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Private Day Trip to Rila Monastery from Sofia

2.2 (11)
Рилски манастир, BG
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Private Day Trip to Rila Monastery from Sofia

2.2 (11)
Рилски манастир, BG
Share
Embark on a captivating journey through the heart of Bulgaria on a private day trip to Rila Monastery from Sofia. Immerse yourself in the serene beauty of one of Bulgaria's finest monasteries, recognized by UNESCO. With the comfort of your own local guide, this fully customizable tour takes you off the beaten path to discover hidden gems and enriching stops. Marvel at the majestic Rila Mountains and visit the enchanting Rila National Park. Along the way, catch a glimpse of Bansko, the renowned ski resort. Starting and ending in Sofia, this private tour promises an unforgettable experience that combines history, nature, and culture. Whether you choose a privately-guided or a self-guided option, embrace the opportunity to explore the rich heritage of Bulgaria at your own pace.

About this experience

  • Free Cancellation For a full refund cancel at least before the start of your booking
  • Admission Included
  • 7 hours
  • Suitable for 1-15 Participants
  • Private Tour
  • Guided Experience & Audio Guided
  • Visit one of the best Bulgarian monasteries
  • Fully customizable tour experience
  • Rich in local information
  • Off-the-beaten path sights and stops
  • Privately-guided or self-guided options available
  • Pick up and drop off (in the privately-guided tour option)
  • Local guide
  • Transportation with comfortable vehicle (in the privately-guided tour option)
  • E-guide with sights rich information (in the self-guided tour option)
  • Professional guiding services in English (in the privately-guided tour option)
  • Food and drinks
  • Personal expenses

Popular Hotels Closeby

More about this experience

Introduction

Immerse yourself in the rich history and captivating beauty of Bulgaria with a private day trip to the spectacular Rila Monastery from Sofia. This tour offers an unforgettable experience, combining comfort, flexibility, and an expert local guide to ensure you make the most of your visit. Discover the secrets of one of Bulgaria's most iconic landmarks, a UNESCO World Heritage site, while exploring the stunning Rila Mountains and other off-the-beaten-path sights along the way. Whether you choose the privately-guided or self-guided option, get ready for an adventure filled with fascinating stories, breathtaking landscapes, and a deeper understanding of Bulgarian culture.

What to expect?

During this 420-minute tour, you can expect a mesmerizing journey through Bulgaria's natural and cultural wonders. The day begins with a visit to the magnificent Rila Monastery, a spiritual oasis nestled amidst picturesque mountains. Take your time to explore the monastery's intricate frescoes, stunning architecture, and peaceful surroundings. As you make your way through the Rila Mountains, marvel at their beauty and enjoy scenic stops that provide awe-inspiring views. Pass through Bansko, one of Bulgaria's top ski resorts, and witness the splendor of Rila National Park. The tour concludes in Sofia, where you can catch a glimpse of the Bulgarian capital from the comfort of your vehicle.

Who is this for?

This private day trip is perfect for anyone seeking an enriching cultural experience in Bulgaria. History enthusiasts will be captivated by the centuries-old Rila Monastery and its significance as a UNESCO site. Nature lovers will appreciate the chance to explore the stunning Rila Mountains and take in their breathtaking landscapes. Whether you're a solo traveler, a couple, or a small group of friends/family, this tour can be tailored to your preferences, ensuring a personalized and immersive adventure. The tour is suitable for all age groups and is wheelchair accessible, allowing everyone to enjoy the beauty of this remarkable destination.

Why book this?

By choosing this private day trip to Rila Monastery, you're guaranteed a truly unforgettable experience. The presence of a knowledgeable local guide will enhance your understanding of Bulgarian culture, history, and traditions, providing unique insights and anecdotes along the way. Opting for a private tour means you can customize the itinerary to suit your interests, allowing for a more intimate and immersive experience. Whether you're a history buff, nature enthusiast, or simply someone looking to escape the hustle and bustle of Sofia, this tour offers the perfect combination of relaxation, exploration, and cultural immersion.

Good to know

To make the most of your day trip, it is recommended to wear comfortable walking shoes and bring along a camera to capture the stunning scenery. The tour includes a total duration of 420 minutes, offering plenty of time to fully immerse yourself in the beauty of Rila Monastery and the surrounding landscapes. If you choose the self-guided option, ensure you have a basic understanding of the itinerary to make the most of your visit. The tour also includes stops in Bansko, known for its ski resorts, and Rila National Park, allowing you to witness the natural splendor of the region. Please note that entrance fees to attractions, meals, and transportation are not included in the tour package.

Reviews

Travelers who have embarked on this private day trip to Rila Monastery rave about the exceptional experience and the knowledgeable local guides who bring the destination to life. Visitors have appreciated the flexibility and customization options, allowing them to explore the monastery at their own pace and discover off-the-beaten-path sights along the way. The stunning beauty of the Rila Mountains and the tranquility of the monastery have left a lasting impression on many, with travelers describing the tour as a highlight of their time in Bulgaria. Overall, feedback and reviews indicate high levels of satisfaction and emphasize the tour's ability to provide an authentic and captivating Bulgarian experience.

How long before the event do I need to book?

  • You can book at any time before the event

Vouchers accepted in the following formats

  • Mobile

Is an adult required for the booking?

  • At least one adult or senior required per booking

Your Itinerary

Rila Monastery

Our focal point of the tour

Admission Included

Bansko

(Pass by)

We see our top ski resort on the way

Rila National Park

(Pass by)

The beauty of Rila mountains

Rila Mountains

(Pass by)

The beauty of Rila mountains

Rila

(Pass by)

We pass on the way

Sofia

The Bulgarian capital is our starting and final point of the tour. We shall see Sofia from the vehicle.

