Peaks Of the Balkans – Partial (4 Nights / 5 Days)

Package Includes

• 4 Nights Accommodation (*shared)
• Guesthouse breakfast, dinner & picnic lunch
• Transportation and Logistics
• Certified Guide
• We offer an intimate experience by organizing ONLY SMALL GROUPS  of 4 to 6 + 1 Guide.

*A minimum of 4 attendees are required for this tour to happen! Please contact us to reserve your spot. Once the group is created we will request your firm confirmation by completing the full payment upfront. Please note we accept cancellations and issue a refund with the following conditions:

• Day 6 to 2 before tour start date: 40% refund
• A day prior or no show: 10% refund

Tour Dates in July:   5 to 9  – Wednesday to Sunday (5 days / 4 nights tour)

Tour Dates in September:  2 to 6  – Saturday to Wednesday (5 days / 4 nights tour)

******Cross border pass needs to be arranged min 2 weeks prior to tour start date!!

LEPUSHE – VUTHAJ - THETH - VALBONE

This 5 Day (4 night) hiking tour covers some of the most beautiful areas of POB - Peaks of the Balkans. Our trek starts in Lepushe, the pearl of Kelmend area, the most Northern part of Albania. A small and intimate valley located in the midst of the most majestic mountains. We hike from here through one of the most picturesque mountains, Vajusha (2210m) the ridge of which serves as the border with Montenegro. This passage takes us to our next destination Vuthaj, Montenegro, another memorable valley that will remain in your visual memory forever. We continue our trek back to Albania, reaching the village of Theth. Hard to come up with right words describing this valley or the next one, Valbone. This tour summarizes some of the most precious jewels of the Albanian Alps.

LEPUSHE - Kelmend is located on the northern part of the Republic of Albania, bordering with Montenegro. It is one of the largest settlements of Malësia e Madhe (Great Highland) having a surface area of 353 km² and a population of circa 6,000 inhabitants. Kelmend region is home to some of the most impressive landscapes in the Albanian Alps

Lepushe – Gerbaje passage (transfer to Vuthaj). This hike is one of the most spectacular ones in Albania. We take the trail towards the ridge of Vajusha. A path through the forest leads us to the top and from here we enjoy one of the best views of the legendary “Bjeshkët e Namuna”  (Accursed Mountains). On the top of Vajusha, you feel the spirit of the North resting peacefully on the steep peaks of the surrounding mountains. From here we will descent into the Gerbaje National Park. The trail continues partially in the forest until we reach our destination.

• Trail distance:  12.7 kilometers
• Elevation min:  1,094 meters Max: 1,969 meters
• Cumulative height uphill:  845 meters
• downhill:  1,025 meters
• Difficulty level:  Moderate
• Time:  6 hours

VUTHAJ - The village was settled by ancestors of the Kelmendi region of Albania, by Gjonbalaj and Nik Bala family. Until 1912, it was part of Ottoman Empire. During the First Balkan War in 1912 it became part of the Kingdom of Montenegro. The village is made up of two settlements, Katundi i siper (upper village) and katundi i ulet (lower village). Post 1913, the village was subjected to repression and discrimination from the Montenegrin and Yugoslavian governments. The result was the expulsion of the 90% of the population to the United States, mostly in the New York area. The remaining population is now 100% Albanian.

Vuthaj - Theth passage is a relatively long hike which crosses the border between Montenegro and Albania. Almost the entire hike is surrounded by steep mountains with stunning views. The trail allows for a glance into the past when it was a forbidden zone during the Communist era. A border military post, a bunker and the border crossing pyramid sign still remain by the crossing. We reach Peja Pass from where a steep and long descent will take us to the beautiful village of Theth with its traditional tower houses surrounded by steep mountains.

