Rila Packing List – Compact Version

Note: This list is for camping, and if you are staying in the lodge Rilski Ezera you don’t need the camping gear. The Rilski Ezera Lodge and Chalet Seven Lakes both have restaurants and snacks, so your food packing list should be adjusted.

Note: Bulgaria uses the metric system for weight (kg) and distance (km); Celsius for temperature. Electricity: 220V; electrical plugs like in the rest of Europe; Timezone GMT+2; Currency: Bulgarian Lev – BGN (2leva = 1euro)

Note: Hiking supplies like raincoats, hats, hiking poles, can be bought before the ski lift

I.  Clothes

•       Sunhat (optionally with a head net – for insects in the evening)
•       Raincoat
•       Rain pants
•       Sandals/summer sneakers, 
•       Winter shoes 
•       Flip-flops
•       Thick winter jacket – temperature can drop to freezing over night
•       Vest + jacket
•       White clothes + extra 2–3 white tops & pants
•       Socks
•       Underwear
•       Thin neck scarf (or long sleeves)
•       Large bath towel
•       Skirt for washing
•       2 pants + leggings
•       1¾ pants + 1 for sleep
•       2–3 long leggings
•       Insulated pants
•       Thick sweater
•       Hoodie
•       Medium sweater
•       1 sleep T-shirt 
•       Beige wool sweater 
•       Knitted sleep vest
•       5–6 gauze shirts (long sleeve)
•       2 tank tops
•       5 long-sleeve T-shirt tops
•       2–3 outdoor mid-weight long sleeves
•       2 bras (1 for travel)
•       Sun gloves
•       Sleeping cap

 

II. Food

•       Wholegrain crackers or pretzels 
•       Coffee mix (in bottle)
•       Tea (caffeinated, hebal)
•       Swedish wholesome crackers, raw crackers with seeds
•       Dates, raisins, Dried fruit, trail mix
•       Chia seeds for chia pudding (just add hot water, and a piece of chocolate)
•       BelVita biscuits or any wholegrain biscuits (quinoa)
•       7–8 dark chocolates
•       ½ kg raw pumpkin seeds
•       Raw nuts (walnuts, almonds, cashews)
•       ½kg raw sunflower seeds
•       Energy bars, protein bars, raw bars
•       Salt, Savory spices, curry masala
•       Aged Cheeses (optional)
•       4 cream cheeses (vegan, nut-based)
•       Small butter
•       3 sourdough breads
•       2 food containers
•       3 dry wholesome dry soups (just add hot water)
•       1 muesli (optional)
•       8kg tomatoes (depends on your length of stay)
•       2kg apples
•       1kg pears
•       1kg prunes
•       3–4kg peaches (optional)
•       10 small red onions
•       1–2 lemons
•       4 jars lyutenitsa / ayvar
•       1 pack hummus 
•       1 pack pesto
•       ½ L olive oil (optional)
•       200g raisins-like olives
•       Peanut butter
•       Sesame bars
•       Turkish halva
•       Tahini (optional)
•       Cacao nibs (optional)
•       Liquid honey
•       Sugar (optional, avoid if possible)

III. Kitchen

•       Thermos 
•       Water bottle so you don’t have to buy water, and throw away plastic,  there are many springs on Rila
•       Dish sponge
•       Tent sponge or small brush/dustpan
•       Pot
•       Camping stove + 2 bottles
•       Matches, lighters
•       Spoon + knife
•       Coffee mug
•       Food tin/cup
•       Plate (deep or salad)
•       Salt shaker
•       Small dish soap bottle
•       3–4 coffee cups or set

IV.  General

•       New LED headlamp + extra tent lamp
•       Batteries
•       Reading book
•       Prayer book
•       Phone + charger
•       Scissors (carry-on)
•       Empty bags (various sizes)
•       Pens + writing paper
•       Camera
•       2 brown glass water bottles
•       3–4 small water bottles (½L)
•       3L water container
•       Water pump
•       Rope, twine, thread, needle
•       10 clothespins
•       Small backpack
•       2 insoles
•       Sleeping bag
•       Thin sleeping bag
•       Seat mats
•       Tent tarp + plastic sheet
•       Thread + needle for clothes
•       Sunglasses
•       Horoscopes

V. First Aid / Pharmacy

•       Band-aids
•   Your personal medications plus: Pain killer, fever reduction
•   Dr. Bach emergency drops
•       Arnica
•       Belladonna
•       Enterosan (2 pcs)
•       Apis 200
•       Bach No. 23 – Olive
•       Lemongrass oil (insect repellent)
•       Pain killers, fever dropping, antihistamines (optional)

 

VI. Hygiene and Cosmetics

•       Face and hand cream with sun protection
•       Himalaya lip balm (heals cold sores)
•       Tea tree lip balm (for cold sores)
•       Nail clipper and toiletry kit
•       Hair comb
•       Soap dish
•       Small soap
•       Small amount of shampoo
•       Toothbrush
•       Small toothpaste
•       Cotton swabs (small qty)
•       Mirror
•       Roll-on deodorant or perfume (optional)
•       Sanitary pads, Daily liners 
•       Baby wet wipes (3 packs)
•       Small wet wipes (8 pcs)
•       Hair clips and ties
•       Watch
•       Waist pouch
•       Razor
•       Tissues (2 packs)
•       Toilet paper (2 rolls)

 

VII. Shopping

You can buy in Sofia or online and then deliver anything related to camping and have it delivered to a local address: 

https://www.decathlon.bg/

This is a local store, with excellent quality and great prices. 

 

VIII. Essentials

• Personal identification documents (passport, driver’s license)
• Money