PEAKS OF THE BALKANS TREKKING

DAY 1: CITY OF ORIGIN FLIGHT – TIRANA – THETH
Dinner.

Arrival in the capital of Albania. Reception at the airport and transfer to the northern mountains, where most of our trip will take place. After passing through the city of Shkodër, the capital of the north of the country, we will enter the Dukagjin region. Arrival at Theth and dinner at accommodation.

Accommodation in a local family guesthouse.

DAY 2: THETH – VALBONË
Breakfast, lunch, dinner.

We will start the walk on foot in Theth, a beautiful little town located at the foot of the Dinaric Alps and its highest mountain, the Maja e Jezercës (2,694 m). During the day today we will walk the old mule route that linked the tribal regions of Shala and Nikaj through the Pas de Valbonë (1759 m). The stage begins by crossing the plain, crossing a stream by footbridges and starting the ascent through a lush beech forest that will relieve us of the summer heat during the ascent. At around 1400 meters high, you pass by some springs of water and a little further up we will leave the forest to face the final climb to the hill. From the Valbonë Pass we will have beautiful views of the two valleys, that of Theth that we left behind and that of Valbonë to which we are heading. Also noteworthy are the walls of the Maja e Jezercës (2,694 m) to the north, and the north face of the Maja Zaphorës (2,561 m), on the opposite side of the valley. The hill is also a good place to have lunch. The descent eating with a zigzag losing height and heading towards the town of Rragam (1,127 m). Here we can have a drink before getting on our transport that will bring us closer to Valbonë.

Distance: 13 km
Altitude difference: +950 m / – 860 m
Hours: 6-7 h
Accommodation in?

DAY 3: VALBONË – ÇEREM
Breakfast, lunch, dinner.

From Valbona we will take the trail heading north, rapidly gaining altitude through the grove Shkrele high fir forest. We thus arrived at a small suspended valley with remains of shepherds’ huts. We continue to the north entering a beautiful beech forest to go further up an already bare stretch of vegetation and with typical characteristics of an alpine meadow interspersed with rocky areas. We are surrounded by beautiful peaks, walls and rocky spiers, among which the Zla Kolata stands out, which with its 2,535 m is the highest mountain in Montenegro. The last effort takes us to the Qafa e Prosllopit pass (2,039 m). On the Montenegrin side we will descend about 200 meters of unevenness through a marked karst rocky terrain, then turn right and link with the ascent to the Qafa Borit pass (1,850 m), where we will re-enter Albania.

Accommodation in ??

DAY 4: ÇEREM – MAJA GJARPERIT – LUGINA GJARPER
Breakfast, lunch, dinner.

Departure from the village of Çerem towards the SE following a track that then ascends the southern slope of the mountain and then turns NE and attacks the ascent to the Maja Gjarpërit (2,210 m.). Fantastic panoramic views of all the mountains in the sector. The descent itinerary through a wooded area will take us to the Gjarper Valley, where we will stay with a local family.

Distance: 14 km
Difference in altitude: + 1,200 / – 1,100 m
Hours: 7h
Accommodation with local family.

DAY 5: LUGINA GJARPER – DOBERDOLL
Breakfast, lunch, dinner.

Exit heading north through valleys and small mountain passes until we reach Markofshe. From here the next section runs north following the mountain range (border), passing by the top of the Maja e Karafilit (2,075 m) and reaching the highest point of the day at the Qafa Varri Çeke Hasanit Pass (2,016 m). The last section of the day is marked by a slight descent in traverse until reaching the Dobërdol meadows. Stop during the descent in the village of Balqin for a coffee or a drink with the local shepherds. Dobërdol is nestled in a high valley, at 1,800 meters, devoid of trees, where cows and horses run at ease. It is a very beautiful place, like Çerem, very remote, and that reminds us of the rural landscapes of other more distant continents.

Distance: 18 km
Difference in altitude: + 1,130 / – 450 m
Hours: 7 h
Accommodation in a rustic cabin / shelter, Dobërdol.

DAY 6: DOBERDOLL – MAJA GJIERAVICA – SYLBICES
Breakfast, lunch, dinner.

