North Macedonia - Ohrid, Galičica, Pelister

05-09.jul 2023.

Dates

5 dana

Duration

12+

Years

moderate

Galičica and Pelister national parks in North Macedonia represent a true oasis of nature and natural rarities.

Mount Galičica is a karst mountain with the highest peak Magaro at 2255 m. Part of the mountain is the Galičica National Park, from which you can enjoy a beautiful view of Lake Ohrid and Lake Prespa. The flora and fauna are important values of the Galičica National Park. The number of butterflies is particularly surprising - 1644 species in such a small area.

Pelister National Park was the first national park in the former Yugoslavia. It belongs to the mountain Baba, and the highest peak is Pelister at 2601 m. Pelister got its name from the characteristic appearance of a conifer, a pine with five needles, which grows up to 40 meters, some of which are over 200 years old.

Ohrid is the magical pearl of the Balkans, one of the oldest cities in Europe, the center of ancient civilization and an important Roman crossroads on the famous Via Egnatia road. Lake Ohrid has a surface area of 258 km², and can be as deep as 289 m. It is surrounded by high massifs of mountains. Thanks to its outstanding natural beauty, rich historical and cultural heritage, Ohrid, together with Lake Ohrid, has been part of the UNESCO world cultural heritage since 1979.

On this four-day tour, we will go hiking to the highest and most beautiful peaks in both national parks. A stay in Ohrid, a tour of Prilep, Sveti Naum, Bitola, and an overnight stay at 2200 m near the beautiful Golem lake under the Pelister peak, are only a part of this rich trip that will remain in your memory forever.

DEPARTURE LOCATION	The parking lot at the municipality New Belgrade
DEPARTURE TIME	23.30 h Beograd
INCLUDED IN THE PRICE	Transportation by minibus from Belgrade A total of 3 nights - 2 in Ohrid in rooms in private accommodation, 1 in a mountain lodge on Pelister Hiking tour Treskovac monastery - Markove Kule Mountaineering tour in the Galičica National Park - ascent to Magaro peak and Lako Signoj peak Tour of Saint Naum Mountaineering tour in Pelister National Park Entrance fees to the National Park Galičica and Pelister Local taxes Meals: two breakfasts, one dinner Local transfers Local mountaineering licensed guides Sightseeing to the itinerary
NOT INCLUDED	Other individual expenses and unmentioned meals International travel health insurance

Additional notes:

Necessary personal equipment for the tour North Macedonia - Ohrid, Galičica, Pelister: Deep hiking shoes with a vibram sole, hiking poles, adequate clothing in accordance with the weather. Backpack with the necessary mountaineering equipment for three-day hiking, enough water (1.5-2 liters per day), energy bars, spare T-shirts, long hiking pants, raincoat, sunscreen, hat or cap, ID card, and health ID card.
Mountaineering tours are recommended for people in good physical condition. They are not recommended for people with health problems. The guide reserves the right not to take persons with inadequate equipment on the hike. Consumption of alcoholic beverages before and during hiking is prohibited; in case of bad weather and other objective circumstances, hiking can be postponed to another date.
Those who do not want to hike, can spend time on their own and enjoy short walks in the surroundings.

Reservations for the tour North Macedonia - Ohrid, Galičica, Pelister:

At the time of application, the entire amount or ~ 40%, i.e. 105 EUR, is paid, and the rest of 160 EUR no later than June 10 (payment is made through an account in dinar equivalent at the mid-rate of the NBS on the day of payment).
Own transportation: in case you come by your own transport, the price of the tour is 195 EUR and includes the use of your transport on local roads. Reservations: Upon registration, the full amount, or ~ 40% or 80 EUR is paid, and the rest of 115 EUR no later than June 23 (payment is made through an account in dinars at the middle exchange rate of the NBS on the day of payment).
To form two groups for hiking (easy and difficult trails), a minimum of 5 people is necessary in each.
Accommodation: 2 nights in double, triple and quadruple rooms with private bathrooms in private accommodation in the center of Ohrid, multi-bed rooms in a mountain lodge on Pelister without bathroom.
Food: 2 breakfasts and 1 dinner are provided.

