Kosovo, Albania & Macedonia Explorer

Mire se vini! Welcome to Albania. Your adventure begins in the progressive capital city of Tirana with a welcome meeting at 6 pm. If you arrive early, perhaps get your bearings 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 museums. After the meeting tonight, maybe head out for dinner with your group and get to know each other.

This morning, head out on a leader-led orientation walk of central Tirana. See the architectural influences from Italy and Turkey, and visit the Skanderbeg Monument, the mosaic on the National History Museum and the Palace of Culture. At the Et'hem Bey Mosque, which sits right on the city's main square, you can see the frescoes and portico that depict trees, waterfalls and bridges. After lunch, take a local bus to Shkoder – one of the oldest cities in Europe. When you arrive, head out on a short walk along the Pjaca (the main street), lined with 19th-century architecture and dominated by Ebu Beker Mosque. Later in the afternoon, why not head north of the city to visit the Venetian era Rozafa Castle, set high on a mountain with panoramic views of the Albanian countryside.

Take an early-morning drive to Lake Koman, where you'll board a private boat between Koman and Fierza, in the remote northeastern corner of the country. Passing through the gorge of the Albanian Alps, you’ll stop for refreshments and a swim along the way. Take in the scenery of cliff walls on both sides of the narrow lake – these mountains that surround the lake can reach over 1700 m (5577 ft) and are almost uninhabited. This is one of the most beautiful boat rides you will ever take – think emerald waters, green vegetation and bright, white cliffs. Arrive in Fierza, where you'll be transferred to your guesthouse in Valbona Valley and tuck into your homecooked dinner.

Today, go deeper into the remote Valbona Valley and explore the green meadows dotted with traditional houses, farmlands 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, including your leader! You may go for a hike in the surrounding mountains, walking through wide valleys and thick forests, or you might simply hang out in the village with the locals. One of the best things about Albania is the people – their warmth to strangers is infectious and you're bound to find yourself having a chat and swapping stories over a glass of raki or two. This is a great place to discover the history of Albania from the people who have lived through it, and to learn about the local way of life.

Today, you'll cross the border into Kosovo by private vehicle. Tiny, young Kosovo is home to a handful of landlocked mountains, poppy-filled meadows and oak forests in the middle of the Balkans. The shadow of conflict in the late 1990s has kept Kosovo off traveller's radars but today, you’ll feel the shadow lifting. See the Decani Monastery – a place of artistic heritage, but whose symbolic significance as a Serbian Orthodox cultural monument unfortunately makes it vulnerable to destruction. Continue to Peja (Pec in Serbian) – the gateway to the Rugova Mountains and a major agricultural centre. Visit the beautifully restored Peja Bazaar, dating back to Ottoman times, and the Bajrakli Mosque. Having been destroyed twice in the last 80 years, the bazaar was fully rebuilt after the Kosovo War and is one of the many protected monuments in Kosovo.

After breakfast, head to the village of Drelaj, deep in the Rugova Valley – your base for your guided hike today. The Rugova Mountains rise over 2400 m (7874 ft) and were declared a national park in 2013. The valley is often compared to Switzerland, and you’ll see why at the foot of Hjala mountain, surrounded by tall grass pastures, wildflowers, simple wooden shacks and the sounds of cow bells drifting through the valley. After the hike, rest and refuel with lunch in a local family home. Then, head back to the hotel in the early evening and perhaps try the local Birra Peja, a pilsner-style ale brewed here in town and known for using local spring water.

Journey south today, to Kosovo's second-biggest (and arguably its most beautiful) city – Prizren. Along the way, stop by Gjakova to walk to the Sufi Tekke of the Halveti Order (one of the Dervish sects). Inside the tekke, there are graves of all the previous shehs since 1600, when the order was established. After, walk along the Carshia (main street) and stop at the Mosque of Hadumi. If you’re lucky, the main Imam of Gjakova will speak to you and give an Albanian interpretation of Islamic dogmas (principles), with plenty of time for questions. Later, head to Prizren, stopping at a restaurant on the Drini River along the way. When you arrive, you’ll head out an orientation walk along the Bistrica River, exploring the city’s famous mosques and abandoned Serbian Orthodox churches.

