Albanian Alps Trek

Welcome to Tirana, the vibrant capital of Albania!

After collecting your luggage, you will be warmly welcomed at the airport and transferred to your hotel. Depending on your arrival time, you can explore this fascinating city. Tirana is a unique blend of historical charm and modernity. You can visit Bunk’art 2, an intriguing museum located in a huge underground bunker, and the House of Leaves, which will reveal the secrets of espionage during the communist era. The colourful facades of buildings, symbols of the post-communist era, will add a touch of cheerfulness to your walk. You will then continue on Tirana’s main boulevard, before heading to the Bllok, the former district where communist regime leaders lived.

Free dinner. Night in hotel

You set off early in the morning towards Lake Koman to reach the boat departure point (2 hours 50 minutes journey). You will enjoy a pleasant cruise on Lake Koman. This valley offers an immersion in the wild and elusive nature of the North, similar to Norwegian fjords. After leaving the ferry you take a local minibus to head towards the village of Tropojë (20 minutes journey, 15km). This village is known for having kept its authentic and traditional character. Once you arrive at Tropojë, you will meet your host family. You collect your picnic there then explore the village and its surroundings.

Full board. Accommodation: Tropoja, host family

A 20 -minute transfer takes you today to the start of one of the most beautiful hikes in the Albanian Alps. You first cross the majestic Shkelzeni massif, also considered a sacred mountain by the inhabitants. This hike offers you breathtaking views of the Albanian Alps massifs, which spread proudly before you. You walk along a ridge where a wide variety of flowers and plants flourish, before arriving in the last border valley with Kosovo. This valley, surrounded by breathtaking views, is home to a river with crystal-clear waters that winds peacefully through the landscape. Night in a restored traditional house, divided into two sleeping spaces. Outdoor toilets

Full board. Overnight stay in Sylbice. With a local family.

Beside the river flowing through the Sylbice valley you will have breakfast with local products before heading towards the alpine lakes of Gashi, a hidden treasure of Albania. You can have a picnic there to enjoy the view. You will then descend towards Doberdoll, an isolated village located at the border with Montenegro and Kosovo.

The landscape of Doberdol is simply breathtaking. The village is surrounded by steep slopes. Here, you truly feel in contact with nature and ancient ways of life. You can go for a night walk in the lively centre or sip a cocktail by the beach.

Full board. Night in a mountain refuge, with shared toilets

From the lodges of Doberdol you will head towards one of the most protected ecosystems in all of Albania, an area inscribed in the UNESCO World Heritage. In the Gashi valley nature is in its purest state. You will hike through an ancient forest before continuing on the path that leads towards Cerem. This less-travelled path promises an authentic adventure in the heart of nature, offering exceptional views over deep valleys and snow-capped peaks dominating the horizon. Cerem, a mountain village where pastoral traditions and the hospitality of the inhabitants offer a rare glimpse of an almost forgotten way of life. Here, time seems to have stopped, allowing you to savour each moment spent in this peaceful setting.

Full board - Accommodation in Cerem

The Cerem-Vusanje trail invites you to a unique experience within the Albanian Alps, a wild territory where nature reveals itself in all its splendour. The hike begins in the charming village of Cerem, nestled at the foot of imposing mountains, and leads you through lush forests, alpine meadows and picturesque valleys.

The route offers breathtaking views of rocky ridges and rivers of exceptional clarity. As you climb gently, you will reach higher altitudes where the panorama extends as far as the eye can see over the surrounding mountain chains. The diversity of the flora, between wildflowers and local vegetation, as well as the bird song, will accompany you throughout your journey, creating a serene and soothing atmosphere. After a moderate ascent, the trail will lead you to Vusanje, a picturesque village located on the Montenegro border. The region is known for its breathtaking natural beauty, particularly its landscapes and scenic mountains, making it a popular destination for outdoor enthusiasts and nature lovers.

Full board. Accommodation: Vusanje. Eko Katun Rosi

A short transfer will take you to Grebaje Valley, one of the most impressive in Montenegro. Just before the end of the valley, the trail begins to climb into the forest. Once above the vegetation line, the view of the Karnafil peaks is breathtaking. Panoramic picnic near the peak of Taljanka. From its summit, you dominate the gorges and sharp peaks of the Prokletije, a true sea of mountains extending as far as the eye can see.

You will first climb to Bor Peak, which rises to 2016 metres altitude, then descend towards the village of Vusanje, situated in a valley in the heart of the mountains. After enjoying the panorama, the descent is made via Vausha peak, a peaceful valley bordered by pastures and impressive rocky formations. The trail gradually descends towards Gerbaje, completing an unforgettable hike through one of the wildest landscapes of the Balkans.

Transfers: Vusanje-Gerbaje: 30min - Gerbaje-Vusanje: 30min (to return to your accommodation in the evening)

Full board. Accommodation: Vusanje. Eko Katun Rosi

For your last day of trekking, you will reach Theth by taking a path across the chain of mountains known as the ‘cursed’ because of their limited and difficult access. During this hike, you will take a step back in time passing by communist remains such as bunkers or an old border post.