Northern Macedonia

Day 1: Arrival in Skopje
Day 2: Hike to the Millennium Cross - transfer to Omorani Village, 6 mi. (8.6 km)
Day 3: Hike to Babuna Springs, 10 mi. (16 km)
Day 4: Prilep - Treskavec Monastery- Bitola, 8 mi. (13.3 km)
Day 5: The "Eye" of Pelister National Park, 4 mi. (6.3 km)
Day 6: Prespa Lake, 8 mi. (13 km)
Day 7: Galichica National Park - Ohrid, 4 mi. (7 km)
Day 8: Ohrid
Day 9: Jablanica Mountain, 5 + 2 mi. (7.5 + 3.8 km)
Day 10: Departure

Day 1: Arrival in Skopje
You will be welcomed at the airport and transferred to your hotel in Skopje. Overnight in a centrally located hotel in Skopje. 

Overnight: Skopje
Accommodation: Hotel City 5 or similar
Transfer: 23 km / 30 min

Day 2: Hike to the Millennium Cross - transfer to Omorani Village, 6 mi. (8.6 km) 
Skopje is a microcosmos and a multi-cultural city showcased by the mixture of Socialistic architecture and Old Town Ottoman heritage. Today you will see the "big picture" from above. Your hike to Vodno Mountain starts from the central area of Skopje on a trail through oak and pine forests offering shade all the way to the top. Having reached the 66 m high Millennium Cross, you will have a wonderful view of the city below. The old from the new in terms of urbanization is easily recognizable. An afternoon transfer will take you away from the city rush to a charming house in the country.

 Take a stroll around the village, meet the locals, immerse in their rural lifestyle, and enjoy a homemade dinner prepared from local organic ingredients. 

Overnight: Omorani Village
Accommodation: Guesthouse Rancho & Vancho na Kata
Meals: Breakfast and dinner
Hike: 3.5 hrs
Elevation: From an elevation of 316 m to 1066 m and descent back to 315 m
Transfer: 83 km / 1h 30 min

Day 3: Hike to Babuna Springs, 10 mi. (16 km)
Start early with a transfer to the village of  Nezhilovo where your hike starts on a narrow dirt road that winds up into dense beech forest. Once you exit the road on a narrow forest trail you will hear the roaring of Babuna River, with a lovely surprise: there is a small picturesque waterfall a  few hundred meters before the spring. Refresh yourself, fill all your bottles with water and get ready for a walk down back to the fishpond at Nezhilovo. Overnight in the same house in Omorani.

Overnight: Omorani Village
Accommodation: Guesthouse Rancho & Vancho na Kata
Meals: Breakfast and picnic lunch
Hike: 6 hrs
Elevation:   690 m up to 1.304 m elevation and then descent back to 690 m
Transfer(s): 50 km / 1 h 20 min

Day 4: Prilep - Treskavec Monastery - Bitola, 8 mi. (13.3 km)
Transfer to the foothills of Treskavec Mountain. Starting from the city of Prilep, this hike takes on a well–established single track in an otherworldly landscape. It will take you 3 hours to reach the monastery, nestled as an eagle's nest between vertical rocks and granite slabs. From the monastery, you can walk back to Prilep to get on the train to Bitola, the second-largest city in Macedonia set between the mountains of Pelister National Park, 16 km from the border with Greece. Take a stroll in the evening along the lively Shirok Sokak pedestrian street,  lined with colorful, romantic, neo-classical buildings and lively cafes. 

Overnight: Bitola
Accommodation: Hotel Teatar or similar
Meals: Breakfast and picnic lunch
Elevation: From an elevation of 688  m to 1.259 m and then descent back to 688 m
Hike: 5.5 hr
Transfer: 66 km / 1h 30 min 
Train: Prilep – Bitola: 45 min 

Day 5: The "Eye" of Pelister National Park, 4 mi. (6.3 km)
A 15 min transfer takes you to the villages in the park where you will start the hike to the big glacial lake on Mount Baba. This mountain dominates the Pelagonija Valley like a rooftop and it is home to the oldest National park in North Macedonia, Pelister, known for its rich wildlife, particularly mountain swallows, mountain goats, deer, wolves, and brown bears. The trail leads along the ridgeline of the mountain, which a hundred years ago was one of the most important frontlines in WW1. You will overnight in an authentic mountain hut by the lake. It is quite basic, but offers lovely seclusion and a beautiful sunrise.

