Walking in Albania

Itinerary

Start in Tirana and end in Berat. Walking in Albania includes accommodation in a hotel as well as an expert guide, meals, transport.

This fascinating, lesser-known Mediterranean country has a pristine, rugged, and wild landscape. Our trek is focused in the Albanian Alps in the north, where the past is marked by blood feuds and folklore. We explore the remote regions of Theth and Valbonë on foot, where agricultural life has remained unchanged for centuries. We then have time to discover the historic towns of Berat and Krujë and delve into the captivating history of this hospitable country.

Day 1 Start Tirana

The tour starts at our centrally located hotel in Tirana, the trendy capital of Albania. Settle into the hotel and relax, we rise early tomorrow. Accommodation: Sky 2 Hotel (or similar)

Day 2 Drive via Shkodër and Rozafa Castle to Theth; short walk around the village (breakfast,lunch,dinner)

We have an early start this morning and drive to Shkodër (approximately two hours), where we visit the Rozafa Castle and the city centre of one of the oldest places in Albania. We recommend you take this opportunity to shop for anything you might want for the next three days (snacks, chocolate etc) before we head into the more remote regions. Our journey continues into the breath-taking Albanian Alps and Theth National Park (approximately three hours), an area admired for its flora and fauna. After checking into our quaint guesthouse in Theth, we set off on a gentle walk through the valley nestled between wonderful peaks, gaining an insight into agricultural life as we pass local people going about their day. We continue to the Roman Catholic Church of Theth, built in 1892, which was used as a health centre during the Communist regime. The highlight, however, is a visit to the shutting tower (or lock-in tower) of Theth, known locally as Kulla. These historic stone lock-in towers protected families involved in blood feuds and this is one of the few that remain. Accommodation: Shpella Guesthouse (or similar)

Day 3 Walk to Grunas waterfall, Nderlyse and the Blue Eye of Kapre (breakfast,lunch,dinner)

Theth Valley is predominantly an agricultural region, where age-old farming practices and horse-drawn carts are still used today. We observe rural life as we begin walking to Grunas Waterfall. From here, we continue to Nderlyse, where we find a string of natural pools and a feature known as the Blue Eye of Kapre. There is an opportunity to swim here, so don’t forget your swimming costume and towel. Accommodation: Shpella Guesthouse (or similar)

Day 4 Trek over Valbonë Pass to Rragam village; transfer to Valbonë, home of Albanian folk culture (breakfast,lunch,dinner)

We walk through some of the wildest scenery around into the Tropojë District, known as the home of Albanian folk culture. First, we ascend through forests and alpine pastures to reach the Valbonë Pass (5,905ft/1,800m), where we take a few moments to enjoy spectacular views down Valbonë and Theth valleys. We then follow a trail that brings us alongside the Valbonë River, passing beautiful waterfalls along the way. We finish at the quaint village of Rragam, where the minibus is waiting to transport us to our hotel. Expect some rocky mountainous terrain today, particularly as we descend. Accommodation: Hotel Rilindja/Hotel Margjeka (or similar)

Day 5 Follow a route below Rosi Peak, passing through forest to the White Circle (breakfast,lunch,dinner)

Our route takes us through beech and pine forests down Rosi Peak and leads us onto the White Circle, where we enjoy panoramic views of the peaks and valleys of the Albanian Alps. There is the option to do either the full length of the White Circle or walk as far as the ridge of the White Circle, then back down the valley. For those who wish to opt out of the White Circle walk, you can instead walk independently in the area, or head to the slopes to collect mountain tea. Please note, the total ascent/descent is 3,280ft (1,000m) if doing the full length. Accommodation: Hotel Rilindja/Hotel Margjeka (or similar)

Day 6 We take a boat on Komani Lake; continue to Kruje (breakfast)

After breakfast, we drive to Fierza (approximately 1hr 30min). We then take a boat across the beautiful Komani Lake (which takes approximately two hours). The boat journey allows us to take in the spectacular scenery as we wind between high cliffs and towering peaks. Three hydroelectric power plants have been built here at the lake, which produce approximately 70 percent of Albania’s electricity. We then drive for another 2hr 30min to Kruje, the centre of Skanderbeg’s resistance to the Ottoman invasion in the 15th century. Accommodation: Hotel Panorama (or similar)

Day 7 Visit the Ethnographic Museum and the King Mosque in Berat (breakfast)

This morning we travel to Berat. On arrival, we enjoy a guided tour around the old district, where pretty white buildings are perched on the hill amid pine forests. Our tour includes a visit to the Ethnographic Museum (an 18th-century Ottoman house) and the King Mosque. We walk through the narrow, cobbled streets to reach Berat Castle on the slopes of Mount Tomorr, where we are rewarded with breath-taking views. Within the castle walls are dwelling houses and the Onufri Museum (Museum of Iconography). There is free time to enjoy the other sites of Berat or to perhaps absorb the relaxed cafe culture on the promenade. Our hotel is in Mangalem, the historic quarter of Berat, where the castle peers down upon the area from its hilltop. Accommodation: Hotel Mangalemi (or similar)

Day 8 End Berat (breakfast)

The tour ends today. Speak to your sales representative if you’d like to extend your stay in this fascinating city or to join the group transfer to Tirana Airport (approximately two hours).

What’s Included

• Accommodation

Accommodation in 3* & 4* hotels.

• Guide

English speaking guide.

• Meals

All breakfasts, four lunches and four dinners included

This tour offers Vegetarian, Vegan and Halal food options on request.

• Additional Services

Entrance fees as per program.

• Transport

Transportation by minibus or bus for all the tour.

What’s Not Included

• Flights
• Insurance
• Optional

Other activities and services not included

• Additional Services

Lunch and dinners

Tips