Walking in Northern Albania: Into The Accursed Mountains
Walking in Northern Albania: Into The Accursed Mountains
8 Days Starting in TIRANA and ending in KRUJË
Visiting: Tirana, Shkodër, Valbona Valley National Park, Theth, Valbona Pass, Nderlysaj, Krujë District
Tour operator:
Tour code:
NALB
Guide Type:
Fully Guided
Group size:
4 - 12
Age range:
1-99
Special diets catered:
Vegetarians, Please contact Wild Frontiers with any specific dietary requirements
Tour operated in:
EnglishTrip Styles:
Activities:
Private Available:
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Tour Overview
Extending across vistas liberally scattered with deep river valleys, alpine lakes and national parks, the towering limestone gorges of the Accursed Mountains, or Albanian Alps, provide the perfect backdrop to one of Europe’s last great adventures.
After soaking up the past in the historic town of Shkodër, the gateway to the north, our journey takes us through quaint mountain villages and through some of the region’s most precious and unspoilt landscapes from the remote Vermosh and Lepusha valleys up over three stunning mountain passes towards Theth, the jewel in Albania’s north and the epic Valbonë Valley before finally returning by ferry along the breath-taking waters of Lake Koman.
This is an incredible adventure encompassing epic scenery, stunning walks and an insight into traditional but dying way of life.
Highlights
Itinerary
Day 1: Tour Starts In Tirana. Drive To Shkodër
Location: Tirana
Accommodation: Hotel
Accommodation Name: Hotel Tradita or similar
Meals Included: Lunch, Dinner
Meeting at Tirana airport we'll head immediately north to one of Europe’s oldest and most historic cities. Located close to the border with Montenegro, Shkodër stands as a gateway to Albania’s stunning northern landscapes, with impressive views of the Drin River to the east, the Adriatic Sea to the west and the majestic Albanian Alps to the northeast. Historically an important trading post for centuries, the city is home to the ancient Rozafa Fortress, which we'll visit this afternoon and which sits strategically located on the hill overlooking the city and surrounding vistas.
Day 2: Shkodër – Vermosh Valley: Meadows, Hikes & Hospitality
Location: Shkodër, Valbona Valley National Park
Accommodation: Hotel
Accommodation Name: Guesthouse Leonard Lumaj or similar
Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
From Shkodër this morning we will drive for a couple of hours, initially following the shores of Lake Shkodra before ascending on a scenic road via hairpin bends and panoramic viewpoints towards the village of Tamare and the Berdolec Pass, from where our first hike begins. Our trail today follows meadows and birch woods up to the rounded Greben Peak (1840m). From here, the views, weather-permitting, over Mount Trojan and the barren Accursed Mountains will give an enticing taste of the incredible landscapes that will serve as our constant backdrop over the next few days. Passing shepherd huts en route, we will then descend along forest trails towards the remote valley of Vermosh, where we’ll encounter our first experience of Albanian mountain guesthouse hospitality.
Approx. 5hrs walking (490m ascent, 790m descent. Total distance 10kms, highest point 1840m)
Day 3: Vermosh Valley – Vusanje: Over The Taljanka Ridge (1931M) To Montenegro
Location: Valbona Valley National Park
Accommodation: Hotel
Accommodation Name: Moonlight Guesthouse or similar
Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
A short transfer will bring us to the village of Lepusha with its spectacular location and scattered rural settlements. From here we will start walking through forests and pastures, and past abandoned ruins of the army structures that once guarded the border day and night during the communist era. In their absence, we are now free to reach the ridge and cross the border into neighbouring Montenegro, enjoying some of the most spectacular views in the whole of the Dinaric range. As we descend towards Grebaje, we’ll have unobstructed views of the limestone towers of Karanfil, the Balkans’ answer to the Dolomites! Having reached the valley bottom, a short drive will take us to our rural host in the ethnically-Albanian village of Vusanje, situated at the entrance to one of the most stunning valleys in the region.
Approx. 6hrs walking (580m ascent, 790m descent. Total distance 10kms, highest point 1931m
Day 4: Vusanje – Thethi: Trek Back To Albania Via The Peja Pass (1721M)
Location: Valbona Valley National Park
Accommodation: Hotel
Accommodation Name: Bujtina Polia or similar
Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
A short transfer through the scenic Ropojana Valley will bring us to the start of today’s trail. With our luggage loaded onto horses, we’ll start climbing towards the karst Runica plateau, traversing lunar-esque landscapes en route to Peja Pass (1721m) where we’ll stop for a picnic lunch to appreciate the beautiful valley of Theth from high above. Our route descends via a zigzag trail alongside the vertical dome of Mt Harapi that overlooks the entire valley before talking us through the upper neighbourhood of Okol towards our guesthouse, which will be our base for the next two nights.
