Hiking Albanian Alps And Via Ferrata In Kosovo
About this tour
“Hiking Alps, Via Ferrata & 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. We will be surrounded by peaks above 2,000 m above sea level all the time. Albanian and Kosovo although very similar have their peculiarities you will notice once in Kosovo where we will cover the best part of its historical places and natural parks. All in all, a comprehensive experience of outdoor, history and tradition in one of the most undiscovered places in Europe.
Day-by-day itinerary
Day 1: Tirana International Airport, Rinas, Albania to Tirana, Albania
Welcome to Albania Today you will arrive in Tirana, Albania and our staff will meet you at the airport. At 4:30 pm the guide will make a short introduction meeting, explaining the tour and any questions you might have. After the meeting will start Tirana Walking Tour, visiting the main sites of our capital. We will visit: - Tirana’s Skenderbeg main square, Et'hem Bey Mosque, and Clock Tower are our symbols; - Toptani Pedestrian Neighborhood; - Cult objects of the main religions in Albania, well-known for their tolerance; - Main Boulevard and the Pyramid, Prime Ministry, Presidency, etc. - Blloku area and dictator Hoxha's House. The tour will last about 2 hours. Immediately after we will have our welcoming dinner in the Blloku neighborhood with Albanian food. Overnight in Tirana
Day 2: Tirana, Albania to Shkodër, Albania
Shkodra & Thethi Valley At 9 am we will start driving north to Shkodra and the first visit will be at Rozafa fortress, climbing shortly to cobblestone road up to the fortress entrance. The top of the fortress has a stunning view over the Shkodra Lake, Buna River, and up to the Adriatic Sea. Rozafa is a millennium monument erected on a rocky hill at the entrance of the city, south-east, 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 of free time for lunch or snacks. Right after, we will drive to Thethi Valley for about 2.5 hours and will 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 Guest House in Thethi Valley.
Day 3: Theth, Albania to Blue Eye Theth, Kaprre e Gimajve, Albania
Exploring Nderlysaj & Blue Eye of Kapre 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 amazing in their style and the water is very cold and clear. Next is the Blue Eye of Capre one of the most beautiful springs in all of Albania. The water is crystal clear and very cold, the most courageous dares to take a swim for a few seconds. Picnic lunch will taste very good. Today we will hike for around 3 hours, covering a distance of 11 km and only 1 hour of driving. We will be back at our guesthouse in the afternoon and local dinner with traditional cooking of the area will be served around 7 pm. Overnight in a local Guest House in Thethi Valley.
Day 4: Valbona Pass, Albania to Valbonë, Albania
Thethi To Valbona Pass 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 to 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 rocky. On the way, we will have a few stops to rest and take pictures of the breathtaking panoramas and enjoy our picnic lunch. We will arrive at our guesthouse in Valbona in the afternoon, in time to appreciate the dinner with traditional food.
Day 5: Valbonë, Albania to Maja e Pejes, Albania
Monastery of Decan, Zip Line and Via Ferrata 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, with a short stop at Valbona’s Village old mill. 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 of 25 m high with other small waterfalls around. 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. Today covers a distance of 114 km, about 3 hours of driving. Farewell Dinner at a local restaurant and Peja local beer. Overnight in Peja
Day 6: Maja e Pejes, Albania to Tirana, Albania
Prizren and drive to Tirana, End of Journey 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 to 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 Tirana city center, wishing you a safe flight back home.
What's included
Included in the price: -English Speaking Guides -Accommodation in hotels and guesthouses -Transportation Food: -All breakfasts -3 Lunches: days 3, 4, and 6 -5 Dinners: day 1,2,3,4 and 5 -Group Airport Pick up and Drop off -Entrance tickets to Rozafa Castle in Shkodra, Isolation Tower in Theth, Prizren Castle, Monastery of Decan, Radaci Cave, -Via Ferrata Equipment and Guide in Peja.
Excluded from the price: - International Flights -Travel Insurance -Visa (if applicable) -Any kind of personal expense -Guide Gratuity
What to know
You can choose to do this tour privately and we will be happy to customize it to your needs. Get in touch with us and we will take over from there.
Route & locations
Tirana International Airport, Rinas, Albania to Tirana, Albania