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Peregrine Travel Centre

Albania Adventure

Albania Adventure

From $ 3,095 AUD

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Description

If you’re looking for authentic local encounters, ancient city ruins and vistas of brilliant blue lakes, this trip to Albania is for you. Spend nine days getting to know this Balkan gem with a local leader, travelling from bustling cities to remote reaches. Drink coffee with locals in Tirana, hike along off-grid rivers in the country’s north, stay in welcoming guesthouses and beachside hotels and spend the night on a farm where you’ll sit down to a farm-to-table dinner. You’ll learn about local crafts with artists, birdwatch as you eat breakfast in a national park and learn about Albania’s culture and history from those who know it best.

Trip Name
Albania Adventure
Last Updated
1970-01-01
Days
9
Capacity
12
Highlights
  • Venture into the wild landscapes of northern Albania, explore spectacular lakes and rivers and experience a slice of rural life.
  • Spend a night at Mrizi I Zanave farm, where you’ll enjoy dinner made from fresh ingredients grown on site and learn about local farming practices.
  • Learn about conservation efforts at the Karavasta Lagoon in Divjake-Karavasta National Park with the support of non-profit ecotourism organisation MEET, plus spend the night at a locally owned beach accommodation and have breakfast atop a birdwatching tower at sunrise.
  • Visit the village of Babunje, where you’ll take part in a hands-on craft experience with local artists, have a home-cooked lunch with a family and be introduced to polyphonic singing, homemade raki and Turkish coffee fortune-telling.
  • Get to know Albania’s capital as you explore Tirana with your local leader and share a coffee with some locals to learn about their culture and family history.

Itinerary

ITINERARY CHANGES Our itineraries are updated regularly throughout the year based on customer feedback and to reflect the current situation in each destination. The information included in this Essential Trip Information may therefore differ from when you first booked your trip. It's important that you review this information prior to travel so that you have the latest updates. Due to weather, local conditions, transport schedules, public holidays, political unrest or other factors, further changes may be necessary to your itinerary once in-country. Your group leader or local representative will keep you up to date with any such changes once your trip is underway and has the authority to amend or cancel any part of the trip itinerary if deemed necessary due to safety concerns. , OPTIONAL ACTIVITIES A selection of optional activities that have been popular with past travellers are listed in the day-to-day itinerary. This isn't an exhaustive list and should be used as a guide only for some of what might be available. Prices are approximate, are for entrance fees only, and don’t include transport to and from the sites or local guides unless indicated. All activities are subject to availability, and may be on a join-in basis. It may not be possible to do all the activities listed in the time available at each destination, so some pre-planning for what you are most interested in is advised. When it's recommended that travellers pre-book these activities, look for a note in the Special Information section of the day-to-day itinerary. For most, they can either be organised independently on the day, or let your group leader or local representative know you are interested at the Welcome Meeting and they can assist. Where activities are considered medium or high risk, we work with operators whose safety and credentials we have sighted and assessed. Although it is possible that you may find the same activity cheaper with another operator on the ground, we cannot vouch for the safety or quality of that operator. Medium and high-risk activities not listed above have not been assessed by us and as such our staff and group leader or local representative are unable to assist you with organising these activities. Activities that contravene our Responsible Travel policies are also not listed. Please remember that the decision to partake in any activity not listed is at your own discretion and risk.

