Albania & HIKING DISCOVERY TOUR September 12 - 23, 2021 AT# 2117 Trip rating = Vigorous https://www.outdoors.org/outdoor-activities/difficulty-ratings INTRODUCTION Despite its small size, Albania offers many activities for its visitors. From mountains to the sea, from archaeological parks to UNESCO heritage towns, from contemporary art museums to incredible hikes: Albania has it all. The country is an exciting destination located on the Balkan trail and is one of the best places to enjoy outdoor activities. The most famous, and perhaps most beautiful, hiking trail in Albania is the one from Valbona to Theth through the Accursed Mountains. It is a not-to-be missed chance to admire one of the most spectacular landscapes of the Balkan Peninsula and to experience the beauty of the Albanian Alps. The hike, called Peaks of the Balkans, because it also crosses over into the neighboring countries of Kosovo and Montenegro. This trail follows an old mule track, is almost 20 km long, but it can be completed in one day because it takes a total of eight hours with several stops to enjoy the views and take pictures. Both Valbona and Theth have been declared national parks of Albania and are two of the most beautiful areas of the country. Grunas Canyon is one of the most incredible natural places you’ll see in Albania. It can be found on the south side of the Thethi National Park. While hiking you can admire this gorgeous two-km-long and 50- meter-deep canyon. The path that leads to the canyon is simply gorgeous and offers incredible views over the Thethi River, which with its crystal clear water is the most beautiful river in the country. Theth is perhaps the most famous place in Albania to hike, and once here you’ll easily understand why: it is the most beautiful place in the Albanian Alps surrounded by gorgeous natural landscapes. The Blue Eye is a natural pool formed by the erosion of the cliff by the river that created several waterfalls and swimming holes. Come and explore with us! ITINERARY Day 1 September 12 - Tirana Arrival Arrive in Tirana. Transfer by private vehicle to hotel Overnight in 3 to 4 star hotel to be determined Meal: Welcome Dinner Day 2 September 13 – Transfer Tirana to Shkodra, Visit in Shkodra During the transfer to the hotel close to Shkodra’s centre, you can gather first impressions. If the weather allows it you have the choice to swim at the Balkans’ biggest lake or visit the Rozafa Castle. Learn about its legend and enjoy fabulous views which excite your curiosity for the days of travel through the Albanian Alps. In the city, the cafés burst with people who flock for a stroll on the pedestrian area. Lined with bourgeoisie townhouses, a reminder of the city’s rich past, it has a certain Italian atmosphere to it. Immerse in the buzz of the bazaar, at the Marubi photo library in Albania’s past, visit the museum, or enjoy an espresso with the locals. When daylight fades you can choose between restaurants that offer carefully crafted traditional meals • Transfer from Tirana to Shkodra (90 minutes) Overnight in Shkorda - Hotel Tradita https://hoteltradita.business.site/ Meals: Breakfast Day 3 September 14 - Journey into the Accursed Mountains Rise early for a private transfer through a scenic gorge to the Koman Dam. The picturesque reservoir looks similar to a Norwegian fjord through sheer rock walls and is considered a highlight of the Alps. The custom-made ferry stops at several points to pick up locals from remote villages before arriving at Fierze. After lunch, you travel by minibus past traditional villages, composed of wooden shingle-covered stone houses, into the highlands and the Valbona National Park. On a first warm-up walk, you continue on foot along the crystal clean stream and on quiet berry-lined trails through the forest to the secluded Xhemes Lake for a swimming break. The walk ends at your cosy accommodation in a small hamlet. You will have itchy feet when you see the jagged peaks from the terrace; the next day will be “the day”. • Elevation gain - 820’. Elevation loss - 164’. Distance - 4.3 mile, Hiking time - 3 hours • Transfer by private car to ferry port Koman (55 km, 90 min) • Boat ride through the canyons of the Koman Lake (46 km, 3 hours) Transfer from Fierze via Bajram Curri (optional lunch stop) to the trailhead in Valbona (35 km, 75 min) • Luggage transport by car • Warm-up walk (about 3 hours) with swimming opportunity Overnight at Valbone Hotel / private ensuite - Vila Dini villa-dini.valbone.hotels-al.com/en or Guesthouse Kol Gjoni https://www.zbulo.org/...magic.../family-run-guesthouse-kol-gjoni- valbona... Meals: Breakfast, lunch, dinner . Day 4 September 15 Valbona – Queen of the Mountains Start your hike to Kukaj, (there is a short transfer to trailhead) an isolated hamlet where only two families reside, below bunkers that once protected