Day 1 – Arrival in Skopje (D)

Arrival at the Skopje airport and transfer to a centrally located hotel in Skopje. After the accommodation, a short sightseeing tour in the center of Skopje will be arranged, around the Old Bazaar, Skopje Fortress, and the new center with its monuments and museums. Dinner is served in a local restaurant in the center of Skopje. Overnight in Skopje.

Day 2 – Lake of Kozjak – Prilep Route (43 miles/69 km, elevation 1010m) (B, L, D)

Breakfast and check out. After the breakfast, we are transferred with a van to the village of Batinci, from where we start our ride to a viewpoint to the lake Kozjak (the largest manmade lake in Macedonia). We will finish the trip cycling back to the Monastery of King Marko, one of the most famous medieval monasteries in Macedonia. Lunch is arranged at a beautiful site next to the monastery. After the lunch, we are transferred back with a van to the city of Prilep. Overnight and dinner in Prilep.

Day 3 – Mariovo region – Prespa region (25 miles/41 km) (B, L, D)

Breakfast and check out. Van transfer to the outskirts of Prilep (village of Kalen, 30 min.), where the mystical region of Mariovo begins. Today we have the privilege to be among the handful of visitors to experience Mariovo, Macedonia’s most celebrated highlands, and important economic and cultural center of Macedonia during the times of the Ottoman Empire. During the cycling, we pass by archaic villages and meet friendly locals. Lunch is arranged in the village of Manastir. In the late afternoon, a van transfer from Manastir to our next cycling area, the area of Prespa. Overnight in the village of Brajchino with home-made served dinner.

Day 4 – Prespa – Ohrid (29 miles/46 km, elevation 300m) (B, L, D)

Check out after breakfast. We start riding in the beautiful and off-beat area of Prespa, from the village of Brajchino to the village of Stenje. We will make enroute visits to the villages of: Ljubojno, with its distinctive old architecture; Podmochani, where we have a coffee break and visit one of the richest private ethno-museum in Macedonia; Slivnica, to visit its monastery built in the 17th century; and Kurbinovo, with the monastery of St. George form the 12th century. In Stenje we will enjoy lunch prepared by Andrej’s family, born in Skopje, but moved to Stenje to enjoy the village life, and excelled in organic farming. In the late afternoon, we are transferred to Ohrid via the National Park Galichica, making a few stops to admire the view of the both natural lakes – Prespa and Ohrid. Overnight in Ohrid.

Day 5 – Sightseeing and rest day in Ohrid (B, D)

Today we have a sightseeing tour of the ancient city of Ohrid, the city of UNESCO. After the breakfast, we start the walking tour from the center of the city, visiting its most famous amenities – St. Clement’s temple complex of Plaoshnik, St. Sofia, Tsar Samuel’s Fortress, and the Ancient Theater. During the warm days of spring or summer season, we can bath on the nearby beach of Potpesh. Free afternoon. Home-made dinner is served at a family home in the nearby village of Kuratica, 15 minute drive from Ohrid. Overnight in Ohrid.

Day 6 – Demir Hisar – Krushevo (32 miles/51 km) (B, L, D)

Breakfast and check out from the hotel. Van transfer to the town of Kichevo (1 hour, 38 miles/62 km). From Kichevo, we start cycling in the area of Demir Hisar, enjoying the beautiful untouched nature. Lunch is arranged at a local restaurant in the small town of Demir Hisar. After lunch, we are transferred with the van to Krushevo, highest elevation town in the Balkans (1350m above sea level). Dinner and overnight in Krushevo.

Day 7 – Pelagonia lowland – Bitola (45 miles/72 km) (B, L, D)

Breakfast and check out. Today’s ride takes us around the Pelagonia plain. We will start cycling from our hotel in Krushevo, and finish in the city of Bitola. The ride is laid back, and we will make few stops in en-route villages. Lunch will be arranged in the city of Bitola. After lunch ,we will ride to Heraclea Lyncestis, ancient Macedonian town founded by Phillip II of Macedon, the father of Alexander the Great, in the middle of the 4th century B.C. Dinner and overnight in Bitola.

Day 8 – Tikvesh wine region (Kozhuf) – Skopje (27 miles/43km) (B, L, D)

Early check out from the hotel after the breakfast, followed by a van transfer to the Tikvesh wine region, the largest in the Balkans (1 hour, 59 miles/95 km). We will finish our cycling trip with epic ride in the wine region of Tikvesh, covering part of the mountain Kozhuf. The beautiful views of nature, endless vineyards will bring us to the village of Krnjevo, where our hosts will arrange wine tasting over lunch. Return van transfer to Skopje (2 hours). Farewell dinner is arranged in some of the restaurants in the central district of Skopje. Overnight in Skopje.

Day 9 – Departure (B)

Breakfast, check out and transfer to the airport of Skopje.