The Seven Rila Lakes Day Tour From Sofia
Recommended by 94% of travelers
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Sofia, Bulgaria
- 10 hours (approx.)
- Mobile ticket
- Offered in: English
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Overview
Hike through rugged terrain to the Seven Rila Lakes on a full-day tour from Sophia, and discover the remarkable scenery of the Rila Mountains. Take a chairlift to a high-mountain hut and continue on foot along the jeweled string of lakes. Follow your guide through alpine passes into remote valleys, then rest in the shade of hikers’ shelters; take in sweeping views of the Bulgarian landscape and enjoy the crisp, clear air of the Balkans’ highest mountain range.
- Small-group Seven Rila Lakes hiking day trip from Sofia, led by an expert guide
- Relax during a scenic journey out of the city to the Rila Mountains
- Absorb the mountain vistas on a chairlift ride from Panichishte resort
- Please kindly note that the hike can be challenging depending on your fitness level
- Numbers limited to 15 people, ensuring a small-group experience
What's Included
- Professional guide (if guided tour selected)
- Transport by air-conditioned bus/coach or minivan
- Parking Fees
- Chairlift ticket (Approx. 16 Euro per person or 31.30 BGN)€16.00 per person
- Gratuities
- Food and drinks
Meeting and Pickup
Meeting point
- Sofia Center, bul. "Yanko Sakazov" 9, 1527 Sofia, Bulgaria
IMPORTANT: The meeting point is the Vasil Levski Monument (Embassy of Slovakia). Please, be there 15 min. in advance!
End point
This activity ends back at the meeting point.Itinerary
Vasil Levski Monument (Pass By)
Panichishte (Pass By)
1
Seven Rila Lakes
5 hours • Admission Ticket Free
Vasil Levski Monument (Pass By)
Additional Info
- Confirmation will be received at time of booking
- Not wheelchair accessible
- Near public transportation
- Not recommended for travelers with back problems
- Not recommended for pregnant travelers
- Travelers should have a moderate physical fitness level
- 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.
- This tour/activity will have a maximum of 30 travelers
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Cancellation Policy
You can cancel up to 24 hours in advance of the experience for a full refund.
Traveler Photos
Reviews
4.7
based on 103 reviews
Perly_r, Oct 2025
Was 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
shlomogloberson, Sep 2025
Although 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.
Michael_C, Aug 2025
It 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.
Irene_G, Aug 2025
Was absolutely marvelous! Loved our guide Maya and the lakes were just gorgeous. Next time want to see the Dance. Highly recommend!
Irina_L, Jul 2025
Well 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.
Travis_B, Jun 2025
Fantastic experience, we are from Australia and thoroughly enjoyed the tour. Be prepared to bring some warmer clothes as gets very cold at the top and on the chairlift. If you enjoy walking/hiking, thoroughly recommend. Remember to take cash with you for chairlift in case eftpos not working. Tour guide Radi and driver Mitko were fantastic.
Rich_J, Jun 2025
Good tour awesome driver all around great experience. Most beautiful hike I’ve ever done takes about four hours to get to the top. About 15 minutes each way in the lift.
Maia_K, Jun 2025
The day trip to the lakes was amazing. There is no other way to describe it.
The driver and the guide, Nadya, were very friendly and punctual and super accommodating. The hike was a bit more challenging than described so be aware. We are experienced hikers but there were some people in the group that struggled. Bring hiking poles!
We would love to do another trip with this company!
Maria_O, Oct 2024
Great day hiking the 7 lakes, would thoroughly recommend all a day for this. Yuri was interesting and informative. Great day out! Thanks
Jeniffer_C, Oct 2024
It was the best part of our balkan exploring tour.
Our hike guide looks like antonio banderas 😆 just a bit younger.
Judith_K, Sep 2024
This was the best trip I've done in recent times, from the 30 minute chairlift ride to tbe top of the mountain.
The views were breathtaking and exhilarating, it was superb.
It was tiring as there is lot of uphill walking but the paths are good and I went with the guide Radoslav who was excellent.
Going in September meant that the temperature was manageable but you run the risk of rain. I advise that you wear protective clothing and good shoes for this reason. It's also good to wear layers.
