Macedonia - Miyak Tribe Trail
Explore Mavrovo National Park on horseback – from snow-capped mountains, belted by pine forests, to rolling green hills and fields littered with wildflowers, this is the perfect setting for a riding holiday.
This holiday is for those who enjoy the mountains’ treasures. Riding uphill along the valleys of Bistra Mountain and Mavrovo Lake, you will enjoy open views of countless mountain peaks. On the Miyak Tribe Trail, you will get closer to the shepherd’s life, visit a few sheep farms and experience the traditional way of cheese making. It is also a great opportunity to learn the traditions and the history of the oldest Macedonian tribe, the Miyaks.
Ride for around five to nine hours each day, covering a distance of between 15 and 44km a day. On this week long itinerary, you will ride nearly 215km in total. You must be riding fit and confident and in control at a walk, trot and canter out 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.
The horses are Balkan mountain horses ridden in Western tack. You are expected to help with grooming and tacking up your horse, but the team will help anyone who needs help and will assist with all operations.
Hard hats are mandatory.
During this trail you will stay at a range of accommodations, from comfortable guesthouses to bunk style rooms and simple dome tents (4 nights hotel, 2 nights camping and 1 night in a mountain hut). The night at Guesthouse Carevec is in dormitory rooms, but these are not mixed sex. You should be willing to share.
While camping, you will be expected to help in setting up the sleeping tents, starting a campfire along with some dinner preparations. Chairs and tables are provided for meals and there is a toilet. However, there won’t be any hot water for showering.
The only date scheduled below is our exploratory ride.
| Holiday | Experience LevelExp Lvl | Arrive - DepartArr - Dep | Price | Itinerary | Availability | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Miyak Tribe Trail |
|
15 Jun 2019 - 22 Jun 2019 | 7 nights 7 ngts | £1,131.60 |
|
Full |
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; all transfers; camping equipment.
SINGLE SUPPLEMENT Single rooms are possible on some nights only. It is not possible to guarantee single accommodation throughout the whole of the ride. Where available, single rooms are an extra €10 per night, payable locally. If you are willing to share, then no supplement is charged.
PAYABLE LOCALLY Alcoholic beverages and all soft drinks; tips (optional).
NEAREST AIRPORT Skopje
TRANSFERS Shared transfers are included from Skopje airport at any time.
Macedonia is a southeast European country on the Balkan peninsula. It is landlocked by Bulgaria, Serbia, Kosovo, Albania and Greece.
Macedonia's climate features hot summers and cold winters. May to October is an excellent time to visit, as it's the warmest and driest part of the year.
You will be riding in the mountains - bring clothes you can layer throughout the day! Really comfortable footwear is essential too.
Lucy says
This ride is perfect if you want to experience Macedonia's natural beauty.