Start/End
Tirana
Duration
9 Days
Hiking days
6 Days
Activity level
3 ( from 5 )
Travel time
June to October
Group size
4 to 12 Persons
Luggage transport
by car and horses
Accommodation
Hotels, guest houses
Overview
On this extraordinary 9-day mountain tour we enjoy hiking through the Albanian Alps.The "Accursed Mountains" are the rugged, hard-to-reach mountain regions on the border with Montenegro, in which shepherds graze their flocks of sheep in summer and the alpine pastures are transformed into a wonderful sea of flowers. We reach remote mountain villages with the old blood revenge towers, experience the special hospitality and enjoy the good cuisine of the Northern Albanians.
- Hiking on the Taljanka peak
- Visit to the Blood Tower of Theth and the history of the blood revenge
- Hiking through the Accoursed Mountains
- Boat trip through the Drini gorge
Includet
Excludet
– Difficulty level
– Technique – medium
No alpine difficulties, good surefootedness required. Our tour runs on narrow hiking trails and climbs without any technical difficulties. Individual passages run on narrow paths and in gravel terrain and require sure-footedness.
– Fitness – medium to challenging
Walking times of approx. 5 to 7 hours a day, ascents and descents up to a maximum of approx. 1200 meters in altitude, usually less. Individual daily stages can also be a little longer. Good physical condition is necessary and assumed.
– Comfort – Hotels und Guesthouses
We stay in simple but comfortable and clean family run accommodation. The first and last night is in comfortable 3 star hotels. We stay six nights in simple, clean family-run guesthouses in shared rooms with shared showers. The rooms have from 2 to 5 beds in one room.
– Meals
On our hikes we take a packed lunch with us from the accommodation. Breakfast and dinner are eaten in the accommodations. Sometimes we have dinner outside, but the local guide will inform you about this.
– Transportation
We travel long distances (depending on the group size) with a comfortable bus. We do the transfers in between in the mountain regions with local buses. Luggage transport is included and is guaranteed by car or with pack horses.
Optional – arrival / departure from Podgorica can be booked on request. Note: The transfer takes longer, and longer waiting times at the border crossing must be expected. If the return transfer also takes place to Podgorica, the last overnight stay is in Shkoder instead of Tirana.
- Highlights
-
- Hiking on the Taljanka peak
- Visit to the Blood Tower of Theth and the history of the blood revenge
- Hiking through the Accoursed Mountains
- Boat trip through the Drini gorge
- Services
-
Includet
Excludet
- Info
-
– Difficulty level
– Technique – medium
No alpine difficulties, good surefootedness required. Our tour runs on narrow hiking trails and climbs without any technical difficulties. Individual passages run on narrow paths and in gravel terrain and require sure-footedness.
– Fitness – medium to challenging
Walking times of approx. 5 to 7 hours a day, ascents and descents up to a maximum of approx. 1200 meters in altitude, usually less. Individual daily stages can also be a little longer. Good physical condition is necessary and assumed.
– Comfort – Hotels und Guesthouses
We stay in simple but comfortable and clean family run accommodation. The first and last night is in comfortable 3 star hotels. We stay six nights in simple, clean family-run guesthouses in shared rooms with shared showers. The rooms have from 2 to 5 beds in one room.
– Meals
On our hikes we take a packed lunch with us from the accommodation. Breakfast and dinner are eaten in the accommodations. Sometimes we have dinner outside, but the local guide will inform you about this.
– Transportation
We travel long distances (depending on the group size) with a comfortable bus. We do the transfers in between in the mountain regions with local buses. Luggage transport is included and is guaranteed by car or with pack horses.
Optional – arrival / departure from Podgorica can be booked on request. Note: The transfer takes longer, and longer waiting times at the border crossing must be expected. If the return transfer also takes place to Podgorica, the last overnight stay is in Shkoder instead of Tirana.
