Itinerary
- Intro
Introduction
- Day 1
Kruja - Shkodra
Kruja - Shkodra- Start point
- Tiranë, Tirana, Albania (The tour leader will meet you at the lobby of your hotel)
- Meals
- Breakfast
- Accommodation
- Hotel 4* (Hotel Ikona), Hotel 4* (Hotel Tribute)
Included Activities
- Visit Kruja Bazaar (500-year-old Ottoman-style market)
- Walking tour of Kruja Castle including Scanderbeg's tree, old residences, Mosque of Sultan Mehmet, watch tower, and castle top
- Visit to Sari Salltik cave with views of Tirana, Kruja, Durrës and Adriatic Sea
- Walking tour of Rozafa Castle
- Relax at the famous promenade of Shkodra
Optional Activities
- Traditional lunch at Mrizi i Zanave - Restaurant Agrotourism (The Frost of the Fairies) with farm visit
Landmarks Kruja Bazaar Kruja Castle Mosque of Sultan Mehmet Sari Salltik Cave Rozafa Castle - Day 2
Shkodra - Theth
Shkodra - Theth- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch (Northern traditional lunch in Theth)
- Accommodation
- Hotel 4* (Hotel Ikona), Hotel 4* (Hotel Tribute)
Included Activities
- Coffee break and photos at Qafe Thore, Boge in Albanian Alps
- Visit to main Catholic church of Theth
- Visit to Reconciliation Tower in Theth
- 45 minutes hike to Blue Eye of Theth through jungle with river stops
- Swimming in Blue Eye of Theth
Optional Activities
- Hike to Grunas Waterfall (additional hike after main excursion - recommended only for participants with energy to continue hiking)
Landmarks Qafe Thore Theth Village Catholic Church of Theth Reconciliation Tower Grunas Waterfall Blue Eye of Theth - Day 3
Shkodra - Komani Lake - Shala River - Shkodra
Shkodra - Komani Lake - Shala River - Shkodra- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch (Meal at traditional local tavern)
- Accommodation
- Hotel 4* (Hotel in Tirana), Hotel 4* (Garden Boutiue Hotel)
Included Activities
- 90 minutes boat tour through Albanian Fjords via Shala River
- 5 hours exploring wilderness and bathing in Zgiboze (Komani Lake area)
- Lunch at traditional local tavern
Landmarks Shala River Komani Lake Zgiboze - Day 4
Tirana
Tirana- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch (Picnic at Farka Lake)
- Accommodation
- Hotel 4* (Hotel in Tirana), Hotel 4* (Garden Boutiue Hotel)
Included Activities
- E-bike tour of Tirana including pyramid viewpoint, Block area, artificial lake park, and Farka Lake picnic
- 2-hour guided tour of BUNKART 1 communist bunker
Optional Activities
- Walking tour of Tirana city (alternative for travelers unable or uncomfortable riding bikes)
Landmarks Pyramid of Tirana The Block Artificial Lake Park Farka Lake BUNKART 1 - Day 5
Tirana - Berat
Tirana - Berat- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch (Traditional Albanian lunch with local family in Berat Castle including traditional alcohol, food, desserts, and music)
- Accommodation
- Hotel 4* (Hotel Onufri ), Hotel 4* (Hotel Merko)
Included Activities
- Walking tour of Berat Castle including Saint Mary of Blachernae Church, Church of the Holy Trinity, water cisterns, Red Mosque, and Constantine the Great Garden
- Traditional Albanian lunch with local family inside Berat Castle including traditional alcohol, food, desserts, and music
- Walking tour of Berat city center (Mangalemi neighborhood) including city gate, Pasha's residence, Sultan's Mosque, Bachelors' Mosque, Hanging Bridge, boulevard, and Gorica Bridge
- Wine production and tasting tour at Pupa Winery
Landmarks Berat Castle Saint Mary of Blachernae Church Church of the Holy Trinity Red Mosque Constantine the Great Garden Mangalemi Neighborhood Sultan's Mosque Bachelors' Mosque Hanging Bridge Gorica Bridge Pupa Winery - Day 6
Berat - Apollonia - Gjirokastra
Berat - Apollonia - Gjirokastra- Meals
- Breakfast
- Accommodation
- Hotel 4* (Hotel Argjiro), Hotel 4* (Sharm Luxury Hotel)
Included Activities
- Exploration of Apollonia Archaeological Park including Temple of Apollonia, Amphitheatre of Apollonia, Triumph Arch, and museum
- Visit to Gjirokastra Bazaar
- Guided tour of Gjirokastra Castle including weapons, fortifications, museum, old prison, and clock tower with panoramic views
Landmarks Apollonia Archaeological Park Temple of Apollonia Amphitheatre of Apollonia Triumph Arch Museum of Apollonia Cold Water of Tepelena Gjirokastra Bazaar Gjirokastra Castle - Day 7
Gjirokastra - Permit - Vjosa River - Benja
Gjirokastra - Permit - Vjosa River - Benja- Meals
- Breakfast
- Accommodation
- Hotel 4* (Hotel Argjiro), Hotel 4* (Sharm Luxury Hotel)
Included Activities
- Professional rafting gear fitting and safety briefing
- 2-hour Vjosa River rafting experience with stops for washing and rock jumps
- Cold beers and juice celebration after rafting
- Exploration of Benja thermal baths (28°C natural sulfur springs)
Optional Activities
- Vjosa River rafting (travelers unable or preferring not to participate can have free time to relax by the riverside)
Landmarks Vjosa River Thermal Baths of Benja - Day 8
Benja - Saranda
Benja - Saranda- Meals
- Breakfast
- Accommodation
- Hotel 4* (Hotel Iliria)
Included Activities
- Exploration of the Blue Eye natural wonder
- Visit to Lekursi Castle with views of Saranda
Optional Activities
- Water activities at Saranda beach
Landmarks Blue Eye Lekursi Castle Saranda Beach - Day 9
Ksamil - Butrint National Park - Albanian Riviera - Himare
Ksamil - Butrint National Park - Albanian Riviera - Himare- Meals
- Breakfast
- Accommodation
- Hotel 4* (Hotel Geo & Art)
Included Activities
- Visit Ksamil Beach with views of three islands
- Guided tour of Butrint Archaeological Park including Roman forum, ancient theatre, Baptistery, Basilica, Venetian fortress, and defensive walls
- Drive through Albanian Riviera with stops at Porto Palermo and Qeparo beaches
Landmarks Ksamil Beach Butrint National Park Porto Palermo Qeparo Himare - Day 10
Himare - Vlora - Karavasta - Durres - Tirana
Himare - Vlora - Karavasta - Durres - Tirana- End point
- Tiranë, Tirana, Albania (You will be dropped off at your hotel in Tirana, concluding the tour)
- Meals
- Breakfast
Included Activities
- Visit to Vlora city and Lungomare promenade
- Observation of wildlife and birds at Lagoon of Karavasta
- Stop at Durres Roman Amphitheatre
- Visit to King Zogu's abandoned villa in Durres
- Walk along Durres seaside boulevard
Optional Activities
- Private boat ride at Lagoon of Karavasta to observe birds (swans, flamingos, pelicans)
Landmarks Vlora Lungomare Lagoon of Karavasta Durres Roman Amphitheatre King Zogu's Villa Durres Seaside Boulevard
