10-Day North Macedonia and Kosovo Cycling Tour: The 5 Lakes Odyssey (Guided)

"From Europe's oldest lake to its newest country": Beyond Albania's newest guided tour is a 10-day ride across mountains, gorges, passes and five lakes in the heart of the Balkans, through Albania, North Macedonia and Kosovo.

You are collected in Tirana and transferred to Tushemisht on the shore of Lake Ohrid, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, for a welcome dinner by the water. The first ride crosses farmland into North Macedonia to Lake Prespa, Ohrid's hidden sister lake. Next comes one of the tour's highlights, the climb through Galičica National Park with views over both lakes, and a descent into the old town of Ohrid for a guided city tour.

From Ohrid you follow the Black Drin river to Debar and its lake, then trace the Radika river up through gorges into Mavrovo National Park and Lake Mavrovo. A transfer takes you to the Sharri Mountains, where you cross into Kosovo and climb 10 km before a long descent to Brezovica and a night at a 5-star mountain hotel with spa and pool. The Prevalla Pass follows, with a 27 km descent into Prizren and a guided walk around its fortress, mosques and old town, then a rest day in Gjakova. The final ride crosses back into Albania to Kukës and its lake, the fifth of the journey.

In total: about 375 km and 5,925 m of climbing over seven riding days, rated 5 out of 10 (moderate), in groups of up to 14, on a hybrid bike with panniers with a bag support vehicle and a multilingual cycling guide.

What's included

9 nights' shared accommodation (single rooms available for a supplement), including a night at a 5-star mountain hotel with spa and pool in Brezovica; Bag support vehicle; 9 breakfasts, 7 lunches and 8 dinners; Hybrid bike rental with panniers; Multilingual cycling guide and city tours; Pick-up from Tirana airport to Tushemisht, and transfer from Kukës to Tirana airport

What's not included

Flights to and from Tirana; Single room supplement; E-bike supplement; Drinks and snacks; Water bottle; Tips