Rila Monastery Tour with Rafting - a perfect activity combination

Rila Monastery and Rafting Group Tour

33 € / per person

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Your Rila Monastery and Rafting Group Tour

Your adventure begins in Sofia, where you’ll meet your group and set off on a scenic drive to the gorge. Upon arrival, a professional instructor will provide a safety briefing and gear before you hit the river.

Enjoy an exhilarating rafting experience through the rapids before being transported back to the base to return your equipment and change. If you’re hungry after the adventure, you can grab lunch nearby before heading to the famous UNESCO-listed Rila Monastery.

There, you’ll have time to explore the stunning complex with an audio guide available in multiple languages. After an unforgettable day, you’ll return to Sofia, filled with incredible memories.

Your adventure begins in Sofia, where you will meet your group and embark on a scenic drive to the gorge, setting the stage for an exciting day. Upon arrival, a professional instructor will provide a thorough safety briefing and the necessary gear before you dive into the thrilling rafting experience. After navigating the exhilarating rapids, you will return to the base to change and, if hungry, have the option to enjoy a delicious lunch at a nearby restaurant. Following this, the journey continues to the UNESCO-listed Rila Monastery, where you will have ample time to explore its breathtaking architecture with the help of an audio guide in multiple languages. Finally, after a day filled with adventure and cultural discovery, you will head back to Sofia, carrying unforgettable memories of the experience.

Quick information

Duration:

8 hours full day tour
Start: 8:30 h
End: 17:30 h
Driving time – 4 hours appr.

Accessibility:

Quite accessible
Cobbled ground

Important:

Women must have knees and shoulders covered
Warm clothes and low heel shoes

Overview

Itinerary

Tour Itinerary for Rila Monastery and Rafting Group Tour

8:30 To begin with, your adventure kicks off at 9:00 AM from our designated meeting point in Sofia—Serdika Meeting Point (2, Maria Luiza Boulevard, across from McDonald’s). From there, you will embark on a 1.5-hour scenic drive towards the breathtaking gorge
11:00 Upon arrival, you will first receive a comprehensive briefing from your professional instructor, who will provide essential safety guidelines. Following this, you will be equipped with all the necessary rafting gear and given final instructions before diving into the thrilling experience.
13:00 By this time, if the adrenaline rush has worked up your appetite, you may choose to enjoy a delicious lunch at a restaurant.
15:00 At around this time, you will arrive at the monastery, where you will have a full hour to explore the magnificent complex at your own pace. To enhance your experience, you can use our audio guides, available in English, Spanish, Italian, Russian, and German
16:00 Finally, as the day winds down, you will begin your return journey to Sofia, arriving back in the city center at approximately 5:30 PM, bringing your unforgettable adventure to a close.

Please keep in mind that the itinerary may change depending on road conditions, rafting possibilities, or other unforeseen circumstances.

More details

Struma River rafting experience

Surely you will enjoy this adrenaline-pumping rafting adventure on the Struma River, one of Bulgaria’s top whitewater destinations. Navigate thrilling rapids surrounded by stunning mountain scenery, guided by professional instructors. Perfect for beginners and experienced rafters alike, this experience promises excitement, breathtaking nature, and unforgettable fun!

Rila Monastery

The Monastery of Saint Ivan of Rila, better known as the Rila Monastery is the largest and most famous Eastern Orthodox monastery in Bulgaria. Founded in the 10th century, the Rila Monastery is regarded as one of Bulgaria’s most important cultural, historical and architectural monuments and is a must-visit tourist attraction for both Bulgarians and foreign visitors.

The monastery complex, regarded as one of the most impressive masterpieces of Bulgarian National Revival architecture, was declared a national historical monument in 1976 and became a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1983.

What truly makes the Boyana Church world-famous, however, are its frescoes from 1259. These frescoes, which form a second layer over earlier paintings, represent one of the most complete and well-preserved examples of Eastern European medieval art. Notably, the church’s walls feature 89 scenes, showcasing a total of 240 human figures. As a result, the Boyana Church stands as a remarkable and invaluable treasure of both art and history.

Activity map

Activity map for Rila Monastery and Boyana Church Group Tour

Departure point

Departure point for Rila Monastery and Rafting Group tour every Tuesday, Friday and Sunday at 8:30 from Serdika Meeeting Point – 2, Maria Luiza boulevard across McDonalds 50m from the Mosque (see map below).

Prices

Rila Monastery and Rafting Group Tour

The group tour is available every Tuesday, Friday and Sunday.

Included:

Pick-up and drop-off from departure point in Sofia – Serdika Meeeting Point (2, Maria Luiza boulevard across McDonalds)
Tour guide in English
Online audio-guide in Eg, Fr, Sp, It, De, Rus (use with your smartphone & earphones)
Parking fees