Albanian Trip
Albania – Adventures from North to South
This tour is designed for those who love remote areas mixed with unique ethnographic experiences and beaches! Geared more towards those in good physical shape, this tour incorporates some truly unforgettable hikes in Albania’s most beautiful mountain areas. This tour can be changed to accommodate individual needs.
Combining some 4WD drives through beautiful mountain scenery, hikes between remote villages, the eclectic buzz of Albania’s capital and beautiful beaches in the south, it really does provide everything for the traveler who likes adventure.
Fully escorted, a fun and knowledgeable guide will be with you for the duration of the trip to impart the story of this fascinating country and will be your personal driver as you move from one destination to the next. We’ve designed this tour for English-speaking travelers with an itinerary that offers a pleasant lack of super-early starts – most departure times are around 9:00 in the morning. We have managed to avoid long drives – most days you will end up at the next destination with plenty of daylight hours left to explore, relax and eat. The tour allows a lot of flexibility (a good balance of guidance and freedom) and provides opportunities to experience and learn as much as possible from this surprising region of the Balkans!
Here is the flexible itinerary and do contact us if you have any questions!
Day 1 -Tirana-Shkodra
- Pick-up at the airport in Tirana and transfer to the northern town of Shkodra
- Visit the legendary Rozafa Castle and the charming downtown
- Welcome dinner in a traditional restaurant and overnight in Shkodra
Day 2 – Theth
- Drive through the Accursed Mountains to arrive in the Valley of Theth
- Visit the village and the lock-in tower, the water mill, the Grunas Waterfall, the canyon, the Shala River and plenty of other beautiful attractions in the area
- Part of the day will be spent with your host family, tasting and enjoying the great food they will prepare
- Overnight in Theth
Day 3- Valbona
- Early morning hike through the beautiful Pass of Peja, reaching an altitude of 2217m above sea level
- Hike down to the Valley of Valbona (it will take around nine hours with some relaxing breaks)
- Overnight in Valbona at a traditional hotel
Day 4 – Koman- Tirana
- Cross Komani Lake on a ferry, offering spectacular views of the mountains and the pristine lake
- Drive along Vau i Dejes Lake to reach the region of Lezha for a delicious meal at a traditional restaurant and then transfer to Tirana
- Visits of the downtown
- Dinner and overnight in the Albanian capital
Day 5 – Berat – Llogara
- Drive south with a stop in Berat (a UNESCO-heritage site) and Apollonia, both historically and culturally important for the region
- Drive through the town and bay of Vlora and head to the beautiful Llogara Mountains where we’ll see a special polyphonic music and dance performance done by a local family accompanied by a traditional meal
- Overnight in Llogara
Day 6 – Cika – Dhermi
- Hike the mountain of Cika (part of the Llogara or Acroceraunian chain) with a change of about 500 meters in level
- End the hike at 1600m with breathtaking views of the surrounding mountains, the turquoise Ionian Sea and the beautiful island of Corfu
- Transfer to the beach of Dhermi where we can swim, relax and enjoy some local fish and a nice beach hotel
Day 7 – Porto Palermo – Butrint – Gjirokastra
- Drive through the beautiful Albanian Riviera
- Visit the Bay of Porto Palermo and continue to Butrint (a UNESCO heritage site and the best archaeological site in southern Albania)
- Drive to the beautiful town of Gjirokastra (also a UNESCO heritage site and home to one of Albania’s most famous authors)
- Visit the town and dinner in a nice traditional restaurant
- Overnight in Gjirokastra
Day 8 – Durres – Kruja
- Drive to the Western part of Albania
- Visit the Durres Roman Amphitheater and the Archaeological Museum
- Drive 600m above sea level to the medieval town of Kruja
- Visit the castle, the Skanderbeg Museum and the Kruja Bazaar for some nice souvenirs of Albania
- Farewell dinner and overnight in a quaint Kruja hotel
Day 9:
- Drive to the airport for flight home or continue journey
Price:
We will price the tour according to the number of guests and conditions. Please remember, this tour itinerary is flexible! We take Albanian Lek, GBP and USD and will discuss payment options with you.
The tour price includes:
- Transfer in AC vehicle with professional driver.
- Character boutique family-run 3-4 star hotels with breakfasts (we can send you more details on accommodation before you book the tour.) Accommodation in twin or matrimonial.
- All breakfasts, welcome and goodbye meals. (This doesn’t mean we’ll be indifferent in recommending dishes, wines, rakis and restaurants where you can partake in a delicious Albanian culinary experience!)
- All entrance fees to museums and visited areas.
- English speaking tour guide for the whole trip.
- Local taxes. (VAT Tax – 20%)
The tour price does not include:
- Airfare.
- Travel Insurance.
- Tips for the guide and driver.
- Anything which is not mentioned in the above section.