Peaks of the Balkans 5 days

Countries: Albania, Kosovo and Montenegro Duration: 10 days | Travelling style: self-managed -Difficulty: Medium | Travelling time: June - October

Tour Overview Peaks of the Balkans - 5 DAYS SELF-GUIDED

Enjoy five days in the peaks of the Balkans on a self-guided tour to the main highlights of northern Albania. The tour includes two main villages on the tour: Theth, predominantly Roman Catholic, and Valbona, a predominantly Muslim village. The two are divided by Qafa e Valbones. Although these villages were in close proximity in Ottoman times, they had different centres of gravity. Valbona was more connected to Gjakova in Kosovo, while Theth was connected to Shkodër in Albania.

Tour schedule

Day 1: Arrival in Shkodra

The tour includes the first night in Shkodra after arriving in Albania. You can use this day to enjoy the rich cultural offerings of Shkodra.

Day 2: Shkoder - Valbone via Lake Komani

A public vehicle picks you up and takes you to the village of Koman. After the bus, you will travel by boat through the magnificent lake, which is surrounded by the rock faces of the Cursed Mountains. Your road runs along the Valbona River, whose green colours and white water are created by the collision of the water with the rocks.

Day 3: Hike Valbona - Rosi summit

The hike from Valbona to Maja Rosit or Rosin Vrh leads through the semi-abandoned village of Kukaj. This part is a very beautiful and easy route and in high summer you can stop at some of the village houses for a glass of milk or tea. The trail winds through the gorge for several kilometres and continues with a steep climb. The 2,523 metre-high Rosi peak is located on the border between Albania and Montenegro and offers breathtaking views over both countries. Rosi Mountain is particularly interesting for botanists, as it is home to many flowers such as the endemic Albanian lily. (Lilium albanicum), orchids and many others.

Distance: 17.8 km, ↑ 1378 m ↓1594 m

Day 4: Hike Valbona - Theth

Today you will undertake one of Albania's most famous hikes from the town of Valbona (995 m) over the Valbona Pass (1759 m) to Theth (728 m). This 20-kilometre route follows the path of an ancient mule track that connected the tribal regions of Shala and Nikaj.

Distance: 19.5 km, ↑ 850 m ↓1068 m

Day 5: Hike Theth - Nderlyse - Blue Eye

A remote, lost village has become the epicentre of visitors while preserving architecture and nature. The village still has the Kulla and other buildings from the Middle Ages. The village is 100 per cent Roman Catholic and has the most unique structure in the world. Kulla e Ngujimit, a three-storey rock building without windows. You spend this day walking around the village to the waterfalls and naturally formed "bathtubs" of the Shala River. This is a relaxing walk full of culture and natural beauty. Although the walk is quite long, it is not difficult as you are travelling on a path with few ascents and descents. At the end of the trail, you will be picked up and taken to Shkodra.

Distance: 11.5 km, ↑ 266 m ↓ 435 m

Included

GPS tracks for navigation via a smartphone app or on your own GPS device
Accommodation: 2x hotel, 3x guest house
Transfers as indicated in the itinerary
Meals (4x breakfast, 3x packed lunch, 3x dinner)
Border crossing permits
Customer support around the clock

Not included

Luggage transport (can be offered on request)
Pick-up and return transfer from the airport (can be provided on request)
Travel insurance (should be taken out by the traveller)

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