• Trail distance:  21 kilometers (short transfers)
• Elevation min:  726 meters max: 1,748 meters
• Accumulative height uphill:  1,111 meters downhill: 1,437 meters
• Time:  8 hours
• Difficulty level:  Moderate

THETH - Visiting Theth in the early 20th century, the traveler Edith Durham said: "I think no place where human beings live has given me such an impression of majestic isolation from all the world". Theth remains remote even today. The single road leading there from the village of Boga has been recently paved and upgraded but is still mostly impassable during the winter months until April.

Theth - Valbone passage is the most iconic hikes of Albania. From Theth village (850m) to Valbone (995 m) we hike through Valbona pass (1795m) for about 14-kilometer. The route follows the path of an ancient mule track linking the tribal regions of Shala and Nikaj. The hike goes through a narrow crest that gives a view in both of the valleys. The Albanian Alps are one of the most impressive topographic features of Albania. The mountains are characterized by limestone and dolomite rocks and show major karst features.

• Trail distance:  9 kilometers (5 km transfer)
• Elevation min:  745 meters max: 1,759 meters
• Cumulative height uphill:  1,068 meters
• downhill:  792 meters
• Difficulty level:  Moderate
• Time:  7 hours

VALBONA - the etymology of the word in Italian ‘Val-bona,’ means ‘the Good-valley’, is a name which describes the valley, its river, and the main village in the valley. The district, bordering with Kosovo to the northeast and Montenegro to the northwest, and Thethi National Park in the southwest, is part of the Accursed Mountains and the main point of connection of the cross-country trails, of the itinerary ‘Peaks of the Balkan’. Bjeshkët e Nemuna mean "the accursed (mountains)", possibly because they are perceived as insurmountable and wild. The mountain range is also known as the Alpet Shqiptare, meaning "Albanian Alps". The impressive Valbona River is the largest river within the Albanian Alps and originates from several karst springs south of Jezerca Peak and east of Valbona Pass.

Day ONE

• 08:00 - Depart from Tirana
• 10:30 - Shkoder to Lepushe Transfer
• 13:00 - Lepushe Guesthouse Check In & Lunch
• 16:00 - Short Hike & Visit Village (2 hrs)
• 19:00 - Dinner

Day TWO

•   7:00 - Breakfast (+ picnic lunch)
•   8:00 - Hiking Vajusha and descent to Gerbaje (6 + hrs)
•  13:00 - Picnic Lunch on the mountain
• 16:30 - Vuthaj Guesthouse Check In
• 19:00 - Dinner

Day THREE

•   7:00 - Breakfast  (+ picnic lunch)
•   8:00 - Hiking towards Theth (8+ hrs)
• 13:00 - Picnic Lunch on the mountain
• 17:00 - Theth Guesthouse Check In
• 19:00 - Dinner

Day FOUR

• 7:00 - Breakfast  (+ picnic lunch)
• 8:00 - Hiking towards Valbone (7+ hrs)
• 13:00 - Picnic Lunch on the mountain
• 17:00 - Valbone Guesthouse Check In
• 19:00 - Dinner

Day FIVE

• 07:00 - Breakfast
• 08:00 - Hike to Valbone's Waterfall (1.5 hrs /optional)
• 11:00 - Depart for Fierze
• 12:00 - Ferry Ride thru Komani Lake (2.5 hrs)
• 14:45 - Transfer Koman to Shkoder
• 18:00 - Transfer Shkoder to Tirana

NOTE: Please inspect your hiking gear before departure and make sure everything is in good shape and has the necessary endurance. We are going into a very remote areas with no access to even shoe laces. Please bring warm layers for the evenings in the alps, wind and rain gear, hat, back pack and picnic lunch box, water bottles etc. This tour is a prebooked passage so can not be postponed. We hike rain or shine. You need to be well prepared and an experienced able to hike for up to 10 hours and 20 km per day to complete this tour.

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Meeting Point:                              Sheshi Frederik Shopen (MAP HERE) 

Departure Time:                           8:00 am (please arrive 15 minutes prior)