From Tirana Albanian Highlights - 6 day around Albania

Day 1 · Visit Karvasta Lagoon and Berat

1. 1

   Tirana

   15 min

   Meet with the Tour leader at the meeting point. Introduction of the tour and a short brief about this trip.

   Start your journey to Karavasta Lagoon

2. 2

   Parku Kombetar Divjake-Karavasta

   2 hours Admission included

   Visit Karavasta Lagoon the biggest Lagoon in the Balkans

   Visit the visitor center and learn more about the importance of the Lagoon ecosystem. This place is home to Dalmatian Pelican and Flamingos and if are lucky we can see them

   Boat trip through the lagoon to enjoy the views of birds and different species

3. 3

   Berat

   4 hours

   Transfer Berat one of the most interesting historical sites of Albania

   Meet with the local tour Guide in Berat Castle. The history of the castle dates back to the IV century BC with a surface of 9.6 ha.

   Visit the iconographic museum where you will find the icons of XVI century madden by Onufri one of the greatest painters in Albania

   Stop at the new bridge to click the best pictures of Historical quarters , Mangalem and Gorica

   Free evening to walk in the old town and Pedestrian Street.

Lunch in Berat Castle

Overnight Berat 4* accommodation

Day 2 · Osum Canyon and Bogove Waterfall

1. 1

   Stop 1

   10 min

   Meet with the tour leader in the morning and start your journey to the biggest canyon in Albania

   On the way to the canyons stop in Polican a small town founded during the communist time to produce weapons.

   See the weapon factory from the distance and learn about the past of this town

2. 2

   Osum Canyon (Kanioni i Osumit)

   8 hours Admission included

   Known also as the Albania Grand Canyion is one of the most interesting natural sites of South .

   Visit the Abas Ali foot print a holy site for the Bektashi ( sufi branch of Islam )

   Visit the Canyon Bridge and then if the weather promises swim or explore a part of the canyon

   On the way back to Berat visit Bogove waterfall known as the sleeping pearl of Tomorr National Park

   The journey to the waterfall is very panoramic . A short hike through he stream and the endless forest will take us to the waterfall

   Water is cold even in hot sunny days but we suggest do swim in the cold crystal waters

   Return in Berat

   Free evening

Picnic Lunch

Overnight Berat 4* accommodation

Day 3 · Ancient Apollonia and Gjirokaster

1. 1

   Apollonia Archaeological Park

   2 hours Admission included

   Meet in the morning with the tour leader and start your journey to Apollonia,one of the oldest archaeological sites in Albania.

   Visit its monastery which is built during the XIII century by the Last emperor of the byzantine empire.

   Visit the archaeological museum where you will learn more about the history and social life in Apollonia.

   Walk around the archaeological park to see the ruins of one of the biggest towns of antiquity

2. 2

   Gjirokaster

   3 hours

   Arrival in Gjirokaster known also as the stone city. Famous for its architecture and Bazaar

   Visit it castle rebuild during the byzantine and ottoman era.

   Click the best pictures from the castle and then a walk in the old bazaar where locals are selling different souvenirs

   Visit the Ethnographic museum to learn more about Albanian lifestyle during the XVIII century

   Free evening to enjoy Gjirokastra by night

Overnight in Gjirokaster 4* accommodation

Day 4 · Blue Eye - Butrint - Ksamil and Sarande

1. 1

   The Blue Eye

   30 min Admission included

   Meet with the tour leader in the morning and start your journey to the southeast city of Albania

   On our way stop in Blue eye - one of the biggest natural sites in south Albania. Famous for its turquoise waters and natural surroundings

   Walkthrough the park and see the water source of Blue Eye

2. 2

   Butrint National Park

   2 hours Admission included

   Transfer to Butrint one of the most interesting natural and archaeological sites of Albania. Surrounded by Butrint Lake and the Ionian sea this is one of the most panoramic spots of Albania

   Meet the local tour guide to understand more about the history and the importance of Butrint

3. 3

   Ksamil

   2 hours

   Transfer to Ksamil a small coastal village known for its islands and the white sandy beach

   Stop for a cafe with a view of the islands and if the weather is fine to swim in the crystal waters of Ionian.

4. 4

   Saranda

   2 hours

   Transfer to Sarande

   Walk-in its pedestrian street to enjoy the view of the city and the Ionian sea. Many locals sell souvenirs at the pedestrian street

   Free evening to enjoy Sarande by night

Overnight Sarande 4* accommodation

Day 5 · Albanian Coast and Vlore

1. 1

   Qeparo

   2 hours

   Meet with the tour leader in the morning and start your journey through the Albanian Riviera.

   This is known as one of the most beautiful drives in Albania as we all be accompanied by the views of the Ionian Coast

   Visit Qeparo upper village build on top of a cliff.

   See its houses built during the XVIII century

2. 2

   Porto Palermo

   one hour

   Transfer to Porto Palermo Castle build by Ali Pashe Tepelna

   Walk inside the castle walls and enjoy the views from the roof

   Learn more about the history of Ali Pashe Tepelena

   A nice beach is located close to the castle if the weather is warmer then you can take your time to swim and relax

3. 3

   Llogara Pass

   one hour Admission included

   Drive through Llogara pass which is 1080 me above sea level

   Stop at the viewpoint to see the views of the mountain and Llogara National park

4. 4

   Vlore

   3 hours

   Transfer to Vlore known as the city of the independence

   Free evening to enjoy the beauty of Vlora

Overnight Vlore 4* accommodation

Day 6 · Zvernec Island - Ardenica Monastery - Tirane

1. 1

   St. Mary's Monastery

   2 hours Admission included

   Meet with the tour leader in the morning and transfer to Zvernec Island

   Located in Narta lagoon this island offers fantastic views. Recently the lagoon became the home of many flamingos and other birds

   Visit the island and the monastery

2. 2

   Ardenica Monastery

   2 hours Admission included

   Transfer to Ardenica monastery one of the most important religious centers in Albania during XVIII century

   Visit the monastery and the church

   Lunch in an small restaurant

   Opportunity for a wine tasting tour to a winery located close to the monastery

   Depart in Tirane

   Drop off

Lunch in Ardenica