Undiscovered Balkans

14 days
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4.6/5 Excellent
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Small Group Tour
Traverse the Balkans as we explore Albania, North Macedonia, and Kosovo on this two-week holiday. Tick off cosmopolitan cities, alpine landscapes, and off-the-beaten-track villages as we delve into the history of the region, spotting Ottoman and Communist relics. Along the way, get closer to local life and traditions, visiting wineries and sipping mountain te...
$379 OFF
$3,149
From$2,770
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Overview

Trip type
Small Group Tour
Lodging level
Premium - 4 star
Physical level
Moderate

Highlights

    • Discover the history and incredible scenery of Albania, North Macedonia, Kosovo
    • Walk through the dramatic Valbona Valley surrounded by the jagged peaks of the Accursed Mountains
    • Explore Lake Orhid, this glistening lake boasting many cultural monuments including the Saint Naum Monastery

What's this trip about?

    Traverse the Balkans as we explore Albania, North Macedonia, and Kosovo on this two-week holiday. Tick off cosmopolitan cities, alpine landscapes, and off-the-beaten-track villages as we delve into the history of the region, spotting Ottoman and Communist relics. Along the way, get closer to local life and traditions, visiting wineries and sipping mountain tea with a farming family. Balkan capitals - Walk through history in three vibrant capitals Tirana, Skopje and Pristina. Valbona Valley - Soak in the scenery on a hike in the dramatic alpine valley, surrounded by the jagged peaks of the Accursed Mountains. Lake Ohrid - Explore the peaceful lake and mountain setting, boasting many cultural monuments including the Saint Naum Monastery.

Details

Itinerary focusOff the Beaten Path
Group sizeSmall Group - max of 20 people
Age range16 to 85 years
Flights and transport
Start CityTirana
End CityDurres

Travel Themes

  • Cultural
  • Hiking & Walking

Destinations

Attractions

  • Kos
  • Kruja
  • Skopje
  • Tirana

Activities

  • Hiking

Max Group Size

  • Max Group Size: 20

Itinerary

Travel Map

Day 1 Join trip in Tirana

Our tour starts today in Tirana, the colourful capital of Albania and one of Europe's most underrated cities. Emerging from its cold communist past (the country spent decades under Stalinist rule), Tirana is becoming a not-so-hidden gem thanks to its vibrant arts scen...

Day 2 Cable car up Mount Dajti and free afternoon in Tirana

This morning, we'll drive a short distance to the base of the Dajti Express cable car - the longest cableway in the Balkans. A 15-minute journey takes us almost to the top of Mount Dajti at around 1,049 metres/3,441 feet. From here, we'll hike to the summit of Tujani ...

Day 3 Border crossing to North Macedonia and drive to Lake Ohrid

After breakfast, we'll leave Tirana and drive towards Elbasan, through the valley of Shkumbin and crossing the border into North Macedonia before stopping in the small resort of Struga on the lake Ohrid (a journey of three hours). The town is cut in half by the Bla...

Day 4 Explore Lake Ohrid and Saint Naum Monastery

This morning, we'll take a boat ride to Saint Naum, an imposing monastery on one of the lake's peninsulas, close to the Albanian border. A spectacular sight, the Monastery of Saint Naum is surrounded by sandy beaches and inside you'll find incredible frescoes. We'll h...

Day 5 Explore Matka Canyon, discover Skopje and drive to Pristina

After an early breakfast, we'll head towards Kosovo (a long day of driving, four-an-half hours in total). Our first stop will be at Matka Canyon, one of the most beautiful places in North Macedonia, known for its stunning natural scenery, with towering cliffs, deep go...

Day 6 Walking tour of Pristina, visit the splendid Monastery of Gracanica and continue to Peja

This morning, our tour leader will take us on a walking tour of Pristina and Old Pristina. In the central bazaar, you'll see a 26 metre/85-foot-high clock tower which reminds stall holders and shoppers when it's time for prayer - the city's oldest mosques are found in...

Day 7 Explore the Peja Highlands and the church complex of Peja Patriarch

Today, we'll visit the highlands of Peja. Our day starts with an impressive drive through the dramatic Rugova Gorge to the alpine location of Boga, where we'll stop and take a hike to a nearby lake. The walk to the lake is graded as moderate and covers five kilometres...

Day 8 Visit the Decani Monastery on the way to Prizren

This morning, we'll visit the Decani Monastery, a UNESCO World Heritage Site. The Monastery was established in 1327 by the Serb King Stefan Decanski and is a superbly situated showpiece of Orthodox art. We'll continue our drive through the town of Junik, where we'l...

Day 9 Wine tasting in Rahovec and visit to a Serbian enclave village

This morning, we'll stroll around the cobbled streets of Prizren to the Shadervan area where we'll find the city's main Ottoman influences, including the Sinan Pasha Mosque and the Old Stone Bridge. We'll also be able to see the outside of the old hammam before headin...

Day 10 Discover Gjakova and drive to the Valbona Valley in Albania

Today, we'll leave Kosovo and return to Albania. We'll make a first stop in Gjakova, one of the most charming cities in Kosovo, where we'll visit the Ottoman Bazaar. It may seem slow-paced today, but Gjakova was once a major trading hub. During the Ottoman period and ...

Day 11 Alpine hike in the scenic valley and meet a local shepherd's family

Valbona is one of the most beautiful alpine valleys in Albania. Today, we'll hike to the side of Kukaj Valley, making our way through the forest towards alpine pastures that offer stunning views of the valley and the surrounding mountains. We'll have a picnic lunch an...

Day 12 Scenic journey through Kosovo to Shkoder

Today, we'll leave the Valbona Valley and head for Shkoder. Depending on the time of year and the ferry schedule, we'll either take a scenic ferry ride across Lake Koman or drive on the National Road through the scenic mountain landscape. Our tour leader will advis...

