Highlights of the Albanian Alps in 6 Days will give you a good idea of the nature and human beauties concealed within those high peaks. Albanian Alps, known as the Accursed Mountains, a rare natural park, are known for the Canon Laws, Blood Feuds, Burrneshat (Sworn Virgins), and many Legends. All the time we will be surrounded by peaks above 2,000 m above sea level. We will take the ferry through Komani Lake, the highest lake in Europe, well known for its astonishing beauty. Accommodation and food in the local guesthouse is another peculiarity to be discovered. In this tour, we cover a few of the highlights of the area leaving you wanting more.
Pick up and drop off all travelers at their hotel
6 Days / 5 Nights
English, Italian and Greek
Highlights of the Albanian Alps is an 8 days tour exploring the northern part of Albania, also known as the Accursed Mountains. You will have a chance to visit some of the most beautiful places in the Alps and especially learn how people have lived in those remote areas and how they still live nowadays.
The tour is of moderate difficulty only suitable for 18+ travelers, with hikes and many visits to natural sites. Transportation will be done with an air-conditioned vehicle and by ferry. Accommodation will be in local guesthouses, shared rooms. All food is included in the price. A certified local tour guide will be with you all the time. The weather most of the time is very nice and pleasant with short showers, you need to bring raincoats and warm clothes, while during July and August you should bring your hat, sunscreen, and water.
Today you will arrive in Tirana, Albania and our staff will meet you at the airport.
Depending on your arrival time we might do the presentation meeting with your guide and a short walking tour of Tirana.
Overnight in Tirana
Very early morning, after a good breakfast we will drive towards Komani damn and will board a ferry sailing through Drini River, one of the most breathtaking landscapes in Albania. After about 1 hour of beautiful scenery where you will have a chance to see how locals leave here, completely isolated, we will take the Shala river and shortly will be in the place known as the Thailand of Albania.
We will get accommodated in our guesthouse in a tree or hidden in the woods. Our day will continue with discovery trips on the Shala River with crystal clear but icy water. At night music and fire will light our spirits.
Overnight in Shala River
After a nice local breakfast, we will leave the beauties of Shala River and will continue our journey to Komani Lake. On both sides of the lake, you will notice small villages or houses still living in these remote locations and their only connection with cities is the lake. Life has not changed much since communist system broke down.
Early afternoon we will arrive in Valbona valley and will accommodate at our local guesthouse for a hearty traditional lunch. Right after lunch will go hiking to the village of Kukaj from where you can see the beauty of the mountains over 2000 meters.
Overnight in Valbona
After a filling breakfast with local delicacies, we will hike to Thethi valley. The hike is about 9.5 km long and lasts between 6-8 hours. Valbona pass is absolutely a stunning hike, where you will be accompanied by beautiful views of the mountains all around. From the beginning to the end of the hike the scenery changes from the Rocky Mountains to green pastures, thick beech forests to village roads.
On the way, we will have a few stops to rest and take pictures of the breathtaking panoramas. We will arrive at our guesthouse in Theth in the afternoon, in time to appreciate the dinner with traditional food.
Evening at leisure to enjoy the beauty of Theth and the warmth of the local people.
Overnight in a local Guest House in Thethi Valley.
Overnight in Thethi
Today is going to be a very busy and beautiful day. Early morning after a tasty breakfast we will hike to Grunas waterfall and canyon, monuments of nature. The hike is easy and goes through the houses of the village giving a full picture of what does it mean to leave in those remote areas. Once there you will be amazed by the colors of the waterfall depending on the season you are visiting.
Our day will continue with a long hike to the Nderlyse pools, which will relax us with its crystal clear icy waters. The brave one can take a swim and jump through the stone pools.
A short hike and we will be at the Blue Eye of Kaprre, the most beautiful gem of those mountains, a pool of clear waters about 100 sq meters and deep max 5 meters. Even on the hottest day, you will freeze in the blue eye cold waters. A picnic lunch will complete our visit there.
Our hike continues from the Kaprre to Thora pas, between unbeaten paths with gorgeous scenery. In Thora pas, we will get our car and drive to Shkodra in time for our traditional dinner.
Overnight in Shkodra
Today we will drive to Tirana and our staff will send you to Tirana International Airport, at your departure time, wishing you a safe flight back home.
