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Hiking in Albania, Kosovo & Montenegro

9 days, Tirana to Shkodër

Map of the route for Hiking in Albania, Kosovo & Montenegro
Day 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9

When arranging your transportation, such as flights, please take into consideration the below time restrictions for joining and departing from your group. With these times, we have taken into account travel time to/from the airport in the given destination and required time for check-in or baggage collection/immigration.

Your flight must arrive by or before: 13:00 on Day 1
Depart at any time.

Itinerary

Day 1Tirana/Shkodër

Welcome to Albania! You will be met outside the customs and immigration area in the Tirana airport before transferring with your fellow group mates to the city of Shkoder. After an evening welcome briefing with your CEO, enjoy a traditional dinner showcasing local flavours to start you off on the right foot.

Private Vehicle
Tirana International Airport Nënë Tereza – Shkodër

Settle in and scan the scenery from the convenience of a private vehicle.

Your Welcome Moment: Welcome Moment - Meet Your CEO and Group

Your opportunity to meet your CEO and fellow travellers, and learn more about your tour. Opt to join the group for a local meal afterwards. Don't forget to see the notice in the lobby (or ask reception) for the official time and place to meet up with the group.

Accommodation

Below is an example of the hotel we may use in this city. For the actual hotel your specific departure will be using, please check your voucher.

Rose Garden Hotel (or similar)
Hotel

Meals included:

Dinner

Day 2Shkodër/Theth

Fill up on breakfast before lacing up your hiking boots and transferring to Theth where you’ll begin the hike toward Valbona Valley. Enjoy views of the towering mountain peaks and work up a sweat climbing to Valbona Pass, stopping for a picnic lunch, before arriving at the Valbona guesthouse. Stretch your muscles and relax for the rest of the evening, while reminiscing about the day’s activities and day dreaming about what tomorrow has in store.

Private Vehicle
Shkodër – Theth2h84km

Settle in and scan the scenery from the convenience of a private vehicle.

Hike from Theti to Valbona Valley
Theth – Bajram Curri6h-7h 16-17km

Enjoy this epic hike from Thethi to Valbona Pass at 1759m of elevation, with unrestricted views of stunning mountain peaks. The trail is well marked, with varying terrain from flat to steep and gravelly. Wander through meadows and woodlands before leaving the tree line behind and entering into spectacular views and a rockier path.

Accommodation

Guesthouse Kol Gjoni (or similar)
Guesthouse

Meals included:

Breakfast | Lunch | Dinner

Day 3Valbonë/Dobërdoll

Enjoy breakfast at the guesthouse, then transfer from Valbona to Qerrem by 4x4 vehicles before putting boots to the ground, heading towards the village of Doberdol. Enjoy a picnic lunch in Trokuz, then continue hiking the scenic trail along the Montenegro border until you arrive at the Doberdol Valley guesthouse. Connect with your tour mates over dinner then get some rest before tomorrow’s hike.

Hike from Qerrem to Doberdol Valley
Pepaj – Dobërdol6h-8h 16-17km

Transfer for approximately 1 hour by 4x4, from Valbona Valley to Qerrem mountain village. Upon arrival, begin the hike toward Doberdol village along the border of Montenegro. This moderate walk gains approximately 1030m in elevation and loses approximately 440m throughout the day.

Accommodation

Guesthouse Bashkimi (or similar)
Guesthouse

Meals included:

Breakfast | Lunch | Dinner

Day 4Dobërdoll/Miliševac

Transfer to the trail head before setting off on foot from Doberdol mountain. Pass from Albania to Kosovo along the way to Milishec Mountain, once again enjoying a picnic lunch along the way. Continue on to the Milishec Mountain guest house for another tasty dinner and easy evening.

Hike from Doberdol to Milishevci
Dobërdol – Milishevci7h-8h 21km

Begin today's hike with the only steep incline of the day. Upon reaching the peak, find yourself standing at the border of three countries at once. Continue along the border of Kosovo and Montenegro, revelling in the views of Kosovo's tallest mountain. Following mostly soft dirt and gravel, cross the border into Kosovo before moving on to reach Milishec Village. This moderate hike gains approximately 540m and loses approximately 380m.

Accommodation

Chalet Rusta (or similar)
Guesthouse

Meals included:

Breakfast | Lunch | Dinner

Day 5Miliševac/Rekë e Allagës

Take a bit more of a leisurely day to do some sightseeing of some of the area's most spectacular natural landscapes. Transfer from the guesthouse with a 4x4 through Rugova Canyon, a top attraction in Kosovo. Continue towards White Drini Nature Park for a short hike to witness the largest waterfall and spring in the area, alongside the Sleeping Beauty cave. Tuck in for lunch at a local restaurant famous for local trout and other traditional dishes. Transfer to Peja, a charming old town home to a popular bazaar where you can sight see and explore the town. Spend the evening how you see fit with free time.

