All tours
Guided Tours
Mediterranean Tour (8 days)
Twine of Montenegro (8 days)
Albania X-treme (8 days)
Albanian Magic (8 days)
Sea to Summits (8 days)
Self-guided Tours
Track the Roots (8 days)
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ZalaZ references
- Duration: 8 days
With its atmosphere and turbulent history, Albania is an extraordinary European oasis. Closed off as a communist’s bunker for decades, it was frozen in time until back in 1990. Now it is calling the world to show its natural glamour and authentic culture.
The most impressive part of Albania is its northern rocky massif, the Accursed Mountains. Being the highest part of the Dinaric Alps, the Accursed Mountains are a tremendously attractive area for hiking.
Albania X-treme trekking tour leads us through most remote villages, where time has seemingly stopped. While still living under the tribal mouth-to-mouth laws and codes, one of the most remarkable Albanian traditions is the great hospitality! Following the old shepherds’ paths, this tour passes two magic valleys and the amazing Cemi canyon.
After crossing the whole massif from West to East on foot, we are going to have a unique boat trip through the Black Drim canyon, finding ourselves at the end of the tour in stirring Tirane, enjoying a cold beer and some local company!
* arrival at Tirana Airport
* transfer to Kelment valley with having a scenic drive through Cemi canyon
* overnight in Lepushe village
* hiking from Lepushe to Nikc
* hike passes through wonderful Koprisht alps and shepherds’ summer half-nomadic villages
* descending by an old mountain’s cemetery
* passing over Vukli village
* finishing in the natural amphitheatre of Nikc village
* overnight in a family guesthouse, Nikc
Effective walking: 6 h
Distance: 16 km
Ascending: 450 m
Descending: 1150 m
* hiking from Nikc to Theth
* following the old shepherds’ trail which enters the stone walls of the Accursed mountains (Bjeshket e Namune). It is a really demanding trail which passes through the extremely rugged area in the heart of this massif.
* before entering the rugged karst, we will see Dobraces, a green oases with shepherds’ summer cabins
* passing through magic village settled at the top of 1700m rocky wall
* overnight in a family guesthouse, Theth
Effective walking: 9.5 h
Distance: 22 km
Ascending: 1300 m
Descending: 1150 m
* day in Theth valley
* participants who would like to get rest from hiking can relax by exploring the village
* optional hiking: Theth – Grunasi waterfall – Nderlyza – Blue eye – Grunasi canyon – Theth
Note: This hike can be shortened in many variations. Group will decide which option to be hiked.
* very interesting option is swimming at natural waterpools of Nderlyza during the summer
* overnight in a family guesthouse, Theth
Effective walking: 7.5 h
Distance: 19 km
Altitude Difference: 300 m
* hiking from Theth to Valbona valley
* following the old mule trail, we will have ascend through the beech wood to Valbona pass
* amazing view to the Valbona valley
* on a way down, almost abandoned village Rragam will open the doors of Valbona
* short transfer to the “Rilindja” guesthouse, Selimaj village
* overnight in Selimaj
Effective walking: 7 h
Distance: 14 km
Ascending: 1050 m
Descending: 800 m
* for this day, we have two hiking options:
Effective walking: 9 h
Distance: 13 km
Altitude Difference: 1350 m
Effective walking: 7.5 h
Distance: 16 km
Ascending: 850 m
Descending: 1300 m
* overnight in Selimaj
* transfer to Fierze, passing through Bajram Curri
* boat trip on the artificial lake Koman (Drin river’s canyon)
* transfer from Koman lake to Tirana
* taking a cable car to Daity mountain
* light hiking to the top, excellent view on Tirana, Albanian lowlands and Adriatic coast
* having the lunch from a magic perspective
* hiking down or taking the cable car
* overnight in Tirana
Effective walking: 3 h
Distance: 5 km
Altitude Difference: 450 m
* transfer to Tirana airport
* goodbye coffee at the airport
Accommodation is quite basic and simple, please come with adequate expectations, respect and enjoy the local circumstances.
Visitors are expected to respect the wildlife, leave what they find, dispose of their waste properly and to be considerate with locals.
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