Your journey begins in the majestic Bay of Kotor, a Unesco-listed fjord shielded by thousand-metre cliffs that rise almost vertically from the sparkling cobalt water. Touching down at the airport, a private Flash Pack transfer will be waiting to whisk you to your boutique hotel in the heart of Kotor’s medieval Old Town, a maze of cobbled alleyways and secluded plazas encircled by imposing stone walls. Here, you’ll meet your Pack Leader and group for an orientation tour and drink before getting to know each other over a traditional three-course Balkan dinner. Enjoy your first taste of local wine and raise a shot of rakija to the adventures to come. 

After breakfast, prepare for a thrilling speedboat excursion to explore the islets, tunnels, caves and beaches of the Montenegrin coast. Your first stop is the mesmerising Blue Cave, a secluded sea grotto where you can hop overboard to swim in the clear, iridescent water. Next, you’ll visit the quaint harbour town of Perast, home to just 300 residents yet composed almost entirely of grand Venetian palaces and churches. Dine at the water’s edge in one of the excellent seafood restaurants before visiting the picturesque island sanctuary of Our Lady of the Rock. Back in Kotor, there’s a tasty afternoon in store as you take in the Old Town’s highlights, stopping off at a farmer’s market to sample some delicious regional produce. 

Keep your camera handy: you’re in for some mind-boggling mountain views as you tackle the white-knuckle Serpentine Road to Lovcen National Park. Looping up through hairpin bends to nearly 1800 metres, the panorama expands to take in the entire Bay of Kotor. You’ll climb the steps to Njegoš mausoleum, before being welcomed for lunch in the garden of a local family. Relax and enjoy some true Montenegrin hospitality as you learn about their way of life and taste homemade prosciutto, cheese and honey. Descending to the riviera, you’ll explore the well-heeled town of Budva, known as the ‘Montenegrin Miami’ for its buzzing shops, restaurants and bars, before ending the day with sunset cocktails by the beach. Bliss!

Today, Durmitor National Park beckons and the scenery ramps up even further with dizzying canyons, glacial lakes and towering limestone peaks around every bend. You’ll transfer from your minibus to a fleet of 4x4s to drive the rugged ring road that circumnavigates the park. Traversing pine-cloaked valleys and Alpine pastureland – a carpet of wildflowers in spring – you’ll stop off at a local farm to meet the animals, see how cheese is traditionally made and prepare a rustic rural lunch with fresh veg from the garden. Breathing in the fresh mountain air, you’ll continue your circular route, marvelling at the breathtaking landscapes and stopping off to wild swim at one of the mountain lakes (beware the water can be chilly!).

A playground for outdoor adventures (think skiing in winter; canyoning, hiking and rafting in summer), Durmitor is home to the spectacular Tara Canyon, a 1300-metre tear in the earth bisected by a vibrant turquoise river. The best views are from the water and this morning you’ll be riding the rapids with your group on an exhilarating rafting trip. Refuel at a mountain restaurant with a menu of typical seasonal dishes, such as local lamb or fish, before your next dose of adrenaline: a zipline next to the dramatic Djurdjevica Tara Bridge. Back at your highland guesthouse, slow the pace with a gentle afternoon hike down to the mirror-still Black Lake, where you can bathe and relax surrounded by natural forest beauty. 

Back on the road, you’ll travel south to beautiful Lake Skadar, the largest lake in the Balkans. Straddling the border with Albania, it’s a haven for birdlife (including the Dalmatian pelican), dotted with tiny fishing villages and stone island monasteries. Take in the famous river loop view from pretty Rijeka Crnojevica before a tranquil kayaking excursion across the lily-covered water. Having worked up an appetite, you’ll be treated to lunch at one of the area’s family-run vineyards. With fertile land and a sunny Mediterranean climate, wine-producing dates back here for thousands of years. Sample deep ruby vrnac, black wine and grape brandy, with a side of cold cuts and cheeses, before bidding farewell to Montenegro as you cross the border into Albania.  

Fuel up with a traditional Albanian breakfast ready for your foray into Theth National Park. Characterised by deep valleys, natural spring waterfalls and jagged mountain wilderness, the whole area feels untouched and pristine, with some of the best hiking in the country. Together with a local guide, who will tell you about local customs and traditions, you’ll follow a trail through forests, across rivers and up into the foothills. Your destination is a small cascade that tumbles into a crystalline blue pool, known as the Blue Eye. It’s an exceptionally scenic spot for a picnic and a shot of Skanderbeg whiskey (Albanian brandy) as you contemplate a dip in the deceptively icy water. 

Continuing south, your first stop today is the hilltop town of Kruje. Synonymous with Albania’s national hero, Skanderberg – who led the resistance to the Ottomans some 500 years ago – the town is something of a holy site for Albanians. Visit the Skanderberg Museum, explore the crumbling castle and meet local filigree crafters in the bazaar, who will be all too happy to show off their skills and let you try your hand. Then, it’s on to the historic port town of Durres, where you’ll discover an ancient Roman amphitheatre, spend some time on the sandy beach and sample the delicious spicy food for which this coastal region is known. Finish your day in the bustling capital, Tirana, with a free evening to explore.  

Spend your final full day exploring Tirana’s lively centre, with its colourful buildings, public squares and pedestrianised streets. Pay a visit to the House of Leaves – a notorious interrogation centre under the communist regime – and check out the excellent Bunk’Art II museum, built within a converted Cold War nuclear bunker, for a fascinating insight into the country’s political past. You’ll have the afternoon free to relax and explore. We recommend checking out in the hipster neighbourhood of Blloku: once restricted to high-level communist party members, it’s now one of the city’s most vibrant areas, filled with trendy bars and cafes. Tonight, you’ll enjoy a farewell dinner – a true Albanian feast accompanied by live local music. 

After breakfast, your Balkan adventure has come to an end and it’s time to bid farewell to your new Flash Pack friends and make your way to Tirana Airport for your onward flight. If you’re not ready to head home, why not soak up more of the Adriatic on our adventures to Croatia or Italy? Our Trip Experts are ready and waiting for your call.