More about the route
This is a moderate tour that includes either easier, medium hikes or harder, shorter hikes. Although experience is not necessary, it is desirable. However, good health and reasonable physical fitness are more important. There may be some hiking on loose and steep ground and longer/harder days can be expected. A hiking day usually lasts three to six hours and daily climbs are likely to be around 300m to 700m, with some days with possible climbs of 800m to 1,000m. Although all trails are wide enough for horse-drawn carriages and are objectively not dangerous, there is a 200m section on day 4 and some small 5m sections on days 2, 6 and 7 that could potentially be challenging for people with a fear of heights. That said, the walk on day 4 is one of the most popular hiking routes in Albania with 30,000 hikers a year - and there's never been an accident - we mention this just for the record.
Itinerary
Here you can see the programme for the week.
Welcome to the Balkans! Transfer from Tirana or Podgorica (airport/city) is included. The journey to Shkodër takes a couple of hours. Here you'll receive your materials (roadbook, map, phone, GPS), a tour briefing and answers to any questions. If time permits, a walking tour of the city is recommended, through the pedestrianised pedestrian street lined with bourgeoisie townhouses, giving insight into the city's prestigious past.
You can go to the bazaar and enjoy the buzzing atmosphere and buy dried fruits and other snacks. Plus, it's only a short taxi ride to visit Rozafa Castle, from where the views are magnificent and a foretaste of the coming days' hike through the Albanian Alps. If you have more time, rent a bike (approx. €5/day) and visit the villages of Shiroke and Zogaj on Lake Shkodër, where you can eat fish and splash in the largest lake in the Balkans. There are plenty of restaurants to find a good evening meal before the early start of your hike in the morning.
Meals included: None
Hotel (example): Tradita
The day starts early with a scenic drive through the Drin Gorges to Lake Komani (58 km/2 hours). From here, the large water reservoir winds like a Norwegian fjord through steep rock walls and is the most attractive route into the Albanian Alps. A unique boat trip on a custom-built ferry takes you past remote villages where locals hop on and off before arriving in Fierze (46km/3 hours). By car, continue further into the highlands of Valbona National Park and make a light lunch stop in the small town of Bajram Curri. In the early afternoon you'll reach the Valbona Valley and its tower houses built of stone. After the long journey, a warm-up ride follows a crystal-clear stream through ancient beech forests teeming with the sweetest wild strawberries. The rugged peaks towering high above you make it clear why it is called the Cursed Mountains. In the evening, a hearty dinner is served and it's time for a well-deserved rest before tomorrow's hike.
Meals included: Breakfast/lunch/dinner
Transfer times: 3 hours car and 3 hours boat
Hotel (example): Vila Dini
After a short transfer (10 min) to the starting point, the hike begins to Kukaj, an isolated village where only two families live. Below are bunkers that once protected the border, now scattered in the riverbed. The winding path leads you across lush meadows with a wide variety of spring flowers and through light beech forest up to the Rama shepherd's hut at 1,650 metres. During the communist period, when this was a forbidden area, the building used to be a military barracks. Enjoy the wild and romantic mountain scenery, a refreshing drink or extend the tour by climbing higher to an old border crossing with Montenegro. Descend again to Kukaj and then to your accommodation. As daylight fades, admire the alpine glow over dinner on the idyllic veranda.
Today you can choose between three different routes, which are either 9km, 12km or 18km.
Meals included: Breakfast/lunch/dinner
Hotel (example): Vila Dini
Another highlight in the Albanian Alps awaits today. After a short transfer to the village of Rragam. Here you'll meet the mule porter who will be your luggage transport for the day. You'll then set off on the hike over the Valbona Pass (1,811 metres). There will be a few steep segments, so be sure to take frequent breaks near the pass and take plenty of water. Once you reach the pass, the surrounding peaks come into view and the sweeping views of both national parks will mesmerise even the experienced hiker. Enjoy the picturesque landscape during your lunch break before descending to Theth, where the fairytale beech forest provides shelter from the afternoon sun. Near the village, the forest thins out and the view of Mount Arapi (2,217 metres) comes into view and soon you'll reach the first houses in Theth. A wide path leads you through the village to another welcoming guesthouse.
