Albania – Trekking and Culture 15 days tour

Albania – hiking and culture

get to know the country and the people  with “INSIDE BALKAN Travel & Tours”…

Travel description:

On this hiking tour a lonely coastal landscape with view to Corfu awaits you. Sleepy villages, orthodox monasteries, Butrint, Porto Palermo and many other places of interest will await you.

Our English-speaking tour guide will lead you along the Albanian Riviera. An accompanying vehicle will help you with your luggage. Mediterranean food and wine will sweeten your evenings.

The highlight is the panorama of the sea from an altitude of up to 2,000 m.

Itinerary:

DAY 1: ARRIVAL

The participants who arrive by ferry in Durres or at the airport Podgorica will be picked up and brought to the guesthouse in Shkodra. For participants arriving by other means the meeting point is the guest house in Shkodra. Driving: Tirana – Shkodra: 100 km

DAY 2: SHKODRA – KOMAN – VALBONE

Early morning start to the Koman lake. The spectacular boat trip through beautiful landscapes and the gorges of the Skipetaren are for all travelers a very special experience. From Fierze we will take a local bus to Valbona. From Valbona you will walk to the village of Kukaj. driving: 100 km / walking: 3 – 4 h / ±300 m

DAY 3: VALBONE – THETH

Today we undertake one of the most beautiful and spectacular hikes in the Albanian Alps. At the Valbona Pass we will get to know the country and its people in cooperation with “TRAILS REISEN” … a lunch break with spectacular views to the Albanian Alps. Continue on to Theth where you will stay overnight and enjoy a well-deserved meal with traditional dishes. Walking: 14 km / 7 h / +800 m / -1.068 m

DAY 4: THETH – WATERFALL – SHKODRA

Today a leisurely hike is on the agenda. During the excursion we visit the old Church of Theth as well as the Tower of Blood Vengeance. We learn more about the two cultural monuments and walk to the waterfall of Nderlysa. Afterwards, a local bus awaits us and takes us to Shkodra. Once there you can end the day with a stroll through the city. driving: 80 km / walking: 3,5 km / 2 – 3 hours / ±200 m / -200 m

DAY 5: SHKODRA – KRUJA – BERAT

Today we visit Kruja. There we take our time to stroll through the bazaar, the Skanderbeg Museum and have a small lunch snack. Continue to Berat with a visit to the fortress, Mangalemi old town and Gorica (UNESCO World Heritage Site). Driving: about 210 km

DAY 6: BERAT – ARDENICA MONASTERY – APOLONIA – VLORE

Today we will drive towards southern Albania. On the way we will visit one of the largest Roman settlements on the Balkan Peninsula, the Apollonia Archaeological Park. Then we drive via Vlore to Radhime. driving: 110 km / walking: 3 km / 1 – 2 h / ±50 m

DAY 7: HIKING MOUNT CIKA (2.030 m)

Today you are in for a great hike. Mount Cika is one of the highest mountains in Europe, during the ascent we enjoy the view of the opposite island Corfu. On the summit a spectacular panorama awaits us. Overnight stay in Radhime/Vlore. Driving: 80 km / walking: 12 km / 7-8 h / ±1.200 m

DAY 8: VLORE – LLOGARA – PORTO PALERMO – BORSH – KSAMIL

From Vlore we drive to Llogara, where we undertake a small hike. We visit the castle in Porto Palermo and stop in one of the small coastal villages for a walk on the beach. Then we drive to our hotel in Ksamil and enjoy a dinner with fresh seafood and the famous shells of Ksamil. driving: 140 km / walking: 6 km / 3 – 4h

DAY 9: KSAMIL – BUTRINT – BLUE EYE – GJIROKASTRA

Today we visit Butrint – a UNESCO World Heritage Site – with the national park of the same name. After lunch we continue to the water springs Blue Eye and then to Gjirokastra – also a UNESCO World Heritage Site. walking: 2-3 h / driving: approx. 70 km

DAY 10: LANGARICA CANYON – PERMET

Today you will go to Permet. There a spectacular hike through the gorge near the village of Benje. We spend some time there and a bath in thermal water and drive to the small town Permet where we stay overnight. walking: about 3 km / 2-3 h / ±100 m / distance: about 80 km

DAY 11: PERMET – KORCE

Today’s day trip takes us through unique landscapes and nature areas. We drive along the Vjosa River, one of the last wild rivers in Europe. In the afternoon we reach the city of Korca, also called the city of the Serenates. With traditional food and local beer, we will conclude today’s program. Driving: about 150 km

DAY 12: KORCE – PRESPA – OHRID – POGRADEC

After a good breakfast we leave Korca and drive along the Prespa lake to Ohrid. There a local guide will lead us through the streets and alleys. Ohrid and Lake Ohrid are world cultural and natural heritage. On the way back to Albania we visit the monastery Sveti Naum, there at the lake you have the possibility for a small boat trip. Driving: about 50 km

DAY 13: POGRADEC – TIRANA

We drive along the Ohrid Lake towards Tirana. In the early afternoon we reach Tirana. We will have a guided tour of the city and visit the mysterious underground museum, BunkArt II. With a culinary highlight our eventful journey through Albania comes to an end. Overnight in Tirana. Driving: 130 km

DAY 14: END OF PROGRAM – RETURN HOME

Transfer to Tirana airport. Transfers to bus stations, to the ferry port in Durres

or other departure airports can be organized.

Included in the price are:

English-speaking tour guide

14-day round trip according to the program

Hotel and airport transfer at the beginning and end of the trip from/to Tirana or Durres ferry port

11 x overnight stays in hotels and guest houses

2 x overnight stay in shared room

13 x lunch/picnics, 13 x dinner

Luggage transport with pack animals in the mountains

Entrances fees according to the program

Not included in the price are:

Arrival by plane, train/ferry (we will be happy to advise you on this)

Beverages and other catering

Tips and personal expenses

Travel insurance

with min. 8 – max. 14 participants

Dates (14 days)

Freely selectable dates as individual travel

NOTE CAR RENTAL – OR INDIVIDUAL TRAVEL:

This trip can also be booked as a rental car tour. The program and prices please feel free to contact us

Entry: Valid EU passport or identity card (valid for at least another 3 months)