Visit with us the Alps and the most sharped and unexplored mountains of the Western Balkans. You will hike mountains’ paths where travelers and merchandise caravans have travelled through centuries, and nowadays still serve to shepherds and their livestock. Along the paths will be visited glacial lakes with crystal clear waters, forests, picturesque isolated villages and other marvelous places. The walks go through the valleys of Vuthaj, Theth and Valbona, which you will be hard to forget!
Itinerary
Welcome to Albania! You're met by a driver at the airport for the transfer to the hotel in Shkodra town. Arriving days earlier? No problem, we pick you up from town instead. Please let us know your flight details / pick-up location at least one week in advance to arrange the transfers.
Those getting in earlier during the day, are provided with recommendations what to do in town. Should you have questions and the guide is not present, you may contact us. In the afternoon the group gathers for an introduction of the tour at the hotel. Afterwards a sumptuous traditional dinner is waiting for you! But don't stay up too long, we’re starting next day at 6 am. This is the latest by which you may join the trip.
You would like to stay longer, arrive earlier or leave later? Ask us about extension nights!
Departing from Shkodra to Theth (820m amsl) in direction to Valbona (920m amsl) , the trail acrossed a wonderful forest, through which will be reached the Valbona Pass (1898m amsl) where will open the majestic view of Albanian Alps and see clearly the beauty of Valbona and Theth Valleys. After a refreshment starts the descending through an historic path to reach another forest, arrive in Ragam village, and continue to Valbona village, spending the night in a guesthouse.
Leaveing Çerem (1260m amsl) the walk starts toward the shepherds village of Doberdol (1800m amsl), which spend the summer season with their families and livestock. We will be hosted in the huts of these families, that live without electric power or telephone network, but on the other hand will be possible to get back in old times of shepherds lifestyle witch is lost in Europe, while in this valley is still present nowadays. It will be a unique experience how everything here is simple and dairy products are genuine and delicious. This path will be characterize from passing in and out in different forests, one of them enters a few km for the first time in Montenegro. Thruway will be different shepherds’ huts, and in Balqin will be possible to try traditional pie, blueberries cake and taste fresh yogurt with blackberries (during the blackberry season).
From Doberdol (1800m amsl) will be followed the so called Horses Path toward Gjeravica Peak. At 1955m of altitude we will cross Kosovo border: Welcome! The path continues through stone slates and small hills until arriving at Heart Lake, where is possible to have a unique swiming experience at round 2300m above sea level! The path will continue toward Gjeravica, the highest Peak in Kosovo (2646m amsl).
From Doberdol (Albania) you will start a shorter hike to the Village of Babino Polje in Montenegro. On the way you will climb the three border peak literarily steping in three countries within 15 minutes. After this you will walk in the borderline between Kosovo and Montenegro. The hike can be extended to go through a mountain peak called Maja e Qenit which will take some 2 kilometers of walk with a view on Kosovo Mountains. After this you will end in Babino Polje.
From Guci in direction to Gerbaja Valley, the path starts from the beautiful view of the alpine houses. The trail goes inside an oak forest, goes through meadows which leads us to slopes toward the Peak of Cam (1855m amsl). A fairytale view of Karafil and Langoj Mountains will be viewed from this peak. The path continues along a very panoramic crest toward Vajusha Peak (2005m amsl), which is also the border Montengro - Albania. After the top conquer will be possible to have a pause to admire the unique view and afterward start the descending to Guci village.
After a short vehicle trip to Ropojan area (1200m amsl), starts the trail from Gjeshtari Karst Lake, the end of which is also the border between Montenegro and Albania, and is possible to see the border pyramid. The walk continues through a forest until in front appears the impressive Rrunica Field (1500m amsl), continues toward Peja Pass (1800m amsl) and visit along it the iced lakes. From there starts the descent to Theth village in a historical caravan path, used from inhabitants and merchants in medieval times. The path follows along a coniferous forest and mountain slopes to reach Theth village (820m amsl) where will be spend the night in a guesthouse.
Theth (750 to 950m amsl) is a village located in one of most remote valleys in North Albania, surrounded by amazing jagged mountains. This day is reserved to some easy hikes in the nearby, visiting Kulla e Ngujimit, Grunas Waterfall, Blue Eye and the Canyon of Ndërlysa. At the end of the day the trip continues by vehicles toward Shkodra and get the accommodation in the hotel.
After breakfast transfer to the airport is at disposition (if the flight is in the afternoon will be possible to visit Shkodra town).
