This tour is perfect for people who visit the Albanian Alps for the first time and would like to combine scenic hikes with most of the North's highlights.
The itinerary covers Albania from the capital Tirana to much more relaxed Shkoder and two of the most remarkable valleys in the Albanian Alps: Thethi and Valbona, both dominated by towering mountains, gushing rivers and traditional alpine stone houses. On our way back we will also enjoy a scenic ferry ride across the Koman Lake.
The hikes on this tour are ideal for outdoor lovers with average fitness levels. The effective walking time per day is about 4 hours on average, with the exception of one longer transfer hike from Theth to Valbona across the Valbona pass.
• 2 nights accommodation in hotel
• 5 nights accommodation in guesthouse
• Full board
• All transports within Albania, including transfers from/to the airport + ferry trip
• Luggage transfer by horse over Valbona pass
• Entrance fees for sights and museums
Day 1: Shkoder:
After our rendezvous at the airport we continue straight away to Shkoder, the North’s dynamic hub to the mountains. Here we can go for a swim, visit several sites, like the Rozafa castle or the Marubi photo library, enjoy a traditional meal and stay overnight in an Ottoman house that serves now as a hotel.
Day 2: Nderlysa:
Leaving the city behind we enter Boga Valley, where to both sides mountains above 2000m start rising up from the river canyon. To get to Theth we cross on on a dramatic road the Buni i Thores pass at 1685m and stop to walk to the top of Maja e Zorzit for the best panoramic views. From here we continue down to the bottom of the valley, nestled into which lie the traditional stone houses of Theth and Nderlysa.
Overnight in a farm style family run guesthouse for next two nights.
Effective walking: 3.5 h
Distance: 6.5 km
Ascending: 500 m
Descending: 500 m
Day 3: Blue Eye & Kapreja:
We venture along the river to the famous “Blue Eye”, a beautiful karst spring, and onward to the almost deserted Kapreja Valley where we visit the last remaining family. Returning for lunch we examine the bizarre glacial mill rock formations. The afternoon is reserved for a refreshing splash into a basin called the ‘black well’, a walk through the village or to the conflux of the river, as well as it offers the opportunity to join the family at farm work (milk sheep, build hay barn) or help in the kitchen (learn how to prepare traditional Albanian food).
Effective walking: 4 h
Distance: 12 km
Ascending: 325 m
Descending: 325 m
Day 4: Theth:
Traveling on a bridle path to Theth. On our way we visit the canyon and waterfall in Grunas, as well as the church and blood feud lock-in tower, where we learn about the Kanun of Leke Dukagjin.
Nearby overnight in another guesthouse.
Effective walking: 3 h
Distance: 9 km
Ascending: 375 m
Descending: 100 m
Day 5: Valbona:
The highlight of many who visit is the transfer hike from Theth to Valbona Valley. At the top (1815m) you feel on par with the surrounding peaks and able to enjoy the marvelous sights of the mountain ranges around you.
Descend to Rragam, a semi-deserted village with many beautiful houses and short transfer to our family accommodation for the following two nights.
Effective walking: 7 h
Distance: 12 km
Ascending: 1125 m
Descending: 725 m
Day 6: Kukaj & Meadows:
In more dramatic and inaccessible Valbona Valley we ascend first to the secluded hamlet Kukaj and then along a glacial valley perched between the massifs to a beautiful pasture below Mt. Rosni. Especially in June the meadows are covered with countless colorful flowers and invite for a picnic brake.
At this point it's possible to extend our hike to a pass at the border with Montenegro.
Return to the guesthouse.
Effective walking: 5 h
Distance: 10.5 km
Ascending: 700 m
Descending: 700 m
Day 7: Koman Lake & Tirana:
After our early morning departure we board an unique vehicle for a fabulous ferry ride on the Koman Lake, a narrow flooded gorge that drives hydro-power plants.
Subsequently we drive to Tirana to visit the National History Museum or to get an overview by taking the cable car to Mt Dajti. Afterwards we disembark for a walking tour of the colorful city, the evening is reserved for dinner in the nightlife Blloku district.
Day 8: Departure:
Depending on your departure time we can further explore the city or head right away for the airport to have coffee and bid farewell.
