Day 1:
Arrival at Shkodra
After arrival we drive north to the city of Shkodra, where we will stay overnight. We have dinner in a traditional restaurant. If our time allows, we can also pay a short visit to the fortress of Shkodra.
Day 2:
A short transfer takes us to the starting point of our first hike, in the enchanting valley of Boga. We start our hike along the "Path of the Sheep" (1,356 m), which runs between the Boga and Theth valleys, to the Diagonal Pass (1,676 m). Here we stop for a picnic at the slopes of the Radohima Mountains. Afterwards we go downhill through the Kaprea valley towards our inn in Nderlysa (500 m). On the way there we stop for another refreshment at the "Blue Eye Spring". The evening is a good time to relax. We will enjoy the hospitality of the locals in rural surroundings.
Walking time: approx. 5 hours
Day 3:
Hike: Nderlysa (500 m) to Thethi (750 m)
Today's hike has no big ascents, but it is rich in attractions as we will explore one of the most characteristic villages in northern Albania - Thethi. The impressive landscape and ancient mountain culture inspired Edith Durham to create her work "High-Albania". We walk along walls and terraces from the late Bronze Age near the Thethi waterfall. We visit the "Blood Feud Tower" and old water mills before we reach our inn in the middle of the valley.
Walking time: approx. 4 hours
Day 4:
We start our hike in Thethi (750 m) towards the impressive summit Harapit and Peja Pass (1.800 m). A well-trodden path takes us to the heart of the mountain kingdom known as "Cursed Mountains". We have a picnic at the "Spring of the beautiful meadow", a summer shepherd's lodging. Exactly in our field of vision we have the slopes of Jezerca, the highest mountain in the north. In the afternoon we hike down to Thethi and then have the opportunity to relax. We'll have dinner in the village.
Hiking time: approx. 8 hours
Day 5:
Today we leave the Thethi Valley (750 m) and start our climbing tour up the Valbona Pass (1,960 m). Our luggage is loaded on horses or mules. The path is in good condition, although it becomes stony and steep. It is the only direct connection to the Valbona Valley. From the pass we have a magnificent view of Jezerca, the highest mountain in the Albanian Alps and the Radohima Mountains. From the pass, the path winds its way down to the village of Rrogam (700 m), where we will stay overnight in a mountain hotel and enjoy a hot shower after our long hike.
Hiking time: approx. 8 hours
Day 6:
Today's hike starts in Rrogam (700 m) and leads us towards the village of Kukaj (900 m). Here we can visit some houses in the village. From there, a shepherd's path leads us up to the remote landscapes of the eastern Albanian Alps up to the shepherd's huts at 1,600 m, where we will have a picnic. The path climbs gently and leads up among green meadows and forests. From above we have a fantastic view of Jezerca mountain and Rrethi i Bardhë - the "white circle". In the afternoon we walk down to Dunisha, a group of houses in a charming location. Our next inn is also located there (700 m).
Hiking time: approx. 8 hours
Day 7:
We leave our hotel early in the morning to catch the boat in Fierza. We enjoy the 2 1/2 hour cruise on Lake Koman, in an environment that reminds us of fjords and canyons. On the way we have lunch and drive on to Tirana. We spend the evening and night in one of the most dynamic cities in the Balkans.
Day 8: Kruja
If you leave in the afternoon, you can visit the historical city of Kruja. From there, the Albanian national hero Skanderberg led his legendary resistance fight against the Ottomans in the 14th century. Lunch will be served in a traditional restaurant within the walls of the fortress. Afterwards we drive about 30 minutes to the airport.