Multi Activity Holiday in North Albania - 8 days

From £1,353£169 per day
Image 1 of 10
1/10
Image 2 of 10
2/10
Image 3 of 10
3/10

Who is this trip for

Genders

  • Female60%
  • Male40%

Average age

35
7 Min70 Max

Start / End

  • Shkodër
  • Shkodër

Physical rating

3/5

Group size

3 - 8

Meals included

20

Highlights

  • Stand-up paddle boarding on the lily-clad waters of Lake Shkoder, Southern Europe's largest lake
  • Homestay and optional hike in the magical valley of Theth
  • Wild swimming in pristine local rivers
  • A slap-up lunch of delicious organic flavours at a critically-acclaimed agrotourism considered one of the top restaurants in the Balkans
  • Meeting local artisans and weavers in the villages of Shiroke and a further cultural hit in the hillside town of Kruje
  • Cycling and walking tours of Shkoder

Talk to a travel expert

Our experts are ready to perfect your trip with personalised advice on itineraries, transfers, and local tips.

Email UsCall Us: 0208 004 8886
Recommended

Free Brochure

Uncover insider tips, see a packing list and view a detailed itinerary and accommodation information.

Summary

Discover the wild beauty of North Albania on this brilliant guided week of adventures. We’ve created this small group holiday for anyone who prefers to minimise time in the car and maximise multi-active fun, whether that’s stand-up paddle-boarding on giant Lake Shkoder, hiking in the Albanian Alps, cycling past sleepy fishing villages to meet artisan carpet weavers, taking a rakija-making or cookery class with locals, or wild swimming in exhilarating mountain rivers.

There’s something for everyone, from outdoor lovers, to foodies, friends, families, couples and culture fans, and with the chance to include the iconic Theth to Valbona hiking trail. Accommodation is all locally owned and run, ranging from glamping in bell tents by Southern Europe’s largest lake, to homestays with friendly locals, and appealing 3-4 star guesthouses with incredible views.

Leave the beach crowds behind and swap them for North Albania’s magical world of incredible lakes, mighty mountains, fairy-tale castles and warm, mystical culture! You’ll be expertly guided all week by our local adventure leader, with most meals included – read the itinerary for more details, and get in touch today!

NB – our recommended age for this holiday is anywhere between 7 and 70 – but we can make exceptions for exceptional kids, or silver adventurers! Please don’t hesitate to check with us if you think you or one of your party falls into this category! Click here to read more about our activity levels.

Book to Give Back – every booking sparks a donation to our chosen local environmental and community causes!

Itinerary

  • Day 1

    Arrival

    Arrive at Tirana or Podgorica airports and transfer to the idyllic Lake Shkodra Resort in Shkoder. Here, you’ll spend two nights glamping by the side of Southern Europe’s largest lake and enjoy a welcome dinner hosted by our expert local adventure leader.

  • Day 2

    SUP trip on Lake Shkoder and tour of Rozafa Castle

    Immerse yourself in the tranquility of Shkoder Lake with a stand-up paddle boarding (SUP) trip. Explore the wild nature and enchanting lily-covered waters, full of birdlife including the Dalmatian Pelican. Later, visit the historic ruins of the Rozafa Castle, drink in the panoramic views and history, and enjoy a sunset swim back at the glamp site. 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.

    Dinner and overnight in Shkoder.

  • Day 3

    Theth Highland adventure

    A journey to the astonishingly beautiful Albanian Alps. Experience a homestay in a traditional stone highlander cottage, perched high above Theth. Hike to the Blue Eye ‘Syri i Kalter’, marvel at the miraculously coloured water, and rejuvenate in the ‘Nderlyse’ stone river baths. Connect with our local hosts over a home-cooked meal and witness the rich traditions of mountain life, or even lend a hand rounding up the chickens.

    Dinner and overnight in Theth.

  • Day 4

    Option 1 Active, Theth to Valbona Hike (from June) / Option 2, relaxing, exploring Shkoder and wild swimming

    Active option: If your adventure falls between June and October and you would like to challenge yourself with an iconic day hike following the high mountain pass to Valbona, now’s your chance! After six blissful, thigh-stretching hours of hiking through lush pine forest and astonishing karst rock scenery, we overnight in a traditional mountain guesthouse in Valbona. Our return to Shkoder the next day is via an epic ferry ride on stunning Lake Koman.

    Dinner & overnight in Valbona on Day 4; dinner and overnight in Shkoder on Day 5.

    Relaxing option: Return to Shkoder and our glamp site after a hearty breakfast. The rest of the day is free to unwind by the lake or visit a nearby beach at the Adriatic Sea. The following day we take a walking tour of Shkoder, before driving to the mountains for a wild swim adventure and picnic at a secret spot in the Kiri River, passing the historic, Ottoman-era Mesi Bridge.

    Dinner and overnight for both days is in Shkoder.

  • Day 5

    Active / Relaxing program part 2

    Active Option: Thethi-Valbone hike. Relaxing option: Wild-swimming near Shkoder

  • Day 6

    Lake Shkoder cycling

    In the morning, we will collect our bicycles and set off on a 25km cycle ride from Shkoder along the shores of the lake towards the old abandonned border with Montenegro. Don’t worry, there are no hills – even young kids will find it a breeze! – and there’s plenty of swimming opportunities at two lovely lake beaches on the way. In the charming town of Zogaj, right near the border, we will have lunch and visit and local weaver’s house before heading back. In the late afternoon, we transfer to Kruje, our final destination, via an incredible early dinner at the award-winning Mrizi i Zanave agrotourism.

