- Hotel to hotel
- 7 Nights
- Max 60 km per day
- Moderate
- 5 days cycling
- April to October
Overview
Start cycling from the highest town in the Balkans, and down on the ancient Roman road Via Egnatia. See all layers of Balkan history on a bike: the remains from the Neolith, from Alexander the Great’s Empire, the Romans, Byzantines, the Ottomans, Nazis, Communists…
Swim with the cormorants in Prespa lake, and in the oldest lake in Europe – Ohrid Lake. Walk in the UNESCO World Heritage town of Ohrid where Cyrillic script was born. Visit Canyon Matka, the nature reserve – home to the Bald Eagle and over 130 different species of butterflies… And taste the unique mix of Mediterranean and Oriental cuisine in the Macedonian mouthwatering dishes.
ITINERARY:
Day 1: Arrival in Skopje
Day 2: Skopje - Canyon Matka - Skopje
Day 3: Krushevo - Bitola
Day 4: Bitola, Prespa, Lake Oteshevo
Day 5: Oteshevo, Galichica, Ohrid
Day 6: Ohrid
Day 7: Struga, Radozhda, Vevchani
Day 8: Departure to Skopje airport
Highlights
- Canyon Matka nature reserve
- Krushevo, the open museum town
- Bitola, the city with over 1.600 years urban tradition
- Heraclea Lyncstis ancient ruins
- Lake Prespa, the pelicans’ and cormorants’ lake
- Ohrid and Ohrid Lake: both of them are under UNESCO World Heritage protection
- Cave churches in the rocks above Radozhda
- Village Vevchani - the village of springs, unique architecture and true village hospitality.
Difficulty Grading
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MODERATE
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up to 75km / 46mi
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hilly terrain with moderate uphills
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Regular cyclists, who are used to longer rides and are happy to take an uphill, or two along the way
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NOTE: One long uphill on day 4. Transfer can be arranged to the mountain pass. Please contact the agency for more details.
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Map
ITINERARY
DAY:1
Transfer from Skopje International Airport to Skopje, where you will meet the Macedonia Travel agent upon your arrival. Here you can discuss with her any questions you may have regarding the trip logistics, the Macedonian traditions and customs, and you will receive the documents for your holiday. Overnight in a 4* hotel in the city center.
DAY:2
Get on the bike this morning and cycle to Canyon Matka. Home to bald eagles, endemic plant-life and over 130 different types of butterfly, this scenic landscape plays host to few stunningly located 13th century Orthodox monasteries, as well as one of the deepest caves in Europe. Each photograph of Matka Canyon represents a story by itself – a historical monument, a wildlife splendor, a place for spiritual awakening, a getaway destination from the noisy and chaotic streets of Skopje. And each photo calls you out to explore the richness of this natural treasure – you can do it all here: hiking, kayaking, swimming, cave exploring, rock climbing, fine dining. Arrive back in Skopje in the afternoon and transfer to Krushevo, a picturesque mountain town in Central Macedonia. It is the highest town in the Balkans, famous for the first uprising revolution against the Ottoman suppression, but also for their traditional architecture, local traditional art crafts and delicious cuisine. Enjoy your first Macedonian meal in one of the best places to taste traditional cuisine and Macedonian local beer. Overnight in a boutique hotel in Krushevo.
DAY:3
Starting from the hotel, ride down Mount Busava to the villages at its foothills. You can stop in village Obrshani to climb the bell tower for the best view over the tobacco fields of the region and continue to Stibera archaeological ruins of one of the biggest ancient cities that is still being excavated. It is always possible to have a local village style lunch in the villages on the way, supplied by a socialist time local store on the road. Afternoon continue riding on the old road to Bitola, and to Heraclea Lyncestis – an ancient city built by the father of Alexander the Great, Philip II. Arrive in Bitola in the afternoon. Bitola is the former city of consulates and embassies, today still one of the most beautiful cities in Macedonia which managed to maintain its 18th and 19th century neoclassical architecture and monuments. Overnight in family hotel in Bitola.
Cycling: 5h ( 62km, ascent 171m, descent 813m)
DAY:4
Start riding from your hotel in Bitola in the morning on the old road to Prespa Lake, to join for a part the ancient Roman road Via Egnatia, built over old Candavian Road some 2.200 years ago. Next, ride up to Gjavato Pass and then make a descent to Lake Prespa, where you can visit a small village with lovely ethno museum. From here, ride by the Bird Habitat Ezerani and get to the other side of the lake where you can stop for a swim and for overnight in a 2* hotel by the lake.
