Hiking and cultural discovery of northern Albania

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hiking and cultural discovery of northern albania

Price From

POA

Category

Hiking, Cultural Discovery

Destinations

Albanian Alps

Difficulty

Duration

8 Days

Group Size

4 – 6

Trip Code

ALP04

Why join this tour?

Small group hiking tour – industry-leading guest-to-guide ratio of not more than 6:1
Travel along the Valbonë Valley surrounded by the rugged mountain peaks of the Albanian Alps
Hike in the fairy tale Valbonë National Park surrounded by the wild and beautiful landscape
Enjoy hiking on Valbonë – a magical place for nature lovers
Enjoy hiking through untouched landscapes of Theth National Park
Get in contact with locals and enjoy Albanian hospitality
Discover the traditional and joyful Shkodra – the centre of northern Albania
Enjoy a stroll along the handicrafts market of Krujë

The right tour for you?

This is a hiking tour, so moderate level of fitness is required. We kindly ask you to read our daily trip descriptions which give detailed information about: terrain, technical difficulty, estimated walking times, ascent/descent in meters.
Please read the packing list carefully and bring all essential items with you especially the right walking shoes.
Being prepared to cope with the weather conditions is an important factor to consider before you travel. Be prepared for all elements – rain, wind, heat and cold.
This tour includes one alpine crossing, which you have to perform in order to continue with the program. There is no access to transport.
Most of the time there is no shade so remember to bring a hat and sun protection
This trip involves some long travel days. The vehicles are modern and air-conditioned.
The accommodation in the alps is provided on a multi-share basis. Please check the “Inclusions” and “Useful Information” sections for more details. The meals in the alps are served family style. Please inform us in advance if you have any dietary requirements.
Packed meals are provided where it is impossible to have a meal at a restaurant or guesthouse.
Please bring a day pack/bag to carry clothing, water, packed meals, a camera etc. for the day trips.
We are strongly committed towards responsible and sustainable travel. We please you to follow our guidelines regarding sustainability.

Itinerary

Day 1: Arriving to Tirana

Welcome to Tirana. Your hotel is located in the downtown. There are plenty of attractions, cafes and bars to keep you busy. Founded in 1614, Tirana became the capital of Albania in 1920 and is the main cultural and industrial center of Albania. The city boulevards are marked with fascinating relics of the Ottoman, Italian and communist past.
If you arrive early, you can even take the cable car to the Dajti Mountain for panoramic views over the city.
In the evening, you can have a drink at one of the numerous cafes or trendy bars of the “Blloku” district. The most animated quarter of the city lies at the place where before the democratic changes it was not allowed for the public to enter as it was inhabited only by the higher leadership.
The price includes:
• Accommodation in a 4-Star hotel in Tirana
*Please see “Inclusions” section!

Day 2: Hiking in the wild-romantic Valbona Valley: T2, 3h, ↑400m, ↓400m, 7km

In the morning you will meet your guide and the rest of the group to for a short tour briefing. There, you will be issued with your mountaineering equipment, and will try everything on to make sure it fits correctly.
Then we will continue with the transfer to Valbona. The road goes through the city of Gjakova in Kosovo, and re-enters Albania near Bajram Curri. Afterwards it runs through the valley, along the Valbona River, surrounded by wild and beautiful natural panorama and the rugged mountain peaks of the Albanian Alps, up to the village of Valbona.
In the afternoon is planned a short walk in the surroundings of Valbona.
Starting from the guesthouse, you will hike on a well-maintained trail to the hills above the valley. Today you will not gain a lot of altitude, but the views will be amazing none the less. After reaching the highest point of the trail, you will descend at first towards “Kukaj”, and then down to the guesthouse in the valley.
Dinner and accommodation in a guesthouse in Valbona.
The price includes:
• Breakfast
• Lunch
• Dinner
• Accommodation in a guesthouse in Valbonë
*Please see “Inclusions” section!

Day 3: Hike in the surroundings of Valbona: T2, 4h, ↑750m, ↓750m, 12km

After breakfast, we will start hiking towards the hanging glacial valley of Kukaj. The trail runs through boulders and meadows, entering the beech forest. Passing by the houses of Kukaj, the path follows the right side of the valley until it reaches a meadow with a small shepherd’s hut.
There, a longer stop is planned, after which we will hike down to the guesthouse in the valley.
The price includes:
• Breakfast
• Packed Lunch
• Dinner
• Accommodation in a guesthouse in Valbonë
*Please see “Inclusions” section!

