Walking Holiday In Albania

Albania is perhaps one of the last great off-the-beaten-track places to be found for trekking in Europe. The scenery of Albania is simply stunning and the Highlander locals are friendly and very hospitable. Sometimes for genuine travel experiences, you have to go too far- places like the Himalayas, however trekking in Albania is a genuine revelation.

Day 1: Mother Teresa Airport – Shkodra

Meet at the airport with our guide and drive for about 1 hour 45 minutes to Shkodra the most important town in the North of Albania. Shkodra was the capital of an important Illyrian Kingdom in the 3rd century BC, with its center where the Rozafa fortress is situated today upon entry into the modern city. Shkodra was also the center of the Roman Catholic minority in Albania due to its traditional centuries-old ties with Venice. In fact, Italian architecture is present also in the buildings of the beginning of the 20th century. We will take a walk in the newly renovated pedestrian area of Italian and Austrian architecture influences, testimony to this town’s historic links with both these countries. Overnight in Shkodra. (Dinner can be had at its wonderful traditional stone restaurant).

Day 2: Shkoder – Theth

After breakfast, we drive towards to Thethi, before starting to climb through the stunning Limestone Mountains. Once the road reaches Boga village, we twist and turn past breathtaking scenery and arrive at the mountain village of Theth in the middle of the Thethi National Park, passing through the neck of Thore. After unloading our discovery equipment we will take a familiarization tour of the village lasting between 3-5 hours, starting with the church of Thethi originally built in 1892, rebuilt, and reroofed in 2005. Roughly opposite the church across a field is the “Kulla e ngujimit” or “Lock-in Tower” which can be seen only from outside, testimony to a system of rigid and cruel codes to the modern visitors, but which has regulated an isolated lifestyle in these faraway mountains, for centuries. Another inaccessible monument inside, the old water-mill, situated just below the tower was used by the locals to grind corn. Then we walk up the mill, following a footpath leading to the bridge of Gerla which hangs more than 30metres above Thethi canyon which wide only 2 meters is providing a spectacular sight. At the wonderful Grunasi waterfall the waters plunge tens of meter’s into a deep pool, and its crystal clear water is so cold that any thoughts of a swim will be quickly dispelled, the moment it reaches your ankles. Overnight at the local guesthouse in Theth village.

Day 3: Theth – Valbona (no driving)

After breakfast walk to Valbona through some of the wildest scenery into the Tropoje District, known as the home of Albanian folk culture. We walk for about 8 hours through forests and alpine pastures and from Valbona pass (1950m), we take a few moments to enjoy the spectacular views down Valbona and Theth Valley. As we pass Valbona River, some beautiful waterfalls, and the quaint village of Rragam, our luggage is transported by horse to the next guesthouse. The National Park of Valbona valley is situated 30 kilometers northwest of the town of Bajram Curri. It has a surface of about 8,000 hectares. This park is considered a miracle of the Albanian Alps offering an amazing diversity in shapes, forms, colors, flora, and fauna. The forests and pastures, the rivers and alpine lakes, the miscellaneous flowers, the characteristic houses, and the hospitality of the inhabitants altogether create a unique place that can be explored on different levels. Our journey of today will provide you with plenty of material to satisfy your senses and brag about to friends and family. During the communist period, only members of the government, locals and authorized forest technicians, and a handful of important visitors from foreign countries with which Albania had political relations – such as Russia, Bulgaria, Poland – were allowed to enter this region needed a special authorization from the government. Luckily the beauty of Valbona is nowadays available for all to explore and respect. Overnight at Hotel Margjeka or Local Guest House

Day 4: Valbona

After breakfast, Our route today takes us through beech and pine forests down Rosi Peak and leads us onto the “White Circle”, where we enjoy panoramic views across the peaks and valleys of the Albanian Alps (approx. 6 hours walk). Valbona Valley is part of the Tropoja district which in turn falls under the Albanian Alps with numerous mountains reaching a height of above 2,000 meters. There are mountainous massifs like the Eastern Block of Jezerca (its peak is 2,694 meters high). The Block of Maja e Hekurave (2,561 m) is distinguished for its asymmetric slopes and the peak which has a conical form. Shkelzeni peak (2,407 m) lies among the tectonic formations and has a pyramidal shape. The ridge is covered with forests of oaks, beechwood, and some conifers up to the carbonic slopes whereas on the top there are some alpine pastures. Overnight at local guest house.