It was the highlight of my trip to Bulgaria.
Response from Host, Sep 2024
Dear Judith,
Thank you very much for your lovely review. Your feedback is of great value to us and we appreciate you taking the time to share your experience here with others on Viator. We are more than happy you enjoyed your trip and Traventuria met your expectations. Radoslav is one of our best mountain guides and he was very pleased with your kind words, too.
Looking forward to meeting some day again in Bulgaria. We would like to show you more of it.
With best regards, Nora Dobrinska (Traventuria Team)
Naomi_A, Sep 2024
After a half hour journey up in the ski lift, it was a beautiful hike up into the hills to see the lakes. I would call it a moderate to difficult walk with the climbing up and down in parts. We decided to go at our own pace which was a great decision. The views are spectacular and the weather was perfect in September.
Response from Host, Sep 2024
Dear Naomi,
Thank you very much for your kind feedback and review. We greatly appreciate your time and are glad you enjoyed your trip with Traventuria. We would be more than grateful to have you again on a tour with us.
With kind regards, Nora Dobrinska (Traventuria Team)
Kerry_E, Sep 2024
Getting to the top of the mountain was quite an achievement for me. In the app it describes the walk as 'leisurely'...it's not...there are some quite hard parts to it alongside some more 'leisurely' parts. I was concerned that I wouldn't make it but with the support and patience of my guide (Maya) and fellow travellers, I climbed my first mountain! I cannot tell you how exhilarating that was! The walk had some tough parts, but it was so worth it with spectacular views and an enormous sense of achievement. Maya was the perfect guide: warm, friendly and very knowledgeable.
Jennifer_M, Aug 2024
Our guide Stoyan was an excellent, knowledgeable and experienced mountain guide. He knew how to give us the best route to see the 7 lakes. He was attentive to my mother who had some difficulty in some section. Excellent experience
Ralitza_D, Aug 2024
Amazing experience. The views are incredible and the guide Yordan was amazing. One of the best family excursions ever. Highly recommend!
Colin_K, Jul 2024
Good experience! Kind and helpful driver Georgi, good amount of time once we reached the lakes with clear basic instructions and then left us to do as we pleased. There really isn't any other easy way to reach this spot and this is a solid, cost-effective option for those looking to get out of Sofia for the day.
HYEKYUNG_J, Jul 2024
I mean the rila lakes are gorgeous and should definately experience in Bulgaria. but... I recommend to just book a self guided.. because even though I paid more for the english guided.. but there was no english guide..........
Response from Host, Jul 2024
Dear, Hyekyung Jung,
Thank you very much for your feedback. It is of great value to us and we appreciate your time. We are sorry to hear that this experience has not met your expectations. However, the tour to the 7 Rila Lakes is a group tour experience and the guide of the trip has to keep up with the overall pace of the majority of the group. Unfortunately, this could sometimes be slow for people who are better fitted physically than others and have the ability to climb the lakes faster than the rest of the group. However, the guide has to be with the group and maintain the pace with the slowest person in the group, because no one has to be left behind.
Please, accept our apology once again for not meeting your expectations.
We look forward to seeing you again in Bulgaria. Give us the chance to show you more beautiful places around.
Best regards,
Nora Dobrinska (Traventuria Team)
Nahum_W, Jul 2024
Great tour, great hike, beautiful views. The difficult level is moderate. Would highly recommend to everyone interesting in seeing some amazing views.
Nikol_S, Jun 2024
Great way to spend a day with an amazing views out in the nature. Our guide Radi and our driver Dimitar were very friendly and profesional. They kept is informed during the whole time. Radi showed us a beautiful way through the lakes where we were able to see all of them and he made sure we all had the best time and best views during the day. Highly recommended! Thank you! 😊
Whorror_C, Jun 2024
It was a tough uphill climb to the peak. I wanted to give up and to wait below at the lake. The guide gave me personal encouragement to push the boundaries of my abilities. His care for each member of the group and his belief in the abilities of the group made this trip great.
Concetta_D, Jun 2024
A good trek but I visited in late May and could only safely get to see 5 of the 7 Lakes. To get the full experience and see all the Lakes from the best vantage points it is best to visit in July or August.