the border and are now scattered in the riverbed. The windy path takes you over lush meadows ablaze with the colours of a variety of spring flowers to a shepherd hut at 1,650m. In the communist period, this was a no-go area and the building used as a military barrack. Admire the wild and romantic jagged mountain scenery, sample fresh milk products should the shepherd be present or opt to climb higher to an old crossing at the Montenegrin border. At 2,040m a weathered border pyramid is a reminder of the isolation Albania once endured, from here views reach to the most dramatic parts of Montenegrin Prokletije. Catching the last glimpse at the Alps highest peak Jezerca (2,694m) you descent on a different path to another guesthouse. When daylight fades, you can watch the alpine glow over dinner in the idyllic garden. • Elevation gain - 2460’. Elevation loss - 2296’. Distance - 7.5 mi. Hiking time - 5:30h • Hike to hamlet Kukaj and over flower-rich meadows to shepherd hut on 1 mi, return on another trail to the guesthouse in Rragam – extension to Montenegrin border (about 2 hours) • Luggage transport by car Overnight at guesthouse Rragram (private ensuite - to be determined). Meals: Breakfast, packed lunch, dinner Day 5 September 16 The Grand Crossing: Hike from Valbona to Theth Accompanied by a local and a mule that carries your load you set out for the transfer hike across Valbona Pass (1,811m) – another highlight and the highest point of your journey. After passing the village Rragam few steep segments need to be tackled. You can pause regularly near springs and on colourful meadows to enjoy the splendid views. Reaching the pass, the surrounding peaks appear on par, and sweeping views of both valleys fascinate even the seasoned hiker. Enjoy the picturesque landscape during a lunch break ahead of the descent to Theth. The fairy-tale beech forest provides cover from the sun in the afternoon for you. By the time the woods thin out Mt. Arapi (2,217m) is visible and soon the houses of the village are reached. Spread below are the different hamlets. On a broad path, you enter another inviting guesthouse in the centre of the village. • Elevation gain - 2460’ Elevation loss - 3690’ Distance - 9.3 mi Hiking time - 6 to7 hours • Short transfer by car to the trailhead Transfer hike on caravan route accompanied by horsemen across the Valbona Pass to Theth • Luggage transport on a horse Overnight at Guesthouse Theth / private ensuite Bujtina poliahttp://bujtina-polia.theth.hotels- al.com/en/ Meals: Breakfast, packed lunch, dinner Day 6 September 17 – The Peja Pass For the hike up the Peja Pass we use transport to and from the trailhead. The trail starts near the source of the Thethi River and follows an ancient caravan path. Stay in the previous night’s guesthouse. • Elevation gain - 3117’ Elevation loss - 3117’ Distance - 4.3 m Hiking time 5:45 hours Overnight at Guesthouse Theth / private ensuite Bujtina Polia http://bujtina-polia.theth.hotels- al.com/en/ Meals: Breakfast, packed lunch, dinner Day 7 September 18 - Meadows above the Clouds - Denelli To reach Deneli, you start from the guesthouse and walk through the green Ulaj neighbourhood. After crossing the river the trail ascend leads through light forest and on a path in the cliffs to the football field size plain in the middle of the mountains. • Elevation gain - 3281’ Elevation loss - 3281’ Distance - 6.2 mi Hiking time - 6:30 hours • Hike on a cliff walk to the shepherd hut on a mountain plateau Overnight at Guesthouse Theth / private ensuite) Bujtina Polia http://bujtina-polia.theth.hotels- al.com/en/ Meals included: Breakfast, packed lunch, dinner Day 8 September 19 – Gashi National Park An exciting hike to the border with Montenegro will take you to the valley of Cerem, 3871’ Reach the starting point near the Gashi National Park (8.7 mi / 45 min transfer). Without special permission you were not allowed to enter the area after 1947. It was inhabited year-round under communist rule, Today's residents live there only in summer. From the village you hike across colorful meadows and through shady beech forest to the pass. It not only separates Albania and Montenegro, but also the western and eastern Alps, providing a variety of landscapes. On the way you can enjoy the view of the Kollata massif and Montenegro's highest peak Zla Kollata, 8313’. Above is an alpine settlement. At the end of the border ridge walk, stop at a typical local inn before returning to Dunish. Elevation gain - 2133’ Elevation loss - 5413’ Distance - 6.2 mi, hiking time – 5 hours Overnight at Guesthouse Theth / private ensuite Bujtina Polia http://bujtina-polia.theth.hotels- al.com/en/ Meals: Breakfast, packed lunch, dinner Day 9 September 20 – In the Heart of the Albanian Alps A walk through the village and the green gardens reveals the full extent of Theth.