Explore Mavrovo National Park on horseback!
The park occupies northwestern North Macedonia, where the borders of Albania, Kosovo, and Macedonia meet. It is one of Europe's oldest national parks and is well-known for its vast beech forests, alpine meadows, and pristine rivers and streams. In short, the perfect setting for a riding expedition.
We ride uphill along the valleys of Bistra Mountain and Mavrovo Lake. You will enjoy dramatic views of countless mountain peaks. You will get closer to the shepherd’s life, visiting sheep farms to experience the traditional way of cheese-making. This ride gives you the opportunity to learn the traditions and history of the oldest North Macedonian tribe, the Miyaks.
Meeting Point
Skopje
Date and Rates
28 September - O5 October, 2025
€ 1800 based on double occupancy
Price Includes
- Riding and English-speaking guide; accommodation; all meals; other activities such as goat milking and cheese preparation; entrance fee to Mavrovo National Park; drinks at the ranch and while camping; all transfers; camping equipment.
- SINGLE SUPPLEMENT There is no charge for a single tent on the camping nights. Single rooms in the hotels are possible on most nights but it may not be possible to guarantee single accommodation throughout. Single rooms should be requested in advance and where available in the hotels are an extra €20 per night, payable locally. If you are willing to share, then no supplement is charged.
- PAYABLE LOCALLY Alcoholic beverages and all soft drinks at the hotels and guesthouse; tips (optional).
- NEAREST AIRPORT Skopje
- TRANSFERS are included from Skopje airport.
- GETTING THERE
- Return transfers are included from Skopje airport or from a hotel in Skopje (City Park Hotel recommended).
- Guests arriving in the mid-morning, or who are already in Skopje, will be taken for a short sightseeing tour of the Old Bazaar in Skopje and the city centre and after lunch transferred to the start of the ride. Guests arriving in the afternoon will be transferred directly to the start of the ride. The journey from Skopje to your first night accommodation is about 2 hours.
- The last night is at a hotel near to Skopje airport and so your flight can depart at any time.
Price Excludes
- International and domestic flights
- alcoholic beverages in restaurants and hotels
- individual travel insurance
- tips
You will enjoy dramatic views of countless mountain peaks. You will get closer to the shepherd’s life, visiting sheep farms to experience the traditional way of cheese-making. This ride gives you the opportunity to learn the traditions and history of the oldest North Macedonian tribe, the Miyaks. You must be riding and physically fit, confident and in control at walk, trot and canter in the open. The pace is dictated by the terrain and you will be required to dismount and lead your horse on foot at times. When leading your horse, the terrain can be rocky and uneven. It is essential that you have suitable walking/riding boots
The horses are mainly Balkan mountain horses, with some purebred Arabs and Arab crosses. They are ridden in Western tack, but the riding style is English with a loose rein. The horses are trained to have a very forward going walk and rarely trot. There will be fast canters and gallops in places. On some of these fast sections riders are encouraged to spread out, take their own line and overtake when space allows. It is essential for your own safety that you are in control of your horse and keep your distance. Your horse is prepared and untacked for you by the support team.
- level: advanced: a frequent and regular rider. Very fit and in control on a forward going horse at all paces in the open over rough and variable ground.
- Riding time : between five to nine hours, covering a distance of 15 to 44 km each day so on the week long itinerary you ride over 202 km in total.
- Accomodation : a range of accommodations from comfortable hotels to simple dome tents. Overall, there are five nights in hotels and two nights of camping. While camping, the team will set up tents, start the campfire and prepare all the meals. Chairs and tables are provided for meals and there are toilet tents. There is only cold water for showering on the camping nights.
- Type of terrain: mountains,, river crossings, bog, high plateau, forests
- Group : 10 riders max / 3 guides
Day 1 Arrival and 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. .
Details:
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.
* 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 3 Overnight at Motel TOPILA
(approximately 7h ride; 37 km) Lazaropole – Gari
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.
Today you will ride along 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.
Details:
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.
Day 4 Overnight Camp 1 + Wine tasting
(approximately 9h ride; 44km) Gari – Kamp Solomunica
After a lovely dinner cooked with traditional spices, 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.
Details:
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 snack break
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 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
19.30 – BBQ – Dinner next to the campfire (overnight stay in tents).
Day 6 Basecamp 2 and gin tasting
approximately 6 hour ride: 30 km Mavrovo - Camp Govedarnik
After breakfast, we are 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 snack 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.
Enjoy a stunning sunset over the 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. Overnight stay in tents
Details:
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 5 Overnight at Mia's Favorite Hotel
(https://miasfavorite.com/) (approximately 7h ride; 35km) Camp Solomunica – Mavrovo
Wake up to a fantastic morning with endless views of the mountain peaks. Preparing breakfast, 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).
Details:
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 snack
13.30 – Departure to Sandaktash Peak (2011m/6597,7ft) and Mavrovo Lake on a horseback
17.00 – Arrival in Mavrovo and Hotel Bistra Mavrovo
19.00 – Dinner and overnight stay at Hotel Bistra Mavrovo.
Day 7 Skopje Hotel City Park
Approximately 3 h sunrise ride: 15 km and 4 hour ride , 25 km. Camp Govedarnik - Medenica- Sherpa Ranch
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)
Details
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 live 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 Departure
Breakfast and transfer to the airport (according to your flight you will be transferred right on time from your hotel)
