Short tour description: Wonderful opportunity to combine history, archaeology and culture, with nature and hiking. Starting with archaeological location Heraklea, The Clock Tower city Bitola , then national park ”Pelister” with its endemic flora and fauna, Pelister’s mountain lakes (Pelister eyes), mountain houses “Kopanki” and “Dimitar Ilievski – Murato”, hotel Molika, and ecco- village Brajcino with Prespa lake at the end of the first three days. During the two additional days, we shall visit national park “Galicica” , Ohrid lake, St. Naum,  with its monasteries, St. Zaum, spring of river Drim, entire Ohrid shoreline and Ohrid city, with its cultural and historical monuments and churches, and city Struga also. Magical five-day tour.

Detailed time schedule for the tour:
DAY 1  
10:00h Transfer from airport or place of your accommodation to city Bitola with coffee break on “Pletvar“ (mountain pass near city Prilep). 
13:00h Arrival at Bitola, sight- seeing of archaeological location “Heraklea” and city, walk thru famous Bitola’s “Shirok Sokak”, lunch in ethno- restaurant and driving to hotel Molika (on the foot of the mountain).
16:30h Hotel Molika, coffee break, and walk uphill to mountain house “Kopanki”.
17:00h  Mountain house “Kopanki”. Rest and accommodation.
19:00h Dinner and overnight.

DAY 2 
9:00h Breakfast and departure for the summit.
13:30h Arrival at the peak Pelister (2601m), snacking, rest, taking snapshots, and descending downhill to one of the “Pelister’s eyes” (Little Lake).
15:00h Little Lake.
16:00h Mountain house “Dimitar Ilievski – Murato” (2218m ),”Big Lake”, lunch, sight-seeing. 
19:00h Dinner and overnight.
DAY 3
9:30h Breakfast and start of descending to ecco-village Brajcino.
15:30h Arrival at Brajcino, rest, lunch, sight- seeing. 
17:30h Transfer to Skopje.
20:30h Arrival at Skopje- to airport or to the place of your accommodation. 
EXTENTIONS:
DAY 3 
9:30h Breakfast and start of the descending to ecco- village Brajcino.
15:30h Arrival at Brajcino, accommodation, lunch, sight- seeing.
17:30h Time for the beach. Visit of “Krani” on Prespa Lake.
19:00h Back to Brajcino, dinner and overnight.
DAY 4
10:00h Breakfast and driving towards national park “Galicica”.
12:30h High pass on mountain Galicica. Coffee break and short walk to the point from where you can see both of the lakes (Prespa and Ohrid lake) from the same spot, also border line between Macedonia and Albania.
13:30h St.Naum- lunch, sight- seeing of monastery complex, visit (by little boat) of St.Zaum and delta of river Black Drim. 
18:00h Driving along the entire 35 km long Ohrid shoreline towards the city. 
19:00h Arrival at Ohrid, accommodation, dinner and overnight. 
DAY 5
10:00h Breakfast, sight- seeing of the city and  its cultural and historical monuments, churches etc. with local guides.                                                     14:00h Lunch in a fish restaurant and driving to city Struga.
16:30h Arrival in Struga. Sight- seeing of the city.
18:00h Transfer to Skopje.
20:30h Arrival at Skopje, to airport or to the place of your accommodation.

MOUNTAIN BABA – Pelister national park West of Bitola, near the town, is the Baba Mountain with the magnificent Mount Pelister (2601 meters, or 8533 feet). Pelister is the third highest peak in the Republic of Macedonia after Korab and Titov Vrv. Other peaks besides Pelister are Dva Groba (2514 meters), Veternica (2420 meters), Muza (2350 meters), Rzana (2334 meters), Shiroka (2218 meters), Kozji Kamen (2199 meters), Griva (2198 meters), Golema Chuka (2188 meters), Skrkovo (2140 meters), Babin Zab (1850 meters), and many more. The Baba massif splits up the rivers in the region, so that they either flow towards the Adriatic, or the Aegean sea. Pelister National Park is filled with exquisite flora and fauna. Among flora elements, the presence is especially significant of the five-needle pine Molica (Pinus peuce)- a unique species of tertiary age being present on only a few mountains in the Balkan Peninsula. The mountain is characterized by lush, well watered forests and unique geological formations which include layers of Paleozoic and Mesozoic magma rock and layers of quartz. The core of the mountain is made of granite some 465 million years old. The beauty of the landscape is enhanced by the diversified wildlife: bears, roe deer, wolves, chamois, deer, wild boars, rabbits, several species of eagles, partridges, red-billed jackdaws, and the endemic Macedonian Pelagonia trout. Pelister is the oldest and second largest national park in Macedonia after Mavrovo. It is one of the leading tourist areas in the country, since it is a well-known ski resort, along with Ohrid, Prespa, Dojran, Popova Shapka, and Krushevo. From Pelister you can see the Pelagonia valley, Prespa lake, mountains Nidzhe, Galichica, Jakupica, and Bitola. Interestingly, Pelister is the most southern mountain in Balkans that has alpine character. Pelister is also known for its two mountain lakes, which are called Pelister’s Eyes. The Big lake is 2,218 meters above the sea level while the Small lake is 2,180 meters high. Here are the sources of many rivers. The climate in the Pelister National Park is diverse. On the peaks, there is snow even in July, and on some places the new snow meets the old one from the previous year.
