Mavrovo National Park is the largest of the four national parks of North Macedonia. The relief of the park contains three Alpine mountain systems: the Šar, Korab and Bistra mountains. These mountains are distinguished by chains of snowy, jagged peaks and broad grassy plateaus below them. Between the three mountains extends the Radika gorge for more than 25 km.
The Mavrovo region reminds of Switzerland Alps, for much of the time grassy pastures are filled with incredible herbal smell.
The Tour Plan:
- Pick up from Skopje
- Visit of the St. Nicholas Church
- Visit of Galičnik, a walk and lunch
- Visit of the St. Jovan Bigorski Monastery
- Transfer to Skopje
Our journey will start with a pick up in Skopje, and in about 80 minutes we shall arrive to this small paradise, with incredibly rich flora and fauna, but also animals and insects, like the Bistra grasshoppers and the macedonian lynx.
After the arrival we shall visit the St. Nicholas Church, built in 1850 with icons painted by the macedonian legend Dicho Zograf, nowadays submerged under water of the Mavrovo lake.
On the way to our next destination - Galičnik, we shall admire the gorgeus surrounding countryside, with indescribable neverending pastures with colours of gold, as well as the amount of sheep.
Galičnik has well-preserved traditional architecture, including an amphitheatre in the village square, the regional art, dress and music are rich in detail and original in character for centuries. Galičnik is famous for its surrounding countryside and nature reserve, but most of all for the traditional wedding custom held annually in summer (in July), on the day of the village feast of the Patron Saint Peter. In Galičnik we shall make a visit of some of the houses, we shall take a look at the typical construction way, we'll get in the the central village church St. Peter and Paul, and visit the house of our enlightener Gjorgjija Pulevski, full with traditional leftovers from the 19th century. In Galičnik we shall enjoy a nice traditional lunch in the restaurant-house of a Local family - the only inhabitants in the village over the winter.
St. Jovan Bigorski is the last destination of this journey. A monastery hidden in the mountain, with 1000 years of history, with exceptional wood carving and monastic order. Many people come here in search for their peace and freedom, usually are always accepted from the monastery.
In the afternoon we shall departure to Skopje, where the clients will be brought back to their hotels or their apartments.
Who is in for a full day of Nature and History? :)
