6 days tour

Albania Explorer “Illyria Route”

$ 968 .53 USD

Total price per person

Reserve with $968.53

Albania Explorer “Illyria Route”

This tour includes:

Meals

Daily breakfast. All others meals not listed are at your expense.

Accommodation

Accommodation: 3* hotels on double occupancy in good locations of respective cities/places. Twin share basis accomodation as per program. For children 2 - 11 year old sharing a room with 2 adults.

Others

English speaking guide during all tour itinerary, and local guides (as applicable)

Transport

Air Conditioned modern van/minibus/bus and other transportation listed in itinerary.

Guide

English speaking tour leader/manager

Not included:

Optional

If Self-Guided, 50% reduction is applied (services included Car+Accomodation).

Flights

International flights not included.

Others

Arrival & Departure Airport transfers (can be purchased as a supplement) Pre-Tour & End-Tour Accommodation (can be purchased as a supplement) International airfare and airport taxes Local city/tourist tax Driver/guides tips, Entry Fees Gratuities and individual daily expenses and porterage Everything not mentioned in “Inclusions” Travel insurance Trip/tour cancellation No show

Insurance

Travel insurance is not included.

Start planning your experience

Itinerary of your trip Albania Explorer “Illyria Route”

  • Day 1 Kruje - Durres - Tirane.
    • 12:00 am - 11:59 pm

      Kruje - Durres - Tirane.

      After breakfast we head to Kruja, one of Albania’s most important towns due to the part it played in resistance against the Ottomans. Visit the Skanderbeg Museum and castle as well as the old bazaar. Then heading to Durres. This port city, is the most important ancient central mediterranean metropol until medieval time in the 15th century when it got occupied by ottomans until 1912 when Albania proclaimed its independence, and Durres became its capital until 1920. (Durres is also more than 3500 years old (mentioned first time in Odisea where Ulicsus spent part of his time in Taulantia (ancient Pelasgian-Illyrian name of Epidamn-Durrah-Durres) on his way back to Itaka after Troyan war. This city has the largest Roman amphitheater in the Balkan region (about 20,000 seats), dating back to the beginning of the 2nd century which we will visit with the ancient city castle wall and byzantine bazaar/forum, Roman public baths, etc. Return to Tirana for overnight. Overnight at Freddy’s Hotel 3* or similar. (B)

  • Day 2 Lezhe - Shkoder - Tirane.
    • 12:00 am - 11:59 pm

      Lezhe - Shkoder - Tirane.

      After breakfast, the, next stop will be in Lezha city. In the ancient period it was called Lissus. Visit to its castle and Mausoleum of Skanderbeg (Albanian National Hero). Afterward, we will continue to Shkodra. A nice landscape with highland (Albanian Alps on the north) is a full contrast. City tour of Shkodra, Old Bazaar, Centrum, Cathedral and Mosque. Visit the Castle of Rozafa inside it and we enjoy wonderful views of mountains, Shkodra’s lake, Drini, Buna and Kir rivers with the valleys around from the top of Rozafa castle. Return to Tirana for overnight. Overnight at Freddy’s Hotel 3* (B)

  • Day 3 Berat (Unesco)
    • 12:00 am - 11:59 pm

      Berat (Unesco)

      After breakfast we continue to Berat where we have a short visit to Belsh Lake (part of Dumrea group of carstic lakes in central Albania, also so-called little-Toscana). Then we will continue to Berat, one of the oldest inhabited regions of Albania, more than 2400 years old, and with special status from UNESCO. Visit the castle of Berat with the Onufri museum and other churches inside; the Mosque of Berat and the old Bridge of Gorica, Onufri Museum and several churches and mosques. Onufri was an Albanian master painter of the 16th. Many of his wonderfully painted icons still remain in the museum while others can be found in churches in Albania and Greece where he worked. Lunch break in Berat. Overnight at Rezidenca Desaret 4* or similar. (B)

  • Day 4 Ardenica Monastery - Apollonia (Unesco) - Vlore.
    • 12:00 am - 11:59 pm

      Ardenica Monastery - Apollonia (Unesco) - Vlore.

      Drive to Ardenica Monastery, a 13th century Byzantine site locally famed for hosting the wedding of the hero Skanderbeg. We will continue from here to the ruins of Apollonia, an atmospheric set of Roman remains on a remote hillside and once an important city in the region. Later depart to the coastal city of Vlora. Visit the city, including its old town, independence square and monument, where Albanian independence from the Ottomans was proclaimed on November 28th, 1912. Overnight Hotel Semaja 3* or similar. (B)

  • Day 5 Himare - Sarande - Butrint (Unesco).
    • 12:00 am - 11:59 pm

      Himare - Sarande - Butrint (Unesco).

