A memorable trip to discover yourself in a region that is full of life & positive energy with a spirit to move forward, a place that hope rises every day. Experience your self the past of this country by visiting remains of ancient civilizations, castles from the Illyrian, Hellenic to Roman, Byzantine to Ottomans and from Venetians to Habsburgs. Experience wonderful panorama, driving and hiking through wild mountains and national parks, an encounter with locals, enjoy their art communities, enjoy their farming and learn about their community spirit, enjoy this trip by being yourself involved in different activities such as rafting, canoeing, hiking, boat trips, etc.
- Visit Albania in 11 days.
- Full guided tour with your personal throughout guide.
- Visit of 3 Unesco Sites, National parks and archaeological sites, historical cities that made the History (Berat, Gjirokastra, Butrint).
- Perfect selection of accommodation settlement, a mixture of traditional style Hotels and 4* ones.
- Extraordinary culinary offers and a selection of the best local food every day.
- 1340 km itinerary on 11 days with an estimated driving time of 29 hours.
- Average driving time 159 minutes /day on 122 km of very good road infrastructure.
You are welcome!
DAY01:
Arrival in the Land of the Eagles
After arrival in Tirana airport and meeting with your throughout driver, you will get transferred to Tirana city center for a visit to this metropolis. Once in Tirana, you will have an orientation walking tour around the city center, Scanderbeg Square, Et'hem Bey mosque where you will learn more about this country and its history. Welcome dinner and tour discussion before overnight in Tirana.
DAY:02
Medieval Albania - Scanderbeg Mountains
After breakfast at the hotel, you will get transferred north, towards Kruja. Kruja is known as the Medieval Capital of Albania and the main stronghold during the 15th century when the Ottoman Empire was invading Balkans. Once in Kruja, you will hike the Scanderbeg Mountain with great views of all Central-Western part of Albania. After we descend, transfer to Kallmet and Fishta village near Lezha town for wine tasting and a delicious lunch in Mrizi i Zanave restaurant. Afternoon transfer to the so-called "Northern Capital" the city of Shkodra. In Shkodra you will visit the Rozafa castle with fantastic views of all the surrounding area as well as the typical Italian-Austrian architecture of the city center. Dinner and overnight in Shkodra.
Hiking information:
Distance: 6 km
Ascent: 632.51 m
Descent: 51.4 m
Max Altitude: 1121 m
Time: ~ 3 hrs
Difficulty: easy
DAY03:
Into the Albanian Alps
After breakfast at the hotel, you will get transferred by local minivans to Thethi village. Once in Theth, a walking tour will follow to discover the natural wonders of this isolated village in the heart of the Albanian Alps. Among others see the Waterfall of Grunas, Theth canyon, etc. After a good day hiking with great views and after a delicious lunch in the local guesthouses, transfer back to Shkodra for dinner and overnight.
Hiking information:
Gradient: 750m; -500m
Distance: 11 km
Duration: 5 hrs
Lvl: Moderate
DAY04:
Albanian Fjords
Early morning transfer to Komani Lake. Meeting with the local guide and start kayaking towards Peace Island and Shala river. Explore the beautiful nature and the small caves along the way. Free time for swimming and relaxing in the Shala river. Enjoy the bio lunch at the local isolated houses of the area and learn more about their welcome tradition. The afternoon after a good day on the waters, transfer to Durres for dinner and overnight.
DAY05:
"Colorado of Albania"
After breakfast at Hotel, transfer to Berat for visiting the city of a thousand and one windows part of UNESCO. After a short walk visit of a local house to learn more about wood carving and taste some delicious gliko. Afternoon free at your leisure. Dinner and overnight in Berat.
DAY06:
Birdwatching and nature admiring
After breakfast at the hotel, you will get transferred to the biggest Lagoon in Albania. A diverse mosaic of natural coastal habitats lies between the Shkumbini and Semani river deltas, with the major feature being the large Karavasta lagoon. Brushy marshland surrounds the edges and visitors can see one of the 29 different species of amphibians and reptiles (including Loggerhead sea turtle) and 25 species of mammals including otter, weasel, white-toothed shrew, wood mouse, roe deer and the red fox who lives near or in the lagoon. Meeting with the officials of the conservation and protection projects to learn more about the lagoon and its future. Afternoon transfer to the stone city of Gjirokastra for dinner and overnight.
DAY07:
Visit Permet
After breakfast at the hotel, you will get transferred to Permet. Once in Permet, a tour will follow in the nearby Langarica river and canyon. The hike starts at the hot thermal water springs and follows the Langarica river deep up into the canyons. Prepare to get wet and enjoy the caves and other natural wonders inside the canyon. After a nice walk in the river, relax in the hot water springs before returning back to Permet. After free time for lunch visit of the small producers of the area where you will taste the original products such as Gliko, Wine and cheese. Afternoon transfer back to Gjirokastra for dinner and overnight.
DAY08:
UNESCO
In Gjirokastra, among others, you will visit the old bazaar with crafts and souvenirs shops for later going up to the castle for a visit to this unique place as well as a local house to discover the typical architecture of the area and to experience some stone made coffee. Later during the day, transfer towards Saranda with a short stop to the Natural Monument of the "Blue Eye" and later on for lunch in Saranda. After lunch, visit of the Microcosm of the Mediterranean history gathered into 1 place, the archaeological site of Butrint, part of UNESCO world heritage. After visiting the ancient ruins and after a nice walk of nearly 2.5 hours, transfer to Llogara National Park for dinner and overnight.
DAY09:
An Albanian Ultra - Cika/Qorra Mountain
After breakfast at the hotel, we start hiking to the top of Llogara Mountain. Mali i Çikës is an ultra-desirable mountain for many reasons. It has a very alpine feel to it, with sheer drops, cliffs, distant views, and a 3.5-kilometer-long exhilarating summit ridge. Great views from the top of the Mountain of all the Ionian coast of Albania and more. Afternoon free time at your leisure in the hotel to relax in the indoor swimming pool or in the black pine forests nearby.
Hiking information
Maximum altitude: 2044 meter
Minimum altitude: 1006 meter
Cumulative height: 1400 meter (including return trip)
Cumulative length: 7 kilometers one way
Difficulty: moderate
Time: 5.5 hours up
Alternative hiking if bad weather:
Maximum altitude: 1300 meter
Minimum altitude: 1006 meter
Length: 4-kilometer roundtrip
Difficulty: easy
Time: 4.5 hrs in total
DAY10:
Albanian South Riviera
Today you will continue exploring the amazing Albanian South Riviera. A boat trip to explore all the caves and pristine beaches is a must! Free time will be given for different activities such as snorkeling, sunbathing in the virgin beaches or even paragliding (upon request, activities are not included). Afternoon transfer to the coastal town of Vlora. Farewell dinner and conclusion of the itinerary and the days in Albania.
Alternative hiking if bad weather:
Maximum altitude: 600 meter
Minimum altitude: 10 meter
Length: 8-kilometer roundtrip
Difficulty: easy
Time: 5.5 hrs in total
DAY11:
Onward flight
Depending on the flight time, you will get transferred to Tirana airport for your onward flight.
End of our services.
Lufthansa City Center