cool shore excursions®
Top activities
Top landmarks
Trip ideas
Nearby places
  • Tours by category
  • Tours by accessibility
  • Tours by feature
  • Tours by time
  • Tours by the numbers
  • Top attractions
  • Sofia travel guides
  • Sofia travel calendar
  • Tours in nearby places
  • Explore Bulgaria tours
Language $Currency
Login / Sign up
Bookings
Bookings
Wallet
$0.00
Wishlists
Wishlists
Cool Rewards Rewards
Gift cards
Profile
Help Center
Language
Log out
Start your search
Change your search
Place or activity
Select Dates
You booked this experience
You're departing on
Google Calendar
Apple Calendar
Microsoft Outlook
Make your trip unforgettable

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 Shore Excursions and TripAdvisor |
Recommended by 100% of reviewers
100% of reviewers gave this experience a rating of 4 or higher.
| Sofia, Bulgaria
Book online or call us

from $109.06 per person

Lowest Price Guarantee
From Sofia: Eyes of God, Gorge Picnic & Cherepish Monastery Tour Image 1
From Sofia: Eyes of God, Gorge Picnic & Cherepish Monastery Tour Image 2
From Sofia: Eyes of God, Gorge Picnic & Cherepish Monastery Tour Image 3
From Sofia: Eyes of God, Gorge Picnic & Cherepish Monastery Tour Image 4
From Sofia: Eyes of God, Gorge Picnic & Cherepish Monastery Tour Image 5
Don't miss out!
On average, this is booked 29 (0) days in advance.
9 hours (approx.)
Mobile ticket
Offered in: English
Instant confirmation

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 (7)

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 (EET). 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

Traveler Photos

Reviews

5.00
1 reviews

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

5 stars
1
4 stars
0
3 stars
0
2 stars
0
1 star
0
Don't miss out!
On average, this is booked 29 (0) days in advance.
Sofia Tours
Attractions
Guides
Calendar
View more

Similar Tours & Activities

6 Days Grand Motorcycle Tour of Bulgaria
5.0 (1)

6 Days Grand Motorcycle Tour of Bulgaria

This tour gives the best option to explore most of the famous Bulgarian sites and ride through different parts of the country including the Black...

6 days Hotel pickup offered
5.0 (1)
from
$1,140
Sofia on an Electric Scooter - Guided Tour
5.0 (20)

Sofia on an Electric Scooter - Guided Tour

The tour is designed for travelers who want to experience Sofia from a different perspective, as well as for those who have just arrived and...

120 to 150 minutes Free Cancellation
5.0 (20)
from
$40
Melnik Wine Tasting tour from Sofia
5.0 (2)

Melnik Wine Tasting tour from Sofia

Melnik and Rozhen Monastery is in the top 3 destinations in western Bulgaria. Melnik is a unique area for wine lovers and sommeliers where you...

10 hours Hotel pickup offered Free Cancellation
5.0 (2)
from
$102
Private City Tour of Sofia
4.6 (36)

Private City Tour of Sofia

Check off Sofia’s key landmarks in minimum time on this comprehensive private city tour lead by a private local guide. Exploring with your private guide,...

2 to 4 hours Hotel pickup offered Free Cancellation
4.6 (36)
from
$33
6 Days Grand Motorcycle Tour of Bulgaria

This tour gives the best option to explore most of the famous Bulgarian sites and ride through different parts of the country including the Black …More

5.0 (1)

6 Days Grand Motorcycle Tour of Bulgaria

5.0 (1)

This tour gives the best option to explore most of the famous Bulgarian sites and ride through different parts of the country including the Black...

6 days Hotel pickup offered
5.0 (1)
from
$1,140
Sofia on an Electric Scooter - Guided Tour

The tour is designed for travelers who want to experience Sofia from a different perspective, as well as for those who have just arrived and …More

5.0 (20)

Sofia on an Electric Scooter - Guided Tour

5.0 (20)

The tour is designed for travelers who want to experience Sofia from a different perspective, as well as for those who have just arrived and...

120 to 150 minutes Free Cancellation
5.0 (20)
from
$40
Melnik Wine Tasting tour from Sofia

Melnik and Rozhen Monastery is in the top 3 destinations in western Bulgaria. Melnik is a unique area for wine lovers and sommeliers where you …More

5.0 (2)

Melnik Wine Tasting tour from Sofia

5.0 (2)

Melnik and Rozhen Monastery is in the top 3 destinations in western Bulgaria. Melnik is a unique area for wine lovers and sommeliers where you...

10 hours Hotel pickup offered Free Cancellation
5.0 (2)
from
$102
Private City Tour of Sofia

Check off Sofia’s key landmarks in minimum time on this comprehensive private city tour lead by a private local guide. Exploring with your private guide, …More

4.6 (36)

Private City Tour of Sofia

4.6 (36)

Check off Sofia’s key landmarks in minimum time on this comprehensive private city tour lead by a private local guide. Exploring with your private guide,...

