A UIMLA guide will lead you on a 2-day hiking trek above the 7 Rila lakes to the Rila Monastery.
Private
Rila Mountains
2 Days
Jun - Oct
High
Intermediate
The seven Rila lakes in Bulgaria are an absolutely stunning, unforgettable sight. And on this 2 day hiking adventure, you will get to admire them from high above. However, the lakes are just one aspect of this amazing trip. You will also get to see the enormous Skakavitsa waterfall, as well as the Rila Monastery.
This hike takes place on a high mountain ridge, so it can be challenging. Therefore, participants should have some prior hiking experience. They should also be in good physical condition.
The hike will begin in the capital city of Sofia. From there we will take a 1.5 hour transport ride. After that, we will hike for about an hour to the Skakavitsa hut, where you will get to see the Skakavitsa waterfall, which has the highest water drop in the Rila mountains. After the waterfall we will hike along the dry ridge. Along the ridge you will get to enjoy amazing views of the seven Rila lakes. We will ascent to about 2,600 metres at the Razdela pass. From there, the view of the lakes is even more spectacular. We will then conclude the day at the Ivan Vazov hut (2,300m), where we will spend the night.
On the second day, we will hike for about 6 hours, admiring the landscape, while descending approximately 1,350 metres to the bottom of the Pazardere valley. Once there, we will visit the Rila monastery, which has stood since the 10th century.
This 2 day hike above the seven Rila Lakes and down to the Rila monastery is incredible. And it would be our pleasure to guide you through it. If you want to join us, just send us a request.
Do you want to see more of Bulgaria? If so, we can also guide you on a 4 day hiking journey through the enormous Rhodopes mountain range.
More info
Participants should bring the following items with them: hiking boots, rucksack (35-45L), trekking poles, water and windproof jacket, rain cover, sun hat, sunscreen, sunglasses, warm hat and gloves, water bottle (1.5L), travel liner (optional), torch, Travel linen, personal first aid kit.
Meeting point
5.0
(7)
Mountain Leader
I work as a mountain leader since 2006, both with individuals and larger organized groups, mainly English speaking.
Together with a group of colleagues we offer a wide-range of activities: hiking, trekking, rock climbing and mountain biking, snowshoeing, ice climbing, ski touring and off-piste skiing.
All our guides are certified, experienced and passionate about their job and will guide you with a smile and care through the wild beauty of the Bulgarian and the Balkan mountains.
Languages
Russian | English | Bulgarian
Certificates
UIMLA
Gaelle
Lyuben is a very good guide. More than a ski touring guide , he is a perfect travel organiser. We were a group of 4 Belgium guys around 50 to make the 4 days touring ski tour. He chose for us a very good family guesthouse, with very good food. He let us discover local thermal bath, traditional restaurant. About ski touring, Lyuben chose each day the best spot possible for the landscape and the snow adapted to the changing weather conditions. Time keeping was perfect. Zero stress for any situation. He has a comfortable car and does not hesitate to drive hours to bring us to the best area or to bring back us to the airport. Very friendly, super adaptive with us, I warmly recommend Lyuben.
Matt
Lyuben and Ivo were excellent. Communication was great. Lyuben helped us hire kit before arriving. Each day was great with a good variety or touring and excellent snow. thank you!
Lissi
Wonderful 9-day hiking in the mountains of Bulgaria and Greece. It was easy to book a trip through the Explore-Share page. They responded quickly, everything was fine and well organized. My whole 9 days were very well organized. Guide picked me up on Sofia's airport and on the 9th day guide taken me back to the airport. Everything in between was organized by Top Guides Bulgaria. The physical effort was great, but it was worth it, wonderful views and very good emotions. I met three guides - Lyuben, Ruslan and Moni. They were very nice and friendly and very good guides. They kept my pace when hiking the mountains and helped and taught me if it was necessary. I felt safe and supported all the time. The hardest part for me was the last part of Mt. Olympus, climbing to the top, it took self-transcendence and a big effort. I haven't been rock climbing before. I am proud to myself that I made it. I was able to do this thanks to Lyuben's support, help and teachings. I am very grateful to him. When hiking in the mountains, you must be prepared to walk up the hill for several hours, which is physically difficult. At this time, wonderful views and feelings gives strength and the will to move on. Guide Moni had taken with him binocular. So we saw the animals and the birds more closer and he had knowledge to talk about them. In the mountains guide Ruslan talked about myths, local culture and nature. On the last day we had the city tour in Sofia. Guide Ruslan introduced me the historical buildings and told many interesting stories about history. All of it was very interesting to listen. The program of the days was very well structured. On the 5th day I felt physically tired and would not have been able to go hiking in the mountains straight away again. According to the plan, came the time to rest: Greece beach, the return trip to Bulgaria, a walk in the beautiful town of Bansko. After that I felt rested and enjoyed hiking in the mountains again. On the evenings of hiking days, you can relax: a delicious dinners in local restaurants, nights in lovely hotels and mountain huts, you can go to a mineral water spa, local market, etc. I am very satisfied and happy about this 9-day trip. Everything was very good. I have great memories and wonderful pictures of it. I definitely want to go back there, at another time of the year: to ski in the winter or to see waterfalls in the spring. Also, I would be happy to use the services of Explore-Share and Top Guides Bulgaria again when hiking in other regions.
Alexander
A few words about the wonderful guide Kaloyan Peichev. He is a very responsible guide, a wonderful skier and a generous teacher, he has professional knowledge of mountains, snow, etc. and a very kind person.
Jane
Amazing trip..... 100% recommend this trip... Lyuben was both professional and friendly. We loved it. A great activity to do with a non-skier in tow.
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