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Day 1 – Arrival
Collection from Tirana or Podgorica airport and transfer to the idyllic Lake Shkodra Resort. Welcome dinner and overnight at Lake Shkodra Resort.

Day 2 – SUP Trip on Lake Shkoder / Rozafa Castle
The serene, shimmering waters of this protected lake – a Ramsar Wetland of International Importance – make it the perfect setting for an adventure by SUP board. After a hearty breakfast, we head out ready for 9 am and a blissful few hours’ paddling past lily pads and water reeds crammed with birdlife such as Whiskered Tern and Grey Heron. We may even see Dalmatian Pelican! Our local partners are the experts in watersports here and will give you basic paddling instructions and a full safety briefing. Lunch will be snacks from a local bakery and fresh fruit from the region.

Later, as the sun begins to dip in the sky, we’ll embark on a leisurely walk up to the ancient Rozafa Castle, which towers above Shkoder; a place of myth and legend. The panoramic views of the surrounding landscape here are breathtaking!

Dinner and overnight at Lake Shkodra Resort.

Day 3 – Exploring the Accursed Mountains
Today we’ll explore the Accursed Mountains on a mixed-activity adventure to Thethi National Park! We begin with a 1.5-hour photo safari driving high into the alps. The views are jaw-dropping! Theth itself is a traditional shepherd village, for centuries practically inaccessible and with a notorious history of blood feuds. We’ll enjoy a walking tour to attractions like the lock-in tower before taking a 4×4 transfer to the start of our 2-hour hike. Our destination – is a bright blue spring known as the Blue Eye (Syri i Kalter). Take an exhilarating splash in its freezing waters!

Dinner and overnight at Lake Shkodra Resort.

Day 4 – Transfer to Berat via Amazing Lunch
A final breakfast and dip at Lake Shkodra Resort before our big travel day to Berat, broken up by a fantastic lunch at the critically-acclaimed agrotourism Mrizi i Zanave. Many consider this one of the top restaurants in the Balkans with completely fresh, authentic, organic dishes! Animal lovers will enjoy the chance to pet the donkeys and goats.

Our reward is worth it – magical Berat. Often referred to as the town of a thousand windows, this well-preserved Ottoman city is a UNESCO heritage site with a Byzantine castle. We’ll enjoy a stroll around the ancient cobbled streets before dinner.

Dinner & overnight at Hotel Mangalemi or similar.

Day  5 – Rafting / River Wading in Osumi Canyon 
After breakfast, we take a 40-minute transfer to experience the natural splendour of Osumi Canyon by rafting in the early season and river-wading when the water levels become lower. NB. the latter is also a lot of fun, involving floating down some sections, swimming, jumping off rocky ledges and mud fights! 3-million-year-old Osumi is a hidden gem dubbed the ‘Colorado of the Balkans’ by locals. All equipment is provided. A remarkable day you will never forget!

Dinner & overnight at Hotel Mangalemi or similar.

Day 6 – 4×4 & Mule Trek at Mount Tomorr
Today we’ll experience wildly untouched nature with a visit to the forested slopes and spectacular views of Mount Tomorr – and with mules along for anyone who wants to try the donkey trails here in traditional Albanian style! Mount Tomorr, with an elevation of 2,417 metres, has a special place in every Albanian’s heart – many legends surround it and local people consider it a sacred place!

To reach the foothills and our start point for trekking, we travel by 4×4 (about 1 hour of the bumpy track) to the village of Qafe Dardhe. Here we meet the shepherds and mules. Hiking will take about two hours, including a stop for a picnic lunch of homemade local products, just when we all need that extra energy injection. On return to Berat, we will transfer to our next destination, Vlore and the fabulous Albanian coast.

Overnight at Picasso Hotel, Radhime (or similar)

Day  7 – Chilling on the Coast
Today is all about having it your way. After an action-packed week, you might want to kick back and relax by the turquoise sea at your lodgings. Adventure beckons as always, though – Radhime is the gateway to Karaburun-Sazan National Marine Park, packed with wildlife, pristine coast and a network of fascinating military bunkers dating from communist times. We can arrange an optional private boat trip to the spectacular Haxhi Ali cave and for swimming in crystal clear waters along an untouched peninsula where two seas meet – the Ionian and the Adriatic. You may even catch sight of schools of fish such as tuna poking their fins out of the water.

In the evening, if you’re going your own way, we recommend gorging on fresh, cheap seafood at the restaurant run by the Radhime Fishing Cooperative, close to your accommodation. For something truly different, though, we can arrange an evening visit to shepherds living traditionally in a hill village above the sea. Here you will have the chance to watch the goats rounded up for bed, before enjoying a traditional Albanian feast prepared over the fire in the sač – the best of warm Albanian hospitality!

Day 8 – Transfer back to Tirana Airport (other destinations will incur an extra transfer charge)

Prices are £ Sterling per person and include all transport, all activities, all accommodation, breakfast, most lunches, dinners, all guiding and a book-to-give-back donation (drinks not included). Airport transfers are only included from Tirana.

Book by 1st January 2024 and get a £50pp discount!

Please note, on this holiday, accommodation is quirky and characterful – do not expect luxury! If for any reason the first-choice accommodation is not available, we will let you know about the alternatives well in advance of your holiday.

LAKE SHKODRA RESORT

CASTLE PARK HOTEL, BERAT

HOTEL PICASSO, VLORE