Family trip: Authentic Albania
Overview
From €1,350 per person · 9 days · departs from Tirana or Tirana Airport
A private nine-day loop of Albania paced for families: a boat day on Komani Lake and the Shala River, beach time at Golem and Ksamil, Berat and a cooking class with a local family, two hours of rafting on the Vjosa with the Benja hot springs after, Gjirokastër and the Blue Eye, and the Riviera road back to Tirana. Private transfers with a guide, eight hotel nights with breakfast, the activity tickets and the cooking class are in the price.
Tour facts
Highlights
- Airport - Tirana / 20 km 40 mins
- Komani Lake and Shala River scenic riverboat trip
- Golem beach & Berat UNESCO
- Cooking class with a local family, fruit picking & transfer to Permet.
- Vjosa River Rafting -Langarica Canyon exploration & Relax at Thermal Springs
The trip starts and ends at Tirana Airport, 20 km from the city. Day one is a walking tour of the capital; day two leaves at 6:30 for Koman and the boat up the lake into the Shala River, with time to swim, kayak and eat before the return. Day three mixes the sandy beach at Golem with the afternoon in Berat, castle, Mangalem and Gorica. Day four is the one families remember: a cooking class in a local family's kitchen, lunch from what was cooked, fruit picking, and the drive to Përmet.
Day five is the adventure day, about two hours of rafting on the Vjosa after a safety briefing, then the Lengarica canyon and the thermal pools at Benja. Day six goes to Gjirokastër, the 300-year-old Skenduli house and the bazaar, and on to the Blue Eye spring and Saranda. Day seven is a beach day at Ksamil, with Butrint's archaeological site as an option. Day eight follows the Riviera road, Porto Palermo castle, the Llogara pass and Vlorë, back to Tirana for the airport the next morning. Eight nights with breakfast, one dinner, the Komani boat, the rafting and the cooking class are included.
Itinerary
Transfer to Tirana, check in at hotel. Walking tour in Tirana. Overnight in Tirana
Overnight in Tirana
06:30 am- Transfer to Koman , boat trip in Komani Lake and Shala River. Free time to swim, kayak, lunch. Transfer to Tirana . Overnight in Tirana
Overnight in Tirana
Breakfast, transfer to Golem , free time to relax , swim, & lunch at sandy beaches of Golem. Transfer to Berat , visit of the Castle, Mangalem, Gorica. Overnight in Berat
Overnight in Berat
Breakfast, visit to a local family where you will do a cooking class and learn some traditional dishes of Albania, what an authentic way. Lunch with the dishes that we made, afternoon transfer to Permet. Overnight in Permet.
Overnight in Përmet
Breakfast, transfer to the Rafting base, and after a short safety briefing and instruction get ready to enjoy the adventure of rafting for around 2 hours. Transfer to Langarica Canyon and Thermal Springs of Benja, explore the canyon and relax at the thermal waters. Overnight in Permet
Overnight in Përmet
Breakfast, transfer to Gjirokaster, visit of Skenduli House a 300 years old house, and Bazaar. Transfer to Blue Eye Sarande to visit this unique natural attraction. Overnight in Sarande
Overnight in Sarandë
Relax at Ksamil beaches. Optional visit to Butrint Archaeological Site. Overnight in Sarande
Overnight in Sarandë
Scenic road of the Albanian Riviera, stop at Porto Palermo Castle, Llogara, Vlore. Overnight in Tirana
Overnight in Tirana
Transfer to Airport, end of tour.
What's included
- Private transfers with Guide
- Hotel Accommodation for 8 nights
- Breakfasts
- 1 Dinner
- Entry tickets at following sites/museums
- Boat Trip Tickets in Komani Lake
- Rafting tickets in Vjosa River
- Cooking class in Berat
Not included
- Lunches and dinners except the one listed
- Drinks
Good to know
Photos from this tour
Questions travelers ask
Is it suitable for children?
The itinerary was built for families: beach days at Golem and Ksamil, a cooking class, a boat day, and rafting on the Vjosa with instructors. Tell us the ages of the children when you book so the rafting and walking parts can be matched to them.
What is included in the price?
Private transfers with a guide for the nine days, eight hotel nights with breakfast, one dinner, the entry tickets at the listed sites, the Komani Lake boat, the Vjosa rafting and the cooking class in Berat. Other meals are free choice.
How long is the rafting?
About two hours on the Vjosa from the rafting base near Përmet, after a safety briefing and instruction, followed by the Lengarica canyon and the Benja thermal springs the same afternoon.
Is Butrint included on the Ksamil day?
Butrint is an optional visit on day seven; the day is otherwise free for the beach at Ksamil.
Where does the tour start?
Pickup at Tirana International Airport on day one, drop-off at the airport on day nine.
Photo credits
- Berat, Old Town - Driving Albania 124 (3867490897) by Pero Kvrzica · CC BY 2.0
