Hiking tour in the Albanian Alps

After a direct flight of approximately 3 hours, we land in the Albanian capital Tirana. And we immediately get to taste — literally — Albania: a table has been set for us at a fantastic restaurant, one hour’s drive from Tirana. The restaurant is known for its delicious authentic dishes, where we enjoy traditional slow food made with organic local ingredients. Over the meal, we get to know each other better. Afterwards, we head to Shkodër, the university town that serves as the ideal base for trips into the Albanian mountains. Overnight stay in Shkodër Hotel Rozafa 4* or similar

After a refreshing night’s sleep and a delicious breakfast, we’re ready to go: we set off for the mountains! We make a stop at the Ura e Mesit, a bridge with 13 arches dating back to the 18^th century. The bridge marks the beginning of the mountains in Albania. In the village of Prekal, we stop for lunch with a stunning mountain panorama of small lakes, nature and gigantic rocks that form the foothills of the mountain range. We then continue to Koman, where we take a walk to explore the village. We spend the night there with an Albanian family. Overnight stay with locals in Koman

On today’s programme is a boat trip that the Bradt travel guide calls ‘One of the Great Boat Trips of the World’. Entirely justified, as the 2.5-hour trip from Koman to Valbonë never gets boring for a single second: we glide over crystal-clear water between breathtakingly beautiful rocks and mountains. In Valbonë we enjoy a delicious lunch and taste wonderfully fresh and pure water. We take a walk through the vast valley and spend the first night truly in the mountains. Overnight stay in a guesthouse in Valbonë

After breakfast, we gear up for the longest hike of the trip. For six hours we walk at a moderate pace along this legendary route from Valbonë to Theth National Park. Donkeys walk alongside us and carry our luggage and picnic. And our effort is rewarded: throughout the day we feel small and stand in awe of so much natural beauty. We walk among the mighty mountains, the pristine nature, mountain streams and forests. This is a sparsely populated area, where natural forces have shaped the landscape. In the evening, our table is set in Theth, where we chat for a while before heading to bed and sleeping like a log — well deserved. This hike is quite demanding. Make sure to bring sturdy shoes with sufficient ankle support. Overnight stay in Theth (Villa Gjecaj or Guesthouse Pashko)

After sleeping in and having breakfast, we visit Kulla e ngujimit, a traditional lock-in tower where men once hid for years out of fear of blood feuds. About Albanian blood feuds and the Kanun, a code of laws laid down in the 15^th century, there are many myths and misconceptions — so this is the perfect moment to discover the real facts during a walking tour through the mountain village. In the afternoon, we visit the Ujevara e Gjeçajve waterfall, which drops 25 metres high. Overnight stay in Theth (Villa Gjecaj or Guesthouse Pashko)

Today we admire the Grunas Canyon, a vast ravine 60 metres deep, filled with the crystal-clear, ice-cold water of the Theth river. After a hearty picnic, we head to the blue eye of the Albanian Alps — a bright blue lake in the heart of the mountains. We have our final meal in Theth and look back on all the hikes, natural wonders, welcoming encounters and the fascinating history of the Albanian mountain people. Overnight stay in Theth (Villa Gjecaj or Guesthouse Pashko)

From one beauty to the next. Today we head to Vermosh. We take plenty of time to get there via a magnificent route through the mountains. Along the way, we make numerous stops to admire the stunning landscape, take photos, have lunch at an idyllic spot and walk along mountain streams. Overnight stay in a guesthouse in Vermosh (Bujtina Lëpushë, Bujtina Tradita or Bujtina Gjergj Frani)

We are now truly in the heart of the Albanian-Montenegrin Alps. Here, in the Kelmendi region, we find ourselves in the mountainous border area between Albania and Montenegro. During our lunch we taste, among other things, Mishavina cheese, which has been authentically produced for generations by the people of this region. Even a small piece on a slice of freshly baked bread makes your mouth water. In the afternoon, we explore the surroundings of the Cemi river in the Gerrle Canyon, a gorge 1 km long and 25 metres deep. Overnight stay in a guesthouse in Vermosh (Bujtina Lëpushë, Bujtina Tradita or Bujtina Gjergj Frani)

We wake up in Vermosh and then head into the Maja e Trojanit, or the Cursed Mountains, for a challenging hike: ‘only’ 15 kilometres, but with a climb from 1,200m to 2,300m elevation. The hike is once again breathtaking: stunning nature, mountain streams and rivers, caves and abandoned mountain huts. At midday we picnic along the way, and in the afternoon we begin the descent: 900m lower, our guesthouse in Lëpushë awaits. Overnight stay in Vermosh (Bujtina Lëpushë or Bujtina Tradita)

Today we drive towards Shkodër. Along the way we stop at the small town of Koplik, where we get an entirely different panorama: the mountains are left behind us, the plains begin. In Shkodër we get acquainted with the vibrant university town. We stroll through the pedestrian zone and enjoy a wonderful evening meal. Overnight stay in Shkodër Hotel Rozafa 4* or similar

After a delicious breakfast we head to the beautiful Zogaj, a hamlet on the shores of Lake Shkodër. Feel like cycling this 5-kilometre stretch? Go for it! For the others, the car is ready. We admire the beautiful lake, with the mountains as a distant backdrop. For lunch, we reserved a table by the water’s edge. We can watch the fish swimming while we enjoy food and drinks. In the afternoon, we visit the legendary Rozafa Castle. The guide tells us about the tragic fate of Rozafa, after whom the castle is named. The panorama from the castle walls is once again stunning. Overnight stay in Shkodër Hotel Rozafa 4* or similar

We drive to Tirana, the final stop of the trip. The guide shows you the city centre and tells you about the history of Albania. After lunch, you can enjoy a free afternoon. Be sure to ask the guide for recommendations: he can suggest a number of fascinating museums and sights. We meet at the restaurant for a final dinner in Albania. We reminisce about the trip and share our travel experiences. Overnight stay in Tirana (Hotel Sky 2, Hotel Mulaj, Hotel Opera or similar)

After a lovely breakfast and one last short walk in the capital, it is time to say goodbye to this surprisingly beautiful and diverse country. Until next time, Albania! Overnight stay in your own bed back home PLEASE NOTE! The travel programme on the first and last day may be adjusted depending on flight times.

Drinks Personal expenses Travel assistance and cancellation insurance.

Travelling alone and prefer a room to yourself? Then you pay a supplement of €35 per night for the nights when you stay in a single room (in Shkodër and Tirana). In the mountain guesthouses, where we stay in small-scale, local accommodations, a single room is not possible. You can then choose between a double room, a family room (with 3 or 4 people) or a friends’ room (with 4 beds per room).