albania & montenegro · thethi. albania and montenegro are two of the emerging destinations of...

ALBANIA & MONTENEGRO

P E A K S O F T H E B A L K A N S , H I K I N G T H E A L B I A N A L P S9 - D A Y S

The Albanian and Montenegrin Alps are located at the southern part of the Dinaricmountain range that stretches parallel to the Adriatic Sea. Let us immerse you inBalkan life as you traverse three prime alpine Albanian valleys, as well as one inMontenegro. You'll experience friendly locals and taste traditional cuisine.We've included a farm to table dinner on a farm and winery. The tour includessome sites of historical significance as well, in Kruja, Shkodra, Valbone andThethi. Albania and Montenegro are two of the emerging destinations of EasternEurope and the scenery on this trip will take your breath away.

Upon arrival into Mother Theresa Airport,you’ll be met and transferred to the historictown of Kruja, located only 30km away. Thehotel is located by the Ottoman Bazaar andthe Kruja Fortress, where George KastriotiSkanderbeg, the Albanian National Hero,led an incredible resistance to theOttomans in the 15th century. If timeallows, you can venture out to explore thecaptivating surroundings on foot beforedinner. In the evening, we’ll be treated to agroup welcome dinner of local dishestypical to the area. Meals: DinnerAccommodation: Hotel

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We’ll start our Albanian adventure with ahearty breakfast and then transfer byvehicle 1.5 hours to the town of Shkodra.After some time to explore the town, we getback into our van and drive another 1.5hours to Kelmend, the ‘rooftop of Albania’via the scenic pass of ‘Leqet e Hotit.’ We’llpick up our picnic lunch in Tamara and thenit’s just a short distance to the trailhead,where we’ll begin our first hike, which ismostly an ascent, to a cascading waterfall.We’ll stop for a picnic somewhere along theriver before descending back into thevalley. At the bottom, we’ll meet our vehicleand have a short transfer to the village ofLepushe. There, we will check into a basiclocal guesthouse, owned by an Albanianfamily, and they’ll prepare us a dinner oftraditional dishes. Hiking Duration: 3 hoursDistance: 7 km / 4 miAscent: + 690 m (2264 ft)Descent: - 690 m (2264 ft)Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, DinnerAccommodation: Basic guesthouse

Day 1 ALBANIA - TIRANA - KRUJA

TREKKING

ALBANIA - KRUJA - LEPUSHE

TREKKING

Day 2

This morning starts as we hike out from thevillage on foot to reach the pastures ofDobku. We will steadily ascend, and as weget higher, we will pass between the peaksof Popadija and Talijanka, officially enteringin Montenegro. When we arrive at theVolusnice Cliffs, our hiking efforts will bemore than compensated by a breathtakingview of the rugged mountains in the GrebajeValley. This is truly one of Montenegro’smost beautiful landscapes! After all of ourefforts of ascending this plateau, theremainder of the hike is downhill on amixture of scree, dirt path, and forest trails.At the bottom of the valley, we’ll relax andenjoy a well-earned lunch in a mountainrestaurant. From here we’ll have a 30-minute transfer to our cozy hotel along theserene lakeshore. There will be some timeto relax and explore the area before fordinner together. Hiking Duration: 5 - 6 hoursDistance: 10 km / 6 miAscent: + 840 m (2756 ft)Descent: - 910 m (2986 ft)Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, DinnerAccommodation: Hotel



Without a doubt, this is one of the mostmemorable days of the trip. The daybegins with a short transfer to a trailheadnear the village of Vusanje. Today andtomorrow our luggage will get loaded ontohorses, while we set out hiking along apath that leads us back into Albania andover the Bori Pass. We will stop by an areawith fresh water springs to enjoy a picniclunch. After lunch, with the mighty rockydomes of the Kollata Mountains as ourbackdrop, we’ll gradually make our waydownhill through meadows. Our long butunforgettable day hiking will finish as wereach the shepherd’s village. From there,we’ll have a short transfer to the beautifulValbone Valley. Upon settling in at ourvalley hotel, there is some free time torelax or explore the serene surroundingson foot before meeting together again fordinner. Hiking Duration: 6 hoursDistance: 13 km / 8 miAscent: + 800 m (2625 ft)Descent: - 700 m (2297 ft)Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, DinnerAccommodation: Hotel

