Western Balkan Explorer Tour “Yellow Route”

Arrival - Tirane. Pickup from Tirana International Airport and transfer to the city. Leisure day. Overnight at The Crown Boutique & SPA Hotel 4* or similar.

Tirana - Prizren. (184 km, 2h 55 min). After breakfast, we head to the city of Prizren, probably the most attractive town in Kosovo with superbly preserved buildings from the Ottoman era. We visit the castle which is one of the oldest in the Balkans (more than 3 millenniums), built to protect the city from attacks, the ornate Bajrakli Mosque and the old Turkish Hammam among other sights. Prizren is an absolute highlight of any visit to Kosovo and to see the old houses of the old town in low light as the sun sets is a delight. Overnight at Hotel Centrum 4* Prizren or similar.

Rahovec Winery - Gjakova - Junik - Monastery of Decani (UNESCO) - Peja. After breakfast, we will continue at Rahovec Winery (tone Castle Winery, the biggest one in Kosovo, and one of the biggest wineries in Balkan) where you will have the option to taste local wine. Afterward, continue to Gjakova. Gjakova which lies on the banks of the River Erenik. Visit the Gjakova Clock Tower, which marks the center of the Old Bazaar, the grain market and see the handicrafts of quilt-workers, saddler makers, silversmiths and embroiderers. We then visit the 16th century Mosque of “Hadum Aga,” a traditional house for a tea break. We also visit the 16th century inn of “Hani i Haraçisë,” the old bazaar shopping area, and the Ethnographic Museum. Lunch break. Then we will drive to Junik where we visit the famous Kullat e Junikut (Junik Tower). The towers are castle-like houses with a special architecture built in white rock, where Albanians have for centuries sheltered to survive wars and conflicts. We then continue to the Monastery of Decan (UNESCO). The medieval church houses some of the most preserved fresco decorations in the Balkans and the grounds are also a delight. After arriving in Peje we explore the Ottoman Empire time sites of the town including the Haxhi Beut Mosque and the old house of Jashar Pasha as well as the Sheremet Tower and the old bazaar. Overnight Dukagjini Hotel 5* or similar.

Ulpiana Ancient City Ruins - Monastery of Gracanica - Pristine. We then will continue to the ruins of Ulpiana, an ancient Roman time city that was once one of the most powerful in the Balkans. Later we visited the spectacular Gracanica Monastery, one of Kosovo’s most beautiful sites and containing some impressive frescoes. After arrival in Pristina, explore the city visiting its main sites such as the Orthodox Church and the Carshi Mosque, dating back to the early 15th century. Overnight Opera Hotel 4* or similar.

Gadime Cave - Skopje. After breakfast, we will continue to North Macedonia stopping first at Gadime Cave. The mouth of the Marble Cave in Gadime is nowhere to be seen. The cave is alive and bursting with activity, with explorers, archaeologists, biologists and cave divers unearthing the secrets of two million years of natural history, Gadime is being left behind. Under protection from the Kosovo government since 2011 as a natural monument of “special importance,” Gadime’s exploration has been stunted by lack of management and funding, allegations of corruption, and careless treatment of the cave’s natural environment. We cross the border and head to its capital Skopje. Walk through the landmarks of the old part of Skopje, starting with the Skopje Castle placed on a hill, which gives a view to the old and the new part of Skopje. Then continue with walking down toward Mustafa Pasha Mosque (1492) and the church of Holy Savior (18th Century), then to the historical district known as the Skopje’s Old Bazaar characterized by architectural mixture of churches, mosques, inns, baths, many craftsmen’s shops, old buildings, restaurants and pubs and small shops. Overnight in Skopje (Hotel Alexander II 4*, or similar).

Matka Kanyons - Tetovo - Mavrovo National Park. After breakfast continue to Matka Canyons. Matka is a gorge in which a rich complex of medieval buildings survives, including churches, monasteries and remnants of a fortress (the medieval town of Matka).There are dozens of caves and large numbers of endemic plants and animals. The Canyon covers an area of around 5.000ha and is located 15km south-west of Skopje. Afterwards will continue to Tetova, the tour will go on in Tetova which lies along the Pollogu valley, 468 m above sea level. Although it is recognized as a locality since the bronze – age, as a city it is mentioned in the XVII. century under the name Tetovo. During medievalism Tetova has been an important farmer and artisans center, but also a military center of the Ottomans Empire. Tetova is recognized for her numerous mosques that date to the XV century, the most famous is Mosque Pasha builded in 1459. Here we are going to see beautiful frescos not only inside but also outside the building. Tetova’s Castle over the city, was builded in 1820 Abdurahman Pasha, the interior is composed of 5 rooms , big kitchens, toilet, a shadoof in the middle and 3 tunnels. Memorial Museum, Culture Palace builded in 1975 over the ruins of the old Carshi Mosque, Masjid of Bektashinjte “Harabati”, which is also a big bibliotheca builded in 1538–1548, are places that will be visited. After this city tour, we will continue to Mavrovo National Park which covers an area of 73088 hectares, and has micro-ecological conditions. It has more than 30 caves and one Lake at the altitude of 1200 m. Mavrovo is famous for its ski center. Accommodation to hotel in Mavrovo. Possibility for light walking around. Overnight Mia Favorites Hotel 4* or similar.

Debar - Struga - Ohrid (UNESCO). After breakfast, Debar via Black Drini River valley and enjoy the spectacular views of nature and amazing stories behind. We will have a visit to Dibra e Madhe (Debar), which is the most important city in the valley. We head to Struga where we have a short stop at the place where the Drini River source is from Ohrid Lake. Then drive to the beautiful town of Ohrid, designated a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Explore its mixture of western and oriental architecture including the Orthodox Cathedral, the 11th century church of St Sofia as well as the Roman amphitheater. Overnight at hotel Sky Corner Hotel 4* or similar.

Elbasan - Tirana. After breakfast we cross the border to Albania, where we visit Elbasan. It was a very old and important city in the Ancient Via Egnatia Road that used to connect Durres to Thessaloniki and Istanbul. We visit the old town, castle, church, mosque, etc. Then drive to Tirana. Overnight at The Crown Boutique & SPA Hotel 4* or similar.

Departure. After breakfast, Airport transfer. End of services. Saturday. Optional: Change to continue to successive Balkan tour(s): Blue, Silver or Red loops/circuits.