TORIANational Parks Hiking Tour 

-Your chance to feel alive again!

Nothing is more refreshing than fresh air! We all have tiring and stressful jobs and it’s always

difficult to find time for ourselves. Everything is happening so quickly and it’s overwhelming us. We all need to get out of the “real world”, experience what it’s like to feel relaxed again. Nature is the answer. It’s what made us and it’s what will save us. And we offer just that. Places to hike and explore, so you can breathe out all the problems in your life and feel alive again. But we’re not here to sell nature. We’re here to sell you the experience, not just any experience, the most important one! The one where you get to see through yourself, the one that gets you back on your track.

Tour Overview:What the tour consists of, and what you will visit…

Day 1: SKOPJE

Arrival at Skopje airport. Upon meeting transfer to hotel in Skopje. Welcome drink.

Easy walking sightseeing with professional tourist guide of the Macedonian capital – Skopje. Visiting Skopje fortress – Kale, and continuing down to the old part of Skopje – the old bazaar, church of St. Spas, Daut Pasha Baths, and across the 6th century landmark of Skopje – the Stone Bridge to the new part – the Macedonia Square, the monument and memorial house of Mother Teresa, Feudal Tower, to Skopje Museum – the Old Railway Station. After the sightseeing, dinner in the bohemian part of Skopje - the soul of the city - Debar Maalo and discussion with the travel agency representative about the tour and local customs. Transfer to hotel and overnight stay. 

Time of effective walking: 3 hAccommodation: 3 Star Hotel

Day 2: SKOPJE- MATKA VALLEY- FOOTHILL OF MT KORAB 

07:00 Breakfast. 08:00 Transfer to Mount Vodno on height of 527m asl. 08:30 Start with climbing to the Millennium Cross on the peak of Vodno Mountain (1.066m asl) 10:00 Short tea break in the Vodno mountain hut. 10:30 Trecking to Matka13:30 Arrival at the monastery St Nikola (524m asl) and stop for photo session of Matka valley, a unique gorge with breathtaking natural beauty. 

14:00 Start trecking down to Matka gorge.15:00 Lunch (Macedonian traditional cuisine) in a restaurant located in the rocks on the shore of Lake Matka.(320m asl) 

16:00 Short 30 min walk to the small bay of Matka lake where we take a boat ride to one of the magnificent caves of Matka - the deepest underwater cave in Europe - Vrelo Cave. 17:00 Arrival at the cave. We’ll have 30min to explore the inside of the cave, following which we take a boat to the other side of the lake. 17:30 Start the most picturesque walk back to the bay and the monastery of St Andrew on a path curved along the gorge cliff.    19:00 Departure to Strezimir, on the foothill of Mt Korab. 20:30Arrival in Strezimir. Dinner and overnight stay in a mountain hut. 

Difficulty of the tour  ** Time of effective walking 7 hBeginning at 527m asl, peak at 1.066m asl, end at 320 m aslBest period: March - November Standard mountain hike equipment needed.Accommodation: mountain hut  

Day 3: STREZIMIR-  MT KORAB- JANCE 07:00 Breakfast

08:00 Start hiking on Mt Korab. Mt Korab is the highest mountain in Macedonia (2.764m asl) Hike starts from 1.450m asl. 12:30 Arrival at the peak Golem Korab. Short break for photos.  13:15 Start trekking down to Strezimir. (lunch break in the mountains - sandwiches) 17:00 Transfer from Strezimir to the hotel (3***) in village of Jance, famous for its old, very well preserved typical houses made from, as their restorers say, stone, mud, water and a little secret… This typical eco-architecture has recently been exported from this village to the streets of many places in Tuscany  and Northern Italy…  18:00 Arriving in hotel Tuto in Jance, which is built in the same architectural style as the old restored houses in the village. 19:30 Traditional Macedonian dinner and overnight stay.

Difficulty of the tour  ***Time of effective walking: 8 hBeginning at 1,450m asl , peak at 2,764m asl, end at  1,540m asl Best period: May to October Standard mountain hike equipment needed.Accommodation: hotel 3*** 

Day 4: JANCE- ST BIGORSKI- DUF- LAZAROPOLE  08:00 Breakfast on the balcony of hotel Tuto

with a beautiful view of the river Radika Valley and the old village.09:00 Departure through the spectacular gorge of River Radika to the monastery St Jovan Bigorski – famous for housing one of the world’s most impressive carved wooden iconostasis, crafted by the Miyak’s masters.09:30 Arrival at the monastery. Sightseeing.10:00 Departure to village of Rostushe.10:30 Arrival in Rostushe at the starting point of the trecking path leading to the magnificent Duf waterfalls. Path takes you through a beautiful forest scenery…11:15 Duf waterfalls. Short break for photos and snacks.11:45 Departure to Rostushe12:15 Transfer to village Lazaropole. 13:15 Arrival in Lazaropole. Accommodation in guesthouse. Lunch. 15:00 Horse riding in the fields around the village. (Alternative trekking to the village of Tresonce and the waterfalls on Tresonce river, which takes 5 hours) 19:00 Dinner in Lazaropole and overnight stay. 

