Breathtaking Kosovo & Albania road trip

Tirana

Day 1: Arrive in Tirana

You'll be met at the airport and transferred to Tirana, the capital of Albania.

After checking into your hotel, join a tour of the city (you can take this on your final day to suit flight schedules, if you wish). From its communist history, with typical grey and dull appearance, a modern metropolis has emerged, colourful and lively with a quirky feel. Every part of Tirana embodies both the past and future of this intriguing country.

Enjoy Skanderbeg Square, surrounded by landmarks including the National History Museum, the Tirana International Hotel, the Palace of Culture, the Et'hem Bey Mosque and the Clock Tower of Tirana. Explore the streets and see the presidential office on Government Street. Stroll through the New Bazaar market and soak up the atmostphere of this fascinating city.

Prizren - Gjakova

Day 2: Classic Prizren and charming Gjakova

After breakfast, pick up your Toyota Land Cruiser in Tirana and take the road to Kosovo.

Visit Prizren, cultural and historical capital of Kosovo. Surrounded by mountains, discover the old Ottoman heart of the city where the Lumbardhi River flows. Its narrow streets and classic tearooms in the old bazaar give the town a unique Ottoman charm. Visit the nearby religious sites of the Mosque of Sinan Pasha, the Orthodox Cathedral of Saint George and the Catholic Cathedral of Our Lady of the Perpetual Relief.

Use the free time today to go to the fortress of Prizren for breathtaking views of the city. After lunch, drive towards Gracanica through the Sharr Mountains.

Follow the road to Gjakova, your home for the night. This charming city has an authentic centre and many craft stalls. Discover skilled seamstresses and artisans with their Plis (traditional hat) and diep (wooden cradle).

Cerem - Doberdol

Day 3: Off-road through the 'cursed mountains'

After breakfast, meet your local guide and take the road to Albania and through the 'cursed mountains'.

About an hour into the journey, the route becomes off-road. Continue to the village of Cerem, where a traditional mountain region lunch will be served.

Continue on to the most remote village in Albania, Doberdol, located in the heart of a valley. Enjoy the warm atmosphere and genuine hospitality of the wonderfully rustic guest house in Doberdol, tuck in to a traditional dinner and enjoy a good night's sleep.

Tropoje - Nivokaz - Gjeravica

Day 4: Tropoje trade route and Nivokaz distillery

After breakfast, take the muddy but incredibly scenic mountain roads through Sylbica and drive through the forest to reach Tropoje. Learn about the fascinating history of the area, thanks to its geography, its role on the trade routes and its remote location, which has also made it the subject of local folklore.

Return to Kosovo and head for the village of Nivokaz. Meet Ali, the owner of the Vidadus distillery, producing rakia, liqueur and gin from local plants of the region. Have lunch with your host, then enjoy a tour of the distillery and tasting. Find out how the process of fermentation works and discover the range of products. 

Rejoin the road to reach the village of Gjeravica, located at the foot of Kosovo's heighest mountain. Arrive at your hotel, enjoy dinner and drink in spectactular views of the mountain and the surrounding area.

Milishevc - Halja Cabin

Day 5: Experience life in the mountains

After breakfast, hit the road through beautiful mountain roads to the village of Milishevc, located at the top of a mountain. Stop at a pass to admire the incredible panoramic views of the mountains and valleys.

Arrive in Milishevc and enjoy lunch among stunning scenery. Then take the road into the Rugova Valley, one of Europe's biggest, most remarkable canyons.

Follow the road down into the deepest part of the valley. Continue to the very foot of a valley to reach one of Kosovo's most remote places: Hajla Cabin. Its owner, Fatos — photographer, animal rights activist and more — built the access road himself and will guide you to the guest house, located below the mountain behind Hajla summit. Fatos will introduce you to life in this remote, special place; look out for the wild fox who is a regular visitor.

Enjoy dinner and then bed down for a good night's sleep in tranquility.

Peja - Pristina - Gračanica

Day 6: Discover Pristina

This morning brings time to relax and enjoy breakfast and the scenery at the cabin, before tackling the final off-road section of the route to reach the Rugova Summit. Then it's on to the city of Peja, where your local guide leaves you to the rest of the journey.

Head into the capital of Kosovo, Pristina, exploring the political and economic impacts that have affected it over the course of its history. Discover the architectural contrasts of this ever-evolving, vibrant city.

From there, drive on to Gračanica, a Serbian village located just ten minutes from Pristina. Check in at your hotel, where there is an outdoor pool. Enjoy plenty of free time in a beautiful, natural setting.

Kruje - Tirana

Day 7: Fortress and bazaar

After breakfast, take the road back to Albania and head to the historic city of Kruje. Visit one of one of Europe's oldest cities, with its ancient bazaar and explore the medieval fortress of Skanderbeg. Celebrated as a hero in the Balkans, Skanderbeg was the first to unite the Albanians so they could resist the Ottoman invasion.

Return to Tirana and drop off your rental vehicle. Settle into your hotel, then enjoy some free time in the capital and celebrate a successful journey through the Balkans.

Tirana

Day 8: Departure from Tirana

After breakfast, Enjoy some more free time in the capital. If you haven't already taken the city tour, it can be arranged for today, depending on your flight schedules.

Later, your private transfer arrives to take you to Tirana airport for the return flight home.