Trekking in North Albania

Your journey begins in Tirana, where you'll be picked up from the airport and transported to your first accommodation in Shkodra. En route, soak in the scenic views of the Albanian Alps and the city's bustling cafes, bazaars, museums, and libraries. Depending on your arrival time, you might have the chance to take a refreshing dip in a local lake or visit the historic Rozafa Castle. Your stay for the night will be at the Hotel Tradita (or similar).

Start your day early with a public transfer through a gorge to the Koman Dam, a highlight of the Albanian Alps. From there, you'll take a ferry across the lake to Fierze. After lunch, you'll be transferred to the highlands and the Valbona National Park. Enjoy a warm-up hike along a crystal-clear stream and through the forest to Valbona. Your accommodation for the night will be Vila Dini (or similar).

Today's trail leads you to the village of Kukaj. Traverse lush meadows to a shepherd's hut at 1,650m, where you can admire the wild mountain scenery. Opt to climb to an ancient crossroads on the Montenegrin border for stunning views of the Montenegrin Prokletije. As the day ends, enjoy the alpenglow from the terrace of your accommodation, Vila Dini (or similar), and the view of the highest peak in the Alps, Jezerca.

After a short transfer, your luggage will be loaded onto mules and you'll set out with your daypack to cross the Valbona Pass at 1,811m. The pass offers some steep passages, but the magnificent views make the effort worthwhile. After a lunch break, descend to Theth, passing through a fabulous beech forest. Your accommodation for the night will be Bujtina Polia (or similar).

Today, you have the option to hike up the Peja Pass, located at the northern end of the valley and below Mount Arapi, or hike along the panoramic trail to Denelli. Both routes return the same way and you will spend the night in the same accommodation, Bujtina Polia (or similar).

Spend the morning exploring the village of Theth and visiting the local church. Then, follow the water channels to a cliff above the river where archaeologists discovered terraces of stone. A well-worn mule track leads downstream to Nderlysa, where you'll spend the night in a guesthouse, Guesthouse Bjeshka (or similar).

The day begins with a hike through the canyon to a karst spring. After lunch, you'll travel by public transfer to the Edith Durham monument, over a picturesque pass road to the Boga Valley, and then to Shkodra. In the early evening, you'll reach Tirana, where you can explore the city's museums, historical buildings, and the vibrant Blloku district. Your accommodation for the night will be Vila60 (or similar).

After breakfast, you'll start your journey home or to your next destination. This marks the end of your memorable 8-day tour of Albania.