Albania Roadtrip Adventure
June 7-June 15, 2026
the best of ALBANIA + albania riviera Extension
This adventure is rated 2 out of 5 difficulty level. Moderate level activities (i.e. short to medium hikes up to 5 miles, some elevation, intro to new skill/activity that is guided by 3rd party like mountain biking, climbing, rafting, etc.). Activities are included, but optional if outside of your comfort zone.
Albania is the travel secret that can't stay secret much longer. Dramatic alpine peaks. Wild river canyons. Ottoman bazaars spilling onto cobblestone streets. Crystal-clear Ionian coast. UNESCO-protected ancient cities. And almost none of the crowds that have overrun the rest of Europe's Mediterranean destinations.
Women Who Explore's Albania trip packs the entire country's highlights into 9 extraordinary days: hike the Albanian Alps, explore mosques, castles and more, zip-line over the Ovum canyon, soak in hot springs, learn to cook and enjoy eating and drinking like queens. With an option to add-on 2 extra nights on the Albanian Riviera, this trip has a little bit of it all!
Trip Highlights:
9 days through Albania's most spectacular landscapes and historic towns with an optional visit to the coast at the end for R&R.
Hike the Albanian Alps (Accursed Mountains) in the Theth region.
Zip-line over Albania's forest and rivers with breathtaking views of Petrele Castle.
Soak in thermal hot springs.
Explore UNESCO World Heritage sites like Berat and its extraordinary Ottoman castle town.
Sample Albanian wines, raki, and fresh mountain cuisine and learn to cook like a local.
Visit old mosques, explore castles and shop at local bazaars.
ITINERARY
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Arrive at Tirana International Airport (TIA) and be greeted by your local guide. Two airport transfers will be provided today and times will be arranged to accommodate everyone’s travel schedule. Please arrive by 2 p.m. Private transfers can also be arrange for an additional cost.
After a two hour drive, you’ll arrive at your hotel to check in. If time permits, enjoy free time to visit the village of Shkoder.
Welcome dinner at Arti i Zanave, a restaurant run and owned by local women that supports women who have been victims of abuse.
Overnight in Shkoder.
Meals: Dinner
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After breakfast it’s time a full day of adventures. Today is all about exploring Theth National Park, home to a variety of natural features including glaciers, waterfalls, valleys, forests, mountains, and unique rock formations, this is Albania’s largest national park.
Enjoy a two hour drive from Shkoder to the national park stopping along the way for photo ops of the stunning Albanian Alps.
Visit the Tower of Reconciliation and the iconic Thethi village church.
In the afternoon, take a short drive to Nderlysaj where the hike to Blue Eye Lagoon begins. This hike also visit the Grunas waterfall and the Thethi waterfall. In total this is hike is around 3.5 to 4 hours walking. Elevation is 200 meters up and 250 meters down on an upaved path.
Return to Shkoder and enjoy dinner at a restaurant near the hotel.
Overnight in Shkoder.
Meals: Breakfast
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Enjoy a leisurely breakfast at the hotel and check out today. A short hour driver brings us to our first adventure.
Today you’ll learn how to cook authentic Albanian cuisine during this hands-on cooking class using local, organic ingredients at the local restaurant Arti i Zanave.
After enjoying local delights, a 1.5 hour drive will bring you to the village of Kruja. Here enjoy a guided tour exploring the old and new parts of the city including stops at the ethnographic museum and castle of Scanderbeg.
Wander through the Ottoman-style bazaar with time to shop.
We’ll enjoy dinner together at Panorama Restaurant.
Overnight in Kruje.
Meals: Breakfast, lunch & dinner
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Enjoy breakfast before packing up and checking out.
It’s time to drive to Tirana! It’s a 4.5 hour drive so have an audiobook or music ready.
Once we arrive, we’ll have a walking tour, starting at Skanderbeg Square (the symbolic heart of the city). Just steps away, you will visit Et’hem Bey Mosque, one of Tirana’s oldest landmarks. From there, continue to the vibrant Biloku district.
We’ll then move on to Tirana’s bold new architectural projects: the Pyramid (once a mausoleum for Enver Hoxha and now being transformed into a cultural hub; Downtown One (a striking skyscraper reshaping the skyline); and the Toptani Castle (a historical site now integrated into the city’s modern urban fabric).
Overnight in Tirana.
Meals: Breakfast
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Enjoy breakfast, pack up and check out. Today our adventure brings us to Korce!
