Shortstay Albanian Nature Explorer with Day Trips

Shortstay Albanian Nature Explorer with Day Trips

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Shortstay Albanian Nature Explorer with Day Trips

4 Days Starting and ending in Tirana, Albania

Visiting: Bovilla Lake, Tirana, Koman

Tour operator:

Albania Explorer

Tour code:

681195

Guide Type:

Fully Guided

Group size:

1 - 26

Physical rating:

Low, EASY

Age range:

12-89

Special diets catered:

Vegetarians, Gluten Free

Tour operated in:

English

Trip Styles:

Adventure Tours

Activities:

Sightseeing, Walking

Private Available:

Request A Private Tour

This tour is no longer available

Tour Overview

Tucked away in a little visited corner of Europe lie Albania,  is a charming and delightful country that few people know much about. For years Albania was a closed society, ruled by the iron fist of Communism, but since the end of the Cold War it has been showing curious travelers its many charms, The location of Albania between some of Europe’s most important empires has left them well endowed with a wealth of attractions from the Greek, Roman and Ottoman eras. The region is home to a wealth of old Turkish architecture which sits side by side with elaborately decorated Orthodox churches and from more recent times the civic buildings of Communist era, as well as impressive Roman ruins and well preserved historic towns. This part of Europe is also blessed with incredible scenery with imposing mountains, pristine lakes and traditional villages tucked away in pretty valleys. But as with many countries it is the people who leave perhaps the most lasting impression – having come through recent strife there is an overwhelming sense of optimism about the people that cannot fail to raise your spirits.

Highlights

  • Tucked away in a little visited corner of Europe lie Albania,  is a charming and delightful country that few people know much about

  • For years Albania was a closed society, ruled by the iron fist of Communism, but since the end of the Cold War it has been showing curious travelers its many charms, The location of Albania between some of Europe’s most important empires has left them well endowed with a wealth of attractions from the Greek, Roman and Ottoman eras

  • The region is home to a wealth of old Turkish architecture which sits side by side with elaborately decorated Orthodox churches and from more recent times the civic buildings of Communist era, as well as impressive Roman ruins and well preserved historic towns

  • This part of Europe is also blessed with incredible scenery with imposing mountains, pristine lakes and traditional villages tucked away in pretty valleys

  • But as with many countries it is the people who leave perhaps the most lasting impression – having come through recent strife there is an overwhelming sense of optimism about the people that cannot fail to raise your spirits

Itinerary

Expand All

Day 1 : Airport Transfer-20 Km

Location: Tirana International Airport

Accommodation: Hotel

Accommodation Name: Overnight in Livia Hotel 3* or similar.

Meals Included: Breakfast

Airport transfer to Hotel in Tirana. Overnight in Livia Hotel 3* or similar.

Day 2 : Tirana Walking Tour - Bovilla Lake.-(50 Km)

Location: Bovilla Lake, Tirana

Accommodation: Hotel

Accommodation Name: overnight in Tirana at Livia Hotel 3* or similar.

Meals Included: Breakfast

Located on a plain on the site of a Byzantine fortress and has been the capital since 1920 (visits to the Skanderbeg Square, Mosque of Et’hem Bey (built on 1824), the Clock Tower (built on 1822), the National Museum (the huge mosaic on front represent the Albanian history development, and the stages of this development are presented on respective pavilions),  National Art Gallery, Archeological Museum (there are presented many archeological discoveries since the Stone Age up to the Medieval), the National Heroes Cemetery, Grand Park and government buildings).Then, we depart towards Bovilla. The road is about 21 km distance where half of it is off road. We drive up the lake dam and after we reach Bovilla Lake we prepare to hike in Mount Gamti. The track to hike is a simple level where every step gives us a more beautiful view as we reach the top. Hiking lasts about 40 minutes. On the top of the hill there is an impressive view of the lake and the green hills surrounding it. Drive back and overnight in Tirana at Livia Hotel 3* or similar. (B)

Day 3 : Koman- 371Km

Location: Koman

Accommodation: Hotel

Accommodation Name: overnight in Tirana at Livia Hotel 3* or similar.