Day 4: Over the Valbona Pass to Theth: T2, 7h, ↑900m, ↓1100m, 17km

We will start the day with a walk along the Valbona valley up to Rragam located at 1130m altitude. From there the trail leads gently uphill through open forest to a glade with rocks and then follows a rough upward slope. On the Valbona pass at the altitude of 1812m, the view of both valleys is unique. The descent towards Theth begins very steep on a gravel path and follows through the forest. The overnight stay is planned in a guesthouse with shared rooms in Theth.
The price includes:
• Breakfast
• Packed Lunch
• Dinner
• Accommodation in a guesthouse in Theth
*Please see “Inclusions” section!

Day 5: Theth and surroundings: T2, 4h, ↑550m, ↓350m, 11km

After breakfast, we will take a short transfer to the village of Ndërlysaj, where the hike begins.
The glacier mills of Ndërlysaj offer a unique nature spectacle. The water squeezes itself through a narrow approach that has arisen over the millennia. Rounded and sharp rocks, half dipped into the shimmering colors of water and all-around green vegetation will surround our path. We will continue our hike up to the Blue Eye of Kaprre, a spellbinding natural pool with amazingly blue water in a jungle-like environment. After a short break, we will follow the same trail back to Ndërlysaj, where lunch is planned.
Then we will continue the hike towards Theth. On the way, is planed the visit of the mill of Kolaj, a small structure which is put to work by a stream of water diverted from the river.
Afterwards, we will hike to the Waterfall of Grunas and to the Grunas Canyon that is 30 meters in height and one meter in width.
Near the end of the trail, we will visit of the Isolation Tower in Theth, and from there walk to the guesthouse.
The price includes:
• Breakfast
• Lunch
• Dinner
• Accommodation in a guesthouse in Theth
*Please see “Inclusions” section!

Day 6: Hike to the beautiful Dënell Meadow: T2, 5h, ↑900m, ↓900m, 13km

The day begins with the hike northeast up to the neighborhood of Ulaj. Then we will continue through a scree path into the beech forest and along a trail, which gets increasingly steep, up to Dënell Meadow, 1600m above sea level. It is surrounded by a chain of high mountains from where the view of the Valley of Theth is very beautiful. After a short break, we will follow the same route back to the guesthouse.
The price includes:
• Breakfast
• Packed Lunch
• Dinner
• Accommodation in a guesthouse in Theth
*Please see “Inclusions” section!

Day 7: Shkodra, the center of north Albania and the traditional city of Kruja

After breakfast starts the journey towards Shkodra. It is one of the oldest inhabited cities in Albania with a 2400-year-old history of urban civilization. Numerous people, countries and cultures have left their traces on the city. Many sights, monuments, memorials and ruins bear witness of its eventful history. A guided visit of the city and a short walk uphill to the Rozafa Castle are planned. Its origins date back to pre-Roman times of the Illyrians. The castle has determined the destiny of the city until modern times.
After the visit, transfer to Kruja and lunch in a traditional restaurant.
The city lies on a mountain 600m above sea level and has a very ancient history. It was the capital of Albanopolis inhabited by the Illyrian tribes of Albans, was the capital of the principality of Arber, is the city where the history of Skanderbeg began. The city is rich in monuments of culture and ethnography.
The castle of Kruja is situated on a hill and the views from there are magnificent. The construction of the castle dates at VI – VII century. It was rebuilt by the Byzantines and later on by the Ottomans.
In Kruja, a short visit of the Castle and a walk along the 400-year-old handicrafts market are planned. Transfer to Tirana.
In the late afternoon you will have some free time to enjoy the capital city on your own.
The guide will pick you up at your hotel and you will walk together to the restaurant for the farewell dinner.
The price includes:
• Breakfast
• Lunch
• Farewell Dinner in Tirana
• Accommodation in a 4-Star hotel in Tiranë
*Please see “Inclusions” section!

Day 8: Departure

After breakfast at your hotel, it is time to say goodbye to Albania.
The price includes:
• Breakfast
*Please see “Inclusions” section!

Useful information

Performance level:

Our daily trip descriptions give detailed information about: terrain, technical difficulty, estimated walking times, ascent/descent in meters. We kindly ask you to read these very carefully and consider them while choosing your trip.

This tour includes an alpine crossing (Day 3), which you have to perform in order to continue with the program.

The given technical difficulty for each daily trip specifies in any case the maximum difficulty in the course of the corresponding trip. That does not necessarily mean that the whole day trip is technically that difficult.

Abbreviations:

↑ = Ascent in meters

↓ = Descent in meters

Walking time:

Estimated walking times are given for each day. These times do vary, however, according to the day’s weather conditions, and the fitness levels of the tour participants. These times do not include times taken for meals and breaks.

