Tour The Peaks of the Balkans – From Cerem

6 Days

<p>We depart from Tirana to Theth. After arriving in Theth we will take some easy hikes in the nearby of Theth, where we will visit the Kulla e Ngujimit, the waterfall of Theth and the Canyon of Nderlyse.</p><p></p>

<p>We depart from Theth in direction to Valbona. We pass through a wonderful forest, from which we will see both valleys in the same day, the Valley of Valbona and the Valley of Theth. In the path to Qafa eValbonws we see the majestic Alps of Albania. When we get to Qafa e Valbonws we see the two valleys clearly. After a refreshement we start descending through an historic path until we get back again to a forest until we reach Ragam, a village. We pass Ragam and walk following the river Valbona until we get to the guesthouse.</p>

<p>We have two options for going to Cerem: we can go through a short way through the canyons (in part we take a short trip by car), or we pass by the Qafa e Pesllopit, which is longer but more interesting.</p><p></p><p>We depart from the guesthouse toward Cerem using the path passing by Qafa e Borit. The highest peak is at Qafa e Pesllopit (2033m) where it is found the border between Albania and Montenegro. The path passes through Montenegro until arriving to the Qafa e Borit and then we enter Albania. In the Albanian part we will pass by and see the Shpella e Akullit. In the first part of the path from Qafa e Borit to Cerem we will walk adjacently to a stream and later on we will pass through a forest until we arrive to Cerem. There we will accommodate in a guesthouse, but the area does not have neither electric power nor cellular network.</p>

<p>We get the path from Cerem and walk for a short piece in the local road. Later we enter the oaks forest and pass through a number of livestock resting fields. We take the path toward Qafa e Borit and continue the path in the nearby of the stream until we reach Qafa. Here the path split between Vuthaj and Qafa e Pesllopit. We take the path to Vuthaj and get to the guesthouse there.v</p>

<p>After a short car trip to Ropojan, we will start walking from the Gjeshtari Lake. This is also a border point between Montenegro and Albania. The walk continues through a forest until the impressive Fusha e Rrunicws appears in front of us. Then we continue toward Qafa e Pejes where we will also see the iced lake of Peja. From there we descend to Theth in a historical path that follows the coniferous fores and the mountain slope. Merchants have used this path in medieval times. We get accommodated in a guesthouse in Theth. </p>

<p>We depart to Tirana by car.</p>

The Trip Cost Includes

  • Pick-up or Drop-off service from and to Airport(in our own vehicle)
  • Transportation to and from!!
  • Food all along the trip(Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner and a cup of coffee or tea) and accommodations during the trip in hotels with family environment
  • Transportation, food, accommodation and insurance of Guide during the trip
  • Down jacket, all-season sleeping bag, duffel bag and trekking map(in case if you don’t have your own. Down jacket, sleeping bag and duffel bag must be returned after completion of the trip)
  • First Aid Medical Kit(Your guide will carry the Medical Kit but we also advise to bring yourself for your own use, as far as possible)
  • All the required permits and paperwork

The Trip Cost Excludes

  • International Airfare
  • Visa Charges
  • Hotel Expenses(In Kathmandu, some packages do include hotel expenses)
  • Your travel and medical insurance
  • Personal Expenses such as shopping, bar bills, hot shower, telephone, laundry, titbits etc
  • Food and accommodations in Kathmandu
  • Services not mentioned or not promised by the agent/agency
  • Emergency expenses such as expenses on chartered helicopter.
How fit do I need to be to do this trek?

Annapurna Base Camp is a Grade B or a moderately difficult trekking route. So any fit person can do this trek, even if you do not have any previous experience. You should be aware of what to expect and mentally prepare for it. Then, as long as you will to, you can.

How long do we walk every day when doing Annapurna Base Camp trekking?

On average, you walk about 4 to 6 hours per day. One or two days can be as less as 3hrs and one or two days can be as long as 7hrs.

What is the highest altitude reached in this trek?

The highest altitude reached is 4190m. This is the elevation of Annapurna Base Camp. ABC is the highest we will climb in this trek.

What about battery charging and hot shower facilities?

Yes, you can charge batteries en route. Charger should be brought. There are hot shower facilities as well. You may have to pay certain amount for both ($1-$2). Negotiate. Also, hot water facility could be free at lower elevation.

Are there ATMs on the way to Annapurna Base Camp?

No. There are no ATMs on this trek route. You will have to draw enough cash in Pokhara or Kathmandu. There are a number of ATMs in these cities. Everything is paid in Nepali rupees. So money should be exchanged before the start of the trek.

What about internet access?

Yes. Internet can be accessed in most places. Sometimes, there might be some technical problems. Internet in Nepal is not as fast as you are used to and at times you can just lose connection.

Is it necessary to hire Guides/trekking agency for Annapurna Base Camp trekking?

Not really. It depends on you. If you want, ABC trekking can be done independently. You could hire a guide and a porter by yourself instead of going through an agency or not hire a guide at all. Although, not having a guide can be a little problematic during off season.

It really depends on you. Is it your first time in Nepal? How confident are you of being able to find your way around? How pressed on time are you? If you go through an agency, it will be costlier but everything will be planned. You will only have to come, trek and return.

How much do guides and porters cost?

For Annapurna region, pay for guides range from $20 to $30 per day and porters take $15 to $25 per day.

Travel is the movement of people between relatively distant geographical locations, and can involve travel by foot, bicycle, automobile, train, boat, bus, airplane, or other means, with or without luggage, and can be one way or round trip. Travel can also include relatively short stays between successive movements.

The origin of the word “travel” is most likely lost to history. The term “travel” may originate from the Old French word travail, which means ‘work’. According to the Merriam Webster dictionary, the first known use of the word travel was in the 14th century.

It also states that the word comes from Middle English travailen, travelen (which means to torment, labor, strive, journey) and earlier from Old French travailler (which means to work strenuously, toil). In English we still occasionally use the words “travail”, which means struggle. According to Simon Winchester in his book The Best Travelers’ Tales (2004), the words “travel” and “travail” both share an even more ancient root: a Roman instrument of torture called the tripalium (in Latin it means “three stakes”, as in to impale).

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Tour The Peaks of the Balkans – From Cerem