17 Apr 2027
Twin share
£2,075pp
Escorted tour
Albania, Kosovo & North Macedonia Explorer – 15 Days
Lake Koman, the Valbona Valley, Prizren, Skopje and Lake Ohrid across three Balkan countries, in a group of up to 12.
15 days
From £1,995
Tour overview
This 15-day small-group journey explores three of Europe's least-visited countries, Albania, Kosovo and North Macedonia, travelling through mountain valleys, Ottoman towns and lakeside cities that remain refreshingly off the tourist trail. Groups have up to 12 travellers aged 15 and over, with a local leader throughout. You stay fourteen nights: ten in hotels and four in family-run guesthouses. Breakfast is included every day, with a lunch in the Rugova Valley and two home-cooked dinners in the Valbona Valley, leaving plenty of time to try local food.
Your adventure begins in Tirana, Albania's colourful capital, with a walk past the Skanderbeg Monument and the Palace of Culture, before a local bus takes you to Shkodër, one of the oldest cities in Europe, beneath Rozafa Castle. An early start brings one of the most beautiful boat journeys in Europe, along the emerald waters of Lake Koman between steep cliffs in the Albanian Alps. Two nights in the remote Valbona Valley follow, with time to hike among meadows and forests or simply share stories with the villagers over a glass of raki.
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Crossing into Kosovo, Europe's newest country, you visit the UNESCO-listed Dečani Monastery and the restored Ottoman bazaar in Peja, then hike in the Rugova Valley, often compared to Switzerland, with lunch in a family home. In Gjakova you visit a Sufi tekke, and in Prizren, Kosovo's most attractive city, you climb to the hilltop fortress for views over minarets and church towers. A day trip to Pristina takes in the Gračanica Monastery, the Newborn monument and a sanctuary for rescued bears.
In North Macedonia, Skopje mixes an Ottoman old bazaar with grand new monuments, and you visit Matka Canyon, with its medieval monasteries and caves. The journey ends beside Lake Ohrid, one of the oldest lakes in the world, where a UNESCO-listed town once said to have 365 churches sits above the water. A morning cruise on the lake and free time for the clifftop church of Saint John at Kaneo precede the return to Tirana.
The physical rating is medium, with some hiking and winding mountain roads. This trip suits curious travellers who want to discover a little-known corner of Europe.
Trip highlights
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A boat along Lake Koman (Day 3)
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Two nights in the Valbona Valley (Days 3–4)
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A hike in the Rugova Valley (Day 6)
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Prizren's hilltop fortress (Day 8)
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Matka Canyon (Day 11)
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A cruise on Lake Ohrid (Day 13)
Your route
13 stops from Tirana to Tirana
- Tirana Day 1
- Shkoder Day 2
- Lake Koman Day 3
- Valbona Valley Days 3–4
- Dečani Monastery Day 5
- Peja Days 5–6
- Gjakova Day 7
- Prizren Days 7–9
- Pristina Day 9
- Skopje Days 10–11
- Matka Canyon Day 11
- Ohrid Days 12–13
- Tirana Days 14–15
Why choose this tour
Three little-visited Balkan countries in one journey. Guesthouse stays and local encounters in remote valleys.
Best suited to
- Travellers who want somewhere new
- History and culture lovers
- Solo travellers looking for a small group
- Active travellers
Day-by-day itinerary
15 days from Tirana, Albania to Tirana, Albania
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Day 1 · Tirana Arrive in Tirana
A welcome meeting.
- Hotel
- Hotel
-
Day 2 · Tirana, Shkodër Shkodër
A walk in Tirana, then north by bus.
- Hotel
- Hotel
- Meals
- Breakfast
-
Day 3 · Lake Koman, Valbona Valley Valbona Valley
A boat through the Albanian Alps.
- Hotel
- Guesthouse
- Meals
- Breakfast, Dinner
-
Day 4 · Valbona Valley Valbona Valley
Mountain walks and village life.
- Hotel
- Guesthouse
- Meals
- Breakfast, Dinner
-
Day 5 · Dečani Monastery, Peja Peja
Into Kosovo.
- Hotel
- Hotel
- Meals
- Breakfast
-
Day 6 · Rugova Valley Rugova Valley
A guided hike and a family lunch.
- Hotel
- Hotel
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch
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Day 7 · Gjakova, Prizren Prizren
A Sufi tekke and a historic city.
- Hotel
- Hotel
- Meals
- Breakfast
-
Day 8 · Prizren Fortress Prizren
The fortress and a free afternoon.
- Hotel
- Hotel
- Meals
- Breakfast
-
Day 9 · Gračanica Monastery, Pristina Pristina
A day trip to the capital.
- Hotel
- Hotel
- Meals
- Breakfast
-
Day 10 · Skopje Skopje
Into North Macedonia.
- Hotel
- Hotel
- Meals
- Breakfast
-
Day 11 · Matka Canyon Matka Canyon
Monasteries and caves in a canyon.
- Hotel
- Hotel
- Meals
- Breakfast
-
Day 12 · Ohrid Lake Ohrid
A lakeside UNESCO town.
- Hotel
- Guesthouse
- Meals
- Breakfast
-
Day 13 · Lake Ohrid Lake Ohrid
A morning cruise and free time.
- Hotel
- Guesthouse
- Meals
- Breakfast
-
Day 14 · Tirana Tirana
Back to Albania.
- Hotel
- Hotel
- Meals
- Breakfast
-
Day 15 · Tirana Trip ends
Depart at any time.
- Meals
- Breakfast
Where you stay
- Tirana (1 night) Hotel
- Shkodër (1 night) Hotel
- Valbona Valley (2 nights) Guesthouse
- Peja (2 nights) Hotel
- Prizren (3 nights) Hotel
- Skopje (2 nights) Hotel
- Lake Ohrid (2 nights) Guesthouse
- Tirana (1 night) Hotel
Hotel names are indicative and may be replaced with a property of similar standard and location.
