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8-Nights Hiking in Albania, Kosovo & Montenegro - Active from $1,999
G Adventures
OFFER ID 1688141
Hiking in Albania, Kosovo & Montenegro
Explore one of Europe’s last true wildernesses on this in-depth 9-day itinerary through Albania, Kosovo, and Montenegro. Get lost (not literally) in some of the most beautiful alpine scenery with mesmerizing views of glacial lakes, lush valleys, rock pinnacles, and stunning meadows, the Balkans has to offer. Take a deep breath, look around, and take a moment to appreciate how you’re conquering something unbelievable.
Highlights
Hike through the stunning mountain wilderness of 3 Balkan countries, Trek through Valbona Valley, Explore Rugova Canyon by 4x4, Visit the old town and traditional bazaar in Peja, Stay in local guesthouses
Accomodation
It is important to note that accommodation in Europe tend to be quite different to other areas of the world you may have travelled in. Buildings and rooms are generally old and may not have been renovated or maintained to the highest standard. Downtown hotels in Europe were not built to be hotels but rich owners houses, which have been changed into hotels. Therefore unusual room sizes are common as large rooms have been partitioned in the past, resulting in rather "thin" walls. Reception areas, rooms and bathrooms tend to be very small as they were often added into an existing room, and may have a hand nozzle rather than a conventional shower head. On this trip you can expect to stay in small family-run hotels (with the exception of the start and finish hotels, which are often larger city hotels), which will vary a little in standard and facilities: some may not have elevators, air-conditioning or English-speaking staff, but most importantly all are locally-run, with some traditional character, and in excellent central locations to give you maximum time for exploring the sights. You can expect to find clean, safe, simple accommodation in convenient locations. Note that most accommodation in Europe does not have air conditioning units in rooms. Air conditioning is not routinely installed in European homes and workplaces. However, nearly all hotels will provide a standing or desk fan for your room on hot nights. If you do not already have one in your room, please ask your CEO to organize one for you with reception.
Group Leader
All G Adventures group trips are accompanied by one of our Chief Experience Officer's (CEO). The aim of the CEO is to take the hassle out of your travels and to help you have the best trip possible. They will provide information on the places you are traveling through, offer suggestions for things to do and see, recommend great local eating venues and introduce you to our local friends. While not being guides in the traditional sense you can expect them to have a broad general knowledge of the countries visited on the trip, including historical, cultural, religious and social aspects. We also use local guides where we think more specific knowledge will add to the enjoyment of the places we are visiting- we think it's the best of both worlds.
Group Size Notes
Max 16, avg 12.
Meals Included
8 breakfasts, 7 lunches, 8 dinners
What's Included
Your Welcome Moment: Meet Your CEO and Group.
6 days of hiking through the mountains and traditional villages of the Balkans. Trek from Theth through the Valbona Valley in the Albanian Alps.. Hike to the tri-border area of Albania, Montenegro and Kosovo. Visit Rugova Canyon and White Drini Natural Park in Kosovo. All meals while hiking. Luggage transfer between guesthouses. All transport between destinations and to/from included activities.
8 nights from $1,999 per person
G Adventures: Hiking in Albania, Kosovo & Montenegro
Day 1: Tirana/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.
Day 2: Shkodër/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.
Day 3: Valbonë/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.
Day 4: Dobërdoll/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.
Day 5: Miliševac/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.
Day 6: Rekë 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.
Day 7: Drelaj/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.
Day 8: Babino 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.
Day 9: Shkodër
Depart at any time.
Vacation Details
* This departure has been designated a guaranteed departure by the operator, meaning that the minimum number of guests has been met, although still subject to weather and other conditions.
Moderate facilities have modest enhancements to amenities and décor. These hotels or resorts are dependable, comfortable and some may offer standard features, such as select business services, Continental breakfast or coffee service and may have a swimming pool or small fitness center on-site. Guestrooms are comfortable, moderately spacious, in-room telephones, televisions and limited amenities. Moderate establishments provide suitable accommodations and service for budget-minded travelers.
While it is our intention to adhere to the route described below, there is a certain amount of flexibility built into the itinerary and on occasion it may be necessary, or desirable to make alterations. The itinerary is brief, as we never know exactly where our journey will take us. Due to our style of travel and the regions we visit, travel can be unpredictable. The Trip Details document is a general guide to the tour and region and any mention of specific destinations or wildlife is by no means a guarantee that they will be visited or encountered. Aboard expedition trips visits to research stations depend on final permission. Additionally, any travel times listed are approximations only and subject to vary due to local circumstances.
All fares are quoted in US Dollars.
Reference this number when contacting our agency so we may better serve you. Also keeping this number handy will allow you to locate this document again quickly.
Lindstrom Travel
5970 Guilford Rd.
Rockford, IL 61107
USA
(815) 398-8888
(800) 824-3164