Start/Ende
Tirana
Duration
10 days
Hiking days
7 days
Activity level
3/3.5 (from 5)
Travel time
June to September
Group size
max. 12 Persons
Luggage transport
by car and horses
Accommodation
Hotels, guest houses and once in a hut
Overview
On this extraordinary 10-day mountain tour through the Albanian Alps, we even take a few summit highlights from neighboring countries Montenegro and Kosovo: The "cursed 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.
- Hiking on the Taljanka peak
- Visit to the Blood Tower of Theth and the history of the blood revenge
- Overnight in an authentic hut at simple shepherds
- Climbing the highest peak of Kosovo Gjeravica 2656 m
Included
Excluded
Condition – Good condition and endurance for walking times of up to 8 hours, as well as surefootedness for pathless passages and a head for heights are prerequisites for our hikes. The hiking trails are rocky and sometimes steep with some ascents and descents.
Accommodations – The hotels have good clean rooms with private bathrooms. In the mountains we spend the night in simple family-run guest houses. Most of the rooms have 4 beds and shared bathrooms. One night in a shepherd’s hut. These simple accommodations sleep +5 people in one room. A hut sleeping bag is recommended.
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 the 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.
- Highlights
-
- Hiking on the Taljanka peak
- Visit to the Blood Tower of Theth and the history of the blood revenge
- Overnight in an authentic hut at simple shepherds
- Climbing the highest peak of Kosovo Gjeravica 2656 m
- Services
-
Included
Excluded
- Infos
-
Condition – Good condition and endurance for walking times of up to 8 hours, as well as surefootedness for pathless passages and a head for heights are prerequisites for our hikes. The hiking trails are rocky and sometimes steep with some ascents and descents.
Accommodations – The hotels have good clean rooms with private bathrooms. In the mountains we spend the night in simple family-run guest houses. Most of the rooms have 4 beds and shared bathrooms. One night in a shepherd’s hut. These simple accommodations sleep +5 people in one room. A hut sleeping bag is recommended.
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 the 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.
- Gallery
-
- Price
-
Itinerary
01
Arrival
Upon arrival we transfer to the city of Shkodra. In the late afternoon we explore the city and visit the Rozafa castle. We enjoy dinner in a traditional restaurant. Overnight in a hotel.( – / – / D )
ca. 2 h
02
Lepushe, Grebeni summit 1840m
With the bus we head north, where the most beautiful valley of Albania, the valley of Kelmend, is waiting for us. We start our first hike from “Qafa e Bordolecit” pass. On the way we also come past shepherd’s huts and we can talk to the shepherds. The same way leads us back. Overnight in a simple family-run guest house.( B / PL / D )
ca.4 h. 550m
ca. 2.5 h
03
View of the cursed 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 (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 a simple family-run guest house.( B / PL / D )
ca.6 h. 800m 1050m
ca. 0.5 h
04
Over Peja Pass to Theth
We arrive to the starting point by bus and after loading our luggage, we can start. The path leads through a valley surrounded by mountains over 2400m high. On the Peja Pass (1700m) we can already see our destination “Theth”. From here it is only downhill towards our guest house. ( B / PL / D )
ca.8 h. 1000m 1200m
ca. 0.5 h
05
Discover Theth
We explore the village of Theth, visit the church, the “Blood Feud”, which is over 300 years old, and on the way to Nderlyse we also see a waterfall. In Nderlyse we have lunch at a family. An off-road bus takes us back to Theth. Overnight same as the day before. ( B / L / D )
ca.4 h. 200m 400m
ca. 0.5 h
06
Hiking from Theth to Valbona
From the guest house we start our hike on the most popular route in Northern Albania, the “Coca Cola” way. Mostly in the shade we climb the Valbona Pass (1800m). The view around the high peaks is unique. The last part of the descent passes through the scree of the river bed and reaches our guest house. ( B / PL / D )
ca. 7 h. 1050m 800m
07
To the mountain pasture of Doberdol
A short transfer takes us to our starting point in the village of Cerem. Through beautiful alpine pastures and pine forests we finally come to the pasture Doberdol 1800m. Overnight follows today in a hut. ( B / PL / D )
6-7 h. 1300m 650m
0.5 h
08
The highlight of the tour – Gjeravica 2656 m
The highlight of our tour, the highest mountain in Kosovo, is waiting for us. We come up the valley to the border and from the distance you can see our target in front of us. On the descent we pass glacier lakes and on the Erenik pasture we are picked up by off-road vehicles and driven on to Gjakova. Overnight in a hotel. ( B / PL / D )
7 h. 950m
1.5 h
09
Prizren – Capital Tirana
Time for relaxation and culture. After a walk through Gjakove we continue to Prizren and explore the city. We have lunch in a restaurant before heading towards Albania. We check in in Tirana and in the late afternoon we take a city tour and have dinner in the most famous district “Blloku”. Overnight in a hotel.( B / L / D )
ca 4. h
10
Farewell to Albania
After an exciting journey, time to say goodbye. Transfer to the airport and flight back home.
