Šar Mountain and Prizren — the Balkans at Their Most Colourful NEW
Prizren and the Šar mountains hold some of the most striking scenery in the Balkans - from medieval mosques and Byzantine churches to alpine ridges with pyramid peaks above 2,500 metres. Over three days we combine a mountain ascent, a walk through history and a thoroughly Balkan atmosphere in one of the most authentic towns in Kosovo. We begin at the fortress above old Prizren, go on to the commanding peak of Kobilica (2,528 m) and its distinctive pyramid shape, visible from the town itself, and finish among the monuments of a town many centuries old - a place where minarets and bell towers stand side by side.
What's included
Included
- Complete organization and coordination of the program
Tour Itinerary
We arrive in Prizren around 11:00. Check in, then lunch at Shadervan - the heart of the old town, where life runs without pause around the fountains and cafes of the cobbled streets.
The first day belongs to Prizren, a town of many layers in which Byzantine, Ottoman and Serbian history are interwoven at every step. We cover the main sights on foot:
The Sinan Pasha Mosque (1615)- the dominant feature of the town's skyline, with its commanding minaret and gilded dome, decorated inside with calligraphy and floral motifs in true Ottoman style. A telling historical detail: its construction used stone taken from the ruined Monastery of the Holy Archangels.
Shadervan and the Old Bridge (Ura e Gurit) - the beating heart of Prizren. The stone bridge over the Bistrica is the symbol of the town; legend has it that if you drink from the fountain on the square, you are certain to return to Prizren.
The Church of Our Lady of Ljeviš - a 14th-century medieval Orthodox church on the UNESCO World Heritage list, and a singular synthesis of Byzantine and Romanesque architecture. Security measures mean it can only be seen from the outside, but the sight of it stays with you.
The Archaeological Museum - housed in a restored 15th-century Ottoman hammam. The collection spans finds from the Roman and medieval periods, and the watchtower alongside gives a fine view over the roofs of the old town and Our Lady of Ljeviš.
The Monastery of the Holy Archangels - about 2.5 km south-east of the centre, in the picturesque canyon of the river Bistrica. Founded by the Serbian tsar Stefan Dušan between 1343 and 1352, it served as his tomb and marked the high point of medieval Serbian architecture. Destroyed and rebuilt many times, today it is a working monastery under guard.
An early breakfast and away. The day belongs entirely to Kobilica — the most commanding summit in the central part of the Šar range, whose pyramid shape is visible from Prizren and is a constant companion to the people who live there. The peak rises on the border between Kosovo and North Macedonia and is well known to hikers on both sides.
We drive from Prizren to the village of Gorno Lyubinje (Lubinjë e Epërme), about 15 km from town.
The route splits into two clearly distinct sections. The first leads through wooded country at a moderate gradient - around 6 km of climbing to the former KFOR shelter (Stanet e KFOR-it, about 1,730 m), where there is also a water source and a good place to rest. The second section is steeper and more demanding: roughly 600 metres of ascent over 2 km up to the main border ridge. From there another 200 m or so of climbing brings us to the summit itself - and a view opening out over alpine pasture, distant lakes and the valleys on both sides of the Šar.
After breakfast we head for Cvilen (Maja e Cvilinit, 1,396 m), which rises directly above the town. The route starts in the centre of Prizren and passes the historic Kalaja fortress (Kalaja e Prizrenit), one of the emblems of Kosovo, whose walls give a panoramic view over the whole town and the Šar mountains. From here the path continues up an open ridge at a steady, even gradient, offering ever wider views over the valleys and the mountain chain beyond.
A late lunch in the old town, and we set off for Bulgaria in the afternoon.
Required Documents !
- Valid Bulgarian ID
- Valid international passport
Important:
Three seasons trekking equipment
Shoes
Suitable shoes for the mountain, according to the weather forecast. High ankle or low shoes. You may wear sneakers to change into at the end of the program
Spare socks
Lighting
Headlamp - An absolute must-have accessory for every mountaineer. It may be necessary for the group to start a trek very early or finish the trek in the dark (force majeure). In these situations, each participant must have a headlamp. We recommend going with a proven brand like Petzl or BlackDiamond
Spare batteries
Backpack
About 40 liters backpack - Quite enough for one or two day hikes.
Backpack cover - in case of rain
Clothing top
Depending on the season and weather conditions
T-shirt or thin thermal base layer - from merino or synthetic. In no case cotton material
Fleece
A down jacket or other jacket with synthetic insulation - a thin down jacket is recommended. Evenings and mornings in the mountains, temperatures are low. No expensive down jacket needed
Wind and water proof jacket
Thin hat and gloves
Buff
Clothing bottom
Depending on the season and weather conditions
Comfortable long pants - in the perfect case with zippers for ventilation
Sun protection
Sunglasses
Summer hat
Sun cream with high protection
Buff with UPF protection
Rain protection
Raincoat
-or-
Waterproof top and bottom
Water and food
Water (1.5 liters)
Food for the trek
Money and documents
Money
ID or passport
Other
First aid kit
Trekking poles
Cancellation Policy:
Чл. 89. (Изм. – ДВ, бр. 37 от 2018 г., в сила от 01.07.2018 г.) (1) Пътуващият има право да прекрати договора за туристически пакет по всяко време преди започването на изпълнението на туристическия пакет. The tourist owes a penalty as follows: