Explorer 4x4 Tour Albania

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Overview

Experience an unforgettable journey to a vibrant and optimistic region that exudes positivity and a determination to forge ahead. Immerse yourself in the rich history of the land by visiting the ancient remains of once-great civilizations. Marvel at breathtaking panoramas as you explore the wild mountains and national parks through exhilarating hikes and drives. Connect with the local communities, appreciate their art, witness their farming techniques, and learn about their strong community spirit. Make the most of your trip by participating in a variety of engaging activities and fully embracing the unique culture of the region.

Included/Excluded

  • All breakfasts / 12 Lunches/ 11 Dinners
  • Tickets / Entry fee to museums / entry sites through the itinerary
  • Throughout Guide
  • All transfers as mentioned on the itinerary
  • Accommodation as mentioned on the itenerary
  • Ferry to Koman Lake
  • Tickets / Entry fee to museums / entry sites not mentioned in the itinerary
  • Beverages during meals (except water which is included)
  • Flight tickets
  • Extra private transfers
  • Single room supplement (extra charge upon request)
  • Gratitude

Tour Plan

Day 1 Arrival Tirana Airport - Tirana (17.82 KM)

The itinerary for the day includes a meeting with the participants followed by a mid-morning flight to Tirana. Upon arrival, there will be a reception and transfer to the hotel, where participants can settle in before embarking on a tour of the city. The tour will include visits to Skanderberg Square, the Ethem Bey Mosque - regarded as one of the most stunning mosques in Albania - and the National History Museum, whose façade is adorned with mosaics celebrating the country's heroes. Dinner will be served at the hotel.

Day 2 Tirane - Kruje - Sari Salltick - Theth (210.74 KM)

We will depart by road to the North, with a stop in the charming historic city of Kruja, once the capital of the kingdom of the national hero Gjergi Kastrioti Skanderbeg. Skanderbeg is celebrated as a symbol of Albanian resistance against the Great Ottoman Empire in the 14th century. The city's central streets, which are paved, seem to hug the walls of the mountain. Kruja is renowned for its vibrant center for crafting and selling antiques, as well as being the birthplace of Skanderbeg. During the visit to Kruja, we will explore the main sights, including the citadel, situated atop a rocky peak overlooking the city, which houses the Skanderbeg Museum. We will take a walk to the old bazaar, spread out along one street and lined with wooden houses. Afterward, we will ascend to tekke Bektashi, located at the top of the mountain and which once protected the city. A holy Bektashi named Sari Salltick once lived there, and the mountain bears his name. We will also visit the cave that served as a shelter for this holy hermit. Lunch will be served before we continue our journey to Theth via the Sokol pass. Once we arrive, we will check into our guesthouse and have some free time before dinner, which will be taken on site.

Day 3 Theth - Nderlysaj - Shkoder (75.25 KM)

We will start the day by visiting the village of Theth, where we will have the opportunity to see its beautiful Catholic church and waterfalls. During a walk to the river Nderlysa, we will discover even more of the village's natural beauty. Afterward, we will depart for Shkodra, the third largest city in Albania, situated on the border of Montenegro. We will enjoy a picnic on route before arriving in Shkodra, where we will visit the impressive Rozafa Castle. This imposing citadel is one of the best-preserved castles in the country and offers a breathtaking panoramic view of the city and its surroundings. We will also take a walk in the old town and discover the Clock Tower and the Catholic Cathedral, which was converted into a sports palace during the dictatorship of Enver Hoxha.

After a day of exploring, we will check into our guesthouse and enjoy dinner.

Day 4 Shkoder - Koman Lake - Fierz - Valbone (99.58 KM)

Departure for the artificial lake of Koman dug into the canyons of Drin, one of the largest works of Albania. You will embark for a crossing of about 2 hours 30 to Fierze, in beautiful landscapes. Vehicles will be waiting for you on arrival to drive you to Bajram Curri for lunch. Continue on the road to Valbona. Installation in guesthouse. Diner and night at the place.

Day 5 Valbone - Kukes (124.34 KM)

Part of the morning will be spent visiting Valbone and its surroundings, a vast region encompassing Valbone National Park , home to many endemic species. Road to Kukes and stop on route for lunch. Passage to Qafa e Malit. You will then take a 40 km track to Kukes. Installation at the hotel. Discovery of the city. Kukes became famous for its role in the Kosovo war in 1999, when it hosted several hundred thousand Kosovar refugees. Installation at the hotel and dinner.

Day 6 Kukes - Peshkopi – Elbasan (184.03 KM)

We will embark on a journey through one of the most remote and inaccessible regions of Albania. Our first destination will be Peshkopia, which is about fifty kilometers away on unpaved roads. Upon arrival, we will have lunch at a local restaurant. From there, we will continue our journey towards Elbasan, following the border of Macedonia. Part of the road (about 70 km) is unpaved, but the scenic views along the way are worth the bumpy ride. Elbasan is a historically significant city that was once known as Masio Scampa during the Roman period. It was an important stop on the Via Egnatia route, and the Romans built a fortress with towers that still stand today. Over time, Elbasan grew to become a prosperous center of commerce and played a vital role in spreading Christianity through its cathedral and basilicas.

We will check into our hotel upon arrival in Elbasan and enjoy dinner.

