Hiking/Trekking the Albanian Alps | Albexpeditions
Hiking/Trekking the Albanian Alps Trip Notes
Albexpeditions
Valid for departures: From January 1, 2022 to January 1, 2025
Destination: Albania
Trip type: Small Group/Guided Group
Travel style: Active (Hiking/Trekking)
Grading: Moderate
Trip Code: TNAL
Min age: 16
Duration: 8 Days
Flight: Exclusive
Trip Overview
Explore the Albanian Alps and immerse in the unique culture.
This amazing country is very unique and one of the most astonishing best kept secret of Europe. Rugged mountains with high raise peaks, valleys and wild landscape are waiting to be discovered. After the collapse of communism in Albania in 1991 people got a chance to visit this hospitable country. Our trip is focused in the Albanian Alps also known as ‘Accursed Mountains’ with most known Theth and Valbone National Parks. We explore the remote regions where agricultural life has remained the same for centuries. Roughed terrain, historical and cultural factors created the right conditions for people to stay somehow in isolation through the history. Here in these lands ancient blood feuds and folklore mark its past.
Highlights
The amazing regions of the Albanian Alps
Theth and Valbona National Park
‘Lock in Tower’ of Theth, the Blood Feud symbol
Gashi River preserved area, a UNESCO site
One of the best Ferry rides in Europe
Historical and cultural sites of Tirana
Key information
1 night in mountain hut, 1 night in guesthouse, 5 nights in standard hotel
5 full hiking/trekking days
Group 5 to 16 persons
Countries visited: Albania
Is this trip for you?
Grading: Moderate
This trip is focused on the north of Albania in the remote Albanian Alps region and includes hiking and trekking, culture, and sightseeing. On this trip, we enjoy five full-day hikes of different lengths. This trip is suitable for the average hiker who knows the mountain and is prepared for some physical activity. Our itinerary follows good trails, but in Theth and Valbona regions the terrain can be rocky and slippery in parts. You should be confident in your ability to deal with heights as we will encounter some steep ascents and descents. Day hikes can vary from 4-7 hours activity, including stops. To have access in these remote areas there will be some drives (transfers about 2.5 hours long) which are unavoidable in order to complete and have the best for this trip. Some of the areas are very remote, there will be two off road sections, and we will use local transport which in most cases will not have seat belts.
Luggage will be transferred by car and horses during the hikes, as a result hard suitcases are not suitable, only soft bags are useful.
Itinerary
This tour starts in Tirana and ends in Tirana.
Day 1
Start, Airport to Razem
The group will be met at the airport and transferred to our hotel in Razem, located 43 km from Shkoder (transfer time approximately 2h30min drive). On the way we will stop in Shkoder at the city center where there is a good chance to exchange money and do shopping, buying snacks or other things you might want for the trip. Next is driving to Razem, check-in to the hotel and welcoming dinner with the group. A main briefing will take place and your tour guide will go with you through all the tour details and tell you all the things you need to know about this wonderful trip in the Albanian Alps. Razem is a small touristic village at about 900 m above sea level, which lies on a karstic plateau. In the early 1920s were the shepherds who built summer huts for animals and over time as the economy grow especially in Shkoder, traders started to build their summer houses.
Standard Hotel
Meals included: dinner
Day 2
Hike through Razma to magnificent Boga Valley
Today we begin our first day of hiking through the Albanian Alps (Accursed Mountains). We start hiking from our hotel as the trail goes through beautiful landscapes with high raise peaks for the most part forested and karstic, glacial-karstic pits covered by alpine pastures. We continue hiking along the mountainous relief of Razem with impressive beech, pine forests, and diverse wildlife. As we leave Razem behind, in front of us it shows a panoramic view of Boga Valley surrounded by high mountains. At the pass (1560 m) we clearly can see the mountainous landscape surrounding the entire valley. From now on we start descending to the village, with a fantastic landscape and agricultural life. Overnight in Boga village, in one of the family-run hotels, known for hospitality and tasty traditional dishes.
Standard Hotel
Meals included: breakfast, Picnic lunch, dinner
Distance: 13 km Ascent: 670 m Descent: 750 m Activity: 4h30min
Day 3
Explore the cultural Theth Valley, Lock-in Tower and Grunas waterfall.