Approx. 6-7hrs walking (845m ascent, 660m descent. Total distance 15kms, highest point 1721m)
Day 5: Theth: Exploring Theth National Park
Location: Theth, Valbona Valley National Park, Valbona Pass
Accommodation: Hotel
Accommodation Name: Bujtina Polia or similar
Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Today we will enjoy a more leisurely day (although anyone who wishes can undertake an additional 6km/3hr walk to the Blue Eye pools today, should they wish) of exploring Thethi and the surrounding area. Standing as the most well-preserved alpine village in Albania, Thethi has been declared a Protected Historic Centre and, located in the heart of the Theth National Park, offers some outstanding natural beauty. The village itself has a lot to offer, including the stone-built Catholic Church, the blood feud tower ‘Kulla e Ngujimit’ and the stone-walled terraces which date back to the Bronze Age. As we venture out of the village, we will follow the River Shala, through the beautiful Grunasi Canyon towards the picturesque hamlet of Nderlysaj where we’ll be able to soak up the peace and tranquility of this very special mountain setting before a short transfer take us back to Thethi for a second night.
Approx. 3 hrs walking (0m ascent, 240m descent. Total distance 7kms, highest point 747m)
Day 6: Thethi - Valbonë Valley: Hike Over The Valbonë Pass (1795M)
Location: Theth, Nderlysaj
Accommodation: Prek Bjeshka Guesthouse or similar
Accommodation Name: Vila Dini or similar
Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Today offers some spectacular scenery as we hike one of the area’s most celebrated trails, which has for centuries connected the glacial valleys of Valbonë and Thethi, crossing over the 1795m high Valbonë pass, which is only accessible during the summer months due to heavy snowfall. We will be accompanied once more by horses which will carry our luggage as we tackle this challenging but hugely rewarding hike. From the pass we can take in some of the region’s most spectacular views before descending towards a large bowl of alpine meadows, framed by rocky slopes and on towards the village of Rrogam at the entrance to the Valbonë Valley.
Approx. 7hrs walking (980m ascent, 770m descent. Total distance 13kms, highest point 1795m)
Day 7: Valbonë Valley – Krujë: By Ferry Across Lake Koman
Location: Nderlysaj, Krujë District
Accommodation: Hotel
Accommodation Name: Hotel Panorama or similar
Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
On our final full day, we will travel on a small public ferry from Fierza dock along Lake Koman which was created as part of a major hydroelectric project dating back to the 1980s. This idyllic and spectacular ride will take us along the Drin River, which over the centuries has carved its way through the mountains to create some magnificent canyons and narrow passageways that are reminiscent of the celebrated Norwegian fjords. Unlike the fjords however, in comparison this area is vastly unpopulated by tourists and offers some spectacular unspoiled views as we slowly cruise south for about 2½ hours. Continuing by road to the historic town of Krujë, located just located just north of Tirana and the international airport. Here we visit the imposing castle, home to its acclaimed Skanderbeg Museum, dedicated to Albania's national hero, before settling in for our final dinner and evening.
Day 8: Tour Ends In Krujë
Location: Krujë District
Meals Included: Breakfast
The tour ends after breakfast. Those on the suggested group flight (see the GETTING THERE below)will be transferred to nearby Tirana airport in time for check-in.
What's Included
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MEALS
7 x Breakfasts7 x Lunches7 x Dinners
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TRANSPORT
On this tour we will use a minibus, a local ferry and our own two feet!
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GROUP SIZE
Maximum: 12
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CARBON CONTRIBUTIONS
Contributions to climate and community projects for all bookings
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EXPERT TEAM
The full services of a Wild Frontiers Tour Leader with local guides where appropriate
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ACCOMMODATION
1 night x Premium
2 nights x Superior
4 nights x Simple -
ENTRANCE FEES
All entrance fees for sights mentioned in the itinerary
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FITNESS RATING
High
What's Not Included
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We believe in a completely transparent approach to pricing with no hidden extras. As such, please note that the following are not included in the cost of the tour.Visas & Travel Insurance: Visas will always be tourationality dependent but travel insurance is mandatoryTips: Always optional but some guidance will be given in the pre-departure information documentsInternational .Flights: Please ask us for an obligation-free quote for flights which originate in the UKAirport .Transfers: We include complimentary transfers if arriving/departing on the suggested group flights.Beverages & any costs of a personal nature: This will include items such as laundry and souvenirs
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ExcludedItem
We believe in a completely transparent approach to pricing with no hidden extras.
