CTCo-TravelAlbania

Albanian Alps · 10 days

Highlights of Albania

Culture, mountains and the first true sense of the country.

Duration

10 days / 9 nights

Destination

Albanian Alps, Tirana, Shkodra, Berat, Gjirokastër, Albanian Riviera

Travel style

Culture, Nature, Hiking

Difficulty

Easy / Moderate

Group size

4–16

Tour format

Guided, Small Group, Private, Customisable

Languages

English

Accommodation

A mix of 4-star hotels and selected mountain guesthouses.

Transport

Private air-conditioned vehicle and the Koman ferry.

Meals

Daily breakfast; selected lunches and welcome/farewell dinners.

Overview

This is the itinerary we recommend when someone wants Albania in a single, well-paced journey. You move from the Alps to stone cities and finish with the sea — without rushing the days that deserve to be slow. Nights are in characterful hotels and guesthouses. Days mix walking, driving and time in towns. A certified guide stays with the group.
Designed for first-time visitors who want depth, not a checklist.

Highlights

  • Valbona and Theth

    Sleep in the Alps and walk the legendary connecting trail.

  • Koman ferry

    Cross the flooded gorge that many travellers remember most.

  • Berat and Gjirokastër

    Two UNESCO towns, two very different kinds of stone.

  • Ionian coast

    Finish with swimming days on the Riviera.

Itinerary

Meet your driver at Tirana Airport, settle into the city and take an easy first walk around Skanderbeg Square if time allows.

Location: Tirana

Stay: Hotel in Tirana

Meals: Dinner

Tirana → Shkodër → Valbona → Theth → Tirana → Berat → Gjirokastër → Sarandë → Sarandë → Tirana

Route

Included

  • · Airport pick-up and drop-off
  • · All land transfers and the Koman ferry
  • · 9 nights’ accommodation
  • · Daily breakfast
  • · Entrance fees as per programme
  • · Professional certified guide

Not included

  • · International flights
  • · Travel insurance
  • · Lunches and drinks unless stated
  • · Personal expenses and tips

Is this trip for me?

Activity level

Balanced. One full hiking day; otherwise moderate walking in towns and sites.

Travel pace

Moving most days, with time to settle in each place.

Accommodation

Comfortable, locally rooted, never generic resorts.

Group style

Small group or private departure.

Best for

Curious travellers seeing Albania for the first time.

Before you go

What to pack

Walking shoes, layers, swimwear, a modest cover-up for religious sites.

Fitness

Ability to walk 6–8 hours on the mountain day, with rest stops.

Weather

Hot on the coast in summer; cooler nights in the Alps.

Travel insurance

Comprehensive travel insurance is strongly recommended and not included.

Visa / passport

Most EU and many other nationalities enter visa-free. Passport should be valid 6 months.

Meeting point

Tirana International Airport Nënë Tereza.

Private tours

This itinerary can be run privately for couples, families and small groups, with the pace adjusted.

Self-guided option

A self-drive version is available on request, with remote support and booked stays.

FAQ

Is a request the same as a confirmed booking?

No. You send a request; we confirm availability and details with you before anything is reserved.

Do you offer private and self-guided versions of the same tour?

In most cases, yes. Tell us how you like to travel and we will advise what is realistic for the route and season.

Related tours

Related guides

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Suggested Itinerary

First time in Albania: an 8-day suggested itinerary

A balanced first journey: a city, a UNESCO town, a taste of the Alps or the coast — depending on the season.

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Albanian Alps ridgeline

Travel Guide

Hiking the Valbona–Theth trail: A journey through the heart of the Albanian Alps

How the famous alpine crossing actually feels — and how to do it without turning the logistics into the story.

8 min read

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