HIKING MACEDONIA AND ALBANIA

Welcome to Macedonia. Your guide will meet you at the airport and take you for a welcome lunch at Pero's in the bohemian part of Skopje. Here we'll discuss logistics and local customs while sampling Macedonian grilled cheese, peppers, and courgettes.  Transfer to Canyon Matka, for a 40min night hike to your campsite in the canyon. Grand welcome dinner with ethno music up in the camp. Feel free to ask our musicians to show you how to play kaval (traditional end-blown flute). It's fun! Overnight in tents.

Take a hike on the history trail in Matka Canyon. It was once the place where only Orthodox monks lived in the monasteries built in the rocks. Today it is also a nature reserve, home to the Bold Eagle and Egyptian Vulture, as well as to over 200 different butterfly species. After the lunch we'll take a boat ride along the canyon to one of the deepest caves in the world – Vrelo cave. Drive to Popova Shapka in the Shar Mountain Range for dinner and overnight in a mountain hut.

Hike to Titov vrv  - named after Marshall Tito, is an all-day tour full of great panoramic views of Shar Mountain and Jakupica range, Pelister, Korab, and even Rila mountains in Bulgaria. Below the peak is probably the most beautiful area in Macedonia – the alpine style Leshnica area with pine trees, deep river valleys, and impressive overhanging rock faces. Early evening transfer to Galicnik in National Park Mavrovo for tasty village dinner and overnight in hotel.

Rise early and join the shepherds on Mount Bistra for breakfast Balkan style - a shot of rakiya, homemade bread and cheese. Hike to Medenica peak, and down to Galicnik. Galicnik village is not inhabited in winter and can only be reached when the snow melts. It is famous for its sharp sheep cheese and traditional architecture. Afternoon is free for walks in the village, or you may take a 2 hours ride with trained mountain horses in the surrounding hills. Dinner and overnight in same hotel in Galicnik.

Morning drive to Prilep where we'll take a moderate 5 hours hike to the monastery of Treskavec - a XIV century church hidden between the boulders of Gold Mountain. It is worth visiting for its great Byzantine treasure, for the remains of a II century Apollo temple and for the relaxing cup of tea with father Kalist.  Afternoon drive to Bitola, just in time to join the evening promenade in the old town and have a pizza. Overnight in hotel at the foothills of Mt Pelister.

We start early to hike to top of Mount Pelister, the highest point on Baba mountain range. This is the oldest national park in Macedonia, famous for its ancient pine, lynx, and bearded eagle. Lunch will be at the summit. From there we will head to the mountain hut next to a glacial lake - „the Eye of Pelister“ where we'll have a jolly supper and sleep in the hut. Optional: night swim in the lake.

From Golemo Ezero we will descend to the lovely old village of Brajcino. It is a quiet peaceful village, famous for its hospitality and homemade fruit liqueurs. We will have dinner in a traditional restaurant with a wood fire, sample the local tipples, and stay overnight in the monastery.

From Brajcino, it is a short walk to the shores of Prespa Lake. We will then drive to Konsko, an old fishing village (approximately 20 km - 30 min) where we take a boat to the uninhabited island of Golem Grad, or ‘Snake Island,’- home to cormorants, pelicans, and sun-bathing water snakes. Back to the shore of Prespa Lake for lunch and swim in the lake, and early evening drive to Ohrid. Free evening to wander in Ohrid old town. Overnight in hotel in Ohrid Old Town.

Drive to Albania, „the Land of Eagles“, visit Korça and its busy bazaar, and taste some delicious Albanian specialties in Voskopoje. Overnight in Voskopoje.

Hike through the pine forests of Voskopoje to peak Maja e Poshe Tepes. (4 hours). Explore Voskopoje: now a quiet village with remains of its great past as former center of Byzantine art. Overnight in Voskopoje.

Drive back to Ohrid. Ohrid and Ohrid Lake are UNESCO world heritage sites: Ohrid for its great cultural and historical importance and heritage, and Ohrid Lake for being the oldest lake in Europe with many endemic species, sponges and algae. There are 365 orthodox churches in Ohrid, a Roman theater and a gallery of icons with priceless collection. It is also the birthplace of the Cyrillic script. Morning drive to visit Bay of Bones and St Naum monastery, and we'll stop for a swim and lunch (Ohrid trout) in an old fishermen village on the shore. Afternoon is free to explore Ohrid or, you can take a discovery dive with our expert guides in the Bay of bones. In the evening, gala farewell dinner in a restaurant on the beach with life ethno music. Overnight in Ohrid.

After breakfast transfer to Skopje airport for flight home.

Day 3:

Estimated hiking time: 8-9 h

Start: 1730 m / 5676 ft

Highest point: 2746 m / 9012 ft

Finish: 1730 m / 5676 ft

Distance: 23 km / 14,3 mi

Ascent: 1188 m / 3897 ft

Descent: 1205 m / 3953 ft

Day 4:

Estimated hiking time: 6 h

Start: 1649 m / 5410 ft

Highest point: 2152 m / 7060 ft

Finish: 1453 m / 4767 ft

Distance: 8 km / 5 mi

Ascent: 536 m / 1759 ft

Descent: 732 m / 2402 ft

Day 5:

Estimated hiking time: 5 h

Start: 723 m / 2372 ft

Highest point: 1256 m / 4120 ft

Finish: 723 m / 2372 ft

Distance: 15km / 9,3 mi

Ascent: 533 m / 1749 ft

Descent: 533 m / 1749 ft

Day 6:

Estimated hiking time: 6-7 h

Start: 1420 m / 4659 ft

Highest point: 2602 m / 8537 ft

Finish: 2218 m / 7277 ft

Distance: 12km / 7,3 mi

Ascent: 1560 m / 5118 ft

Descent: 605 m / 1985 ft

Day 7:

Estimated hiking time: 4 h

Start: 2218 m / 7276 ft

Highest point: 2218 m / 7276 ft

Finish: 1020 m / 3346 ft

Distance: 11,8km / 6,8 mi

Ascent: 0 m / 0 ft

Descent: 1198 m / 3930 ft