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21 MAY– 11 JUN2024 (23D21N ACCOMODATION) ALBANIA NORTH MACEDONIA KOSOVO
(Istanbul, Tirana, Berat, Sarande, Gjirokaster, Permet, Voskopje, Ohrid, Skopje, Pristina, Peja, Valbone, Shkoder, Theth)

Cost per pax RM7800(13pax + 1 Yongo guide-based on rate (1 USD = RM4.67) 23rd NOV 2023 Final adjustment of the cost is based on the exchange rate at the time of final collection

**UPDATE 30 DEC 2023 - FLIGHT DETAILS UPDATED AS BELOW**

EXCLUDE FLIGHTS (Return flight-Qatar Airways: RM2794+AirAlbania RM645)
21MAY24 KUL-IST 0955-1835 via QATAR AIRWAYS
22MAY24 IST-TIA 1615-1655 via AIR ALBANIA
10JUN24 TIA-IST 0830-1110 via AIR ALBANIA
11JUN 24 IST-KUL 1345-0825(+1) via QATAR AIRWAYS

*PLEASE DO NOT BOOK ANY FLIGHTS UNTIL ADVISED BY US*

IMPORTANT NOTICE: This is meant to be a good-value travel experience trip, planned to find a right balance between adventure, nature, culture, shopping and even chill-out time. Having said that, travelers should still be relatively fit, with a good sense of humor, and above all, have the right attitude for close travel with others through possibly some trying times. Most definitely, this is not a trip for prudes, whiners, fuss-pots, and other similarly assorted types! We had a couple of those before and it wasn't pleasant for us or them.

Although every effort will be made to stick to the given itinerary, ground conditions may change and cause some disruption and/or deviation from the norm. Otherwise, have fun!

LEFT:Route 22/05/24-01/06/24 RIGHT:Route 01/06/24-10/06/24

ALBANIA is slowly becoming the jewel of the Balkans due to its sparkling crystal waters, impressive mountains, and affordability for all types of travelers. Part Balkan, part Mediterranean and rich in Greek, Roman and Otoman heritage, be prepared to be submerged in a rich culture like no other in Europe.NORTH MACEDONIA is Europe’s newest country, with a fascinating and a complex national identity. With vast lakes ringed by old Byzantine churches, thickly forested mountains, archaeological remains from as far back as the era of Alexander the Great, this is truly a litle land of plenty. KOSOVO is not exactly on the main tourist trail, but for those who make the effort, this fascinating land at the heart of Balkans rewards visitors with welcoming smiles, charming mountain towns, incredible hiking opportunities and 13th century monasteries brushed in medieval art. Join us on a minimum 1500-2000 km journey through these less-visited parts of the Balkans, before the masses realize what they are missing!!! :D

DAY 1 KLIA – Gather at KLIA at 0600 on 21 MAY 2024, to fly KUL-IST (0955-1835) flight. Arriving Istanbul, transfer to hotel and rest of day free and easy. Take this opportunity to walk around Grand Bazaar, Spice Bazaar, Sultanahmet area, hop on a Bosporus cruise (own costs) etc. Overnight Istanbul
DAY 2 ISTANBUL-TIRANA – Free and easy morning, 22 MAY 1300 afternoon transfer to airport and fly IST-TIA (1615-1655). On arrival, transfer to hotel. Rest of evening free and easy to wander around the hub of one of the last countries to shake off a despotic one-man rule in 1992. Overnight Tirana
DAY 3 TIRANA - Morning guided walking tour of Tirana as an apt start to get first info of Albanian history, people, customs etc. Afternoon visit Albania’s well laid out National Museum, and evening enjoy exploring the old bazaar area now filled with chic eateries. Overnight Tirana
DAY 4 TIRANA-BERAT (100KM) - Morning visit Bunk Art 1 Museum just outside Tirana, to understand an important dark part of Albanian Hoxha-era history. We have an outdoor lunch in a winery (own cost), and then drive to Berat Castle. End the day with an evening walk of Berat, “City of Thousand Windows”, and see why it is called as such. Overnight Berat
DAY 5 BERAT-KARAVASTA LAGOON-LOGARA NP-SARANDË (310KM) Karavastsa Lagoon is a sanctuary for the largest population of pelicans in Europe, and we take an easy boardwalk of these wetlands. Viore will be our seafood lunch stop (own cost), before traversing the scenic coastal drive to Llogara National Park, where time permitting, we may do a short walk in the lush pine forest. Sarandë, our last stop, is the prime beachfront resort of Albania. Overnight Sarandë
DAY 6 CORFU ISLAND, GREECE - We go “overseas’ today, taking a ferry to Greece’s Corfu Island for a full-day trip. A UNESCO Heritage site, Corfu is rated as one of Greece’s most beautiful islands, and we try to discover how true to reality this is, while enjoying typical Grecian bonhomie. Overnight Sarandë
DAY 7 SARANDË -BUTRINT ARCHAEOLOGICAL PARK-KSAMIL BEACH (35KM) - A full morning experiencing the UNESCO Heritage Site of Butrint Archeological Park, surely Albani’s premier treasure trove of history spanning Greek, Roman, Venetian and Ottoman eras. After all that history, relax with sun, sea and sand at Ksamil beach. Water is cold, but worth a refreshing dip. Overnight Sarandë
DAY 8 BLUE EYE SARANDË-GJIROKASTËR (59KM) A short walk will bring us to the Blue Eye, famous for its stunning beauty and rich turquoise water so clear that you can see the bottom and the bubbles rising to the surface. A short drive will bring us to the UNESCO Heritage town of Gjirokastër, City of Stones, with layers of Greek, Byzantine and Ottoman remains, and we arrive well in time to enjoy strolling its cobbled stone streets. Overnight Gjirokastër