Conditions in case of cancellation by travelers:

If the reservation is canceled within 30 days from the date of arrival of the group, the organizer does not charge a fee. If the reservation is canceled within 30 to 7 days from the date of arrival of the group, the organizer retains a fee of 40%. If the reservation is canceled in less than 7 days from the date of arrival of the group, the organizer retains a fee of 100%. Note: The advance payment upon cancellation is non-refundable, except in case of replacement by another passenger.
In case of changes in the monetary market, as well as changes in the prices of carriers and other service providers, the agency reserves the right to adjust the price of the arrangement.
Tour North Macedonia - Ohrid, Galičica, Pelister is organized for a minimum of 18 registered passengers.
In case of insufficient number of registered passengers or unfavorable weather conditions, the deadline for notification of the postponement or cancellation of the tour by the organizer is 2 days before departure.

The tour is organized by “Balkanica travel agency”, Bijelo Polje. Travel agency Explore Balkans doo acts as a sub-agent of the travel organizer.

Day one: Belgrade - North Macedonia

Departure from Belgrade at 10 pm from the parking lot of the municipality of New Belgrade. Journey to North Macedonia. Night drive on the highway to Prilep, where we arrive in the morning with occasional breaks.

Day two: Treskovac Monastery - Marko's tower - Prilep - Ohrid

After a break for coffee and breakfast, we arrive at the Treskovac monastery, located at 1300 m at the foot of Zlatovrh, the highest mountain peak of Mount Zlato, about 10 kilometers northwest of the medieval town of Prilep. It was built in the 13th century and, according to records, it was also the episcopal seat. Tour of the monastery, and then we go on a hiking tour to Marko's towers. The length of the hike is about 6 km with about 100 m of ascent and about 450 m of descent.

manastir Treskavec Severna Makedonija — Manastir Treskavec

The path goes along the ridge over granite stones of unusual colors and shapes. On one section there is a cable for a safer descent over the rocks. The path from Treskovac Monastery to Marko's Town is about 6 km long and takes about two hours.

Pelagonija manastir Treskavec — Pelagonija, manastir Treskavec

Marko's Town or Marko's Tower is a medieval fortification above Prilep. During the Middle Ages, the city was the capital of the Serbian Empire under Dušan, and then of the Kingdom of Marko.
After visiting Marko's Tower, free time in Prilep for about 2 hours.
At 2 pm departure for Ohrid, where we arrive after driving for about an hour and a half. Accommodation in rooms in private accommodation in the center of Ohrid. Free time to visit this beautiful city, a monument to great archaeological discoveries. Overnight stay.

Day three: Ohrid - national park Galičica, ascent to the top of Magaro and Lako Signoj - Sveti Naum - Ohrid

At 7 a.m., a 45-minute transfer to the Galičica National Park. Short preparation for the hike and division into two groups.
Group I – a more demanding hiking trail to the peak of Magaro at 2255 m
The path offers a view of beautiful landscapes and a meadow, and after 300 meters we enter the forest, from where the ascent begins for about 400 m over a length of about 2.5 km. Towards the end of the ascent, we come out on spacious pastures and karst landscapes, with numerous herbs that decorate the picturesque landscape. There are over 1,600 plants, many of which are rare species. We also reach a large board that looks like a billboard. On one side there is a view of Lake Ohrid, on the other of Prespa, behind which you can see the magnificent Pelister.

nacionalni park Galičica planinarenje — Nacionalni park Galičica

Information about the mountain trail: moderate, total duration about 5 hours with breaks, total length about 7 km, with a total ascent and descent of about 700 m.
- Beginning of the trail: 1570 m
- Goal: Magaro peak 2255 m
- Altitude difference: 685 m
- Dužina staze: oko 9 km
- Water sources - none
- Trail difficulty: moderate

II group – an easier hiking trail to the top of Lako Signoj at 1973 m
The path leads partly on a dirt road, and partly across meadows. At the top, picturesque scenes and views of Lake Ohrid and Lake Prespa await us from the other side. At the very top, we will take a break to enjoy the magnificent views.
Information about the hiking trail: easy, total duration of about 3-4 hours with breaks, a total length of 6 km, with a total ascent and descent of about 400 m.
- Beginning of the trail: 1590 m
- Goal: peak Lako Signoj 1973 m
- Altitude difference: 383 m
- Length of the trail: about 6 km
- Water sources - none
- Trail difficulty: moderate
After the hike, transfer to Saint Naum, where we will have free time for sightseeing and lunch. Saint Naum is one of the places of extraordinary beauty where there is a monastery of the same name built in the 10th century. The monastery complex of St. Naum was built on the island of Lake Ohrid with a wonderful view of the lake itself. The area around the monastery of St. Naum is considered one of the most beautiful on the shores of Lake Ohrid. There is also nearby the source of the Black Drim, is part of the Galičica National Park and under the highest protection regime. The source is a kind of natural phenomenon, because the river is created as an underwater spring from the water coming from Prespa Lake. This is how the Crni Drim river was born, and its source is one of the cleanest in the world. The water temperature is constant at 10 to 12 Cº.