Today you’ll visit Prizren's 6th-century Kalaja Fortress, which sits on a hilltop above the town. Ascend the hidden 43-step staircase for incredible views over the city, then have a free day to explore at your own pace. Maybe visit the House of the Albanian League of Prizren, where in 1878 the Assembly of Prizren gathered to consolidate Albanian leaders to unite and protect the country against foreign threats. Perhaps walk upstream along the Bistrica River, where you might meet locals tending to their flocks of sheep. Or get your group together and hire a minibus to go for a wine tasting in the vineyards of Rahovec – this region is known as the culinary heart of Prizen, so there are plenty of wineries and restaurants to explore.

Take a day trip to Pristina – the capital of Kosovo – where you’ll first visit Kosovo Polje (Field of Blackbirds), for which the country is named. There’s a memorial here that commemorates the important 1389 battle of Kosovo – a skirmish that led to the Ottoman Empire finally taking control of this area of the Balkans. Nearby is the tomb of Sultan Murat, leader of the Ottoman Empire in the 14th century. Visit the UNESCO World Heritage-listed Gracanica Monastery, then the afternoon is free to explore as you wish. Maybe visit the Ethnographic Museum, the Sultan Fatih Mosque or the Kosovo Museum. Or, check out the Newborn Monument, which was unveiled on the day Kosovo declared its independence in 2008. After exploring the city, head to the nearby bear sanctuary – an expansive area of woodland and home for rescued dancing bears. Head back to Prizren, where you’ll spend the night.

Today you'll head to North Macedonia – full of scenic mountain backdrops, time-weathered monasteries and lake panoramas. When you arrive, take an orientation walk past Byzantine domes, Turkish baths and the newly built Neoclassical buildings. After, wander past the mosques, caravanserais and hammams that fill these winding streets – a testament to Skopje’s Ottoman past. After, maybe visit the Daut Pasha Hammam or journey through the humbling Holocaust Museum to learn how Macedonia suffered during this tragic chapter of history.

Venture out to Matka Canyon today. This deep ravine is cut into the Suva Mountains by the Treska Riverand the area is home to several medieval monasteries, caves and over 70 species of endemic butterflies. When you arrive, you have the option to explore the canyon by boat. Alternatively, you can take one of the many nature walks in the canyon or up to tracks that hug the ridge above the valley. Return to Skopje, where the rest of the day is free. Maybe take the Mount Vodno cable car to Millennium Cross, get lost in the narrow lanes of Carsija or cross the stone bridge over the Vardar River. For dinner this evening, you could head to the Old Bazaar or the restaurants in the Debar Maalo area.

After breakfast, take a local bus to Ohrid, which sits on a lake with the same name. 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. The town is said to have once been home to 365 churches, one for each day of the year, earning it the nickname ‘the Macedonian Jerusalem’ – historical excavations here date back to Neolithic times. Despite being a UNESCO World Heritage site for over 30 years, the town remains under the radar of most travellers. Get your bearings on an orientation walk, then maybe go hunting for a bargain in the Old Bazaar.

Take to the lake on a morning cruise on Lake Ohrid. Then, the rest of the day is free for you to discover the area at your own pace. There are many churches and monasteries to visit, but one of the most popular is the Macedonian Orthodox Church of Sveti Jovana Kaneo – sitting on a rocky outcrop above the town and overlooking the lake. Past the church, you can wander around the back of town, exploring the old walls and fortress. The Sveti Naum Monastery is also a great option, lying on the shores of the lake south of town, with well-kept grounds that are home to peacocks. The ancient Tsar Samoil’s fortress stands on the top of Ohrid Hill – just below it, a 2000-year-old Roman theatre was uncovered near the Upper Gate and is still used for summer concerts and performances.

Say goodbye to the endless blues of the lake as you head across the border into Albania for your journey back to Tirana. When you arrive, the day is free to explore. Maybe take the cable car up Dajti Mountain for a breathtaking view of the city below. Tonight, perhaps join your group for dinner and head to Blloku (the Block) – once the domain of the Communist party’s inner circle and now home to cafes, restaurants and boutique bars. For something a little more traditional, you could head to an old house restaurant, where the menus are filled with local Albanian recipes.

There are no activities planned for the today, and you can depart the accommodation at any time. If you wish to extend your stay in Tirana, just get in touch with your booking agent ahead of time.