A short transfer takes us to Theth. We start our hike and explore more of Theth National Park which is very picturesque, rich in flora and fauna, very well preserved over the years. Today’s walk follows for some kilometers Theth Valley traversed by Theth River. Walking through the village we experience local life as locals continue their usual daily activity where agricultural life has remained the same for many years. Today we explore Theth village, Roman Catholic Church built in 1892, Lock-in tower as locals name it “Kulla” which has an interesting and unique history of past blued feuds, it is the only one that remained in the area with a strong connection to the “Kanun’ (Highlands Law Code, locally known as “Kanuni i Lekë Dukagjinit”, codified according to the customary laws in the 15th century). Unused for its purpose for many years, we will be Lock-in tower guests for today. Following a marked path we visit Grunas Waterfall and continue back to a local guesthouse with a panoramic view of Theth. In the afternoon you can explore by yourself Theth village.
Guesthouse
Meals included: breakfast, lunch, dinner
Distance: 11 km Ascent: 290 m Descent: 590 m Activity: 4h30min
Day 4
The best Pass through the Albanian Alps, Theth to Valbona
This day is one of the most beautiful hikes in the Albanian Alps. Our trail goes up through the forest and alpine pastures, as we follow the trail we reach Valbona Pass, the highest elevations of our today’s hike, from where we take a few moments to enjoy the amazing views of Valbona and Theth Valleys. Picnic lunch with an amazing view overlooking the picturesque Valbona Valley, wide Valbona riverbed that goes along the entire valley, mountainous surrounding areas, alpine landscape and various rock formations. From the Pass we start descending until we reach Valbona River, and the rest of the walk is along the river bed. Valbona National Park is very remote and has a small number of inhabitants, as a result combined with the climatic conditions and the variation of the ecosystem has created the right conditions for a rich variety of flora and fauna all over the area.
Standard Hotel
Meals included: breakfast, Picnic lunch, dinner
Distance: 14 km Ascent: 1050 m Descent: 795 m Activity: 6 hrs
Day 5
Trek along Gashi Nature Park trail, remote Doberdol and alpine glacial Lakes, to Sylbice
Today we start with a transfer for about 45 min to Cerem. We ascend through forest and meadows with blueberries and might be the only ones following the trail. On the way there are characteristic shepherd huts located nearby the natural preserved area of Gashi and not far from here there is Doberdol, another great valley where locals are known for herding animals and have a special way of life. From Doberdol we can see the ‘Trekfufiri, a mountainous natural peak, where Albania, Kosovo, and Montenegro meet in the highlands. In Doberdol and Sylbice, far from civilization without electricity and modern things it looks like life has stuck in the past. Living here is all dependent on self-sufficiency. We stop in Doberdol enjoying the surroundings and having something to drink. From here the trail starts gently ascending on alpine pastures mostly covered with blueberries, and on the way we can see the beautiful glacial lakes and reach Doberdol Pass, the highest elevation for today. After the Pass we start descending to the fascinating landscape of Sylbice until we reach the family-run hut in Sylbice.
Mountain Hut
Meals included: breakfast, lunch, dinner
Distance: 18 km Ascent: 820 m Descent: 700 m Activity: 6-7 hrs
Day 6
Hike Sylbice alpine pastures and Tropoja River to the cultural Bajram Curri town
We start today hiking through alpine pastures following Tropoja River for a while and then we follow the trail in the dense and impressive beech forest of Tropoja. As we ascend and enjoy the surroundings we stop in Ujeze where locals have their huts for the summer months. Lunch will be served in a shepherd hut with an astonishing view of Shkelzeni Mountain. After lunch following an old shepherds path that goes through the forest we descend from Ujeze alpine pastures to Padeshi and continue to follow the trail. After we finish our hike a minibus will be waiting for us and drive for 20 minutes to the town of Bajram Curri.
