June 9 Start Day
Welcome to Tirana, the capital of Albania and the cultural and political hub of the country. In the evening, our guide will hold a welcome meeting to discuss the week ahead, give advice on the local area and answer any questions before we all go out for our welcome dinner.

Accommodation: Sky 2 Hotel

June 10 Cycle Day 1
Transfer to Lake Ohrid; cross the border into North Macedonia; visit the Monastery of St Naum before ending in Ohrid town We start this morning with a transfer to beautiful Lake Ohrid, one of the oldest lakes in the world and one of the largest biological reserves in Europe. Upon arrival, the bikes will be unloaded and adjusted to everyone's comfort. Our ride starts along the scenic shore towards Pogradec. After reaching Tushemisht, just 2.5mi (4km) east of Pogradec, we enjoy lunch at a waterfront restaurant. We continue cycling in the afternoon, crossing into North Macedonia and visiting the Monastery of St Naum. The road then takes us through Galicica National Park to Ohrid town.

Ascent: 1,640ft (500m); descent: 1,970ft (600m)

Accommodation: Villa Royal View

Distance covered: 59.0 km / 36.7 miles

June 11 Cycle Day 2
Climb to a mountain-bound high plateau; follow the gorge to Debar Leaving Lake Ohrid, we climb to a high plateau bounded by mountains. We continue to follow the gorge for a while until the hills open up, leading to a vast patchwork of individual farms in the Debar region. Our ride finishes in the city of Debar where we rest for the night.

Ascent: 1,640ft (500m); descent: 1,640ft (500m)

Accommodation: Hotel Leon

Distance covered: 68.0 km / 42.3 miles

June 12 Cycle Day 3
Cycle towards Lake Mavrovo. Today we cycle toward Lake Mavrovo, the largest artificial lake in the country. It lies in Mavrovo National Park, where deep canyons, snowy peaks, blue lakes and dense forests provide a habitat for all sorts of incredible creatures, including wolves, bears and lynx. We cycle through this diverse national park and reach our hotel at the foot of the Bistra mountains in the afternoon.

Ascent: 2,950ft (900m); descent: 1,150ft (350m)

Accommodation: Mia's Favorite Hotel

Distance covered: 55.0 km / 34.2 miles

Cycle Days 1-3 Video

June 13 Cycle Day 4
Transfer from Mavrovo to the Kosovo border; continue through Brezovica National Park and the Sharri mountain range. Transferring out of Mavrovo National Park, we reach the border with Kosovo. We ride through Brezovica, an area frequented by skiers in the winter, and continue into Sharri National Park, a still relatively undiscovered area home to wild boar, wolves, bear, lynx and roe deer.

Ascent: 3,280ft (1,000m); descent: 2,295ft (700m)

Accommodation: Hotel Pine

Distance covered: 45.0 km / 28.0 miles

June 14 Cycle Day 5
Climb to Prevalle through the forest of Kodra e Diellit; descend to the historic city of Prizren From Brezovica, we cycle up to Prevalle, another ski resort, through the forest of Kodra e Diellit before a long descent to historic Prizren, the cultural capital of Kosovo. This city is known in this region of the Balkans for its gastronomy and wines, traditional handicrafts and wonderful mix of Byzantine and Ottoman architecture. This afternoon, we go on a city tour to explore the old town.

Ascent: 2,625ft (800m); descent: 4,595ft (1,400m)

Accommodation: Hotel Centrum

Distance covered: 41.0 km / 25.5 miles

June 15 Rest Day
Free day in Peje. Today we transfer from Prizren to Peje where we stay overnight. Today we can visit another beautiful city in Kosovo before heading to Montenegro tomorrow.

Accommodation: Hotel Dukagjini

June 16 Cycle Day 6
Transfer to Montenegro border; cycle to Berane via Rozaje. This morning, we transfer to the Kosovo-Montenegro border. We start cycling from the border and enter Montenegro. We cycle down to Rozaje, a city surrounded by magnificent mountains including the peaks of Hajla and Turjak. The area is covered in large forests and abundant with flowers. We then regroup and jump in the support vehicle to cross a long tunnel, before jumping back on our bikes and continue cycling to Berana.

