Day 1 Overnight Hotel Neda Galichnik

Upon arrival at the Skopje Airport, transportation is provided by our operator who will pick you up and take you to a coffee break at the Old Bazaar in Skopje city (20 min drive). You will have an opportunity for I short sightseeing tour at the Old Bazaar and the city center, and a chance to taste the delightful Macedonian cuisine at the traditional restaurant DUKAT in Skopje.

After the lunch, you will be transferred to the SHERPA HORSE RIDING RANCH in the village of Galichnik, situated in the western mountain region of Macedonia (1h 45 min drive). Lodging is at Hotel Neda  in the village of Galichnik, and in between, you will meet the horses and the Sherpa team at the ranch, which is 1 km from the hotel. Safety-briefing and operation procedures session will be hosted at Hotel Neda before the dinner. Overnight stay is at Hotel NEDA – Galichnik.      

Itinerary

Arrival at Skopje airport, transport to the city of Skopje, coffee break, short sightseeing tour, lunch in the traditional restaurant DUKAT.

• 16.30 – Departure to SHERPA HORSE RIDING RANCH and Hotel NEDA – Galichnik
• 18.15 – Arrival at the Ranch, meeting the Horses and the Sherpa team, and a warm welcome with refreshments
• 19.00 – Safety equipment handout, safety, and procedures briefing.

Dinner and overnight stay at Hotel Neda – Galichnik.

* Vegetarians are required to specify their food preference in the Request for an Offer.

* Guests arriving after 16.30 will be directly transferred to SHERPA HORSE RIDING RANCH with snack lunch provided in the van.

* For the guests who cannot attend the Safety and Procedure briefing session at 19.00, the briefing will be provided at the time of their arrival in Galicnik.     

Day 2 Overnight Hotel Kalin Lazaropole

(approximately 5h forest ride, 27km) Galichnik – Lazaropole (view link map for the day)

After breakfast in Hotel Neda, our operator will transport you to the “SHERPA HORSE RIDING RANCH” (around 5 min. drive). Our team will greet you with some welcoming drinks. You will meet the horses again, and after the briefing session and choosing the right horse, you will have some fun during our exciting ranch workshops (milking goats, traditional cheese preparation) and then, get prepared for the ride.

Our SHERPA TRUCK carries your luggage to our lodging destination.

This day, you will have an opportunity to visit most of the old Miyak villages and get closely acquainted with the culture of the Miyaks, as well as a ride through the old forest trails, which were originally used by them for transportation on horses. From the ranch, you will ride to the village of Glaichnik ( the biggest and most popular Miyak village), and visit the museum of Gjorgjija Pulevski(a famous Miyak author and revolutionary). On this track, you will ride through the forest of Sushica (visiting Sushica the oldest Miyak village, now mostly in ruins), and ride downhill to the Miyak villages of Selce and Tresonche, with panoramic views of the north side of Stogovo Mountain.

On the way to the village of Lazaropole, you will have a lunch break and a fruit dessert. You will be passing through the Miyak village of Tresonche, and experience the Miyak folklore and the old Miyak architecture. We will be lodging in Lazaropole (the second largest Miyak village) in the Hotel “KALIN” (a cozy mountain hotel with a traditional design).

Dinner will be served next to a cozy fireplace at the hotel restaurant (fresh wild meat dish from the region).

Itinerary

• 07.30 – Breakfast
• 08.30 – Departure to the SHERPA HORSE RIDING RANCH
• 08.35 – Arrival at the ranch, and a warm welcome with refreshments
• 09.00 – Milking goats and traditional cheese production, preparations for the trip (safety equipment handout, Safety, and Procedures briefing, choosing horses, loading luggage to the safety and camping jeeps)
• 10.00 – Departure to the museum in the village of Galichnik (15 min ride)
• 10.15 – Arrival at the museum with 45 min presentation about the culture of the Miyaks
• 11.00 – Departure to the village of Lazaropole    
• 13.00 – Picnic lunch in the forest of Sushica (fresh products provided directly from the ranch) followed by cheese tasting, and delicious local vegan/vegetarian food (if specified)
• 14.00 – Departure to the hunting village of Lazaropole on horseback (forest mountain ride)
• 16.00 – Fruit desert break 
• 16.30 – Continuing the journey to the hunting village of Lazaropole on horseback (forest mountain ride)
• 17.30 – Arrival in Lazaropole and lodging at Hotel “KALIN” for dinner and an overnight stay
• 19.00 – Dinner – traditional Miyak meal (fresh wild meat dish from the region)

* Vegetarians are required to specify their food preference in the Request for an Offer.