Standard Hotel
Meals included: breakfast, lunch, dinner
Distance: 17 km Ascent: 680 m Descent: 1480 m Activity: 5 hrs
Day 7
One of the best ferry rides of Europe, to Tirana
After breakfast we start with a transfer for about 30 min. For today we enjoy one of the best ferry rides in Europe in Koman Lake for about 2 hours. This lake is one of three main artificial lakes in Northern Albania build during communisms for producing electricity and today producing about 70% of electricity in Albania. After the ferry ride, a bus will be waiting for us to drive from Koman to Tirana (transfer for about 2h30min). In between, we stop for lunch at a restaurant nearby Komani Lake. In the afternoon we arrive at our hotel in Tirana. As we go for dinner we take a city tour showing the highlights of Tirana. We will have dinner in one of the best local food restaurants in Tirana.
Standard Hotel
Meals included: breakfast, lunch, dinner
Distance: 2 km Ascent: 20 m Descent: 20 m Activity: 1 h
Day 8
End Tirana
There will be an organized transfer from our hotel to Tirana International Airport.
Meals included: breakfast
What is included?
All breakfasts, 6 lunches, 7 dinners included
All accommodation
Group transfers from and to Tirana International Airport
Customer and baggage transportation for all the Tour
What is not included?
Flights
Travel insurance
Visas and vaccinations
Snacks and drinks
Single supplement
Guide and local staff tipping
Important notes
a) Hikes/treks on this trip are all day activity and you only need to carry a small daypack, the areas we hike/trek are alpine environments. Active hike/trek days involve ascents and descents, sometimes over rough and steep ground. Although this tour overall is considered moderate, it will be very helpful for you to have good fitness and a familiarity with mountain hiking/trekking.
b) The itinerary is weather dependent and you need to be prepared for unpredictable weather changes. If needed your Tour Leader will make changes as per cases to the path and do the best to stay as close as possible to the planned itinerary.
c) Hiking/Trekking boots and waterproofs are required for this itinerary, if you fail wearing hiking boots it is your responsibility for any related damage that may happen to you.
Group
For this trip will be a local leader, a driver and horsemen that help us with luggage transportation. Leader possesses very good English, but the driver and horsemen they do not speak good English.
Minimum group size: 5
Maximum group size: 16
Average group size: 10-12
Adult minimum age: 16
Meals
All breakfasts, 6 lunches and 7 dinners included.
Two of these lunches are packed lunches.
During communism, isolated to the world Albania became a self-sustaining country. Albania has a Mediterranean climate which creates the perfect conditions of natural and healthy growing of vegetables and fruits in lush fertile valleys, nowadays they are still a subsistence culture which has not changed for many years. Influences from other countries and a combining of Mediterranean, Turkish and European tastes has made that food in Albania is quite varied. Dairy product like milk, cheese and yogurt are present in almost every meal, and all locally produced. Drinks are reasonable priced and traditional drinks Raki and ‘Scanderbeg’ Cognac are known for their unique flavor and aroma. Local made beers are inexpensive, priced at about 1-2 Euro per bottle. Meals are included in this tour and Tour Leader will recommend different local dishes, in most cases meals can be organized by the leader or if you have other preferences than that you will be welcomed to do so. Reminder to you that in some places it is necessary to order meals in advance and stay organized. Having an experience with hiking areas and especially with the rich and variety of local dishes provided for us while on tour, your leader is the right person who can suggests and if needed choose and order a delicious meal for you. Eating healthy is very important and we pay special attention to this.
Vegetarians are in the right country, this tour offers a lot of vegetarian dishes with a lot of greens and vegetables, please inform us before departure of any special dietary requests. Vegan diet should expect a limited variety of food on this tour.
Solo Travelers
Most of our Tours are designed for shared accommodation and we do not involve a single supplement. All the tour single travelers are paired in twin or multi share accommodation, with someone of the same sex. If you want to order a single supplement and if this is possible you must pay a single supplement additional cost. A single supplement additional cost is calculated considering that, in the mountain huts single rooms are not an optional only multi sharing is possible.
Accommodation
Hotels (5nts), guesthouses (1 nt), mountain huts (1 nt).