Follow the road to Pogradec. If time allows, we can stop to explore a little!
Once we arrive to Kroce, the largest city in southeastern Albania, we will get checked in to our hotel. This city is located at the foot of Mount Moravia, 800m above sea level.
Later, we will visit the Iljaz Mirahori Mosque which was built between 1494-1496 and is the oldest mosque in Albania.
We’ll dine together tonight and get to try the renowned local beer.
Meals included: Breakfast, dinner
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After breakfast, we continue towards Permet
We will visit the greenest and cleanest city in Albania, famous for its good food, ‘gilko’ sweets, good wine, and raki
Lunch at Restaurant Familijari.
After lunch, we will stop in Bënjë to visit the Kadiut Bridge, also known as the Judge’s Bridge. Built in 1760, it served as an important trade route to neighboring villages and cities.
A visit to the hot springs where the group can swim and bathe while enjoying the amazing scenery.
After a nice soak, we’ll depart to Gjirokaster, and enjoy a short city tour.
Visit the Castle of Gjirokaster, one of the largest castles in the Balkans.
Meals included: Breakfast, lunch
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After breakfast, we are on the move again heading to Berat today. Today’s drive is approximately 3 hours.
Enjoy a stop at Cobo Winery for a local tasting along the way.
Berat is a UNESCO World Heritage Site known for its unique mix of Ottoman influence and local features. Here visit Castle Hill and the Museum of Onufri Icons located in the church of Santa Maria.
Free time to explore the city.
Enjoy a traditional dinner in a castle with a local family this evening.
Overnight in Berat.
Meals: Breakfast, dinner
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Enjoy breakfast before packing up and checking out. Today we make our way back to Tirana.
Along the 2 hour drive, there will be an opportunity to try the longest zip line experience in the Balkans! This zip line is over 1250 meters long and soars above ancient terraces, olive trees and the glimmering Erzen River.
Arrive at Bunkart 1 on the outskirts of Tirana. This is an antinuclear bunker with over 100 rooms built secretly at the foot of Dajti Mountain. Opened in 2014 to the public, it is now a museum dedicated to the History of Albania from WWII until the end of the Cold War.
Arrive in Tirana stopping at New Bazaar for lunch. You’ll have time to be able to wander and shop.
Farewell group dinner at Oda Restaurant, one of the most celebrated and authentic dining spots in Tirana.
Overnight in Tirana.
Meals: Breakfast, dinner
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Enjoy breakfast at the hotel, pack up and check out by 10 am.
If you’re heading back home, it’s time to say farewell to your new friends, we’re pretty sure you will have already planned your next adventure together by now! Three airport shuttles will be provided and determined based on guest’s departure times. Please plan to depart by 1 pm to be include in the group transfers. Private transfers can be arranged upon request.
If you’re up for a little more adventure, join us for a couple days relaxing on the beach in the Albanian Riviera (see trip extension details below).
Meals: Breakfast
ADRIATIC COAST BEACH EXTENSION
June 15-17, 2027
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Wake up enjoy breakfast and check out. Instead of catching a flight home, we are catching a ride to the Albania Riviera for a couple days of R&R.
We’ll head out in the morning and make our way to Himare, a quaint coastal town nestled between the Ceraunian Mountains and the Ionian Sea. The drive takes around 3.5-4.5 hours.
Once we arrive, we’ll check into our hotel and take the afternoon to settle in, enjoy lunch, and relax at the beach or poolside.
Tonight we will meet up to enjoy dinner together at a local restaurant.
Meals: Breakfast and dinner
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Wake up and enjoy breakfast. Today is all about R&R.
Spend today however you would like. Grab a book, soak up the sunshine poolside or post up at the hotel’s private beach and enjoy the beautiful Albania Riviera. If you are up for a little adventure, check out the Old Town, take a walk up to the Himare Castle, or book a local adventure.
Enjoy dinner at your leisure tonight.
Melas: Breakfast
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Enjoy breakfast at your leisure before we pack up and check out.
After breakfast it’s time to make our way back to the Tirana International Airport to catch a late afternoon or evening flight home. Alternatively if your flight leaves early the next day, we can help arrange a hotel or you can be dropped at a hotel near the airport.
Meals: Breakfast
QUESTIONS: PLEASE REACH OUT TO INFO@WOMENWHOEXPLORE.COM
Ready to Book?
Ready to Book?
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$3,895 USD double occupancy.