Day 3 Overnight at Motel TOPILA 

(approximately 7h ride; 37 km) Lazaropole – Gari (view link map for the day)

After the lovely evening, delicious food, smooth wine, and a good night’s sleep, off we go again. Breakfast, saddling and bridling – getting ready for the road.

An ADRENALINE ride which will take you to the oldest forest Miyak trail of Bistra Mountain, crossing up to Stogovo Mountain from the Miyak village of Osoj, with an incredible view at the Korab Massive (2,764 meters/ 9068 ft.). On this day, you will have an opportunity to go to one of the highest peaks on Stogovo massive – Babin Srt (2,241 meters/7352.3 ft.). Then riding down to the Miyak village of Gari for dinner and an overnight stay in the very cozy guesthouse by the main Gari creek. Fresh fish for dinner will be accompanied by a traditional Miyak music live performance. Moreover, this route will get you closer to the shepherd’s life, visiting a few sheep farms and tasting traditional white cheese and yogurt.

Itinerary

• 07.00 – Breakfast
• 08.00 – Starting the preparations, which will include saddling and bridling the horses
• 09.00 – Departure to the Miyak village of Gari
• 11.00 – Fruit break (snacks and fruit)
• 11.30 – Departure on a horseback
• 13.30 – Arriving at the sheep farm at Stogovo Mountain for a lunch break (Shepard’s lunch including lamb and cheese, freshly from the farm, or a delicious local vegan/vegetarian meal (if requested)

At the sheep farm, you will get acquainted with the shepherd’s life, far away from the civilized world, and you will be shown the old traditional farming techniques as well. You will have an opportunity to taste all of the milk products directly fresh from the farm.

• 15.00  – Departure to the Miyak village of Gari
• 18.00 – Arrival in the Miyak village of Gari at Motel “TOPILA”
• 19.30 – Dinner (fresh fish from the creek) accompanied by traditional live music.

* Vegetarians are required to specify their food preference in the Request for an Offer.

Day 4 Overnight base camp 2

(approximately 9h ride; 44km) Gari – Kamp Solomunica (view link map for the day)

After a lovely dinner spiced with captivating traditional melodies, and a good night’s sleep, we are almost ready for the longest day of this journey. Getting ready for an amazing 44 km ahead of you.
On this day, we are going to cross to the east side of Bistra Mountain, riding across a very old forest Miak trail. This ride will take you above the forest of Bistra Mountain, with an incredible view at the Korab Massive (2,764 meters/ 9068 ft.). This route will get you closer to the shepherd’s life, visiting a few sheep farms and tasting traditional white cheese and yogurt.

After the long breathtaking experience, we will be lodging in our base camp deep in the mighty mountains far away from the civilized world. Setting up the sleeping tents, starting a campfire along with the dinner preparation, done in a traditional manner, we will be getting ready for a campfire party, followed by some good night’s sleep.

Itinerary

• 06.30 – Breakfast
• 07.30 – Starting the preparations, which will include saddling and bridling the horses
• 08.00 – Departure to the base camp located deep in the Bistra Mountain on a horseback
• 11.00 – Fruit dessert break (snacks and fruits)
• 11.30 – Departure on a horseback
• 13.30 – Arrival at the sheep farm (cheese tasting lunch) or delicious local vegan/vegetarian food (if requested)

At the sheep farm, you will get acquainted with the shepherd’s life far away from the civilized world, and you be shown the old traditional farming techniques as well. You will have an opportunity to taste all of the milk products, directly fresh from the farm.

• 14.30 – Departure to the base camp on a horseback
• 18.30 – Arrival in the base camp 2 

Group activities are included, such as:

Setting up the sleeping tents, starting a campfire along with some dinner preparations

* Vegetarians are required to specify their food preference in the Request for an Offer.

• 19.30 – BBQ – Dinner next to the campfire (overnight stay in tents).

Day 5 Overnight Hotel Bistra Mavrovo

(approximately 7h ride; 35km) Kamp Solomunica – Mavrovo (view link map for the day)

Wake up – we are up to a fantastic morning with an endless view at the high-level mountain peaks. Preparing breakfast on our own, enjoying the fresh mountain air, and getting ready for the next journey.

