Day 1:TIRANA

Arrival in “Mother Tereza” airport, meet & assisted by our guide. Transfer by car and accommodation in the hotel.

Enjoy the welcome dinner in a characteristic restaurant of Tirana.

Dinner and overnight in the hotel.

Day 2: TIRANA KOMAN - VALBONA VALLEY

After breakfast, departure by minibus for Koman. The Koman Hydroelectric Power Station is a large hydroelectric power station, for which a dam on the Drin river was built. The dam is near the settlement of Koman, northern Albania. It is the second of three dams on the Drin River. We travel to Fierze by ferry. Passing the mountains through the canyon created by the river Drin, the route reveals the wild beauty of the Albanian Alps. Later cross at Breg Lumi near Fierze and travel to Bajram Curri. Accommodation in the guesthouses of Valbona Valley.

Day 3: VALBONA THETH

After breakfast, departure from Valbona. Hiking from Valbona to Theth takes 6-7 hours (packed lunch on the way). The 40 km long Valbona Valley brings us right to the heart of the Albanian Alps. With an area of 8,000 hectares, the National Park Valbona Valley is the gem of the Albanian Alps. The high and craggy mountains present to the visitors a fantastic festival of colors in every season. Valbona Village is the focal point of the Park. Its forests, river and creeks, flowers, characteristic dwellings, and the hospitality of its people make it an ideal place to visit. We will stay overnight in one of these houses and experience the hospitality of the people. We walk downhill from the guesthouse, and visit attractions of the village, such as: the Church, the Kulla e Ngujimit (a tower house used in the past by men as a shelter from enemies with whom they had "blood feuds"), the Theth Waterfall, and Grunasi Canyon. Dinner is served at the guesthouses.

Day 4: GRUNASI CANYON

After breakfast, we set out to see the center of the village. On the way we take time to visit the small waterfall of Grunasi Canyon. We arrive at the village where we visit the church and the tower of refuge. Departure to the large Waterfall of Grunasi. Lunch and time at leisure to enjoy the nature and waterfalls of Grunasi. We return to the guesthouse. Dinner in the guesthouses.

Day 5: THETH NDERLYSE

On our fourth day, we have the chance to discover wonderful hidden places passing the valley of Nderlyse. Trekking from our departure point of Theth to Nderlyse, we pass through the mountain streams that wend their way through sunken bathtubs created by tempers of nature. Arriving at the village of Nderlyse, the feeling of desolation and loneliness becomes tangible. Going from one abandoned house to another we hear about the difficulties of life in former times. Lunch and further visits of the scenery. Return to the village and overnight in one of the guesthouses.

Day 6: THETH SHKODER

After breakfast at the guesthouse, we leave Theth and travel by minibus to Shkoder through Boga valley.
Shkodra is one of the oldest cities in Albania, founded in the fourth century B.C. as the center of the Labeat tribe of Illyrians. For lunch we will try the distinctive cooking of Carp from the Lake of Shkodra. After we will continue to visit Shkodra’s main tourist attraction is Rozafa Castle. It is surrounded by the waters of three rivers; the Drini, Buna, and Kiri. Much like the town it protected, the castle has Illyrian origins. In the evening you will enjoy the nightlife of Shkodra
City tour of Shkodra, Old Bazaar, Centrum, cathedral and mosque, visit to the photography museum “Marubi”. Overnight in Shkodra.

Day 7: LEZHA - KRUJA DURRES - TIRANE

After breakfast, we departure for Kruja. On the way, we visit Lezha, a town located on north-west of Albania. In the ancient period was called Lissus. Upon a high hill there are still the walls of Illirian walls and under them the surrounding walls of Syracuse colony. Visit to Mausoleum of Scanderbeg (Albanian National Hero). Than continue to Kruja, the town of Albania's most important resistance under the leadership of Gjergj Kastrioti “Scanderbeg”, who in the 15th century successfully fought off the Ottomans for over 25 years. Sightseeing at his castle and the impressive Scanderbeg Museum, Ethnographical Museum and shopping in old bazaar. Lunch, than continue to Durres, Albania’s second largest city was known formerly (in antiquity) as Durrahium and is one of the oldest towns in the country and Balkan Peninsula. It was for centuries the largest port on the Adriatic Sea, and the start of the Via Egnatia to Constantinople. Visit the town including the Byzantine city walls and Roman amphitheater.
Precced to to Tirana and enjoy the nightlife of Tirana.

Day 8: TIRANA

After a late morning wake-up you will have time for shopping characteristic Albanian souvenirs.
Transfer to the airport of Mother Teresa.

Accommodations

3* Hotels � Room Double Occupancy (or similar)

Sightseeing

Private day guided tour during all days including Museum entrance fees and wine testing

Private half day guide to around Tirana during shopping time with English speaking guide

Transfers

Private transfers in luxury car from and to Rinas Airport

English speaking assistant

Meals

Breakfast daily at hotel

Lunch in, included everyday and the first dinner in Tirana

Services

Local emergency contact number daily.

Does not include

Airfare

Travel Insurance (highly recommended)

Tips and gratuities to drivers and local guides

Alcoholic drinks

1) Consult with our tour designers

Contact our office by phone or e-mail and speak to one of our tour designers who will answer any question you have about our suggested tour. They will listen attentively to your ideas and plans and suggest changes to personalize the tour based on your interests and budget.

Tel: +355 684040066
E-mail: reservations@bestbalkantours.com

2) We send you a Proposal

Shortly after your initial contact with our tour designers, you will receive a draft proposal based on your earlier discussions, normally within 2 business days. This proposal is a no obligation draft for your review and comments. Any additions or modifications will be implemented and a new proposal will be forwarded to you for approval.

3) You like what you see!

Upon meeting your requirements and expectations, you will be requested to send a deposit in the amount of 25% of total. Final Payment is due 45 days prior to scheduled departure date.

4) Buon viaggio!

Approximately, 2 weeks prior to departure you will receive a personalized and detailed day by day itinerary booklet and the necessary vouchers for the services to be provided, along with a general information section on the various regions of Italy.

The booklet and vouchers will include all the important information; addresses, phone & mobile numbers for all your service providers, hotels as well as the phone number of our office in Rome.