Cycle the Balkans

Cycle the Balkans

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15 Days From

$3900

Cycle the Balkans

15 Days Starting in Tirana and ending in Shkoder

Visiting: Montenegro, Albania, Kosovo

Tour operator:

Exodus Adventure Travels

Tour code:

MVU

Guide Type:

Fully Guided

Group size:

6 - 16

Physical rating:

Moderate & Challenging

Age range:

16-99

Special diets catered:

Please inform Exodus of specific dietary requirements

Tour operated in:

English

Activities:

Cycling

From: $3900

NB: Prices correct on 05-Nov-2024 but subject to change.

This tour is no longer available, please see similar tours below or send an enquiry

Tour Overview

Spanning a swathe of southeastern Europe, the Balkans offer the best of the continent in one intriguing package: history-drenched towns,cloud-brushing mountains and exceptional cuisine. We take to the saddle for this trip, allowing us to easily integrate into the lesser visited (but no less intoxicating) destinations of Albania, Kosovo, Montenegro and North Macedonia. Along the way, we visit the Unesco-listed lakeside town of Ohrid, tackle the ups and downs of the imposing Durmitor mountains and enjoy a sun-and-sea flop at the Bay of Kotor, a perfect end to the ride.

Highlights

  • Visit the Unesco-listed town of Ohrid in North Macedonia

  • Experience the magnificent Mavrov Lake and nationalpark

  • Challenge yourself against the Durmitor mountains, part of the Dinaric Alps

Itinerary

Expand All

Day 1 : Start Tirana

Meals Included: Dinner

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



Accommodation: Sky 2 Hotel (or similar)

Day 2 : Transfer To Lake Ohrid; Cross The Border Into North Macedonia; Visit The Monastery Of St Naum Before Ending In Ohrid Town

Meals Included: Breakfast

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



Accommodation: Villa Royal View (or similar)

Day 3 : Climb To A Mountain-Bound High Plateau; Follow The Gorge To Debar

Meals Included: Breakfast

Leaving Lake Ohrid, we climb to a high plateau bounded by mountains. We continue to follow the gorge for a while until the hills open up, leading to a vast patchwork of individual farms in the Debar region. Our ride finishes in the city of Debar where we rest for the night.



Accommodation: Hotel Leon (or similar)

Day 4 : Cycle Towards Lake Mavrovo

Meals Included: Breakfast

Today we 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. We cycle through this diverse national park and reach our hotel at the foot of the Bistra mountains in the afternoon.



Accommodation: Mia's Favorite Hotel (or similar)

Day 5 : Transfer From Mavrovo To The Kosovo Border; Continue Through Brezovica National Park And The Sharri Mountain Range

Meals Included: Breakfast

Transferring out of Mavrovo National Park, we reach the border with Kosovo. We 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.



Accommodation: Hotel Pine (or similar)

Day 6 : Climb To Prevalle Through The Forest Of Kodra E Diellit; Descend To The Historic City Of Prizren

Meals Included: Breakfast

From Brezovica, we 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. This afternoon, we go on a city tour to explore the old town.



Accommodation: Hotel Centrum (or similar)

Day 7 : Free Day In Peje

Meals Included: Breakfast

Today we transfer from Prizren to Peje where we stay overnight. Today we can visit another beautiful city in Kosovo before heading to Montenegro tomorrow.



Accommodation: Hotel Dukagjini (or similar)

Day 8 : Transfer To Montenegro Border; Cycle To Berane Via Rozaje

Meals Included: Breakfast

This morning, we transfer to the Kosovo-Montenegro border. We start cycling from the border and enter Montenegro. We cycle 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. We then regroup and jump in the support vehicle to cross a long tunnel, before jumping back on our bikes and continue cycling to Berana.



Accommodation: Hotel Berane (or similar)

Day 9 : Pedal To Andrijevica And Onto Kolasin; Magnificent Views Of The Rugged Albanian Alps

Meals Included: Breakfast

Leaving Berane behind, we cycle a flat road to the small town of Andrijevica. From here, we take a magnificent narrow road with spectacular scenery all the way up to Kolasin. On our left-hand side, we have impressive views of the Albanian Alps and we should be able to spot the mountain of Jezerca, the second-highest peak in Albania. Just before arriving at Kolasin, we regroup for a short transfer through a tunnel. After, we have a short easy ride to our hotel for tonight.