$4,595 USD single occupancy
If you are traveling solo, you will be assigned a roommate upon request. Rooms are assigned on a first come basis.
A deposit is due at booking to hold your spot with regular monthly payments. Additional payments may be applied to the trip balance prior to payment due dates.
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• 9 days/8 nights in 4 star hotels.
• Two group airport transfers to/from Tirana International Airport (TIA) to Shkoder on arrival day and the hotel in Tirana.
• Local in country transportation in a private mini-bus with AC and a private driver for the duration of the trip.
• Local English-speaking guide with the group for the duration of the tour except the for the departure day (8 days).
• Explore Theth National Park visiting the Tower of Reconciliation and iconic Tethi village church.
• Guided hike to Blue Eye Lagoon, Grunas Waterfall and Thethi Waterfall
• Explore Kruja city visiting an Ottoman bazaar, Scanderbeg castle and ethnographic museum.
• Cooking class at Rapsodia Restaurant with the renowned chef Alfred Marku.
• Scenic drive along the panoramic road of Moglice passing the Banja Lake, Bardhes waterfall and Lake Moglica.
• Hot springs soak and explore the old bridge in the village of Benje.
• Walking tour of Berat, UNESCO World Heritage Site, visiting Castle Hill, Museum of Onufri Icons and church of Santa Maria.
• Wine tasting at Cobo Winery.
• Experience the longest zip line in the Balkans.
• Walking Tour in Tirana visiting an ancient castles, Pyramid of Tirana, and Blloku district.
• Meals as noted in itinerary - 7 breakfasts, 2 lunches and 5 dinners. Includes dinner at Oda Restaurant and cooking class.
• Trip checklists, detailed packing list, training guide, and pre-travel support provided in a private Facebook and/or WhatsApp group.
• Pre-trip Q&A Zoom call to meet your fellow travelers, trip host and ask any questions.
• WWE Swag to make your heart happy!
• Small group; maximum of 15 women + your WWE trip host and local guide.
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• International flights to the Tirana International Airport (TIA)
• Tips and gratuity for guides, drivers, waiters, etc. (at the discretion of the client)
• Airport transfers outside of designated times and meeting locations. Two group transfers provided on arrival and departure days.
• Local transportation outside of times designated for excursions and tours.
• Alcohol, additional beverages, snacks, and meals as noted.
• Any additional excursions or activities not included in the above itinerary.
• Visa and entry requirements as applicable and any pre-travel medical expenses such as immunizations or required Covid-19 testing .
• Travelers insurance (proof of insurance required).
• Personal expenses not included in the itinerary such as additional accommodations, transportation, meals, souvenirs, etc.
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All meals will be provided as noted in the itinerary. Please reach out to the trip host after booking if you have any food allergies/sensitivities. We always do our best to accommodate dietary restrictions but cannot make any guarantees.
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This trip requires a minimum number of women to register in order for it to be confirmed. Once the trip reaches the minimum participant number, you will receive a trip confirmation email and a link to be added a private Facebook group just for trip guests. In this group further trip details will be provided along with pre-travel support. Please let us know if you do not have or use Facebook (see contact information below).
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Please see our Terms of Service.
All deposits are non-refundable at the time of booking, but may be transferable if done so within the timeframe outlined in the Terms of Service.
Once a trip has been confirmed (no matter the booking or trip timeline), the deposit is both non-refundable and non-transferable. Please make sure you are purchasing adequate travel insurance at the time of booking to ensure you are covered in case you need to cancel.Please note: some of our trips have a non-refundable fee that will be stated in the trip description. Please make sure to refer to the full Terms of Service to make sure you understand fully the Cancellation Policy of each trip.
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Travel (and medical) insurance is required for anyone traveling on a Women Who Explore adventure. Your insurance should include adequate protection for overseas medical treatment, evacuation/repatriation, your baggage and equipment and the specific activities involved on your adventure. Your insurance policy should also include specific Covid-19 cover, including cancellation and curtailment cover if you or a close relative are diagnosed with Covid-19.
For recommended travel insurance providers click here.
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Please note that the itinerary provided for your adventure is subject to change. While we strive to adhere to the proposed plan, unforeseen circumstances such as weather conditions, safety concerns, or other factors beyond our control may necessitate adjustments to the itinerary. We prioritize your safety and enjoyment throughout the adventure, and any modifications made will be done with careful consideration. We will make every effort to inform you in advance of any changes and provide suitable alternatives to ensure a fulfilling experience.