Start/Ende
Tirana
Duration
8 Days
Hiking days
5 Days
Activity level
2/3 (from 5)
Travel time
June to October
Group size
max. 12 Persons
Luggage transport
by car and horses
Accommodation
Hotels, guest houses
Overview
The trip leads to the beautiful, wild north of Albania. Hike with us on ancient shepherd trails through this remote mountain region. Gain insight into the history of Albania by visiting the Shkoder Fortress and the Theth Blood Tower and take the opportunity to meet the locals along the way and enjoy the warm Albanian hospitality and good food.
- Boat trip on Lake Koman
- Enjoy regional dishes
- Hike from Valbona to Theth
- Visit to the Blood Tower of Theth and the history of the blood revenge
Included
Excluded
Condition – Good condition and endurance for walking times of up to 7 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.
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.
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
-
- Boat trip on Lake Koman
- Enjoy regional dishes
- Hike from Valbona to Theth
- Visit to the Blood Tower of Theth and the history of the blood revenge
- Services
-
Included
Excluded
- Infos
-
Condition – Good condition and endurance for walking times of up to 7 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.
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.
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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- Price
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Intinerary
01
Hello Albania
Our guide will pick you up at the airport and we continue together to Shkoder. We take a tour of the city center with its almost Italian flair and visit the fortress. Dinner in the center of the city in a traditional restaurant. Overnight in a hotel. ( – / – / D )
ca. 2.5 h
02
Boat trip through Drini Gorge – Valbone
We experience one of the most beautiful boat trips in Europe. After a transfer to Koman we take the ship on the reservoir from Koman through the gorges to Fierze. Then continue by bus towards Valbone. We hike the last stage on foot along the Valbonariver. Overnight in an guest house with rooms with multiple beds. ( B / L / D )
3 h. 300m / 50m
ca. 2.5 h
03
View of Jezerca – The Rosi pasture
We walk along a road to the village of Kukaj, where two families still live. From here on a shepherd’s path, through pine and beech forests, we come to an alpine pasture, where only one farmer spends the summer with his cows. Here we have the opportunity to have a conversation with the shepherd. On the way back we can reward ourselves at a host family with a glass of raki. Overnight like the day before. ( B / PL / D )
ca. 5-6 h. 700m
ca. 0.5 h
04
Via the Valbona Pass to Theth
Today we walk to Theth on Northern Albania’s most famous hiking trail. A steep climb takes us to the Valbona Pass at 1800m, the highest point for today. Accompanied by our pack horses, we descend to the quaint village of Theth, where a host family welcomes us. (B / PL / D )
6-7 h. 800m/ 1050m
05
Peja – Pass 1700m
We start walking from the guest house in Theth. First it goes through the valley to the foot of the mountain. At the end we come up a little climb to the Peja Pass. Here we take a break and enjoy the breathtaking view of the cursed mountains. We go back the same way. Overnight like the day before. ( B / PL / D )
6.7 h. 950m
06
Explore Theth
The idyllic little village is known for its hospitality, but also for many adventurous stories. During a visit to the Blood Tower, we learn more about the Kanun, the oral customary law and the tradition of blood vengeance in Northern Albania that has been lived for centuries. On the way to Nderlyse we pass a waterfall. Afternoon time to relax and recuperate. Overnight in an guest house. ( B / PL / D )
ca. 4 h. 200m 500m
07
Thore Pass 1800m – capital Tirana
Mostly in the cool shade, on our last hike we get up to the Thore Pass with a wonderful view of the Albanian Alps. On the way to Tirana we can stop at Shen-Gjini beach for a refreshment (optional). On a city tour, we see the sights of Tirana and finish the evening with dinner in the old town of Tirana. Overnight in a hotel. ( B / PL / D )
ca. 5 h. 1300m
ca. 3 h
08
Flight home
After an exciting week, transfer to the airport and flight home.
- Day 1
-
01
Hello Albania
Our guide will pick you up at the airport and we continue together to Shkoder. We take a tour of the city center with its almost Italian flair and visit the fortress. Dinner in the center of the city in a traditional restaurant. Overnight in a hotel. ( – / – / D )
ca. 2.5 h
- Day 2
-
02
Boat trip through Drini Gorge – Valbone
We experience one of the most beautiful boat trips in Europe. After a transfer to Koman we take the ship on the reservoir from Koman through the gorges to Fierze. Then continue by bus towards Valbone. We hike the last stage on foot along the Valbonariver. Overnight in an guest house with rooms with multiple beds. ( B / L / D )
3 h. 300m / 50m
ca. 2.5 h
- Day 3
-
03
View of Jezerca – The Rosi pasture
We walk along a road to the village of Kukaj, where two families still live. From here on a shepherd’s path, through pine and beech forests, we come to an alpine pasture, where only one farmer spends the summer with his cows. Here we have the opportunity to have a conversation with the shepherd. On the way back we can reward ourselves at a host family with a glass of raki. Overnight like the day before. ( B / PL / D )
ca. 5-6 h. 700m
ca. 0.5 h
- Day 4
-
04
Via the Valbona Pass to Theth
Today we walk to Theth on Northern Albania’s most famous hiking trail. A steep climb takes us to the Valbona Pass at 1800m, the highest point for today. Accompanied by our pack horses, we descend to the quaint village of Theth, where a host family welcomes us. (B / PL / D )
6-7 h. 800m/ 1050m
- Day 5
-
05
Peja – Pass 1700m
We start walking from the guest house in Theth. First it goes through the valley to the foot of the mountain. At the end we come up a little climb to the Peja Pass. Here we take a break and enjoy the breathtaking view of the cursed mountains. We go back the same way. Overnight like the day before. ( B / PL / D )
6.7 h. 950m
- Day 6
-
06
Explore Theth
The idyllic little village is known for its hospitality, but also for many adventurous stories. During a visit to the Blood Tower, we learn more about the Kanun, the oral customary law and the tradition of blood vengeance in Northern Albania that has been lived for centuries. On the way to Nderlyse we pass a waterfall. Afternoon time to relax and recuperate. Overnight in an guest house. ( B / PL / D )
ca. 4 h. 200m 500m
- Day 7
-
07
Thore Pass 1800m – capital Tirana
Mostly in the cool shade, on our last hike we get up to the Thore Pass with a wonderful view of the Albanian Alps. On the way to Tirana we can stop at Shen-Gjini beach for a refreshment (optional). On a city tour, we see the sights of Tirana and finish the evening with dinner in the old town of Tirana. Overnight in a hotel. ( B / PL / D )
ca. 5 h. 1300m
ca. 3 h
- Day 8
-
08
Flight home
After an exciting week, transfer to the airport and flight home.