Accommodation: Hotel Cile (or similar)

Day 10 : Short Transfer To Mojkovac; Cycle Through The Tara Canyon Before Reaching Zabljak

Meals Included: Breakfast

After a short transfer to Mojkovac, we start cycling through the Tara Canyon, one of the deepest river canyons in Europe. We 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.



Accommodation: Etno Selo Sljeme Guesthouse (or similar)

Day 11 : Morning Climb Out Of Zabljak Through The Durmitor Region; Descend To Pluzine

Meals Included: Breakfast

Our day starts with a long climb out of Zabljak. As we ascend through the Durmitor region we see the dramatic high peaks of the magnificent mountain ranges. After our challenging ride this morning, we are rewarded with a long descent to Rudinice village, where we spend the evening at a small, quiet farmstay.



Accommodation: Zvono Guesthouse (or similar)

Day 12 : Cycle Towards Nikšić

Meals Included: Breakfast

Today we have 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.



Accommodation: Hotel Trim (or similar)

Day 13 : Short Transfer To Vilsu; Cycle To The Bay Of Kotor

Meals Included: Breakfast

After a short transfer to Vilsu, we 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, we have 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.



Accommodation: Hotel Marija 2 (or similar)

Day 14 : Transfer To Bar; Cycle Close To Lake Shkodra; Finish Shkodra

Meals Included: Breakfast, Dinner

This morning, we drive to the coastal town of Bar. From here, we cycle close to Lake Shkodra and cross the border back into Albania. This evening, we enjoy a well-deserved farewell dinner in Shkodra.



Accommodation: Hotel Tradita (or similar)

Day 15 : End Shkoder

Meals Included: Breakfast

The trip ends today. Either began your return journey home or, if you’d like to explore some more, speak to your sales representative about extending your stay.

What's Included

  • All breakfasts and two dinners included

  • All accommodation

  • Local bike hire

What's Not Included

  • Travel insurance

  • Visas and vaccinations

  • Single supplement

  • E-bike hire

Food

All breakfasts and two dinners are included.



Food in the Balkans is quite varied thanks to the many influences on the country, particularly from the Mediterranean, combining Turkish, Greek and Italian tastes. Dairy products, especially milk and yoghurt, are present in almost every meal, usually locally sourced. Due to the fertile valleys, fresh mountain springs and Mediterranean climate, the Balkans still have a subsistence culture and show very little signs of changing. In the countryside, expect your food to have been reared/grown not too far from your plate.



Breakfasts are typically eggs, fresh bread, jam, honey and coffee or tea. For lunch and dinner, meat dishes are often goat or lamb with fish dishes such as trout and whitebait. Courses often come in mezze form with a variety of vegetables, salad, freshly baked bread, homemade cheeses, local wines and, of course, raki. Your guide will recommend the best restaurant options in the towns.

Accommodation

Throughout this tour, we stay in a variety of accommodation in both cities and rural areas. We use hotels of a three-star standard. For two nights, we stay in more remote areas where we stay in locally run guesthouses and experience a warm welcome. Rooms here tend to be more basic. They will be a mixture of double and triple rooms with shared bathrooms.



Single accommodation is available on request.



Please note, single rooms are not available in the guesthouses due to a limited number of rooms.

Videos

Check out our Q&As

  • Are airport transfers included in this tour?

    Transfer for group flights

  • What is the maximum group size?

    16

  • Are the local guides on the tour English speaking?

    Yes, our local guides are English speaking.

  • Can you assist with pre or post tour accommodation?

    We are happy to assist with pre and post tour accommodation. Please enquire for detailed information.

  • Who is Exodus Travels?

    At Exodus Travels, we've been exploring the world for nearly 50 years. From Walking and Trekking, Cultural and Cycling, Responsible Wildlife, to Polar and our new Premium Adventures, we are proud to offer award-winning small group and self-guided tours to 100+ countries worldwide.

  • What is the standard of the hotels on this tour?

    3 and 4-star standard

  • Are flights included in this tour?

    International flights are not included with this tour.

  • Is there a supplement for solo travellers?

    If you would like to be paired with a tour member of the same gender, there is no additional charge. A single supplement can be requested if you would like your own room.

  • Are children permitted to take part in the tour?

    16+ age people can go on this tour.

  • What happens if I need to change my holiday date once I’ve booked?

    If you wish to make any changes to your booking, particularly if you need to alter any flights booked through us, please let us know as soon as possible. There is a booking or flight amendment fee of £40 per change and flight amendments often incur extra airline costs depending on the changes to be made and if the ticket has been issued or not.

