Day 01: Welcome to Albania
Once arrived at the airport, an Smart Tour Albania agent will be there waiting to take you to your hotel. Later we will take a walking tour through the city’s most known spots like Scanderbeg Square, The Clock Tower, the Mosque of Tirana, etc. , and then return to the hotel for the night.
Overnight in Tirana

Day 02: Tirana – Valbona National Park
This day we will go toward north Albania.
Our journey starts from Tirana where we will take our van and head to the Komani Lake an artificial Lake, a 3-hour drive till there. At around 9 am we take our ferry which goes through a spectacular view of the Drini Valley to stop in Fierza, from there with another van we will head to Valbona village and transfer to our welcoming guesthouse. Later we will have the possibility to have a walk around the village to get in touch with the real-life of the natives, experience an adventurous journey as locals do in the bumpy roads of the village to start a short walk to the waterfall.
Overnight in Valbone.

Day 03: Valbona – Theth
This day we will start the hiking in one of the most representative paths of Albanian Alps, the pass from Valbone to Theth. We will start early in the morning from Valbona village to go to Gjelaj village where our hike will start.
During our trip we will have the opportunity to refresh ourselves with the cold water of the springs near our path. Descending from Qafe – Valbone to Thethi village. The path is in the heart of Alps, near Jezerca and Radohima. Descending will provide an amazing view of the rounding mountains in Theth, a well-known village for the hikers. Overnight in Theth.

* For those who want to skip the hiking day from Valbone to Theth can easily go to Theth with our van.

Day 04: Theth National Park
This day we will have the chance to explore one of the most exciting villages of the northern Albania. An untouched nature and full of attractions.
Our first visit will be at Grunasi Waterfall, one of the most beautiful waterfalls in Albania. From there will go at Grunasi canyon and from the canyon with a van we will go at stone bathtubs, natural built ones. But we will also see a breathtaking spring called the Blue Eye, Albania has two and one of them is in Theth, right in the middle of the mountains. After this wonderful passage discovering Thethi we will have the chance to taste again their traditional cuisine.
Overnight in Theth

Day 05: Theth – Shkodra – Tirana
Visiting Shkoder means to give to oneself the privilege to touch the ancient history of Albania. Located in a wide field, about thirty miles from the sea. Shkoder is closely associated with water: the great lake at the southwest, the Drini river that licks at East, Kiri river among mountains, Buna river to the south. Our first visit will take place at Rozafa Castle, a legend relates to the castle, it talks about human sacrifice made at the time of it construction and than walking on the Shkodra city .
In the evening we arrived in Tirana . Transfer to hotel.

Day 06: Depart Tirana
Transfer to airport for flight back to home.

Day 01: Arrival in Tirana
Arrive in Tirana, at Tirana International Airport. Depending on your flight time, meet-assist & transfer to hotel.

Day 02: Shkodra – Kruja
Today you’ll leave for Shkodra, a town on the Montenegro border. This town is a symbol of harmony between all the coexisting religions in Albania, and you’ll see Catholic, Orthodox Muslim, and Bektashi monuments while there.

Next, head to Kruja, the hometown of Skanderbeg, a 15th-century national hero who fought the Ottoman Empire. Visit the Skanderbeg Museum, where you’ll learn more local culture, lifestyle, family traditions, and the legend himself. Afterward, browse the old market located on a charming square with cobbled streets, ideal for souvenir shopping.

Day 03: Ardenica – Vlora
Spend your morning in Ardenica, touring the last operating Orthodox monastery in Albania. Its well-preserved frescos and spectacular views all the way to the sea make this a popular destination.

Next, travel to Fier to visit the archaeological site of Apollonia. A former massive antique city, Apollonia is the country’s largest archaeological park. Marvel at the surviving structures, like the Bouleterion, theater, Odeon, and the library where the emperor Octavius once studied. Stop for the night in Vlora, where Albanian independence was declared.

Day 04: Butrint National Park – Saranda
After breakfast, start your journey along the Ionian coast. The drive will take you through the charming village of Himare, with a stop at the Ali Pasha of Ioannina castle on the way. In the afternoon, take an archeological tour of Butrint National Park and enjoy its riches—you’ll have Greeks and Byzantine ruins to explore, along with nature trails and beautiful views. Arrive in Sarandë in the late afternoon, where you’ll stay the night near its beautiful seaside promenade.

Day 05: Gjirokastra
In the morning we continue our journey in the direction of Gjirokastra—the “Stone City.” Enjoy a guided tour of this UNESCO World Heritage Site, including the city’s castle and the Skenduli House, a famous example of the region’s architecture.