On this day, we are also going to visit a few more Miyak sheep farms and enjoy different mountain sceneries. This time our guides will take you to the Sandaktash Peak (2011 m / 6597,7 ft.) and bring you down to Mavrovo lake and the village of Mavrovo. At the end of this day’s trail you will ride along the lake shore, and this time you will get accommodated in the coziest hotel in the region. Dinner will be served in the hotel (fresh pork meat cooked in a very traditional way under the sach – a large metal or ceramic lid like a shallow bell with which bread dough or meat to be baked are covered).

Itinerary

• 07.00 – Starting breakfast preparations
• 08.00 – Breakfast and packing
• 09.00 – Departure to the sheep farm on a horseback
• 12.30 – Arrival at the sheep farm with lunch and fruit desert break
• 13.30 – Departure to Sandaktash Peak (2011m/6597,7ft) and Mavrovo Lake on a horseback 
• 17.00 – Arrival in Mavrovo and Hotel Bistra Mavrovo

Group activities are included, such as:

Starting a campfire in the yard along with dinner preparation of pork in a traditional way.

* Vegetarians are required to specify their food preference in the Request for an Offer.

• 19.00 – Dinner and overnight stay at Hotel Bistra Mavrovo.

Day 6 Overnight Basecamp 2

(approximately 6h ride; 30 km) Mavrovo – Kamp Govedarnik (view link map for the day)

Good morning. Waking up at CAREVEC Guesthouse by the lake will give you an extraordinary energy to climb high in the hills again. After breakfast, we are getting ready to set off.

Morning ride with a beautiful scenery along the lakeshore. Our guides will bring you deep into the forest above the lake to the very old Miyak village of Kichinica. After the fruit dessert and the lunch break, you will be ascending around the highest peak Medenica, and set up the base camp Govedarnik next to the Karbula Peak (2100 m. above sea level) located at the west end of Bistra Mountain with an incredible view at Krchin Peak.

Enjoying a stunning sunset over the unbroken horizon, we are going to prepare dinner next to the campfire. Fresh lamb directly from the nearby sheep farms, cooked in a very traditional way. Bon appetite.

Overnight stay in tents. Good night.

Itinerary

• 07.30 – Breakfast (home-made breakfast prepared by the owner of the Guesthouse, Sonja)
• 08.30 – Starting the preparations, which will include saddling and bridling the horses
• 09.30 – Departure to the Miyak village of Kichinica
• 12.30 – Arrival in the village of Kichinica with a lunch break
• 13.30 – Departure to Govedarnik base camp on a horseback
• 15.30 – Fruit dessert brake at the top of the mountain 
• 16.00 – Continuing the journey to Govedarnik base camp on a horseback
• 17.00 – Arrival at the base camp Govedarnik

Day 7 Overnight Skopje Hotel City Park

(approximately 3h sunrise ride;15 km and 4 h ride; 25 km) Kamp Govedarnik – Medenica – Sherpa Ranch (view link map for the sunset ride)

This morning will be something entirely different. Waking up before dawn, preparing the horses, riding to the highest peak of Medenica to watch the sunrise.
Enjoying the magnificent sunrise, along with a fruit dessert break at the ‘top of the world’.
There are no words to describe the majesty of this sight at daybreak. Lucky us!

We are going to walk entirely downhill and ride again to the base camp Govedarnik for breakfast.
After the breakfast, we are going to ride along the uplands of the scenic Bistra Mountain with the fantastic open landscapes. On this day, finally, you are going back to SHERPA HORSE RIDING RANCH after 202 km in total for these 6 days of riding. What a pleasure. Welcome back to the ranch.
After the final lunch with the group and the Sherpa team you are going to be transferred to Skopje for dinner and an overnight stay.

(the program hours can be changed according to the sunrise time) 

Itinerary

• 03.00 – Starting the horse preparation 
• 03.30 – Departure to the Medenica Peak on a horseback for the sunrise 
• 05.00 – Arrival at Medenica for the sunrise, and a fruit dessert break
• 05.30 – Departure back to the base camp Govedarnik (walking and riding downhill)
• 07.00 – Breakfast and packing at the base camp Govedarnik
• 08.30 – Departure to the SHERPA HORSE RIDING RANCH
• 12.30 – Arrival at the SHERPA HORSE RIDING RANCH
• 13.00 – Gala lunch/dinner party at the ranch accompanied by traditional life music
• 16.00 – Transport to the city of Skopje for a dinner and overnight stay
• 17.45 – Arrival in Skopje
• 19.00 – Dinner and overnight stay

Day 8

Breakfast and transfer to the airport (according to your flight you will be transferred right on time from your hotel)