Meet in Tirana and transfer to Shkodra. The journey north to the oldest city in northern Albania takes about an hour and a half. After our arrival there should be time to explore the city which is full of character with narrow streets, stone walls, tall gates and a castle which sits on a commanding position on a rocky hill above Lake Shkodra. In the evening we can enjoy our first taste of local Albanian dishes.

After breakfast we leave Shkodra and follow a scenic road which takes us east along the shores of Lake Vau Dejes. On reaching the port of Koman we hop on a ferry for an exploration of Lake Koman. This fjord-style landscape is home to a rich variety of bird species including kingfishers, quails, grey heron, Eurasian wryneck, great spotted woodpecker and the black-headed gull. The ferry takes us through an incredible landscape surrounded by steep cliffs as if we're sailing through a Norwegian Fjord. After leaving the ferry we drive to the valley of Valbona which is described as one of the most beautiful valleys in Albania and where will we stay for the next three nights.

Today we start the day with a short scenic transfer (30 - 40mins) to the hamlet of Çerem. This off the beaten track destination is an area of outstanding natural beauty. From Çerem we start a spectacular circular walk through an area that is rich in alpine flora and fauna and has the feeling of stepping back in time. The hamlet has a small number of hardy families that live in this incredible area all year round. We start by walking along a lovely trail that passes alpine springs before the valley opens out. We'll be rewarded with spectacular views, especially of Sqapit Peak which is on the Albania and Montenegro border. We'll find lovely a place to enjoy our picnic before spending the afternoon descending back down to Çerem along a different footpath. On reaching Çerem a short transfer takes us back to our guesthouse in Valbona.

Starting directly from our accommodation we start hiking towards the side valley of Kukaj, home to some excellent examples of traditional houses. Next a shepherd's path takes us high up into one of the most remote parts of the Albanian Alps. We'll pass through meadows and rich forest whilst surrounded by amazing views on Mount Jezerca the highest peak in the Albanian Alps. We'll be surrounded by dramatic cliffs and rocky peaks before arriving at a simple shepherd hut at 1670m. Here at the foot of the rocky dome of Mount Rosi we'll stop for lunch and take in the views. Depending on the weather and group we may ascend for anther 400m to a pass at 2000m which offers spectacular views over into neighboring Montenegro. We'll then descend towards the valley and on our way we'll stop for a cup of mountain tea in a garden in one of the houses of Kukaj. After our refreshment stop we'll return to our accommodation for our final night in the Valbona Valley.

Today is a real highlight in our mountain journey as we pack our back and loads them onto our pack horses as we prepare to cross over into the neighboring valley of Thethi via the Valbona Pass. Initially we leave Valbona and warm up by walking along a level path as far as the last house of Rrogam. Here we start our ascent on a trail which brings us up to Valbona Springs with its adjacent alpine meadows. In the past, shepherds from the valley used to spend the summer months grazing their flocks in this lovely location. As we start to approach the Valbona Pass (1800m) we're on a true mountain track leading us up and into the a rockier Alpine zone. From here we'll have views over the Sheep and Diagonal Passes and down into Thethi and the canyon of the Shala River. After crossing the pass we descend via fir trees, rich beech forest and meadows until we reach the bottom of the valley and the remote village of Thethi. We'll finish this fantastic day at a homestay which will be our base for the next two nights. After checking in and freshening up there will be time to relax before dinner.

After yesterday's challenging day crossing the pass, today you are free to either have a day at leisure and relax independently around the guesthouse or join the days walk. The leader will organise a walk directly from the guesthouse today so we'll leave Thethi and hike towards the end of the valley. Our footpath passes the hamlet of Okol before a beautiful trail ascends to the Pass of Peja (1710m). The trial zig zags up and crosses the slopes which lie below the rocky dome of Mount Harapit (2218m). We'll have time to admire the superb views towards the Thethi and Radohima mountain ridges as we continue walking until the meadows of Gropat e Bukura on the foothills of Mt. Jezerca 2694m. This incredible peak lays only 5kms from the Montenegro border and sits in the national parks of Thethi and Valbona. Here we are surrounded by some of the wildest scenery in the country so we'll enjoy eating our lunch surrounded by an incredible panorama. In the afternoon we'll pass a small glaciar lake as we slowly descend to our guesthouse in Thethi. Tonight we'll enjoy our final dinner in Thethi.

Today is a slightly more relaxed day as we explore the surroundings and highlights of Thethi before making our way to Nderlysa. Theti and its surroundings are charming and the village is known as one of the most enchanting places in northern Albania because of its stunning nature and traditional wooden-tiled houses. We'll leave the guesthouse and visit the church, Lock-in Tower, Thethi Waterfall, Grunasi Canyon, and stone walled terraces dating from the late bronze era. Located in Thethi National Park, the pretty church dates back to 1892 and is famed for opening the first Albanian language school for children in the area in 1917. A fascinating highlight is the Lock in Tower or Kulla, a fortified building which was a place of isolation and safe haven during blood feuds. After the highlights of Thethi we'll follow the Shala River towards the hamlet of Nderlysa where we spend the night. There will be time to relax by the pools of Kaprea creek until we meet up for dinner.

After breakfast we leave Ndërlysa and ascend towards the Thore Pass where our trekkking adventure ends. Our trail heads along the right bank of the rocky creek of Kaprea which we follow until the spectacular Blue Eye spring. After the spring we continue through woods and meadows which have fantastic views of the Biga e Gimajve Mountain. We keep continue ascending and say goodbye to the mountains until we reach the top of the pass where we'll relax and enjoy our lunch. After our picnic we'll transfer to Kruja one of the most historical towns in Albania and home to the magnificent Kruja Fort. The town was home to Skanderbeg, the Albanian national hero who led a legendary resistance to the Ottomans in the 14th century. Late afternoon we'll explore Kruja including its traditional Ottoman bazaar before enjoying a final dinner in this excellent town.

Your holiday ends after breakfast. A single group transfer (1 hour) to Tirana Airport is provided.