Kosovo and North Macedonia Hiking Tour

Welcome to Kosovo! Upon arrival at the Pristina Airport, your guide will meet you and bring you to Brod, a small village in southern Kosovo nestled among the Sharr Mountains. Your guide will prepare you for the week ahead with maps, a SIM card, and an overview of the tour. Depending on when you arrive, explore the narrow streets of Brod while admiring the surrounding mountains. Get some rest for an early start tomorrow.

After breakfast, you’ll receive a transfer to the nearby Arxhena Hotel to begin today’s hike. The trail passes by a few water sources and springs and will lead up to a mountain ridge, opening up to panoramic views from Rudoka Peak. The landscape views reveal rocky plateaus and green mountains, with unique Balkan vegetation covering the grounds. It's not a forested area, so no tall trees impede the sights—you'll be able to spot streams and lakes with ease on a clear day. Return to the starting point on the same trail and be transferred to Prizren for the night.

Today, you’ll get to know the heritage hotspot of Prizren very well. On a walking tour of the city, you’ll visit several sights that take you on a journey through time from the Byzantine Ottoman era until present day Prizren. End the walking tour looking over the city from the viewpoint of the Prizren Fortress. After the cultural lesson in Prizren, you’ll be transferred to Prevalla, a small mountain town sitting at 1,800 m / 5,906 ft, for the night to rest and prepare for a big hike tomorrow.

Wake up to the crisp mountain air and enjoy breakfast with the group. Today’s route leads hikers to the summit of Peskovi Peak at 2,651 m / 8,698 ft. The moderate climb will take roughly 2–3 hours, including breaks. Your local guide will explain the history of the area as you enjoy the mountain's astounding views. On a clear day, you can see the neighbouring North Macedonia where you'll spend the second half of this 9-day tour. Take your time walking around the summit before returning to meet your guide for a transfer to Brezovica.

Spend the morning relaxing in the resort area of Brezovica, a prime recreating spot year-round with cat-skiing in the winter and hiking in the summer. You’ll start the ascent towards Piribeg Peak, which is the fourth highest mountain in Kosovo at 2,524 m / 8,281 ft—the views of the surrounding mountains will take your breath away. Traverse over to Ligeni a Malit, the second peak on today’s hike, then hike down to Brezovica for a bite to eat and a short break before being driven across the border into North Macedonia. Settle into your hotel in Skopje, North Macedonia’s capital, and get a good night’s sleep.

Get ready for a day of adventure to explore some religiously significant spots and hiking highlights in North Macedonia. After breakfast, receive transportation to the gondola at the base of Mount Vodno. Hike to the summit and admire the iconic Millennium Cross overlooking Skopje. Continue hiking the path towards Matka Canyon, breaking to have a peek at St. Nikola Monastery and incredible canyon views. The day of adventure continues walking down to Matka Lake for lunch, followed by a boat exploration and visit one of the deepest caves in Europe, Vrelo Cave. You’ll be driven to Mavrovo for dinner and a well-earned sleep.

After a hearty breakfast in Mavrovo, the group will be driven to the trailhead for Carevec, a peak in Mavrovo National Park, sitting at 1,798 m / 5,899 ft. Hiking along trails and enjoying the scenery will eventually lead you to Galicnik village, a village where the residences are interspersed among the trees, clinging to the mountainside—there’s a biblical atmosphere about this place. From the town, hike to the highest point nearby for a stunning view of Radika Canyon, a picturesque gorge of moss-covered cliffs, rivers, and trees. The hike continues through more small villages, and your guide will teach you about how locals use herbs in their traditions. You’ll be transferred to the lakeside town of Ohrid for the night.

Wake up in this stunning lakefront town and take a 2-hour city tour with a local guide. Learn about the rich tapestry of the area culminating from myriad civilizations settling here. Once you’ve completed the tour and asked your local guide all the questions, get a transfer to Velestovo village in Galichica National Park to start today’s journey. Hike towards Elsani village through dry grasslands and Balkan shrubbery, and marvel at sweeping views of Lake Ohrid along the way. Take a quick break in Elsani overlooking the lake, then hop in the car for transfer to Skopje for your last night.

Enjoy breakfast with your group and recount your highlights and favourite memories of the last 9 days. Receive an transfer to Skopje Airport when you’re packed and ready.