Kosovo, Albania & Macedonia Explorer

Day 1  Tirana, Albania        
Arrive in Tirana and transfer to your hotel. Meet your tour leader and fellow travellers at a welcome meeting this evening, later head out for dinner with your group.        

Day 2  Tirana        
Head out on an orientation walk of the city with your tour leader. The biggest city in Albania, yet small and compact, with architectural influences from Italy and Turkey. Visit the Skanderbeg Monument, the mosaic on the National History Museum and the Palace of Culture, which are all located on Skanderbeg Square. After lunch, take a local bus to Shkoder, one of the oldest cities in Europe.        
Take a short walk along the Pjaca – the main pedestrian street – lined with 19th Century architecture and dominated by Ebu Beker Mosque. Later in the afternoon, head north of the city to visit the Venetian era Rozafa Castle, set high on a mountain with panoramic views of the Albanian countryside.        

Day 3  Tirana to Valbona Valley      
Take an early morning transfer to Lake Koman, where you'll board a ferry between Koman and Fierza, in the remote north eastern corner of the country. This is one of the most beautiful boat rides – emerald water merging with the green vegetation dotting the bright white cliffs. Upon arrival to Fierza, you'll be transferred to your guesthouse in Valbona Valley, where a delicious home cooked meal awaits.        

Day 4  Valbona Valley        
An excursion takes you deeper into the Valbona Valley with green meadows of traditional houses, farmland and alpine trees. Maybe go for a hike in the surrounding mountains, walking through wide valleys and thick forest or simply hang out with the locals, a great way to learn about the local way of life.        

Day 5  Valbona Valley to Peja, Kosovo        
Leave Albania behind as you cross the border into Kosovo by private vehicle. The shadow of conflict in the late 90s has kept Kosovo off traveller's radars, however go there today and you can feel that shadow lifting and Europe’s youngest member is definitely making up for lost time. Stop by at the Dečani Monastery, a place of stunning art heritage set in beautiful surroundings, sadly its symbolic significance as a Serbian Orthodox cultural monument makes it vulnerable to destruction. Continue on to Peja the gateway to the Rugova Mountains and a major agricultural centre. On arrival visit the beautifully restored Peja Bazaar, dating back to Ottoman times.      

Day 6  Peja        
After breakfast transfer to the village of Drelaj, deep in the Rugova Valley and close to the Montenegrin border. Take a guided hike in the surrounding area, here at Rugova Valley you will find tall grass pastures dotted with wildflowers, the sound of cow bells drifting through the valley, simple wooden shacks and stone houses. After the hike enjoy some lunch at a local family home. Return back to your hotel in the early evening for a free night in town, maybe try the local Birra Peja.    

Day 7  Peja to Prizren      
Journey south to Kosovo’s second biggest and arguably most beautiful city, Prizren. Along the way stop by Gjakova to walk to the Sufi Tekke of the Halveti Order, Afterwards, walk along the Carshia (main street), and stop at the Mosque of Hadumi. Continue onto Prizren stopping at a restaurant on the Drini River. On arrival head out an orientation walk, strolling alongside the Bistrica River, taking in the cobbled Shadervan square and the Old Stone Bridge. Explore the city’s famous mosques contrasted with abandoned Serbian Orthodox churches. Wander the streets and do some people watching in in Shadervan square, before another memorable Balkan sunset.        

Day 8  Prizren        
Spend the day exploring the city’s sights with a visit to the 6th Century Kalaja Fortress, situated on the hilltop above the town. The rest of the day is free for you to explore on your own, maybe take a walk upstream along the Bistrica River or get together with your fellow travellers, hire a minibus and take a day trip to the vineyards of Rahovec for lunch and some wine tasting. In the evening enjoy some culinary delights at any one of Prizren’s great eateries.    

Day 9  Prishtina        
Take a day trip out to Kosovo’s capital, Prishtina, start with a visit to Kosovo Polje (Field of Blackbirds), here you will find a memorial which commemorates the important 1389 battle of Kosovo. Later stop by at the UNESCO World Heritage-listed Gracanica Monastery. The afternoon is free to spend as you wish, perhaps head to the nearby Bear Sanctuary, a 16-hectare area of woodland providing a home for rescued dancing bears.        

Day 10  Prizren to Skopje, North Macedonia        
Enjoy an early breakfast before you set off to Skopje, crossing the border into North Macedonia. This little know gem situated on the Balkan Peninsula offers rugged mountain backdrops, time-weathered monasteries, stunning lake panoramas and a hearty national cuisine. On arrival take an orientation walk around the city and get to know the place. In the afternoon, wander past the mosques, caravanserais and hamams that fill its winding streets – a testament to Skopje’s Ottoman past.    

Day 11 Matka Canyon        
Head out to Matka Canyon, southwest of the city, home to several medieval monasteries, caves, and over 70 species of endemic butterflies. There is the option to explore the canyon’s sights by boat or choose one of the many nature walks in the canyon. Return back to Skopje where you will have free time to explore this exciting city as you wish. Maybe take the Mount Vodno cable car to Millennium Cross for the views back down across the city. In the evening you could head to the Old Bazaar or the restaurants in the Debar Maalo area.    

Day 12  Skopje to Lake Ohrid        
Travel by local bus today as you head out to Lake Ohrid. An eternal town with a wealth of historic sites and religious monuments to discover, get your bearings on an orientation walk around Ohrid and perhaps pick up a bargain or two in the vibrant Old Bazaar.  

Day 13  Lake Ohrid        
Enjoy a morning cruise on the turquoise waters of Lake Ohrid. The rest of the day is free to explore at your own leisure.        
Day 14  Lake Ohrid to Tirana, Albania        
Bid farewell to Kosovo as you board your private transfer across the border into Albania for your journey back to Tirana. The rest of the day is free to explore on your own. Perhaps take a cable car ride up Dajti Mountain for a breathtaking overview of the city below. If you stay in town longer consider heading out to Kruja, the old capital of Albania. For your final evening in Albania head to Blloku (the Block) – once the domain of the Communist party’s inner circle and now home to designer cafes, glitzy restaurants, and boutique bars. If you fancy something a little more traditional maybe head to an old house restaurant and raise a raki (Albanian alcoholic drink) to end your adventure.        

Day 15  Tirana        
Your tour comes to an end after breakfast.