Original
Explorer
Kosovo, Albania & Macedonia Explorer
15 days • 5
5
Excellent
circle74 reviews
location_on 15 days
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Start
Tirana, Albania
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Finish
Tirana, Albania
tour
Trip Code
ZMSX
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Min Age
15
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Trip Size
1 - 12
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Physical Rating
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Meals
14 breakfasts, 1 lunch, 2 dinners
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Transport
Public bus, Private vehicle, Boat, Taxi
bed
Accommodation
Hotel (10 nights), Guesthouse (4 nights)
From £2,099(15 days)
Trip Informations
Why you’ll love this trip
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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.
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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.
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Sail across the blue waters of Lake Ohrid – one of Europe's oldest lakes. No wonder North Macedonia and Albania share this beautiful attraction!
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Step back in time and learn about the infamous Battle of Kosovo on a daytrip to the Field of Blackbirds, before embracing the modern culture in Prishtina – Europe’s youngest capital.
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Lose yourself in the Albanian capital of Tirana, full of revitalised urban energy, and join the locals for a coffee and some people-watching.
Is this trip right for you?
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Weather in this part of Europe can be unpredictable. Summer temperatures can be extreme in many of the regions visited (over 40°C), which can be uncomfortable. It’s important to use sun protection, wear layers to combat the heat and drink plenty of water. On the other hand, the weather in the mountains can be cold and wet throughout the year. Please carefully consider the time of the year you wish to travel and your suitability to that season.
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Hotels in Europe often don't have double beds, but rather two single beds that can be pushed together.
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On this trip, you must pack as lightly as possible because you’ll be expected to carry your own bag, and although you won't be required to walk long distances with your luggage (max 30 minutes), we strongly recommend keeping the weight under 15 kg (33 lb). Most travellers carry their luggage in a backpack, although an overnight bag with a shoulder strap would suffice if you travel lightly. Smaller bags or backpacks with wheels are convenient although we recommend your bag has carry straps to accommodate the cobbled streets, uneven surfaces, stairs and steps you are likely to encounter while carrying your luggage. You'll also need a day pack/bag.
Itinerary
Travel through the valleys, towns and mountainscapes of Albania, Kosovo and North Macedonia
It’s hard to find a patch of Europe as secluded as this one – among the rugged mountains and green fields of Albania, Kosovo and North Macedonia, you’ll find shepherds, monasteries, lakes, valleys and Byzantine churches. Lacking in tourist crowds, it’s taken decades for the Balkans to wipe away memories of conflict and Communism, but (amazingly) they’ve emerged strong and smiling. From cool cafes in Skopje and the soft shores of Lake Ohrid to the mosques of picture-perfect Prizren, this 15-day adventure showcases Balkan beauty at its very best.
- DAY 1Day 1 • Tirana
- DAY 2Day 2 • Tirana / Shkoder
- DAY 3Day 3 • Lake Koman / Valbona Valley
- DAY 4Day 4 • Valbona Valley
- DAY 5Day 5 • Peja
- DAY 6Day 6 • Rugova Valley / Peja
- DAY 7Day 7 • Gjakova / Prizren
- DAY 8Day 8 • Prizren
- DAY 9Day 9 • Prishtina / Prizren
- DAY 10Day 10 • Skopje
- DAY 11Day 11 • Matka Canyon / Skopje
- DAY 12Day 12 • Lake Ohrid
- DAY 13Day 13 • Lake Ohrid
- DAY 14Day 14 • Tirana
- DAY 15Day 15 • Tirana
Inclusions
restaurant_menu Meals
14 breakfasts, 1 lunch, 2 dinners
airport_shuttle Transport
Public bus, Private vehicle, Boat, Taxi
bed Accommodation
Hotel (10 nights), Guesthouse (4 nights)
festival Included activities
circleLake Koman - Private boat ride
circleValbona Valley - Village Tour
circleValbona Valley - Tea House
circleDečani Monastery - UNESCO World Heritage Site
circleRugova Valley - Hike including Lunch
circleGjakova - Sufi Tekke of the Halveti Order
circleGjakova - Hadumi Mosque
circlePrizren - Kalaja Fortress Visit
circleKosovo Polje - Field of the Battle of Blackbirds & Tomb of Sultan Murat
circlePrishtina - Day Trip
circleGracanica - Gracanica Monastery
circlePrishtina - Bear Sanctuary
circleSkopje - Matka Canyon visit and Boat Ride
circleOhrid - Lake Ohrid Boat Cruise
museum Optional activities
circleTirana - Sky Tower - ALL400
circleTirana - National History Museum - ALL700
circleTirana - National Art Gallery - ALL200
circleTirana - Bunk'Art Gallery - ALL500
circleTirana - Dajti Mountain Cable Car - ALL1000
circleShkoder - Rozafa Castle - ALL400
circlePrizren - House of the Albanian League of Prizren - EUR1
circlePrizren - Church of Our Lady of Ljevis - EUR3
circlePrizren - Church of the Holy Saviour - EUR2
circlePrizren - Sinan Pasha Mosque - Free
circlePrizren - Halveti’s Tekke - Free
circlePrishtina - Ethnographic Museum - Free
circlePrishtina - Sultan Fatih Mosque - Free
circlePrishtina - Kosovo Museum - EUR2
circleSkopje - Mount Vodno Cable Car to Millennium Cross - MKD120
circleSkopje - Kale Fortress - Free
circleSkopje - Holocaust Memorial Centre - MKD300
circleSkopje - Daut Pasha Hammam - MKD60
