Breathtaking Albania - Ahmed Abdelfadil

DAY 1

Welcome to Tirana!

Welcome to Tirana, one of the most beautiful cities in Eastern Europe where you can feel the architectural influences of both the Soviet & Ottoman empire.

First you'll get picked up from the airport and dropped off at our hotel in Tirana to unwind from your trip. In the afternoon we'll start our walking tour through Tirana.

We'll start off by making our way to the core of the city at Skanderbeg Square and the Clock tower where we'll be able to explore the pastel coloured buildings that surround the heart of this city and try to spot as many of the bunkers around every corner of both this city and country.

Later on we will take a cable car to the top of Dajti mountain so we can enjoy one of the most picturesque views of Tirana.

DAY 2

Making our way through the beautiful north of Albania

Today we'll start off the day with an early breakfast so we can make our way to the first capital city of Albania, Kruje.
Once at the dethroned capital we'll be visiting the old Bazar and the Skanderbeg's Museum while enjoy the scenic view that reaches out to the Mediterranean before starting our journey to the north!

Enough capital cities, it's time to make our way up to the north to Shkoder and it's beautiful lake but not before taking an essential lunch break at one of the best Albanian restaurants in the country, Mrizi i Zanave, where we'll get to enjoy a delicious local meal (excluded from package).

After filling our bellies with food it's time to fill our souls with more adventure at Shkodra, where we'll have the option to kayak in Shkodra lake which is one of the largest bird reserves in Europe, if we're lucky we might even see some of the last pelicans in Europe.

DAY 3

Lepushe and the Accursed mountains 

Good morning! Today we'll be starting our day with a nice hearty breakfast to prepare us for a 4 hour hike tour through the famous Maja e Vajushes hike in the gorgeous Accursed mountains, which have been nicknamed the Albanian Alps due to how beautiful the mountain range is.

Once we're done with our hiking tour we'll make our way back to the village where we'll have some free time to explore Tamara village and Selca waterfall.

Once done we'll depart towards the lush mountainous village of Theth, known for its stunning landscapes.

DAY 4

Theth to Valbona hike in the Albanian Alps

After breakfast at the hotel. We'll begin our hiking tour for approximately 8 hours through the wild landscape of jagged
summits, deep valleys, and forested slopes, that link the two villages of Theth & Valbone.
This hike might sound intimidating but it's a very doable and straight forward hike and 100% worth it in terms of the beauty and scenery you're rewarded with.

After arrival in Valbone we'll get to enjoy dinner in a local guesthouse.

Day 5

Free day at Valbona

We'll be waking up for breakfast at the hotel.

We recommend you have traditional lunch in one of the local guesthouses in the Valbona valley.

After lunch we'll depart for Llogara and spend a night there before making our way down to the south the day after.
 

DAY 6

Llogara, Porto Palermo, Sarande, The Blue Eye & Gjirokaster

Breakfast at the hotel and drive towards our first destination of the day Porto Palermo.

Porto Palermo Castle is a castle near Himarë in southern Albania. It is situated in the bay of Porto Palermo, a few kilometers south of Himarë along the Albanian Riviera.

Afterwards we'll be heading to Sarandë, a town that is on a horseshoe-shaped bay, edged by beaches and a promenade. In the center are the archaeological remains of a 5th-century synagogue, later an early Christian basilica and a16th-century Lëkurësi Castle is on a hilltop above the town. 

Next stop is the Blue Eye, it is one of those incredibly rare, natural landscapes that has to be seen to be believed.The Blue Eye in Albania is an endlessly deep, freshwater spring that looks just like an incredible glowing human eye. The iris is made up of luminescent turquoise water and the pupil is the dark of a deep underwater cave. The colour is so dazzling and brilliant, it’s hard to believe it’s an all-natural phenomenon.

We'll continue the drive to Gjirokaster where we'll be spending the night.

DAY 7

Gjirokaster, the pearl of Albania & Berat, the city of a thousand windows

Breakfast at the hotel and then we will explore the famous city of Gjirokastra which is another UNESCO world heritage site

Here at the fairy tale hillside town of Gjirokaster we'll go to see the Castle of Gjirokastra, Zekate's house, and the old bazar.

After our tour of Gjirokaster we will depart for the world renowned Berat, which is also a UNESCO heritage site due to its beauty, being a rare example of an architectural character typical of the Ottoman period and for bearing witness to the coexistence of various religious and cultural communities down the centuries.

Once we arrive in Berat we will go to visit the Old Castle of Berat, Onufri Museum, the Mangalem and Gorica neighbourhoods.
It's know as the town of thousand windows because the houses all look like they're stacked on top of each other and you can't help but notice the endless number of windows.

After the tour of Berat we'll head back towards Tirana.

DAY 8

Depart Albania & Head Home

Sadly the trip has come to an end, so get your souvenirs and say your goodbyes before checking out.

Transfer to the airport for departure.