Kosovo, Albania & Macedonia Explorer
Overview
Highlights
- Explore the remote northern reaches of Albania and take one of the world’s best boat trips with a cruise through the mountainous corridors of Lake Koman
- Experience daily life in the Valbona Valley with a stay at a local guesthouse. Clink glasses with the locals in the village and hike the rugged valley passes.
- Sail across the blue waters of Lake Ohrid, one of Europe's oldest lakes. No wonder North Macedonia and Albania share this beautiful attraction – nobody would want to let it go.
- Kososvo is rich in history and contrasts. Step back in time and learn about the infamous Battle of Kosovo on a day trip to the Field of Blackbirds, before embracing the modern culture thriving in Prishtina, Europe’s youngest capital.
- Lose yourself in Tirana, the Albanian capital full of a revitalised urban energy, and partake in the local's favourite pastime: drinking coffee and people-watching.
What's this trip about?
Details
Travel Themes
Destinations
Attractions
Activities
Min Group Size
Max Group Size
Trip includes
- Lake Koman - Private boat ride
- Valbona Valley - Village Tour
- Valbona Valley - Tea House
- Dečani Monastery - UNESCO World Heritage Site
- Rugova Valley - Hike including Lunch
- Gjakova - Sufi Tekke of the Halveti Order
- Gjakova - Hadumi Mosque
- Prizren - Kalaja Fortress Visit
- Kosovo Polje - Field of the Battle of Blackbirds & Tomb of Sultan Murat
- Prishtina - Day Trip
- Gracanica - Gracanica Monastery
- Prishtina - Bear Sanctuary
- Skopje - Matka Canyon visit and Boat Ride
- Ohrid - Lake Ohrid Boat Cruise
Popular Trips
Itinerary
Mire se vini – welcome to Tirana, Albania. If you arrive early, perhaps get your bearings of the city with a walk around town. Tirana is filled with activity, from its traffic to its nightlife, but on its doorstep are mosques, citadels, Ottoman architecture and museum...
This morning head out on a leader-led orientation walk of central Tirana. It’s the capital of Albania and its biggest city, but it's still small and compact, with architectural influences from Italy and Turkey. Visit the Skanderbeg Monument, the mosaic on the National...
Take an early morning transfer to Lake Koman (approximately 1.5 hours), where you'll board a private boat between Koman and Fierza, in the remote north eastern corner of the country, passing through Albanian Alps gorge (approximately 3 hours). Along the way, you'll ha...
Take an excursion deeper into the remote Valbona Valley – complete with green meadows of traditional houses, farmland, and alpine trees. Due to the remoteness of the region and the lack of tourist infrastructure, today's activities will come as a surprise to all of us...
Today you'll cross the border into Kosovo by private vehicle (approximately 2 hours). Tiny Kosovo is Europe’s newest (official) country: a handful of landlocked mountains, poppy-dotted meadows and oak forests smack bang in the middle of the Balkans. The shadow of conf...
After breakfast, you'll be transferred to the village of Drelaj, which is deep in the Rugova Valley and close to the Montenegrin border (approximately 30 minutes). The Rugova Mountains rise to over 2400 metres and were declared a national park in 2013. Drelaj will be ...
Journey to the south of the country today, to Kosovo's second biggest, and arguably its most beautiful, city – Prizren (approximately 1.5 hours). Along the way, you’ll stop by Gjakova to walk to the Sufi Tekke of the Halveti Order (one of the Dervish sects). It is ver...
Today is free to explore the city's sights, after venturing out on an included visit to Prizren's sixth century Kalaja Fortress. This fortress sits proudly on a hilltop above the town and has a 43-step staircase hidden in a tunnel that connects to the river, and gives...
Take a day trip to Prishtina and surrounds. The capital of Kosovo is currently reinventing itself as a major commercial centre in the region, and its historical importance makes it an essential highlight. First head to Kosovo Polje (Field of Blackbirds), which the cou...
Craggy mountain backdrops, time-weathered monasteries, stunning lake panoramas, hearty national cuisine – North Macedonia is jam-packed full of the good stuff. Excellent hiking can be had in the mountain forests, Lake Ohrid’s waters rival the clarity of Croatia’s, and...
Venture out to Matka Canyon – a deep ravine cut into the Suva mountains by the Treska River, 15 kilometres southwest of the city. This area is home to several medieval monasteries, caves, and over 70 species of endemic butterflies. There is the option to explore the c...
Travel by local bus from Skopje to Ohrid, situated on a lake with the same name (approximately 3 hours). Europe’s oldest lake, and one of the oldest human settlements in the world, Lake Ohrid has a wealth of historic sites and religious monuments to discover. Ohrid is...
Take to the lake on a morning cruise on the turquoise waters of Lake Ohrid. The rest of the day is free for you to discover the area. There are many churches and monasteries to visit, but one of the most popular is the Macedonian Orthodox Church of Sveti Jovana Kaneo,...
Say goodbye to the endless, merging blues of lake and sky as you board your private transfer across the border into Albania for your journey back to Tirana (approximately 3 hours). On arrival, your day is then free to explore. Feel the urban energy of this transformin...
There are no activities planned for the final day and you're able to depart the accommodation at any time. If you wish to stay on in Tirana we are able to book additional accommodation for you (subject to availability).
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Dates & Availability
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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.
Intrepid Travel Reviews & Ratings
This is a great trip
This is a great trip and our guide Saimir was awesome! The history of these 3 countries is fascinating and the trip is varied, active and interesting. The mountains ...
This is an excellent trip
This is an excellent trip to get a taste of lesser travelled Balkan countries. There is a good balance between planned activities and free time. The trip is nicely p...
An excellent and most enjoyable trip
An excellent and most enjoyable trip with a wide variety of activities and places to visit. Pack your walking shoes as there are some great opportunities to walk in ...
Discover the beautiful natural countryside
Great way to see and learn about the history and culture of these countries and to discover the beautiful natural countryside. Chance to see some very remote places ...
Scenery is amazing
Trip was even better than I hoped it would be. Scenery is amazing, people are friendly even going out of their way to help, and the food.... Trileche, local cheese d...
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I’ve taken two vacations with Intrepid Travel so far, and I have nothing but positive perspectives about the company. Intrepid Travel has a wide range of itineraries...
The best people and itineraries.
I cannot overstate what an outstanding organization Intrepid has been to deal with. My husband had health issues on our last trip (Spain/Portugal) and they were noth...
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