Where to stay at Rila – ACCOMODATION 

There are two sites: first when you arrive at the top of the lift is the Lodge Rila lakes, also called the “novata hizha”, and second about one hour hiking up the mountain is the Chalet Seven Lakes, and the Brotherhood camp. 

Rila Option 1: The Lodge Rila Lakes (hija Rilski Ezera)

  https://rilskiezera.bg/en/about/ there is a phone number  and email https://rilskiezera.bg/en/contact/. 

Email: Rilalakeslodge@gmail.com‬ 

Phone: +359 88 6509409‬

You can contact them via viber or whatsapp or email for the reservations. You can contact them with the requested dates, number of nights, number of beds, they can give you a price and you can send money via an international wire transfer, it is on their website under contact. This works. 

Rilski Ezera Lodge reservations should be made early in the year if you want 2 or 4 bedrooms. They have more availability in the first half of August. They have double, quadruple rooms and then beds in general rooms 8-10 people with a common bathroom. 

The hotel will offer basic necessities like shampoo and towel. The place is very modest but comfortable, definitely better than being in a tent, the 2bed and 4 bed rooms have private bathrooms. If you are making a reservation in June/July, you might get accommodation in the larger rooms. 

They have a restaurant serving three meals per day, vegetarian options are available in August. If you have dietary restrictions, you should let them know in advance (e.g. gluten-free, lactose intolerance etc). You can buy snacks and coffee/tea throughout the day.

You can use public transportation or hire a taxi from Sofia to the base of the ski lift at Pionerska Hija – it is likely in the range of 100 euros. 

There is a ski-lift and you no longer need to hike for 2-3 hours to reach the Rilski Ezera Lodge.  But, check the schedule, the ski lift has a schedule and it may not operate on certain days (Monday). Ask the Lodge for updated schedule and details. 

Rila Option 2: Camping site – 

• There is a limited number of tent spaces. How to sign up for setting up a tent at the Camp on the top of the mountain? Send an email to the Brotherhood at: office@beinsadouno.org with dates of your intended stay.
• How to sign up for camping at the Rilski Ezera Lodge? It is about 8 BGN per day, you have access to Internet, kitchen, shower, restaurant,  toilets and shower at Rilski Ezera Lodge. Email: Rilalakeslodge@gmail.com‬ 

Where to stay in Sofia 

 Option 1:

Look at your favorite travel site: airbnb.com  Expedia.com  Vrbo.com booking.com they all work locally, you can pay with a credit card, select based on budget and ratings, read the reviews first. There are major hotel chains like Sheraton, Hilton, Marriott, Hyatt and plenty of local hotels, like Moskva, Rose House which are modest and very good options. 

Option 2:

There is a limited number of rooms in the Brotherhood House in Sofia. Write an email or call for making a reservation to the Brotherhood nikolova.ioanna@gmail.com or +359 889936639 on viber, whatsapp or telegram.