Macedonia

Exploring the gems of North Macedonia

Price

1,475 EUR

Duration

6 Days

Level

easy-moderate

Date

July 8, 2022

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Overview Itinerary Details What’s Included Get Inspired

6 days

1,475 EUR / 545 KWD / 6,650 AED

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Overview

North Macedonia is a landlocked Balkan country, full of mountains, lakes, and ancient towns with Ottoman and European architecture. The capital, Skopje, is known for its sprawling Old Bazaar quarter and historic buildings, while the city of Ohrid, perched by its namesake lake, has been listed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site.

This itinerary, though, goes beyond the towns and ventures into the beauties of the countryside. With a series of diverse and thrilling activities, you will be able to discover the most famous sites of the country as well as its hidden gems, and you will immerse in a culture that differs, and yet, connects, with all the rest in the Balkan Peninsula.

Trip Highlights:
Get ready to...

Explore the old town of Skopje with its rich heritage.
Go horseback riding in the Mavrovo National Park, surrounded by scenic landscapes and picturesque villages.
Walk to the beautiful Duf waterfall.
Embark on a thrilling cycling adventure at Prespa.
Explore the famous Lake Ohrid with a kayak.
Enjoy an unforgettable hiking day in Mavrovo National Park.
Go on a walking tour around the old city of Ohrid: a UNESCO World Heritage site.

Share this trip:

Activities: biking/cycling, boating/cruising, caving, cultural interactions, cultural sightseeing, horse riding, nature watching, rafting/kayaking, walking

Itinerary Details

Day 1 (8th July 2022): Arrival at Skopje / Exploring the Old Town of Skopje (D)

Upon your arrival at the airport of Skopje, you will be welcomed by a Rahhalah representative, and you will be transferred to the hotel.

Depending on your arrival details, you may spend the afternoon exploring the old town, including the Fortress, the Old Bazaar, and several other landmarks, ending the day with a delicious welcome dinner.

Accommodation: Hotel Tim’s (or similar), Skopje.

Day 2 (9th July 2022): Horseback riding in Mavrovo National Park / Exploration of the Duf waterfall (B, L)

After breakfast, you will check-out and head to Galicnik (around a 30-minute drive), where you will enjoy a horse-riding tour (western style) around the village (3-4 hours; adequate for beginners and intermediate riders). Picnic lunch is arranged on-site (local white cheese – “belo sirenje" – and other traditional delicacies). Galicnik is one of the two biggest and oldest Mijak villages in the region, with a beautifully preserved traditional architecture, surrounded by a vast nature reserve.

In the afternoon, you will move to Rostushe, a village in the southern part of the park, to visit the impressive Duf waterfall (an easy, 40-min. walk back and forth).

Accommodation: Mia’s Favorite Hotel (or similar), Mavrovo National Park.

Day 3 (10th July 2022): Hike in Mavrovo national park - Mt. Medenica (2166m asl) (B, L)

In the morning, after breakfast, you will check-out and head transfer to the trailhead where you begin your walk.
You will ascend steeply across flowery grasslands to reach our objective for the day, Mt Medenica (2166 m), the highest point of the Bistra Massif. The trail eventually reaches more open and rocky terrain, and you will stop to enjoy glorious views of Mt Korab, the highest peak of Macedonia on the border with Albania (2764 m). From the summit on a clear day one can see Lake Mavrovo.

Later you descend through meadows of flowers and livestock and then onto a rocky trail as we make our way down to the village of Galicnik. There, you will have lunch in a local family house before moving on to Ohrid: a UNESCO World Heritage site.

Starting point: 1640 m asl
Highest point: 2163 m asl
Finishing point: 1500 m asl (village of Galicnik)
Duration: 3.5-4hours / 12 km

Accommodation: Vila Mal Sveti Kliment (or similar), Ohrid.

Day 4 (11th July 2022): Exploring Lake Ohrid with a kayak / Around Ohrid Old Town (B)

There is no better way to explore the enchanting beauty of Ohrid Lake than to kayak along its shoreline: the fairy-tale landscapes will leave you breathless. You will spend the morning exploring the east coast of the lake, starting from Peshtani and finishing at Trpejca (around 2 hrs; 7 km; with boat support).

At Trpejca, you will relax for a while to enjoy the surrounding landscape, before returning by private pontoon to Ohrid in the afternoon. There, you can spend the afternoon at leisure, or go on a walking tour around the old city, including King Samuel’s Fortress, the Amphitheater, and other, famous archaeological sites.

Accommodation: Vila Mal Sveti Kliment (or similar), Ohrid.

Day 5 (12th July 2022): Cycling in Prespa (B, L)

After breakfast, you will check-out and drive (for around 1.5 hours) to Prespa: an area full of adventurous activities and natural wonders.
You will start cycling from the city of Resen (first you will bike around Resen and see some highlights such as the Saraj), heading to the nearby beautiful apple farm in the village of Carev Dvor called "Spirit of Prespa". Another unique enroute stop is the ethno museum in the village of Podmocani. Cycling takes place along the east coast of lake Prespa, offering rewarding views of the scenic lake and surrounding mountains.
Our final destination is Dupeni Beach, where you rest and chill, before enjoying farewell outdoor lunch (local lamb or fish) served at Villa Prespa in the village of Dolno Dupeni.

After lunch we transfer back to Skopje (transfer duration: 2.5-3 hours). Guests are dropped off at their hotel. Optional farewell dinner is arranged at a nearby city restaurant.

Later in the afternoon, you will head to Skopje (a drive of approximately 2.5 -3 hours).
Check-in to the hotel and evening at your own leisure.