Ascent: 2,955ft (900m); descent: 4,920ft (1,500m)

Accommodation: Hotel Berane

Distance covered: 56.0 km / 34.8 miles

Cycle Days 4-6 Video

June 17 Cycle Day 7
Pedal to Andrijevica and onto Kolasin; magnificent views of the rugged Albanian Alps. Leaving Berane behind, we cycle a flat road to the small town of Andrijevica. From here, we take a magnificent narrow road with spectacular scenery all the way up to Kolasin. On our left-hand side, we have impressive views of the Albanian Alps and we should be able to spot the mountain of Jezerca, the second-highest peak in Albania. Just before arriving at Kolasin, we regroup for a short transfer through a tunnel. After, we have a short easy ride to our hotel for tonight.

Ascent: 3,280ft (1,000m); descent: 2,460ft (750m)

Accommodation: Hotel Cile

Distance covered: 61.0 km / 37.9 miles

June 18 Cycle Day 8
Short transfer to Mojkovac; cycle through the Tara Canyon before reaching Zabljak. After a short transfer to Mojkovac, we start cycling through the Tara Canyon, one of the deepest river canyons in Europe. We also have the chance to see the Tara Bridge, a spectacular arch bridge made of concrete, before reaching Zabljak. The town is in the centre of the Durmitor mountains at an altitude of 4,777ft (1,456m), making it the highest town in the Balkans.

Ascent: 3,610ft (1,100m); descent: 1,640ft (500m)

Accommodation: Etno Selo Sljeme Guesthouse

Distance covered: 53.0 km / 32.9 miles

June 19 Cycle Day 9
Morning climb out of Zabljak through the Durmitor region; descend to Pluzine. Our day starts with a long climb out of Zabljak. As we ascend through the Durmitor region we see the dramatic high peaks of the magnificent mountain ranges. After our challenging ride this morning, we are rewarded with a long descent to Pluzine village, where we spend the evening.

Ascent: 2,625ft (800m); descent: 5,250ft (1,600m)

Accommodation: Zvono Guesthouse

Distance covered: 43.0 km / 26.7 miles

Cycle Days 7-9 Video

June 20 Cycle Day 10
Cycle towards Niksic. Today we have an easier cycle toward Niksic, the second-largest city in Montenegro, situated at the foot of Trebjesa Hill. It is the largest municipality by area and second-most inhabited after the capital Podgorica.

Ascent: 3,610ft (1,100m); descent: 3,940ft (1,200m)

Accommodation: Hotel Trim

Distance covered: 61.0 km / 37.9 miles

June 21 Cycle Day 11
Short transfer to Vilsu; cycle to the Bay of Kotor. After a short transfer to Vilsu, we cycle to the picturesque Bay of Kotor. Medieval towns encased by dramatic mountains surround the lake and have been inhabited since antiquity. In the afternoon, we have time to visit the old city walls. For dinner, take the opportunity to enjoy a meal on the waterfront and sample the fresh seafood on offer.

Ascent: 820ft (250m); descent: 3,940ft (1,200m)

Accommodation: Hotel Marija 2

Distance covered: 57.0 km / 35.4 miles

June 22 Cycle Day 12
Transfer to Bar; cycle close to Lake Shkodra; finish Shkodra. This morning, we drive to the coastal town of Bar. From here, we cycle close to Lake Shkodra and cross the border back into Albania. This evening, we enjoy a well-deserved farewell dinner in Shkodra.

Ascent: 495ft (150m); descent: 1,150ft (350m)

Accommodation: Hotel Tradita

Distance covered: 37.0 km / 23.0 miles

Cycle Days 10-12 Video

June 23 Departure Day
End Shkoder. The trip ends today. Transfer to Tirana Airport.