Majestic Albanian Alps (Balkan Europe) Lodge Based Trek

7 Nights /8 Days

Mountaineering and Trekking

Starting from

INR 0

+91 86966 85905

Starting from
INR 0
Starting from
INR 0

+91 84484 45051

+91 98187 03891

tours@holidaymoods.net

Overview

Albania is a beautiful country located in the southeastern part of Europe, spread over an area of ??28,748 km. The country is located close to the Adriatic Sea and the Ionian Sea. Albania shares a land border with Montenegro to the northwest, Kosovo to the northeast, North Macedonia to the east, and Greece to the south. The country of Albania offers different climatic, geological, hydrological and morphological conditions. The beautiful views of Korab, Skanderbeg, Pindus and the Ceraunian Mountains along with the mountains covered in white snow cover in the Albanian Alps will leave you spellbound. It is the best place to enjoy the warm and sunny coasts of the Albanian Adriatic and Ionian Sea along with the Mediterranean Sea.

The Albanian Alps, also known as the Cursed Mountains, are a mountain range in the western part of the Balkans. The mountain covers the southern sub-range of the 1,000-kilometer-long Dinaric Alps range, extending from northern Albania to south Kosovo and northeastern Montenegro. At a height of 2,694 m, it is the highest point of all the Dinaric Alps, making it the fifth highest peak in Albania. The highest peak in Montenegro is Zla Kolata with an elevation of about 2,534 meters. To reach the Albanian Alps you have to reach Shkodar, the main city of Albania. It depends on where you are coming from. Most flights fly to Tirana, the capital of Albania, as Tirana International Airport is the closest airport to Shkoder.

The Albanian Alps offer beautiful views of white snow-capped peaks, beautiful valleys, rare lakes, dense forests and small stone villages. The Albanian Alps Trek takes you to Valbona National Park, which is home to adventure trekking. Valbona Pass is the most beautiful pass here, which has been used for centuries to connect remote valleys set between the jagged peaks of the dramatic Cursed Mountains. Albanian Alps Trek is the perfect choice to make your vacation a memorable one.

Best Time to Visit Albania

Albania is a unique and beautiful destination, not many people know about the beauty. Albania, the Mediterranean destination is wild and fascinating, and the climate here is quite diverse. If you are planning to travel to Albania then it is very important for you to know which is the best time to visit Albania.

Spring Season (April to June) 
The weather in Albania is quite pleasant in the months of April and June, in these months it is neither too cold nor too hot. The temperature during this season ranges between 23 ? 31?C. It is a shoulder season, so you will see less crowds in this country than in summer. This can be a good season to enjoy the beaches of Albania. The highlight of the season - as does the Albanian Riviera. There will also be many concerts in the Riviera during this period, and for a unique experience, you can visit the Casamil Islands, a short boat ride from the Riviera.

Summer Season (July to August)
The month of July marks the beginning of the peak season in Albania, and lasts till August. Albania's temperature during this season can be 30 - 34 ?C or higher, due to which the heat increases significantly and the coastal locations of Albania can be quite difficult to locate. During this period, the summers can be pleasant in the mountains. The main feature of the season - the best place to visit in Albania is Theth, which is high in the Albanian Alps, where you can go hiking, as well as explore the Grunas Waterfall, and the Boga peaks.

Fall Season ( September to October)
Fall Season is the best time to visit Albania, this season starts from September and lasts till October. The temperature of Albania during this season ranges from 23 ? 28 ? C. In this season the heat begins to subside and autumn begins, the weather becomes quite pleasant, although the evenings can be a bit chilly. This is a great time to explore Albania's coastal destinations - the highlights of the season. Visit Berat, the city of a thousand Ottoman windows, or take in the beautiful views of Gjirokastra, a UNESCO site with a beautiful palace. Kruja where you should definitely visit, known for its stunning architecture

Winter Season (November to March)
The winter season in Albania is quite cold. It is incredibly cold, especially in mountainous areas, and is covered with a white blanket of snow all around. This season starts from November and lasts till March, the temperature in this season ranges from 9 ? 17?C. The coastal areas experience cold air. If you love traveling in the cold season, and you don't mind the cold, then you can definitely visit Albania during this period. Highlights of the Season - Christmas in Albanian is definitely worth a visit, as is the pagan Summer Festival in March, so it's one of the best times to visit Albania!