Accommodation can be different than what you are used in your country. Considering that the Tour is organized in the remote regions of the Albanian Alps, you might expect that quality and service might be lower standards that those in the urban areas. We will spend 1 night in mountain hut, 1 night in guesthouse, 5 nights in 3-star en suite hotels. We have chosen this type of accommodation due to limited choices and most important for their location, character and traditional service. On this tour, we use small family-run hotels or guesthouse, except for the start and finish hotels, which are usually larger hotels with better service and quality. In the hiking and trekking regions they do not have elevators, air-conditioning or English speaking staff, but all family-run their business with a lot of traditional character and welcoming hospitality, clean, safe and simple accommodation.
Single supplement from 135 EUR
If available, paying for a single supplement will only guaranty a room for single use.
If you request to book additional accommodation in Tirana before and after the tour, please let us know and we will make it possible. Please contact us if you want to extend your trip.
When you book a tour with us as an individual, for the accommodation you will be paired in a room with another traveler.
Due to limited possibilities in the trekking areas for the accommodation, please read this Note.
Note: Single supplements are only available in hotels.
In guesthouses single supplements are limited and sometimes not available; all the rooms are double or triple rooms, with shared bathrooms (triple rooms are not mixed sex).
In mountain Huts single supplements are not available. Here sleeping is on mattresses on the floor, and multi person in a room will apply.
Joining Instructions / Hotel
Airport transfers are included for those on the group flights on the day that the tour starts
Albexpeditions will let you know in advance for the scheduled group transfers.
After your booking is complete you must let us know by email for your arrival date in Albania. On the day that the Tour starts it will be an organized group transfer from Tirana/Tirana International Airport (TIA) to our hotel. If you plan to arrive days earlier in Albania before the tour starts, and if you require airport transfers please let us know in advance by email so we can organize a transfer for you (only the transfer from Tirana International Airport to the city of Tirana are included in the Tour price).
If you require airport transfers to join the group you must inform us in advance to be able to make the arrangements. If you do not take the group transfer, or miss it, it is your responsibility to pay for the transfer to the joining hotel (we will do our best to help you and arrange a transfer for you). If you plan your own transfer, details for joining hotel will be sent to you.
On day one it will be a welcome Meeting, where the Tour leader and the travelers meet and will be a briefing about how the Tour will run. If in any case you will miss the Welcome Briefing, our Tour Leader will brief to you after joining the group.
Arrival complications
For any arrival problems that affect your trip schedule please contact our office and inform us about the situation. Please refer to our contact emergency details and if for any reason you can’t receive an immediate answer, please leave a message with contact information so we can get access to you as soon as possible.
Emergency Contact
In an emergency please contact us on the phone number provided on our website www.albexpeditions.com
Office email [email protected]
Weather
Albania has a Mediterranean climate and it is characterized by warm, dry summer and mild, wet winter. Summer temperatures are on average 25ºC and humidity is low, with temperatures in July and August that can rise to 30 ºC and above. Albanian Alps in the north have an annual precipitation from more than 2,500 mm to less than 760 mm along the eastern border. Winter is with low temperatures and heavy snow In the Albanian Alps. A typically Mediterranean climate shows in the coastal lowlands, and the highlands have a continental climate. Weather varies markedly from north to south. Daytime maximum temperatures in the Albanian Alps can be, but the nights are almost always cool.
Packing List
Note: We use horses to transfer language during the hike. Soft bags only are suitable for this type of tour, and the maximum weight for your soft bag must be no more than 15 kg.
If you are travelling longer and you have extra languages please let us know in advance.
Travel Documents
Passport (required)
Insurance information (required)
Flight information (required)
Required Visas and vaccination certifications (required)
Essential equipment
Small rucksack (20 litters for daily use)
Waterproof backpack cover
Cameras and binoculars (optional)
First aid kit
Flashlight/Headlamps
Portable recharger
Watch with alarm clock
Personal entertainment such as reading, cards etc. (optional)
Small travel towel
Hiking boots (with good tread and ankle support on rough terrain)
Quick-dry socks (trekking socks, no cotton socks are recommended), 2-3 packs
Comfortable shoes or sandals for the sightseeing days
Water bottle
Rain gear (Lightweight waterproof jacket and wind stopper)
Warm jumper or warm layer for evenings
Gloves, sunglass, sun-hat
Sun cream
Hiking pants (quick dry recommended, long and shorts)
Lightweight shirts
Long sleeved hiking shirt
Snacks (Dried fruits, energy sweets, protein bars, candies, chocolates)
Walking poles
Swimwear (optional)
Visas and entry requirements
We highly recommend you contact your local embassy or consulate for the most up-to-date visa requirements. All visitors form EU, USA, UK, Canada, Australia and New Zealand passport holders do not need a visa to visit Albania however they may not stay longer than three months in any 6-month period. You need a valid passport with a minimum of 6 month validity.