- Day 1
-
01
Arrival
Upon arrival we transfer to the city of Shkodra. In the late afternoon we explore the city and visit the Rozafa castle. We enjoy dinner in a traditional restaurant. Overnight in a hotel.( – / – / D )
ca. 2 h
- Day 2
-
02
Lepushe, Grebeni summit 1840m
With the bus we head north, where the most beautiful valley of Albania, the valley of Kelmend, is waiting for us. We start our first hike from “Qafa e Bordolecit” pass. On the way we also come past shepherd’s huts and we can talk to the shepherds. The same way leads us back. Overnight in a simple family-run guest house.( B / PL / D )
ca.4 h. 550m
ca. 2.5 h
- Day 3
-
03
View of the cursed 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 (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 a simple family-run guest house.( B / PL / D )
ca.6 h. 800m 1050m
ca. 0.5 h
- Day 4
-
04
Over Peja Pass to Theth
We arrive to the starting point by bus and after loading our luggage, we can start. The path leads through a valley surrounded by mountains over 2400m high. On the Peja Pass (1700m) we can already see our destination “Theth”. From here it is only downhill towards our guest house. ( B / PL / D )
ca.8 h. 1000m 1200m
ca. 0.5 h
- Day 5
-
05
Discover Theth
We explore the village of Theth, visit the church, the “Blood Feud”, which is over 300 years old, and on the way to Nderlyse we also see a waterfall. In Nderlyse we have lunch at a family. An off-road bus takes us back to Theth. Overnight same as the day before. ( B / L / D )
ca.4 h. 200m 400m
ca. 0.5 h
- Day 6
-
06
Hiking from Theth to Valbona
From the guest house we start our hike on the most popular route in Northern Albania, the “Coca Cola” way. Mostly in the shade we climb the Valbona Pass (1800m). The view around the high peaks is unique. The last part of the descent passes through the scree of the river bed and reaches our guest house. ( B / PL / D )
ca. 7 h. 1050m 800m
- Day 7
-
07
To the mountain pasture of Doberdol
A short transfer takes us to our starting point in the village of Cerem. Through beautiful alpine pastures and pine forests we finally come to the pasture Doberdol 1800m. Overnight follows today in a hut. ( B / PL / D )
6-7 h. 1300m 650m
0.5 h
- Day 8
-
08
The highlight of the tour – Gjeravica 2656 m
The highlight of our tour, the highest mountain in Kosovo, is waiting for us. We come up the valley to the border and from the distance you can see our target in front of us. On the descent we pass glacier lakes and on the Erenik pasture we are picked up by off-road vehicles and driven on to Gjakova. Overnight in a hotel. ( B / PL / D )
7 h. 950m
1.5 h
- Day 9
-
09
Prizren – Capital Tirana
Time for relaxation and culture. After a walk through Gjakove we continue to Prizren and explore the city. We have lunch in a restaurant before heading towards Albania. We check in in Tirana and in the late afternoon we take a city tour and have dinner in the most famous district “Blloku”. Overnight in a hotel.( B / L / D )
ca 4. h
- Day 10
-
10
Farewell to Albania
After an exciting journey, time to say goodbye. Transfer to the airport and flight back home.