Difficulty of the tour  * Time of effective walking :1,5 h  or 6,5h if alternative Tresonce trekking included. Altitude difference: approx. 100m Best period: April to OctoberStandard mountain hike equipment needed.Accommodation: guest houses 

Day 5: LAZAROPOLE- IZVOR- OHRID 07:00 Breakfast 

08:00 Start trekking from Lazaropole (1,100m asl) to Izvor (600m asl). Trecking takes 5 hours. On the way visit to Jama cave and the old roman road.13:00 Arrival at Izvor (River Treska springs) and transfer to Ohrid 14:00 Arrival in Ohrid, accommodation in a villa in the town centre and lunch. 16:00 Sightseeing of Ohrid “Old town” - walking tour which starts with visit of the Church of Mother of God - Peribleptos and the Icon gallery with 30 icons created in the period between 11th and 19th century and considered as masterworks. The tour continues to the Tzar Samuil fortress, located on the top of the hill, with a spectacular view over the lake and the old city. Nearby, on Plaosnik locality, is the foundation of the Early Christian basilica and the recently rebuilt Church of St. Clement - the town’s patron saint.Bellow this, in the locality called Kaneo, perched on top of a rock rising from the lake is the Church of St. John of Devine. - a small church with three-sided apse and octagonal dome, a typical piece of traditional architecture. After the visit to the cathedral church of St. Sofia, free time for shopping.18:00 Free time for shopping 20:00 Dinner in a traditional restaurant. Overnight stay in Ohrid.  

Difficulty of the tour  **Time of effective walking 5h in the mountains and 2 h sightseeing tour of OhridBeginning at 1,100 m asl , peak at 1,507 m asl, end at  600 m aslBest period: April to October. Standard mountain hike equipment needed.Accommodation: apartments 

Day 6: OHRID- MT GALICHICA AND NATIONAL PARK- KONJSKO AND THE “GOLEMGRAD” ISLAND ON PRESPA LAKE- BRAJCINO  07:00 Breakfast

08:00 Transfer to starting point (1,568m asl) for hike on Mount Galicica - the peak is Magaro ( 2,254m asl) 08:30 Start hiking to Magaro - the point on Galicica which offers a splendid view of both Ohrid and Prespa Lakes.11:00 Arriving at the summit. Short break for sightseeing and snack.11:30 Departure back to transfer point13:30 Transfer to picnic site in Konjsko for lunch.15:00 Boat ride around the Hidden Island on Prespa Lake, which was the first (settlement) of Tzar Samuil; today remains of those buildings are hidden in the dense forest, and the only inhabitants of the island are thousands of snakes, cormorants, and pelicans. Excellent bird watching spot.18:30 Transfer to village Brajcino for dinner and overnight stay. 19:30 Arrival in Brajcino. Dinner and overnight stay in a traditional Macedonian guest house.  

Difficulty of the tour  **Time of effective walking 4h30minBeginning at 1.568m asl , peak at 2.254m asl, end at  1.568 m aslBest period: April to October Standard mountain hike equipment needed.Accommodation in guesthouses

Day 7: BRAJCINO- PELISTER MOUNTAIN HUT GOLEMO EZERO  07:00 Breakfast

08:00 Start hiking Mount Pelister (2,602m asl) - the summit of the Baba Mountains. The National Park Pelister is the oldest national park in Macedonia. It is famous for its ancient Molika pine trees, as well as some rare species of lynx, bearded eagle, gentian plants and many other different types of flora and fauna.  14:00 Arrival and short break in mountain hut “Golemo Ezero” (2,218m asl) at the glacier lakes.14:30 Start hike to the summit Pelister and BBQ lunch.16:30 Arrival at the summit. Short break. 17:00 Start trecking down to the mountain hut “golemo Ezero” 18:30 Accommodation in the mountain hut. Camp fire and BBQOvernight stay

Difficulty of the tour  ***Time of effective walking 8h30minBeginning at 1,050m asl , peak at 2,602m asl, end at  2,218m aslBest period: May to October Standard mountain hike equipment needed.Accommodation in mountain hut 

Day 8: PELISTER MOUNTAIN HUT GOLEMO EZERO- BITOLA- POPOVA KULA 07:00 Breakfast

08:00 Climb down to Bitola  13:00 Arrival at transfer point and transfer to archaeological site Heraclea Lyncestis, home of the most significant mosaics from the antic period in Europe14:00  Short walk and light lunch in the old town of Bitola – the city of consuls, with beautiful buildings in old traditional architecture, newly restored. 16:00  Transfer to the vineyards of Popova Kula (Demir Kapija)17:00  Accommodation in the chateau of Popova Kula.18:30 Wine tasting and dinner. Overnight stay at Popova Kula

Difficulty of the tour  **Time of effective walking 5hBeginning at 2,218 m asl, end at 1,454 m aslBest period: May to OctoberStandard mountain hike equipment needed.Accommodation : hotel 3***

Final Day: POPOVA KULA- SKOPJE 07:00 Breakfast 

Departure to Skopje and transfer to airport Depending on the flight departure time, it’s possible to visit the archaeological site Stobi on the way to Skopje. 

Things to bring with you

Besides the baggage hikers should have small backpacks for daily tours. Big luggage will be transferred from one overnight point to another by the agency. Standard mountain hike equipment needed:

Windproof jacket Anorak Hiking shoes (something comfortable) Warm clothes Flashlight for night hiking

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Contact us at:Email: contact@toria.mkWebiste: www.toria.mk LinkedIn: www.linkedin.com/in/toriatravel