Where to stay at Rila – ACCOMODATION

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/.

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 4bed room. 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 (tbd)
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: [email protected]‬

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 [email protected] or +359 889936639 on viber, whatsapp or telegram.

Daily Program August 1-25, 2025

Daily Lectures from 1942

Lecture Titles (1942)

Pillars in Life, AL, RL – June 21, 1942 (Sunday)
The Unified and Indivisible, AL, RL – June 22, 1942 (Monday)
The Ascending Path, AL, RL – June 23, 1942 (Tuesday)
Living Numbers, AL, RL – June 25, 1942 (Thursday)
Application of the Living Numbers, AL, RL – June 26, 1942 (Friday)
The New Path, AL, RL – 5:00 AM – The Seven Lakes – June 27, 1942 (Saturday)
Cosmic Love, AL, RL – June 28, 1942 (Sunday)
The New World, AL, RL – 5:00 AM – The Seven Lakes – June 28, 1942 (Sunday)
Beauty and Grace, AL, RL – July 1, 1942 (Wednesday)
The New Culture, AL, RL – July 1, 1942 (Wednesday)
The Beauty of Life, AL, RL – July 2, 1942 (Thursday)
House of Bliss, AL, RL – July 3, 1942 (Friday)
Self-Education, AL, RL, SL – August 2, 1942 (Sunday)
Precious Virtues, AL – Sofia – August 5, 1942 (Wednesday)
Heirs of the Earth, AL, RL – Sofia – August 9, 1942 (Sunday)
The Strong Ones, AL, RL – 5:00 AM – Sofia – August 12, 1942 (Wednesday)
At Dawn, AL, RL – 10:00 AM – Sofia – August 16, 1942 (Sunday)
The Secret Chamber, AL, RL – 5:00 AM – Sofia – August 19, 1942 (Wednesday)
Stable Connections, AL – Sofia – August 26, 1942 (Wednesday)
Constant Gratitude, AL, RL – Sofia – August 28, 1942 (Friday)
Love and Affection / Place It in the Heart, AL – Sofia – August 29, 1942 (Saturday)
The Good Life, AL – Sofia – August 30, 1942 (Sunday)
Knowing One Another, AL, RL, ML – Sofia – August 30, 1942 (Sunday)
Small Opportunities, AL – Sofia – September 20, 1942 (Sunday)
The Meaning of Life, AL, RL, ML – Sofia – September 20, 1942 (Sunday)

Abbreviations and Their Meanings

AL – Assembly Lectures (СБ – Съборни беседи)
RL – Rila Lectures (РБ – Рилски беседи)
SL – Sunday Lectures (НБ – Неделни беседи)
ML – Morning Lectures (УС – Утрино Слово)
YEC – Youth Esoteric Class (МОК – Младежки окултен клас)
GEC – General Esoteric Class (ООК – Общ Окултен Клас)

Prayer book in English

Transportation options

Public transport in Sofia: schedule is available on Google Maps to get from Airport to the Center of Sofia
Taxi service: look up google
Car rental

From Airport direct to Rila taxi:

Taxi service from Sofia Airport, Sofia’s official taxi partner, Yellow!, is a recommended choice. Other trusted companies include OK Supertrans, TaxiMe, and MegaTaxi. TaxiMe is also recommended for its user-friendly app and payment options. Brother Stanimir has a taxi 9am-8pm, prefers communication over Viber: +359 89 862 4975.

Arrange ahead of time, and ask for the price BEFORE you enter the car.

From the Sofia to Rila Camp: public transportation and combination:

From the airport you can take the metro or a taxi to the central Bus station.
Then a bus from Sofia to Dupnitsa.
From Dupnitsa you can take a taxi to the lift at Pionerska Hija or take a bus to Sapareva Banya and then a taxi to the lift.
Taxi from Dupnitsa to the lift will be around 50-60 lv.(25-30euros)
Taxi from Sapareva Banya to the lift at Pionerska Hija around 30 lv (15euros) Taxi drivers phone numbers: Vasko: +359 887 72 62 22, and Vladi: +359 894 71 63 93
Ski-lift gondola from Pionerska Hija to the Rilski Ezera Lodge, it is about 15-20euros. You can buy a round trip ticket only if you are coming back within one week, otherwise buy two separate tickets.
Transport from Sofia Central Bus Station to Rila: to be organized by Byalo Bratstvo (To be announced mid-july 2025 – in Bulgarian: https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSfYcbnuwWzqk1NhytZJTkNdeheyXuCIzjSwEbif7_FyBVpbQA/viewform Other languages tbd)
Luggage is transported on the lift as well, from Pionerska to RIlski Ezera Lodge it is 10levs per bag.
There is an option to hire horses to transport tents and backpacks to the camp from the ski lift, the name of the horse owner is Zdravko: +359 87 9618613. He only speaks Bulgarian, so you have to find an intermediary who speaks the local language. If you arrive before 10th of August, you can hire horses on the spot, reservations are needed if your arrival is after 10th.

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

ТаговеЛятна Духовна Школа Рила 2025

Summer Spiritual School – Rila 2025