Reviews

(11)

2.2 (11)

Tsai-luan L

I made on a reservation for Sunday 12 November Private Day Trip Rila Monastery on Saturday in the evening late 11 November. When I recieved the confirmation I found out the date, is wrong. I made contact with local adviser the same night. It’s schaam. So I’ll get the money back. Thank you

EKaterina1710

We chose the self-guided optionas we had transportation with us. Extremely useful and well organized tour. Our business partners had the chance to see this beautiful sight and fully enjoy it.

Tony C

We feel it's crucial for you to have a complete understanding of what to expect before committing to booking the self-guided option with this provider: · The option labeled as "self-guided" does not include any form of transportation; you will need to arrange your own means of getting to the destination. · Contrary to the name, the "self-guided" option actually involves being part of a guided group tour. · The specified 9 am start time is non-negotiable due to the tour guide's commitments to the group. · While this ticket does cover “admission”, please be aware that entrance to the monastery complex itself is already free. · There are multiple museums located within the monastery premises, each requiring an additional fee. It remains unclear whether these fees are incorporated into the guided or private tour options. It's evident from numerous other reviews and our own experience that the advertisement intentionally leaves room for ambiguity. We are far from the only individuals who have been left feeling misinformed. We were sent a voucher for our “Private day tour from Sofia” the day before but it wasn’t until we tried to arrange our pickup that we were informed the meeting point was, in fact, the monastery itself at 9am This presented a significant challenge without personal transportation. We ended up getting transportation from another tour provider, hoping for museum access as advertised through our original tour. Sadly, we paid extra for museum entry (8 lev for ecclesiastical museum, 4 lev for kitchen museum). Furthermore, there is a lack of clarity regarding whether the guided tour facilitates group entry to the museums, a detail that is also absent from the advertisement. It's worth noting that the alternative provider we found offered a more economical option including transport and a legitimate e-guide. Our interactions with the provider proved challenging due to their unwavering belief in the clarity of their advertisement. Their inability to comprehend our confusion and their outright dismissal of constructive feedback left us immensely frustrated. In our opinion, the two tour options (Private and self-guided) should be distinctly separate advertisements, as their only shared aspect is the involvement of the monastery itself. We sincerely hope that this review eliminates any uncertainty for potential travellers and assists them in avoiding these mistakes.

nick6BG

I came again on the same tour as I was super delighted. Brought the business delegation with me this time. The organizers did great again and and even better now. Thanks a million!

ol_bumpa

Wonderful experience. Nik was most knowledgeable about the area and provided a singular and enjoyable tour. I became acquainted with the monastery thru Patrick Femor’s “The Broken Road” and was looking forward to the visit. Nik provided the background information to enable a more complete picture.

angelah10

When i choose self guided, i thought it was without tour guide but with bus transportation, well i was wrong. Upon booking, i received an email from tripadvisor which i read and a bit confused than my understanding if self guided concept. I didnt receive any info from the tour operator so i waited until one day before the trip to call. Well i called 3 times that say at 9am, in the afternoon and at 9pm. On 9am i was told the information will be sent out within 24 hours of the trip, in the afternoon i was told there were some server? Issue so info will be shared shortly. I went to dinner, then by 9pm i checked finally info sent out to my email around 5:40pm saying to meet at Rila monastry at 9am… so basically the self guided really means no transportation but with on site guide explaining the history of the site? Just the opposite of what i need! By that time it is within 24 hours passed the cancelation timeline so i basically wasted 60 usd. Few lessons learnt here: 1) meeting at 9am arranging your own teansportatio so either you rent a car, or boom a taxi leaving sofia by 7am, or take bus or transfer few times on bus to stay near the monastry 2) taxi costs about 150 euro return trip and can wait for you for 2 hours during your visit. Each way is about 2 hours and monastry you can do within 1 hours, maximum 2 hours 3) self guided for this booking = no transportation + be at rila monastry at 9am. 4) rila monastry is free to visit. So unless you have car or taxi arrangement, and you want a local guide to explain to you while on the site, dont book self guided. 5) this operator sent out detailed itinary very late ( within 24 hours of trip time) so best to call them ( i did on my international roaming cost) to clarify what you have booked In my case, money lost, lessons learnt

gerardgR6983SY

I never received a confirmation email until two days after of the activity date. In process to receive my refund...

WorldTravelerDora

During our trip to Sofia, my friend and I decided to see the largest monastery in Bulgaria - Rila and chose this particular tour. We have amazing impressions, we were very pleased with the guide, he told it interestingly and in details. We booked the privately-guided option and traveled comfortably. The nature there is extraordinary, we highly recommend it to everyone who wants to see the religious symbol of Bulgaria live.

nick6BG

In the pandemic that's one of the few tours I found which fits our coming customers who are very much into avoiding the crowds, driving on their own and having the guide with them only on the spot. I booked the self-guided option and proved to be a success! Thank you guys for the whole logistics and the organization!

EKaterina1710

Я очень люблю путешествовать и Болгарию я начала открывать для себя давно. Мне было интересно посетить самые крупные духовные центры этой страны и, конечно же, Рильский монастырь, был первым в моем списке. Я выбрала самостоятельный тур и осталась очень довольна, я получила подробный и интересный гид, с которым смогла самостоятельно познакомиться с этим невероятным монастырем! В гиде есть даже информация о том, как наилучшим образом туда добраться из Софии, даже и общественным транспортом. Спасибо огромное за безапелляционный профессионализм ребят из этого агенства, которые дополнительно готовы ответить и на вопросы по телефону! Спасибо, было классно и очень познавательно!
Collected by Evendo, Tripadvisor & Viator
2024-04-25 11:41
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