Highlights of Montenegro & Albania — Self-Launched
8 days · Montenegro & Albania
G Adventures charges £890
No-markup version: ~£470 per person
Estimate only, not a guaranteed price. Always verify costs independently before booking.
An 8-day self-launched version of G Adventures' "Highlights of Montenegro" (Kotor to Tirana) — the Bay of Kotor by boat, Perast and Budva old towns, the cliffside Ostrog Monastery, the wild Durmitor and Biogradska Gora national parks, a 4x4 backcountry run out of Kolašin, then over the border into Albania for Theth National Park, Shkodër and Krujë. Instead of a private vehicle and group leader, you piece it together with local buses, shared taxis and hop-on shuttles, staying in hostels, guesthouses and mountain eco-lodges. Costs are approximate backpacker rates in GBP and exclude international flights.
Day-by-day
Arrive Kotor — old town orientation on foot
Kotor, Montenegro
Arrive at Tivat Airport (TIV) — the closest airport — or come overland by bus from Dubrovnik (~€20-25, 2.5-3 hrs) or Podgorica (~€7). Take a local taxi or the seasonal airport shuttle into Kotor (~€10-15 by taxi, or €4-5 on the shuttle if running). Check into a hostel or guesthouse inside or just outside the walled old town. Spend the late afternoon wandering Kotor's UNESCO-listed old town yourself — the Cathedral of St Tryphon, the Sea Gate and the squares are all free to walk. Climb part of the city walls (€15 entry, or free if you start early before the ticket booth) for the sunset view over the bay. Eat dinner in the old town — a plate of njeguški pršut, cheese and grilled fish is roughly €12-18.
🚌Local taxi or shuttle from Tivat Airport, or bus from Dubrovnik/Podgorica
🛏Hostel or small guesthouse in/near Kotor old town (dorm €15-20, private room €30-40)
- →Self-guided walk of Kotor old town
- →Kotor city walls climb (€15)
Bay of Kotor boat to Perast, afternoon sea kayaking
Kotor & Perast, Montenegro
Book a spot on one of the small boats that run from Kotor's waterfront out to the islands — the standard route calls at Our Lady of the Rocks and the islet of Sveti Đorđe before dropping you in Perast (~€20-25 return, pay the boatman directly at the port). The boat trip is the self-launched equivalent of the tour's included boat ride. Wander Perast's baroque waterfront and the free Maritime Museum lanes, grab a burek or seafood lunch, then take the public bus back to Kotor (~€2, 25 mins) or hop on the same boat. In the afternoon rent a sea kayak on Kotor's bay (~€20 for 2-3 hrs) or visit the Maritime Museum (€5). Evening: cheap grill dinner by the water.
🚌Local boat to Perast (~€20-25 return); public bus back (~€2)
🛏Hostel or guesthouse in Kotor
- →Boat trip Kotor–Perast via the islets (~€22)
- →Perast old town walk
- →Sea kayaking on the bay (€20) or Maritime Museum (€5)
Budva old town and cliffside Ostrog Monastery, bus to Žabljak
Kotor → Budva → Ostrog → Žabljak
Take the morning coastal bus from Kotor to Budva (~€3, 30 mins) and walk the tiny walled old town and the Slovenska plaža promenade yourself. From Budva, catch a local bus toward Nikšić and ask to be dropped at the Ostrog Monastery turn-off, or take a shared taxi from the bus station (~€10-15 per person for the group) — Ostrog is free to enter and the cliff-face setting is the highlight. From Ostrog, continue to Nikšić by bus and then take the afternoon/evening bus north to Žabljak (~€7-9 total, 3-4 hrs with changes) — check timetables at the Budva/Nikšić station the day before. Check into a mountain guesthouse or eco-lodge in Žabljak and eat a hearty local dinner (kačamak or lamb).
