Top Sofia activities
Top Sofia landmarks
Beyond Sofia
Sofia trip ideas

From Sofia: Eyes of God, Gorge Picnic & Cherepish Monastery Tour

1 Review 5.00 out of 5 stars Based on 1 traveler reviews collected by Cool Destinations and TripAdvisor | Recommended by 100% of reviewers | Sofia, Bulgaria

Loading Options
Don't miss out!
On average, this is booked 29 (0) days in advance.

9 hours (approx.)
Mobile ticket
Instant confirmation
Offered in: English

Overview

There is a moment on this tour that no other day trip from Sofia offers.
You have just visited Cherepish Monastery - a 14th-century riverside sanctuary beneath gorge cliffs, with centuries-old frescoes and a silence that Rila lost long ago. Now your guide pulls over at a viewpoint above the Iskar Gorge and unpacks a picnic prepared that morning.
Home-baked banitsa. Fresh Bulgarian yogurt. Seasonal local produce. The gorge stretching out below you. The Balkan Mountains on all sides. No queue. No laminated menu.
That is how your day ends. It begins at Prohodna Cave - Bulgaria's most famous natural wonder, where two enormous eye-shaped skylights flood the tunnel with light and locals have only one name for them: the Eyes of God. Your guide covers the legends, the Ottoman folk stories, and the films shot here.
Cave, monastery, panoramic picnic. One gorge road. Guaranteed from 1 booking. Maximum 8 guests. Nothing else like it from Sofia.

What's Included

  • Small Group Guarantee: Max 8 travelers for a personalized experience
  • Traditional seasonal Bulgarian picnic served at a panoramic gorge viewpoint
  • Guaranteed Departure: We never cancel due to low numbers
  • Gratuities
See 2 moreSee 1 more

Meeting Location

Meeting point

Sofia Center
bul. "Knyaginya Maria Luiza" 18, 1000 Sofia, Bulgaria

Show on Google Maps

Detailed check-in instructions, including the exact address, are provided with your booking confirmation.

End point

This activity ends back at the meeting point.

What To Expect

Book Online

Our secure website provides real-time availability, instant confirmation, and free, no-hassle cancellations up to 24 hours before your tour begins.
Read more

Safe & secure • Easy breezy • Hassle-free

Prohodna Cave

Stop 1 - Prohodna Cave (The Eyes of God) Location: Near Karlukovo village, Lovech Province - approx. 120 km north of Sofia Time at stop: approx. 1 hour Bulgaria's most photographed natural landmark - a 262-metre cave tunnel with two massive almond-shaped skylights in the ceiling that fill the cave with natural light. The formations are called the Eyes of God. In bright sun they glow like beacons. In wet weather they appear to cry. Your guide covers the geology, the legends, the Ottoman folk history, and the films shot here. You walk the full passage, from the small entrance through to the 45-metre grand vault - the largest cave entrance in Bulgaria. Free entry.
Read more

1 hour • Admission Ticket Free

Cherepish Monastery

Stop 2 - Cherepish Monastery Location: Iskar Gorge - approx. 40 km north of Sofia, on the return route toward Sofia Time at stop: approx. 1 hour Founded in the 14th century during the Second Bulgarian Kingdom under Tsar Ivan Shishman. Burned by Ottoman forces and rebuilt three times. Used as a rebel hideout during the Russo-Turkish war of the 19th century. Today it is a tranquil working monastery sitting on the banks of the Iskar River beneath dramatic gorge cliffs. Inside: frescoes from the 16th to 19th centuries, a collection of historic icons in the monastery museum, and a two-storey ossuary built into the cliff face above the courtyard - one of the most unusual and quietly powerful sights in Bulgaria. Almost always uncrowded.
Read more

1 hour • Admission Ticket Free

Lakatnik Rocks

Stop 3 - Panoramic Gorge Walk and Traditional Bulgarian Picnic Location: Lakatnik rocks viewpoint or scenic platform near Gara Bov - chosen on the day Time: approx. 1 hour 15 minutes (including 15-minute walk each way) Your day ends not in a car park but on a hilltop. A short, easy 15-minute walk leads to one of two panoramic viewpoints above the Iskar Gorge - both offering sweeping views across the river, the cliffs, and the valley below. A covered shelter at the Gara Bov platform makes this stop fully weather-proof. Your guide unpacks a traditional Bulgarian picnic prepared fresh that morning. The contents vary with the season - always local, always traditional, always a genuine taste of Bulgaria. Think warm banitsa, Bulgarian yogurt, and seasonal produce the kind of honest food that city restaurants rarely get right. Fully included in your tour price. This is the moment guests talk about most. Return to Sofia Scenic final stretch back to Sofia. Estimated arrival: 17:30-18:00.
Read more

