Cycle the Balkans

Itinerary Details

1. Day 1Start in Tirana

   Welcome to Tirana, the capital of Albania and the cultural and political hub of the country. In the evening, your guide will hold a welcome meeting to discuss the week ahead, give advice on the local area and answer any questions before the group goes out for a welcome dinner.

   • Sky 2 Hotel
   • Dinner
2. Day 2Transfer to Lake Ohrid; cross the border into North Macedonia; visit the Monastery of St Naum before ending in Ohrid town

   You'll start this morning with a transfer to beautiful Lake Ohrid, one of the oldest lakes in the world and one of the largest biological reserves in Europe. Upon arrival, the bikes will be unloaded and adjusted to everyone’s comfort.

   The ride starts along the scenic shore towards Pogradec. After reaching Tushemisht, just 2.5mi (4km) east of Pogradec, the group will enjoy lunch at a waterfront restaurant. The cycling continues in the afternoon, crossing into North Macedonia and visiting the Monastery of St Naum. The road then takes you through Galicica National Park to Ohrid town.

   • 36.7 miles
   • -328.1 ft
     1,640.4 ft
     1,968.5 ft
   • Villa Royal View or similar
   • Breakfast
3. Day 3Climb to a mountain-bound high plateau; follow the gorge to Debar

   Leaving Lake Ohrid, you'll climb to a high plateau bounded by mountains.  Keep following the gorge for a while until the hills open up, leading to a vast patchwork of individual farms in the Debar region. The ride finishes in the city of Debar where you rest for the night.

   • 26.3 miles
   • 
     1,640.4 ft
     1,640.4 ft
   • Hotel Leon or similar
   • Breakfast
4. Day 4Cycle towards Lake Mavrovo

   Today you will cycle toward Lake Mavrovo, the largest artificial lake in the country. It lies in Mavrovo National Park, where deep canyons, snowy peaks, blue lakes and dense forests provide a habitat for all sorts of incredible creatures, including wolves, bears and lynx.

   Cycle through this diverse national park and reach the hotel at the foot of the Bistra mountains in the afternoon.

   • 21.3 miles
   • Mia's Favourite Hotel or similar
   • Breakfast
5. Day 5Transfer from Mavrovo to the Kosovo border; continue through Brezovica National Park and the Sharri mountain range

   Transferring out of Mavrovo National Park, the group will reach the border with Kosovo. You'll ride through Brezovica, an area frequented by skiers in the winter, and continue into Sharri National Park, a still relatively undiscovered area home to wild boar, wolves, bear, lynx and roe deer.

   • 28 miles
   • 984.3 ft
     3,280.8 ft
     2,296.6 ft
   • Hotel Pine or similar
   • Breakfast
6. Day 6Climb to Prevalle through the forest of Kodra e Diellit; descend to the historic city of Prizren

   From Brezovica, cycle up to Prevalle, another ski resort, through the forest of Kodra e Diellit before a long descent to historic Prizren, the cultural capital of Kosovo. This city is known in this region of the Balkans for its gastronomy and wines, traditional handicrafts and wonderful mix of Byzantine and Ottoman architecture.

   In the afternoon, there will be a city tour to explore the old town.

   • 25.5 miles
   • -1,968.5 ft
     2,624.7 ft
     4,593.2 ft
   • Hotel Centrum or similar
   • Breakfast
7. Day 7Free day in Peje

   Today will include a transfer from Prizren to Peje where you'll be staying overnight. There will be another visit to a beautiful city in Kosovo beore heading to Montenegro tomorrow.

   • 21.7 miles
   • Hotel Dukagjini or similar
   • Breakfast
8. Day 8Transfer to Montenegro border; cycle to Berane via Rozaje

   This morning, transfer to the Kosovo-Montenegro border. You'll start cycling from the border and enter Montenegro. Keep cycling down to Rozaje, a city surrounded by magnificent mountains including the peaks of Hajla and Turjak. The area is covered in large forests and abundant with flowers. Regroup with everyone in the support vehicle to cross a long tunnel, before jumping back on your bikes and continue cycling to Berana.

   • 34.8 miles
   • -1,968.5 ft
     2,952.8 ft
     4,921.3 ft
   • Hotel Berane or similar
   • Breakfast
9. Day 9Pedal to Andrijevica and onto Kolasin; magnificent views of the rugged Albanian Alps

   Leaving Berane behind, cycle on a flat road to the small town of Andrijevica. From here, take a magnificent narrow road with spectacular scenery all the way up to Kolasin. On your left-hand side, will be impressive views of the Albanian Alps and you should be able to spot the mountain of Jezerca, the second-highest peak in Albania.

   Just before arriving at Kolasin, regroup for a short transfer through a tunnel. Afterwards, it will be a short easy ride to the hotel for tonight.

   • 23.5 miles
   • 820.2 ft
     3,280.8 ft
     2,460.6 ft
   • Hotel Cile or similar
   • Breakfast
10. Day 10Short transfer to Mojkovac; cycle through the Tara Canyon before reaching Zabljak

    After a short transfer to Mojkovac, start cycling through the Tara Canyon, one of the deepest river canyons in Europe. You'll also have the chance to see the Tara Bridge, a spectacular arch bridge made of concrete, before reaching Zabljak. The town is in the centre of the Durmitor mountains at an altitude of 4,777ft (1,456m), making it the highest town in the Balkans.

    • 20.4 miles
    • 1,968.5 ft
      3,608.9 ft
      1,640.4 ft
    • Etno Selo Sljeme Guesthouse or similar
    • Breakfast
11. Day 11Morning climb out of Zabljak through the Durmitor region; descend to Pluzine

    The day starts with a long climb out of Zabljak. As you ascend through the Durmitor region, you'll see the dramatic high peaks of the magnificent mountain ranges. After a challenging ride this morning, you'll be rewarded with a long descent to Rudinice village, where the evening will be spent in a quiet farmstay.

    • 26.7 miles
    • -2,624.7 ft
      2,624.7 ft
      5,249.3 ft
    • Zvono Guesthouse or similar
    • Breakfast
12. Day 12Cycle towards Nikšić

    Today will be an easier cycle toward Nikšić, the second-largest city in Montenegro, situated at the foot of Trebjesa Hill. It is the largest municipality by area and second-most inhabited after the capital Podgorica.

    • 37.9 miles
    • -328.1 ft
      3,608.9 ft
      3,937 ft
    • Hotel Trim or similar
    • Breakfast
13. Day 13Short transfer to Vilsu; cycle to the Bay of Kotor

    After a short transfer to Vilsu, cycle to the picturesque Bay of Kotor. Medieval towns encased by dramatic mountains surround the lake and have been inhabited since antiquity. In the afternoon, there will be time to visit the old city walls.

    For dinner, take the opportunity to enjoy a meal on the waterfront and sample the fresh seafood on offer.

    • 35.4 miles
    • -3,116.8 ft
      820.2 ft
      3,937 ft
    • Hotel Marija or similar
    • Breakfast
14. Day 14Transfer to Bar; cycle close to Lake Shkodra; finish Shkodra

    This morning, the group will drive to the coastal town of Bar. From here, cycle close to Lake Shkodra and cross the border back into Albania.

    This evening, the group will enjoy a well-deserved farewell dinner in Shkodra.

    • 23 miles
    • -656.2 ft
      492.1 ft
      1,148.3 ft
    • Hotel Tradita or similar
    • Breakfast and Dinner
15. Day 15End of tour in Shkoder

    The tour ends after breakfast and check out.
    

    • Breakfast