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 alpine crossings (Days 3, 5, 7 and 8), 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.

Orientation:

Most of the hiking trails are signed, but not always visible. We will provide you with a detailed information package to help your navigation. Some of the trails might not be well marked and eventual bad weather can make the navigation difficult. Good navigation skills are necessary.

Accommodation:

During this tour you will be accommodated in carefully selected:

• A Hotel on days 5 and 6 on a twin-share basis
• Guesthouses on days 1, 2, 3 and 4 on a multi-share basis
• A shepherd’s hut on day 7 on a multi-share basis

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.

The accommodation in shepherds’ huts will be provided on a multi-share basis. Bathrooms are shared between multiple rooms. The shepherds’ huts are rudimentary, and might not have shower facilities. 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.

Border crossing permits:

During this tour, you will cross international borders outside of regular border crossing points. To apply for the border crossing permits, we require a high-quality scan of your passport, no later than 35 days before departure. If you are unsure about the validity of your travel documents, please feel free to contact us prior to booking your trip.

Solo travelers:

The tour is suitable for solo travelers.

Luggage transportation:

During this tour you will have to carry your own luggage during the hike on days 3, 5, 7 and 8. Please pack carefully and lightly.

Please bring a day pack/bag to carry clothing, water, packed meals, a camera etc. for the day trips, so that you don’t have to carry your main luggage on these days.

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.

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 some of the packed meals, you will be provided with the ingredients to pack 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.

Included in the price:
• Local transfers as described in the day-by-day itinerary
• 2 nights accommodation in a hotel in twin rooms
• 4 nights accommodation in guesthouses in shared rooms
• 1 night accommodation in shepherd’s hut without facilities
• Meals according to the program schedule
• Detailed information and route descriptions in English
• 24/7 emergency telephone support

Not included in the price:
• Transfer from and to the airport
• Any type of insurance
• Any beverages
• Meals not mentioned in the “Included” sections
• Other services not mentioned in the “Included” sections or in the itinerary

Essential Equipment:
• Backpack
• Rain cover for Backpack
• Hiking boots (category B/C)
• Hiking trousers
• Sweater/Jacket
• Waterproof jacket and trousers
• T-shirts/shirts
• Spare socks
• Reusable water bottles (at least 3 liters in total)
• Comfortable shoes for traveling and sightseeing
• Warm hat
• Sunhat
• Sunscreen
• Sunglasses
• Blister bandages
• Any prescription medication you might need
• Passport or ID

Recommended Equipment:
• Reusable container for packed lunch
• Reusable straw
• Hydration system
• Slippers
• Personal first aid kit
• Insect repellent
• Trekking Poles