Hotel (example): Pashko
Today you can choose between two routes:
Either the steep Caravan Road that leads to a limestone area deep in the valley, or the Shepherd's Route that takes you to a secluded high alpine meadow with views of the entire valley. Both routes offer stunning views of the surrounding peaks. At the end of the tour, you'll return to the same accommodation in Theth.
Today you can choose between two routes, which are 7.5km or 9.5km.
Meals included: Breakfast/lunch/dinner
Hotel (example): Pashko
Today's hike offers adventures in Theth. Visit the iconic church and delve into the history of the ‘Kanun’ - a former code of law for the highlands, at the nearby tower house that offered protection to families in times of strife. Continue along water channels up to the Grunas Waterfall. Look down into the 50 metre deep Grunas Gorge before starting the second part of the hike that leads along the river downstream to Nderlysa, where a light lunch awaits in a beautiful local garden. Tonight's accommodation is a simpler but very welcoming guesthouse in a quiet village. Here you can spend time tasting mulberries, grapes and plums in the garden, ask about your host's beekeeping or take a dip in the nearby glacial rock pools.
Meals included: Breakfast/lunch/dinner
Hotel (example): Prek Bjeshka
The hike takes you through a gorge to a karst spring called ‘Blue Eye’. The bravest can take a dip in the icy water - truly a hidden oasis to relax by. The tour can be extended to the nearby abandoned village of Kapreja. After lunch (around 13:00) there is a transfer from the accommodation. The tour is a scenic drive over the Thorja Pass into the Boge Valley and along Lake Shkodër (2 hours). After a short break in Shkodër, the transfer continues to a central hotel in Tirana (approx. 3.5 hours). The capital represents the modern, very different side of Albania. End the day with a nice dinner and a drink in the chic ‘Blloku’ district. A wonderful end to a week of adventures in the Albanian Alps.
Meals included: Breakfast and lunch
Hotel (example): Vila 60
After breakfast, check-out from the hotel takes place.
A transfer will take you to the airport for your flight (40 min). If you have time, it is recommended to spend a few hours in the capital city, soaking up the atmosphere, history and last sights before travelling home.
Meals included: Breakfast
Pictures from the trip
Prices and dates
price includes
Included
- 7 nights in hotels and guesthouses
- Breakfast every day
- 6 lunches
- 5 evening meals
- Luggage transport between accommodations (max 15kg per person)
- Detailed descriptions of the carefully suggested itineraries (route maps, route descriptions, info on relevant tourist attractions and important phone numbers - in English)
- All described transfers
- Transport from/to the airport (Tirana)
- 24-hour manned Danish emergency phone throughout the trip
- Single room
- Transport from/to Albania
- Tourist taxes at the hotels, if applicable
- Administration fee (20 euro)
Practical information
The price is based upon two people sharing. For safety reasons, this tour cannot be booked for solo travellers. There must be min. be two participants.
On this tour you will be on your own supplied with maps, route descriptions and luggage transfers. That means that your time is your own and you have plenty of time to enjoy the stages in your own pace.
Check the price quickly
You can quickly check the price of your desired trip without having to fill in anything. Here's how:
- Choose your desired start date
- Click on the green button "See price and reserve your holiday" and go to the booking form
- Select number of people, add any optional extras and see the price at the bottom of the page (you don't have to fill in anything on the form).
Get a quote
For example, if you want a flight included or changes to the trip, you can order a quote for this using the "Get a quote" button. Remember to describe in detail what, if anything, you want changed.
The process of your booking
When you book, we will start booking hotels and arranging all the practical details of the trip. This process typically takes 2-5 working days, but some bookings may take longer. If you are arranging your own transport, we recommend that you wait until we have confirmed your booking before arranging this.
