Peaks of the Balkans - Tour around the Alps and more | Sondor Travel

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Peaks of the Balkans

Albania

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Duration

10 days

Tour Type

Daily Tour

Group Size

20 people

Category

Walking

Overview

The Peaks of Balkans tour explores the beauty of the Albanian Alps, the lushness of the Belegu, Decani and Bogicevica pastures in Kosovo and Montenegro, and everything in between.

We will begin with a guided walk in Tirana, the capital of Albania. This day tour of Tirana offers you a different insight into the capital of Albania. Tirana is a city full of energy and adventure. The more time you spend walking the streets of the city, the more experiences you will stumble upon.

Then, we will take a boat tour of Koman Lake. In the lake are built 3 hydroelectric power plants, which produce about 70 % of Albania’s electric needs. Bradt Guides consider it “One of the world’s great boat trips”. From the quaint village of Tropojë, we follow the shepherd’s trails up to Sylbicë Alpine Huts. There you feel like you are truly among the stars.

In the next few days, we will explore the alpine pastures of Kosovo and Montenegro, before a return to Albania. The mountain-ridge walks between the Valbona Valley and Theth Valley epitomize the Peaks of the Balkans tour. There, at the altitude of 1815 m, you can see the panorama of both valleys before you. Both peaks are considered as the miracle of the Alps.

This is going to be a spectacular journey for you.

HIGHLIGHTS

Take one of the most scenic boat trips in Europe
Stay in shepherds' huts and sample the traditional food
Enjoy nature and the amazing views of Valbona and Theth Valleys
Feel like an explorer amid interesting locals and untouched nature

Itinerary

Day 1. Airport – Tirana

After you land in Albania you will be welcomed by the Albanian travel agency representatives. Next we transfer from the airport to the hotel in Tirana. In the afternoon we will visit the city center of Tirana, including the Scanderbeg square, Et’hem Bey mosque, Toptan Castle, and the Pyramid.

Day 2. Tirana – Kukes – Prizren – Tropojë village

Breakfast in Tirana. Today we travel toward the Northern part of Albania, passing through the cities of Prizren and Gjakova in Kosovo. The journey will take us through one of the major highway construction zones which will connect Albania with Kosovo. We will make a short, 2 hour stop in Prizren, one of the few cities in Kosovo to have 3 religious communities cohabiting together (Catholic, Orthodox, Muslim). It is also known for the Albanian National Weakening movement. Next we travel to Gjakova and visit the Ottoman bazaar, one of the largest in the Balkans. Depending on time, lunch could be in Prizren or Gjakovë. Before re-entering Albania through Qafe Morine border we will get out of the car and walk our way to the border. There we will present our passport and walk to the village of Tropoje. Upon arrival in the village we will be accommodated in Aste Guesthouse.

Day 3. Tropojë – Tropojë Valley – Sylbicë Pasture

Breakfast in Old Tropojë. The group starts walking led by the tourleader as the luggage is carried by horse. We walk through the valley of Tropoja river and make several breaks on the way. Lunch will be organized in the valley. In the afternoon we reach the alpine huts in Sylbice Alpine Pasture. Dinner and accommodation in Sylbicë.

Day 4. Sylbicë – Deçani Pastures (Kosovo) – Belegu Pastures (Kosovo)

Breakfast in Sylbicë. We travel for 6 hours guided by the local guide and horses from Sylbica through the Decani Alpine Pastures and up to the Belegu Alpine Pastures in Kosovo. Lunch will be organized on the way to Belegu. In Belegu we will be accommodated and served dinner in one of the local huts.

Day 5. Belegu Pastures (Kosovo) – Bogicevice (Montenegro) – Doberdol (Albania)

Breakfast in Belegu Alpine huts. From here we walk for about 5 hours through three countries guided by the local guide and horses (for the luggage) from Belegu to Bogicevica, Trekufiri. A picnic lunch will be organized somewhere along the way. In the afternoon we reach Doberdol.

Day 6. Dobërdol – Çerem – Valbonë

Breakfast in Dobërdol. After loading the luggage on horses we walk from Dobërdol to Çerem passing through Koshutica and Vranica. Lunch in the village of Çerem. After lunch we will drive from Çerem to Valbonë.

Day 7. Valbonë – White Circle – Valbonë

The group will walk to White circle mountain. We will return to Valbona after 6-7 hours of walking. Dinner will be organized in a village guesthouse where a folk group will perform for us (for groups of 8 or more people).

Day 8. Valbona – Valbona pass – Theth

Breakfast in Valbona. After driving for a while we will reach the trailhead leading to the village of Theth. The trail we follow goes through the village of Rragam and Valbona springs. We need about 2-3 hours depending on the ability of the group to reach the summit of Valbona pass at the altitude of 1815 m. From there the panorama unveiled of both Valbona and Theth valleys is breathtaking. Next we will have picnic lunch about 1 km from the pass. At this place called “Krojnat” we can have coffee or refresh ourselves with colas and beers. In the afternoon we reach Theth and will gather in the Gjelaj quarter.

Day 9. Theth – Qafa e T’thores – Boge – Shkoder – Tiranë

We will drive from Thethi passing through interesting panoramic points such as T’thore Pass and Boga. The road will unveil a unique panorama of Thethi valley and Bjeshkët e Namuna. In Shkoder we will take a short lunch break near the old part of the city. After this, we will resume driving toward Tirana. Upon arrival and accommodation in the hotel we take a walking tour of Tirana and visit the main sites. An option is to also take a trip to Dajti Mountain via cable car.

Day 10. Tirana – Mother Theresa Airport

Breakfast in Tirana. We will transfer to Mother Theresa Airport where the tour ends.

Included/Excluded

Accommodation for 9 nights in hotels, guesthouses and huts
8 dinners in hotels, guesthouses and huts
6 lunches included in the program
Folkloric performance in Valbona (For groups of 8 people or more)
Tour Guide in English for 8 days
Local guide during the 7 walking days
Luggage transportation for 5 days
Local minibus transportation for 3 days
Transfers and transportation by tourist minibus for 4 days
Entrance tickets for 3 museums (Tirana, Prizren, Shkoder)
Assistance of the Albanian agency

Additional Services
Insurance
Drinks

Durations

10 days

Tour's Location

Albania

FAQs

Airport transfers are not included in the price of this tour, however you can book for an arrival transfer in advance. In this case a tour operator representative will be at the airport to greet you. To arrange this please contact our customer service team once you have a confirmed booking.

This tour has an age range of 12-70 years old, this means children under the age of 12 will not be eligible to participate in this tour. However, if you are over 70 years please contact us.

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