Rugova Canyon Visit
Pejë

Rugova Canyon is said to be one of the largest and deepest canyons in Europe, popular to outdoor enthusiasts for hiking, mountain biking, caving, and sight seeing. Take a short walk and enjoy the scenery.

Peja Sightseeing
Pejë2h 3km

Explore Peja, a charming town with a historic old town and traditional bazaar. Visitors can wander narrow streets lined with shops, cafes, and local artisans selling handmade crafts and products. The dairy market is a must visit, as is the Old Hamam building from 1478, and the Etnological and Archaeological Museum.

Accommodation

Guesthouse Ariu (or similar)
Guesthouse

Meals included:

Breakfast | Lunch | Dinner

Day 6Rekë e Allagës/Drelaj

Transfer after breakfast to the village of Pepaj, where today’s hike of the Hajla mountain begins. The panoramic views of the Accursed mountains peaks and Rugova valley will leave you breathless (if the hike hasn’t done that already), and once again, enjoy a picnic lunch in the wilderness. Continue on to the Drelaj guesthouse for dinner and a relaxing evening with your tour mates.

Hike from Pepaj Mountain Village to Hajla Mountain and Drelaj
Pepaj – Drelaj7h 16km

Enjoy panoramic views of the Accursed mountain peaks and Rugova valley during this hike. Walk through a pine forest and through open mountainous terrain toward Drelaj mountain village. This moderate walk gains 530m in elevation and loses 710m, finishing at a guesthouse with views of Red Rock peak. Upon completion, opt to continue hiking to the top of Hajla mountain, an additional 2h 30mins and 500m in elevation gain.

Accommodation

Guesthouse Bujtina Kacaku (or similar)
Guesthouse

Meals included:

Breakfast | Lunch | Dinner

Day 7Drelaj/Babino Polje

After breakfast, transfer to the trailhead and set off on foot toward the Liqenati Lakes - crystal clear, glacial lakes surround by lush greenery and stunning mountains, the perfect backdrop for a beautiful hike. Continue over the pass straddling the border of Kosovo and Montenegro, and end the day with a tasty dinner at the guesthouse with your hiking mates.

Hike from Liqenati Mountain Huts to Liqenati Lakes, Shkodra Overpass & Babino Polje
Pejë – Babino Polje7h-8h 16km

Hike past two sparkling Liqenati mountain lakes and Shkodra overpass. Pass from Kosovo to Montenegro, through the blueberry fields of Jelenku mountain ridge, before settling in the the evening at Babino Polje (Grandma's Field), located beside Temnjacka stream and near the city of Plav. This moderate hike gains 1150m in elevation and loses 1110m.

Accommodation

Eco Lodge Hrid (or similar)
Guesthouse

Meals included:

Breakfast | Lunch | Dinner

Day 8Babino Polje/Shkodër

Lace up your hiking boots for a final day of hiking today. Walk through the picturesque Ropojana Valley, considered to be a natural wonder in Montenegro, that’ll leave you breathless. This valley was carved into the earth by an ancient glacier, leaving behind jagged peaks and natural waterfalls. Close out this stunning hike at Theth, a traditional farming village found at the base of the mountain road. Transfer from Theth to the hotel in Shkodër and enjoy a free evening and optional final dinner out with the group.

Hike from Vuthaj Village to Theti
Pejë – Theth8h 18km

Travel for approximately 1 hour to the trail head before hiking through the Ropojana valley with stunning views on both sides. Pass from Montenegro to Albania by Gshtarsi Lake. Pass by old bunkers and border posts on what used to be a border patrol path, then arrive at the charming Thethi village. This moderate walk gains 1110m in elevation and loses 1440m.

Private Vehicle
Theth – Shkodër

Settle in and scan the scenery from the convenience of a private vehicle.

Accommodation

Rose Garden Hotel (or similar)
Hotel

Meals included:

Breakfast | Lunch | Dinner

Day 9Shkodër

Depart at any time.

The Tirana airport can be reached by shared transport departing frequently from Shkodër and taxis area also widely available.

Departure Day

Not ready to leave? Your CEO can help with any onward travel arrangements you require.

Meals included:

Breakfast

Hiking in Albania, Kosovo & Montenegro

| 9 days - Tirana to Shkodër - from $1999 USD