7 Days Albania North Panorama

North Albania, also known as Gheg part by locals. This trip is designed for presenting you with the best destinations of North Albania (with a brief sojourn into Kosovo).

The itinerary described below goes through historical cities like Shkodra, Kruja, Prizren and Tirana. North Albania has been an isolated area due to its mountainous terrain, therefore it has preserved a rich folklore, tradition and mores. This has been the cause of the travelers curiosity, like Edith Durham, Robert Elsie etc, to visit this areas since XVIII century.

We will visit the remote Theth and Valbone, two little alpin villages in the deep valleys of The Accursed Mountains and explore their natural beauties. In this tour we will enjoy also an amazing 3 hours ferry trip in Komani Lake.

Accommodation will be at cozy boutique hotels or guest houses at Theth and Valbone offering you a local living experience. Also we will taste the culinary that comes in a “from farm to table” form.

Day 1: Arrival day

This day is organised depending on your arrival time. our tour guide will be waiting for you at the airport and transfer you at Tirana city center were you'll be accommodated at the hotel. if time allows us a sightseeing tour is planned in the afternoon. we will visit Scanderbeg Square, boulevard "deshmoret e kombit" and Bllok area where we will consume the welcome meal. Overnight in Tirana.

Day 2: Shkoder- Theth

Leave Tirana and drive all way north to the mystic isolated Theth Village. Visiting Theth in the early 20th century, the traveller Edith Durham said:I think no place where human beings live has given me such an impression of majestic isolation from all the world.Theth is a wonderful village in northern Albania’s Shkodra region. Set among the peaks of the Shala mountains, Theth is isolated, and in times of snow, practically inaccessible.

We will accommodate at family run guest house and enjoy lunch. We will visit the “Kulla” (lock tower) of Theth, that gives you an idea of the kind of life those condemned by their family ties would lead as they waited, protected, during a blood feud. Then we will continue with a 20 minutes of walking by visiting the canyon and the Grunas waterfall, which by is the natural monument under state protection, 30 meters high, that all its water derives entirely from a rock and snow water. Dinner at the guest house. Overnight in Theth.

Day 3: Explore Theth- Back in Shkoder

Enjoy alpin breakfast and then start an walking tour towards the Blue Eye. A moderate hike is needed to reach this wonderful spring formed by the erosion of the cliff by the river, where some bathtubs and waterfalls are created, which are the most beautiful sights in Albania.The Blue Eye is one of the rare beauties of the entire Albania. It is formed from the Black River, which flaw out from the Black Top.

In good weather enjoy a short swimming in it’s crystal water. Get back at the guest house where we will consume lunch and farwell with the locals. We will get back in Shkoder by the eafternoon and enjoy the evening walk in the pedestrian street.

Day 4: Boat Trip to Valbona

Today's destination will be the Alps. Since the ferry leaves at 9 o'clock we will have to leave Shkodra early in the morning. The trip lasts 3 hours. The Koman lake is an artificial lake built during the communist era to be a power producing station. The view that will accompany you during this journey is wonderful. Situated between mountains in an uninhabited area, the lake will give you the idea of seeing the norwegian fjords.

After the ferry trip, we will head to the Valbona valley. The road goes across the Valbona river's bed. Its crystal clear waters, which comes from the melted snow of the high mountains, will amaze you. After we have lunch, we will be accommodated in guest houses which are made of wood and stone with an alpine style. Free afternoon to explore the valley at your own pace.

Day 5: Transfer to Kruje throughout Kosovo

Enjoy breakfast at the guesthouse and farwell with the locals. Drive and cross the border to Kosovo. We will pass through Gjakova and visit Prizren. Inhabited by ethnic Albanian, Kosovo has been apart of Yogoslavia since Ottoman Empire fell in 1913. We will visit Albanian League house to recognize you with Albanian Wars for freedom and independence. Lunch in Prizren. Leave Prizren and transfer to Kruje. Albanian historical capital, birthplace of Gjergj Kastrioti Skanderbeg, National Hero of Albania. Check in at the hotel and then free time to walk in the cobblestone streets of Old Bazaar. Overnight in Kruje.

Day 6: Explore Kruja and Tirana Capital City

Enjoy the breakfast at the balcony view and check out hotel. Visit Citadel, National Ethnographic Museum and Skanderbeg Museum. The museums are well designed to help foreigners learn about Albanian history, Kruja Sieges from Ottoman Empire (1450-1467) and insurgencies. Leave kruja and transfer to Tirana. Check in at the hotel at the city center and start a sightseeing walking tour

Start the tour from Skanderbeg Square, (photo stop at Skanderbeg’s Monument), National Museum (the huge mosaic on front represent the Albanian history development and the stages of this development are presented on respective pavilions). Then you continue to see other important buildings: Palace of Culture/Opera/National Library, Mosque of Ethem Bey, the Clock Tower, Tirana Castle, Parliament, Ura e Tabakeve, National Art Gallery, mean government buildings, catholic and orthodox cathedrals, the Pyramid, Prime Minister building, Palace of congresses, Mother Teresa Square, Presidential palace, Ex-Blloku (which used to be the most beautiful and protected zone were the ex-communist leaders families lived). Visit the Cold War corner (one Bunker, part of famous Spac Political Prison, and a piece from Berlin Wall). Farewell dinner and then back to Hotel.

Day 7: Departure Day

Last day Program is organized depending on flight time. Eat breakfast and check out the hotel. If time allows us, a visit to Bunk art is programmed. Leave Tirana and transfer to Airport.