Detailed description about the tour 
DAY 1  Skopje - Bitola - mountain house “Kopanki”We pick you up from airport or from the place of you’re accommodation and we travel to city Bitola.. Side seeing of the city, it’s cultural and historical monuments, visiting archaeological location Heraklea , walk through  famous Bitola’s Shirok Sokak and lunch in national restaurant. After that, getting supplies and transfer and accommodation in the mountain house Kopanki (on the foot of Baba Mountain-1460m) where we’ll also overnight. We have 30min. driving to hotel Molika, and then 30min. walk up to the mountain house. All around the terrain is densely covered with roseberry bushes and fern. Mountain house itself is located on a grassy terrace, surrounded by wall of pine threes. On the lower side of the terrace you can see monument of Dime Ilievski-Murato, the first Macedonian who climbed Mount Everest. Left from the mountain house view opens towards the ski terrain. Here is the last stop of the cable car and also starting point for ski lifts. Mountain house “Kopanki” is starting point for many mountain paths that are leading to different sides of Baba Mountain and it’s a very frequently visited place. Usually you can see different groups of people with mixed ages. From 7 to 77. People who are here to surmount the mountain, a lot of tourists who are enjoying clean untouched nature, cool mountain breeze and more. Mountain house “Kopanki” has drinkable water, electricity, cooking kitchen and bedrooms with 4 or 6 beds. After our accommodation, dinner will be served.                      DAY 2    Summit day. Departure from mountain house and hiking up to the peak Pelister (2601m ), also walk downhill to our next overnight place- mountain house Dimitar Ilievski - Murato ( 2218m ) on the short of “Big lake”(one of the” Pelister eyes“)
From the hut head towards the nearby ski slope. Route continues over the slope and enters the molika forest. Broad path traverses the steep slopes almost horizontally, gradually descending, until we reach the Pelister macadam road. Path descends on it steeply. Road traverses the slopes, going around the steep descending valley, which begins below Pelister summit, high above. Once over the creek, road turns out of the valley.  On the road we’ll reach a point where path branches away from it, going steeply left into the forest. Through amazingly beautiful Molika Pine forest in which ground is covered with beautiful green grass whole summer. Path ascends in long and gradual serpentines. Occasionally, through the ‘hole’ in the forest, view open towards north, upon Strezevsko lake and extends further over the mountains of central Macedonia. After 1h we are on small grassy terrace from where beautiful view expands also towards west and up the steep slope above, which we have to surmount. Through the beautiful Molika forest path continues to ascend in same manner, gradually with long serpentines. After some 40mins we are finally above the forest, on the grassy shoulder, which soon, bit above, begins to turn into sharp ridge which leads to the summit of Pelister. We see it from here for the first time, it is still high above.  Now the path traverses open slopes above the same valley, which we crossed on the road, that is visible in the forest, so far below. These slopes are completely covered with small blueberry bushes. In August there are so many blueberries here that it is unimaginable! In 15mins we’ll reach the flat terrace in the valley. Below the edge of this terrace valley breaks steeply towards northern foot. After few minutes over the terrace path brings you to the excellent water source, which never dries. Above the source path surmounts small step over which it leads to the upper terrace. Both of the terraces are also blueberry paradise. Summit is right above. From the terrace, path turns over the granite boulder slope and it ascends towards the nearby ridge. Once we are on top of it, we have only 15 min. walking to the foot of the TV tower which is on the very top of the mountain ( Pelister 2601m).From the building it is few minutes to the visible pyramid on the summit where is memorial plate for Dimitar Ilievski – Murato, first Macedonian who climbed Mount Everest. From the peak wonderful view extends all over the surrounding area : Prespa lake, Little Prespa in Grece, city Bitola, lake Strezevo, mountain and also national park Galicica and so on. Pelister is the highest peak on the Balkan Peninsula with clean spring water. After the break we’ll continue going downhill towards little lake (one of Pelister eyes). At first, we descend over the rocky ridge and then path gradually cuts the steep mountain slope right to the little lake. Just several meters below the lake there’s a spring and grassy terrace very convenient for tent camping. Village Nize Pole can be seen far below. Path continues and it connects with Pelister macadam road, but just for a while. Shortly after, it branches away once again and continues with short climbing up on the nearby hill behind which, mountain house Dime Ilievski- Murato is situated. The mountain house has drinkable spring water and electricity. Inside there’s a big dining room with wooden tables and chairs and on the walls in glass showcase there are reports displayed from our expedition on Mount Everest during the climb in 1989. Three group bedrooms are situated on the second floor. Big lake, which is right beside mountain house, is surrounded with beaches, which looks like mountain grassy terraces, from both sides and other two sides are with vertical rocky walls, which rise high above. While the little lake is only 2 meters deep, the big lake is situated in mountain depression and its more then 20 meters deep. The temperature of the water during the whole year is around 4 degrees centigrade. Short walk to the near church   located on the other side of the lake, sight- seeing on surrounding terrains, lunch and overnight.
