Self-Drive in the Albanian Alps (8 Days)

• Cultural Discovery
• Deals and Discounts
• Family Tours
• Self-guided tours
• Sight-seeing
• Walking Holidays

For an eventful and adventurous vacation on your own pace, you should consider our Albanian highlanders so called “Malesorë” tour. The tour covers some of the most scenic rural parts of Northern Albania, Kosovo and Montenegro and includes a world-class ‘Boat Trip on the Spectacular Lake Koman’, visit of the beautiful ‘Valbona Valley’, and a visit to the at the beautiful Decani Monastery, a UNESCO World Heritage Site.

Special highlights of this tour are:

• Rozafa Castle
• Lake Shkodra
• Lake Koman
• Valbona Valley
• The old Bazar of Gjakova
• The Monastery of Decan
• Rugova Valley
• Plava Lake
• Kelmend Valley

DEPARTURE/RETURN	Tirana
CODE:	SDN8.1
TYPE:	Self Drive holiday
LEVEL:	Easy
PRICE:
DATES:	May – October
NIGHTS:	7
DAYS:	8
START/FINISH	Tirana International Airport
ACCOMMODATION:	3* Hotels / Local guesthouses
DEPARTURE TIME	As per request
INCLUDED	7 nights accommodation in hotels (3*) or local guesthouses based on shared rooms  Breakfast from Day2 – Day8; Lunch on Days3 & Day6; Dinner on Days 2,3,5&6  Rented vehicle for all the days of your stay with unlimited mileage Green card / car insurance for border crossing Ferry Ride Koman – Fierze (Passengers and rented vehicle) Road Book & Vouchers 24-hour emergency service
NOT INCLUDED	Drinks & Snacks Gasoline Everything not mentioned under section included Bank transfer fees If you wish to pay by credit card, there is a 4.5% service charge

 

Essential Info:

Drivers must produce a full, current driving license and must be at least 23 years old. If you are

under 23 years old a surcharge will apply. Special rates may also apply if you are over 65, have

held a driving licence for less than 2 years, or you have any driving endorsements.

 

Please ensure all drivers bring their driving license.

 

Our package prices include the following elements as well as touring information; maps and

detailed directions to ensure you enjoy discovering Albania independently.

 

Insurance

Unlimited Mileage

Tax

 

All the hotels selected have parking lots also additional information of security parking will follow

under road-book.

 

Rental Cars available for this tour are

Skoda Octavia / Sedan; Year 2012; Engine 1.6; Diesel; Manual Gearbox

Mercedes C Class / Sedan; Year 2007; Engine 2.2; Diesel; Automatic Gearbox

Ford Fusion; Year 2008; Engine 1.4; Diesel; Manual gearbox

Skoda Fabia; Year 2006; Engine 1.4; Benzine & Gas; Automatic Gearbox

Renault Clio; Year 2006; Engine 1.2; Benzine & Gas; Manual gearbox

 

Please contact us and get a price quote for this tour. Note that this tour is fully customizable and days and activities can be added upon request. This tour is also offered as a fully guided private tour.

Level of the tour: Easy

It’s better if you are  in good physical shape. You should note that there could be weather changes in the mountains. Therefore, it is recommended that you wear appropriate shoes for a walk in the mountains (hiking shoes or trainers) and carry an extra layer (preferably wind and water proof) in case of any weather change.

Accommodation
We have a simple accommodation category for this tour which includes shared facilities in guest houses, country hotels, farmhouses and etc. In some you might find a TV and a washbasin. All offer breakfast that is included in the price. Also in the countryside some places offer all meals included in the price.

What to bring:

Breathable lightweight waterproof gear (gortex, sympatex, etc), fleece/wool pullovers/windstopper jackets and gloves, small backpack with rain coverage, cap, sunblock, mosquito repellent, headlamp, hiking poles, water bottle, sunglasses/block.

GOOD TO KNOW 

Rented vehicle pick-up location

Tirana Airport

Rented vehicle drop-off location

Tirana Airport

Children policy

Children joining this tour should have experience with hiking. An adult need accompany children under 18.

Terrain during the hikes

This trail is characterized by lots of descents and ascents. The route passes over engraved relief representing alpine terrain with steep slopes, mountain river valleys carved into the mountains, rocky peaks, belts of mountain pine, etc. However, the chosen paths are mostly well trodden underfoot and safe.

Land only

The “OA” tours are Land Only; the prices do not include your flight, nor transport to and from the airport to hotel. You must make your own way to the starting point of every tour. If you would like us to arrange a transfer for you from the airport to your hotel or from your hotel to the beginning point of the tour please let us know at booking or contact us via the enquiry form.

Hiking route

We reserve the right to modify the hiking route, in case of presence of snow or bad weather conditions

FAQs

What is the difference between guided and self-guided?

Self-guided individual tours have become increasingly popular because of the flexibility and independence they offer. They cost less than guided bicycle tours but still maintain a level of support and convenience that allows you to explore on your own schedule without sweating the logistics.

If you enjoy traveling with a group, meeting new people, and having a guide and structured daily schedule, then a guided group tour is probably the best fit for you. The guides point out places of interest, organize excursions and activities and are there in case of breakdowns (mechanical or human).

How flexible is a self-guided tour in terms of itinerary?

While most of our travelers opt for one of our pre-planned self-guided itineraries, we can modify any of our tours to suit your particular needs. We typically offer a variety of hotels to fit your budget. And unlike guided trips with set departure dates, there is no chance of an operator canceling the trip for low participation. Your tour can only be cancelled by you you.

How do you create and plan the routes?
All of our routes are thoroughly researched and ridden annually by our staff to ensure you will have the best possible experience. We also plan our routes so you’ll have plenty of time to savor small towns and villages along the way and enjoy interacting with the locals.

Do I have to carry my backpack?

Yes, please make sure you will need one day backpack with you and water.

Can I book a single room on the guesthouses?

On the villages, we use local guesthouses where you share a room up to about 5 persons per room. But yes with the private tours and tailor-made tours it is possible to book a single room at extra charges.

Can you read a map and follow road signs?
This normally is very easy, but if you are not comfortable or you don’t enjoy reading a map, self-guided may not be for you. To really enjoy a self-guided trip, you’ll need to be flexible and have a sense of humor. So if do you miss a turn and have to backtrack or even ask a local for assistance, you’ll be okay doing so and remember the most memorable trips always have a little unscripted adventure built into them.

What is the terrain like during the hikes?

This trail is saturated with lots of descends and ascends. The route passes over engraved relief representing alpine terrain with steep slopes, mountain river valleys incised on the mounts, rocky peaks, belts of mountain pine, etc. However, the chosen paths are mostly well trod underfoot and safe.

What should I bring along on this hiking trip?

Breathable lightweight waterproof gear (gore-tex, sympatex, etc), fleece/wool pullovers/windstopper jackets and gloves, small backpack with rain coverage, cap, sunblock, mosquito repellent, headlamp, hiking poles, water bottle, sunglasses/block.

Are these family-friendly vacations?

Children are welcome at many of our hotels, but keep in mind some of the routes and tour activities may not be very interesting for children. We recommend discussing the proposed routes with us to determine whether the route is suitable for kids.

What kind of support does Outdoor Albania offer during the trip?
Our representative will give you the roadbook, vouchers and detailed information containing accommodations and up-to-date recommendations for dining, cultural attractions and other on-tour highlights. And should any urgent issues arise, you have 24-hour access to our support phone line.

In case your question is not answered yet, after reading the FAQ, please feel free to contact us via the enquiry form.