As such, please note that the following are not included in the cost of the tour.
Visas & Travel Insurance: Visas will always be tour
ationality dependent but travel insurance is mandatory
Tips: Always optional but some guidance will be given in the pre-departure information documents
International Flights: Please ask us for an obligation-free quote for flights which originate in the UK
Airport Transfers: We include complimentary transfers if arriving/departing on the suggested group flights
Beverages & any costs of a personal nature: This will include items such as laundry and souvenirs
Visas
Visas are necessary for many of the destinations we travel to and while we aim to provide you with the most up-to-date information, requirements frequently change and as such for the latest advice we advise that you check with the relevant embassies or contact our recommended visa agency, Travcour www.travcour.com For this tour UK passport holders do not currently require a visa for Albania.Non-UK passport holders or non-UK residents should contact the relevant embassies for individual requirements.Further details will be sent out to you on booking, however ensuring that correct and valid visas are obtained remains the sole responsibility of the client.
Key Aspects to Consider
You will need to be in a reasonable state of health and have a good level of fitness to be suitable to join this tour involving consecutive days of walking.
The trek is graded as high with an average daily walking time of around 6hrs. Please note there are three full day treks in the itinerary. In some places the paths are rocky and uneven.
Walking times and distances have been given in the itinerary, please note that times are averages and dependent on other factors, such as the pace of the group and weather. They also do not include breaks for picnics, photos and the like.
Responsible Travel
With local people, culture and eco-systems in mind, responsible travel and sustainable tourism are at the core of Wild Frontiers. We believe that a successful trip not only delivers a unique and unsurpassable journey for our travellers but also benefits the people and places we visit.
When designing our tours, we actively seek out experiences that have a positive impact on the communities and precious environments we visit - from supporting social enterprises; resting our heads in rural homestays; and eating at locally owned restaurants; to helping fund conservation projects that protect wildlife and their habitats.
Visit the Responsible Travel area of our website to read more, including the work of the Wild Frontiers Foundation through which we fundraise to aid community empowerment and education projects.
Travelling Solo
As a company approximately 70% of our clients are solo travellers, so it’s very unlikely you’ll be alone!
Our prices are typically based on twin-share accommodation, but single supplements are not compulsory for any Wild Frontiers tour. If you prefer not to pay a single supplement we’ll pair you with someone else of the same sex for you to share with throughout the trip.
On this trip, if you do opt to pay for a single supplement then please note that it will cover you for all nights of the tour except at the guesthouses in Vermosh, Vusanje and Thethi, where you may be required to share with others of the same sex due to the limited number of rooms available in these properties.
Please note that paying a single supplement entitles you to lone occupancy of a single room. In many cases these rooms will be of the same size as a double/twin room, but in some cases they may be smaller.
Insurance
Insurance that provides cover for emergency repatriation in case of a medical emergency is compulsory for all tours. You should be aware that due to some of the geographical areas visited and some of the activities included on certain of our trips some standard insurance policies may not always provide adequate cover. As such we strongly recommend that you purchase a policy that adequately covers your trip. Please see the Insurance section for more details.
Check out our Q&As
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What is the maximum group size?
12
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Are airport transfers included in this tour?
We include complimentary transfers if arriving/departing on the suggested group flights
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Do you require a visa for this holiday?
For this tour UK passport holders do not currently require a visa for Albania.
Non-UK passport holders or non-UK residents should contact the relevant embassies for individual requirements. -
Are the local guides on the tour English speaking?
Yes
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What policies are in place for Covid-19?
We have a complete Covid-19 hub here: https://www.wildfrontierstravel.com/en_GB/covid-hub
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Do you operate a “single share” option and how does it work?
Over 70% of passengers on our group tours are solo adventurers. Unlike many tour operators, we don’t believe in charging solo travellers a premium, so if you are happy to share a room with a fellow traveller of the same sex, you will pay exactly the same as a couple..Occasionally you may even end up with your own room. You can travel as a single traveller on any of our holidays, from our escorte
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Will the accommodation included meet local health and safety regulations?
Yes
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How long has the tour company been trading?
Since 2002
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Do I need to be double-vaccinated against Covid-19 to travel with you?
In most cases, yes. Not only are many destinations making double-vaccination a requirement of entry to the country and/or access to restaurants, museums etc., but additionally on all our group tours for the foreseeable future, for everyone’s peace of mind, we are asking that all clients be double vaccinated.
Reviews from travellers on this tour
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