How to Reach Albania from India


If you are planning to visit Albania then it is very important for you to know which is the easiest way to reach Albania, and where you are coming from. The easiest way to reach Albania is by air, if you want to go to Albania from India then you can easily fly from India's states like Delhi, Mumbai, Bangalore, Chennai. The airport closest to Albanian is Tirana International Airport. You can take a bus or cab from outside the airport and reach your destination easily

Highlights

  • Valbona National Park 
  • Komani Lake
  • The "Blue Eye" spring
  • Village of Theth
  • Maja Jezerce Peak
  • Reconciliation Tower
  • Clock Tower
  • Mosque Ethem Bey
  • Cathedral of the Resurrection of Christ
  • Accursed Mountains (Albanian Alps)

Itinerary

Day

1

Arrival in Albania after a wonderful flight in the sky
Shkoder

Our representatives will be ready to receive you at Tirana International Airport, then you will be transferred to the city of Shkoder in northern Albania, which is about 100 km from Tirana. One will visit the center of Shkoder, the center of Roman Catholicism in Albania and a city with long historical roots and the only mentioned capital of the Illyrian Empire in the 3rd century BC.
dinner and Overnight Stay at Shkoder


Day

2

Drive to Koman Lake - Valbona (Albania ALPS)
Valbone

After breakfast in the morning, you will depart on a scenic drive from Shkoder, to reach the docks in the dam of Koman. The homonymous lake beyond it was artificially created in the ?80s after the construction of the third hydropower dam that interrupts the canyon of river Drin.
From Koman port, you will sail by ferry along Koman lake. This spectacular ferry ride through the gorgeous landscape that will follow from there, is a not-to-miss highlight of Northern Albania. Once we reach the docks of Fierza, you will stop for a tasty lunch in a traditional restaurant nearby. The trip will continue by local car through the narrow valley of Valbona ? one of the most beautiful valleys of the Albanian Alps.
Our transfer ends in the charming village of Valbone ? Rrogam, where you will be hosted in a comfortable hotel. The location of the hotel is the ideal starting point for all kinds of hikes in the surrounding mountains. Free time to explore the village at your own pace, while the steep and jagged limestone peaks above the village are embraced by the sunset light.
Dinner and Overnight in Valbone


Day

3

Exploring Valbona Valley National Park
Valbone

Waking up early in the morning and after breakfast your first hike will start from the guesthouse towards the secluded hamlet of Kukaj, with the aim to discover the small hidden valley above the two houses.
A winding shepherd?s trail through the forest will take us in the middle of green alpine meadows underneath the rocky dome of Mount Rosi, known by the locals as ?Pllana? or ?Buni I Brahimit?. Here you can have a picnic lunch and admire the dramatic peaks of Gryket e Hapta across the valley, and Jezerca the highest peak of the Albanian Alps, towering above the steep couloirs of Papalouka mountain. You can also have a chat with the friendly shepherds who often graze flocks of sheep and cows in the meadows in the summer months.
The walk can be extended further to reach the pass Qafa e Rosit (2000m) that marks the border with Montenegro and gaze at the spectacular Accursed Mountains at sight. Then on the way back, you will stop for mountain ??aj? at the wooden terrace of one of the houses, before returning to the guest house in Valbona for dinner and overnight.


Day

4

Trek to Theth Over Valbona Pass (1860 M)
Theth

Today you hike on a ?classic? trail of the Albanian Alps that for centuries connected the glacier valleys of Valbona and Theth via the 1860m high Valbona Pass. The pass becomes possible to cross on foot from the end of May when the snow melts enough to let people and animals through.
Indeed, you will use horses to carry the luggage to the next guesthouse and start walking towards the end of the valley. Once past the last houses of Rrogam, the trail steepens up towards a plateau sided by rough slopes and a winding narrow trail that leads to the Valbona Pass. On clear days the col is a superb panoramic spot from where to admire the jagged peaks of ?Bjeshket e Namuna? ? the Accursed Mountains. You then start to descend towards the village of Theth (850m), again passing through dense woods and grassy meadows where you will stop for a picnic. In the afternoon you will relax in Theth, the best-preserved alpine village of Albania. You will stay overnight in one of the traditional houses and enjoy the extraordinary hospitality
Dinner and Overnight in Theth


Day

5

Thethis Attractions Day Hike
Theth

On the fifth day, you will walk through Theth, which is the best-preserved alpine village of Albania. You will see typical stone houses, roofed with wooden tiles and the location surrounded by mountains will take your breath away.
From the guest-house, you will start walking and visit the attractions in and around the village, such as the Catholic Church, this is a stone-built church and you will visit the blood feud tower ?Kulla e Ngujimit?. Then you cannot forget the waterfall, the Grunasi Canyon, and the 2007 revelation (cyclopean stone walled terraces dating from the late bronze era, built by mysterious ancient inhabitants) in our list to visit. You have the option to extend our walk to the Nderlysa turquoise pools, the Kaprea creek creates these, we discuss during our tour if you will visit the pools. At the end of the day, you return back for dinner and overnight at the guesthouse in Theth.


