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PELISTER
Tour 1 (Long tour)
Pelister is one of the three national parks in Macedonia, located above the eastern shores of Prespa Lake, and west of Pelagonija plane, the Longest one in Macedonia, only 7 km away from the city of Bitola. Pelister is the most southern mountain of Europe with Alps characteristics. It is also home of a very rare and endemic forms of pine tree, called Molika.
The entire mountain is decorated with numerous plants and it is a home of different kinds of wild animals (quite a big number of different kinds of dears etc.) Many springs are to be found at the slopes of the mountain and two beautiful lakes known as “The eyes of Pelister”.
Climbing on the mountain is possible from 3 different directions:
1. From the side of Prespa Lake, climbing will start from Eco villageof Brajcino;
2. The second climbing point starts from Hotel Molika, located on the mountain; and
3.The third one starts at the village of Nizepole.
The climbing to the top from each of these localities lasts about 6 hours. One of the main goals on the way to the top is definitely reaching “the eyes of Pelister” - two lakes on the highland on 2.100 meters altitude.
The walking distance between the lakes is 40 minutes. After that, climbing continues to the very top of the mountain, named Dimev Vrv, dedicated to Dimce Ilieski-Murato, the only Macedonian alpinist who had reached the Mount Everest, back in 1989. On this very top of 2.601 meters, there is a monument dedicated to this tragically died alpinist.
From this peak, there is an enjoyable and spectacular view toward Prespa Lake and Pelagonija Valley.
Lunch will be organized on the top of the mountain. Descending from the peak of mountain is through the opposite direction, so the whole mountain could be explored with this tour. From the foothill of the mountain, the bus transfer to the hotel will be organized.The tour takes 12 - 15 hours.
MATKA
The locality of Matka is 12 km away from Skopje, and it is famous for it's beautiful canyon on the Treska River. Matka is also one of the last places in Europe where several very rare kinds of vultures and eagles as well are to be found. Therefore, it has been declared as a natural monument protected by law.
The tour starts with boat ride through the canyon of Matka, with a visit to the following medieval churches and monasteries: St. Andrea, St. Nikola Shishevski and The Nunnery of Holy Marry.Lunch is organized in the restaurant at the locality of Matka.There is a possibility of alpinism and rock climbing at Otmar's Rock, 150 meters high.
The tour is ideal for advanced alpinists.
SOLUNSKA GLAVA JAKUPICA
In the vicinity of Veles, in the central part of Macedonia, south of Skopje, is located the mountain of Jakupica, with it's highest peak Solunska Glava 2.540 meters above sea level. It is not a natural park, but it is very rich in woods and wild life as well.
The most attractive part of the mountain is the southern part, where one of the wonders of nature Rock high 700 meters and wide 1,5 km is located. The name of this rock is Nezilovska Stena. On the foothill of Nezilovska Stena are the springs of river Babuna. Another attraction is the view from the peak of this mountain, that, if the weather is clear and calm, it reaches as far as Thessalonica and The Aegean Sea. Because of this reason, the Peak is named Solunska Glava (The Head of Thessalonica).
GALICICA
Galicica is located between Ohrid and Prespa Lakes. With its 800 sorts of different plaints, from which 11 are indigenous (endemic), and with its specific morphologic form, this mountain has been declared as one of the 7 most attractive natural parks in the World (National Geography, September, 2002).
The tour starts with a bus transfer from the hotel to the mountain pass on 1.600 meters altitude. The climbing takes a road through beech tree forest, with the possibility of introducing and examine some of the endemic plants.
KRUSEVO
Krusevo is a small picturesque town in the central part of Macedonia, located on the Buseva Mountain, on 1.300 meters altitude.
The town is well-known as a center of craftsmen and it is connected with the most heroic times of the Macedonian history The Ilinden upraise against Otoman Empire at 1903. Today Krusevo is one of the most attractive winter, hunting and mountaineering resorts. It is very rich in natural beauties.
Buseva Mountain is rich in springs, rivers and artificial lakes, on elevation more than 1.000 meters. Paces to visit: Macedonium memorial monument dedicated to Ilinden upraise; The memorial house of Nikola Karev, the first president of Krusevo Republic, The museum of Nikola Martinoski, one of the most famous Macedonian painters; the church of St. John, the locality Meckin Kamen (Bear's Stone), etc.
PROPOSAL ARANGEMENT FOR MOUNTAINEERING THROUGH MACEDONIA
Day 1:
Arrival by bus or by plane in Skopje. Accommodation in a 4* hotel. Possibility for sightseeing tour, depending of the arrival time.
Day 2:
After breakfast, departure to the locality of Matka, and the monasteries in the region. There is a possibility for alpinism at the Otmar's Rock. Departure back to the hotel in the afternoon.
Day 3:
Departure from Skopje to Veles, to the village of Nezilovo. Arrival to the starting climbing point to Solunska Glava. The bus ride takes 1,5 hours. The climbing to the top and back takes 7-10 hours (depending of the chosen tour). Accommodation and diner in mountain house Chempres, or in the motel Mladost, near Veles.
Day 4:
Departure for Krusevo and accommodation at hotel Montana. Visit to memorial monument Macedonium and sightseeing tour will be finished with climbing to the locality of Meckin Kamen. Return back to the hotel for dinner.
Day 5:
Departure for Bitola, accommodation in hotel Epinal, in very center of the city. Sightseeing tour around Bitola will include ancient city of Heraclea Lyncestis, the street of consulates and oriental center of Bitola. Dinner in hotel and free night in the city.
Day 6:
Departure for Pelister, for one of the two starting points. The rest of the day will be spent on the mountain and after descending follows a departure for Ohrid. Arrival, accommodation and dinner in hotel in Ohrid late evening. |
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