“Hiking Alps, Via Ferrata and Exploring Albania & Kosovo” tour 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, is 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. Albanian and Kosovo although very similar have their peculiarities you will notice once in Kosovo when we will cover the best part of its historical places and natural parks. All in all, a comprehensive experience of outdoors, history and tradition in one of the most undiscovered places in Europe.
Group Pick up and Drop off
6 Days / 5 Nights
English, Italian and Greek
Hiking Alps, Via Ferrata, and Exploring Albania & Kosovo is a 6-day tour around the North Albanian Alps and Kosovo. During this tour, you will explore Thethi Valley, one of the most beautiful natural parks we have in Albania, will hike the famous path from Thethi to Valbona, and will take loads of photos to get these moments with you longer, we will continue crossing borders to Kosovo and will stay in Peja to discover its magic, by starting with the Monastery of Decan, Drini source & waterfall, ending with Via Ferrata a true adventure.
The tour is moderate to challenging and only suitable for 18+ travelers, with hikes and many visits to natural sites, especially via Ferrata climb which is an adventure by choice as you can also do the simpler version like the Zipline. Transportation will be done with an air-conditioned vehicle. Accommodation will be in local guesthouses, shared rooms, all breakfasts are included. Day 2 & 3 we will serve picnic lunches, and Dinners at Day 1 and Day 5. A certified local tour guide will be with you all the time, plus a special guide for the Via Ferrata. The weather most of the time is very nice and pleasant, you need to bring raincoats and warm clothes for the night, while during the day you should bring your hat, sunscreen, and water.
Today you will arrive in Tirana, Albania and our staff will meet you at the airport. The pickup time is from 13:00 to 14:00 at Tirana International Airport Nene Tereza. Right after we will check in at our hotel in Tirana.
At 17:00 pm the guide will meet you at the hotel for the presentation meeting and a short walking tour of Tirana, about 2 hours. Immediately after we will have our welcoming dinner in Bllok Neighborhood with Albanian Traditional Food.
Overnight in Tirana
Early morning, we will start driving north to Shkodra and the first visit will be at Rozafa fortress, climbing shortly to the cobblestone road up to the fortress entrance. The top of the fort has a stunning view over the Shkodra Lake, and Buna River, up to the Adriatic Sea. Rozafa is a millennium monument erected on a rocky hill at the city’s entrance, southeast, 130 meters above sea level. There is an old magic legend that completes the visit.
We will continue our day at Shkodra center, in the pedestrian area where you will have 1-hour free time for lunch or snacks, between 13:00 to 14:00. Right after, we will drive to Thethi Valley for about 2.5 hours and accommodate in our guesthouse. A visit to the village, center and the Isolation Tower, the story of Blood Feuds, will end our long day. Back at the guesthouse, a local dinner waits for us.
Overnight in a local guesthouse in Thethi Valley
After a filling breakfast at 9 am, we will head out to explore some of the best natural beauties of Thethi Valley. First will visit Grunasi Waterfall and will admire the many colors created by the vegetation growing around the water. Be sure to get a raincoat with you. Our way continues to Grunasi bridge where we will get a short drive to Nderlyse village. Here we will enjoy the pools created by a stream of water, which are unique in their style and the water is very cold and clear. Next is Blue Eye of Capre one of the most beautiful springs in all of Albania, about 1.5 hours of hike each way. The water is crystal clear and very cold, and only the most courageous dare to take a swim for a few seconds. Picnic lunch will taste very good in nature.
On the way back will get our car to our guesthouse in the afternoon, while local dinner, with traditional cooking of the area, will be served around 8 pm.
Overnight in a local Guest House in Thethi Valley.
Today we will start earlier at 8 am and will hike one of the best paths in Albania, well known in Europe, Thethi to Valbona pass. Our luggage will be transported by mules or by car. Everyone is encouraged to take a small and light backpack. The hike is about 16 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 village roads to thick beech forests, green pastures, and rocks. The view of Valbona Valley from the highest point of the path is majestic and breathtaking.
On the way, we will have a few stops to rest and take pictures of the mind-blowing panoramas and enjoy our picnic lunch. We will arrive at our guest house in Valbona in the afternoon, in time to appreciate the dinner with traditional food.
Difficulty level: Moderate to Challenging Level Hike and require a good level of fitness.
Overnight in a local Guest House in Valbona Valley.
Today is going to be a very busy and beautiful day. We will start at 9 am to drive towards Kosovo our neighborhood country, inhabited by Albanians. We are heading towards Peja and the first visit will be to the medieval orthodox monastery of Decan of the XIV century and the church. After that, we will visit the Radaci area, which sources the White Drini river and a waterfall 25 m high with other small waterfalls around. Around 13:00, you will have free time for lunch to enjoy the local trout or your preferred food.
After lunch, we will get accommodated at our hotel and will take a short rest. At 4 pm will drive shortly to Rugova Gorge for Via Ferrata or Zip Line, for those who chose an easier activity. We will be in the company of local guides who will help us climb on Via Ferrata. Today covers a distance of 114 km, about 3 hours of driving.
Farewell Dinner at a local restaurant and Peja local beer, a night to remember all our adventures.
Overnight in Peja
Our day will start at 9 am and after a short drive, we will be in Prizren, one of the nicest towns in Kosovo with an old neighborhood. We will visit the fortress and walk through the city center with characteristically Turkish influence. A nice lunch with traditional food will be the end of our visit in Prizren. Our day continues with the drive back to Tirana of 190 km, around 3 hours of driving time.
Once in Tirana, our staff will drop you at the airport or at Tirana city center, wishing you a safe flight back home.
End of Our Service