2 to 4 hours Hotel pickup offered Free Cancellation
4.6 (36)
from
$33

Travelers Who Bought This Tour Also Bought

Plovdiv Small Group Full Day Guided Tour from Sofia
Likely to Sell Out
Likely to Sell Out
4.6 (251)

Plovdiv Small Group Full Day Guided Tour from Sofia

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 hours Free Cancellation
4.6 (251)
from
$22
Plovdiv and Koprivshtitsa Full-Day Trip
Likely to Sell Out
Likely to Sell Out
4.7 (179)

Plovdiv and Koprivshtitsa Full-Day Trip

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 hours Free Cancellation
4.7 (179)
from
$22
Guided Walking Tour of Sofia
Likely to Sell Out
Likely to Sell Out
4.7 (93)

Guided Walking Tour of Sofia

Meet your group near the Ivan Vazov National Theatre and discover over 20 landmarks on a walk through central Sofia. See the Roman ruins of...

2 to 3 hours Free Cancellation
4.7 (93)
from
$15
From Sofia Rila Monastery with Boyana Church or St. Ivan’s Cave
Likely to Sell Out
Likely to Sell Out
4.7 (777)

From Sofia Rila Monastery with Boyana Church or St. Ivan’s Cave

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...

9 hours Free Cancellation
4.7 (777)
from
$23
Plovdiv Small Group Full Day Guided Tour from Sofia

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 …More

Likely to Sell Out
Likely to Sell Out
4.6 (251)

Plovdiv Small Group Full Day Guided Tour from Sofia

4.6 (251)

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 hours Free Cancellation
4.6 (251)
from
$22
Plovdiv and Koprivshtitsa Full-Day Trip

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

Likely to Sell Out
Likely to Sell Out
4.7 (179)

Plovdiv and Koprivshtitsa Full-Day Trip

4.7 (179)

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 hours Free Cancellation
4.7 (179)
from
$22
Guided Walking Tour of Sofia

Meet your group near the Ivan Vazov National Theatre and discover over 20 landmarks on a walk through central Sofia. See the Roman ruins of …More

Likely to Sell Out
Likely to Sell Out
4.7 (93)

Guided Walking Tour of Sofia

4.7 (93)

Meet your group near the Ivan Vazov National Theatre and discover over 20 landmarks on a walk through central Sofia. See the Roman ruins of...

2 to 3 hours Free Cancellation
4.7 (93)
from
$15
From Sofia Rila Monastery with Boyana Church or St. Ivan’s Cave

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 …More

Likely to Sell Out
Likely to Sell Out
4.7 (777)

From Sofia Rila Monastery with Boyana Church or St. Ivan’s Cave

4.7 (777)

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...

9 hours Free Cancellation
4.7 (777)
from
$23

Frequently Asked Questions (7)

Activity name

The answers provided below were previously given in response to questions from Cool Shore Excursions customers.

Filter by:

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 (EET).
Apr 2025
Q: What's included in the price?
A:
The following is 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.
  • Transportation: Round-trip travel in a premium, air-conditioned vehicle.
  • Expert Guide: Professional commentary in English.
The following is NOT included:
  • Gratuities.
Apr 2025
Q: What is the minimum age for this tour?
A:

The minimum age to participate is 1..

Apr 2025
Q: My date is not available in the calendar, I am just checking to see if it is available?
A:

If a date or time is not listed on the calendar, it’s sold out or unavailable for another reason. Support cannot assist further if a date or time is not on the calendar.

If you find a date and time that works for you, book it NOW because things always sell out at this time of year.

Apr 2025
Q: Is this an accessible tour?
A:

Accessibility information for the From Sofia: Eyes of God, Gorge Picnic & Cherepish Monastery Tour is as follows:

  • 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
Apr 2025
Q: Where is the meeting point for this activity?
A:

Detailed check-in instructions – including meeting point address, Google map, and parking information – for From Sofia: Eyes of God, Gorge Picnic & Cherepish Monastery Tour will be included in your confirmation email from Cool Shore Excursions. Please be sure to double and triple check your email address is correct at checkout so this important email makes its way to you!

 

 

Mar 2024
Q: How long does a refund take to reach my card, and can I get it faster?
A:

Once your refund is processed, it usually shows on your card statement within 5–10 business days. The exact timing depends on your bank or card issuer.

Want it sooner? When you cancel, choose Receive a refund to my wallet instead. The credit is in your Wallet straight away and is applied automatically at checkout on your next booking when you’re signed in with the same email. You can see your balance any time in My Wallet.

If you paid part of your booking with Wallet credit, that part always goes back to your Wallet. Trip protection isn’t refundable.

Oct 2026

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

Report Product Issue

Activity name