• Start/End

    Tirana

  • Duration

    8 Days

  • Hiking days

    5 Days

  • Activity level

    3 ( from 5 )

  • Travel time

    June to September

  • Group size

    4 to 9 Persons

  • Luggage transport

    by car and horses

  • Accommodation

    Hotels, guest houses, mountain hut

Overview

On this journey we will discover the Albanian part of High Scardus and trek through the wildest and most authentic regions of Albania. This route was already used by the Romans, who gave it the name 'Scardus', meaning 'colourful'. The variety of flowers, meadows and forests represent a sea of colour. We walk through untouched nature, enjoy breathtaking views, get to know culture and traditions, stay with simple families and shepherds and taste homemade dishes. The ascent of the Korab (2764.), the highest peak of Albania and North Macedonia crowns our hike in the east of Albania.

  • Trekking through untouched nature
  • Climb the highest peak of Albania and North Macedonia
  • Overnight in a shepherd’s hut
  • Enjoy traditional dishes
  • Get to know the hospitality and traditions of the Albanians
Includet

Accommodation

7 overnights:

2x in a hotel

4x in Gueshouses

1x in ashepherd’s hut

Single room supplement 120€ (only for hotels and guesthouse in Radomire)

Meals

All meals as described in the program: B – Breakfast / L – Lunch / PL – Packed Lunch / D – Dinner

All transfers according to the program

Luggage transport, one piece max. 15kg (no hard-shell suitcases)

Qualified tour guide

Excludet

Flight to Albania

Drinks or snacks

Personal expenses

Health insurance

Tips

Single supplement: 120€

Services not mentioned in the program

-Difficulty level

– Technique – medium

No alpine difficulties, good surefootedness required. Our tour runs on narrow hiking trails and climbs without any technical difficulties.

– Fitness – medium to challenging

Walking times of approx. 5 to 7 hours a day, ascents and descents up to approx. 1200 meters in altitude on some days, usually less. Individual daily stages can also be a little longer. Good physical condition is necessary and assumed.

– Comfort – simple

We stay in simple but comfortable and clean family run accommodation. The first and last night is in 3 star hotels. We stay two nights in a simple guesthouse in Radomire. In Hinoske and Rabdisht we stay in simple guesthouses with local families. We spend one night on the pasture Grame in shepherd’s huts, which are very simply furnished and not well insulated (sleeping bags required).

– 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.

This Trip can be booked on private request
Highlights
  • Trekking through untouched nature
  • Climb the highest peak of Albania and North Macedonia
  • Overnight in a shepherd’s hut
  • Enjoy traditional dishes
  • Get to know the hospitality and traditions of the Albanians
Services
Includet

Accommodation

7 overnights:

2x in a hotel

4x in Gueshouses

1x in ashepherd’s hut

Single room supplement 120€ (only for hotels and guesthouse in Radomire)

Meals

All meals as described in the program: B – Breakfast / L – Lunch / PL – Packed Lunch / D – Dinner

All transfers according to the program

Luggage transport, one piece max. 15kg (no hard-shell suitcases)

Qualified tour guide

Excludet

Flight to Albania

Drinks or snacks

Personal expenses

Health insurance

Tips

Single supplement: 120€

Services not mentioned in the program

Info

-Difficulty level

– Technique – medium

No alpine difficulties, good surefootedness required. Our tour runs on narrow hiking trails and climbs without any technical difficulties.

– Fitness – medium to challenging

Walking times of approx. 5 to 7 hours a day, ascents and descents up to approx. 1200 meters in altitude on some days, usually less. Individual daily stages can also be a little longer. Good physical condition is necessary and assumed.

– Comfort – simple

We stay in simple but comfortable and clean family run accommodation. The first and last night is in 3 star hotels. We stay two nights in a simple guesthouse in Radomire. In Hinoske and Rabdisht we stay in simple guesthouses with local families. We spend one night on the pasture Grame in shepherd’s huts, which are very simply furnished and not well insulated (sleeping bags required).