    Dinner & overnight in Kruje.

  • Day 7

    Meeting artisans at Kruje Castle Town

    Discover Kruje’s historical castle, the Skenderbeg museum, and traditional cobbled streets, and learn how to make the traditional Albanian Qelese skullcap with local artisans. Shop for handmade treasures at the bustling Ottoman-era market and relax.

    Dinner & overnight in Kruje.

  • Day 8

    Departure

    Departure and transfer to Tirana airport

What's Included

  • Accommodation

    Accommodation is in family-run local chalets/apartments/Glampsites. These are characterful, clean and comfortable, but often quite basic, reflecting remote locations. Some options have on-site catering facilities and if not, evening meals/breakfasts will be enjoyed with your tour leader at a nearby restaurant. Most accommodations have WiFi, but we can’t guarantee it will always be working when we are in isolated, rural areas. In cases where our first-choice accommodation is already booked-up, we will offer an alternative of a similar standard.

  • Meals

    Breakfasts: 7, Lunches: 6, Dinners: 7

    Vegetarian options are available on all meals throughout the adventure.

    Vegetarian options available

  • Local Guide

    Guided

    This adventure is led by a local guide throughout. The main language of this adventure is English. Please contact us for other languages available.

  • Wifi

    Wifi is available during the adventure. In some areas and / or accommodation / transport Wifi may be free.

Dates & Prices

  • Aug 25

    from £1,415

  • Sep 25

    from £1,353

Customer reviews & ratings

  • “Having the opportunity to explore north Albania with Undiscovered Balkans was absolutely brilliant. It is such a stunningly beautiful country whose views will leave you speechless, and I recommend exploring it with this company – they are committed to making each of their trips truly memorable.”

    Dawn Ballard Jun, 2024 Verified

Essential trip information

Our Important Notes and Packing List cover all essentials, from necessary equipment to inclusions, ensuring you're fully equipped and informed for this extraordinary adventure and more.

Frequently asked questions

  • Are all entrance fees included in the price?

    Yes, all entrance fees are included in the tour price.

  • Are any meals included?

    Yes, all meals are included, but drinks and desserts are not.

  • Are the local guides on the tour English speaking?

    Of course! All of our guides are fluent or near native in English and even in some other languages!

  • Are there many mosquitos?

    Like anywhere in the Balkans, mosquitos are around but there are never swarms of them. If you’re worried about bites, bring some repellent and some antihistamines too if you know you react badly to them (hard to buy locally). They are not generally a problem away from the coast.

  • Are vaccinations required for this tour?

    There are no specific vaccinations required for your visit to Albania but we recommend checking with your GP or local travel clinic to check for your own personal circumstances. Since most vaccines don’t produce immunity until at least two weeks after they’re given, visit a physician at least six weeks before departure.

  • Are you insured for the activities you offer?

    Of course, we have full liability insurance up to £ 5 million. It is also essential for all of our travellers to have personal travel insurance.

  • Is there any free time to explore places during the tour?

    We schedule something awesome to do each day, but if you'd prefer to take it easy and explore on your own, our team can help make arrangements for you based on your preferences.

  • What happens if a group doesn’t make its minimum required number of passengers?

    We will inform you at least a month prior to the trip if for any reason it can't go ahead, or you can choose to pay a refundable supplement for a guaranteed departure. If we do reach minimum numbers after that, the supplement would be refunded.

  • What is the standard of the hotels on this tour?

    Basic, clean and characterful local guesthouses

  • Will I know the names and details of all the accommodation before I depart?

    Of course, you'll get the trip notes prior to your trip with all the necessary information.

  • Can you cater for vegetarians or other specialist diets?

    Vegetarian diets are easy to cater for, although the menu in rural areas can be limited. It is more difficult to follow a vegan diet. We advise our vegan guests to bring some snacks which are high in protein to supplement what is provided.

  • Do we need a car?

    All transport is taken care of by us!

  • How expensive is eating out or buying food for self-catering?

    Restaurants are great value – mains are generally € 5-10 and you should never pay more than € 2 for half a litre of beer. At the supermarket it’s even cheaper of course – a loaf of bread is 80 cents, milk is 60 cents.

  • How hot is it in summer?

    April/May temperatures in Albania's south range from 20-30C. June/July – 25-35C. August – 30-35C. September – 20-30C. October – 15-25C.

  • How much travelling is involved on this trip?

    We firmly believe that holiday time in the car should be kept to a minimum. No single journey is ever longer than 2 hours.

  • Is a stay of less than one week possible?

    For our multi-activity holidays, in July and August, our minimum stay is one week. At other times, we can occasionally offer shorter stays (3 nights, 2 activities minimum) at our discretion.
  • Petra's profile
  • Anna's profile
  • Livvy's profile

Still have questions?

Can't find the answer you're looking for? Please chat to our friendly team.

Get In Touch

Why book with us

  • Help Change The World

    We collaborate with local businesses and communities.

  • Best Price Guaranteed

    We won't be beaten on price. If you find this adventure at a lower price please get in touch!

  • You're In Good Hands

    We work with trusted tour operators around the world.

  • You're spoilt for choice

    We have the best choice of adventures on the market.

Similar adventures

Was this page helpful ?

If you need information about a tour or a booking, please contact us instead.

Sign up for our deals

Stay up to date with our new latest deals & special offers!

Your email is secure and we won't send you any spam.
Feefo Rating 4.9/5

The Adventure People has been rated excellent by its customers