During today’s stage we will enter Kosovo territory for the first time and along the way we will climb the highest mountain in the country. Our walk begins crossing the plateau to the east and taking the path that leads to the Ali Peja border crossing (2,255 m). At this point we pass to the Kosovar slope to continue flanking a path without losing much height until we reach the Liqeni i Zemres lake (2,275 m), located under the northern slope of the Gusan peak (2,539 m). This is the point where the final climb to Gjeravica begins. We climbed the cordal (elevation 2,470 m) and followed it to the summit (2,653 m). We will descend the same itinerary until we find a route that goes directly to the bottom of the southern cirque of the Gjeravica, where we will find the small lakes of Liqeni i Vogël and Liqeni Gjeravices. Then you have to take a slightly descending crossing that will take us back to the border line, at Sylbica pass (2,140 m). Descent to the village of Sylbices where we will spend the night.

Distance: 15 km
Difference in altitude: + 1,125 m / -980 m
Hours: 6 h
Accommodation in ??, Sylbices.

DAY 7: SYLBICES – TROPOJA – BAJRAM CURRI
Breakfast, lunch, dinner.

After breakfast we will depart from Sylbices, to walk to the town of Tropoje through the Pojana valley, at the foot of the Shkelzenit mountain. From Tropoje we will move to the city of Bajram Curri.

Distance: 18 km
Altitude difference: +600 m / -950 m
Hours: 6-7
Hotel accommodation, Bajram Curri.

DAY 8: BAJAM CURRI – PRIZREN – RADOMIRË
Breakfast, lunch, dinner.

In the morning we transfer by road, crossing the border, to the town of Prizren. Prizren is a city of almost 200,000 inhabitants, but its historic center is small and can be visited on foot. It is really a bucolic and charming town, where a good part of its streets are pedestrianized, a small river, crossed by multiple stone bridges, crosses the historic core and the fountains, mosques and Orthodox churches are scattered throughout the center historical. In addition, there are a good number of restaurants and terraces, as well as several hotels, which confirms that Prizren is safe, the most touristic population in the country. Finally, the impressive medieval fortress of Kaljaja stands out on top of the hill. In the afternoon we will re-enter Albanian territory through the Vërmicë border. Driving first parallel to the White Drin River and then through the lands of the Kukës and Diber regions, we will arrive at the foot of the Balkan Mountains. We will first pass by Mount Gjallica (2,487 m) and then approach the foot of the Korab and the town of Radomirë.

Accommodation at Guesthouse, Radomirë.

DAY 9: ASCENT TO MAJA KORAB
Breakfast, lunch, dinner.

In the morning we transfer by road to the small town of Radomirë (35 km), located at the foot of the northwest slope of the Maja e Korabit (Korab) at 1,220 meters above sea level. We begin the ascent by crossing a beech forest next to a river, and then we reach a high pasture area. It is followed by an easy path to a small pass that already offers magnificent views of the Korab. The path continues without loss through rounded hills and small lakes until reaching an approximate height of 2,200 m. In the last 500 meters the road becomes more of a high mountain. Height is gained until reaching the edge, over 2,530 meters. Then it turns to the left to follow the line to the north (more or less following the border line) and reach the highest peak in Albania and Macedonia, 2,764 m. From the top we will enjoy 360º views of the mountains of the sector and the extensive valleys on both sides of the border. Descent along the same route to Radomirë. In the afternoon we will transfer to the city of Peshkopi.

Distance: 18.9 km
Difference in altitude: +/- 1,520 m
Hours: 8 h
Accommodation in ??, Peshkopi.

DAY 10: PESHKOPI – TIRANA
Breakfast food.

Breakfast and departure to Tirana, capital of the country. This day runs through the interior which will give us the opportunity to say goodbye to the rural life of this country. Arrival in the afternoon. Then we will take a guided walk through the city visiting Et´hem Bey Mosque, the Central Plaza and some of its most characteristic neighborhoods. Hotel accommodation, Tirana.

DAY 11: TIRANA – CITY OF ORIGIN FLIGHT
Breakfast.

Free time in the capital until the agreed time for transfer to the international airport. Flight back home.