Macedonian Hike Tour

Day 1: 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 Matka Canyon for a 40-minute night hike to your campsite in the canyon. Enjoy a grand welcome dinner with ethnic music at the camp. Feel free to ask our musicians to show you how to play the kaval (a traditional end-blown flute). It’s fun! Overnight in tents. (L, D)

Day 2: Hiking Trail in Matka Canyon

Take a hike along the history trail in Matka Canyon. It was once a place inhabited only by Orthodox monks living in monasteries built into the rocks. Today, it is also a nature reserve, home to the golden eagle and Egyptian vulture, as well as over 200 butterfly species. After lunch, we’ll take a boat ride along the canyon to one of the deepest underwater caves in Europe — Vrelo Cave. Drive to Popova Shapka in the Shar Mountains for dinner and overnight in a mountain hut. (B, L, D)

Day 3: Hike to Titov Vrv

Named after Marshal Tito, this all-day tour offers great panoramic views of the Shar Mountains and the Jakupica range, as well as Pelister, Korab, and even the Rila Mountains in Bulgaria. Below the peak lies one of the most beautiful areas in Macedonia — the alpine-style Leshnica valley, with pine trees, deep river valleys, and impressive overhanging rock faces. Early evening transfer to Galicnik in Mavrovo National Park for a tasty village dinner and overnight in a hotel. (B, LP, D)

Day 4: Mount Bistra

Rise early and join shepherds on Mount Bistra for a Balkan-style breakfast — a shot of rakia, homemade bread, and cheese. Hike to Medenica Peak and descend to Galicnik. Galicnik village is not inhabited in winter and can only be reached after the snow melts. It is famous for its sharp sheep cheese and traditional architecture.

The afternoon is free for walks in the village, or you may take a two-hour ride with trained mountain horses in the surrounding hills. Dinner and overnight in the same hotel in Galicnik. (B, LP, D)

Day 5: Prilep

Morning drive to Prilep, where we’ll take a moderate five-hour hike to Treskavec Monastery — a 14th-century church hidden among the boulders of Gold Mountain. It is worth visiting for its Byzantine treasures, the remains of a 2nd-century Apollo temple, and a relaxing cup of tea with Father Kalist. Afternoon drive to Bitola, just in time to join the evening promenade in the old town and enjoy dinner. Overnight in a hotel at the foothills of Mount Pelister. (B, LP, D)

Day 6: Hike to Mount Pelister

We start early to hike to the summit of Mount Pelister, the highest point in the Baba mountain range. This is the oldest national park in Macedonia, famous for its ancient pine forests, lynx, and bearded eagle. Lunch will be at the summit. From there, we continue to the mountain hut next to a glacial lake — “The Eye of Pelister” — where we’ll enjoy supper and spend the night. Optional: a night swim in the lake. (B, LP, D)

Day 7: Village of Brajcino

From Golemo Ezero, we descend to the charming old village of Brajcino. It is a quiet and peaceful village, famous for its hospitality and homemade fruit liqueurs. We’ll have dinner in a traditional wood-fired restaurant, sample local drinks, and stay overnight in the monastery. (B, LP, D)

Day 8: Prespa Lake – Konsko

From Brajcino, it’s a short walk to the shores of Prespa Lake. We then drive to Konsko, an old fishing village (approximately 20 km / 30 minutes), where we take a boat to the uninhabited island of Golem Grad, also known as “Snake Island,” home to cormorants, pelicans, and sun-bathing water snakes. Return to the shores of Prespa Lake for lunch and a swim, followed by an early evening drive to Ohrid. Free evening to wander through Ohrid’s old town. Overnight in a hotel in Ohrid Old Town. (B, L)

Day 9: Ohrid

Ohrid and Lake Ohrid are UNESCO World Heritage Sites: Ohrid for its cultural and historical importance, and Lake Ohrid for being one of Europe’s oldest lakes with many endemic species, sponges, and algae. There are 365 Orthodox churches in Ohrid, a Roman theater, and a gallery of icons with a priceless collection. It is also linked to the development of the Cyrillic script.

Morning drive to visit the Bay of Bones and St. Naum Monastery, with a stop for a swim and lunch (Ohrid trout) in a traditional fishing village. The afternoon is free to explore Ohrid, or you may take a discovery dive in the Bay of Bones with expert guides. In the evening, enjoy a gala farewell dinner at a beachside restaurant with live ethnic music. Overnight in Ohrid. (B, L, D)

Day 10: Departure

After breakfast, transfer to Skopje Airport for your flight home. (B)

Included in Price:

Accommodation: 5 hotel nights (3★), 2 mountain hut nights, 1 night in tents, 1 monastery stay
Meals: 9 breakfasts, 9 lunches, 8 dinners
Transport by air-conditioned van/minibus
Full escort by a professional hiking guide
Boat trips in Matka Canyon and Prespa Lake
Cheese tasting in a sheepfold on Mount Bistra
Live music on Days 1 and 9
Full organization and logistics by Macedonia Travel

Not Included in Price:

Drinks during meals
Travel insurance (recommended)
Guided tour in Ohrid
Discovery dive in the Bay of Bones
Any extra expenses not mentioned under “Included in the price.”