North Macedonia, Greece and Bulgaria Hiking Tour

Welcome to Skopje! Once you arrive at the airport, your guide will meet you and bring you to your accommodation in central Skopje for the night. Depending on when you arrive, take some time to stroll the center.

Enjoy your first morning in Skopje with a hearty breakfast. Afterwards, you’ll be transferred to Mount Vodno for a quick climb to view the iconic Millennium Cross—a structure emulating the Eiffel Tower but in a familiar religious shape. From the cross, the group will start walking to Matka Lake, which sits between high, mossy rocks and gives off a beautiful dark teal hue. On the way, you’ll visit the St. Nikola Monastery built among the rocks. Then once you reach the lake, you’ll hop aboard a boat to visit the Vrelo Cave, one of the biggest caves in the Balkans. Have lunch at a local haunt and get a ride to your overnight destination near Mavrovo Lake.

After breakfast, you’ll start the day’s journey from Carevec. The trail will lead you over Mount Bistra, which offers phenomenal views of the surrounding terrain and Lake Mavrovo. Continuing along the path, you’ll stop at the John the Baptist Monastery for lunch before reaching Jance, a secluded mountain village. Take a breather here then receive transportation to lakeside Ohrid for a comfortable night in a hotel.

Departing Ohrid after breakfast, the group goes to Velestovo to start the day’s jaunt. Enjoy the endless stunning views of Lake Ohrid to your right as you walk along old roads and pass by several charming villages, eventually ending in Pestani. Get your last glimpse of North Macedonia after lunch as you cross the border into Greece in your private transportation. After a few hours of watching Greek landscapes pass by from the window, you’ll be in Kalambaka for dinner and a good night’s sleep.

Wake up in Kalambaka and enjoy a fresh Greek breakfast. You have a full day to explore Meteora and Kalambaka, and you’ll be thankful for all this time as there is so much to see! Hike to the tops of phenomenal rock formations to visit monasteries built precariously on top. Get prehistoric, almost surreal views of this holy land and wind down over dinner before heading to bed in Kalambaka again.

After breakfast, take a quick morning walk around Kalambaka before departing for Thessaloniki, a city next to the Thermaic Gulf on the Aegean Sea. The transfer includes a stop at the archeological site in Vergina, which is home to Alexander the Great’s father’s grave, Phillip II of Macedon. After a quick history lesson, you’ll continue to the coastal city to settle into your hotel. A local guide will give you a sightseeing tour of this pertinent Roman metropolis before dinner.

Have you ever dreamt of stepping foot on Mount Olympus? Well, today is the day! Your guide will take you to the highest peak in Greece, rising to 2,918 m / 9,573 ft, after breakfast. You’ll have the entire morning to explore the majestic Olympus National Park. After you’ve had your taste of hiking with the Gods, you’ll return to Thessaloniki for free time in the afternoon and evening.

After breakfast, you may still be reeling from your hike among the mythological vibes of yesterday. You’ll leave Greece today, so hang on to those memories! Today you’ll receive transport to Bansko, Bulgaria. Settle into your hotel and then wander the area to get a feel for this resort town among the mountains. If the cable car is open, head up the hill for a jaunt around the top for some epic views. Get a good night’s sleep in your hotel tonight.

Wake up, fuel up, and get ready to explore the recreation area around Bansko. Your guide will lead you through the mountains, where you’ll see gorgeous peaks, lakes, and lush greenery on the way. Pause to admire the Rila Monastery, where you’ll have lunch and get a quick cultural lesson. Take your private ride to Panichiste for a nice dinner and rest to prepare for your last full day tomorrow.

Your last full day has arrived. Enjoy a hearty Bulgarian breakfast and head to the nearby cable car at Pionerska Hut to reach the top of the mountain. Seven pristine alpine lakes dot the trail today, and you will get to see all of them this morning. The trail has a mystical atmosphere you’ll notice as you walk up to peaks and look out over vast, grassy rocks until the horizon. Hike back to the cable car, return to the base for lunch, and then pack up and hop in the car for Sofia. Depending on when you arrive, wander the city at your leisure. If you can only see one site here, check out the Alexander Nevsky Cathedral with its turquoise and gold domes. Have a final dinner with your hiking group and hit the hay when you’re ready.

Have one last Bulgarian breakfast with your crew and pack up. You’ll have a transfer ready to take you to Sofia Airport in time to check-in for your flight.