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Rila Monastery Bike Tour from Sofia

5 (6)
Sofia, BG
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Rila Monastery Bike Tour from Sofia

5 (6)
Sofia, BG
Share
Experience the ultimate adventure with the Rila Monastery Bike Tour from Sofia. Embark on an exciting one-day bike trip in the picturesque Rila Monastery valley. Discover the beauty of the Rila mountains as you ride along village roads with stunning views. Indulge in a delicious lunch featuring fresh trout at a local restaurant by the river. And don't miss the opportunity to visit the holiest place in Bulgaria - the magnificent Rila Monastery. Immerse yourself in the history and spirituality of this iconic landmark. As the day comes to an end, brace yourself for a thrilling 20 km descend down the valley. And for those who appreciate fine wine, there's even an option to stop at a local winery. Join this unforgettable journey and create lasting memories.

About this experience

  • Free Cancellation For a full refund cancel at least before the start of your booking
  • 8 hours
  • Suitable for 1-7 Participants
  • Small Group Tour, Private Tour
  • Guided Experience
  • Exciting bike ride with stunning mountain views
  • Delicious lunch at a local restaurant by the river
  • Visit the famous and historic Rila Monastery
  • Learn about the founder and history of the monastery
  • Thrilling 20 km downhill ride through the valley
  • Bike rental
  • Tour guide
  • Hotel pickup and drop-off
  • Use of helmet
  • Gratuities
  • Food and drinks

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More about this experience

Introduction

Experience the beauty of Bulgaria's Rila Monastery Valley with the exhilarating Rila Monastery Bike Tour from Sofia. This one-day bike trip takes you on a fascinating journey through picturesque village roads, offering breathtaking views of the majestic Rila Mountains. Indulge in a sumptuous lunch by the river, savoring the famous Rila monastery fresh trout. Immerse yourself in the rich history and spirituality of Bulgaria as you explore the largest and most renowned monastery in the country - Rila Monastery.

What to expect?

During the Rila Monastery Bike Tour, prepare to embark on a 20 km bike ride along rolling asphalt roads, where you'll be surrounded by awe-inspiring mountain vistas and immersed in authentic village life. Delight in the tranquil countryside as you pedal through local vineyards and catch glimpses of traditional Bulgarian culture. After savoring a mouthwatering lunch at a local restaurant by the river, discover the mesmerizing story of St. Joan of Rila, the founder of Rila Monastery, and learn about the significance of this sacred place in Bulgarian history and spirituality. The tour concludes with an exhilarating 20 km descent down the valley, offering an adrenaline-pumping finish to an unforgettable day.

Who is this for?

The Rila Monastery Bike Tour from Sofia is perfect for adventure enthusiasts seeking an immersive and active experience in Bulgaria's natural beauty. It is ideal for travelers who appreciate cycling through picturesque landscapes, indulging in local cuisine, and exploring historical and cultural landmarks. Whether you are a solo traveler, a couple, or a group of friends, this tour is designed to cater to all fitness levels and ages. Embrace the opportunity to connect with Bulgarian culture, history, and nature in a unique and exciting way.

Why book this?

Embark on the Rila Monastery Bike Tour from Sofia for an unforgettable adventure through the heart of Bulgaria. Immerse yourself in the stunning natural scenery of the Rila Mountains, pedal along village roads, and soak in the local charm. Discover the spiritual significance of the iconic Rila Monastery, a symbol of Bulgaria's rich cultural heritage. Indulge in a delicious lunch featuring the renowned Rila monastery fresh trout, savoring authentic Bulgarian flavors. This tour provides a well-rounded experience, combining outdoor exploration, cultural immersion, and gastronomic delights. It is the perfect way to create lasting memories while uncovering the hidden gems of Bulgaria.

Good to know

For this tour, be prepared to be picked up from your hotel in Sofia at 8.30 am and transferred to the foothills of the Rila Mountains, approximately 1.30 hours away. The bike ride covers a distance of 20 km and is conducted on rolling asphalt roads, suitable for various fitness levels. The tour includes a visit to Rila Monastery, where you can delve into centuries of history and admire the stunning architectural beauty. The descent down the valley offers an adrenaline-fueled adventure, creating an exciting conclusion to the tour. The approximate time of arrival back in Sofia is between 5 pm to 6 pm, ensuring a full day of exploration and adventure.

Reviews

Previous participants of the Rila Monastery Bike Tour rave about the combination of natural beauty, cultural immersion, and outdoor adventure. They highlight the breathtaking mountain views, the authentic village experience, and the serene atmosphere of Rila Monastery. Travelers appreciate the knowledgeable and friendly guides who provide insightful information about the region's history and traditions. The lunch by the river, featuring the famous Rila monastery fresh trout, receives high praise for its delicious flavors. Overall, reviewers express their satisfaction and recommend the tour as a must-do for anyone visiting Bulgaria, seeking an unforgettable experience that showcases the country's beauty and cultural heritage.

