DAY 1: TIRANA AIRPORT– KRUJA

Welcome by our local guide at the airport and transfer to the medieval town of Kruja, one of the principal historic cities in Albania. Going through the Ottoman Bazaar to reach the fortress from where Albania’s hero, George Kastrioti Skanderbeg defended the country from the Ottoman invasion—today, the National Ethnographic Museum and Skanderbeg Museum are located.

Overnight in Kruja.

DAY 2: KRUJA – MOUNT SARISALLTIK TREK – SHKODER

Today, we will hike to the Holy Cave of Sarisalltik located at the top of Mount Kruja, called the “Adriatic Balcony” by locals because of the stunning views that can be seen both by day and night. After the descent, we will transfer north to Shkoder, the largest city of Northern Albania where we will visit Rozafa Castle and admire the superb view of the Shkoder Lake surrounded by mountains.

Overnight in Shkodra.

Gradient: 600m – 600m;  Distance: 2.5 km;  Duration: 3 hrs approx.

DAY 3: SHKODER – KOMAN LAKE – VALBONA

Transfer to Koman Lake from where we will take the ferry to reach Valbona National Park. This ride will leave you in awe as you tug on through the narrow, rocky cliffs, and mountains surrounded by nothing but untouched, wild beauty— and as it widens, the occasional farmhouse or small village. Overnight in Valbona (in guesthouses) or in Bajram Curri City. Transfers: Shkodër – Koman (42 km/2 hrs drive, bad road conditions); Koman – Fierzë (2. 5 hrs ferry); Fierzë – Guest House (40km).

DAY 4: EXPLORE VALBONA NATIONAL PARK

Today, explore the nature of this amazing place, visit Valbona Waterfall and water source. Today’s hike (6 hrs, challenging, 650 m – 650 m) leads us further into the valleys and forests of the national park up to a summer pasture. The terrain is along a range of pine tree forest and alpine pasture valleys. Discover the source of the clear water, flowing from the carstic formation of limestone rocks of the mountains, the extension of the Dinaric Alps.

DAY 5: VALBONA – THETH (ALBANIAN ALPS HIKING)

Today, we will hike the classic pass of the Albanian Alps. Walking uphill to reach the Valbona Springs via a steep and winding forest trail. Later, the walk continues into wide alpine pastures with large glacier erratic rocks, scattered here and there. The path then continues to steepen into a narrow trail that leads to the Valbona Pass. From here, we follow a trail that winds through fir and beech forest and descends into the Thethi Valley, also surrounded by a number of 2,500 m high sheer rocky domes, such as the Radohima and the Harapit. Today’s 9 km walk is expected to take around 7 hours with 1,050 metres of ascent and 1,300 metres of descent.

Overnight in Theth (Guesthouse).

DAY 6: EXPLORE THETH NATIONAL PARK

Explore walking around in the nearing of Thethi, the best-preserved alpine village in Albania. We will start walking downhill from the house (850m), and visit the attractions in and around the village, such as: the Church (750m), the Kulla e Ngujimit (a tower house used in the past by men as a shelter against ongoing vendettas), the Thethi Waterfall, ect. Back to the guest house for overnight in Theth (Guesthouse).

DAY 7: THETH – BOGA – TIRANA

Another day of spectacular hiking toward the village of Boga along Shtegu i Dhenve, the “Path of the Sheep”, which is another classic path in the Albanian Alps that connects the villages of Thethi and Boga. We will have lunch in a lovely setting, and then leave through the Boga Valley towards Shkoder. Finish the day in Tirana for overnight (120km/3hrs).

Gradient: 900m – 1100m;  Distance: 17 km;  Duration: 6 – 7 hrs

DAY 8: TIRANA – AIRPORT TRANSFER

Before the flight back home, short sightseeing in Tirana; the heart and the capital of Albania, which will leave wonderful memories. Transfer to the airport. End of our service.