Rajah Travel Corporation

Dining Summary

• 3 Dinner (D)
• 8 Breakfast (B)
• 1 Lunch (L)

Included Experience

• Tirana: Kicking off with a bang, tonight we'll savour a traditional Albanian dinner with warm stews, pies and breads.
• Tirana: Take an orientation around the rainbow-coloured Albanian capital with your Contiki gang. Familiarise yourself with the landmarks and best places to grab a coffee.
• Fishtë: Welcome to Mrizi i Zanave. Here, you'll have the chance to learn about sustainable farming. Then, we'll top it off with a wholesome organic lunch where the waiters will tell you where each local ingredient comes from. Seriously. It's so good, even Dua Lipa has visited this place!
• Prizren: See this beautiful town, studded with Ottoman architecture, flowing rivers, and intriguing artefacts. Cherry on top? The locals here are super hospitable too!
• Valbonë: Lace up! We’re hiking up to Stani Rames (1,650 m above sea level) for big fresh-air vibes and a well-earned break. Then we retrace the trail back down to Kukaj village for lunch at Tahir’s place: soup, bread, salad and byrek, plus Turkish coffee and a splash of raki — with time to chat to Tahir and his family. Afterwards, we’ll head off again through a gorgeous forest trail to the riverbank, where our bus will be waiting on the other side. 
• Koman: You'll cruise over one of the most stunning lakes in Albania. We won't spoil the view for you, but keep your cameras rolling!
• Krujë: Welcome to the heart of Albanian legend! This is where national hero Skanderbeg held the line against the Ottoman armies for years (iconic behaviour). We’ll walk the cobbled streets past wooden shopfronts and along the castle walls, then step inside the Skanderbeg Museum for the full story. After that? Free time in the old Ottoman bazaar to haggle for local handicrafts and pick up something properly unique.
• Blue Eye: Take a stroll to the Blue Eye, an unreal, electric-blue natural spring where the water’s so clear you can see straight to the bottom. It’s an easy 4 km walk each way on paved paths through lush greenery, with a little cafe stop to refuel before we head back.
• Gjirokastër: Welcome to UNESCO-listed Gjirokastër, Albania’s “Stone City”. Think slate-roofed houses, steep limestone lanes and views for days. You’ll wander the old town, dive into the bazaar and its quirky little shops, then climb up to the castle carved from rock sourced straight from the surrounding mountains. Come for the history. Stay for the local chats (and a few top-tier photo stops too).
• Berat: Come explore Berat — UNESCO-listed since 2008 and famously nicknamed the “City of windows one above the other”. We’ll explore its three main neighbourhoods: Gorica across the river, Mangalem clinging to the hillside, and Kalaja up inside the fortress walls. Expect an easy wander through the ancient castle, gates, towers and classic Berat homes, with stops at Orthodox churches, Byzantine-era sites and mosques along the way.

• Hotel Arber (or similar)
• Bujtina Brahim Selimaj (or similar)
• Hotel Kroi (or similar)
• Hotel Artur (or similar)
• Hotel Kalemi (or similar)

You ready? Welcome to Tirana! Tonight, you’ll have the chance to chat & eat with your brand new crew over a welcome dinner at a charming local restaurant.

Duration: 1 Day

Accommodation: Hotel Arber (or similar)

This morning, we’ll head out on foot to explore Tirana’s wonders on a walking tour, soaking up the city’s must-sees and local buzz as we go.Next up: Fishtë. Think wide-open fields, rolling hills and seriously peaceful views. This afternoon, we’ll gorge on a delicious, homegrown lunch (with glorious vineyard views as the backdrop). Ahh, life’s good. Isn’t it? This beautiful old town is studded with restaurants that are perfect if you wanna try the local cuisine. Then you’ve got some time to explore the cobblestone streets here, before we continue on to Valbonë.After a long journey, we’ll roll into gorgeous Valbonë. Hungry? Dinner’s on at the guesthouse tonight. Then it’s an early one — sleep tight, because tomorrow we hike.

Duration: 1 Day

Accommodation: Bujtina Brahim Selimaj (or similar)

Big nature day incoming. This morning we’ll hit the trails in Valbonë National Park for a hike, soaking up those peak Albanian Alps views and forest-fresh air along the way. The afternoon is all yours to chill at the guesthouse, wander the valley or just spend time with your new mates. Later, we’ll regroup for an included dinner.

Duration: 1 Day

Accommodation: Bujtina Brahim Selimaj (or similar)

Time to say goodbye to the lush mountain views. We’ll make our way to our next adventure.It’s ferry time! You’ll cruise along the breathtaking valleys and hills surrounding Lake Komani towards Fierza. Then, a short drive later, we’ll have arrived at Krujë.Hello Krujë! We’ll take a walking tour through the cobbled lanes, old Ottoman bazaar and up by the castle walls, with a stop at the Skanderbeg Museum inside the fortress. Then it’s free time — shop, snack, explore, or do whatever you feel like.

Duration: 1 Day

Accommodation: Hotel Kroi (or similar)

Time to say goodbye to Krujë as we make our way south to Ksamil.Say hello to the bright-blue waters of Ksamil. Tonight’s yours — wander the town’s beachy corners, chase that sunset, and grab dinner at a laid-back spot by the sea.

Duration: 1 Day

Accommodation: Hotel Artur (or similar)

A free day in paradise? Yep. Today you can do Ksamil your way — think sugar-soft beaches, tiny islands just offshore and water so clear it looks filtered. Want to level it up? There’s an optional boat cruise up for grabs for even more Ionian-blue goodness, hidden coves and coastline views. Then you’ve got one more free evening to spend however you like — sunset stroll, seaside dinner, or one last dip before dark.

Duration: 1 Day

Accommodation: Hotel Artur (or similar)

Bye for now, Ksamil. But don’t worry — the next stops are seriously worth it, and your camera roll is about to level up.

Duration: 1 Day

Accommodation: Hotel Kalemi (or similar)

This morning we’ll say goodbye to Gjirokastër and make our way back towards the capital.Quick pitstop in the “City of a thousand windows”. Expect hillside neighbourhoods, Ottoman-era houses stacked above the river, postcard views at every turn and yep… a lot of windows. After a walking tour, we’ll continue on our way.Back in Tirana tonight, you have the option to keep it low-key or join an Albanian Night, with dinner, music and dance that brings local culture to life.

Duration: 1 Day

Accommodation: Hotel Arber (or similar)

Oh, what a treat it has been. 9 days of beautiful beaches, perfect mountains and undisturbed exploration. Grab your final breakfast here. And grab your friends’ socials too. The only thing left to do now is plan your next trip together.

Duration: 1 Day