Accommodation:

During this tour you will be accommodated in carefully selected:

• Hotels on days 1 and 7 on a twin-share basis
• Guesthouses on days 2, 3, 4, 5 and 6 on a multi-share basis*
*An accommodation upgrade option is available for days 2 and 3

The accommodation in hotels will be provided on a twin-share basis. The hotel rooms all have a private bathroom with a shower/bath and toilet. In rare occasions, the accommodation in hotels will be provided in triple rooms.

The accommodation in guesthouses will be provided on a multi-share basis. Bathrooms with a shower and toilet may be shared between multiple rooms. Please note that there may be occasions when you share a room with passengers travelling on different trips than your own.

In all cases, we pair up solo travelers with other travelers of the same gender as per the gender marker on each of their passports.

Solo travelers:

The tour is suitable for solo travelers.

Luggage transportation:

During this tour you will have to carry your own luggage for the hikes on day 3.

Please pack carefully and lightly.

Transfers:

All transfers described in the itinerary are included in the price and will be organized by us.

Extensions:

If you wish to extend your journey by a few days, we are at your disposal to further organize your tour according to your wishes. All related services and costs are not included in the tour price and as such will be additionally calculated.

If you wish to start or end your tour from/to a different location, we can pick you up or drop you off against additional charge, enabling your participation in the travel.

Sustainability:

We are strongly committed towards responsible and sustainable travel.

We please our guests to follow our guidelines regarding sustainability:

• Respect the local people, their culture and environment.
• Support locally owned businesses, restaurants and other services: Eat local food and drink local brands and brews.
• Shop from traditional artisans and for locally made products. Favor local products over imported items. This helps in keeping traditional crafts alive. Even a small amount could be extremely important to local producers.
• Always ask first before photographing or videoing people. Send them back copies of photos to help make it a two-way exchange.
• We strongly recommend bringing reusable water bottles. In places where tap water is potable, this eliminates the usage of single-use plastic bottles entirely.
• Bring a water filter. This way you can drink tap water even in places where it is otherwise unsafe to do so.
• We also recommend bringing a reusable straw, reusable camping flatware and a reusable container for packed lunch.
• For the packed meals, you will be provided with the ingredients and will pack the meals by yourself. Please do not pack more food than is necessary, in order to reduce food waste.

Feel free to ask any questions you might have. Our staff and guides are trained and able to advise you in detail about our approach towards sustainability.

Health and Safety:
We are committed to ensuring your safety and well-being during your travels. Here’s a summary of some important health and safety aspects for your upcoming visit to Albania:
• Travel Safety: (USA, UK, Germany, France, Switzerland, etc.) Many governments provide travel advice for Albania, which includes safety and security, insurance, entry requirements, and legal differences. Please visit your government foreign office for advice for more information.
• Water Quality: Please note that tap water in many parts of Albania may not be safe to drink due to aging infrastructure. We recommend opting for bottled water.
• Food Safety: While enjoying the local cuisine during your free meals, we advise you to follow standard food safety guidelines. This includes ensuring your food is thoroughly cooked and consuming only pasteurized dairy products.
• Illegal drugs: Penalties for drug-related crimes are severe. Possession of illegal drugs could result in a prison sentence of 5 to 10 years. The penalty for supplying drugs is up to 15 years in prison. Cannabis possession and consumption is not legal, and the same penalties as for all other drugs apply.
• Climate: Please be aware that Albania has a mediterranean climate. It can get very hot in the summers, and rain showers can be intense. Please be prepared for all weather conditions.
Please note that this is a general overview, and the specific health and safety issues can vary depending on the exact location within Albania and the activities undertaken. We always recommend checking the latest updates before travelling to Albania.

Inclusions

Included in the price:
• All trips according to the program schedule
• Transport in a comfortable air-conditioned vehicle
• 2 nights’ accommodation in 4 Star hotels
• 5 nights’ accommodation in guesthouses
• Meals according to the program schedule
• Water during the meals and for the hikes
• Accompaniment by an English-speaking guide during the entire journey

Not included in the price:
• Transfer from and to the airport
• Any type of insurance
• Any beverages
• Other services not mentioned in the included section above or in the itinerary

Equipment list

Essential Equipment:
• Daypack
• Rain cover for daypack
• Hiking boots (category B/C)
• Hiking trousers
• Sweater/Jacket
• Waterproof jacket and trousers
• T-shirts/shirts
• Spare socks
• Reusable water bottles (at least 2 liters in total)
• Comfortable shoes for traveling and sightseeing
• Head lamp
• Warm hat
• Sunhat
• Sunscreen
• Sunglasses
• Blister bandages
• Any prescription medication you might need
• Duffle bag for personal luggage
• Passport or ID

Recommended Equipment:
• Water filter or alternative water purification system
• Reusable container for packed lunch
• Reusable straw
• Hydration system
• Slippers
• Personal first aid kit
• Insect repellent
• Trekking Poles