VIEW FULL ITINERARY +

DAY 2 - JULY 7th: TREK DAY 1
After a scenic lakeside transfer through the wild valleys of Kelmand to the alpine village of Lepushe, your trek can begin. You will depart the village on foot making your way up through the forest and pastures of Dobku, eventually crossing the ridge between the peaks of Popadija (2027m) and Talijanka (2015m) into Montenegro.

As you approach the Volusnice cliffs, spectacular views of the Karanfil Peaks that tower over the Grebaje Valley open up, revealing one of Montenegro’s most beautiful and remote areas. From this plateau, the trail descends through scree fields and native birch forest until you reach the valley to have lunch. A short transfer will bring the group to the village of Vuthaj, with time to rest and explore before dinner and staying in a local guesthouse overnight.

Trekking: approx 11km / 5 hours. Breakfast, packed lunch and dinner and guesthouse accomodation included.

DAY 3 - JULY 8th: TREK DAY 2
After breakfast, a short transfer along the scenic Ropojana valley brings you to where the next walking trail begins, near the Albanian border.You begin the challenging walk ascending steadily across the deserted karst plateau of Runica, surrounded by jagged peaks, until you reach the Peja pass (1730m).

Here, sweeping views of the Theth valley will greet you, overlooked by the austere Jezerca and Radohima massifs. The winding trail descends through the valley past the sheer face of Mount Arapi (2217m), the most iconic peak of the Theth valley. As you move lower down the trail passing clear streams, you will see the traditional houses of Okol along the way. Once in Thethi, you will have time to relax before dinner and spend the night in a local guesthouse.

Trekking: approx 18km / 7-8 hours. Breakfast, packed lunch and dinner and guesthouse included.

DAY 4 - JULY 9th: TREK DAY 3
A shorter and more relaxed trek today enables you to explore the area around Thethi, the most famous alpine village in Albania. The traditional houses set within orchards, combined with the impressive mountain background, make for a captivating highland experience. Leaving the guesthouse, the walk takes in local sights including the church, the blood feud tower ‘Kulla e Ngujimit’, the Grunas waterfall, Grunas canyon, as well as ancient stone walled terraces dating from the late Bronze Age.

You continue the walk out of Thethi, beside the clear waters of the Shala River surrounded by the lush verdant landscape, until reaching the hamlet of Nderlysa. If you would like to extend the walk by another hour, there is the option to visit the Blue Eye pool, set amidst the dense vegetation of the Kaprea creek, before a short transfer back to Thethi for dinner and overnight accommodation in a local guesthouse.

Trekking: approx 10km / 5 hours. Breakfast, packed lunch and dinner and guesthouse accommodation included.

DAY 5 - JULY 10th: TREK DAY 4
Today’s walk is probably the most well known and picturesque of the Albanian Alps. To this day, it remains the only direct trail winding through the narrow valleys between Thethi and Valbona. You leave the Theth valley behind as the trail steadily climbs towards the Valbona pass (1800m), with the scenery changing from green pastures and dense woods to rocky scree. Once you reach the pass, it’s time to marvel at some of the highest peaks in the majestic Accursed Mountains, including Jezerca (2694m) and Radohimës (2570m).

Following the path downhill, you encounter grassy meadows and the Valbona Springs before following a gravel track lined with pine trees and passing the first houses of Rrogam village. The last leg of today’s trek follows a dry riverbed that leads you to Valbona, where you will have dinner and stay overnight.

Trekking: approx 16km / 7 hours. Breakfast and packed lunch and guesthouse accommodation included.

DAY 6 - JULY 11th: TREK DAY 5
After breakfast, a short transfer takes you to the village of Çerem, where today’s trek begins. This evocative and remote village, set amongst the trees, is only inhabited by shepherds in the summer due to harsh winter conditions. Setting off on foot into the undulating and beautiful alpine scenery, you leave the Kollata Mountains behind.

The trail winds up through the shady forest, passing sun dappled glades and leading onto a gravel track until you cross the Montenegrin border and soon after, the ruins of an old military border post. Continuing the walk to the picturesque hamlet of Balqin, you stop for lunch, a well earned rest and a chance to cool your feet in the streams fed by nearby springs.

After lunch, you enter the Gashi valley, steadily ascending to arrive at the hamlet of Doberdol, where vast alpine pastures await. Take time to rest and relax in this pristine alpine environment before dinner and stay overnight in typical shepherd’s huts.

Trekking: approx 15km / 8 hours. Breakfast and packed lunch and Shepherd’s Hut accommodation included.

DAY 7 - JULY 12th: TREK DAY 6
In the morning, you start on the path that climbs steadily towards the ridge that marks the border between Albania, Montenegro and Kosovo. Continuing along the meadow trail, you begin to traverse the slopes of Mount Gjeravica (2656m) until reaching the lowest point of the ridge that leads up to the summit.

Upon arrival at the rocky peak, all your efforts are rewarded by the magnificent views of the surrounding mountains and the three glacier lakes glistening below you. After a short onwards walk, you meet the vehicle and transfer down to the historic town of Gjakova in Kosovo. There is time to rest and explore this ancient town with your guide, including the Bazaar and Ottoman architecture. Enjoy dinner in the historic town centre before heading to the hotel.

Trekking: approx 15km / 7-8 hours. Breakfast and packed lunch and hotel accommodation included.

DAY 8 - JULY 13th: TIRANA DAY
After breakfast, it’s time to say goodbye to Kosovo as you cross the border into Albania by bus, heading for the Fierza docks. You will embark on a scenic ferry ride along the Lake Koman canyon, a spectacular experience.

Sit back and leisurely admire the scenery whilst reflecting on your adventure, before arriving into Koman docks for the final leg of your journey. You will transfer to a farm specialising in wine and traditional food located on the outskirts of the capital. After a tasty lunch, you continue into the capital, Tirana, checking into your hotel before a guided walking tour of the city.

Soak up the vibrant energy of one of the most attractive capitals of the Balkans whilst seeing the sights including Skanderbeg Square, the Et’hem Bey Mosque and architecture from several historical eras. Celebrate with your group at a local restaurant for dinner before heading back to the hotel.

Ferry around Lake Koman | Breakfast and packed lunch and hotel accommodation included.

DAY 9 - JULY 14th: DEPARTURE DAY/EXTENSION DAY DEPENDING ON YOUR TRAVEL OPTION
Waking up to the sounds of the city, your amazing Peak of the Balkans adventure comes to an end. A transfer will take you back to Tirana airport for your flight back to the UK. Those on our ‘without flights’ travel option are free to continue on your own itinerary after breakfast. If you’ll be joining us on the Albanian Riviera extension trip, you will depart on your extended itinerary today! Breakfast included.