Note: It is your responsibility to have the correct travel documentation, to check yourself and understand that you are responsible for your own visa requirements.
Tax
Whenever you send money internationally, your bank will typically charge fixed money transfer fee and this fee may depend upon the bank that you’re using. This money transfer fee is additional to the tour price.
Paying for the tour we expect you to pay the exact amount that this tour was priced.
No other country tax will apply.
Health
There are no specific health risks for this tour.
Safety and Security
Albania is considered a safe country to visit, but however before departure check your government advice according to safety and security. If you select an activity in your free time, please use your own good judgment. Swimming is always at your own risk.
Travel Insurance
To join any of our trips, you must have travel insurance, it is compulsory. If you fail to provide travel insurance you will not be permitted to join the trip. Your travel insurance must be fully insured against medical and personal accident risks, including as well repatriation and emergency rescue costs. Upon arrival you will need to present details of travel insurance, to our Guide. Please ensure that you are covered for all activities included in the trip.
Albania’s Currency
Albanian Lek (ALL) is the national currency of Albania. To have a better idea of exchange rate we suggest you to look at online exchange websites.
ATM
Albania offers a good network of cash machines, and in every city ATMs are available. To make sure that your credit or debit card will work in Albania, highly recommend you to contact your bank in advance and let them know that you will use your credit or debit cards in Albania. Withdrawing cash from ATMs a fee usually applies. Many shops and restaurants in the main cities accept paying with Visa and MasterCard. Shops and restaurants in the cities and hiking regions accept Euros as well.
Feedback
We do really appreciate and need your feedback. After your tour has finished you can give us feedback information, this is so important to us and help us grow, improve and provide better service to the future clients. An evaluation Form will be send to you via email.
Minimum Age
Travelling with albexpeditions you must be 16 years old.
Minors must be minimum 12 years old and must travel with a guardian over 21 years old.
Tipping
Tipping of leaders is expected but not compulsory and this is entirely at your own discretion. In Albania we have a tipping culture. A general rule is 10% of the bill for any service. Depending on the quality of service and your enjoyment of the tour we give recommendations for tipping leaders around €3-5 per day. Tipping is accepted and appreciated.
Responsible Tourism
Our goal is to foster a positive environmental, economic and socio-cultural impact in the places we visit. We should have and leave a positive impact in that community we visit. Our sustainable travel is committed to open new jobs and support local communities at every level.
Important Information
Trust us and your Tour Leader/ Guide. Tour Leaders/ Guides have a respected experience to evaluate and to make decision and if they have any concern about someone’s safety or their impact on other people enjoyment, we authorize them to take necessary actions which can include asking someone to miss that activity. Alternative options will be given where possible, but this must be considering you safety. Albexpeditions will not be liable refunding any of missed activities and you may be liable for additional costs incurred.
It is very helpful for you to have a good fitness and a familiarity with mountain hiking as the hike takes part in alpine environment. It is required to have good walking boots and waterproofs. The itinerary can be weather dependent even though the time of the season chosen is the best for hiking. As a result we will do our best to stay as close as we can to the planned itinerary.
All the Tours can be subject to unexpected changes; generally the nature of travel adventure requires flexibility, during this Tour we might need to be flexible. For a variety of reasons; climatic, Force Majeure, political, physical or other, it may not be possible to follow the planned itinerary. In these circumstances, to maintain the integrity of original itinerary we will make the best possible alternative arrangements.
In booking this trip you should have the ability and be confident to participate in all activities described in these Trip Notes.
In an emergency please contact us any time 24/7.
IMPORTANT: Please ensure that you print a final copy of your Trip Notes to review a couple of days prior to travel.