circleSkopje - City Museum - Free
circleSkopje - Archaeological Museum - MKD300
circleMatka Canyon - Boat Ride - MKD400
circleOhrid - Robev Family House National Museum - MKD150
circleOhrid - St Jovan Church - MKD150
circleKruja - Day Trip - ALL900
circleKruja - Skanderbeg Museum - ALL500
Dates and availability
Starting
Ending
Remaining
Prices From
Saturday May 31, 2025
Saturday Jun 14, 2025
Trip size max: 12 - Sold Out
Saturday Jun 07, 2025
Saturday Jun 21, 2025
Trip size max: 12 - Sold Out
Saturday Jun 14, 2025
Saturday Jun 28, 2025
Trip size max: 12 - Sold Out
Saturday Jun 21, 2025
Saturday Jul 05, 2025
Trip size max: 12 - 7 spaces left
£2,624£2,099
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Wednesday Jun 25, 2025
Wednesday Jul 09, 2025
Trip size max: 12 - 12 spaces left
£2,624
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Saturday Jun 28, 2025
Saturday Jul 12, 2025
Trip size max: 12 - 9 spaces left
£2,624£2,099
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Saturday Jul 05, 2025
Saturday Jul 19, 2025
Trip size max: 12 - 12 spaces left
£2,624
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Saturday Jul 12, 2025
Saturday Jul 26, 2025
Trip size max: 12 - 7 spaces left
£2,624£2,099
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Saturday Jul 26, 2025
Saturday Aug 09, 2025
Trip size max: 12 - 7 spaces left
£2,624£2,099
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Saturday Aug 02, 2025
Saturday Aug 16, 2025
Trip size max: 12 - 8 spaces left
£2,624£2,099
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Saturday Aug 09, 2025
Saturday Aug 23, 2025
Trip size max: 12 - 12 spaces left
£2,624
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Saturday Aug 23, 2025
Saturday Sep 06, 2025
Trip size max: 12 - 10 spaces left
£2,728£2,182
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Saturday Aug 30, 2025
Saturday Sep 13, 2025
Trip size max: 12 - 12 spaces left
£2,728
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Wednesday Sep 03, 2025
Wednesday Sep 17, 2025
Trip size max: 12 - 7 spaces left
£2,750£2,475
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Saturday Sep 06, 2025
Saturday Sep 20, 2025
Trip size max: 12 - 7 spaces left
£2,789£2,510
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Important notes
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1. A single supplement is bookable for this trip, excluding Days 3&4. Availability is limited due to small property we use. Please speak to your booking agent for further information.
Reviews (75)
5 stars
71
4 stars
4
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Stephen
May 17, 2025
I found this trip gave a good insight into this area of the Balkans.
Our guide's, Artedi, enthusiasm for and knowledge of this area greatly enhanced the experience. I certainly would this trip recommend.
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Frances
May 17, 2025
A very well organised trip showing the highlights of these three countries. Arted was extremely knowledgeable and the small group size made for an excellent trip with like minded travellers. Boat trip and wine tasting were highlights.
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Jess
May 06, 2025
This trip is a great mix of cities and countryside/mountains/culture. I learnt a lot about the region and it's history. Great tour if you want to gain more insight into Kosovo. Well paced to the point that extra nights in Tirana probably aren't even needed if you are in a hurry! Had an excellent time!
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Alan
May 04, 2025
An excellent trip covering countries that are less visited. The organisation and skill level of the trip leader was excellent. Some introductions to local foods added to the experience.
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Georgia
May 04, 2025
A fantastic trip to better understand the complex Balkan history, politics and geography AND enjoy the absolute underrated beauty of this regions nature! Would recommend to all travellers who like to get off the beaten track!
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Antonio
Oct 23, 2024
I loved the places we visited and I would highly recommend it to everyone who hasn't been yet to this part of the world as it's quite special and it would be a great opportunity to break some stereotypes people might have about the region.
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Kevin
Oct 22, 2024
Kosovo Plus was my 9th tour with Intrepid since 2019. They have all exceeded expectations of what I have experienced in over a dozen countries.
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Lynn
Oct 20, 2024
Well paced trip to countries fairly new to tourism. Highlights were our time in the mountains of Albania and Kosovo. Our tour leader Dusan's experience helped make it an epic adventure!
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Nora
Oct 17, 2024
This is a really excellent trip through a part of Europe that is off the beaten track (although not for much longer). We had opportunities to meet so many interesting people and to listen to different views and experiences and to see some fascinating cities. The countries visited are also beautiful and the included hikes, while relatively easy, were worthwhile. Food was great, plenty of good beer and wine. Overall, highly recommended.
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Helen
Sep 16, 2024
This trip is a nice taste of the three countries. My highlights were the boat trip on Lake Koman, exploring the brutalist architecture of Skopje and swimming off the boat at Lake Ohrid.
Exploring some of the archeological sites in Kosovo with our tour leader Arted (an archeologist!) was a real treat too.