The meeting point for the minivan is behind Alexander Nevsky Cathedral, near café La Cathedrale – you should be there at 7:45. The van will have a sign “Rila Lakes & City Tour” on the front. The departure is at 8 am. You will travel on a scenic road for about 1.5 hours to the mountain resort of Panichishte. There you will continue with the lift. The traveling time with the lift is 20 – 30 minutes. And after that, if you have booked the self-guided option, you will start on your own the hike around the lakes, or if you have booked the guide option, the guide will escort you during the hike. Usually, it takes about 2 hours to walk in each direction.

You will be given a total of 5.5 hours to go around the lakes so at 15:30 at the latest you should board back the lift and at 16:00 you should be back at the parking where the driver will expect you for the trip back to Sofia. The estimated return in Sofia is at 18:00.