Simon_E, May 2024
Great guides, comfy transport good communication. Had we known that you had no chance of getting to see more than three lakes because of the snow we would have not booked the trip. Was told it would be a 17 K walk and was actually only 5 to 6K. Not the fault of the guides at all, but still should have told us when booking.
Gareth_D, Apr 2024
Super experience. Guides had good English and you felt safe. Using the cable car is a MUST. Need hiking boots/shoes but essential in April as 2ft of snow. Crampons recommended in early season.
Tamara_W, Oct 2023
Brilliant trip and very organised. plenty of times to explore all of the lakes and not very difficult. can be steep in parts but saw people of all ages and capabilities doing it. great views
Response from Host, Oct 2023
Dear Tamara,
Thank you very much for this lovely review. Your feedback is of great value to us and we appreciate your time. Hiking the Rila Lakes is a must-do while in Bulgaria and we are glad you enjoyed it. Looking forward to seeing you again for more trips together. Safe travels! Nora Dobrinska (Traventuria Team)
Georsadd_G, Oct 2023
This has to be the highlight of my second trip to Bulgaria. It was a challenging hike as the chairlifts were not operational during the time of my visit. Our ascent was super challenging as it was raining and the wind was super strong. We saw five of the seven lakes - and they were all amazing.
Response from Host, Oct 2023
Dear Georsadd,
Thank you very much for your feedback. It is of great value to us and we appreciate your time. Hiking to the Seven Rila Lakes without the ride from the chairlift could be quite challenging and we are so proud of you. We are sorry weather has not been great and look forward to meeting you again for this trip next summer. Give us another chance to impress you. With best regards, Nora Dobrinska (Traventuria Team)
Olia_E, Sep 2023
We where very lucky with the weather. For September it was beautiful sunny day and views where excellent. Our guided tour group was rather large about 35 people and we quickly found friends to chat while walking. We had plenty of stops for photos and we did not feel tired when get to the hut for lunch. Great tour!
Response from Host, Sep 2023
Dear Olia,
Thank you very much for your feedback and 5-star review. We appreciate your time and are happy you have enjoyed your trip. Looking forward to seeing you again in the future. Best regards, Nora Dobrinska (Traventuria Team)
Tanya_R, Aug 2023
This was fantastic but you should know it is a hike and not appropriate for people who are out of shape
Response from Host, Sep 2023
Dear Tanya,
Many thanks for your feedback. We greatly appreciate your time. The tour to the 7 Rila Lakes is a hiking trip indeed. We are happy you have enjoyed it and we look forward to seeing you again in the future.
Best regards, Nora Dobrinska (Traventuria Team)
Sagi_M, Aug 2023
Beautiful view all the way, It all depends on the weather.It is not an easy climb to the mountain But worth it.
Response from Host, Aug 2023
Dear Sagi,
Many thanks for your feedback. We appreciate your time. The route is indeed steep at some points, but in this way making the climbing the top so much more rewarding. Looking forward to seeing you again for more trips together. It would be great to give us another chance to impress you. Next time with 5 out of 5 stars.
Best regards, Nora Dobrinska (Traventuria Team)
MUHAMMAD_I, Aug 2023
Both tour guides and driver were very friendly and cooperative and well experienced.
Drive was very peaceful and enjoyable.
The rail car experience was great.
Hiking was incredible but tiring.
Response from Host, Aug 2023
Hello and thank you very much for your feedback. We appreciate you taking the time to review us here on Viator. Our guides and driver will be very happy with your kind words. Looking forward to seeing you again in the future! Best regards, Nora Dobrinska (Traventuria Team)
ZAINULABIDEEN_P, Jul 2023
Amazing trip,
Better not to combine with monastery
Really worth to explore
Wonderful tour guides
Highly recommended
Response from Host, Jul 2023
Dear Zainula,
Thank you very much for your feedback and 5-star review. We greatly appreciate it. Looking forward to seeing you again in the future.
Best regards,
Nora Dobrinska (Traventuria Team)
From $41.18
per personup to 24 hours before the experience starts (local time)
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