In the Footsteps of the Illyrians and Alexander the Great

  • Booking:
  • ---
  • Progress bar boja: Zelena
  • Difficulty: 2
  • Accommodation: Hotel (Guesthouse) / Camp
  • Country: Albania
  • Type of travel: Travel
  • Start: 2026-06-30
  • End: 2026-07-09
  • Price from: 1,499.00€
  • Awards high ME Points
Macedonia

Where the wilderness meets hedonism

Forget everything you think you know about overland travel. This isn't just about driving through mud and sleeping in tents. This Balkan overland odyssey, which takes us through three countries—Macedonia, Greece, and Albania—is the perfect fusion of adrenaline-fueled off-road adventure, cultural richness, and gastronomic delights that will satisfy even the most demanding travelholics.

Our 10-day journey through Macedonia, Albania, and Greece is not just a test for your vehicles—it’s a culinary-cultural expedition that combines the best of two worlds. One day, we'll forge our way on gravel paths through the untouched wilderness of national parks, and the next, we'll enjoy authentic specialties in traditional restaurants or taste local wines at family-run wineries.

What sets our adventure apart from ordinary off-road trips? Hedonism! We don't want to spend our vacation eating instant meals from cans! Instead, we will:

  • Taste authentic dishes in local restaurants in Skopje, Kastoria, Struga, and wherever else our hearts desire.

  • Sample homemade wines directly in Albanian vineyards with views of the mountain peaks.

  • Enjoy traditional specialties prepared by local producers.

Culture and History: As we travel, we will get acquainted with the rich history of the Illyrian tribes that shaped this part of the world. We will visit ancient cities and local communities that preserve the traditions and customs of their ancestors. Between off-road challenges through the Šar Mountains, Mavrovo, and Fir of Hotova, you will discover:

  • Byzantine churches and monasteries whose history is over a thousand years old.

  • Vibrant cities with a rich cultural heritage—from Skopje to the magical Struga.

  • Traditional ways of life in remote mountain villages.

  • Spectacular natural phenomena, like the canyon of the Osumi River.

You don't have to be a hardcore off-road driver or a survivalist. All you need is a spirit for adventure and an appetite for new experiences. This isn't "survival in the wilderness"—it's a premium overland experience where camping blends with comfortable hotel stays, adventure complements culture, challenge is balanced with relaxation, and nature connects with gastronomy.

Join the adventure!

Don't miss the chance to be part of this unique adventure! Sign up for the "In the Footsteps of the Illyrians" journey and discover the beauty of the Balkans in a way you will never forget. Enjoy nature, history, and culture while driving your off-road vehicle through the spectacular landscapes of Macedonia, Greece, and Albania. Get ready for an adventure that will take you into the past and provide you with unforgettable memories!

The greatest adventures begin when you step out of your comfort zone... but that doesn't mean you have to forget about a good meal and quality wine!

Itinerary

We meet in Skopje. Depending on the agreement, a joint walk through Skopje and dinner at a restaurant. Overnight stay in a hotel.

After breakfast at the hotel, a morning tour of Skopje and grocery shopping. We drive towards Tetovo and then ascend the Sharr Mountains.

From the Sharr Mountains, we descend towards Lake Mavrovo, driving along its shores to the plateau of Mavrovo National Park. Camping.

This day is dedicated to hedonism. We drive to the pearl of Lake Ohrid, the city of Ohrid, where we stop for a short tour. After Ohrid, we head to St. Naum Monastery, which we will visit and refresh ourselves at a restaurant along the way. From St. Naum, we quickly cross Albania and enter Greece. In Greece, we will be accommodated in the town of Kastoria on the shores of one of the most beautiful lakes in the Balkans, Lake Orestiada. According to legend, there is a "Dragon's Cave" on the peninsula that is said to be full of gold, but the dragon burned all who tried to take it. Meanwhile, nymphs live on the nearby mountains.

After a morning tour of Kastoria, we drive towards Albania. Depending on the time spent in Kastoria, there is a possibility of visiting the town of Konitsa, which is full of various festivals and local events in the summer. After entering Albania, we head to the town of Leskovik with a short stop. After Leskovik, we go to a winery where a guided tour and tasting of Albania's indigenous wines and a special dinner await us. Overnight stay in the vineyard.

After breakfast, we enter Hotova National Park, where a multi-day off-road drive on very poor roads begins. The roads can be extremely bad in poor weather conditions. In such a case, we will choose an alternative route for safety. Camping in Hotova.

The poor road continues to lead us on a challenging but visually stunning stretch at the foot of Mount Tomorr, where we will camp.

From the base of Mount Tomorr, we descend to the Osumi River, which we cross over its canyon. The journey continues through villages, forests, and clearings to Moglica Lake. The drive then continues to a camp next to a small lake where we will spend the night.

After two days of challenging terrain, the hedonistic part of the trip follows again. We slowly return to the road and pass through the town of Pogradec on Lake Ohrid, which we will visit. After Pogradec, we drive along the lake shore and cross the Albanian-Macedonian border. In the city of Struga, we end our journey at a hotel where we will spend the night. Depending on the group's mood, a joint tour of Struga is possible, as well as dinner in one of the many restaurants by the Drim River or on the shores of Lake Ohrid.

End of the journey

Tour details

Prices

  • 1499€ per person for a vehicle with a driver, accommodation in a double room (single room supplement 210€)
  • 330€ surcharge for each additional passenger

Accommodation and Meals

  • 3 x nights in a hotel
  • 1 x camping in a vineyard
  • 5 x camping

Group Size

  • Minimum of 3, maximum of 8 vehicles

Kilometers and Terrain

  • between 100 and 200 km per day
  • 50/50 gravel/asphalt
  • predominantly gravel roads with some challenging sections and asphalt sections in between.

Included in the Price

  • 3 x hotel accommodation with breakfast
  • 1 x camping in a vineyard
  • 1 x wine tour, dinner, and breakfast in a vineyard
  • All national park entrance fees
  • Trip leader who speaks Croatian, German, and English

Not Included in the Price

  • fuel and tolls
  • drinks during dinner in the vineyard
  • all other personal expenses

Difficulty

🟠🟠?

Trip application coming soon

34 + 58 = ?

Language mobile

Select your language