Meals Included: Breakfast


Departure to Koman. We will drive to enter the world of the Albanian Alps. We stop in Koman and see a huge dam built in the 1980's which encases the waters of Drini River and creates one of the biggest artificial lakes of the country. We take the boat to Shala River. Passing through the mountains of canyon created by the Drini River, the route reveals the wild beauty of the Albanian Alps. We will have the opportunity to take numerous pictures of unique views of the beautiful surrounding landscape and the lake. Enjoy the banks of the Shala River. The high and craggy mountains present to the visitors a fantastic festival of colors in every season. Its forests, river and creeks, flowers, characteristic dwellings, and the hospitality of its people make it an ideal place to visit.  Drive back and overnight in Tirana at Livia Hotel 3* or similar. (B)

Day 4 : Airport Transfer.-(20 Km)

Location: Tirana International Airport

Accommodation: Hotel

Meals Included: Breakfast

Airport Transfer as per flight itinerary.

What's Included

  • Hotel: Accommodation 3* hotels on double occupancy in good locations of respective cities/places.
  • Transportation: Air Conditioned modern van/minibus/bus and other transportation listed in itinerary.
  • Breakfast: Daily breakfast. All other meals not listed are at your expense.
  • Tour Leader/ Manager: Tour Leader/Manager in English language as per itinerary

What's Not Included

  • Admission/entry Fees:
    • Entry fees prices are subject to change without prior notice.
    • If you would like to join the optional activities, please pay the fee in cash to the tour guide. The tour guide will arrange the tickets for the group.
  • Travel insurance, visa fees (if applicable)
  • Koman Lake Ferry Tickets
  • Audio guide equipment 7 EUR / person / day
  • Declaration for travel services (if applicable)
  • Any charges for additional itinerary are not listed in itinerary
  • A mandatory service fee for tour guide/bus driver (min. 5-7 Euro /day per person).
  • Excess baggage charges from Airlines
  • Personal expenses such as room service, telephone, laundry service charges
  • Losses or additional expenses: The Company will accept no responsibilities for losses or additional expenses due to accidents.
  • Local Guides Supplement
  • Lunch and Dinner charges (if applicable)
  • Everything not mentioned in “Inclusions”

Please Note

€87 single supplement

Check out our Q&As

  • Do I need Travel insurance?

    We do not offer insurance packages but we highly recommend travel protection, it’s important to protect your trip investment and loved ones. We will offer you the best option for your vacation.

  • Do you book group travel ?

    Yes, we book group travel all the time! We specialize in helping groups of all sizes plan their dream trips. From family reunions to corporate retreats, we can take care of all the details so you can relax and enjoy your time away.

  • How do I set up the consultation with the Albania Explorer agent ?

    To set up a consultation with Albania Explorer's travel expert, you can contact us directly via phone or email us at contact@albaniaexplorer.com. You can even reach us on Whatsapp at +355 68 399 9480 . local operation working hours during week monday to friday : 08.00-18.00 , saturday 09.00-14.00 , Sunday - off.

  • Will you available while I am on my vacation?

    Yes, we will be available to answer any questions or address any concerns that you may have. You can get in touch with us anytime. We are committed to providing the best possible service and helping our clients create memorable vacations that they will always remember.

Reviews of this operator

Armand Zhgaba (Google Reviewer)  

I recently had an amazing...

02-Aug-2024

I recently had an amazing experience with Albania Explorer when we traveled from Canada to Albania for vacation. From start to finish, their service was exceptional. The staff were incredibly friendly and always ready to assist with any needs related to the tours and accommodation. Albania Explorer exceeded my expectations, and I highly recommend them to anyone looking for a seamless and memorable travel experience in Albania.

Camelia Stefanuc (Google Reviewer)  

I discoverd a new face...