Crni Drim Sveti Naum — Crni Drim, Sveti Naum

Return to Ohrid in the evening. Overnight stay.

Day four: Ohrid - Pelister National Park, climb to the top of Pelister and the Great Lake

Departure from accommodation in Ohrid in the early morning hours at 6am. Drive to Bitola for about 2 hours, then to Pelister National Park and to the village of Nižepolje and Hotel Molika.

nacionalni park Pelister hiking — Pelister National Park

The division into two groups:
Group I – a more demanding hiking trail to the top of Pelister at 2601 m
Information about the hiking trail: moderate to demanding, total duration of about 10 hours with breaks, length of 12 km with total ascent of about 1200 m and descent of about 400 m.
- Start of the trail: hotel Molika 1452 m
- Goal: the peaks of Stiv Naumov at 2468 m, Ilinden at 2542 m, and Pelister at 2601 m, mountain lodge Dimitar Ilievski - Murato at 2218 m
- Altitude difference: 1149 m
- Length of the trail: about 12 km
- Water sources - one
- Trail difficulty: moderate to demanding
The beginning of the trail starts from the "Molika" hotel through the coniferous forest to the "Kopanki" home, which burned down a few years ago. With an ascent of about 200 m, we reach that point in half an hour. After a short break, we continue along the marked path, through the deep forest to the source of drinking water, where we will refresh ourselves. In the continuation of the trail, there is a climb with sharp serpentines, to an attractive viewpoint at 1936 m, where there is an observation deck, from which the view of the Prespa lake "pops".

nacionalni park Pelister — Pelister peak 2601 m

After a break at the viewpoint, we continue on the path over large stones, where there is a lot of jumping from stone to stone. A fantastic rocky path, fun and challenging, along the ridge road leads to Stiv Naumov peak at a height of 2468 m. Continue along the ridge path over stone rock slabs to another Ilinden peak at 2542 m.
On the way to the highest peak of Pelister, we will see the remains of bunkers from the Balkan wars. After 7 hours of hiking, we reach the repeater and the very top of Mount Baba, Pelister at 2601 m. In addition to that name, it is also called Dimev's peak, in honor of the Macedonian alpinist Dimitar Ilevski from Bitol, the first Macedonian on Everest, who, after a successful ascent, died during the descent in 1989. At the top there is a pyramid with a memorial plaque and markers.
After a break at the top and enjoying the views of Lake Prespa, there is a descent of about half an hour to the glacial Malo Lake. The trail is partly on a dirt and macadam road, through lush flower-covered meadows. Our goal that day is the mountain lodge Dimitar Ilievski - Murato near the glacial Golemo Lake at 2218 m.
Group II – an easier hiking trail to Golemo Lake at 2218
The trail starts from the village of Nižepole and goes through meadows, pastures, and blueberry fields. With occasional breaks for photography and rest, we will reach the magnificent Great Lake, which is of glacial origin. Tucked away next to a mountain lodge, it represents a real oasis of peace and relaxation for all the senses.
Information about the hiking trail: moderate, total duration about 5 hours with breaks, length 6 km with a total ascent of about 1200 m.
- The beginning of the trail: the village of Nižepolje at 1000 m
- Goal: Golemo Lake and mountain lodge Dimitar Ilievski - Murato at 2218 m
- Altitude difference: 1218 m
- Length of the trail: about 6 km
- Water sources - one
- Trail difficulty: moderate
Meeting of both groups in the mountain lodge. Distribution in multi-bed rooms. Dinner. Overnight stay.

Day five: Pelister National Park - Nižepolje - Bitola - Belgrade

Breakfast in the mountain lodge. At 8 a.m. departure and descent to the village of Nižepolje. The length of the trail is 6 km with about 1200 m of descent. With a short break to pick and eat delicious blueberries, it will take us about 2 hours to descend.
Transfer from the village of Nižepolje to Bitola, where we will take a break for lunch.
The departure for Belgrade is planned until 15:00, in order to arrive around 22:00, with a note that the exact time of return depends on road conditions and breaks along the way.