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

Your Itinerary

Sofia

Reviews

(6)

5 (6)

okay12345676

Orlin is a super nice guide and the ride was beautiful. Communication before and after was very good as well. Also the weather was amazing!

ileanapria

We were a bit nervous about the bike ride up to the monastery, but it turned out to be quite reasonable and not as steep as we had imagined. Still slightly challenging, but definitely possible and enjoyable with all the beautiful surroundings! The mountains are gorgeous and the scenery calming and amazing. Orlin was a great guide! He picked us up at the place we were staying and was such a nice guy. He was always around to pick us up in the van if we decided the biking was too much, and he gave great tips and encouragement when we didn’t know what we were doing (we’re not big bikers, usually). Of course, the ride down was SO easy and such a fun ride as you coast down the mountain roads and watch the beautiful trees and towns pass you by. Lunch was delicious (the trout we ordered was so fresh!) and the day was simply wonderful. If you want to see The Rila Monastery, this is a fun way to do it. It changes things up so you can enjoy the mountainside as well as the monastery, and it gives you a different perspective than just riding a car or bus up the mountain. We would do this tour again in a heartbeat. :)

Michael S

<p>My wife and I took this Tour with Orlin on 26 August. The other posts provide the relevant details - a fantastic day out! Whilst the temp was around 31 degrees, the uphill cycling takes place before lunch in the cooler part of the day. Also, at least 50 of the cycling is shaded by the trees, so there's no need to think that you'll be sweating your way up to the monastery! </p> <p>Orlin's a lovely guy and a great / knowledgeable companion for the day. If you enjoy cycling, take this Tour - you won't be disappointed.</p> <p>Mike.</p>

Robert B

<p>Orlin and the Bike company did a great job on this tour. He picked us up at our hotel at 8:30 a.m. and then we drove about an hour or so to a spot at the base of the Rila Mountains. He had nice mountain bikes and helmets and we were on our way. The first part was rolling and often flat as we made our way to the small town of Rila. We biked through town and then it was mostly uphill from there. But, Orlin gave all of us the option of riding in the van if the biking got too tough. We biked up to Rila Monastery, which is fantastic. Then Orlin drove us a short way down and we had lunch at a nice Bulgarian trout restaurant. Then we got on our bikes and it was all downhill from there! An added bonus was we stopped at a winery for a wine tasting. This wasn't on the official itinerary but Orlin was flexible and included it. If you enjoy biking and incredible views, you can't go wrong with this tour and this company.</p>

Jose S

<p>Professional private tour guide, it was only me and my fiancee 2 hour trip from Sofia, excelent the guy will wait all along the way to assist you in case you need it, roans are narrow and asphalted although with some potholes at the end, we had a nice new SUV and good quality bikes, the first part of the trip was easy, it got busy on the road closer to Rila town, afterwards we had lunch and drove to the monastery here the guy will give you a tour of the place 30-45 min after this we rode untill the end of the road to see the wonderfull mountains this part is harder needed intermediate level, but no worries the car will be ready if you get tired. I recommend this tour.</p>

Marcus_B

<p>We really enjoyed the bike trip. We had a group of 4 people. The driver picks you up in the morning then you drive about 1 hr to the drop off location. Bring water and sunblock. The driver/guide was excellent and friendly. He always was watching out for us and making sure we were safe. He does not ride with you as he was driving the van to show us were to go and be ready if we needed anything or decided to stop. He let us bike as long as we wanted. We decided to bike all the way to the Rila Monastery which was more than the trip advertised. At the normal stopping point, it would be about a 1:15-1:30 bike ride with easy rolling biking, then you would load the bikes in the van and drive to the monastery. Then you bike down the mountain which is awesome and about 20 km of downhill. For the normal route only basic to medium fitness is required. To bike all the way to the top requires medium fitness because as you get closer to the top the steeper it gets. Also its a long gradual climb which after 3 hrs is tiring. One team member decide to stop with about 10 km left to the top. The driver was always there for us if we ever wanted to get in the van. This really is one of the best parts of the trip because each biker can bike the distance they want to. The bikes were in good condition and we had no bike maintenance issues. We loved being able to drink the mountain water. The bike all the way up to the top took about 3-330 hr with stops. We ate at the monastery and they had very good food selection. The ride down was a lot of fun and was a great reward after biking all the way up. The 1st 45 minutes are really fun because there is no car traffic and is very scenic. The 2nd part as you climb up to the monastery is very beautiful but has traffic on the road. The car traffic was friendly and made an effort to give us space but its good to know ahead of time so your mentally ready for it.</p>
Collected by Evendo, Tripadvisor & Viator
2024-04-27 01:23
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