Dates
If you can select the date in the tour calendar at the top of this page, this is a possible start date. We continually update the tours with sold-out dates, after which those dates will turn red and cannot be selected.
The flights to/from Tirana or Dubrovnik are not included in the price. You can easily find a suitable flight via a flight booking engine such as Momondo or Skyscanner.
Notice: we recommend that you book with us and wait for the confirmation before you book your flights.
Book a quote
If you prefer that we handle your flight, then we would be happy to arrange this for you. You simply book a quote below the map on this page and we will return with a quote as soon as possible (usually within 2-5 working days). Please note that we add a handling fee of 45 euro to each flight and this means that the flight will be cheaper if you book it yourself.
Private rooms with en-suite bathrooms in centrally located city hotels, mountain lodges, and guesthouses. In the highlands, you will switch from a hotel in Valbona to a simpler but very inviting guesthouse in Nderlysa.
Breakfast is included every day. Additionally, 6 lunches and 5 dinners are included.
Luggage transfer is included on this tour. Upon arrival at the first hotel you will be given luggage tags along with the rest of the welcome package. You fill out the luggage tags and put them on your bags where they will remain for the duration of the tour.
Your luggage is picked up from the hotel lobby around 9am every morning and will arrive at your next hotel at 6pm at the latest (often long before that). If there are any special exceptions to the luggage transfer you will be notified upon arrival.
Luggage transfer includes one bag per guest and the bags can weigh 15kg each.
This trip has difficulty level 2-3, which means that most hiking days are level 2, with a few at level 3.
Grade 2
Easier hikes on reasonably good trails. Daily hikes will last 4-6 hours in hilly terrain. Anyone in generally good physical condition can participate. Luggage is transported, and you only carry a light daypack. Requires well-fitting footwear such as trekking shoes or hiking boots.
Grade 3
Hiking in mountainous terrain with longer ascents and descents. You will hike 5-7 hours a day. Requires generally good fitness and health, but no special technical skills or prior experience. Requires good shoes, such as trekking or mountain boots.
Read more about our grading system here.
Here you can get an overview of the entire route and the elevation profile for each day. The data shows the data from the GPX-files related to the tour. Notice that the routes are sometimes updated, which means that there might be small variations.
Colors
Blue routes: The route as normal
Red routes: Variations/options (such as shortened or extended routes)
On this tour, you will receive the following documents:
Upon booking
Immediately after booking this trip, you'll recieve a pre-booking-email where you can get a complete overview of your booking. Once the tour is confirmed you get a confirmation email from us along with practical information about the tour.
One month before departure
You will receive a hotel list and final travel documents.
Upon arrival at the first hotel
You'll receive the welcome pack, which contains everything you need for the trip. There will be route descriptions, maps, luggage tags and specific local vouchers. The documents are in English.
Notice: On some tours it is necessary to either print the documents yourself or to bring them electronically.
After booking this trip, you get access to various discount schemes.
We recommend taking out travel insurance that covers at least illness, accident, repatriation, lost holiday, luggage and liability. As a customer, you are responsible for taking out the necessary travel insurance to cover these costs.
Before taking out insurance, you should check whether you are already covered by travel or cancellation insurance through your home insurance company, credit card or similar - please note that there may be differences in insurance coverage.
On your hiking holiday in the Albanian Alps, from Shkodër to Tirana, you can expect varied temperatures in the summer and autumn months. In the summer months of June, July, and August, temperatures reach their peak between 25-30 degrees, but you will experience mild wind conditions as the Adriatic Sea brings gentle breezes along your route. On particularly hot days, we recommend starting the daily stages early in the day to avoid the midday heat. During this time of year, you can expect moderate rainfall. In the autumn month of September, temperatures drop to between 20-25 degrees, rainfall slightly increases, and you will experience moderate wind conditions.
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"We look forward to making your holiday dreams come true"