Walking Albania
Description
Summary
Description
Embark on an unforgettable 8-day journey through the heart of Albania, a country brimming with rich history, diverse culture, and stunning natural beauty. This multi-day tour takes you from the bustling city of Tirana to the ancient city of Shkodra, through the breathtaking landscapes of Valbona National Park, and into the remote highlands village of Thethi. Along the way, you'll explore historic sites, hike through majestic mountains, sail on serene lakes, and immerse yourself in the local culture. Whether you're a history buff, a nature lover, or a cultural explorer, this tour offers a unique blend of experiences that promise to leave you with lasting memories and a deep appreciation for this hidden gem of the Balkans.
Included
A key facet of our responsible approach to tourism is that we encourage our groups to eat in local restaurants that prepare locally grown food. We give customers choice as to their meals and do not use rather bland and impersonal hotel restaurants or all- inclusive options
7 Breakfasts
4 Lunches
2 Dinners
vegetarian, vegan, meat
Bus
5 nights in hand-picked hotels.
2 nights in huts.
Due to the size of the accommodation in the National Park areas a single room is only available on certain nights on thistrip. On days five and six we stay at Pisha Villa in Thethi, this is a traditional Albanian family house and the rooms are simple but comfortable. There are modern bathroom facilities with showers, but not en-suite, towels will be provided. The number of rooms are limited and they
accommodate two to five people in each so you may be sharing with other members of the group for
these two nights. A private room at the Pisha Villa is available on request only, costing £80 please discuss with the sales team.
hotel: 5 night(s), hut: 2 night(s);
Tour Leaders are quite simply the glue that holds our tours together. They are chosen for their travel experience and people skills and are thoroughly trained by Explore, widely acknowledged as some of the best training in the industry. A Tour Leader's ultimate aim is to ensure everyone is well looked after and have a fantastic trip. They are there to ensure that the tour logistics run smoothly, that health and safety is adhered to and provide comprehensive briefings at the beginning and throughout the tour.
All accommodation, activities and meals that are shown in the itinerary are included in the total cost of your trip You will also receive a complimentary transfer to and from the airport if you arrive on day 1 of the trip and depart on the last day and have provided your international flight information.
Map
Attractions
Valbona Valley National Park
Rozafa Castle
Dajti National Park
Lezhë CastleDaily Itinerary
Day 1 – Day 1: Tirana to Shkodra
- Tirana
- Shkodër - Arrival day
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- Rozafa Castle
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Our adventure begins at Tirana International Airport, from where we'll journey to the historic city of Shkodra, known as the 'Capital of North Albania'. After settling into our hotel, we'll explore the city's rich cultural heritage, including the imposing Rozafa Castle. We'll also enjoy a leisurely stroll around the city's pedestrian area, adorned with elegant Venetian-era buildings.
Day 2 – Day 2: Shkodra to Valbona via Lake Koman
- Shkodër
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- Lezhë Castle
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We'll start the day with a scenic drive from Shkodra to Lake Koman, where we'll embark on a mesmerizing ferry ride through narrow waterways set against stunning mountain peaks. Upon reaching Valbona, we'll take a riverside walk to stretch our legs before settling into our mountain base for the next three nights.
Day 3 – Day 3: Hiking in Valbona National Park
Day 3: Hiking in Valbona National Park
- Valbona Valley National Park
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We'll spend the day hiking in the breathtaking Valbona National Park, starting from the nearby Drogobia village. Our trail will take us through meadows and beechwood forests to the elevated pastures known as 'Gjarpri I Dragobis'. Here, we'll enjoy a picnic lunch while taking in the spectacular views of the Dragobia Gorge.
Day 4 – Day 4: Hiking from Valbona to Kukaj
Day 4: Hiking from Valbona to Kukaj
- Valbona Valley National Park
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Today's hike takes us from our hotel in Valbona to the mountain slopes of Paplluga. We'll traverse through woods of beech and fir, and enjoy a picnic lunch at a local farmer's house. After lunch, we'll continue our hike to the hamlet of Kukaj, where we'll enjoy a cup of herbal mountain tea at a local family's home before returning to our hotel.
Day 5 – Day 5: Valbona to Thethi via Valbona Springs and Valbona Pass
- Theth
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- Valbona Valley National Park
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We'll start the day with a transfer to the top of the valley in Rrogam, where we'll begin our hike to the Valbona Springs and then onto the Valbona Pass. From here, we'll descend into the Thethi valley, surrounded by high rocky domes. We'll spend the next two nights in Pisha Villa (or similar), a family-run guesthouse with stunning mountain views.
Day 6 – Day 6: Exploring Thethi and Nderlysa
- Theth
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We'll spend the day exploring the iconic highlands village of Thethi, visiting local attractions such as the stone-built catholic church and the blood feud lock-in tower. We'll then walk along the river to a small waterfall and continue to the ancient terraces of Grunas Canyon towards the hamlet of Nderlysa, where we'll enjoy a local family-prepared lunch.
Day 7 – Day 7: Thethi to Tirana via Thore Pass
- Tirana
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We'll start the day with a drive into the scenic valley of Boga, with an optional stop for a leisurely walk at the Thore Pass. We'll then head towards the vibrant capital of Tirana, where we'll enjoy a city orientation walk to learn more about its history and cosmopolitan atmosphere.
Day 8 – Day 8: Departure from Tirana
- Tirana - Departure day
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- Dajti National Park
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Our memorable journey comes to an end after breakfast at our hotel in Tirana. You're free to depart at any time, with luggage storage facilities available at our hotel. If you have some extra time, we recommend taking the cable car up Mount Dajti for a panoramic view of the city, or visiting some of the city's history-based museums.
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