Albanian Highlights - 6 Day Around Albania

Itinerary

Day 1: Visit Karvasta Lagoon and Berat

Pass By: Tirana, Tirana, Tirana County
Meet with the Tour leader at the meeting point. Introduction of the tour and a short brief about this trip.
Start your journey to Karavasta Lagoon

Stop At: Parku Kombetar Divjake-Karavasta, Rruga e Divjakes, Lushnje Albania
Visit Karavasta Lagoon the biggest Lagoon in the Balkans
Visit the visitor center and learn more about the importance of the Lagoon ecosystem. This place is home to Dalmatian Pelican and Flamingos and if are lucky we can see them
Boat trip through the lagoon to enjoy the views of birds and different species


Duration: 2 hours

Pass By: Berat, Berat, Berat County
Transfer Berat one of the most interesting historical sites of Albania
Meet with the local tour Guide in Berat Castle. The history of the castle dates back to the IV century BC with a surface of 9.6 ha.
Visit the iconographic museum where you will find the icons of XVI century madden by Onufri one of the greatest painters in Albania
Stop at the new bridge to click the best pictures of Historical quarters , Mangalem and Gorica
Free evening to walk in the old town and Pedestrian Street.



Meals included:
• Lunch: Lunch in Berat Castle
Accommodation included: Overnight Berat 4* accommodation

Day 2: Osum Canyon and Bogove Waterfall

Stop At: Poliçan, Albania
Meet with the tour leader in the morning and start your journey to the biggest canyon in Albania
On the way to the canyons stop in Polican a small town founded during the communist time to produce weapons.
See the weapon factory from the distance and learn about the past of this town
Duration: 10 minutes

Stop At: Osum Canyon (Kanioni i Osumit), Rruga e Kanioneve, Corovode 5402 Albania
Known also as the Albania Grand Canyion is one of the most interesting natural sites of South .
Visit the Abas Ali foot print a holy site for the Bektashi ( sufi branch of Islam )
Visit the Canyon Bridge and then if the weather promises swim or explore a part of the canyon
On the way back to Berat visit Bogove waterfall known as the sleeping pearl of Tomorr National Park
The journey to the waterfall is very panoramic . A short hike through he stream and the endless forest will take us to the waterfall
Water is cold even in hot sunny days but we suggest do swim in the cold crystal waters
Return in Berat
Free evening

Duration: 8 hours

Meals included:
• Breakfast
• Lunch: Picnic Lunch
Accommodation included: Overnight Berat 4* accommodation

Day 3: Ancient Apollonia and Gjirokaster

Stop At: Apollonia Archaeological Park, Pojan Albania
Meet in the morning with the tour leader and start your journey to Apollonia,one of the oldest archaeological sites in Albania.
Visit its monastery which is built during the XIII century by the Last emperor of the byzantine empire.
Visit the archaeological museum where you will learn more about the history and social life in Apollonia.
Walk around the archaeological park to see the ruins of one of the biggest towns of antiquity

Duration: 2 hours

Stop At: Gjirokaster, Gjirokaster, Gjirokaster County
Arrival in Gjirokaster known also as the stone city. Famous for its architecture and Bazaar
Visit it castle rebuild during the byzantine and ottoman era.
Click the best pictures from the castle and then a walk in the old bazaar where locals are selling different souvenirs
Visit the Ethnographic museum to learn more about Albanian lifestyle during the XVIII century
Free evening to enjoy Gjirokastra by night
Duration: 3 hours

Meals included:
• Breakfast
Accommodation included: Overnight in Gjirokaster 4* accommodation

Day 4: Blue Eye - Butrint - Ksamil and Sarande

Stop At: The Blue Eye, Vlore 9706 Albania
Meet with the tour leader in the morning and start your journey to the southeast city of Albania
On our way stop in Blue eye - one of the biggest natural sites in south Albania. Famous for its turquoise waters and natural surroundings
Walkthrough the park and see the water source of Blue Eye

Duration: 30 minutes

Stop At: Butrint National Park, SH81, Butrint Albania
Transfer to Butrint one of the most interesting natural and archaeological sites of Albania. Surrounded by Butrint Lake and the Ionian sea this is one of the most panoramic spots of Albania
Meet the local tour guide to understand more about the history and the importance of Butrint

Duration: 2 hours

Stop At: Ksamil, Ksamil, Saranda, Vlore County
Transfer to Ksamil a small coastal village known for its islands and the white sandy beach
Stop for a cafe with a view of the islands and if the weather is fine to swim in the crystal waters of Ionian.
Duration: 2 hours

Stop At: Saranda, Saranda, Vlore County
Transfer to Sarande
Walk-in its pedestrian street to enjoy the view of the city and the Ionian sea. Many locals sell souvenirs at the pedestrian street
Free evening to enjoy Sarande by night
Duration: 2 hours

Meals included:
• Breakfast
Accommodation included: Overnight Sarande 4* accommodation

Day 5: Albanian Coast and Vlore

Stop At: Qeparo, Qeparo, Vlore County
Meet with the tour leader in the morning and start your journey through the Albanian Riviera.
This is known as one of the most beautiful drives in Albania as we all be accompanied by the views of the Ionian Coast
Visit Qeparo upper village build on top of a cliff.
See its houses built during the XVIII century

Duration: 2 hours

Stop At: Porto Palermo, Porto Palermo, Vlore County
Transfer to Porto Palermo Castle build by Ali Pashe Tepelna
Walk inside the castle walls and enjoy the views from the roof
Learn more about the history of Ali Pashe Tepelena
A nice beach is located close to the castle if the weather is warmer then you can take your time to swim and relax
Duration: 1 hour

Stop At: Llogara Pass, Palase Albania
Drive through Llogara pass which is 1080 me above sea level
Stop at the viewpoint to see the views of the mountain and Llogara National park
Duration: 1 hour

Stop At: Vlore, Vlore, Vlore County
Transfer to Vlore known as the city of the independence
Free evening to enjoy the beauty of Vlora
Duration: 3 hours

Meals included:
• Breakfast
Accommodation included: Overnight Vlore 4* accommodation

Day 6: Zvernec Island - Ardenica Monastery - Tirane

Stop At: Zvernec Monastery, Zvernec Island, Vlore Albania
Meet with the tour leader in the morning and transfer to Zvernec Island
Located in Narta lagoon this island offers fantastic views. Recently the lagoon became the home of many flamingos and other birds
Visit the island and the monastery

Duration: 2 hours

Stop At: Ardenica Monastery, Ardenice Albania
Transfer to Ardenica monastery one of the most important religious centers in Albania during XVIII century
Visit the monastery and the church
Lunch in an small restaurant
Opportunity for a wine tasting tour to a winery located close to the monastery
Depart in Tirane
Drop off

Duration: 2 hours

Meals included:
• Lunch: Lunch in Ardenica
No accommodation included on this day.