– 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
Dates and Prices
This Trip can be booked on private request

Itinerary

01

Welcome to Albania – Peshkopi

Our tour guide welcomes us at Tirana airport and together we continue to Peshkopi. The new Rruga e Arberit road offers great views of a varied landscape. Peshkopi is the last town east of the country before reaching the Korab mountain range. In the evening we will taste local specialties such as yufka, homemade pasta typical of the area. Overnight in a Hotel in Peshkopi . ( – / – / D )

Driving time 2.5 h

02

High on the Hinoske pasture

After a short transfer we reach our starting point, follow a shady path through a chestnut and cornel forest to Popinar. A small, idyllic village inhabited by only a few families. We climb higher and higher on a shepherd’s path, leaving behind the low warm areas and reaching the cool air on the high alpine pastures and green meadows. The Hinoske mountain pasture appears in front of us after a long climb. The shepherds here have built solid houses that can survive the heavy snowfall in winter. The rest of the evening we let our souls dangle on the alp and watch the shepherds gathering their flocks. Overnight in a Guesthouse in Hinoske. ( B / PL / D)

Walking time 4-5 h. +1100m / – 150m 

Driving time 0.5 h

03

Through alpine meadows to the stone village of Rabdisht

We say goodbye to our hosts and set off for Rabdisht. Passing lovely alpine meadows we reach a ridge where the border between Albania and North Macedonia runs. Walking along the ridge we reach the peak of Velivar (2373m). From here we enjoy a wide all-round view of the Dibra region in Albania and the Mavrovo National Park in North Macedonia. We make a small detour to the neighboring country and come back to Albania via a pass. Our destination can be seen in the distance. An idyllic village hidden between the mountains. After a descent through a beech forest we finally reach Rabdisht. Over a glass of raki we get to know our hosts and learn about life in the village. Overnight in a Guesthouse in Rabdisht. (B / PL / D)

Walking time 6 h. +660m / -1350m 

04

The pasture of Grama. A night with shepherds

After breakfast we pack our backpacks and start today’s adventure. From Rabdisht we hike to the neighboring village and admire the typical stone houses there. We climb up serpentines and enjoy views of Peshkopi and the great landscape around us. Soon we reach a plateau and optionally you can climb the Grama peak (2344m). A magnificent all-round view rewards our effort on the ascent. The path goes gently downhill and soon we see the Grama mountain pasture, the lake and our huts, which are idyllically situated on the meadow. One last steep descent and we have reached our destination. In the evening the shepherds come back from the mountains with their sheep and collect them to be milked. Delicious organic sheep yoghurt with a unique taste is served in the evening. Today we do without electricity, mobile phone reception and showers, but enjoy the endless starry sky by the campfire. ( B / PL / D )

Walking time 7-8 h. +1450/- 800 m 

05

From Grame across pristine meadows to Radomire

We say goodbye to the shepherds and set off for the next destination. After a short climb we come to Lake Grama, the largest glacial lake in the region. We climb uphill on lovely meadows and reach a pass. Here the Korab massif appears in front of us and makes us look forward to the next day. Various flowers and blueberry bushes accompany our way. Descending into the valley, accompanied by a creek, we finally reach Radomire a small village with many traditional stone houses and a brand new mosque. Tradition and faith are very important here. Overnight in a Guesthouse in Radomire. ( B / PL / D )

Walking time 6-7 h. +470m/-950m 

06

Climbing Korab, the highest mountain in Albania and North Macedonia

Early in the morning we lace up our hiking boots and set off to climb the highest peak in Albania and North Macedonia. We follow a shepherd’s path initially through coniferous forests and then on alpine green meadows. Soon we reach a pass and can look into the neighboring country. The Korab can already be seen in the distance. A magnificent all-round view awaits us at the summit. After a picnic break with a wonderful view, we make our way back. In the evening we celebrate our success with a glass of raki. Overnight like the day before. ( B / PL / D )

Walking time 8-9 h. +/- 1550 m 

07

Farm visit – discover the capital Tirana

We say goodbye to the mountains and drive towards Tirana. A panoramic drive takes us through the last villages of the Dibra region and then comes Kukes, a small town that became known for hosting the Kosovars during the war. Before we reach Tirana we visit the most famous farm in Albania, the Mrizi i Zanave. We take a walk around the farm and enjoy a lunch with organic Albanian products. In the afternoon we reach Tirana and during a walk we get to know the sights of the city. At a final dinner we look back on the exciting week through wild Albania. Overnight in a  hotel in Tirana ( B / L / D )

Driving time 4 h 

08

Mireupafshim and return journey

After an exciting journey, it’s time to say goodbye. Transfer to the airport and flight home. ( B / – / – )

0.5 h.