Day 1 - Tirana
Mire se vini! Welcome to Tirana, Albania. Your adventure begins with a welcome meeting at 6 pm, where you’ll meet your local leader and the other travellers joining you on your journey. If you arrive with time to spare, you might like to head out for a walk and take in the mosque, citadels, Ottoman architecture and museums of Albania’s capital. This city is a lively, colourful place with plenty of public squares and inviting cafes to discover. After your welcome meeting, maybe get to know your group over an optional welcome dinner where you can get your first taste of Albanian cuisine.
Day 2 - Lezhe to Lake Koman
Leave the city behind after breakfast this morning and drive north to the mountain and lakes region. This region is a rare part of the Balkans that managed to maintain its independence and ancient traditions despite being surrounded by Ottoman armies. After a scenic drive along a winding road, you'll board a small boat for a journey across the brilliantly blue Lake Koman to the village of Nanplep and the Shala River. Check in at a cosy family-owned guesthouse, where you'll have some time to relax, refresh yourself in the water and learn about local culture and history over a delicious meal filled with shared stories.
Day 3 - Shala River to Lezhe
Today, you’ll have the chance to get your feet wet in the Shala River on a challenging hike. Depending on the time of year, you’ll need to trek through the brisk waters to cross from one side of the river to the other. As you hike, watch the vibrant green mountainside drop steeply into the river’s bright, clear waters below. You’ll also have the option of hiring a local guide to hike to the mountain village of Molle.
Day 4 - Fishte
Begin your day with a leisurely breakfast, then you’ll have some free time to soak up the wilderness and revel in the slow pace of life in the valley. Later, you'll return to the Komani hydropower dam by boat. You’ll then travel to the western part of the region to visit the agritourism destination at Mrizi I Zanave farm, also known as the ‘Shade of the Fairies’. Sit down to a farm-to-table dinner made with fresh ingredients grown on site. You’ll spend tonight at the farm, where you can relax among the peaceful surroundings.
Day 5 - Divjaka-Karavasta National Park
Hit the road this morning and drive south, stopping first in Durres to admire the sandy beaches of the Albanian Adriatic. Your next destination is the Karavasta Lagoon, where you’ll have the opportunity to learn about the local conservation efforts for species like the Dalmatian pelican and sea turtles. Today’s activities are in collaboration with MEET, a non-profit organisation that supports local tourism operators in national parks throughout the Mediterranean by giving them the tools to develop community-based ecotourism projects. Later, check into your beach guesthouse for the night. This evening, you’re free to enjoy the sunset and sample some delicious local cuisine. Be sure to get a good night’s rest so that you can make the most of tomorrow's activities.
Day 6 - Divjaka-Karavasta National Park to Babunje to Bay of Vlora
Start your day early with a sunrise breakfast in one of the birdwatching towers on the western side of the Karavasta Lagoon, travelling either by bicycle or electric vehicle. Surrounded by tranquil scenery, you'll have a breakfast prepared with a focus on reducing waste, served on a large, locally made carpet. You’ll have the opportunity to see various birds and possibly other wildlife while sipping on coffee and tea to start the day. After breakfast, visit the nearby village of Babunje, where you’ll take part in a hands-on bamboo craft experience and sit down to a meal with a group of local farmers and artists. Your hosts will introduce you to the local traditions of polyphonic singing, homemade raki (fruit brandy) and Turkish coffee fortune-telling. After your visit, drive to the nearby Bay of Vlora, where you’ll check into your apartment for the night. The rest of the evening is free for you to enjoy the beach or explore your surroundings.
Day 7 - Tragjas to Bay of Vlora
Start your day with a relaxed morning spent at the beach. In the afternoon, take a hike to the old village of Tragjas, where time has stood still since the area was bombed during WWII. From the ruins of the old village, a family has created a farm that uses traditional farming practices. Learn how they coexist alongside animals such as grey wolves, jackals, birds of prey and bee-eaters. After the hike, return to the coast for a leisurely evening.
Day 8 - Berat to Tirana
Begin your day with a morning drive to the small city of Berat, known as the ‘city of a thousand windows'. Take a walk through the UNESCO World Heritage-listed Old City and visit the castle, where you’ll go on a guided tour around the ancient walls of the 2400-year-old fortress. Next, drive back to Tirana, where your adventure began. Get to know the city's tumultuous past, including its Ottoman occupation, monarchy under King Zog I, Nazi occupation during WWII and communist rule. Visit Skanderbeg Square, which is paved with stones sourced from all over Albania, and the New Bazaar for a taste of local delicacies. End the day with a coffee and chat with some locals in a beautiful old garden, and browse through their collection of historical family objects.
Day 9 - Tirana
With no activities planned for today, your Albania Adventure comes to an end after breakfast this morning. If you’d like to spend more time exploring Tirana, just speak to your booking agent ahead of time to arrange additional accommodation.

Trip Dates

StartEndPrice FromRoom Type
15-05-202723-05-2027AUD $ 3,125-
22-05-202730-05-2027AUD $ 3,145-
29-05-202706-06-2027AUD $ 3,095-
12-06-202720-06-2027AUD $ 3,095-
26-06-202704-07-2027AUD $ 3,185-
17-07-202725-07-2027AUD $ 3,185-
07-08-202715-08-2027AUD $ 3,185-
21-08-202729-08-2027AUD $ 3,280-
25-08-202702-09-2027AUD $ 3,280-
28-08-202705-09-2027AUD $ 3,280-
04-09-202712-09-2027AUD $ 3,340-
08-09-202716-09-2027AUD $ 3,280-
11-09-202719-09-2027AUD $ 3,340-
18-09-202726-09-2027AUD $ 3,340-
22-09-202730-09-2027AUD $ 3,340-
25-09-202703-10-2027AUD $ 3,340-
02-10-202710-10-2027AUD $ 3,280-
09-10-202717-10-2027AUD $ 3,185-
16-10-202724-10-2027AUD $ 3,095-
13-05-202821-05-2028AUD $ 3,250-
20-05-202828-05-2028AUD $ 3,250-
27-05-202804-06-2028AUD $ 3,250-
10-06-202818-06-2028AUD $ 3,250-
24-06-202802-07-2028AUD $ 3,345-
15-07-202823-07-2028AUD $ 3,345-
05-08-202813-08-2028AUD $ 3,345-
19-08-202827-08-2028AUD $ 3,445-
23-08-202831-08-2028AUD $ 3,445-
26-08-202803-09-2028AUD $ 3,445-
02-09-202810-09-2028AUD $ 3,505-
09-09-202817-09-2028AUD $ 3,505-
16-09-202824-09-2028AUD $ 3,505-
20-09-202828-09-2028AUD $ 3,505-
23-09-202801-10-2028AUD $ 3,505-
30-09-202808-10-2028AUD $ 3,445-
07-10-202815-10-2028AUD $ 3,345-
14-10-202822-10-2028AUD $ 3,250-

Accommodation

Hotel (4 nights), Guesthouse (4 nights)

Transport

Private vehicle, Ferry, Motorboat

Map

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