04-Jun-2024

I discoverd a new face of Albania, with the help of Mr. Sokol. He is an herudit and all the Information we received were argumented and well documented. All the places we vizite were put în value, show in the right light. There were no questions remained without answer. Thank you and congratulations for having such a competent guide in your team. Camelia Stefanuc Tamara Balea

meir shabtai mazar (Google Reviewer)  

as a 50 years experience...

05-Sep-2019

as a 50 years experience as guide myself i can said that the 7 days of tour in Albania was orgenized perfectly by the travl company was perfect. the guide Dashi did more then we could expect to introduce his country to us.. the cost more then fair.

CARMEN DOGARU (Google Reviewer)  

It was a better experience...

16-May-2024

It was a better experience than I expected. The guide was very knowlegeble and ready to help us

Jawad Mohammed (Google Reviewer)  

I visited Albania, Montenegro, Kosovo...

13-Aug-2019

I visited Albania, Montenegro, Kosovo and the Republic of North Macedonia with this company. We had a wonderful time and a trip full of adventure and beautiful memories. Before the visit, I had a lot of doubt about the safety and the tourism potential of those countries compared to other countries that I visited in western, northern, central and eastern Europe. I started contacting a number of tour agencies in the Balkan region for the arrangements. The moment I dealt with Albania Explorer, I felt very comfortable because of their professional dealing and prompt responses. Moreover, their price was reasonable and competitive compared to other agencies. All the arrangements were perfect. Ms.Alma, the booking/ arrangements manager was very helpful. In addition, the tour guide and driver, Mr. Stive, was very professional, friendly and knowledgeable about all the countries we visited with him. Moreover, we found all the above mentioned countries to be very charming, safe and full of tourist attractions and places worth visiting. I highly recommend dealing with this agency for visiting Albania and the surrounding Balkan countries. You can rely on their professionalism and expertise to have an unforgettable trip

Karmen Louis  

Review

23-May-2020

Albania Explorer helped me during my trip to Albania. Being an outsider, this place was unknown for me. But they helped me very well and made my trip awesome. Thanks.

Ziad S. Abdul Majid (Google Reviewer)  

I recently used Albania Explorer...

25-Apr-2023

I recently used Albania Explorer Tour for my vacation and I was blown away by their amazing service! From start to finish, the team was incredibly helpful, knowledgeable, and accommodating. They took the time to listen to my needs and preferences, and created a personalized itinerary that exceeded my expectations. Throughout my trip, everything ran smoothly thanks to the excellent planning and attention to detail. The accommodations were top-notch, the activities were well-organized, and the guides were friendly and informative. Overall, I had an unforgettable experience thanks to Albania Explorer Tour and I would highly recommend them to anyone looking for a stress-free and enjoyable vacation. Thank you to the entire team for their exceptional service!

Christopher Taylor (Google Reviewer)  

Illyria Route tour of Albania We...

28-May-2024

Illyria Route tour of Albania We chose to book directly with Albania Explorer rather than Exoticca or other Travel Companies providing package tours of Albania because : • Albania Explorer is the main Provider for other Tour Companies • Flights are NOT provided, so we could plan a tailor-made tour of Albania and other Balkan countries • Other services such as car rental and extra hotels can be booked with Albania Explorer We booked the 8 day Albania Explorer Tour “Illyria Route” which was subsumed into the 10 day Best of Albania Tour, who were all Exoticca package tour guests. This was ideal for us, as Albania was just part of our tour of a number Balkan countries, the first 10 days starting in Dubrovnik, Croatia and ending in Kotor, Montenegro, with a day trip to Mostar in Bosnia Herzogovina. We booked an extra night in Tirana giving us the opportunity to explore the City before the Illyria Tour, including a walking tour and the Bunker art museum. The Tour itself was excellent, covering all the main Cities and archeological sites of Albania, including the Albanian Riviera, with Gesi our Tour Guide providing a running commentary of background information and historical facts, and Claude our driver transporting us safely round the Country in the minibus with wifi. Afte leaving the Tour at Gjirokaster, we caught a public bus back to Tirana to pick up a rental car to spend the last week of our trip to North Macedonia and Kosovo. We relied heavily on Albanian Explorer to book the car and sort out the insurance and paperwork (inc Senior Driver) to take the car to neighbouring Balkan countries and how to obtain green cards at the borders. The car was delivered to the Hotel, and everything went smoothly. Booking direct with Albania Explorer suited us for our Trip around the Balkans. If you just want an Albanian full package tour with flights and transfers, book with Exoticca or other Tour companies – you will get the same base holiday, which is excellent. I commend Albania Explorer to you. Chris & Jackie

Olesea Alexandra (Google Reviewer)  

When you consider a trip...