Day 13 Drive to Durres via Skanderbeg tomb, enjoy the evening by the Adriatic Sea

After breakfast, we'll start our two-hour drive towards the Adriatic Sea and Durres. En route, we'll stop in Lezha to visit the Skanderbeg memorial. Skanderbeg was an Albanian nobleman and military commander who led a rebellion and successfully resisted the Ottoman Em...

Day 14 Trip ends in Durres

The trip ends after breakfast at our hotel in Durres. There are no activities planned today, so you're free to depart from Durres at any time. If your flight is departing later in the day, luggage storage facilities are available at our hotel. If you'd like an airp...

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Dates & Availability

Price From $2,770
Price per day$198
Last Updated: 3/14/2025
Departure Date
Finish Date
Base Price
Single Room (Optional)
Availability
13 Apr 2025
26 Apr 2025
$2,770
$520
04 May 2025
17 May 2025
$3,080
$530
01 Jun 2025
14 Jun 2025
$3,080
$530
15 Jun 2025
28 Jun 2025
$2,940
$530
13 Jul 2025
26 Jul 2025
$2,870
$530
24 Aug 2025
06 Sep 2025
$2,920
$530
14 Sep 2025
27 Sep 2025
$2,920
$530
28 Sep 2025
11 Oct 2025
$3,220
$530
12 Oct 2025
25 Oct 2025
$2,980
$520
18 Apr 2026
01 May 2026
$3,220
$570

Check current availability, prices, specials & more.

The total tour cost includes the tour price (regular or promotional) and the compulsory local payment. The promotional price is subject to change. Check directly with the operator for the latest price offer. The tour operator requires you to pay only the tour price to purchase your travel. The compulsory local payment will be paid when you join the trip. All prices are based on double, twin or triple share occupancy. Solo passengers will be accommodated in a double, twin or triple room according to availability with a passenger(s) of the same gender. Single supplement only needs to be paid if the passenger does not want to share and requests their own room. Discounts can only be applied at the time of booking and cannot be added at a later date, regardless of any changes made to the original booking.

Prices may vary due to local taxes and trip seasonality. Click "Request Info" to inquire directly with the tour operator for the final trip price.

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Explore! Reviews & Ratings

4.6/5  Excellent
Excellent
10,321
Great
3,322
Average
522
Disappointing
158
Terrible
79
T

Trusted Customer

Oct 2024

Written on

Undiscovered Balkans

Although our leader was very personable and presented the trip as well as could be done, the timing of the series of events was poorly done and we also often arrived...

N

Nancy

Oct 2024

Written on

Undiscovered Balkans

We expected the Balkans to be more exotic which was our lack of research.The tour itself was good.The guide was able to explain a lot of interesting history and we s...

P

Pat

Oct 2024

Written on

Undiscovered Balkans

A great introduction to these 3 different countries in the Balkans area. A lot of ground was covered, some areas required more time, but hard to do when you are tryi...

M

Michael

Sep 2024

Written on

Undiscovered Balkans

Not the most exciting of trips but some amazing scenery in the north of Kosovo and Albania, alpine lakes and mountains, tree covered gorges and tremendous old orthod...

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Darren

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Efficient and easy to navigate online booking

Booked online. Very easy to do with full information abou...

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Logistics

Accommodation

Transportation & Flights

Bus, Cable Car,

Transportation & flights

Bus, Cable Car
Guides
Explore Tour Leader, Driver(s), Local Guide(s)
Cancellation policy
These conditions are applicable to Discovery & Wildlife, Cycling, Walking and Family Trips. These conditions were updated November 2022. Booked a Polar trip? Please refer to our Polar booking conditions. To make it easy to know the detail of our flexibility, we’ve put it in a grid (these terms apply to all trips apart from our Polar Voyages.) Standard cancellations or changes within 69 days of travel If you’re getting closer to your trip, cancellation charges will apply as follows: For trips confirmed by 31st December 2022: 59-42 days before trip start date – 30%, or loss of deposit if higher 41-28 days before trip start date – 60% 27-14 days before trip start date – 90% Less than 14 days before trip start date – 100% For trips confirmed from 1st January 2023: 69 -42 days before trip start date – 30%, or loss of deposit if higher 41-28 days before trip start date – 60% 27-14 days before trip start date – 90% Less than 14 days before trip start date – 100%
Travel Insurance
We strongly recommend purchasing travel insurance alongside your travel package to safeguard against unforeseen circumstances such as medical expenses, trip cancellations, and other contingencies. It offers you peace of mind and ensures you are prepared for unexpected events that may occur before or during your journey
Visa requirements
Albania: Visas are not required by UK, Australian, New Zealand, US and Canadian citizens. North Macedonia: Visas are not required by UK, Australian, New Zealand, US and Canadian citizens. Kosovo: Visas are not required by UK, Australian, New Zealand, US and Canadian citizens. Other nationalities should consult their local embassy or consular office.
Health & Safety
Nothing compulsory, but we recommend being up-to-date with your routine vaccination courses and boosters as recommended in the UK including protection against measles, mumps, rubella, tetanus, diphtheria, hepatitis A, typhoid and polio. Please check the latest requirements with your travel clinic or doctor prior to departure. The above is not an exhaustive list. Further information regarding vaccinations and travel health advice can be found by following the NHS and NaTHNaC links at <a href="https://www.explore.co.uk/essential-information/know-before-you-go/travel-health">Explore Travel Health</a> and from your local healthcare provider. Visa and vaccination requirements are subject to change and should be confirmed by you before travelling.
Meals Included
  • Breakfast : 13
  • Dinner : 2
  • Lunch : 1
Age Requirements
16 to 85 years
Additional Information
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Trip ID
explore-KOA

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