Albania's Accursed Mountains
Holiday Itinerary
Day 1: Rendezvous at Tirana airport and transfer to Shkodra, Northern Albania's oldest city. After lunch at a waterfront restaurant, we visit Rozafa Castle to enjoy fabulous views over Shkodra and towards the Albania Alps. Dinner and overnight in our hotel.
Day 2: Drive to Nderlysa. We stop en route for walk up to the top of the Sheep's Pass (1830m) for views of the Radohima Peaks. Returning to the vehicle we continue to the picturesque hamlet of Nderlysa where we overnight in a simple guesthouse.
Day 3: Today's hike takes us through the Kaprea valley following the river to the "Blue Eye" waterfall. On the return we can relax by the water pools close to the village. We spend a second night in the guesthouse in Nderlysa.
Day 4: We walk to Thethi village, with it's stunning scenic setting and traditional wooden-tiled houses. On the way we stop off at the Grunasi Canyon waterfall and the locally renowned Thethi 'blood-feud tower'. We stay tonight in a guest house in the village.
Day 5: A longer hiking day today as we climb to the Pass of Valbona (1960m), and then descend into the Valbona Valley where we stay overnight in a local farmhouse. 6 - 7 hours walking.
Day 6: An easier day today starting with a very pleasant hike to the alpine bowl of Cet Harusha (1600m) to enjoy great views of the Valbona Valley. In the afternoon we have some free time to relax or take further walks around the area. Overnight in the farmhouse.
Day 7: Today we start walking towards the village of Kukaj (900m), and from there we follow a shepherd's path up to pastureland at 1600m from where we enjoy the gorgeous views of Jezerca, the highest of the Albanian Alps, and Rrethi i Bardhe, 'The White Circle'. Return to the farmhouse..
Day 8: We drive from Valbona to the dock where we will take the ferry through the spectacular fjord-like canyon of Lake Koman. After docking at the dam in Koman, we will drive to Kruja, an important historic town and have dinner in a local restaurant. Overnight in a hotel.
Day 9: After some free time to explore the lovely hill-top town of Kruja in the early morning (there are some interesting museums) we drive back to Tirana Airport where KE Land Only package services end.