🚌Bus Kotor–Budva (~€3), shared taxi/bus to Ostrog and on to Nikšić, bus Nikšić–Žabljak (~€6)
🛏Mountain guesthouse or eco-lodge in Žabljak (€18-25 per person)
- →Budva old town walk
- →Ostrog Monastery visit (free)
Durmitor: Black Lake loop and into Biogradska Gora
Žabljak → Kolašin
Spend the morning walking the easy 3.5 km loop around Crno Jezero (Black Lake) in Durmitor National Park — entry is about €3-5 and it's 20-25 minutes on foot from town. If you have energy, the Curevac viewpoint adds 2 hrs. Midday, take the local bus or a shared minivan from Žabljak to Mojkovac/Kolašin (~€6-8, 2-2.5 hrs). From Kolašin, take a taxi (~€10-12 each way) or arrange a guesthouse transfer up to Biogradska Gora National Park (entry ~€4) for a late-afternoon walk around Biogradsko Lake through the virgin rainforest — it's a 3.5 km flat loop. Overnight in Kolašin in a small guesthouse; most will cook you dinner for €10-12.
🚌Bus Žabljak–Kolašin (~€7), taxi to Biogradska Gora and back (~€12 split)
🛏Family guesthouse in Kolašin (€20-25 per person with breakfast)
- →Black Lake loop, Durmitor NP (€4)
- →Biogradsko Lake walk, Biogradska Gora NP (€4)
- →Optional boat/bike rental in the park (~€8)
4x4 backcountry out of Kolašin, then to Podgorica
Kolašin → Podgorica
Book a half-day 4x4 off-road tour in Kolašin the night before — several local operators (ask at your guesthouse or the tourist info office) run 4-5 hr trips into the Sinjajevina plateau and Bjelasica foothills for roughly €35-50 per person when sharing the vehicle. This replaces the tour's included 4x4 excursion with a bookable local equivalent. After lunch, take the afternoon bus or train from Kolašin to Podgorica (~€5-7, 1.5-2 hrs). Check into a hostel in the centre and walk the old town (Stara Varoš) and the 15th-century Depedogen fortress ruins yourself — both free. Evening dinner in the old town, €10-15.
🚌Booked 4x4 tour (~€40), bus/train Kolašin–Podgorica (~€6)
🛏Central hostel or budget hotel in Podgorica (dorm €14-18, private €30-40)
- →Half-day 4x4 off-road excursion (~€40)
- →Podgorica old town and fortress walk
Cross into Albania — Theth National Park and Grunas Waterfall
Podgorica → Shkodër / Theth
Take the early bus from Podgorica to Shkodër (~€6-8, 2-2.5 hrs, crosses at Hani i Hotit) and drop your bag at a guesthouse near the centre. From Shkodër, book the daily minibus/shared van up to Theth (~€10 per person each way, 2-2.5 hrs on a rough mountain road — book via your guesthouse or the Shkodër tourist info). From Theth village walk the marked trail to the 25 m Grunasi Waterfall and the Blue Eye pool (~2 hrs return, free, no guide needed). If you'd rather stay in the valley, Theth has simple guesthouses from €15-20 including dinner; otherwise return to Shkodër on the last van. Evening free in Shkodër.
🚌Bus Podgorica–Shkodër (~€7), shared minibus Shkodër–Theth return (~€20)
🛏Guesthouse in Shkodër (€15-20 per person) or in Theth village (€20 with dinner)
- →Grunasi Waterfall and Theth valley walk (free)
- →Theth village and church
Shkodër: Rozafa Castle and Mesi Bridge
Shkodër, Albania
Do Shkodër on foot today — start at the Ottoman-era Mesi Bridge over the Kir river (a short local bus or taxi from the centre, ~€2-3), then walk up to Rozafa Castle for the panoramic views over Lake Shkodra (entry ~€2-3). Wander the pedestrian Rruga Kolë Idromeno for coffee and lunch, and pop into the Site of Memory museum or the Marubi Photothèque (~€2-3) in the afternoon. Budget €10 for a long, slow Albanian lunch. The rest of the day is yours — cafés, the lakefront, or a lazy afternoon at the guesthouse. Costs here are tiny; this is the cheapest day of the trip.
