour guide (Apostolos) doesn’t give any information about the lakes or the monastery. Instead, he will ask you to thank the driver multiple times for his service — kind of weird. Also, whenever he does speak, his English is below standard, but he will make sure you have the €15 (30 Lev) with you to pay the “drivers”. • No information about the dangerous conditions on the hill was given. It was wet, snowy, muddy, and slippery. It’s highly dangerous to be left alone there, even as a group, without any guidance or tips. Many people fell and went back down after just a few minutes, full of disappointment and with wet and dirty clothes. Please don’t make the same mistake we did. Rent a car instead — much cheaper and you won’t be left with the feeling of being scammed. Cheers
Response from Host, Apr 2025
Hi, I am really sorry to hear about this negative experience. Unfortunately it seems that an annoying confusion has happened as we don't run any trips to the lakes this month, exactly due to the reasons you mention. Judging from the tour guide name that you mention, it seems that you have used another company named Smart Trans - here is their account: https://www.tripadvisor.com/AttractionProductReview-g294452-d17223841-7_Rila_Lakes_and_Rila_Monastery_Tour-Sofia_Sofia_Region.html You can notice there similar reviews to your experience caused by the conditions. Once again I am sorry to hear of your poor experience and totally sympathize with you on this. But could you please move your comments to the company you have travelled with? As it leaves with the misleading impression that you have travelled with us. And we would love to see you at the Rila lakes from end of May until early November, when normally the season for hiking at the Rila lakes is :) Kind regards, Petar M Rila Shuttle
Highly recommend
egelyk2022, Nov 2024
Everything was well-organized, and Philip made sure we had all the details and tips for the 7 Lakes hike and Rila Monastery. The views were amazing, and the trail was easy to follow. Highly recommend this tour for anyone in Sofia. ????
Amazing experience
DiegoAlejandro_G, Nov 2024
Philip is very friendly and always available to answer any questions you might have even though it is a self-guided tour. Everything was handled perfectly. The landscape was amazing. Make sure to bring confortable shoes. Thank you Philip
Amazing experience
diegoalejandrog65, Nov 2024
Philip is very friendly and always available to answer any questions you might have even though it is a self-guided tour. Everything was handled perfectly. The landscape was amazing. Make sure to bring confortable shoes. Thank you Philip
Itinerary
St. Alexander Nevski Cathedral
Enjoy stunning morning views of Sofia's main landmark
15 minutesSeven Rila Lakes
Admire the beautiful Seven Rila Lakes at your own pace
6 hoursRila Monastery
Admire the biggest Christian Orthodox monastery in Bulgaria
1 hourRila Shuttle
Travel with ease to the Rila mountains from Sofia on the Rila Shuttle
13 hoursAdmission IncludedRila Mountains
Enjoy the beauty of the Rila Mountain in Bulgaria
13 hoursRila National Park
Spend your day at Bulgaria's most beautiful mountain
13 hours
Experience
Highlights
Inclusions
- Driver
- Round-trip shared transfer
- Transport by air-conditioned minivan
Exclusions
- Entrance fees - Rila Lakes chairlift ticket (25 BGN per person, two-way)
- Gratuities
- Food and drinks
- Guide services
- Mountain rescue insurance
Additional Information
- 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.
Guide Languages
English
Cancellation Policy
A full refund will apply if you cancel more than 24 hours before the activity start time.
No refund is possible if you cancel less than 24 hours before the activity start time.