Enjoy a great combination of history and nature with this one-day tour to two iconic Bulgarian places!
Enjoy a great combination of history and nature with this one-day tour to two iconic Bulgarian places!
This day tour offers a wonderful blend of history and nature, featuring the Rila Monastery and the sacred cave of Saint John.
The tour begins at the Vasil Levski Monument, located at Yanko Sakuzov Blvd 7. Please arrive by 8:45 AM, as the tour departs at 9:00 AM. As this is a group tour, punctuality is important, and the group cannot wait for late…
This day tour offers a wonderful blend of history and nature, featuring the Rila Monastery and the sacred cave of Saint John.
The tour begins at the Vasil Levski Monument, located at Yanko Sakuzov Blvd 7. Please arrive by 8:45 AM, as the tour departs at 9:00 AM. As this is a group tour, punctuality is important, and the group cannot wait for late arrivals.
The journey starts with a scenic two-hour drive to the Rila Monastery, the largest and most significant Bulgarian monastery, also recognized as a UNESCO World Heritage site. Visitors will be enchanted by its stunning frescoes and architecture.
For those who have chosen the guided tour option, there will be a 40-minute guided exploration of the monastery. During this time, participants will learn about the life of Saint John and the monastery’s history, from its founding in the 10th century to the present day. The guide will highlight important frescoes, miraculous icons in the church, and the relics of Saint John.
Those who opted for the ‘transport only’ option will have additional free time to explore the monastery independently.
Following the guided tour, at 12:00 PM, the group will take a short 5-minute drive to the start of the path leading to the holy cave of Saint John, where he spent his final years. This sacred site is accessible via a 15-minute walk of moderate difficulty, offering a refreshing nature experience. Visitors can pass through the cave and drink from a nearby spring, known for its never-freezing water.
After the hike, the group will return to the monastery, allowing 1 to 1.5 hours of free time for photography, souvenir shopping, and a lunch break. As dining options near the monastery are limited, it is advisable to bring food from Sofia.
The return journey to Sofia is scheduled to begin around 2:00 PM to 2:30 PM, with an expected arrival between 4:00 PM and 4:30 PM, depending on traffic and group size.
- Trip to Rila Monastery and the cave of Saint John
- English-speaking guide or driver, depending on the booked option
- In-vehicle air conditioning
- Trip to Rila Monastery and the cave of Saint John
- English-speaking guide or driver, depending on the booked option
- In-vehicle air conditioning
- Personal expenses
- Gratuities (optional)
- Personal expenses
- Gratuities (optional)
- Please warn us if you have a 0-2 years old baby when you make the reservation so that we can prepare a special seat for them
- For the safety and enjoyment of all guests, any customer who appears intoxicated at the time of the tour will not be permitted to participate. In such cases, no refunds will be issued.
- Please warn us if you have a 0-2 years old baby when you make the reservation so that we can prepare a special seat for them
- For the safety and enjoyment of all guests, any customer who appears intoxicated at the time of the tour will not be permitted to participate. In such cases, no refunds will be issued.
For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.
For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.
