Peaks of the Balkans - Hiking Beyond Borders in Albania, Kosvovo & Montenegro (12 Days)

Welcome to the Balkans! Your journey begins in either Tirana or Podgorica, from where you'll travel to the vibrant city of Shkodra. Arriving early in the day? Explore the town at your leisure before our group meeting at 5 pm. After introductions and a tour briefing, we'll enjoy a traditional dinner together. Rest well tonight - our adventure begins early tomorrow morning.

Rise early for a scenic drive through the Drin Gorges to Koman Lake. Enjoy a picturesque boat ride through the lake's fjord-like loops, stopping at remote villages to meet locals. Arrive in Fierze before continuing by car to the highlands of Valbona National Park. Spend the afternoon on a warm-up walk through ancient forests and along a crystal-clear stream, with opportunities for swimming. Our day ends at a cozy guesthouse in upper Valbona.

Today, we tackle our first longer ascent to the Persllopi Pass, offering stunning views of the Albanian Alps. We'll traverse a unique karst labyrinth and meet local shepherds on our way to the isolated village of Cerem. Here, we'll experience a simpler way of life, with meals prepared from garden harvests and a warm welcome from our hosts.

Our trek today takes us into the high-laying border triangle, where we'll enjoy forest fruits, admire plant life, and meet local herdsmen. We'll spend the night in the glacial-shaped valley of Doberdol, where locals live in harmony with nature. Here, we'll experience the seasonal lifestyle of the shepherds, staying in simple huts and enjoying meals prepared by our hosts.

Today, we bid farewell to our hosts in Doberdol and climb towards Mt. Trekufiri. From the top, we'll enjoy sweeping vistas of the borderlands. Our route crisscrosses the border ridge, offering panoramic views into both Kosovo and Montenegro. After a long trekking day, we'll reach our host in Milishefc, an avid paraglider and barbecue expert.

Our journey continues with a hike to the Lumbardhi Ridge, the last obstacle separating us from the Rugova Gorge. We'll traverse extensive grazing grounds and descend into the gorge, where we'll stop for drinks and, weather permitting, a swim. A short transfer on a rugged road takes us to our friendly hosts in Reka e Allages, where we'll enjoy a well-deserved rest.

Today, we'll hike to the base of Mt. Hajla, with an optional ascent to the peak for experienced hikers. Back at the base, we'll continue to the highest of the thirteen Rugova villages and through a rocky gully to a guesthouse in Drelaj. Here, our host, a local who experienced the Kosovo conflict firsthand, will share his stories. We'll enjoy another delicious dinner prepared by our hosts.

After a short transfer to the trailhead, we'll hike through a picturesque pine forest to the emerald lakes of Liqenat. From there, we'll ascend to the Jelenka Pass, the highest point of the official Peaks of the Balkans route. We'll then descend into the lush valley of Babino Polje before a transfer to our guesthouse in Vusanje.

Today, we'll transfer to the awe-inspiring Grbaja Valley, where we'll ascend through a fairy tale beech forest to the double peak of Popadija and Taljanka. From the top, we'll enjoy stunning views of the surrounding mountains and the Kelmend region of Albania. After descending back to the valley, we'll celebrate our adventure at a local beer garden before returning to our guesthouse in Vusanje.

We'll travel up the Ropojana Valley to a karst spring, marking the border with Albania. From there, we'll journey through a mountain-framed corridor to the heart of the Albanian Alps. Arriving at Peja Pass, your guide will determine whether the summit of Mt. Arapi can be tackled. We'll then descend to the local watering hole before a short ride to a guesthouse in the lively village of Theth.

In Theth, we'll visit the iconic church and the lock-in tower, learning about the highland law code, 'kanun'. We'll then hike to the famed Grunas Waterfall and descend to the hamlet of Nderlysa for lunch. In the afternoon, you can choose to hike to the colorful karst spring, the 'Blue Eye', or relax by the glacier-shaped rock formations. In the late afternoon, we'll travel back to Shkodra for a celebratory dinner.

Our adventure comes to an end today. Depending on your departure time, you might have some time to explore the lively streets of Shkodra, head to the nearby beaches, or experience Albania's modern side in the capital, Tirana. Thank you for joining us on this adventure, and we hope to see you again in the Balkans!