DAY 3 Descending from little lake towards village Brajcino and getting back to Skopje

First half of our descend is through wide macadam road which almost horizontally traverses the steep mountain slopes. They are covered with grass. Very often big herds of sheep can be seen here. Macadam road passes several mountain notches and then we branch away from it starting second part of our descend. Now the path goes steeply downhill towards village Brajcino and we can see Prespa lake. Standing on this mountain slopes; you’ll have a feeling like standing on a huge terrace high above the big Prespa lake with the island called ”Big city “or “Snake island” in the middle of it. The ground on it is literally covered with snakes, and there is also one deserted and ruined old church from 14 century on the same location. The trail in its lower part slowly gets in the wood and connects again with the macadam road which wefollow till we get to village Brajcino . It’s ecco zone village. In the last few years people here are developing village eco tourism. Here you can find accommodation in antique restored village houses. Walk and sight-seeing thru Brajcino, resting and refreshing on wonderfully arranged village fountains and then lunch in ethno restaurant where you can taste some of the traditional Macedonian specialities. After the lunch and resting we drive back to Skopje to airport or to your place of accommodation.
EXTENSION: After lunch and resting we accommodate you in previously reserved houses in the village. Driving to the summer resort “Krani” which is only 5 km away from Brajcino and it’s located on Prespa Lake. Krani is a summer resort with bungalows and tents and it has wonderful sand beech where we’ll spend the afternoon. Overnight in Brajcino.
DAY 4 Departure from Brajcino and driving to St.Naum and Ohrid via mountain (national park) Galicica     
Driving to St.Naum (located on Ohrid lake ). The road circles around Prespa Lake. This is opportunity to view the shoreline with all villages. All around us there is a dense forest. Slowly we ascend up the mountain. On several places view opens thru the wall of threes towards Prespa Lake far below, and high rocky ridges of Mt.Galicica are rising high above us. When we reach the highest point on the road we’ll have a coffee-break and short walk (apx.20 min) to the nearby hill. Place with very rare view. Absolutely gorgeous. Both of the lakes ( Prespa Lake and Ohrid Lake) seen in the same time from the same point, also the highest peak of mountain Galicica ( Margaro 2350m ) can be seen from here. Borderline between Macedonia and Albania stretches along the summit ridge of peak Margaro. This is truly remarkable and unforgettable experience. After the break we continue driving down to St. Naum where was spend the day. Sight- seeing of the monastery complex, stroll by little passenger boat along spring delta of river Black Drim which sources from one place on the foot of the mountain Galicica and it builds wide delta with clear water and colourful flora and different fauna in it. We’ll also visit the monastery called St Zaum. It’s situated on the shoreline and the only way for getting there is from water. We will stay on the beach in st. Zaum or  in st.Naum ( accordantly to you’re wishes- st.Zaum has rocky beach and st.Naum sand beach ).In the afternoon we’ll have a lunch in the national restaurant which is part of the monastery complex st.Naum and afterwards we’ll drive to Ohrid. Road passes thru all tourist places (villages, camps, hotels etc.) on Ohrid’s shoreline. Road passes either thru them or above them so you can get full impression about Ohrid’s 35 km long shoreline. After arrival in Ohrid accommodation follows and free evening. You can walk on the marina, thru old bazaar, old city, coffee bars, nightclubs, discotheques etc. Overnight is in Ohrid.
DAY 5  Ohrid-Struga-Skopje    
Morning coffee in some of the summer terraces of city coffee bars. Organized sight seeing of the city. Visiting st.Sofia, St.Kaneo, Samuils castle, ancient high school, the Amphitheatre and the rest of the galleries, historical memorial  houses and other significant cultural historical objects. Visiting “Biljana’s Springs” and afterwards driving to Struga, the city of poets (internationally famous Struga poetry evenings). Sight-seeing of the city and in the late afternoon driving to Skopje, to your accommodation place or to airport. 
Tour Staff & Support: Tour Leader and mountain guide, transportation staff.
Meals: Breakfasts, lunches and diners in the mountain houses, or traditional meals in  restaurants.
Necessary equipment: Hiking boots, rain protection clothing, hat, gloves, sunglasses     
Price per person: 198 euro (5 persons group)
Note: Price depends on the group size