Cycling: 6h (50 km, ascent 752 m, descent 503 m)
DAY:5
Ride up Galicica mountain in the morning, on a local asphalt road through the dense forests of Galicica National Park. Today ride will start at the altitude of 860m, and up over Galicica pass at 1.590m where you can stop to enjoy amazing view over Ohrid Lake and surrounding mountains stretching all the way in Albania. Than cycle down on a windy road to Ohrid Lake, and following the road by the lake to the village Lagadin on the lake shore. Accommodation in a family guesthouse in Lagadin.
Cycling: 4h (45 km, ascent 980 m, descent 1.159 m)
Optional: transport to Galicica pass where you can continue riding down to Ohrid Lake.
DAY:6
A day to explore Ohrid, the city of UNESCO with 365 Orthodox churches, an antique theatre and the medieval city walls of Tsar Samoil. It takes less than 10km to get to Ohrid on the road by the lake Accommodation in same guesthouse in Lagadin.
Cycling: 1h (16 km, ascent 163 m, descent 163 m)
DAY:7
Ride on the old local road along the lake to Struga, the town of poetry and a nice old colourful bazaar in the centre, where river Drim flows out from Ohrid Lake. From here continue riding towards the Albanian border to Radozhda village with stops along the route to visit a number of cave churches from 14th century. In Radozhda see again the remnants of Via Egnatia road and taste some fish in a restaurant by the lake. Afternoon ride to a village at the foothills of Jablanica mountain, only 16km from the lake at Struga. Overnight in guesthouse in Vevchani village.
DAY:8
After a tasty village breakfast, transfer to Skopje for your flight back home.
When To Go
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Possible
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01 May – 31 May and 15 October to 01 November
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Recommended
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01 June– 14 October
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Not available
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All other dates
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Price
931 € / per person in double room
Price is valid for min 2 participants
INCLUDED IN PRICE
- Arrival airport transfer from Skopje International Airport to Skopje
- Transfer from Skopje to Krushevo
- Departure airport transfer from Vevchani to Skopje (all single transfers per group)
- Accommodation based on 2 participants sharing double room
- 7 breakfasts
- Luggage transfers
- English route descriptions
- Detailed cycling route descriptions and maps
- Local safety information and contacts
- Stand-by support (cell phone and contact person)
- Organization and logistic by Macedonia Travel
NOT INCLUDED IN PRICE
OPTIONS & SUPPLEMENTS:- Supplement for single room accommodation: 231 €
- Private arrival / departure transfers available upon request
- Extra night in Skopje before or after the tour from:
45 € / per person sharing double room;
Single supplement from 35 € - Optional transfer for the longer uphill on Galichica mountain (Day 4): 80€ / per car
- Rent of bike: from 29 € /per day
If you prefer to bring your own bike, we will be happy to take care of your bike box while you enjoy your holiday around the country. If it is easier for you to rent it, we can offer Hardtail mountain bicycles. They are great for casual mountain biking, cross country or touring around the country. Each bike comes with a helmet, lights, locks and a spare tube, and each group gets: a pump, tire levers, patches and a multi-tool. Please view our bikes’ specifications below.
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brand |
wheels
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brakes
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gears |
derailer |
shock |
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Specialised |
27.5'' |
hidraulic discs
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3 x 9 |
Shimano Deore |
80-100mm |
We can also install luggage rack to the bicycle, and provide you with bike bags at an extra cost (4 € / per day)
Note: A deposit of 6000 MKD / 100 EUR in cash is required for every rented bicycle. The deposit will be returned to you upon the safe return of the bicycle.
Why Travel With Us?
LOCAL EXPERTS
Since 2004 we create authentic, high quality tours in the Balkans. North Macedonia is our homeland, we have walked and biked every corner of the country and we make sure that the balance between the activities, the "must see" attractions and the "off-the-beaten-track" experiences gives you the true Balkan - intense, hearth warming and often life changing experience.
SAFETY
* Strict company risk management on each tour that we operate available
* 24/7 for anything from enquiries to emergencies
* Macedonia Travel has liability insurance by Winner - Vienna Group
* "A" licensed by the Ministery of Economy of North Macedonia UP 113-101
* IATA license No. 76-3 2058
FLEXIBLE BOOKINGS
* Change your travel plans up to 30 days before departure, with no fees.
*After you pay the deposit, the rest of the amount can be paid any time until 30 days before departure