Overnight: Golemo Ezero
Accommodation: Mountain Hut Golemo Ezero (dormitory accommodation)
Meals: Breakfast, picnic lunch, and dinner
Hike: 4 hours
Elevation: From an elevation of 1.120 m up to 2.228 m
Transfer: 10 km / 15 min

IMPORTANT: No baggage transfer to Golemo Ezero. Please make sure you pack what you will need in your backpack for one evening and the next day's hike.

If you prefer not to overnight in this dormitory-like setting, it is possible to return on the same trail back to the city and continue to Hotel Lakeview on Prespa Lake.

Day 6: Prespa Lake, 8 mi. (13 km)
Descend down to the villages by Lake Prespa on a trail following the WW1 military roads. You will pass by several glacial "stone rivers" or moraines and by the ruins of military objects – silent reminders of the horrors that were in this part of the frontline. Gradually, the path follows Brajcinska Creek serpentines into lush deciduous forests, passing by an old sawmill and a small church St.Nikola. Afternoon transfer to a small hotel by Prespa lake. Overnight in Oteshevo. 

Overnight: Oteshevo
Accommodation: Hotel Lakeview
Meals: Breakfast and picnic lunch
Hike: 4,5 hours
Elevation: From 1220 m down to 1000 m 
Transfer: 40 km / 45 min

Day 7: Galichica National Park - Ohrid, 4 mi. (7 km)
Head onwards to the pass of Galicica Mountain, rising like a big whale between Prespa and Ohrid Lakes. From the pass of Galicica hike to the highest peak in the range, Magaro (2.255m), located in the highly protected zone of Galicica National park. The hike goes through a pleasant forest, grassy meadows and limestone ridge in the higher sections. This trail gives some of the greatest views of Ohrid Lake and the surrounding mountains, and at some points of both Ohrid and Prespa Lakes, the two largest lakes in Macedonia. Overnight in Ohrid. 

Overnight: Ohrid
Accommodation: Hotel St. Sofia or similar
Meals: Breakfast and picnic lunch
Hike: 5 hours 
Elevation: From 1.572 m up to  2.255 m 
Transfer:  52,5 km / 1h 15 min

Day 8: Ohrid
Today is a "layover" day in Ohrid. Ohrid and Ohrid Lake are one of the thirty-five UNESCO areas in the world protected for both cultural and national heritage. As the oldest lake in Europe, Ohrid Lake has the biggest concentration of endemic species living in its waters for over 1.5 million years. The old town of Ohrid is one of the oldest settlements in Europe, (mentioned by the classical historian Livy in the 3rd century BC), with archaeological sites dating back to the Neolithic and Bronze Age, and with 365 churches, most of them from the Byzantine era. (it’s also known as the Jerusalem of the Balkans).

Overnight: Ohrid
Accommodation: Hotel St. Sofia or similar
Meals: Breakfast

Day 9: Jablanica Mountain, 5 + 2 mi. (7.5 + 3.8 km)
A scenic drive takes you by Ohrid Lake, and on the narrow road to village Gorna Belica, set amidst the woods of Jablanica Mountain. From here start a circle hike to the Holi Trinity church at 2.040m which gives amazing views of Mount Jablanica, Ohrid Lake and the Albanian borderlands. Once back in Gorna Belica, continue on a path connecting this village with village Vevchani on an easy descending trail. Spend the night in a local guesthouse in Vevchani where you will taste some excellent homemade food for dinner. Overnight in Vevchani. (B, D)

Overnight: Vevchani
Accommodation: Kutmichevica Guesthouse or similar
Meals: Breakfast and dinner
Hike: 5 + 2 hours
Elevation: From 1.400 m up to 2.040 m and from 1.400 m down to 865 m
Transfer: 34 km / 50 min

Day 10: Departure
After breakfast transfer to Skopje airport for your flight home.  Total distance 215 km / 3h. Before making any departure flight arrangements, please confirm with us the transfer time.

Accommodation during your tour will be in 3 * hotels, small family-run hotels, and guesthouses. The night in Golemo Ezero will be spent in an authentic, simple mountain hut located at 2,500 m elevation. The hut has only dormitory-type rooms but will be a highlight of your tour. Located by a glacial lake with an amazing view, the beauty of your surroundings surpasses the simplicity of your accommodations. If you would rather skip this accommodation, it is possible to return on the same trail back to the city and continue to the hotel by Prespa Lake. Please see each day’s detailed itinerary for the preferred accommodation and take note that the final hotel list will be based on availability.