15 Days | Travel through the valleys, towns and mountainscapes of Albania, Kosovo and North Macedonia.
It’s hard to find a patch of Europe that as secluded as this one. Hard, but not impossible. Among the rugged mountains and green fields of Albania, Kosovo and North Macedonia there are plenty of shepherds, monasteries, lakes, valleys and Byzantine churches – what’s lacking is crowds. It’s taken decades for the Balkans to wipe away memories of conflict and communism, but (amazingly) they’ve emerged strong and smiling. From hip cafes in Skopje and the soft shores of Lake Ohrid to the mosques of picture-perfect Prizren, this 15-day adventure showcases Balkan beauty at its very best.
Trip overview
- Start
- Tirana, Albania
- Finish
- Tirana, Albania
- Theme
- Explorer
- Destinations
- North Macedonia (Macedonia), Albania, Kosovo
- Physical rating
- Indicates how physically exerting a trip is, and how fit you will need to be to enjoy it. More info on physical ratings
- Style
- Original
- Ages
- Min 15
- Group size
- Min 1 - Max 12
- Trip code
- ZMSX
- Explore the remote northern reaches of Albania and take one of the world’s best boat trips with a cruise through the mountainous corridors of Lake Koman
- Experience daily life in the Valbona Valley with a stay at a local guesthouse. Clink glasses with the locals in the village and hike the rugged valley passes.
- Sail across the blue waters of Lake Ohrid, one of Europe's oldest lakes. No wonder North Macedonia and Albania share this beautiful attraction – nobody would want to let it go.
- Kososvo is rich in history and contrasts. Step back in time and learn about the infamous Battle of Kosovo on a day trip to the Field of Blackbirds, before embracing the modern culture thriving in Prishtina, Europe’s youngest capital.
- Lose yourself in Tirana, the Albanian capital full of a revitalised urban energy, and partake in the local's favourite pastime: drinking coffee and people-watching.
- Weather in this part of Europe can be unpredictable. Summer temperatures can be extreme in many of the regions visited (over 40°C), which can be uncomfortable. It’s important to use sun protection, wear layers to combat the heat and drink plenty of water. On the other hand, the weather in the mountains can be cold and wet throughout the year. Please carefully consider the time of the year you wish to travel and your suitability to that season.
- Hotels in Europe often don't have double beds, but rather two single beds that can be pushed together.
- On this trip you must pack as lightly as possible because you will be expected to carry your own bag and although you won't be required to walk long distances with your luggage (max 30 minutes), we strongly recommend keeping the weight under 15kg / 33lb. Most travellers carry their luggage in a backpack, although an overnight bag with a shoulder strap would suffice if you travel lightly. Smaller bags or backpacks with wheels are convenient although we recommend your bag has carry straps to accommodate the cobbled streets, uneven surfaces, stairs and steps you are likely to encounter while carrying your luggage. You'll also need a day pack/bag to carry water and a camera etc for day trips.
Itinerary
View the itinerary for departures between 01 January 2025 - 31 December 2025
Inclusions
14 breakfasts, 1 lunch, 2 dinners
Public bus, Private vehicle, Boat, Taxi
Hotel (10 nights), Guesthouse (4 nights)
- Lake Koman - Private boat ride
- Valbona Valley - Village Tour
- Valbona Valley - Tea House
- Dečani Monastery - UNESCO World Heritage Site
- Rugova Valley - Hike including Lunch
- Gjakova - Sufi Tekke of the Halveti Order
- Gjakova - Hadumi Mosque
- Prizren - Kalaja Fortress Visit
- Kosovo Polje - Field of the Battle of Blackbirds & Tomb of Sultan Murat
- Prishtina - Day Trip
- Gracanica - Gracanica Monastery
- Prishtina - Bear Sanctuary
- Skopje - Matka Canyon visit and Boat Ride
- Ohrid - Lake Ohrid Boat Cruise
- Tirana - Sky Tower - ALL400
- Tirana - National History Museum - ALL700
- Tirana - National Art Gallery - ALL200
- Tirana - Bunk'Art Gallery - ALL500
- Tirana - Dajti Mountain Cable Car - ALL1000
- Shkoder - Rozafa Castle - ALL400
- Prizren - House of the Albanian League of Prizren - EUR1
- Prizren - Church of Our Lady of Ljevis - EUR3
- Prizren - Church of the Holy Saviour - EUR2
- Prizren - Sinan Pasha Mosque - Free
- Prizren - Halveti’s Tekke - Free
- Prizren - Day Trip to Sharr Mountains National Park (Black Lake) - from - EUR180
- Prizren - Day Trip to Rahovec with Wine Tasting & Lunch - from - EUR60
- Prishtina - Ethnographic Museum - Free
- Prishtina - Sultan Fatih Mosque - Free
- Prishtina - Kosovo Museum - EUR2
- Skopje - Mount Vodno Cable Car to Millennium Cross - MKD100
- Skopje - Kale Fortress - Free
- Skopje - Holocaust Memorial Centre - MKD300
- Skopje - Daut Pasha Hammam - MKD60
- Skopje - City Museum - Free
- Skopje - Archaeological Museum - MKD300
- Matka Canyon - Boat Ride - MKD400
- Ohrid - Robev Family House National Museum - MKD150
- Ohrid - St Jovan Church - MKD150
- Kruja - Day Trip - ALL900
- Kruja - Skanderbeg Museum - ALL500
Dates and availability
Important notes
1. A single supplement is bookable for this trip, excluding Days 3&4. Availability is limited due to small property we use. Please speak to your booking agent for further information.
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