After meeting your fellow challengers at the airport, a short flight takes you to Tirana, Albania, where you will meet the local challenge team and then drive directly to Shkodër, the oldest and largest town of Northern Albania. Overnight in a hotel close to the centre of town, with your first group dinner in the lively pedestrian area. (D)
Accommodation: Hotel
This morning, your trek begins after a short transfer to Vermosh, the most northern village of Albania. Winding your way on a forest trail eventually leads to the high meadows of Zabeli, before reaching the Peak of Grebenit (1,840m) from where there are great views of Mount Trojan (2,194m) and the jagged silhouette of the Accursed Mountains. After a picnic lunch, the hike continues through a beech forest until you reach the Pass of Berdolec, marking the entrance of Lëpushë village and your overnight stop. There should be time to explore this beautiful alpine village in the late afternoon before dinner at your guesthouse. (B,L,D)
Accommodation: Guesthouse
Leaving behind the last houses of the village, the trail climbs through the meadow of Dobku to a ridge leading to the peak of Taljanka and into Montenegro. At Volusnica, you’ll find the perfect spot to have a picnic looking out over the Grebaje Valley and towering peaks of the Karanfil massif. After descending to the bottom of the valley, a short transfer takes you to the shores of Lake Plav and to your hotel. (B,L,D)
Accommodation: Hotel
A short transfer after breakfast to the village of Vuthaj, sees the start of a long hike to reach the Valley of Theth in the heart of the Albanian Alps. Your luggage will be loaded on to horses who will accompany you on the trail. Climbing slowly out of the valley of Ropojana, the trail ascends on a steep path after the alpine lake of Gjeshtar until you reach the rocky plateau of Runica. Here the spectacular peaks of the Karanfil Mountains as well as the Albanian Alps tower above you. At Peja Pass (1,730m) you’ll stop for lunch with views over the Valley of Theth, before starting your way down and back into Albania. The trail winds beside the rocky dome of Harapi Peak (2,216m) which dominates the end of the valley and leads you to Theth, your overnight stop. (B,L,D)
Accommodation: Guesthouse
Loading your luggage on to the horses again, you’ll leave the Valley of Theth behind and climb towards Valbona Pass to reach the next valley, the Valbona valley. The scenery changes many times from rocky mountain paths to green pastures, winding through beech woods and grassy meadows to scree on the higher sections. Once at the pass, on a clear day, the highest peaks of the Albanian Alps can be seen such as Jezerca, 2,694m and Radohimës, 2,570m. At one point you can look out over the Valbona valley on one side and the Theth valley on the other. From here the path winds downhill towards Valbona and a forest trail leads to the village of Rrogam at the bottom of the valley. (B,L,D)
Accommodation: Guesthouse
After a transfer from Valbona to the remote village of Cerem at 1,220m, the trek heads off through beech forests opening now and again into flower meadows. The forest path ascends increasingly until, leaving the shade, it leads onto the high summer pastures. A tiny seasonal community live here at Stani Sqiapices, grazing their livestock during the warmer months. The climb continues ending more steeply in a rocky gully to reach the border with Montenegro at the Bori Pass at 1,850m. At the pass, enjoy a lunch stop with far reaching and spectacular views to the Karanfili Mountain Range. Following the break, a series of switchbacks through shrubland and pine trees climbs further to contour around the hillside below another small and friendly summer settlement. Trekking across the ridgeline provides an expansive panoramic view of Plav in the distance before descending over easy ground onto a vast grassy mountain slope revealing miles of alpine splendor back into Albania. The long descent to Cerem runs through ancient forests. Your challenge ends at a rustic hut with the Albanian flag flying high above. A 4WD track from here allows a transfer to return you to Valbona to celebrate your achievement. (B,L,D)
Accommodation: Guesthouse
Today is relaxing and well-earned and a short transfer will take you to the docks of Fierza, from where a spectacular boat ride through the canyon of Lake Koman will follow. During the ride, you’ll reach the Canyon of Shala, an amazing secluded haven of pure nature, where you’ll have the opportunity to swim and have lunch. Later on, after reaching the docks of Koman, you’ll continue your transfer towards Tirana, for your celebration dinner. (B,L,D)
Accommodation: Hotel
This morning it is time to say goodbye to Albania as well as new found friends and trekking partners. A transfer will take you back to Tirana airport for your flight back to the UK. (B)
BELIEVE >> ACHIEVE >> INSPIRE
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