1 hour • Admission Ticket Free

Show 2 more stops

Additional Info

  • Confirmation is instant and will be received at time of booking
  • Not recommended for travelers with spinal injuries
  • Not recommended for pregnant travelers
  • Not recommended for travelers with poor cardiovascular health
  • Suitable for all physical fitness levels
  • This tour/activity will have a maximum of 8 travelers

Frequently Asked Questions

(6)

Q: What is the cancellation policy for the From Sofia: Eyes of God, Gorge Picnic & Cherepish Monastery Tour?

A: You can cancel up to 24 hours in advance of the tour for a full refund. For a full refund, you must cancel at least 24 hours before the tour start time.If you cancel less than 24 hours before the tour start time, the amount you paid will not be refunded.Any changes made less than 24 hours before the tour start time will not be accepted.Cut-off times are based on the tour local time (EEST). Read more Apr 2025

Cancellation Policy

You can cancel up to 24 hours in advance of the tour for a full refund.

Still have questions?

We're here to help.
Activity code: C-170567P7

Reviews

5.00
1 reviews

Average 5.00 out of 5 stars based on 1 traveler reviews collected by Cool Destinations and partner sites such as Trustpilot, Viator, and TripAdvisor

5 stars
1
4 stars
0
3 stars
0
2 stars
0
1 star
0

Loading Options
Don't miss out!
On average, this is booked 29 (0) days in advance.

Similar Tours & Activities

Transfer from the Sofia airport to your hotel in Sofia OR vice versa

Hassle-free transfer from the Sofia airport to your hotel. Book your transfer in advance and enjoy an impeccable service. No taxis, no stress, no unexpected...

30 to 60 minutesFree Cancellation
30 to 60 minutesFree Cancellation
30 to 60 minutes • Free Cancellation
4.8 (35)
from
$12
Snowshoeing day trip to Malyovitsa in Rila Mountains

A challenging snowshoeing day trip from Sofia to the alpine area in Rila National Park. Get ready for a hike up above the forest line...

1 dayHotel pickup offeredFree Cancellation
1 dayHotel pickup offeredFree Cancellation
1 day • Hotel pickup offered • Free Cancellation
5.0 (2)
from
$295
From Sofia: Rila Monastery and Plovdiv Day Trip

See the best of Bulgaria in 1 day. This self-guided, shared shuttle tour will take you to both the UNESCO Rila Monastery in the Rila...

12 hours 30 minutesFree Cancellation
12 hours 30 minutesFree Cancellation
12 hours 30 minutes • Free Cancellation
4.8 (49)
from
$70
3-Hour Private Bulgarian Food Tasting Tour of Sofia

You want to learn about Bulgaria's culinary traditions and new trends? You want to have a meal in some of the best (and unique) restaurants...

3 hoursFree Cancellation
3 hoursFree Cancellation
3 hours • Free Cancellation
4.6 (14)
from
$92

Travelers Who Bought This Tour Also Bought

Plovdiv Small Group Full Day Guided Tour from Sofia
Likely to Sell Out
Likely to Sell Out

Travel hassle-free from Sofia to Plovdiv and back in the comfort of a modern and air-conditioned minibus. Plovdiv is one of the oldest towns in...

12 hoursFree Cancellation
12 hoursFree Cancellation
12 hours • Free Cancellation
4.6 (205)
from
$23
Plovdiv and Koprivshtitsa Full-Day Trip
Likely to Sell Out
Likely to Sell Out

Enjoy a guided combo tour to two of the most fascinating towns in Bulgaria. These are Plovdiv - the European Capital of Culture 2019 and...

11 hoursFree Cancellation
11 hoursFree Cancellation
11 hours • Free Cancellation
4.7 (160)
from
$23
Guided Walking Tour of Sofia
Likely to Sell Out
Likely to Sell Out

The guide will meet you near the National Theater Ivan Vazov. You will visit more than 20 attractions and cultural monuments of Sofia. For convenience...

2 to 3 hoursFree Cancellation
2 to 3 hoursFree Cancellation
2 to 3 hours • Free Cancellation
4.6 (80)
from
$15
From Sofia Rila Monastery with Boyana Church or St. Ivan’s Cave
Likely to Sell Out
Likely to Sell Out

Maximize your time in Bulgaria by combining two UNESCO World Heritage Sites into one efficiently coordinated day trip from Sofia. Journey into the peaceful Rila...

