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Activity: BIKE
Difficulty: Moderate
Duration:
3 Days
Accommodation:
2 nights in boutique hotels"
Meals:
2 Breakfasts
Price:

from 299€

Start planning your trip
  • Hotel to hotel
  • 2 Nights
  • Max 50km per day
  • Choice of moderate to challenging routes
  • 2 days cycling 
  • May to October

Overview

A weekend for some of the best cultural and historical sites in North Macedonia. Start from Bitola, the city with more than 1600 years of urban tradition; cycle through the bird habitat by Lake Prespa and in national park Galicica; swim in the oldest and deepest lake in Europe; end the weekend with a walk in the old town of Ohrid – a true time travel through the many layers of history of this UNESCO World Heritage city.


ITINERARY:
Day 1: Bitola – Oteshevo (Prespa Lake)
Day 2: Oteshevo, Galichica, Ohrid
Day 3: Relaxing day in Ohrid

Highlights

tours/ohrid
  • Bitola is the former city of consulates and embassies, today one of the most beautiful cities in Macedonia which managed to maintain its 18th and 19th century neoclassical architecture and monuments. While in Bitola, don’t miss:
    - Shirok Sokak
    - The Old Bazaar
    - Heraclea Lyncestis
    - Museum of Bitola
  • The Ethno museum in village Podmochani, with impressive collection of over 2000 exhibits.
  • Birdwatching in Prespa Lake
  • Galicica national park: with 130different types of trees and shrubs, many of which are relict.
  • Ohrid Lake. The deepest and oldest lake in Europe, declared a World Heritage Site by UNESCO.
  • The Bay of Bones. An authentic reconstruction of a part of the pile- dwelling settlement dating back to 1200 BC.
  • Ohrid. The pearl of the Balkans, also known as the Jerusalem of the Balkans, for its amazing historical, religious and cultural heritage. The major attractions of Ohrid are located within a walkable area, among and above the narrow cobblestoned streets of the old town, lined with restaurants, cafés and souvenir shops. Some must-see sites in Ohrid:
    St Sofia church. The treasure of medieval architecture and painting with frescoes which are best preserved examples of Byzantine monumental activities from the period between 10th and 13th century.
    Ancient theatre. Renewed piece of history in the heart of Ohrid. It was first dedicated to Dionysus and the muses of poetry and theater games, and later it served as gladiatorial arena for battles. Today, it is a host to world artists such as Jose Carreras, Tina Gorina, or the conductor David Himenez.
    Tsar Samuil Fortress. The shield of Ohrid that protected the city from the tribes’ invasion since 5th century.
    - The handmade papermaker.
    If you like history of books and writings, this workshop is a must to visit, with one of the two remaining (and operating!) Gutenberg press machines in the World.

Difficulty Grading

MODERATE up to 75km / 46mi hilly terrain with moderate uphills Regular cyclists, who are used to longer rides and are happy to take an uphill, or two along the way
NOTE: One long uphill on day 4. Transfer can be arranged to the mountain pass. Please contact the agency for more details.

Map

tours/map bitola ohrid

ITINERARY

DAY:1

As you leave urban Bitola, you enter the old local road that used to connect Bitola with Prespa Lake in the times of Yugoslavia. Today it is rarely used, as it hasn’t been maintained since the opening of the new motorway from Bitola to Prespa, and it is still covered with cobblestone in parts. One part of this road is on the ancient route of the Roman road Via Egnatia, built over old Candavian Road some 2.200 years ago. You will know that you are close to Lake Prespa when you notice the apple orchards around you. It is the region that supplies all of the Balkans with apples. Unlike Ohrid Lake, Prespa Lake has only few commercial beaches (one of them by hotel Lakeview), as most of the coast is covered with reed – this lake is the refugee for many rare bird species. Some of them are threatened with extinction worldwide, such as the Dalmatian Pelican and the Pygmy Cormorant. They still breed here in large numbers and benefit from the extraordinary wealth of fish in the lake.

Cycling: 6h (50 km, ascent 752 m, descent 503 m)

DAY:2

A beautiful and challenging cycling route over Mount Galicica, with wonderfull views over the two biggest lakes in North Macedonia. Once you leave Prespa Lake behind, you will enter Galicica national park. Here you start a 14km long uphill (860m to 1590m) on a curvy narrow road leading to Mount Galicica pass. (if you think that this is too challenging for you, please ask our agents to arrange a transfer up to the mountain pass, so you can enjoy riding only the downhill to the lake, and by the lake coast). Don’t rush to your destination, take some time to stop and visit Trpejca fishing village, with a lovely beach hidden between the rocks by Ohrid Lake. There are also couple of fish restaurants on the shore where you can enjoy fresh trout for lunch. Also, we recommend to make one more stop on your way to visit the archaeological site on water – the Bay of Bones.

Cycling: 5h (55 km, ascent 1.298 m, descent 1.328 m)

Optional: transfer to Galicica pass where you can continue riding down to Ohrid Lake.

DAY:3

A day to relax and explore Ohrid. Ohrid lake is considered the oldest lake in Europe, whilst the historic heart of the town is one of the oldest settlements in Europe, with archaeological sites from the Neolithic, Bronze Age, and Hellenistic periods. Take a stroll through the cobblestoned alleys of Ohrid old town, see Tzar Samoil’s fortress, shop for Ohrid pearls and visit the unique workshop for hand-made paper and the open food market, where locals meet each day and sell fresh fish, delicious tomatoes, red paprika, and watermelons. Take a boating tour and dine at the fisherman’s house, visit the ancient Bay of Bones on a kayak and enjoy swimming on a hidden beach. Learn about the Cyrillic script at its birthplace, at St Naum monastery.

Cycling: No Cycling

When To Go

Possible 01 May – 31 May and 15 October to 01 November
Recommended 01 June– 14 October
Not available All other dates

Price

from 299 € / per person Price is valid for min 2 participants 


INCLUDED IN PRICE:
  • Accommodation based on 2 participants sharing double room
  • Luggage transfers
  • 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: 78 €
  • Vegetarian and vegan meals available on request
  • Private arrival / departure transfers available upon request
  • Rent of bike: on request
  • Rent of Global Positioning System (GPS) console: 45 €

Bike Information

Available on request

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

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