Highlights of Albania and Northern Greece

Welcome to Tirana, Albania! Upon arrival, your driver will meet you at Mother Teresa Airport for a comfortable 1-hour transfer to your hotel in downtown Tirana. Take time to settle in and relax after your travels. In the afternoon, join your guide at the hotel for a welcome meeting to go over your journey in detail so that you are fully prepared for the days ahead. In the evening, explore the lively Blloku district, once restricted to Albania’s elite, now a bustling hub of trendy bars and cafes.

Travel Time: 1 hour to 1.5 hours (Airport to Tirana)

Enjoy a leisurely breakfast in the morning before departing for Ohrid, North Macedonia, around 10 AM. After settling into your lodging and having lunch at the hotel, meet your guide for an afternoon city tour. Explore the historic Church of St. Sofia with its Byzantine frescoes and visit St. Clément’s Church. Continue to Tzar Samuel’s fortifications, the ancient theater, Plaošnik's Byzantine mosaics, and the lakeside St. Kanoe Church. End the day with dinner at a traditional lakeside restaurant. Conclude the day with accommodation in Ohrid.

Travel Time: 2.5 Hours (Tirana to Ohrid)

After breakfast, spend the first part of your day kayaking on Ohrid Lake's pristine waters. Enjoy refreshing swim stops and admire one of the world’s oldest lakes and the deepest lake in the Balkans. Enjoy lunch at a restaurant, and afterward, visit the scenic Sveti Naum Monastery, founded in 905, which offers panoramic views of the lake. Cross the border into Albania and head to Korça for dinner and overnight accommodation.

Travel Time: 30 Minutes (Transfer from Ohrid to starting point of the hike)
Travel Time: 1.5 Hours (Transfer from the ending point of the hike to Korça. This includes border crossing.)

In the event that weather conditions prevent kayaking, Galichica National Park will be used for a picturesque hike. After a short transfer, follow a well-marked trail to ascend Magaro Peak. Enjoy the panoramic views before descending and returning to the vehicle for your journey back to Tirana.

Explore Korca, a historic city on the slopes of Morava Mountain at 2,940 ft (896 m). Visit the National Museum of Medieval Art, home to thousands of religious and cultural objects, then walk through the traditional market and visit the Cathedral of Christ Resurrection. After the tour, cross into northern Greece and travel through mountain passes, forests, and villages toward the Pindus Mountains.

Stop for lunch with a local family and enjoy a home-cooked meal prepared with ingredients from the garden. Continue to Monodendri with scenic stops along the way. After a 3.5-hour transfer, including the border crossing, settle into the hotel and explore the village square and traditional tavernas.

Travel Time: 3.5 Hours (Transfer from Korca to Monodendri)

Hike through the breathtaking Vikos Canyon in the center of the Pindus Mountains for two days. Explore Zagoria’s dramatic landscape of towering peaks, river gorges, and dense forests. Discover the charm of its 46 traditional villages, connected by scenic mountain roads and historic arched bridges, while enjoying a packed lunch in beautiful scenery. Prepare for an unforgettable day immersed in nature’s beauty.

Hike through Vikos Canyon, the world’s second-deepest gorge. Stretching 12.4 miles with cliffs rising 400 to 1600 feet, the canyon’s limestone and dolomite layers tell a story millions of years old. The trail offers mostly easy terrain with a few challenging sections. Starting from Monodendri and ending in Vikos village, this adventure rewards you with breathtaking views of untouched landscapes.

Ascend: 1,463 feet (456 meters)
Descend: 2,382 feet (726 meters)
Distance: 9.2 Miles (14.6 Km)
Hiking Time: 6 Hours
Travel Time: 45 Minutes (Transfer from the ending point of the hike to Monodendri)
Alpine Hiking Scale: T3 - Difficult Mountain Hiking
Paths and Terrain: Paths are not always visible, but some are exposed. Partially exposed sections with the risk of slipping, gravel, or unexpected changes in path and terrain.
Hiking Requirements: Previous mountain hiking experience and competent agility are needed. High-quality hiking boots are essential. 

This morning, take a short transfer to the trailhead and set out on a scenic hike along the crystal-clear Voidomatis River, winding through the beautiful Voidomatis Gorge. Pass ancient plane trees, hidden caves once used by monks, and the historic Agioi Anargyroi Monastery. Your walk concludes at the iconic stone bridge of Klidonia, where you can take a refreshing dip in the river if you’re feeling brave. Enjoy a packed lunch before returning to Gjirokastra, Albania, for the evening.

Ascend: 230 feet (71 meters)
Descend: 360 feet (110 meters)
Distance: 3.6 Miles (5.79 Km)
Hiking Time: 2 Hours
Travel Time: 50 Minutes (Starting point of the hike)
Travel Time: 1.15 Hours (Transfer from the ending point of the hike to Gjirokastra)
Alpine Hiking Scale: T3 - Difficult Mountain Hiking
Paths and Terrain: Paths are not always visible, but some are exposed. Partially exposed sections with the risk of slipping, gravel, or unexpected changes in path and terrain.
Hiking Requirements: Previous mountain hiking experience and competent agility are needed. High-quality hiking boots are essential. 

Start the day with a scenic 40-minute transfer from Gjirokaster to Labove e Kryqit, where a visit to the Church of the Dormition of the Virgin introduces one of the Balkans’ important Byzantine monuments. Follow an old pastoral trail through open meadows on a 4.3-mile (7 km) hike, gaining 660 ft (200 m) and descending 820 ft (250 m) over about two hours.

Finish in Libohove with a hands-on cooking experience at a local farm, using fresh ingredients from the garden before sharing lunch with the hosts. Return to Gjirokaster for a guided 1.5-mile (2.4 km) city tour through cobbled lanes and Ottoman-era neighborhoods. Explore Gjirokaster Castle, take in sweeping valley views, and visit a historic house museum before browsing local crafts and enjoying dinner in the atmospheric Old Town.

Ascend: 660 feet (201 meters)
Descend: 820 feet (249 meters)
Distance: 4.3 Miles (6.96 Km)
Hiking Time: 2 Hours
Travel Time: 40 Minutes (Starting point of the hike)
Travel Time: 25 Minutes (Local farm in Libohove to Hotel)
Alpine Hiking Scale: T2 - Mountain Hiking
Paths and Terrain: Paths with continuous track beds. Sometimes steep terrain, a slight risk of rockfall, and slipping on feet.
Hiking Requirements: Competent, agile, and with quality hiking shoes.

After breakfast, enjoy a 3-hour drive to Tirana. Settle into your hotel and have a relaxed lunch before exploring the city. Start at Skanderbeg Square, the vibrant heart of Tirana, surrounded by landmarks like the National History Museum, Et’hem Bey Mosque, and the Clock Tower. The square’s colorful stones represent regions from across Albania. Stroll through the bustling streets, where historic Ottoman, Italian, and communist influences meet the city’s modern vibe.

In the afternoon, visit Bunk’Art, a vast underground bunker built in the 1970s to shelter Albania’s leaders from nuclear threats. Today, it is a strong museum with immersive exhibits that make history come to life. Later, stroll to the Castle of Tirana, a former Byzantine fortress turned Ottoman stronghold. Today, a bustling center of cafes, stores, and eateries is encircled by its historic walls. End the day with dinner in this historic setting before settling in for the night.

Travel Time: 3.5 Hours (Gjirokastra to Tirana)

This morning, enjoy a 1-hour transfer to the airport for your departure, marking the end of your unforgettable journey through Albania’s rich history, vibrant culture, and breathtaking landscapes.

Travel Time: 1 hour to 1.5 hours (Hotel in Tirana to Airport)