8 hoursFree Cancellation
8 hoursFree Cancellation
8 hours • Free Cancellation
4.7 (694)
from
$24

What's Included

Activity name

  • Small Group Guarantee: Max 8 travelers for a personalized experience
  • Traditional seasonal Bulgarian picnic served at a panoramic gorge viewpoint
  • Guaranteed Departure: We never cancel due to low numbers
  • Transportation: Round-trip travel in a premium, air-conditioned vehicle
  • Expert Guide: Professional commentary in English
  • Gratuities

Additional Info

Activity name

  • Confirmation is instant and will be received at time of booking
  • Not recommended for travelers with spinal injuries
  • Not recommended for pregnant travelers
  • Not recommended for travelers with poor cardiovascular health
  • Suitable for all physical fitness levels
  • This tour/activity will have a maximum of 8 travelers
  • Operated by a business

Protecting you

Activity name

For your protection and stress-free bookings, use our secure platform to pay for bookings. Magical Tours Bulgaria

Report Product Issue

Activity name

Language
Currency

Site Settings

Activity name

Currency

Activity name

Activity name

Free Cancellation

100% refund
No refund

You can cancel up to 24 hours in advance of the tour for a full refund.

  • For a full refund, you must cancel at least 24 hours before the tour start time.
  • If you cancel less than 24 hours before the tour start time, the amount you paid will not be refunded.
  • Any changes made less than 24 hours before the tour start time will not be accepted.
  • Cut-off times are based on the tour local time (EEST).

Sorting, ranking, and search results

Activity name

Cool Destinations wants to make your searches as relevant as possible. That's why we offer many ways to help you find the right experiences for you.

On some pages, you can select how to sort the results we display and also use filter options to see only those search results that meet your chosen preferences. You'll see explanations of what those sort options mean when you select them.

If you see a Badge of Excellence label, the award is based on average review ratings, share of bookings with a review, and number of bookings through Cool Destinations over a 12-month period.

The importance of any one factor over any other in a sort order varies, and the balance is constantly being reviewed and adjusted. We're always updating our systems and testing new ways to refine and improve your results to make them as relevant as possible to meet your needs.

Choose an option

Activity name

or

Cool Rewards Terms & Conditions

Activity name

Cool Rewards

  • Cool Rewards is a loyalty program operated by Cool Destinations. Rewards may be earned by any eligible person holding a Cool Destinations account, subject to the Cool Destinations customer Terms of Use.

Earning rewards

  • Rewards can be earned by making bookings on the Cool Destinations website. You will be able to see the value of the rewards you can earn during the booking process.
  • Earned rewards will be issued in a pending state and will move to a confirmed state 24 hours after the start time of the experience.
  • Earned rewards will be available to redeem once they are no longer in a pending state.
  • For bookings that are moved to a different travel date, the rewards will be redeemable after the amended travel date.
  • If a booking where rewards were issued is canceled, the earned rewards will not be redeemable and will be moved to a canceled state.

Redeeming rewards

  • To redeem rewards, you must be logged into your Cool Destinations account.
  • Any available rewards will be automatically applied the next time you make a booking, and their value will be deducted from your order at checkout, unless you choose not to apply them, which requires you to indicate this via the toggle switch. Bookings made using rewards are subject to the standard Cool Destinations Customer Terms of Use.
  • You will not be able to redeem only a portion of your available rewards at checkout. It is only possible to redeem all or none of your available rewards.
  • There is no minimum order value required to redeem your rewards. This means that you can pay for 100% of your order with rewards.
  • Rewards are non-transferable and cannot be redeemed for cash.
  • If rewards are redeemed against a booking that is canceled or refunded, the rewards will be reissued to your account.

Miscellaneous

  • You can check your Cool Destinations account to see the rewards you have collected at any time. You are responsible for ensuring that your rewards balance is correct.
  • We reserve the right to modify these Cool Rewards Terms and Conditions at any time, with or without notice, including the rules for earning and redeeming rewards. Any changes will be reflected in the updated Terms and Conditions.
  • We reserve the right to terminate the Cool Rewards program and cease issuing any further rewards on future bookings. All pending and available rewards balances will be honored.
  • By earning and redeeming rewards, you agree to these Terms and Conditions, as well as any subsequent changes made to them.