Day 3ALBANIA - LEPUSHE – MONTENEGRO -LAKE PLAVE

TREKKING

Day 4LAKE PLAVE - VALBONE VALLEYTREKKING

Today is another exhilarating day withshow-stopping views of the rugged alps aswe ascend up to the top of the range. Thefirst half of the trek is all up, but the viewsare worth the effort. We’ll use horses againto carry our luggage to our nextguesthouse. Today’s hike is along one of theAlbanian Alps’ most classic routes. Forcenturies, this high pass connected theglacier valleys of Valbone and Thethi.Crossing on foot is only possible duringsummer or early autumn because of snow.We’ll pass through some small villages andafter passing the last houses of RrogamValley, the trail will begin tosteepen towards a large bowl of alpinemeadows. We will steadily ascend until wereach a lookout point at the top of the pass.This elevated location is one of Europe’slesser known treasures and offers a greatpanorama of the jagged peaks that toweraround us -- ‘Bjeshket e Namuna,’ the‘Accursed Mountains.’ From here, the finalsection of our hike is an easier descenttowards the village of Thethi, and the pathtakes us through dense woods and grassymeadows. We’ll stop for a picnic lunch onthe descent, in a little hideaway on themountainside. Late afternoon, we willarrive at our basic guesthouse in Thethiwith time to enjoy the evening at leisurebefore a great dinner, prepared by the localfamily who owns the guesthouse. Hiking Duration: 6 - 7 hoursDistance: 16 km / 10 miAscent: + 870 m (2854 ft)Descent: - 1050 m (3445 ft)Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, DinnerAccommodation: Basic guesthouse



This morning we set off on foot from theguesthouse to explore the region aroundThethi, which is Albania’s best-preservedalpine village. Surrounded by mountains,this village is truly a spectacular sight. Thestone houses have wood-tiled roofs andsome of the town’s stone walled terracesdate back to the bronze era. We'll visit thevillage church and other attractions beforebeginning a hike out from the village andalong the Shala River. The hike todayis much easier than the hikes of the last fewdays, just to give our muscles a break afterthe last few days. Our destination tonight isthe tranquil hamlet of Nderlysa. There, we’llreach our next guesthouse in plenty of timefor an afternoon of relaxation. Located nextto the crystal blue Kaprea Creek, theguesthouse is the perfect place to relax innature or enjoy a leisurely wander and aswim. Later, we’ll all meet again for dinner.As has become customary at theguesthouses on this tour, we’ll enjoy atraditional family style Albanian dinnertogether, cooked by our guesthouse hosts. Hiking Duration: 4 - 5 hoursDistance: 7 km / 4 miAscent: + 250 m (820 ft)Descent: - 470 m (1542 ft)Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, DinnerAccommodation: Basic guesthouse

Day 5ALBANIA - VALBONE - THETHITREKKING

Day 6ALBANIA - THETHI - NDERLYSATREKKING

After breakfast, we will start our final hike inthe picturesque area around ourguesthouse. We’ll follow a trail alongKaprea Creek, heading toward spectacularThore Pass. Time will be set aside to stopand admire a stunning turquoise pool,known as ‘The Blue Eye’, before wecontinue to steadily ascend through forestsand pastures. When we reach Thore Pass,at 1700 m, we’ll stop to rest a while. Thispostcard-like setting is the perfect spot torefuel with a picnic lunch. After lunch, we’llbe met by our vehicle and transferredthrough the Boga Valley. At Shkodra, we willstop to visit the panoramic Rozafa Fortress.We will then transfer to the next stop, anorganic family run farm specializing in finewines and fruit flavoured spirits. We’ll havethe pleasure of enjoying a farm fresh mealat the farm, with the option of sampling thefarm’s specialty beverages during dinner aswell. After our early dinner, we’ll continueon the road to arrive at Albania’s capital,Tirana. After getting settled in at ourcomfortable hotel, the remainder of theevening will be free to enjoy the city at ourown leisure. There is much to see andexplore even at night here as Tirana hasbeen labeled one of the liveliest capitals of‘New Europe.’ Hiking Duration: 4 - 5 hoursDistance: 9 km / 6 miAscent: + 1200 m (3937 ft)Descent: - 100 m (328 ft)Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, DinnerAccommodation: Hotel



After breakfast today, we’ll start with ashort 30-minute transfer through the city toarrive at the ‘Dajti Express’ station. There,we will take a cable car up to Mount Dajti’splateau, located at approximately 1000 m.From there, we will hike through the forestto reach Tujani Summit for the best aerialviews over Tirana and the region. We’ll startour descent on foot, stopping for lunch in atraditional and panoramic mountainrestaurant. After lunch, we’ll descend therest of the way by cable car again. Next,we’ll visit Bunk’Art – the areas largecomplex of communist era tunnels thathave been enriched with art andmemorabilia. We’ll then return into the citycentre for a short walking tour of Tirana,highlighting the city’s attractions. Aftersome time to explore on our own, we willmeet together again for our final dinner in arestaurant that exemplifies the city’s fineculinary traditions. Sightseeing Duration: 2 - 3 hoursDistance: 5 km / 3 miAscent: + 460 m (1509 ft)Descent: - 460 m (1509 ft)Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, DinnerAccommodation: Hotel

Day 7ALBANIA - NDERLYSA - TIRANATREKKING

Day 8TIRANAHIKING & SIGHTSEEING

Trip IncludesAll accommodation, meals as indicated, land transportation, equipment, airporttransfers and English-speaking veteran guides. Not IncludedInternational and internal flights, airport departure taxes, gratuities, meals notindicated and items of a personal nature.



This morning you’ll be transferred to theairport for your international flight backhome. Meals: Breakfast

Day 9TIRANADEPARTURE

TRIP INCLUSIONS

albania & montenegro · thethi. albania and montenegro are two of the emerging destinations of...

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