• Rila Monastery - Stop 1 - Rila Monastery
  Location: Rila Monastery Nature Park, Kyustendil Province - approximately 120 km south of Sofia
  Time at stop: approximately 1 hour 30 minutes
  Bulgaria’s largest and most significant Orthodox monastery, established in the 10th century by the hermit Ivan Rilski and recognized as a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1983. Nestled in a pine-forested valley at 1,147 meters, it is surrounded by the tallest peaks in the Balkans.
  Your guide will provide a comprehensive tour of the complex, including the striped arcaded balconies, the vibrant frescoes by Zahari Zograf and other masters of the Bulgarian National Revival, the elaborate gold iconostasis inside the main church, and the 14th-century Hrelyo Tower, the oldest surviving structure on the site. Free entry to the monastery church and courtyard is available.
  Optional museum entrance is approximately 5 EUR, payable on the day.
• Cave of St. Ivan Rilski - Stop 2 - The Cave of St. Ivan Rilski
  Location: Rila Monastery Nature Park forest - approximately 3-4 km from the monastery
  Time at stop: approximately 1 hour 30 minutes (including a 30-minute forest hike each way)
  The cave where the founder of Rila Monastery spent years in solitude as a hermit before his followers discovered him and constructed the first chapel nearby. It is one of the most sacred sites in Bulgaria and offers one of the most unique experiences on any day trip from Sofia.
  The cave concludes in a narrow rock tunnel. The legend is ancient and straightforward: only those with a pure soul can pass through. For centuries, pilgrims and visitors have entered the tunnel with a wish in their hearts. The holy spring beside the cave flows year-round and is said to never freeze, even during the coldest Bulgarian winters.
  The forest hike is easy to moderate, taking 30 minutes each way on a marked trail through ancient spruce forest. Guests who prefer not to hike are welcome to wait comfortably at the trailhead - the cave section is not mandatory.

• Traditional seasonal Bulgarian picnic at Kirilova Polyana alpine meadow
• Guided visit of Rila Monastery & the Cave of Ivan Rilski
• In-vehicle air conditioning
• Professional English speaking Guide
• Pick up from central Sofia

• Gratuities
• Audio guides in Spanish, Italian, French and German

Many visitors experience Rila Monastery from a bus tour, with just an hour to explore, a quick purchase of a fridge magnet, and then a return to Sofia. While the monastery is undoubtedly beautiful, it often leaves only a fleeting impression.

This tour offers a full day to truly appreciate Rila and ventures beyond the reach of any bus. After a comprehensive guided tour of Bulgaria’s most revered UNESCO site, participants will hike through an ancient spruce forest to the cave where St. Ivan Rilski once lived as a hermit. The cave concludes with a narrow passage, and legend has it that only those with a pure soul can pass through effortlessly. Tradition encourages entering with a wish in mind. Adjacent to the cave is a holy spring, reputed to never freeze and believed to bestow good health on those who drink from it.

The tour then offers a unique experience not found on any other Sofia tour. A short ten-minute drive reveals Kirilova Polyana, an alpine meadow at 1,450 meters, surrounded by the peaks of Rila. Here, the guide will present a traditional Bulgarian picnic, freshly prepared that morning, featuring seasonal and local ingredients.

The tour accommodates a maximum of 8 guests and is confirmed with just one booking. The cost is 95 EUR per person, fixed.

For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.