Day

6

Trek to Lepushe Valley (The Accursed Mountains)
Lepushe

You will leave Thethi (850m a.s.l) to start another day of spectacular trekking toward the village of Lepusha (900m). You will drive along the road of Qaf Thore, where stunning views of the ?Accursed Mountains? will accompany us until we reach the village of Boga (900m a.s.l). You will have a stop in this picturesque village surrounded by vertical slopes with peaks above 1000m high. After lunch you will continue toward the valley of Leqet e Hotit, the most spectacular car road of North Albania, to arrive at our final destination, Lepushe village. Accommodation Lepushe, and after that You can enjoy the beautiful nature of the valley by walking or trekking with the help of our tour guide
Dinner and Overnight in Lepushe


Day

7

Tirana - Lepushe (190 kms/4hrs)
Tirana

After breakfast you will travel toward Tirana, check-in the hotel then you may do a walking tour of the city, visiting the main tourist attraction starting from the Clock Tower, Mosque Ethem Bey (whose decorative are unique because they describe only nature), The Palace of Culture, Cathedral of the Resurrection of Christ (the biggest in Albania) , The walking boulevard of the city (the architecture of which is based on a musical pentagram), remains of the Castle of Tirana, Pyramid (symbol of Communism), Angle of persecuted Martyrs located at the Nation Boulevard, the home of former dictator Enver Hoxha. Free time to enjoy a coffee in the capital and then dinner with traditional dishes in Tirana.
Overnight in Tirana


Day

8

Airport transfer
Tirana

After breakfast transfer to the airport.
Transfer to the airport.


Inclusions

  • 6 nights accommodation in hotel
  • Dinner day 2 to day 6 in very carefully selected restaurants and venues which transmit the culinary mixture of Albanian cuisine.
  • Breakfast day 2 to day 8 in the hotels
  • Lunch on day 2 to day 6 in very carefully selected restaurants and venues which transmit the culinary mixture of Albanian cuisine.
  • Transport with luxury minivan or bus
  • Experienced and licensed Guide in English language
  • All local taxes and vat taxes
  • Ticket Ferry trip on Koman lake day 2

Exclusions

  • International flights
  • Optional Tours
  • Insurance: All types
  • Entry visa
  • Items of a personal nature such as alcoholic drinks, cold drinks, laundry
  • Any others expenses which are not mentioned at the included section

Proposed Accommodation/ Similar

Shkoder - 1 Night
Valbone - 2 Nights
Theth - 2 Nights
Tirana - 1 Night

Additional Info

Sector Note

Tour Price

Per person price in EURO

 

2 Pax

3-6 Pax

7-10 Pax

11-15 Pax

16-20 Pax

20 Above

� -1040

� - 980

� - 944

� - 875

� - 499

� - 462

 

+5% GST

Cancellation Policy
The package price will be deducted as per the following conditions strictly. No refund will be entertained without receiving a cancellation request effective from the date of receipt of the letter. 

Notice less than 60-46 days:  25% cost will be deducted
Notice less than 45-31 days:  50% cost will be deducted
Notice less than  30 days:    No Refund

Note: No refund will be given to people who are unable to complete the trip or abandon it due to any reasons.
Terms & Conditions
TERMS AND CONDITIONS

  • The digital copy of the Indemnity form duly filled, signed and emailed to the company along with the booking amount. 
  • It will be deemed that the booking & payment policy is accepted by the clients while making bookings with the first deposit amount. 
  • If the client is forced to cancel the booking prior to departure, the cancellation policy will be followed.
  • In case of any delay beyond our control, the client will have to bear extra cost for the extra days as per the option is chosen on per day basis.
  • Please note and be well informed that there will be no refund of money after the package commences and if one cannot complete the activity or gets sick enroute. 
  • The cost is for the entire package and there would be no refunds in case any part of the package is not availed.

COMPANY LIABILITY

  1. It is in the nature of a holiday of this kind to be flexible. The day-to-day agenda and ultimate goal of the tour are taken as an aim and not as a contractual obligation. We shall not be responsible for the delays or alterations in the program or expenses incurred due to conflict, international or internal flight delay or cancellations, strikes, sickness, weather, war, vehicle problems, political closures, and disputes.
  2. The booking is accepted on the understanding that you realize the potential risks and hazards that can be involved in the holidays of this kind. The organizer along with our leaders/guides and anyone else working in association with us cannot be held responsible for any death, accident or mishap that may occur in connection with any part of, or services connected with the holiday. 
  3. Before the guests come on a holiday, they must be covered by insurance, which has to include the cost of helicopter rescue, evacuation and cost of repatriation if they become too ill to continue. It is recommended that travel insurance should cover adventure activities undertaken. We can help you in case required
  4. The Company would not be liable to pay any kind of compensation arising because of any mishap, sickness, accident, etc.


Payment Policy

Deposit & Payment Schedules

Reservations booking requires a guest name. There are no options allowed to hold without names.


Accommodation requires a deposit - please refer to the due date mentioned on the booking confirmation.

Confirming Deposit Amount           

25% advance as booking amount of package price. 

Final Payment

75% balance payments 45 days prior to departure

Indemnity Bond
Kindly download the Booking & Indemnity form this link. The digital copy of the Booking & Indemnity form duly filled, signed and scanned must be emailed to us along with the 25% booking amount of the package price.

Departure Dates