From Sofia: Seven Rila Lakes & Rila Monastery Full-Day Tour

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From Sofia: Seven Rila Lakes & Rila Monastery Full-Day Tour

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Be enchanted by the allure of the 7 Rila Lakes and the Rila Monastery (when available) on this unforgettable tour. Explore the natural wonders of the Rila Mountains on a guided hike.

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Highlights

Get breathtaking views during a morning trek of the 7 Rila Lakes
See the pearls of the Rila lakes -The Fish Lake, The Twins, and The Trefoil
Learn more about Bulgaria's history and architecture with a professional guide
Enjoy a ride on an open-air lift up to the hut (the beginning of the trail)

Description

Please note that there is a shorter version of this tour (10 hours), which does not include a visit to the monastery. On some days when the full tour is fully booked, only the shorter version is offered. Kindly select the option that suits you best. This full-day tour is designed for active people wishing to combine a trek to natural wonders, with a tour of the most visited tourist attraction in Bulgaria, the magnificent Rila Monastery. Departing Sofia, you will head for the Rila Mountains, where you will enjoy a moderate hike through what is arguably the most distinguished area in the mountains, the 7 Rila Lakes. After a transfer of approximately 90 minutes, you will reach the region of Panichishte, where you will board a chair lift to the Rila Lakes hut. Consisting of a group of glacial lakes, the 7 Rila Lakes is located at an altitude of between 6,900 feet (2,100 meters) and 8,200 feet (2,500 meters) above sea level. Surrounded by rugged peaks and deep valleys, you will see spectacular views as you walk through its pearls, such as The Eye, The Tear, The Kidney, The Twins, The Trefoil, The Fish Lake, and The Lower Lake. The route can be adjusted on the spot, following more gentle or steeper paths, depending on your fitness levels. Having visited all of the lakes, continue by car for approximately 90 minutes to Rila Monastery, the biggest and most important symbol of the Bulgarian Orthodox Church. Behind the 65-foot (20-meter) walls lie impressive monastery buildings, including a church and a chapel with valuable murals. The monastery's most treasured historic and artistic monuments include the 14th-Century Hrelyo Tower, the 5th-domed Birth of the Blessed Virgin Church, and the original monastery kitchen from the 19th century. You will also explore the monastery’s rich museum, containing a valuable collection of old manuscripts and documents, charters and icons, an ethnographic exhibition of fabrics, jewelry, carpets, and wrought iron objects, and a library containing more than 16,000 books. The tour is offered as well with an ONLINE, cloud-based audioguide in different languages - English, Spanish, Italian, German, French, and English. INTERNET required to download and use. The local tour operator, Traventuria, was awarded a “Business Which Supports Biodiversity” certification by the Bulgarian Biodiversity Foundation for its “Tours with a Cause” initiative.