Albania from North to South…

DAY 1: TIRANA – SHKODER

The participants travel to Durres, Tirana or Shkodra in different ways. We are happy to help you book your journey by train and ferry, or by plane to Tirana or Podgorica. All participants meet in Shkodra in the evening. Distance: 80 km

 

DAY 2: SHKODER – KOMAN-VALBONE

Early in the morning, we start by bus to the Koman lake where a ferry is waiting for us,

which takes us three hours through the spectacular gorges of the Skipetaren. Afterward,

we’re going to Valbona. Distance: 110 km

 

DAY 3: VALBONA VALLEY – KUKAJ VILLAGE

Today we hike to the village of Kukaj. The hike is with 400 meters of altitude difference well feasible even for less trained hikers. We will have a lunch break and surely find a café.

 

DAY 4: VILLAGE KUKAJ – KRUJE

Today we drive from Kosovo to Kruja, the ancestral seat of the family Skanderbeg, which has great significance for the history of Albania. Here is the castle of the national hero. Driving distance: 250 km

 

DAY 5: KRUJA – BERAT

The next destination is Berat, the city of a thousand windows, which is a UNESCO cultural heritage site, home of numerous cultural highlights. Especially the extensive castle complex with the Onufri Museum of Iconostases is worth seeing. Driving distance: 140 km

 

DAY 6: BERAT – LIN – PODRAGEC

On the way to Pogradec, we make a stop in Elbasan and throw a short view of the Via Egnatia – a Roman trade route that connected the Adriatic Sea with Constantinople. Before we reach Pogradec we eat fish in the picturesque village of Lin. It is situated on the Ohrid Lake, one of the oldest lakes in the world. Distance: 140 km

 

DAY 7: POGRADEC – OHRID – PODRADEC

Today we spend the day in Northern Macedonia and visit the monastery of Naum and Ohrid (UNESCO). Driving distance: 80 km

 

DAY 8: POGRADEC – VOSKOPOJA – CORCA

After breakfast with a lake view, we leave Pogradec and drive to Voskopoja and

enjoy the homemade food from this village. Today’s destination is the town of Korca,

or the city of love and the cradle of Albanian literature. Distance: 81 km

 

DAY 9: KORCA – LANGARICA CANYONS – PERMET

Today we leave the plateau of Korca behind us and drive through a spectacular landscape of barren mountains and deep valleys. Finally, we reach the village of Benje, which lies on a rock above the river. Distance: 140 km

 

DAY 10: PERMET – LEUSE – GJIROKASTRA

After breakfast, we go for a short walk in the village of Leuse. Afterward, we drive to Kelcyra (the tooth tips of the distant shark), a town that guards another gorge. The gorge opens into a wide plain near the town of Gjirokastra, also known as the town of a thousand steps. Driving distance: 70 km

 

DAY 11: GJIROKASTRA – BLUE EYE – BUTRINT – HIMARA

On the way to Himara, we visit Appolonia, the most important archaeological park and at the same time National Park of Albania. Before that, we stop briefly at the spring pot “Blue Eye”. Then we continue along the Albanian Riviera to Himara, a village by the sea opposite Corfu. Driving distance: 160 km

 

DAY 12: SARANDE – QEPARO – NP LLOGARA

From Saranda, we drive on the panoramic road along the Albanian Riviera. We

reach the village of Qeparo from where we start a two-hour hike to the old

Village. Then we visit the castle of Porto Palermo and drive along the Riviera road

along the way to Llogara National Park. Driving distance: 90 km

 

DAY 13: HIKING LLOGARA NP – DURRES

Today we drive along the Albanian Riviera with beautiful views of the Ionian Sea. After short stops along the way, we reach the Llogara National Park, where a five-hour hike into the only still natural jungle is possible. We will climb up to 1.100 m above sea level and enjoy a fantastic view as far as Corfu. In the late afternoon, we will drive to Tirana, where we will celebrate our farewell in the evening. Driving distance: 220 km

 

DAY 14: DURRES – DEPARTURE

Today we say goodbye and set off on our journey home. The transfer to the ferry port Durres or Tirana airport is already organized by our team.