Through North Macedonia on foot

Arrival and transfer to the hotel
Your driver will meet you at the airport in Skopje and escort you to the hotel.

Overnight in Skopje

1st highlight: Kokino
In the morning we drive to Kokino, an observatory from the Early Bronze Age on the volcanic rocks of Tatitcev Kamen, about 70 km from Skopje. According to NASA, it is the 4th oldest observatory in the world after Abu Simbel in Egypt, Stonehenge in Great Britain and Angkor Wat in Cambodia. We explore Kokino on foot and continue past rice fields and vineyards to the "Valley of the Stone Dolls". Of course, the tour guide tells us the legend of the origin of the mysterious rock formations.

2nd highlight: Kratovo
This is the city of underground tunnels dug in the volcanic soil beneath its medieval towers and bridges. Here, we will have a small tour around the premises and we will have our lunch.

3rd highlight: Popova Kula
In the afternoon, we continue to the Macedonian wine region. We will visit the Demir Kapija Wine Museum and take a walk through the vineyards of the Popova Kula winery with a tour of the wine cellars. At dinner we taste the authentic wines of Stanushina and Vranec as well as Cabernet Sauvignon and Merlot under the Macedonian sun!

Overnight at Chateau Popova Kula winery

1st highlight: Prilep
In the morning we leave the wine region and drive to Prilep, to the tobacco fields. The town, adorned with medieval walls and towers, was shaped by the Serbian King Marko. From here we hike to the remote Treskavec monastery from the 13th century, which is hidden between the rocks of the "Golden Mountain". Built on a vertical granite rock and more than 1,400 m above sea level, the monastery offers wide views of the Pelagonija plain and the Baba, Babuna and Kajmakcalan mountains. We meet Father Kalist here and hear the story of the great Byzantine heritage hidden in the Treskavec frescoes.

2nd highlight: Bitola and dinner in the restaurant
In the afternoon we drive to Bitola, the former city of consulates and embassies. Even today it is one of the most beautiful cities in North Macedonia. We visit the evening promenade and eat in a traditional Macedonian restaurant.

Overnight in Bitola

1st highlight: Excursion to the Pelister National Park
We start the day with a visit to Heraclea Lyncestis, the ancient city of Philip II., the father of Alexander the Great. Hike through the pine forests of the Pelister National Park, the oldest national park in North Macedonia, which is known for its bearded eagle and endemic pine populations. Here you will find a large number of streams, rivers and also two glacial lakes, also known as "the eyes of the Pelister". Your picnic / lunch will take place in the forest.

2. Highlight: Cooking class and dinner with a local family
In the afternoon, we learn how to cook delicious local dishes from a family in a village at the foot of the Pelister. The spices we collect come from nature and your hosts' garden and we learn how to use them. Afterwards we enjoy dining in the garden with our host family.

Overnight in the same hotel in Bitola

1st highlight: Ohrid and lunch break in the fishing village
In the morning we drive to Lake Ohrid and the St. Naum Monastery, which is located on a cliff above the lake. It is the burial place of Saint Naum and the birthplace of the Cyrillic script, which is still used today in most Eastern European countries and in Russia. We explore the monastery complex and take a boat trip on the crystal clear waters of the lagoon to the springs of the Crni Drim river. Lunch will take place in a fishing village on the lakefront.

2nd highlight: Excursion to the old town of Ohrid
Ohrid and Lake Ohrid are a UNESCO World Heritage Site: the city is known for its great cultural and historical heritage and the lake is the oldest lake in Europe with a fantastic biodiversity. We visit the most important Orthodox churches of Ohrid, the Roman amphitheater, the medieval fortress of Tsar Samoil and the icon gallery with 30 masterpieces from the 11th century.

Overnight in Ohrid

1st highlight: Galicnik
Today we continue along the Crni Drim River and Lake Globocica to the Mavrovo National Park, from where we ascend to the village of Galicnik at 1,500 m. Galicnik is a small settlement between the high pastures of Mavrovo, which is only inhabited in summer when the snow has melted. The settlement is famous for the traditional Galicnik wedding in July, for the typical architecture and the sheep's cheese, which we can try on site in a family-run restaurant.

2nd highlight: Mavrovo lake
In the afternoon we drive to Lake Mavrovo. Here you can go horseback riding in the meadows around Galicnik as an option.

Overnight in Mavrovo

1st highlight: Matka Canyon
The Matka Canyon is a beautiful canyon in the Suva Mountains, 15 km from Skopje. The nature reserve is home to over 130 different species of butterflies and a few pairs of griffon vultures and bald eagles. Orthodox monks lived in the canyon in the 12th and 13th century. We visit some of the temple churches, including the nuns' embroidery workshop, on our walk through the canyon. We go by boat to one of the deepest caves in Europe and hike to a monastery with a fantastic view to have a picnic with local musicians.

2nd highlight: walk to the Treska River and drive to Skopje
In the afternoon we walk to the Treska River and then drive to Skopje. In the evening we enjoy the farewell dinner in a traditional restaurant in the Bohemian district of Skopje.

Overnight in Skopje

Breakfast at the hotel and transfer to the airport
At the agreed time, the driver will wait for you in the hotel lobby and take you to the airport. Your return flight ends the tour.

See you on a new journey!

Drinks during meals
Meals & drinks not listed
Individual visits and excursions
Insurance
Tip
Visa

7 x overnight stays in 4 * star hotels and boutique hotels
7 x breakfast
3 x lunch in the restaurant
1 x dinner
Cooking class
Farewell dinner
Wine tasting
Boat trip in the Matka Canyon
Boat trip to the St. Naum monastery
Transfers from & to the airport and all excursions
All day English-speaking tour guide
All entrance tickets

Note for people with reduced mobility: This product is generally not suitable for people with reduced mobility. When booking, please ask whether it still meets your individual needs.