Day 1
Camping in Matka is located in a quiet place up in the rocks, with fantastic view over the canyon. It is on the grounds of a XIII century monastery, close to a spring with drinking water and you can only reach it on foot (40 min walk from the river). The idea to set up a camp here came initially to Macedonia Travel as a contribution for the maintenance of this great history heritage, but since then it has became the most popular destination on our hikes and trekkings. Even for picnic lunch when guests prefer to sleep in hotel.
Day 2
The mountain hut in Popova Sapka is part of the monastery complex St Naum in Popova Sapka, located at 1.760m height. The accommodation is basic in 1/4 rooms, there is one shared bathroom and 5 toilets, dining room with bar, and open terrace, free WiFi and satellite TV.
Day 3 & 4
This lovely hotel is located in Galicnik village on Bistra Mountain, at 1420m height. It is built in old traditional Galicnik style, on the hill with the best view over the village, and the surrounding woods and pastures. It is simple, with nice traditional interior, and 20 rooms in total, 4 double rooms of them with private bathroom, and the rest are twin with 1 bathroom shared on every 2 rooms. The hosts are warm and friendly, and always there to make you feel at home. Their kitchen is traditional, and very good.
Day 5
Hotel Molika is a 3*** hotel, placed in the pine forest of the National Park Pelister. One of the rare places where you can become one with the untouched nature, rest from the daily life and enjoy the impeccable service of the hotel's personnel. All rooms are equipped with phones, TV with satellite program, free WiFi in public areas, mini-bar, toilets and central heating.
Day 6
The mountain hut on top of Pelister is basic, with accommodation in 4 rooms with bunks for 8 to 14 people, a big dining room and a kitchen with wood stove. Clean linen is provided by the hosts, so there is no need to carry additional sleeping bags. It is located at 2.218m height, right by the big glacial lake, called "The Eye of Pelister" for its beauty in the reflection of the surrounding hills and meadows in its surface.
Day 7
This beautiful monastery built in 16 century is modest in its outside look, but it hides real Byzantine treasure inside its walls. The accommodation in the monastery could be considered basic, with shared facilities, but clean and renovated in 2009. Dining is in a traditional restaurant in the village.
Day 8 & 9
The hotel in Ohrid (3*) is located only 500m from Ohrid Lake, overlooking the main pedestrian street of Ohrid Old Town. It offers 32 air-conditioned rooms with free Wi-Fi, cable TV, minibar and private bathroom, and 1 restaurant.
Day 2:
Estimated hiking time: 4 - 5 h
Start: 351 m / 1152 ft
Highest point: 780 m / 2560 ft
Finish: 320 m / 1050 ft
Distance: 9,4 km / 5,6 mi
Ascent: 627 m / 2057 ft
Descent: 618 m / 2028 ft
Day 3:
Estimated hiking time: 8-9 h
Start: 1730 m / 5676 ft
Highest point: 2746 m / 9012 ft
Finish: 1730 m / 5676 ft
Distance: 23 km / 14,3 mi
Ascent: 1188 m / 3897 ft
Descent: 1205 m / 3953 ft
Day 4:
Estimated hiking time: 6 h
Start: 1649 m / 5410 ft
Highest point: 2152 m / 7060 ft
Finish: 1453 m / 4767 ft
Distance: 8 km / 5 mi
Ascent: 536 m / 1759 ft
Descent: 732 m / 2402 ft
Day 5:
Estimated hiking time: 5 h
Start: 723 m / 2372 ft
Highest point: 1256 m / 4120 ft
Finish: 723 m / 2372 ft
Distance: 15km / 9,3 mi
Ascent: 533 m / 1749 ft
Descent: 533 m / 1749 ft
Day 6:
Estimated hiking time: 6-7 h
Start: 1420 m / 4659 ft
Highest point: 2602 m / 8537 ft
Finish: 2218 m / 7277 ft
Distance: 12km / 7,3 mi
Ascent: 1560 m / 5118 ft
Descent: 605 m / 1985 ft
Day 7:
Estimated hiking time: 4 h
Start: 2218 m / 7276 ft
Highest point: 2218 m / 7276 ft
Finish: 1020 m / 3346 ft
Distance: 11,8km / 6,8 mi
Ascent: 0 m / 0 ft
Descent: 1198 m / 3930 ft
Price per person: Call for pricing
Included in price:
Accommodation: 5 x hotel (3*), 2 x mountain hut, 1 x tents, 1 x monastery
Meals: 9 x breakfast,9 x lunch, 8 x dinner
Transport by air-conditioned van / minibus
Full escort by professional hiking guide
Boat in Matka and Prespa Lake
Cheese tasting in sheepfold on Mt Bistra
Life music on day 1 and 9
Reforestation certificate for one tree planted in your name in Macedonia
Full organization and logistic by Macedonia Travel
Not included in price:
Drinks during the meals
Travel insurance (recommended)
Guided tour in Ohrid
Discovery dive in the bay of Bones
Any extra expenses not mentioned under „included in price“
What to pack
Footwear: comfortable walking shoes. Also sandals or flip flops.
Casual clothes
Water/windproof jacket with hood
Warmer clothes for nights at higher altitudes
Hat
Toiletries
Sunglasses
Camera
Passport
Trip voucher
Money: cash, or, you can also use your credit card in most cities in Macedonia. Feel free to ask your guide for help
Travel insurance
Personal medications
HIKE TO MOUNT OLYMPUS IN GREECE
DAY 10: Quick dip in Lake Ohrid and drive to the Greek coast by Mount Olympus. Overnight in Litohoro or Leptokaria in Greece.
DAY 11: Enjoy the beach in the morning, and hike up Mount Olympus – to the middle in afetrnoon. Stay in mountain hut.
DAY 12: Hike to the Mytikas summit (4 hours) Note: Rock scrambling.
Descend down to Litohoro (6 hours). Farewell dinner in Thessaloniki. Overnight in Thessaloniki.
DAY 13: Fly home from Thessaloniki, or stay another day or two on the beach.
HIKE IN SOUTHEAST ALBANIA
DAY 9: Drive to Albania, „the Land of Eagles“ , visit Korça and its busy bazaar, and taste some delicious Albanian specialties in Voskopoje. Overnight in Voskopoje.
DAY 10: Hike through the pine forests of Voskopoje to peak Maja e Poshe Tepes. (4 hours). Explore Voskopoje: now a quiet village with remains of its great past as former center of Byzantine art. Overnight in Voskopoje.
DAY 11: Back in Macedonia, continue to DAY 9 in Ohrid.