Day 06: Berat
Today you’ll visit another UNESCO-listed site: the historic city of Berat. Nicknamed the “City of A Thousand Windows,” Berat is known for its characteristic architecture, and you’ll be charmed by its white houses and steep streets on a walking tour. Stops include the castle, a number of mosques, the Onufri Museum and the Ethnographic Museum.

Day 07: Tirana
Return to vibrant Tirana for your last full day in Albania. Explore at your leisure, discovering the city’s iconic sites. A visit to the National Museum located near Skanderbeg Square provides an excellent introduction to Albanian history. In the evening, enjoy the nightlife of the capital in the district of Blloku. Once reserved for the elite of the communist regime, Blloku is now a trendy neighborhood where you can have a drink or find a nice restaurant to relax in your last day.

Day 08: Departure from Tirana
Transfer to airport for flight back to home.

Day 01: Arrival in Tirana
Individual arrival to Tirana.
Overnight in Tirana.

Day 02: Ohrid Lake – Pogradec (25 miles/40km; elevation gain: 203ft/62m)
After a transfer (2 hours) we will reach the northern side of Lake Ohrid from which we will start cycling to Pogradec. We will enjoy lunch at a waterfront restaurant before arriving to Pogradec. In the afternoon, you can choose between relaxing at the beach in front of the hotel or crossing over to Macedonia by bike and to visit the monastery of St.Naum.
Overnight in Pogradec.

Day 03: Pogradec – Korcë (32 miles/51km; elevation gain: 1352ft/412m)
We’ll star the day with a climb out from the lake into another high plateau surrounded by mountains. We then continue along the gorge for awhile until the hills open up leading to a vast plain, a patchwork of individual farms and colours.
Overnight in Korce.

Day 04: Korce – Sotire (44 miles/71km; elevation gain: 3842ft/1171m)
Leave behind the agricultural plateau of Korce, climbing steadily into the border mountains through a landscape of barren rock interspersed with wild flowers. Numerous cols and valleys lie ahead, climbing into the heart of the Grammoz Mountains and over the Barmash Pass (1159m) to Sotire farm lying in its own tranquil valley.
Overnight in Sotire.

Day 05: Sotire – Permet (32 miles/52km; elevation gain: 2018ft/615m)
Climb out from Germenje to a high grassy plateau surrounded by soaring peaks before reaching the source of the River Vjosa and descending through its spectacular gorge to Leskovik. Continue descending to Cashare and then follow the corniche route high above the river to Permet situated on a bluff above the river and famous for its cuisine and strong raki.
Overnight in Permet.

Day 06: Permet – Gjorokaster (45 miles/70km; elevation gain: 1352ft/412m)
Continue along the valley towards Kelcyra under the distant shark’s tooth peaks which guard a further gorge. Ride between them to the confluence of the Drinos following yet another stunning gorge which opens out into a wide plain with the town of Gjirokaster (city of 1000 steps) high above. In the afternoon, you will have a chance to explore its narrow cobbled alleys and Ottoman houses.
Overnight in Gjorokastër.

Day 07: Gjirokaster – Saranda (45 miles/70km; elevation gain: 1722ft/525 m)
The gateway to southern Albania, Saranda, lies along the Ionian coast sandwiched between the high mountains and the sea and close to the ancient remains of Butrint. A UNESCO World Heritage Site, Butrint is one of the county’s most important archaeological sites, tracing its origins back to the Greeks and the Romans.
Overnight in Saranda.

Day 08: Saranda – Himare (32 miles/52km; elevation gain: 3491ft/1064m)
Today’s route is a roller coaster of a ride as you climb steeply out of Saranda to a rocky plateau. Then it’s over cols into bays and around headlands, always with the stunning mountain scenery to the right and sea to the left before you descend to the long beach and the bay of Himarë.
Overnight in Himare.

Day 09: Himare – Vlore (39 miles/63km; elevation gain: 5439ft/1658m)
Today’s ride is not only the most challenging but also the most spectacular in Albania. You will gradually climb from sea level up to 1,000m through forests, gorges and hairpin bends. After lunch in the beautiful national park of Llogara we will descend towards Vlore for an afternoon’s relaxation by the Ionian sea.
Overnight in Vlore.

Day 10: Transfer to Tirana Airport and departure
Depending on flight times, we may have the opportunity to visit the city of Vlorë before our transfer back to Tiranë and Mother Teresa Airport.