Day 5: Valbona – Koman Lake – Kruja

An after breakfast departure to take the Koman Lake ferry. A spectacular boat trip through the artificial lake created by the hydropower stations built on Drin River. The depth of the lake has given it an opal green color while the surrounding mountains have created the magnificent effect of a fjord. After the trip ends we drive toward Kruja, the Albanian center of resistance against the Ottoman invasion led by the Albanian National Hero, Scanderbeg. He kept the Ottomans engaged in Albanian territories for 25 years during the 15th century, thus hampering their progress north into Western Europe. This was recognized by the pope of the time who named Scanderbeg “Athleta Christi” translated Champion of Christ. Visits the Scanderbeg museum where we gain an incredible amount of knowledge about Albanian history, and also Kruja’s Ottoman bazaar, the best place in Albania to find handmade, traditional crafts. Overnight in Hotel Panorama Kruja. Possibility for group tours to organize an Albanian Night with a live folk music show.

Day 6: Kruja – Tirana – Kepi Rodonit – Lalzi Bay.

After breakfast drive to Tirana we begin with a sightseeing tour of Albania’s lively capital, Tirana. We visit the National Historical Museum, the early 19th-century Ethem Bey Mosque, and the National Gallery. Continue with the newly opened Atonic bunker, the Bunk’art2 museum in Tirana opened to the public describing it as a museum throwing light on political persecution during the Albanian communist era. The museum – called Bunk’Art 2 – is also intended as a memorial to the tens of thousands of people who were imprisoned and executed by the communist regime,” Continue to  “Kepi i Rodonit” a wonderful Cape only 55 km from the Capital. Here we take a walk in the beautiful natural small peninsula that has much to offer. As we walk we explore the history of Albania from the 15th century at the Church of St Anthony, one of the oldest in Albania thought to have healing powers, to its communist recent past with anti-aircraft huge bunkers built by the regime thinking of a possible “enemy” Invasion. We walk through lush vegetation for about 2 hours and explore the place called Scanderbeg castle at the edge of the cape overlooking the sea. Overnight at Rezidenca Primavera. (Gjiri Lalzit Lalzi Bay)

Day 7: Lalzi Bay  – Durres-  Berat (UNESCO)

After breakfast, we drive to Durres stop to visit the center of Durres with its ancient amphitheater considered the biggest in the Balkans, City walls & Archeological museum.Continue to  Berat known as the museum town of a “one over one windows” due to the fact that its characteristic houses are built on a slope and have many windows which to observe seem as if the windows stand on top of each other. It has been listed by UNESCO as a World Heritage Site and it is a must-visit place in Albania. Berat castle is of particular interest as people still live within its walls in their traditional houses, as have their ancestors for centuries. The castle used to have over 40 churches of which 7 still remain including St. Mary’s church turned into Onufri Museum. Onufri was a famous Albanian Icon master painter of the 16th century who painted many orthodox churches in Albania and Greece, using a special red color. We suggest lunch in the castle at the little place of a family which serves homemade specialties. Overnight in Berat

Day 8: Berat – Airport

After breakfast you are left free to explore on your own until the time of transfer to the Airport for the flight back.

Including Hotels & guest houses 3,4* BB, Transportation with comfortable a/c vehicle, English (French, German, Italian, Spanish, Chinese, etc.)  speaking tour guide, Transfer of luggage with horses from Theth to Valbona. Transfers with alternative vehicles from Shkodra to Theth. Dinners at Local restaurants, museum entry fees, all taxes.