Hiking 3 national parks in macedonia

Walking in

Macedonia

One of our local guides- Vasko

Macedonia is a small country between Greece, Albania and Bulgaria, which is rarely visited despite its rich culture and wonderful landscapes. A macédoine refers to a rich mix, which accurately reflects the many languages and cultures in this beautiful Balkan state.

The walk will take in the some of the best of the mountain scenery in the Shar and Pelister ranges. These ranges are magical landscapes of snow-capped peaks, alpine meadows, glacial lakes, medieval villages and mature forests. The wildlife is rare with wolves, bears, boar, chamoix, golden eagles and lynx all still resident in the mountains.

We will be in the hands of competent guides (one Macedonian and one international) walking for between 5 hours and 8 hours daily. We won’t walk the entire range, but we will select the best chunks and include monasteries, mountain villages and historic towns. A bit of horse-riding or 4x4 transport may be possible for the foot-weary.

We will stay in a combination guest-houses, hotels and two basic mountain huts. The food will be authentically Macedonian, and excellent!

See the following itinerary for the route.

The cost – including flights, guides, accommodation, travel in Macedonia, and food - is likely to be around _____ euro pp for 10 days. The final figure, which depends on numbers, and accommodation choices, will follow.

YOUR ITINERARY:

DAY 1: SKOPJE - MATKA VALLEY

Your guides will meet you at the airport and will 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. Afternoon walk in the little cobblestoned streets of old Skopje, and trough the new modern project Skopje 2014 with numerous monuments, reconstructed baroque buildings and museums. Transfer to Matka Canyon natural reserve for overnight (approximately 20 min)

Your guide Simon

DAY 2: SKOPJE - MATKA VALLEY

History hike through the canyon abounding of rare, and many endemic life species, over 100 different types of butterflies and a heaven for birdwatchers. It is also home to few Byzantine churches dating back to XIII and XIV century, and the nuns’ embroidery workshop in the Bogorodicamonastery. We’ll also take a boat along MatkaLake to visit “Ubava” cave and climb to the best view point for picnic lunch with the sounds of ethno music. Dinner and overnight in the same hotel. (320m - 650m - 320m - 524m - 320m - 6 hours)

The Matka ValleyVrelo Cave

DAY 3: SHAR PLANINA MOUNTAIN RANGE

A day for serious hikes on Mt Shara (the “colored mountain”) to Tito’s Peak named after the Yugoslavian Marshal Tito – for the 2nd highest peak in the Shar Planina range bordering Albania and Kosovo). We’ll take a circle hike over Bakardan and Karabunar peaks to Tito’s peak, and hike down through the Vakaf pastures and sheepfolds. BBQ under the stars on 1850m and overnight in mountain hut. (1.850m – 2.748m – 1.850m – 8 hours)

Kriva Sija Waterfall

The Shar Mountain Range

The Shar Mountains

DAY 4: LESHNICA WATERFALLS

Another day on Shara, through breathtaking landscapes of pastures, deep forests, mountain springs and waterfalls. It will be a more moderate 5 hours walk to the waterfalls, and to the small Albanian villages above Tetovo for a typical mountain meal with the locals. Afternoon drive to MavrovoNational Park for overnight in hotel in Galichnik village. (1.845 -2000m – 5 hours)

Left: Sreden kamen(2465m)- center Leshnica valley – right: Plat (2398m)

DAY 5: MAVROVO NATIONAL PARK Galichnik is famous for its unique architecture, the great traditional Galichnik wedding and for the mouthwatering breakfast and delicious homemade yoghurt. Today we enjoy an easy, picturesque hike through the forests of National Park Mavrovo, and local villages. These villages are not inhabited in the winter and can only be reached when the snow melts. They are famous for their sharp sheep cheese and traditional architecture. You can always rise early join the shepherds and then breakfast Balkan style- a shot of local brandy and yogurt. Lunch will be in a restaurant above river Radikavalley. Drive to Bitola in the evening, just in time to join the evening promenade and have a pizza in the main street of the old town of Bitola. Overnight in hotel in National Park Pelister. (1.404m – 710m –2 hours) Transfer to Bitola – approximately 2h 30min

DAY 6: PELISTER NATIONAL PARK

We start early to hike to the top of Pelister(2600m) and to the mountain hut by the glacial lakes. This national park is the oldest one in Macedonia, famous for its ancient Molika pine trees, lynx and bearded eagle. Picnic lunch wil be at the peak, and then we’ll head to the mountain hut by the glacial lakes for swim. Dinner and overnight in the mountain hut. (1454m – 2600m –2500m - 8 hours)Overnight in basic mountain hut- 3-4 rooms with bunks for 8 to 14 people.

Golemo Ezero Mountain HutLoo

DAY 7: PELISTER’S GOLEMO EZERO – BRAJCINO

From Golemo Ezero we will descend to the lovely old village of Brajcino. Our cook from the mountain hut will prepare pack lunches for the way down.

Brajcino is a quiet peaceful village, famous for its hospitality and homemade fruit liqueurs. We will have supper in a traditional restaurant with a wood fire, sample the local tipples, and stay overnight in the monastery. (2500m – 1000m - 6 hours)

A Brajcino house Monastery

Dalmatian Pelicans

Commute to the Island

Otesevo

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. We will return by the boat to the fishing village of Otesevo, where we will lunch and swim.Then drive over Galicica mountain and National Park to Ohrid Lake and to Ohrid. Overnight in hotel in Ohrid.

DAY 8: BRAJCINO – GOLEM GRAD – OHRID

DAY 9: OHRID – SVETI NAUM - OHRIDMorning walk exploring Ohrid, the UNESCO World Heritage town, the birthplace of the Cyrillic script and home to 365 churches, ancient ruins and a rich gallery of icons. Drive to a fishermen village for lunch by the lake (fresh trout), and boat ride in the lagoon of river Drimsprings by St Naum monastery. On the way back visit of the Bay of bones. Tonight we celebrate with farewell dinner with music in a restaurant by the lake.Overnight in Ohrid.

DAY 10: OHRID – SKOPJE AIRPORT

Free morning to have a quick dip in Lake Ohrid or to walk in the old town of Ohrid, lined with little jewelry shops, boutiques, and traditional Ohrid pearl producers. Drive to Skopje Airport for flight back home.

Waterfall in Shar Frescos in the Mountains

Mushroom HuntingYoga warm up

Valley Walk

Making new mates