  • How long has the tour company been trading?

    Exodus has been trading since 1974

  • What documents will I receive before I travel?

    Your final joining instructions and flight details, if booked with us, will then be sent out 2 to 3 weeks before departure. If you would like a hard copy posted, or if you require these any earlier, please contact the customer operations team. We advise that if you are booking connecting travel before receiving these, please ensure you leave plenty of time.

  • Do you operate a “single share” option and how does it work?

    Travellers are welcome to opt to share a room with a tour member of the same gender for no additional charge. If you'd like your own room, we can request a single supplement so that you will have your own room throughout.

  • Can I join the tour once it has departed?

    You are welcome to meet the group after the tour has departed however there is no reduction in rate for joining a tour after the departure date.

Reviews from travellers on this tour

Excellent trip

Beautiful weather and scenery in a part of Europe that gets easily overlooked. Lots of uphill cycling but you do get the long downhills as compensation. The guides Dhimitri and Juli were great - always helpful and Juli (also the driver) scuttling back and forth to ensure everyone was OK and had enough water. Would recommend this trip and the local provider Cycle Albania.

4 counties in 15 days!

The Balkans cycle trip has magnificent, spacious mountains and lakes. It's an adventure, not knowing exactly what the weather or the mountains will challenge you with. A discovery each day, staying in high alpine mountains or by the spectacular Lake Ohrid. Likewise, the sea at Kotor and absorbing the cultures and religions of each country.

The best trip so far ..

A fantastic introduction to the Western Balkans. Good fitness is required, some tough climbs but scenery is so worth it!

Stunning

This has to be without doubt the most fantastic trip we have ever done, with breath-taking scenery around every corner. Josh, Dhimitri and Juli were full of local knowledge, well organised and complimented each other as a team. If you have never cycled a steep hill without some motivational Queen or Ram Jam then you have never met Juli! Accommodation and food varied, as you might expect, but was well above what we have experienced on other trips and generally superb. The roads were quiet for the most part, but some busy sections with manic drivers have to be negotiated, but no worse than in the UK.

Brilliant Balkans!

Exodus has done well to allow us to cycle the best bits of 4 different countries in 2 weeks. Some epic climbs but all manageable and the grading at 'moderate/ challenging' is about right. You always got to enjoy the downhills as well. The accommodation was fine except for one guesthouse which I believe has now been removed from the itinerary. Remember, this is a new trip and Exodus are still ' fine tuning' it. Food was excellent and the group as a whole gelled well together. If you want to cycle 4 countries that are uncommon to cycle in, I would not hesitate in recommending this trip

Do it

This is an opportunity where you get to see and absorb four countries in one trip, lots of uphill’s, but there is always a downhill on the other side. If you like cycling, good food, beautiful scenery and an adventure, I would recommend this trip.

Challenging climbs with amazing scenic views

A fantastic itinerary through four Balkan countries, all offering scenic views, good cycling , excellent food and just enough historic places of interest. Challenging cycling climbs rewarded with spectacular long descents.

Lots of brilliant views but hard cycling

A good trip. The views in the mountains and along the gorges were amazing. There were some long hard rides uphill and some long downhills. The trip was well organised with some transfers between places. The guide organised coffee stops, lunch and evening meal restaurants most of which were good.

June 2022

Great scenery especially Montenegro

Amazing scenery in lands that are Europe, but not Europe

A great trip covering some (as yet) relatively un-visited parts of Europe. I was inspired to book after reading 'To The Lake' by Kapka Kassabova, but had no idea how spectacular the mountain scenery would be or how vexed the relationships between Albania, Kosovo, N Macedonia and their neighbours to N, E & S - credit to our guide (Dhimo) for bringing this to life. I'd like to return to hike the Accursed Mountains and spend more time around Ohrid / Prespa under warmer conditions.

Read all 18 reviews

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Book with Confidence

  • Transfer as credit to Future Tours

    Exodus Adventure Travels allows you to transfer existing payments to a future tour to avoid cancellation fees if you can't travel and inform exodus adventure travels, 43 days before departure.

  • Low Deposit

    Exodus Adventure Travels requires a minimum deposit of 25% or the full booking value, whichever is less, with the final balance not due until 90 days before departure.

  • Cancellation Policy

    We don't charge a cancellation fee, here is a summary of exodus adventure travels charges.

    Up to 70 days before tour starts: Forfeit 100% of deposit.

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