14-Apr-2024

When you consider a trip and get to know a country, the first thing you want is safety and then satisfy your curiosity, get to know another culture, live experiences and rest from the routine life of your place of origin. Companies that work in the travel sector work with hopes and expectations. Clients make a significant financial effort and many sacrifices to be able to have a few pleasant days/weeks, in this case in Albania. A single person can ruin the work of an entire team. When you hire an agency like this, the visible face of the company is the tour guide who is the coordinator and the person who spends the most time with you. For a travel agency, this figure should be carefully selected because behind that choice there are many other people involved, in the selection of hotels, in the chosen itinerary, in administration, in the purchase of tickets and flights (in many cases). , drivers etc. In our case, the person chosen, Florian xhekaj, was a total mistake and nightmare, horrible experience. His knowledge of Spanish was level A2 (lower intermediate), to be generous. He didn't understand you nor did we understand him in the explanations. When I asked him the first day how long he had been a tour guide, the first lie came and he told me 6 years which was not true. Their lack of knowledge of the history of Albania was proverbial (without being experts in history, their disorientation in dates, centuries and historical people was obvious) their lack of interest in explaining important things was absolute (He did not even explain to us that we could not drink tap water) He did not announce the meeting times nor did he tell if we were all there (we organized ourselves among the people in the group) he did not know the Orthodox liturgy (my partner is Orthodox and had to correct him on numerous occasions for giving wrong information) and also the Muslim one. He boasted of knowing Spain and its history, of having studied philology and a master's degree in tourism, but we really came to the conclusion that either he was the worst in the class or the level of demand in Albania is limited. On the last day he didn't even say goodbye to the group after having been together for 10 days. That is a sign of very serious lack of respect for the company and for us as clients or people, but even though it is serious, it was worse that he vented his frustration every day with the driver (Uzur, who was an excellent and professional driver) speaking badly about the group (we called aristocrats ) spoke badly about the agency and its salary conditions, selected itineraries and in general everything bothered him and he took it on the bad side. We sat next to the driver and the new mobile phones with artificial intelligence translate everything from Albanian to Spanish or English in real time, so we couldn't believe what the phone was translating to our endless surprise. I don't know if the guides in Albania have this profile, if they are not used to tourism or if they take us for ignorance but in the end they play with illusions and with a lack of respect and there is only one person in charge and it is the agency that hires this type of people who are not prepared to perform a function as beautiful as teaching your country, your culture and your history. Please don´t day this person not worked for Albanian explorer and please don´t send us a template message of apologies because it is too late. You should know at this point who you work with and who represents your company.

Anthony Peters (Google Reviewer)  

Horrible experience with tour guide...

14-Apr-2024

Horrible experience with tour guide in Spanish called Florian. He has not an attitude to be a guide, to coordinate anything or to explain elementary things about culture or history about Albania. He looks to be more interested in video games or stuff like that. He looks to be another tourist rather than a person that organizes times, schedules or meetings. His level of Spanish is so poor as his knowledge of history. This type of persons ruins a company.

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Book with Confidence

  • Low Deposit

    Albania Explorer requires a minimum deposit of 10% or the full booking value, whichever is less, with the final balance not due until 30 days before departure.

  • Cancellation Policy

    We don't charge a cancellation fee, here is a summary of albania explorer charges.

    At 30 days before tour starts: Forfeit 30% of booking price.

    At 15 days before tour starts: Forfeit 70% of booking price.

    At 7 days before tour starts: Forfeit 100% of booking price.

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