Walking in Northern Albania

Walking in Northern Albania

The “Walking in Northern Albania” tour combines walking with cultural discovery so you can experience the best of Albania’s nature and culture. This tour will immerse you in the local traditions of Albania’s highlands as we walk through the National Parks of Valbona and Theth. The walks are of moderate difficulty so the tour is great for many travelers. We will also get the chance to visit the town of Prizren in Kosovo. Another highlight is the UNESCO city of Berat which dates from the 4th century BC. Albanians know Berat as the city of ‘Thousand Windows’ because if it’s distinctive Ottoman architectural style.

Highlights:
• Walk one of the most picturesque trails though Theth and Valbona Valley
• Soak up breathtaking views of the Albanian Alps from Valbona Pass
• Be enchanted by the beauty and history of Berat, UNESCO City

What you can expect

Day 1. Airport – Tiranë

When you arrive at Mother Theresa Airport you will be met by our tour guide who will escort you to the hotel. Depending on the time of arrival, the guide may take you on a tour of Tirana.

 Day 2. Tiranë – Shkodër – Theth

In Shkodër we will visit the Castle of Rozafa and the renovated center. The 4th century BC castle was an Illyrian stronghold for many centuries. In Theth we will take a walk to the "Locked In Tower" to learn more about some very old local traditions.

 Day 3. Theth – Blue Eye – Theth

During our walk we will have the chance to visit Grunas Canyon, the Waterfall and the Blue Eye water spring. It will take us about 6 hours to complete the walk.

Day 4. Theth – Valbonë Pass – Valbonë

We will hike to Valbona Valley. Our luggage will be transported by horse so we only need to carry the basic things. Along the way we will stop in a hut to have a coffee break and refreshments. The walk takes about 7 hours.

 Day 5. Valbonë – White Circle – Valbonë

We will explore the mountains around Valbona Valley. It is a round trip that can be made shorter or longer depending on the desire of group. It will take us between 5 – 7 hours to finish our walk.

 Day 6. Valbonë – Quk Dunisha – Prizren – Rubik

We start the morning with a 2 hour long easy walk through Valbona valley. After a short coffee stop at the end of our walk, we will head to Kosovo. The first city we will visit is Prizren where we will see the Bazaar, the League of Prizren, the Sinan Pasha Mosque, an Orthodox Church and several other sites.

 Day 7. Rubik – Durrës – Berat

We will make the 3 hour walk to the village of Katund i Vjeter in the morning. Next we will drive to Durrës where we will visit the Roman Amphitheatre dating from the 2nd century BC. In the afternoon we will drive to Berat (UNESCO city) and visit the castle of Berat, which dates to the 4th century BC.

 Day 8. Berat- Krujë

In the morning we visit the Ethnographic Museum and the King Mosque in Berat, after which you will have free time to explore Berat at your own speed. In the afternoon we drive to Kruja to visit Scanderbeg Museum and Kruja castle.

 Day 9. Krujë – Airport

In the morning we have a short walk up to Sari Salltik Tekke situated on top of Kruja Mountain. After this we will transfer to the Airport where our tour will end..