ENVIE D'ALBANIE
Provocation Albania

8 Days 7 Nights

Group: 4 - 12 People

Albania

9.5 Superb

Description

Ascend peaks listed as the highest in the Peaks of Balkans on the Albanian side. A trek for experienced and brave hikers. The effort made will be rewarded by fabulous landscapes in a natural setting and incredibly surprising as only nature knows how to offer. A discovery trek that will also allow you to meet a population of mountain people from one of the oldest tribes in Europe, the Illyrians. Add to this a bit of Ottoman culture and give free rein to your emotions.

Difficulty

3+ to 4

Guide

Experienced English-speaking guide

Hikes

1 (Day 2-Theth)

Treks

4

Cultural Visits

0 visit

Outdoor activity

No

Luggage

Backpack or equivalent (15 to 20 kg)

Hotel

3☆ or 4☆ Hotels

Departure

Tirana International airport

From

15 April to 31 October

Portage

A small backpack is required for your daily equipment.

Luggage transfer

By mules and/or vans from one accommodation to the next one.

Price Includes

  • 1 Night in a 4 ☆ Hotel

  • 6 Nights in Guesthouses

  • 7 Breakfasts & Dinners

  • 6 Lunches or Picnics (no lunch day 1)

  • Transportation including luggage transfers

  • English-speaking guide

  • Free option: Visit of the ethnographic museum of Theth (Plan between 1 and 2 €)

  • Accommodation in hotel (double room and local standard) or guesthouses (double or shared rooms).

  • Meals (breakfasts, lunches or baskets, dinners) and drinks (table water)

  • All luggage transport (1x backpack or equivalent of 15 kg maximum per person) by horses, vans or 4x4 between stages

Price Excludes

  • All personal expenses

  • Costs related to specific requests or those not mentioned above

  • Food and drinks other than those served during meals

  • Lunch and dinner day 7

  • Tips and gratuities

  • Visit day 7 (if any)

  • The plane ticket

  • Accommodation in single rooms

  • Travel insurance

Gallery

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Tour Plan
  • Day 1. Tirana International Airport – Theth

    Welcome by an English-speaking guide at the airport of "Mother Theresa" of Tirana. Transfer to Theth.

    Dinner and overnight at the guesthouse.

  • Day 2. Theth - Theth

    Trek: ~ 4:30 hours.

    Maximal ascent: ~ 250 m.

    Maximal descent: ~ 500 m.

    Distance: ~ 15 km.

    Luggage transfer:  No

    It will be possible to walk around the village to admire its cultural sites such as its small church, the Nikoll Koceku tower or its ethnographic museum (*).

    A day of warm-up in this small village at the bottom of a valley. Land of legends, myths and traditions, the Kanun law was the moral code that served as jurisprudence based on the concept of honor. Finding for some of them pre-Christian origins, this way of life reflected the austere reality of these mountain people whose traces are still visible today. Surrounded by mountains, some of which reach more than 2000 meters, Theth owes its development to nature lovers.

    After lunch, head for the hamlet of Nderlysaj via a place of rare beauty listed as an Albanian heritage site, the Grunas Falls, whose last waterfall is 30 meters high. The walk continues along the Grunas Canyon. Over time, the water has carved its bed into the limestone rock to form a gorge about 2 km long, 60 meters high and between 2 and 40 meters wide, where icy, clear water flows.

    Stroll along the river to reach the famous natural swimming pools of Nderlysaj where a lunch break will be organized.

    It is necessary to take the road again to reach the hamlet of Kaprre and its Blue Eye. Formed by erosion, it is about 100 m² and has a depth of up to 5 meters.

    Return to Theth for a well-deserved rest.

    Dinner and night in a guesthouse

  • Day 3. Theth – Peja Pass – Mt Arapi - Theth

    • Trek: ~ 10: 00 hours

    • Maximal ascent: ~ 1450 m.

    • Maximal descent: ~ 1450 m.

    • Distance: ~ 22 km.

    • Luggage Transfer: No.

      From the top of its peak, Mount Arapi dominates the entire region. Nicknamed the Matterhorn of the Cursed Mountains, the ascent of its majestic shape remains a challenge, even for the most experienced.

      It is also a meeting place for mountaineers because its steep walls are extremely popular for professional climbers, especially the 800-metre high one facing south. Speleologists are also on hand to explore the caves, the longest has been measured over 2580 meters with heights sometimes exceeding 340 meters.

      Its ascent will give an insight into what awaits travelers in the Cursed Mountains.