🚌Local bus/taxi to Mesi Bridge (~€3)
🛏Guesthouse in Shkodër (€15-20 per person)
- →Rozafa Castle (€3)
- →Mesi Bridge
- →Marubi Photothèque (€3)
Krujë old bazaar and on to Tirana
Shkodër → Krujë → Tirana
Take the morning bus/furgon from Shkodër toward Tirana and get off at Krujë (buses to Krujë run from Tirana's north terminal; from Shkodër, take any Tirana-bound bus and change at Milot or Fushë-Krujë, ~€4-5 total, 2-2.5 hrs). Walk up to Krujë's hilltop castle and the Skanderbeg Museum (~€3-4) and the Ottoman bazaar for souvenirs and lunch. In the afternoon take the local bus down to Tirana (~€2, 45 mins) and finish at Skanderbeg Square, where the original tour ended around 5pm. Note: if you have a flight out tonight, don't book anything before 8pm — allow for the bus transfer and airport bus (~€1-2).
🚌Bus Shkodër–Krujë (~€5), local bus Krujë–Tirana (~€2)
🛏Not included — onward travel or optional hostel in Tirana (€15-20)
- →Krujë castle and Skanderbeg Museum (~€4)
- →Krujë old bazaar
- →Skanderbeg Square, Tirana
Self-launched vs. G Adventures
| This itinerary (self-launched) | G Adventures | |
|---|---|---|
| Price per person | ~£470 | £890 |
| Duration | 8 days | 8 days |
| Who books it | You and your group, direct | Tour operator, guided group |
| Savings | £420 per person (47%) | |
Estimate only, not a guaranteed price. Always verify costs independently before booking.
Want to see more G Adventures-style trips? Check them out here.~£470
estimated per person
You never pay Travel Crew for this — you pay hostels, transport, and activity providers directly, the same as if you'd booked it all yourself.
This publishes your dates so other travellers can find and join you — no tour operator needed.
Customise with Tour BusterCreated by
Travel Crew
0 trips
Frequently asked questions
How much does Highlights of Montenegro & Albania — Self-Launched cost?+
Doing it yourself with this self-launched itinerary costs an estimated £470 per person for 8 days in Montenegro & Albania. This is an AI-generated estimate based on typical budget-traveller prices — actual costs will vary by season and how you book.
Is this cheaper than booking with G Adventures?+
Yes — G Adventures charges around £890 per person for a similar tour. Doing the same route independently, using the same standard of accommodation and activities, costs an estimated £470 — a saving of roughly £420 (47%) per person.
How long is the Montenegro & Albania trip?+
This itinerary runs 8 days, covering 8 day-by-day stops through Montenegro & Albania.
How do I join this trip?+
You can join an existing open departure using this itinerary if one is scheduled, or launch your own departure with your own dates and invite other travellers to join you — no tour operator required.
Isn't it easier to just use a tour operator?+
Well, yes, a tour operator will book all the individual parts of your travel for you and provide a guide. That's obvious, but doing this has the potential to save the group thousands, which can in turn improve your itinerary substantially or save you huge amounts of money. Also, when you launch a departure, Travel Crew has tools in place to help you book the individual sections of the trip or make it easier for you to do this as a group. Really, you do not need a middle man. If you are more comfortable paying more and using a middle man, then you should certainly do this.
Is it safer to book through a tour operator?+
Arguably, there isn't much difference. A self-launched trip runs on the same principle as a group travel crew: collective responsibility, everyone looking out for each other, the same way it would if a group of friends organised the trip themselves — because that's exactly what's happening. You should always take out travel insurance before you go, self-launched or not; that doesn't change either way. Every open departure is published publicly with real dates and a real trip organiser, so it's never an anonymous arrangement, and our support team is reachable any time you need help, including in an emergency while you're away. Longer-term, we're building direct relationships with ground DMCs in popular destinations, offered as an optional paid add-on for extra on-the-ground support. Ultimately, though, the group is responsible for its own conduct and safety on a self-launched trip, same as on any trip you plan yourself.
What kind of trip is this?+
This is a adventure, culture, hiking trip through Montenegro & Albania, self-launched rather than run by a tour operator — you organise it with a group you find or bring yourself.
Would you like to name the operator, name the trip, or have any suggestions about how to improve this itinerary?
Drop your comment below — if you've done a similar route, tell us what worked, what you'd add, or what you'd skip.
No comments yet — be the first to share your take.
Sign in to leave a comment.