Seven Rila Lakes

Day One: Early Start from Sofia. You willl be picked up from your Sofia accommodation and after a 1.5 hour transfer we will arrive at Pionerska Hut trail head. From there we will take the a short chair lift ride to the Rila Lakes hut. From here we start our hike and will explore the entire lakes area and will walk  through the Lower Lake, the Fish Lake, the Trefoil, the Twins, the Kidney, the Eye and the highest - the Teardrop. Then we will further ascent to Razdela pass (2600 m. a.s.l.) where we will be rewarded with amazing bird-eye views of the lakes from above.  From there we descent to Ivan Vazov hut where we will stay for the night.

Rila Monastery

Day Two: After breakfast we start with a gentle ascent through the beautiful Pazardere valley followed by a panoramic descend towards the monastery. On this 5-6 hour hike you will enjoy  beautiful mountain panoramas and enchanting forest trails. The trail ends at the doorstep of the pictures Rila monastery where we will stop for a well deserved rest and will explore the area of the largest orthodox establishment in Bulgaria. A private transfer back to Sofia will conclude our trip. The Rila Monastery was established in the 10th century by the first Bulgarian hermit John of Rila, declared a saint while he was still alive. Saint John of Rila lived between 876 – 946. The first monastery was several kilometres upper in the mountain, in the area where the hermit used to live and pray. It was a modest place, hosting the saint and his followers. The construction of the present structure of the monastery started around 13 – 14 century. The oldest building that survived today is a tower inside the monastery yard, known as Hrelyo’s tower. It was named after a local ruler who was in power when the construction of the monastery started. Nowadays you can climb the tower, see the old frescoes inside it and the enjoy the view to the monastery yard and Rila mountains. The frescoes are so precious that they are protected by glass walls.