What's included
Included
- Accommodation 10 nights in hotels and 4 in guesthouses
- Meals 14 breakfasts, 1 lunch and 2 dinners
- Private vehicles, public buses and boats
- Lake Koman boat trip
- Dečani Monastery and Rugova Valley hike
- Prizren fortress and Pristina day trip
- Lake Ohrid cruise
- Local leader throughout
Not included
- Flights
- Meals not included 12 lunches and 12 dinners
- Optional activities and entrance fees
- Tips, travel insurance and personal spending
This trip might not be for you if…
Honest disclaimer — please read
- You want luxury
- You dislike winding mountain roads
- You want many meals included
- You want flights included — they are not
Good to know
Meals by day
Breakfast: Days 2–15 · Lunch: Day 6 · Dinner: Days 3–4
In pictures
Departures & prices
From £1,995 per person, twin share, tour only. 52 upcoming departures.
24 Apr 2027
Twin share
£2,255pp
05 May 2027
Twin share
£2,195pp
08 May 2027
Twin share
£2,115pp
12 May 2027
Twin share
£2,115pp
15 May 2027
Twin share
£2,115pp
22 May 2027
Twin share
£2,115pp
29 May 2027
Twin share
£2,115pp
05 Jun 2027
Twin share
£2,140pp
09 Jun 2027
Twin share
£2,075pp
12 Jun 2027
Twin share
£2,055pp
19 Jun 2027
Twin share
£2,055pp
26 Jun 2027
Twin share
£2,055pp
10 Jul 2027
Twin share
£1,995pp
24 Jul 2027
Twin share
£1,995pp
07 Aug 2027
Twin share
£1,995pp
21 Aug 2027
Twin share
£1,995pp
28 Aug 2027
Twin share
£2,035pp
04 Sep 2027
Twin share
£2,155pp
08 Sep 2027
Twin share
£2,155pp
11 Sep 2027
Twin share
£2,155pp
18 Sep 2027
Twin share
£2,180pp
22 Sep 2027
Twin share
£2,155pp
25 Sep 2027
Twin share
£2,155pp
02 Oct 2027
Twin share
£1,995pp
09 Oct 2027
Twin share
£1,995pp
15 Apr 2028
Twin share
£2,155pp
22 Apr 2028
Twin share
£2,155pp
03 May 2028
Twin share
£2,220pp
06 May 2028
Twin share
£2,220pp
13 May 2028
Twin share
£2,220pp
20 May 2028
Twin share
£2,220pp
27 May 2028
Twin share
£2,220pp
03 Jun 2028
Twin share
£2,220pp
07 Jun 2028
Twin share
£2,155pp
10 Jun 2028
Twin share
£2,155pp
17 Jun 2028
Twin share
£2,155pp
24 Jun 2028
Twin share
£2,155pp
08 Jul 2028
Twin share
£2,095pp
22 Jul 2028
Twin share
£2,095pp
29 Jul 2028
Twin share
£2,095pp
05 Aug 2028
Twin share
£2,095pp
19 Aug 2028
Twin share
£2,095pp
26 Aug 2028
Twin share
£2,095pp
02 Sep 2028
Twin share
£2,260pp
06 Sep 2028
Twin share
£2,260pp
09 Sep 2028
Twin share
£2,260pp
16 Sep 2028
Twin share
£2,260pp
20 Sep 2028
Twin share
£2,260pp
23 Sep 2028
Twin share
£2,260pp
30 Sep 2028
Twin share
£2,260pp
07 Oct 2028
Twin share
£2,095pp
Frequently asked questions
How do I book this tour?
Tap any "Enquire" button on the page and one of our travel specialists will be in touch within 24 hours (often same day). We'll confirm availability on your preferred date, run through anything you need to know, and only ask for the deposit once you've decided.
What financial protection do I get?
Every Travelisto booking is 100% financially protected. Your money is held in a ring-fenced Trust account until you return from your trip, and we are members of the Protected Trust Services scheme (PTS 6035). Most tours also include ATOL protection where flights are part of the package.
How many countries do we visit?
Three: Albania, Kosovo and North Macedonia.
Do I need a visa?
UK visitors don't usually need a visa for short stays in any of the three countries. Check the latest advice before travel.
What are the guesthouses like?
Simple, family-run stays in the Valbona Valley and at Lake Ohrid, with home-cooked dinners in Valbona.
How much walking is there?
Walking tours in towns, plus optional hikes in Valbona and a guided hike in the Rugova Valley.
What is the transport like?
A mix of private vehicles and public buses, with boats on Lake Koman and Lake Ohrid. Roads can be winding.
How many people travel together?
Up to 12 travellers, with a local leader.
Can you tailor the trip?
Yes — every escorted tour can be modified into a private tailor-made version with your own dates, adjusted pace, upgraded hotels and add-on extensions. Tell us what you'd like changed when you enquire and we'll quote it both ways so you can compare.
What if my flight is delayed or cancelled?
If your international flight is part of your booking through us, we re-book at no cost. If you've booked flights separately, the tour's local team holds your transfer slot until you arrive. We strongly recommend a comprehensive travel insurance policy that includes delay and cancellation cover.
ATOL protected
100% financially protected in a Trust bank account
PTS 6035
4.7 on Trustpilot
Tailor-made option
Not quite the right fit? Make it tailor-made.
If this group tour doesn't match your ideal trip, our specialists will turn it into a private tailor-made journey — your own dates, your own pace, upgraded hotels where you want them, and the parts you don't love swapped out. Same destinations, just rebuilt around you.
Contact us for a tailor-made version of this itinerary