South Albania Experience - 9 Day Trip

Morning! Our first full day in Albania will be spent exploring Tirana and learning about the city's history. We'll tick off the Clock Tower, the New Bazaar (Pazari i Ri), Enver Hoxha’s Pyramid and the Government building. After a busy morning, you'll have the afternoon to spend as you like. We'll meet in the evening for some dinner and drinks, and we'll find a great spot to watch the sunset, of course!

Ready for a day of culture and Kayaking in Berat? We’ll take a morning drive via the scenic Belshi Lakes, with a quick photo stop to capture that perfect Insta shot. Once in Berat, we’ll head out for an awesome afternoon kayaking the Osumi Canyon! This guided kayaking tour takes us along the stunning Osumi River, taking in the canyon’s dramatic rock formations, waterfalls, and scenery. In the later part of the afternoon, we'll wander through the 1001 windows neighbourhoods of Mangalem and Gorica.

Today has stunning views, UNESCO sites, cobbled streets and more. We'll start the day by heading to Memaliaj, a small town with 10/10 views. Then we'll drive on towards Gjirokastra (aka the City of Stone) The buildings in this city are from the Ottoman era, and the whole place has the epic backdrop of the steep slopes of the Drino Valley. This afternoon is yours to spend as you wish; your guide will have plenty of options for you to choose from!

Are you ready for something completely different today? Today we're going to see one of the most beautiful spots in the south. Albania is famous for its Blue Eyes, and this morning we're going for a hike up to one of them. The hike is stunning, it's not too hard, don't worry, and we'll stop along the way to soak in the amazing views. The Blue Eye pools are so stunning. Afterwards, we’ll head back down to Sarandë Beach and watch the sunset from the Ionian Sea. This area is like the "Albanian Mykonos", so we'll go out for some drinks and see where the night takes us!

This morning is a history lover’s dream. After breakfast, we’re heading out to the unreal Butrint Archaeological Park, a UNESCO World Heritage Site that’s been wowing people since the 7th century BC. Think epic ancient ruins, wandering through the Acropolis, old fortifications, a theatre and Roman remains. After soaking it all in, we'll head towards Ksamil Beach and explore some of the beach clubs. We'll have time to relax, have a cocktail and enjoy being by the sea!

Today is all about jaw-dropping coastal views. We'll hit the road for a seriously scenic drive along the Albanian Riviera, with plenty of photo stops because trust us… You’ll want them. We’ll stretch our legs with a morning hike up to Qeparo Old Village, soaking up epic views. From here on a clear day, you can even see Corfu! In the afternoon, we'll drive towards Himarë and head out on an island-hopping boat trip! We'll stop by Pigeon's Cave, Crystal Bay, Gjipe Beach, and the stunning Pirate's Cave. This is the best way to explore all the hotspots and hidden gems nearby. Afterwards, we'll head back to dry land and spend our evening watching the sun set from one of Albania's famous beach bars.

Our final full day in Albania starts with a drive through the stunning southern coastline, travelling along the Llogara Pass. Then it’s time for something tru-ly local. On Tru tours, we love learning about different cultures, a Tragjas Shepherd Experience. We'll hike up to the ruins of Old Tragjas, meet our hosts for the day, Shepards Sofo and Dhurata. Once we are here, we'll learn all about their goats and their farming practices. After soaking up all that authenticity, we head back on the road and make our way towards Tirana. We'll spend our final evening reminiscing about the trip, sharing our favourite memories and planning when we'll see each other next!

It's checkout day! It's time to pack your bags, hug all your new friends goodbye and plan your reunion. What an amazing week it's been!