Day 1

01

Welcome to Albania – Peshkopi

Our tour guide welcomes us at Tirana airport and together we continue to Peshkopi. The new Rruga e Arberit road offers great views of a varied landscape. Peshkopi is the last town east of the country before reaching the Korab mountain range. In the evening we will taste local specialties such as yufka, homemade pasta typical of the area. Overnight in a Hotel in Peshkopi . ( – / – / D )

Driving time 2.5 h

Day 2

02

High on the Hinoske pasture

After a short transfer we reach our starting point, follow a shady path through a chestnut and cornel forest to Popinar. A small, idyllic village inhabited by only a few families. We climb higher and higher on a shepherd’s path, leaving behind the low warm areas and reaching the cool air on the high alpine pastures and green meadows. The Hinoske mountain pasture appears in front of us after a long climb. The shepherds here have built solid houses that can survive the heavy snowfall in winter. The rest of the evening we let our souls dangle on the alp and watch the shepherds gathering their flocks. Overnight in a Guesthouse in Hinoske. ( B / PL / D)

Walking time 4-5 h. +1100m / – 150m 

Driving time 0.5 h

Day 3

03

Through alpine meadows to the stone village of Rabdisht

We say goodbye to our hosts and set off for Rabdisht. Passing lovely alpine meadows we reach a ridge where the border between Albania and North Macedonia runs. Walking along the ridge we reach the peak of Velivar (2373m). From here we enjoy a wide all-round view of the Dibra region in Albania and the Mavrovo National Park in North Macedonia. We make a small detour to the neighboring country and come back to Albania via a pass. Our destination can be seen in the distance. An idyllic village hidden between the mountains. After a descent through a beech forest we finally reach Rabdisht. Over a glass of raki we get to know our hosts and learn about life in the village. Overnight in a Guesthouse in Rabdisht. (B / PL / D)

Walking time 6 h. +660m / -1350m 

Day 4

04

The pasture of Grama. A night with shepherds

After breakfast we pack our backpacks and start today’s adventure. From Rabdisht we hike to the neighboring village and admire the typical stone houses there. We climb up serpentines and enjoy views of Peshkopi and the great landscape around us. Soon we reach a plateau and optionally you can climb the Grama peak (2344m). A magnificent all-round view rewards our effort on the ascent. The path goes gently downhill and soon we see the Grama mountain pasture, the lake and our huts, which are idyllically situated on the meadow. One last steep descent and we have reached our destination. In the evening the shepherds come back from the mountains with their sheep and collect them to be milked. Delicious organic sheep yoghurt with a unique taste is served in the evening. Today we do without electricity, mobile phone reception and showers, but enjoy the endless starry sky by the campfire. ( B / PL / D )

Walking time 7-8 h. +1450/- 800 m 

Day 5

05

From Grame across pristine meadows to Radomire

We say goodbye to the shepherds and set off for the next destination. After a short climb we come to Lake Grama, the largest glacial lake in the region. We climb uphill on lovely meadows and reach a pass. Here the Korab massif appears in front of us and makes us look forward to the next day. Various flowers and blueberry bushes accompany our way. Descending into the valley, accompanied by a creek, we finally reach Radomire a small village with many traditional stone houses and a brand new mosque. Tradition and faith are very important here. Overnight in a Guesthouse in Radomire. ( B / PL / D )

Walking time 6-7 h. +470m/-950m 

Day 6

06

Climbing Korab, the highest mountain in Albania and North Macedonia

Early in the morning we lace up our hiking boots and set off to climb the highest peak in Albania and North Macedonia. We follow a shepherd’s path initially through coniferous forests and then on alpine green meadows. Soon we reach a pass and can look into the neighboring country. The Korab can already be seen in the distance. A magnificent all-round view awaits us at the summit. After a picnic break with a wonderful view, we make our way back. In the evening we celebrate our success with a glass of raki. Overnight like the day before. ( B / PL / D )

Walking time 8-9 h. +/- 1550 m 

Day 7

07

Farm visit – discover the capital Tirana

We say goodbye to the mountains and drive towards Tirana. A panoramic drive takes us through the last villages of the Dibra region and then comes Kukes, a small town that became known for hosting the Kosovars during the war. Before we reach Tirana we visit the most famous farm in Albania, the Mrizi i Zanave. We take a walk around the farm and enjoy a lunch with organic Albanian products. In the afternoon we reach Tirana and during a walk we get to know the sights of the city. At a final dinner we look back on the exciting week through wild Albania. Overnight in a  hotel in Tirana ( B / L / D )

Driving time 4 h 

Day 8

08

Mireupafshim and return journey

After an exciting journey, it’s time to say goodbye. Transfer to the airport and flight home. ( B / – / – )

0.5 h.

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