DAY 9 GJIROKASTËR-PËRMET (62KM) A good morning visit of Gjirokastër Castle, the largest and one of the best preserved in Albania. First built in the 6th Century, this dominant edifice today houses old armaments, dank dungeons and hosts an annual cultural festival in Summer. Afternoon drive to Përmet, arriving in time for an evening walk to quaint Leusa Church and good sunset viewpoint of the city. Overnight Përmet
DAY 10 BURIMET “HOT SPRING”-KORÇË-VOSKOPOJË (154KM) Burimet "Hot Spring" is really only mildly warm by any standard, but its lovely setting amidst forest and canyons compensate, and we will take in a Canyon Walk as well. Driving to Korçë, we will arrive for an evening walk around the Old Town, before proceeding to serene Voskopojë village. Overnight Voskopojë
DAY 11 VOSKOPOJË-SAINT NAUM-OHRID (90KM)-Its forest bathing time as we take in a short morning walk around the pine forests of Voskopojë Village. After that stroll, we will visit Korçë beer brewery and may be able to taste beer fresh from the tank! After lunch, we cross border to North Macedonia, visit Lake Ohrid frontage Saint Naum Monastery and take in a boat ride to see the crystal clear springs that feed Lake Ohrid(own costs). Overnight Ohrid Old Town

DAY 12 OHRID-SKOPJE(182KM)-Morning walking tour of Lake Ohrid town, visiting St Samuel Fortress, Church of St Clement and Panteleimon, Church of Saint Sofia, the old Roman Theater etc, and take in a short lake edge boat rode(own costs), to see Ohrid from the waters. After lunch we move on to Skopje to reach by evening. Overnight Skopje
DAY 13 SKOPJE - We will have a nice half-day nature walk at Matka Canyon just outside Skopje, along a forested trail hugging the canyon and its watery wonderland. Back to Skopje for lunch, the afternoon will be spent on a walking tour of Skopje, taking in the Old Bazaar area to the modern square where Alexander’s statue stands regale in the main square. Overnight Skopje
DAY 14 SKOPJE-PRISTINA (92KM)- A short drive will bring us to our second overland border crossing as we drive to Pristina, capital of Kosovo. We will visit the garish architecture that is the National University Library, Mother Teresa Cathedral, Prishtina Bear Sanctuary and look at countless statues that ring the city. Overnight Pristina

DAY 15 PRISTINA-PEJA (86KM) – Morning drive to Peja, and we do an easy 3 hrs Livadhi Sakes trail that will take us to the foothills of the Accursed Mountain and nice viewpoints of Peja and surrounding peaks. In the afternoon chill out at pretty Peja town with a clean Lumbhardi River running in the center of town. Overnight Peja
DAY 16 PEJA-VALBONË (82KM) – We drive to Valbonë, a village in Kukës County, northern Albania to arrive late morning, and with time to spare for nice nature walks in Valbonë National Park to Lake Xhemes, Rrogam waterfalls etc. Overnight Valbonë
DAY 17 VALBONE-LAKE KOMANI-SHKODËR (190KM) - Today will see us take to boats again as we cruise Lake Komani for a few hours (own costs), traversing the scenic narrow canyons of the Albanian Highlands, which are also the tail end of the European Alps. We should be arriving at Shkodër, one of the oldest cities in Europe by evening. Overnight Shkodër
DAY 18 SHKODËR-THETH (76KM) - Morning walking tour of Shkodër, taking in beautiful Rozafa Castle, and the Marubi Permanent Photo Exhibition among others. After lunch a scenic drive will unfold as we head to Theth National Park, one of the most remote of locations one could go to in Albania. Overnight Theth

DAY 19 THETH – Renowned for striking rugged mountains with steep sharp summits creating stunning landscapes, Theth criss-crosses with many nature trails. We will do an easy to moderate half-day hike to Theth Blue Eyes, one of the prettiest trails in Albania, Late afternoon chill and fill your lungs with the fresh mountain air of Theth. Overnight Theth
DAY 20 THETH-KRUJË-TIRANA (200KM) - A full morning drive will take us to Krujë, Albania’s old capital, where we will have a lunch stop after a short visit to its interesting Krujë Castle. By early afternoon we will arrive Tirana, in time for a bit of strolling and shopping after completing an almost 2000km loop of a much less visited part of the Balkans. Overnight Tirana
DAY 21 TIRANA – ISTANBUL 10 JUN 2024 At 0600, transfer to Tirana airport to catch our IST-TIA (0830-1110), Transfer to hotel in town and just in time for an afternoon of last-minute shopping or just enjoying the bustling nightlife. Overnight Istanbul
DAY 22 ISTANBUL-KUL - 11 JUN 2024 1000 transfer to Istanbul airport to catch our Qatar Airways IST-KUL (1345-0825+1) flight to Doha and onward connection to KL
DAY 23 KLIA - Eta KL 0825 and end of another Yongo adventure. Lesotho or Komodo perhaps? :D

TERMS AND CONDITIONS

Whatsapp Phone: Lee Keng 012 3158353 OR Lee Ming 016 2209033
Email: yongleekeng@gmail.com OR yongo123@gmail.com