Northern Albania Cycling

Northern Albania Cycling

This 8 Days Northern Albania cycling tour explores Albania’s culture, culinary traditions and impressive landscape of the Alps. Cycle along interesting villages around Tirana and taste the local Kokomani wine. Take a boat tour through Koman Lake. Sleep in guesthouses and experience the local hospitality of Northern Albania. We will as well have 1 day of walking from Valbona to Theth where we will experience an impressive panorama of Albanian Alps.

Highlights:
• Cycle through picturesque village and roads
• Take a boat tour of Koman Lake
• Taste local products in Agri-tourist farms
• Experience wine tasting in Tirana

Description

Day 1: Transfer Airport – Tirana

The group arrives at the Mother Teresa Airport in Rinas, Tirana. Transfer to the hotel in Tirana. Accommodation in hotel. Visit the historical center of Tirana, Ethem Beu Mosque, Toptan’s castle, ex-residential area Block etc.

 Day 2: Tirana – Arbanë – Ndroq – Shijak – Marikaj (Cycling) 55 Km; Kruje – Rubik (driving)

We begin the morning cycling around the villages of Tirana enjoying the scenery. We will have a short break in “Kokomani” winery, the agro-touristic center Agro-Milli in Gjepalaj and Hajdar Kuqi Farm in Marikaj. .

 Day 3: Rubik – Kukës (Driving); Kukës – Golaj – Qafë Prush – Gjakovë (Cycling) 60 Km

Today we start driving to the city of Kukës. We reach the city in about 1hr 20 min. From there we start cycling on a secondary road toward the city of Gjakova in Kosovo. From Kukes to Gjakova is about 60 Km so we might need about 3-4 hours to reach Gjakova. 

 Day 4: Gjakovë – Deçan – Junik – Kosharë, Kosovo (Cycling) 50 Km; Padesh Village – Tropojë Village (Albania) – Cycling 15 Km

We start cycling toward to visit Visoki Deçani this 14 century Monastery (UNESCO) built by the Serbian King Stefan Urosh III. It is one of the biggest monasteries in the Balkan with an active monastic life. 

 Day 5: Tropoja e Vjetër – Cërnicë – Shoshan – Dragobi – Valbonë (cycling) 35 Km

On this day we will cycle toward the National Park of Valbone through this itinerary Tropoje – Cernice – Shoshan – Dragobi – Valbone. During the way we will make short breaks in Klysyre, Dragobiand Xhema lake etc.

 Day 6: Valbone – Cerem – Valbonë (Cycling) 35 Km

Breakfast in Valbonë. We cycle in graveled road to Cerem Village where we will meet with local farmers and experience the local hospitality. After lunch in Cerem we head back to Valbonë. During tonight’s dinner we have invited a folk group to perform for us (for 5 pax and up).

 Day 7: Valbonë – Bajram Curri – Fierzë (driving); Fierzë – Koman (Boat Tour); Koman – Shkoder (Cycling) 55 Km

Breakfast in Valbonë. Today we travel to Fierza to take a boat tour through Koman Lake. In the lake have been built 3 hydroelectric power plants, which produce about 70 % of Albania’s electric needs.

 Day 8: Tirana – Transfer Airport Mother Teresa Rinas

Breakfast in Tirana. Transfer to the airport. End of the program.