      After breakfast, we continue to the south of Albania, stopping first at Llogara National Park where we enjoy spectacular views of the mountains and the Albanian Riviera. Continue via some picturesque seaside villages to Saranda and onto the ruins of Butrint, Albania’s most important archaeological site, and a UNESCO site. Butrint dates from the 7th century BC, later becoming a Roman colony, then falling under the sway of the Venetians and Turks. Explore numerous buildings including an acropolis, basilica and palace. The location of the site itself is also very attractive, surrounded by trees and water. Later return to Saranda. Overnight in Sunrays Hotel 3* or similar. (B)

  • Day 6 Mesopotam - Blue Eye - Gjirokaster (Unesco) - Tirana.
    • 12:00 am - 11:59 pm

      Mesopotam - Blue Eye - Gjirokaster (Unesco) - Tirana.

      This morning we will continue to Gjirokaster. En route we will make a stop in Mesopotam monastery, built over the ancient temple inside the fortress. Then we then travel to Blue Eye National Park before we reach the UNESCO listed town of Gjirokaster known for its distinct and traditional architecture. We have time to explore this UNESCO listed site, one of the highlights of Albania with an imposing citadel and numerous typical houses. Then return to Tirana.

  • Day 7 Tepelena - Voskopoje – Korce.
    • 12:00 am - 11:59 pm

      Tepelena - Voskopoje – Korce.

      We depart to Tepelene, and we stop at the castle of Tepelene. Tepelena Castle was built by Ali Pasha in the end of 18th century CE in the town of Tepelena. It was the second most important castle during his reign, after that in Ioannina. We continue to Permet know for its production of traditional raki and wine. Lunch. As we travel toward Korca, we enjoy the nice views of nature around. Arrival in Korca. Visit to the one of the oldest schools teaching the Albanian language established Albania in 1887. The first girls’ school in the country was established in Korca in 1891. Afterward travel to Voskopoje and visit its 18th Century churches and monasteries. Voskopojë, is a small mountain village, and along with a few other local settlements is considered a holy place by local Orthodox Christians. It was one of the original homelands of the Aromanian diaspora. Return to Korca and overnight. (Hotel Regency 3*, or similar). (B)

  • Day 8 Elbasan - Tirana.
    • 12:00 am - 11:59 pm

      Elbasan - Tirana.

      Departure to Pogradec  and enjoy the beauty of Ohrid Lake. We continue to Elbasan which was a very important city in ancient Road “Via Egnatia” that used to connect Rome-Naples-Bari-Durres-Elbasan-Ohrid-Thessaloniki-Istanbul. Stop for a city tour: Elbasan Castle (dating back to 4rth Century BC), The Clock, The ethnographic Museum, Church, The Old Mosque.  We continue to Tirana via new road and tunnel. After arrival, there will be a Tirana City tour. Located on a plain on the site of a Byzantine fortress and has been the capital since 1920 (visits to the Skanderbeg Square, Mosque of Et’hem Bey (built on 1824), the Clock Tower (built on 1822), the National Museum (the huge mosaic on front represent the Albanian history development, and the stages of this development are presented on respective pavilions),  National Art Gallery, Archeological Museum (there are presented many archeological discoveries since the Stone Age up to the Medieval), the National Heroes Cemetery, Grand Park and government buildings). Accommodation in Tirana in Hotel Arber 3*, or similar, and overnight. (B) 

      Day 8:  (Optional): Change to continue to successive tour(s): Yellow, Brown or White Routes. 

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Experience Style

Experience Style

Mixed

There will be challenging activities such as hiking, biking, canyoning and trekking, but you’re also going to have other means of transportation and relaxed moments to just chill.

Accomodation level

Accomodation level

Medium

This accommodation includes essential services like a hot shower, electricity, and a nice and comfy bed.

Experience Type

Experience Type

Small Group

You’ll be accompanied by a small group of travelers just like you.

Physical Rating

Physical Rating

Basic

Almost everyone is fit for these activities. Every hike or physical exercise last less than 30 minutes, such as paragliding and horseback riding. Please ask about specific conditions.

Age range

Age range

Min: 18 / Max: 75

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