      Dinner and night in a guesthouse.

  • Day 4. Theth – Valbona
    • >Trek:  7:00 hours
    • >Maximal ascent:  1050 m.
    • >Maximal descent:  850 m.
    • >Distance: 14.5 km
    • Horses

    The itinerary invites you to climb the famous Valbona Pass (1759 meters) and will follow the old road used by mules to reach the Shala to Nikaj region.

    The route will offer a magnificent glimpse of Mother Nature's jewels. Sailing between forests, slopes, torrents and neighboring peaks (Jezerces - 2692 m., Radohimes - 2568 m.) it will go through the top of the Valbona pass to offer a splendid view of the Theth and Valbona valleys.

    Dinner and night in a guesthouse.

  • Day 5. Valbona – Mt Roshi - Valbona
    • >Trek:  8:30 hours.
    • >Maximal ascent:  1600 m.
    • >Maximal descent:  1600 m.
    • >Distance: 12 km
    • No

    Certainly considered the most interesting summit to clearly see the extent and grandeur of the Accursed Mountains, Mt Roshit, is located in Montenegro and culminates at an altitude of 2522 meters.

    Starting by following the Kukaj River and following the pastures and wooded areas, the trail begins to climb along the canyon near Mt Thatë (2405 m.), then continues on a steep slope to end in rocky terrain. From that moment on, the horizon no longer has its limits, and suffering will give place to wonders.

    From the summit, it is possible to see the magnificent landscapes of Albania, Montenegro and Kosovo. 

    Descent on Valbona.

    Dinner and night in a guesthouse.

  • Day 6. Valbona – Mt Kollatës - Valbona
    • >Trek:  10:00 hours
    • >Maximal ascent:  1630 m.
    • >Maximal descent:  1630 m.
    • >Distance: 17 km
    • No

    Mt Kolatës, located on the border between Montenegro and Albania, has the particularity of having 3 peaks (e Keq Kolatës 2535 m., E Mire Kolatës 2528 m. and in the center Maja e Kolatës 2556 m.). As interesting as Mt Arapi, this ascent cannot leave anyone indifferent.

    The route will pass through mountain pastures to reach the rocky part that must be climbed without failure. At the top, the admiration that the Kolatës brothers would arouse would quickly give way to wonder and respect.

    Back to Valbona.

    Dinner and night in a guesthouse.

  • Day 7. Valbona – Lake Koman – Tirana

    It is time to reach Fierze in Albania. Travel by ferry to Koman. This navigation of about 2h30 to 3h00 allows you to discover unique landscapes resulting from the erosion created by the Drin River in the Albanian Alps, it is simply an incredible experience.

    Then direction Tirana and free time up to the dinner.

    Dinner and overnight at the hotel.

  • Day 8. Departure

    Transfer to Tirana International Airport at Rinas.

Strengths

  • A discovery trek for a unique experience.

  • On the paths of the Peaks of Balkans.

  • Climbing the most famous peaks.

  • Meeting with a warm population.

  • See exceptional places.

  • Private and public transfers.

Passport:

A valid passport (at least 6 months from the start of the stay) is required. A copy of each participant's passport will be requested at least one month before the departure date of the trek in order to obtain the border crossing authorizations from the competent authorities.

Insurance:

International travel insurance is strongly recommended to cover the consequences of incidents that may occur while traveling, traveling, and staying abroad. It is the traveler's responsibility to check with his travel agent or insurer before departure.

Notes:
  • For safety reasons and in case of force majeure, the guide has full authority to adapt or even cancel an itinerary. This is all the more valid depending on the evolution of the weather or for medical reasons.
  • As the guide is responsible for all the people in his care and for the cohesion of the group, he can at any time adapt the pace of the walk, the effort, the itinerary... in order to avoid the isolation of one or more participants.
  • The guide has a duty to ensure that the environment in which the group operates is respected.
  • In order to respect the rules and laws in force in the countries crossed, Envie d’Albanie can call on the support of local partners licensed in these countries (guides, transport, equipment, logistics, etc.). We have ensured that these companies share the same values as those established by Envie d’Albanie.
  • The distances and walking times are given as an indication.
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Good to know:
  1. This discovery trek includes walks over long distances in the wild. It is not recommended for children under 15 years of age.
  2. It is advisable to be in good health and physical condition.
  3. Avoid drinking tap water or spring water, unless your guide allows it.
  4. Respect the environment in which you operate. He'll give it back to you.

From 850€