Day 01: Arrival into Tirana
Fly to Tirana Airport in Albania and get transferred to your guest house for the night before sitting down for a meal of traditional Albanian food with your fellow adventurers.

Day 02: Kayak Lake Ulza
Drive for around one hour to Ulza National Park and kayak around Lake Ulza, enjoying the fresh air and clear water of this protected nature reserve.
After a lunch of locally caught fish, departure to Vlora city for the night, before sitting down for a delicious dinner.

Day 03: Protected Waters and Mysterious Caves
After breakfast, we direct to the Adriatic coast.

Explore the beautiful Karaburun peninsula by speedboat, including the Karaburun-Sazan National Marine Park, the only reserve of its kind in the country, home to turtles, seals and dolphins.

Visit the mysterious cave at Haxhi Aliu, used by traders and smugglers for millennia and now a national monument.

Snorkel in a remote bay, sunbathe on an untouched beach and then eat a picnic lunch on the sand.

Departure to Berat and check into your guesthouse, followed by dinner of a meal of traditional Albanian food.

Day 04: Berat and the Osumi Canyon
Drive for around ninety minutes to the spectacular of Osumi Canyons, 60 km from the ancient fortified city of Berat, A UNESCO World Heritage Site.

Visit the Osumi Canyon, one of the most spectacular natural attractions in Europe and swim in a natural pool surrounded by the canyon’s unique, green ecosystem.

Hike along the banks of the river Osum through an unspoilt landscape of pine forests and river plains, visiting local landmarks like the Crocodile Head, Love Waterfall and Devils Gate.

Return to Berat. Tonight you are free to explore the town.

Day 05: Hike the Tomor Mountain
After breakfast, take a short drive to the trailhead and then hike into the rugged Tomorr Mountain.

Visit a local family and eat a picnic lunch high above the surrounding landscape in Sotira waterfall.

After plenty of time to rest and relax in this lovely landscape, drive the short distance to the Alpeta winery for dinner and a chance to taste some of the countries typical wine.

Day 06: Depart for Tirana
After breakfast, you depart to Pellumbas Village, Tirana for a hike and Black Cave exploration.

The Cave of Pellumbas, or the Black Cave (Shpelle e Zezë), is about an hour hike outside the village of Pellumbas. The cave itself is approximately 360 meters deep, and inside are impressive stalagmites and stalactites, as well as bats flying around the cave. The inside of the cave is completely dark after single upon entrance. Local lunch in the villages.

For the afternoon, you will get a short guided tour of Tirana city. You will then get dropped back at the airport in time to get your return flight home.

Day 01: Arrival Tirana airport / Kayaking Shkodra lake
Arrival in Tirana airport. Meeting with the local guide. Departure to Shkodra. Local fish lake lunch in Shiroke village and 2 hours of kayaking in Shkodra lake. Arrival in Shkodra and accommodation in the hotel. During the afternoon we will visit the Promenade of Shkodra. Overnight at hotel

Day 02: Exploring the spectacular Koman fjords
Early Breakfast (6:00-7:00). Leaving to Koman. A spectacular ferry ride into the Albanian Fjords. Arrival at village Fjerze at 12:00. Drive to Valbona village and local lunch. Accommodation in a guest houses or camping. Hiking in beautiful Valbona Valley to Xhema Lake, Old Milling. Typical dinner.

Day 03: Hiking the Accursed Mountains
Early Breakfast (5:30 – 6:30). Drive with a local minibus to Rragam village. There we get ready for the hike into the Albanian Alps. The pass is about 8 hours. The hike is long and sometimes tough, but anyone that’s reasonably fit can do it. Accommodation in a guesthouse or camping in Theth.  Walking to Grunas waterfall, visit the Saint John’s Church and the Isolation Tower.

Day 04: Exploring Theth National Park
Breakfast (07.30-08.30) and departure with local minivan to Nderlyse. Visit of the stones basins and of the Blue Eye of Theth. Local picnic lunch. Back to Theth in the afternoon and departure to Lezha. Short stop in Qafe Thore. Dinner in Boge. Arrival in Lezha late in the evening and accommodation in the hotel.

Day 05: Emerging into the magnificent Berat
The first destination is the city of Durrës founded in 627 B.C. as was one of the most important Greek City States and later Roman centre. The most notable tourist attraction in Durrës is the amphitheatre of the Roman Emperor Hadrian with 15,000 seats, the second biggest amphitheatre in the Balkans. After a visit to the amphitheatre and the archaeological museum, we will travel towards another UNESCO site. The town of Berat is well known for its unique ottoman style houses built around two hills facing each other with the castle on top and the river in between. We will visit the Onufri Museum, Berat Castle and the historical quarters of the city. Overnight in Berat hotel.