Day 7 Elbasan – Shelcan – Selce e Poshtme( Illyrian Royal Tombs) – Pogradec – Korce - Voskopoje (182.08 KM)

In Elbasan visit the old town, the pedestrian district and its church on Shelcan Square. Stop at the Saint Nicolas church, at the exit of the city; one of the few churches, survivors of the destructive madness of the communist regime, entirely covered with magnificent frescoes. Departure for Selca (about 20 km of unpaved road), where were discovered in the late 60s the graves of the Lower Selca. These are the remains of an important Illyrian city inhabited since the Bronze Age and fortified in the 4th century BC. The monumental tombs date from the 3rd century BC. Continuation for Pogradec, dominated by the remains of an Illyrian fortification. Lunch in a restaurant and continuation for Korca, at the foot of the Moravian Mountains, visit the Museum of Medieval Art with icons painted by the greatest Albanian artists. Continuation to the Vlach city of Voskopoja, one of the most flourishing Balkans in the 17th and 18th centuries. Halfway between Constantinople and Venice, the city was once a major commercial and religious crossroads. The city owes its fame today to its famous churches with incomparable frescoes and iconostases and the sweet tranquility of its landscapes. Only six buildings have survived the vagaries of history, a monastery and five outstanding churches with their painted post-Byzantine decorations, interior and exterior. Visit some churches of this precious world heritage. Installation at the hotel. Dinner in a restaurant.

Day 8 Voskopoje – Erseke – Leskovik – Benje – Permet - Gjirokastra (207.97 KM)

In Voskopoja you will visit some World Heritage churches. Departure for Erseka. Lunch in a house and crossing the gorges of Kelcyra, then road to Gjirokastra, built by large landowners, architectural jewel anchored in the heart of the mountains whose Old Ottoman city is listed in the heritage of Humanity. Visit of its museum of Weapons and climb to the citadel (XIII century) from which one enjoys a superb sight on the city and its houses with turrets, characteristics of the region of the Balkans and on the valley of Drin. Dominating the old center, the citadel itself still has some guns and a magnificent clock tower. Installation at the hotel. Dinner in a restaurant.

Day 9 Gjirokaster – Antigonea – Butrint – Dhermi - LLogara (220.53 KM)

Departure for the site of Antigonea, city built by King Pyrrhus in honor of his wife Antigone. Then departure for the National Park of Butrint which hosts a first-rate archaeological site, the ancient Bouthrotos, whose remarkably well-preserved remains are highlighted by the natural beauty of the site. The ruins rediscovered after the Second World War are since 1992 classified as World Heritage by UNESCO. In a sumptuous setting, one can admire a magnificent ancient theater, baths, a baptistery with early Christian mosaics, and a basilica dating back to the sixth century. Its exceptional location, between the sea and Lake Butrint, allowed the ancient city to assert itself very early as a major port of the Ionian Sea. The site keeps traces of different periods of development, mainly Roman. Part of the visit to the site is under the cover of trees that bring freshness and greenery, and make the discovery even more enjoyable. Lunch in a restaurant and road to Dhermi, a village surrounded by mountains and coastline. You will stay about twenty kilometers from the city, in the Llogora National Park (July and August trips). In June and September accommodation will be in Dhermi. Installation at the hotel. Having dinner.

Day 10 Llogara – Tepelene – Vajze Village - Berat (214.80 KM)

Route for the Tepelena via-Mavrova-Vajze region (70 km of unpaved road). Continue to Berat via Keclyra, Frasher, Kakos and Osumi Canyon (45 km of unpaved road). Installation at the Berat hotel. Having dinner.

Day 11 Berat – Apollonia - Durres (194.35 KM)

Nicknamed the city of "thousand windows", known for its old Ottoman citadel, Berat as Gjirokastra is one of the few examples of a typical architectural style of the Ottoman period. It bears witness to the coexistence of different religious and cultural communities over the centuries. Its two ruined mosques and numerous chapels decorated with Byzantine icons are among the most beautiful in the country. Visit its fortress, called the Kala, most of which was built in the thirteenth century, although its origins date back to the fourth century BC. Visit the old neighborhoods of the city. That of the citadel has many Byzantine churches, including several of the thirteenth century, and several mosques built in the Ottoman era that began in 1417. The city also has a series of remarkable two-storey houses, which developed in the seventeenth century. Visit the Onufri Museum, housed in the Church of the Dormition of the Virgin (eighteenth century). Departure for Bylis and visit of its archeological site, located on the foothills of the Mallakaster massif, enjoying an exceptional view . Road to Proud and Lunch in a restaurant in Keshtjella. Continue to Apollonia Illyria, the largest archaeological site in the country, where you will visit the site of the famous city founded in 588 BC. BC by settlers from Corinth and Corfu, on a site initially occupied by Illyrian tribes. Apollonia was probably the most important city classics known as Apollonia. It flourished in Roman times and was the seat of a renowned school of philosophy, but began to decline in the 3rd century AD. BC where its port began to become silted following an earthquake. It was abandoned at the end of Late Antiquity Route for Durres, second city of the country, which was in ancient times the starting point of Via Egnatia. Installation at the hotel. Dinner of fish specialties.

Day 12 Durres – Tirana Airport (55.45 KM)

Transfer to the airport. Assistance and flight.

End of services!

Map

Essential Information

Accommodation

Throughout this tour you will stay in standard 4-star accommodation units with private shower and good conditions.

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