- Gallery
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- Dates and Prices
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Itinerary
01
Day 1 – Welcome to Albania
Our guide will be waiting for you at the airport in Tirana and we will continue to Shkoder. Arrival in Podgorica airport is also possible. Let us know and we will organize the transfer to Shkoder. When we are in the city we do a city tour through the promenade with the Italian fair and visit the fortress Rozafa. Dinner in a traditional restaurant. Overnight in a Hotel in Shkoder. ( – / – / D )
approx. 2 h
02
Day 2 – Sllapi Waterfall – The northernmost village of Albania ,Vermoshʽ
After breakfast we leave Shkoder and drive to Vermosh. Before we reach vermosh we stop in selce and do a hike to the Sllapi waterfall. One of the most beautiful waterfalls in Northern Albania, hidden between the high stony mountains of Mreg and Grece. After the hike we continue to Vermosh. The rest of the evening is free. Overnight in a guest house. ( B / LP / D )
approx. 4 h. 650m
approx. 3 h.
03
Day 3 – Grebeni summit 1840m – Lepushe
We start our hike from our guesthouse and follow an old shepherd’s path. After a while in the beech forest we reach the pastures of Greben where few shepherds still spend the summer. Our goal can already be seen and after a short ascent we reach the summit and can enjoy a wide panoramic view. We then descend the other side and finally reach our destination, Lepushe, situated at the foot of the “Accursed Mountains”. Overnight in a guest house. ( B / PL / D )
approx. 6-7 h. 970m 650m
04
Day 4 – View of the Accursed Mountains – Gerbaje
Today we leave Albania to discover the neighboring town of Montenegro. A path leads us to Taljanka peak (2057m), where the border runs. The Accursed Mountains (Alb. Bjeshket e Nemuna) represent a gigantic panorama. Descent into the valley of Gebaje, where we can refresh ourselves with a drink. A short drive takes us to Vusanje village. Overnight in guest house. ( B / PL / D )
approx. 6 h. 800m 1050m
approx. 0.5 h.
05
Day 5 – Over Peja Pass to Theth
After breakfast we load our luggage onto horses and set off for Theth. Today’s route used to be an important trade route between Peja and Shkoder. The hike leads through a valley surrounded by mountains over 2400m high. Passing a lake, we reach our highest point, the Peja Pass (1700m). The idyllic village of Theth can already be seen. A steep descent leads into the valley and the last stretch we take a local bus to the Guesthouse. ( B / PL / D )
approx. 8 h. 1000m 1200m
approx. 0.5 h.
06
Day 6 – Discover Theth
We explore the village of Theth, visit the old church, the more than 300-year-old ‘blood feud’ tower and on the way to Nderlyse we come to the Grunas waterfall, where the brave can also swim in the cold water. In Nderlyse we have lunch at a local family. An off-road bus takes us back to Theth. Overnight stay as the day before.( B / L / D )
approx. 4 h. 200m 400m
approx. 0.5 h.
07
Day 7 – Hiking from Theth to Valbona
From the guesthouse we start our hike on the most popular route in northern Albania. This used to be the only connection between the two valleys. Mostly in the shade we climb the Valbona Pass (1800m). The view around the high peaks is unique. We descend into the valley of Valbona. The last part of the descent leads through the scree of the river bed and afterwards we arrive at our guesthouse ( B / PL / D )
7 h. 1050m 800m
08
Day 8 – Boat Trip in Koman – Tirana
A short transfer brings us to Fierze. We experience one of the most beautiful boat trips in Europe. we take the ship on the reservoir from Fierze through the gorges to Koman ( 2.5 h ). Then continue by bus towards Tirana ( or to Shkoder if you flight from Podgorica). In the evening we do a city tour and visit the main sights, such as the Skenderbeg square, the pyramid etc., and have dinner in the Bllok district. Overnight in a Hotel in Tirana. ( B / – / D )
3.5 h.