Day 06: Adventure in the Osumi Canyons
This day will be dedicated to an unique natural monument. We will head towards the famous Osumi Canyons in Skrapar for an unforgettable rafting trip. This trip will provide magnificent scenery as you float by the Canyon walls and will certainly make for a memorable experience. Eight waterfalls, a cathedral, the unspoiled nature, and the soothing sounds of running water combine to create a truly unique trip. The river trip lasts about 2.5—4 hours, and depending largely on the water level. Local lunch in Skrapar and wine tasting in a local winery on the way to Berat. Overnight in Berat hotel).
* Rafting is available February-June. For tours organized during June-November, it is available on a shorter trail canyon exploration (river hiking).

Day 07: Speed boat and Snorkeling in the Albanian riviera
We will resume the tour after breakfast towards Vlora and stop to visit the ancient town of Apollonia which was one of the most important cities in the Balkans where the Roman Emperor Augustus was educated. Than we will leave to Vlora, a beautiful coastal city which hosted the first Independent Albanian government, where we will have a fish based lunch. We will visit Karaburun Penisula with a speedboat and snorkel in the pristine beaches. Overnight at hotel.

Day 08: Sunset kayaking in Butrint theatre
The first destination to explore is the Monastery of Zvernec which is situated in a beautiful natural small peninsula in Narta lagoon. Birdwatching in one of the most important sites in the country due to its amazing biodiversity. Then we will enjoy a beautiful drive through the Albanian Riviera towards Saranda. On the way we will have a local lunch. Very close to Saranda we will explore with kayak the UNESCO’s heritage site Butrint, Albania’s top archaeological attraction. After the visit to Butrint we will have dinner in Saranda and spend the night in the city. Overnight at hotel.

Day 09: Walking in the city of stones Gjirokastra
After breakfast we will head towards a spectacular natural monument called the Blue Eye which is an underground spring that creates a very distinct shape resembling a beautiful human eye. From there we will head for UNESCO’s town of Gjirokastra where we will visit the fortress, ethnographic museum which is also the childhood home of Albania’s infamous communist dictator Enver Hoxha. Overnight in a guest house in Peshtan village .

Day 10: Canyon exploration of Lengarica and thermal sprints
We will head to Përmet and depending on the time of the year we will go rafting in the Vjosa River which is Europe’s last wild river. We will also make a visit to the natural thermal baths of the Langarica Canyon (Vjosa River) and enjoy a great organic meal in one of the local business. Overnight in Përmet.

Day 11: Exploring the Albanian rural life
The day will start with our trip to Korça and several stops on the way to enjoy the beautiful natural sceneries. Lunch will be served in a local agro-tourism farm in Erseka. We will use the rest of the day to visit Korça, its impressive city center, traditional market and cathedral.

Day 12: Kayaking in the protected lake of Prespa
After breakfast we will drive to Prespa Lake and take inflatable kayaks to reach the beautiful island of Maligradwhich hosts the Church of Holy Mary. After a quick walk within the island we will get the kayaks to get back to Korça. Overnight at hotel.

Day 13: Sightseeing of the natural park of Drilon
The day will start with a visit of the Medieval Museum of Arts, the Mirahori Mosque which is one of the oldest in Albania and the Mbroje Church (14th century). We will continue to Pogradec and lake Ohrid. We will make a visit to the national park of Drilon and the beautiful villa where the dictator would spend his fishing holidays and have a local lunch. On our way back we will visit the castle of Elbasan and continue to Tirana for an overnight stay.

Day 14: Exploring the vibrant city of Tirana
Breakfast. Visit of Tirana city. 20 years ago Albania’s capital used to regularly top the list of Europe’s underdeveloped cities. Decades of Stalinist rule left Tirana grey and grim, lacking in both infrastructure and services. The collapse of communism in 1992 required rapid changes for the City.

Considered one of the safest cities in Europe you will be able to spot remnants of its past and traces of the fast changes that it has gone through. We will visit the main sites like the Ethem Bey Mosque, clock tower, Scanderbeg Square, Orthodox Church and the BUNK’ART 2. BUNK’ART 2 is the first major video museum exhibition dedicated to the victims of communist terror. 

Optional hiking and exploration of Pellumbas Cave or free evening to the vibrant capital of Tirana.

Day 15: Tirana – Airport
Breakfast and time to say goodbye. Departure to the airport.