Day 2: Skopje – Birdwatching and butterflies in Veles – Stobi Archeological Park – Wine tasting in Demir Kapija
* Eastern Imperial Eagle; Spur-thighed Tortoise, Lesser Spotted Fritillary, colorful spurge hawk moth caterpillars
This morning we start our birdwatching experience in Macedonia, in Lake Mlados, located on the river Otovica, a left tributary of Vardar, and eight kilometres north of Veles. It covers a basin of 97 km2. The lake is about 2 km long, 0,4 km wide and it covers an area of 0,84 km2. Here we will explore the wildlife, see different birds such as the Eastern Imperial Eagle; and butterflies, Spur-thighed Tortoise, Lesser Spotted Fritillary, colorful spurge hawk moth caterpillars ect.
After the birdwatching experience, we transfer towards the city of Demir Kapija, where we will spend the next 2 overnights.
Along the way we visit the archeological park of Stobi; an ancient town of Paeonia, dating from the 168 BC, On arrival in Demir Kapija, we stop for wine tasting and visit of the vineyards in a local winery. Overnight in Demir Kapija.

Demir Kapija – Birdwatching in Vitachevo Plateau, Wildlife in Bojanciste, Bosava – Demir Kapija
*Golden Eagle, Short-toed Eagle, Long Legged Buzzard , Levant Sparrow hawk, Woodchat Shrikes, Hoopoes, buntings, warblers, Wallcreeper, Hobby, Corn Bunting, Golden Oriole, Syrian Woodpecker, Red-backed Shrike and Cirl Bunting
This morning we transfer to Vitachevo plateau, an observation area for Griffon Vultures and Egyptian Vultures.
The higher elevation of the plateau is home to some new species, such as Ortolan Bunting, Mistle Thrush, Woodlark, Chiffchaff, Tree Pipit ect. We see also some interesting butterflies, such as Woodland Ringlet, Reverdin’s Blue, Grizzled Skipper, Wall Brown, Sooty Copper ect.
We travel futher to a hilltop above Bojanciste village, an amazing spot for wildlife observation, including bears and wolves. The hilltop also offers panoramic views of the mountains and forests.
On the return towards the hotel in Demir Kapija, we stop in the village of Bosava where we can walk by the river; and in the valleys near the hotel; where we can see Green-underside Blue, Brown Argus, Southern White Admiral and Eastern Festoon, Club-tailed Dragonfly, Greek Stream Frogs, Corn, Cirl and Black-headed Buntings ect. Dinner and overnight.

Demir Kapija – Birdwatching in Galicica National Park – Ohrid
* Great Reed Warbler, Little Bittern, Pygmy Cormorant, Penduline Tit, Common Nightingale, Thickbilled Reed Bunting, Eastern Yellow Wagtail
Today we transfer towards Ohrid old town, located in the shores of Ohrid Lake *UNESCO.
We drive through the National park of Galicica. The park lies between the two large mountain lakes of Ohrid, which extends over the border into Albania, and Prespa which is shared with both Albania and Greece.
The park itself consists of rugged terrain, the southern spur of the Dinaric Mountains. Around the lakes much of the land is farmed or scrub with mixed deciduous woodland at lower levels, above which are dense oak and beechwoods and Macedonian Pine forest and above the treeline is open grazing meadowland. This is an important breeding, passage and wintering site for waterbirds and a good range of woodland and mountain birds can be seen in the park between the huge lakes
Afternoon in Ohrid, where we can explore the UNESCO old town. We walk through the streets of Ohrid to reach the highest point – Samuil’s Fortress, which offers wonderful landscapes of the city and Lake. We will visit the cathedral Church of St. Sofia, the Ancient theatre, and from the medieval church St. John the Evangelist. Dinner by the lake with fresh trout menu, and overnight.

Ohrid and cultural visit to Sveti Naum Monastery
Birdwatching in Ohrid Lake. The ecological importance of Lakes Ohrid has been acknowledged by the declaration of Lake Ohrid as UNESCO world heritage site in 1980. The high diversity of avifauna especially among the migratory birds. The reed beds are packed with Great Reed Warbler and Little Bittern is also quite common, on the lake Pygmy Cormorant, Penduline Tit, Common Nightingale, Thickbilled Reed Bunting, Eastern Yellow Wagtail etc. are easy to see. In the trees surrounding the farmland there are Lesser Grey Shrike and lots of Golden Oriole. The forests on the hills again numerous Golden Oriole, Hoopoe, woodpeckers, Subalpine Warbler and Collared Flycatcher.
Further we take a boat tour from Ohrid old town towards the Monastery of Sveti Naum. After about 75 minute’s panoramic boat tour, we reach and visit the Monastery. Set amidst lush verdure where the River Crna Drin tumbles into the lake, the monastery of St. Naum is a refuge of tranquility at the very southwestern corner of the Macedonian Republic. As with most Byzantine churches, St. Naum was chosen primarily for its location – on a high, rocky outcropping over the lake, above deep forests and life-giving springs of the river Crn Drim. Evening for dinner and overnight in Ohrid.

Ohrid – Birdwatching near Struga – Mavrovo National Park – Skopje
* grey falcon, imperial eagle, golden eagle (аquila chrysaetos), forest owl, great owl, Montagu’s harrier (circus pygargus), pallid harrier (circus macrourus)
Today we return to Skopje for our last night in Macedonia. In the morning we stop for some more hours of birdwatching in Ohird Lake, near the small town of Struga, before proceeding to Mavrovo National park.
The National Park Mavrovo is located in western Macedonia and occupies an area of 73,088 hectares. And it is the largest among the three national parks in Macedonia, Pelister and Galicica. The fauna of the national park Mavrovo is characterized by considerable diversity. It consists of 140 species of birds, of which more important are: the grey falcon, the imperial eagle, the golden eagle (аquila chrysaetos), the forest owl, the great owl, the Montagu’s harrier (circus pygargus), the pallid harrier (circus macrourus), as well as 11 species of amphibians, 12 species of reptiles and 38 types of mammals. Of the mammals, the most important are: the bear, the lynx, the wild goat and the wild cat.
In the evening we reach Skopje, and stop for farewell dinner in a local restaurant with traditional cuisines and live folk music.

Skopje – Return Flight
Breakfast at the hotel. Free time in Skopje until transfer to the airport for your return flight.