09
Day 9 – Farewell to Albania
After an exciting week in the Albanian Alps, we drive to the airport and fly back home. ( B / – / – )
approx. 0.5 h
- Day 1
-
01
Day 1 – Welcome to Albania
Our guide will be waiting for you at the airport in Tirana and we will continue to Shkoder. Arrival in Podgorica airport is also possible. Let us know and we will organize the transfer to Shkoder. When we are in the city we do a city tour through the promenade with the Italian fair and visit the fortress Rozafa. Dinner in a traditional restaurant. Overnight in a Hotel in Shkoder. ( – / – / D )
approx. 2 h
- Day 2
-
02
Day 2 – Sllapi Waterfall – The northernmost village of Albania ,Vermoshʽ
After breakfast we leave Shkoder and drive to Vermosh. Before we reach vermosh we stop in selce and do a hike to the Sllapi waterfall. One of the most beautiful waterfalls in Northern Albania, hidden between the high stony mountains of Mreg and Grece. After the hike we continue to Vermosh. The rest of the evening is free. Overnight in a guest house. ( B / LP / D )
approx. 4 h. 650m
approx. 3 h.
- Day 3
-
03
Day 3 – Grebeni summit 1840m – Lepushe
We start our hike from our guesthouse and follow an old shepherd’s path. After a while in the beech forest we reach the pastures of Greben where few shepherds still spend the summer. Our goal can already be seen and after a short ascent we reach the summit and can enjoy a wide panoramic view. We then descend the other side and finally reach our destination, Lepushe, situated at the foot of the “Accursed Mountains”. Overnight in a guest house. ( B / PL / D )
approx. 6-7 h. 970m 650m
- Day 4
-
04
Day 4 – View of the Accursed Mountains – Gerbaje
Today we leave Albania to discover the neighboring town of Montenegro. A path leads us to Taljanka peak (2057m), where the border runs. The Accursed Mountains (Alb. Bjeshket e Nemuna) represent a gigantic panorama. Descent into the valley of Gebaje, where we can refresh ourselves with a drink. A short drive takes us to Vusanje village. Overnight in guest house. ( B / PL / D )
approx. 6 h. 800m 1050m
approx. 0.5 h.
- Day 5
-
05
Day 5 – Over Peja Pass to Theth
After breakfast we load our luggage onto horses and set off for Theth. Today’s route used to be an important trade route between Peja and Shkoder. The hike leads through a valley surrounded by mountains over 2400m high. Passing a lake, we reach our highest point, the Peja Pass (1700m). The idyllic village of Theth can already be seen. A steep descent leads into the valley and the last stretch we take a local bus to the Guesthouse. ( B / PL / D )
approx. 8 h. 1000m 1200m
approx. 0.5 h.
- Day 6
-
06
Day 6 – Discover Theth
We explore the village of Theth, visit the old church, the more than 300-year-old ‘blood feud’ tower and on the way to Nderlyse we come to the Grunas waterfall, where the brave can also swim in the cold water. In Nderlyse we have lunch at a local family. An off-road bus takes us back to Theth. Overnight stay as the day before.( B / L / D )
approx. 4 h. 200m 400m
approx. 0.5 h.
- Day 7
-
07
Day 7 – Hiking from Theth to Valbona
From the guesthouse we start our hike on the most popular route in northern Albania. This used to be the only connection between the two valleys. Mostly in the shade we climb the Valbona Pass (1800m). The view around the high peaks is unique. We descend into the valley of Valbona. The last part of the descent leads through the scree of the river bed and afterwards we arrive at our guesthouse ( B / PL / D )
7 h. 1050m 800m
- Day 8
-
08
Day 8 – Boat Trip in Koman – Tirana
A short transfer brings us to Fierze. We experience one of the most beautiful boat trips in Europe. we take the ship on the reservoir from Fierze through the gorges to Koman ( 2.5 h ). Then continue by bus towards Tirana ( or to Shkoder if you flight from Podgorica). In the evening we do a city tour and visit the main sights, such as the Skenderbeg square, the pyramid etc., and have dinner in the Bllok district. Overnight in a Hotel in Tirana. ( B / – / D )
3.5 h.
- Day 9
-
09
Day 9 – Farewell to Albania
After an exciting week in the Albanian Alps, we drive to the airport and fly back home. ( B / – / – )
approx. 0.5 h