Original
Explorer
Kosovo, Albania & Macedonia Explorer
15 days • 5
5
Excellent
74 reviews
15 days
Start
Tirana, Albania
Finish
Tirana, Albania
Trip Code
ZMSX
Min Age
15
Trip Size
1 - 12
Physical Rating
Meals
14 breakfasts, 1 lunch, 2 dinners
Transport
Public bus, Private vehicle, Boat, Taxi
Accommodation
Hotel (10 nights), Guesthouse (4 nights)
From £2,099(15 days)
Trip Informations
Why you’ll love this trip
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!
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.
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?
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.
Hotels in Europe often don't have double beds, but rather two single beds that can be pushed together.
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.
Inclusions
Meals
14 breakfasts, 1 lunch, 2 dinners
Transport
Public bus, Private vehicle, Boat, Taxi
Accommodation
Hotel (10 nights), Guesthouse (4 nights)
Included activities
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
Optional activities
Tirana - Sky Tower - ALL400
Tirana - National History Museum - ALL700
Tirana - National Art Gallery - ALL200
Tirana - Bunk'Art Gallery - ALL500
Tirana - Dajti Mountain Cable Car - ALL1000
Shkoder - Rozafa Castle - ALL400
Prizren - House of the Albanian League of Prizren - EUR1
Prizren - Church of Our Lady of Ljevis - EUR3
Prizren - Church of the Holy Saviour - EUR2
Prizren - Sinan Pasha Mosque - Free
Prizren - Halveti’s Tekke - Free
Prishtina - Ethnographic Museum - Free
Prishtina - Sultan Fatih Mosque - Free
Prishtina - Kosovo Museum - EUR2
Skopje - Mount Vodno Cable Car to Millennium Cross - MKD120
Skopje - Kale Fortress - Free
Skopje - Holocaust Memorial Centre - MKD300
Skopje - Daut Pasha Hammam - MKD60
Skopje - City Museum - Free
Skopje - Archaeological Museum - MKD300
Matka Canyon - Boat Ride - MKD400
Ohrid - Robev Family House National Museum - MKD150
Ohrid - St Jovan Church - MKD150
Kruja - Day Trip - ALL900
Kruja - Skanderbeg Museum - ALL500
Dates and availability
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Important notes
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
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.
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.
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!
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.
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!
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.
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.
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!
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.
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.
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