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Holidays

Walking the Albanian Alps

Albania
19 reviews
Available Departures: Jun, Aug, Sep

9 days from

US$1,725

without flights
Walk & Trek
Guided Group
MODERATE MODERATE

Spectacular scenery and wonderful walking on this Accursed Mountains holiday to Albania in the heart of the Balkans.

Trip Code: ALB
Holiday Grades
          

Our Holiday Grades Explained

To show the relative difficulty of our holidays, each trip is graded on a scale of 1 to 12, with 12 being the most challenging. Although we have tried to make our grading system as clear as possible, it cannot take into account your personal interests, abilities or experience. If you have any questions about the nature of a particular trip or its suitability for you, please read the 'Is this holiday for you?' section or contact us.

 1 - 3 LEISURELY
1 - 3 LEISURELY

Suitable for most people in good health, holidays at this grade include only limited amounts of activity.

View leisurely holidays
4 - 6 MODERATE
4 - 6 MODERATE

Suitable for reasonably fit individuals, such as weekend walkers and cyclists. There can be the occasional more difficult day.

View moderate holidays
7 - 9 CHALLENGING
7 - 9 CHALLENGING

Physically challenging holidays, where you need to be prepared before you go.

View challenging holidays
10 - 12 TOUGH
10 - 12 TOUGH

Our toughest holidays, involving many long days, often in isolated areas. A high level of fitness and previous wilderness and mountain experience is essential.

View Tough holidays

Walking the Albanian Alps

Highlights
  • Experience homestays and lovely walks in the valleys of Valbona and Thethi
  • Look out for Golden Eagles in wild Albania and hike across the Valbona Pass
  • Stay in the cultural gems of Kruja and Shkodra and explore alpine Cerem
  • Sail across charming Lake Koman and explore Albania's magnificent alps

  • At a Glance
    • Group Size 6 to 14
    • 6 days trekking
    • Max altitude - 1960m
    • Join In Tirana

    Accommodation & Meals
    • All meals included
    • 2 nights Hotel
    • 6 nights Guesthouse
    Overview

    A land of jaw dropping scenery, wonderful hospitality and fascinating culture, Albania is a Balkan gem and perfect for a unique walking holiday. Known as the land of smiles, Albanians are proud of their strong traditions and stunning scenery including the magnificent Accursed Mountains. This European wilderness is home to spectacular alpine landscapes and superb wildlife including lynx, chamois, wolf, deer, golden eagles, buzzards, owls and falcons. We start in the Shkodra, the most historical town in the Balkans, the home of Gheg culture and a true cultural gem. We’ll sail through the fjord of Lake Koman and walk in the beautiful valley of Valbona, fondly called the Miracle of the Alps. Valbona is charming with its rich biodiversity, ancient traditions and excellent walking. After Valbona we head over the spectacular Valbona Pass and down into Thethi in the heart of the Albanian Alps. We finish the holiday in magnificent Kruja nestled in the lap of the mountains. With its Ottoman bazaar and impressive castle, Kruja is a wonderful end to our Albanian adventure. Unforgettable Albania offers that unique opportunity to step back in time and experience stunning scenery, unique cultures and the biggest smiles in Europe.

    Is this holiday for you?

    The spectacular Accursed Mountains (Albanian Alps) offers low-level (max 2000m) but challenging and remote walking alongside traditional homestays. During this holiday we follow well-established footpaths and mule tracks between valleys and villages that are rocky but non-technical. A couple of days involve out and back walks up to truly dramatic locations, which are holiday highlights. Whilst bas …

    The spectacular Accursed Mountains (Albanian Alps) offers low-level (max 2000m) but challenging and remote walking alongside traditional homestays. During this holiday we follow well-established footpaths and mule tracks between valleys and villages that are rocky but non-technical. A couple of days involve out and back walks up to truly dramatic locations, which are holiday highlights. Whilst based in Thethi and Valbona you are free to opt in or out of the daily walk if you prefer to enjoy the surroundings of the homestay. A holiday highlight is the challenging Valbona Pass which takes you into the next valley and unfortunately cannot be avoided apart from a long road journey. Before this holiday it’s good to prepare yourself for walking between 6 and 7 hours each day and be comfortable with steep ascents and descents. Albania is an amazing country and perfect for walkers who are looking for challenging hiking and longer days in amazing mountain scenery.

    Why KE?

    With KE you'll enjoy your final night in the medieval town of Kruja complete with walled fortress and cobbled streets. We believe it's the perfect place to raise a glass of raki and celebrate a trekking adventure. Kruja also gives you a real taste of Albanian life with its fantastic bazaar and atmospheric coffee houses.

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    Itinerary

    Meet at Tirana Airport for the early evening group transfer to Shkodra. The journey north to the oldest city in northern Albania takes about an hour and a half. Shkodra is a city full of character with narrow streets, stone walls, tall gates and a castle which sits on a commanding position on a rocky hill above Lake Shkodra. In the evening we can enjoy our first taste of local Albanian dishes.

    Accommodation

    Hotel

    Meals

    D

    After breakfast we leave Shkodra and follow a scenic road which takes us east along the shores of Lake Vau Dejes. On reaching the port of Koman we hop on a ferry for an exploration of Lake Koman. This fjord-style landscape is home to a rich variety of bird species including kingfishers, quails, grey heron, Eurasian wryneck, great spotted woodpecker and the black-headed gull. The ferry takes us through an incredible landscape surrounded by steep cliffs as if we're sailing through a Norwegian Fjord. After leaving the ferry we drive to the valley of Valbona which is described as one of the most beautiful valleys in Albania and where will we stay for the next three nights.

    Accommodation

    Guesthouse

    Meals

    B L D

    Today we start the day with a short scenic transfer (30 - 40mins) to the hamlet of Çerem. This off the beaten track destination is an area of outstanding natural beauty. From Çerem we start a spectacular circular walk through an area that is rich in alpine flora and fauna and has the feeling of stepping back in time. The hamlet has a small number of hardy families that live in this incredible area all year round. We start by walking along a lovely trail that passes alpine springs before the valley opens out. We'll be rewarded with spectacular views, especially of Sqapit Peak which is on the Albania and Montenegro border. We'll find lovely a place to enjoy our picnic before spending the afternoon descending back down to Çerem along a different footpath. On reaching Çerem a short transfer takes us back to our guesthouse in Valbona.

    Accommodation

    Guesthouse

    Meals

    B L D

    Ascent

    835 M

    Descent

    840 M

    Time

    7 hours of walking

    Distance

    14 KM

    Starting directly from our accommodation we start hiking towards the side valley of Kukaj, home to some excellent examples of traditional houses. Next a shepherd's path takes us high up into one of the most remote parts of the Albanian Alps. We'll pass through meadows and rich forest whilst surrounded by amazing views on Mount Jezerca the highest peak in the Albanian Alps. We'll be surrounded by dramatic cliffs and rocky peaks before arriving at a simple shepherd hut at 1670m. Here at the foot of the rocky dome of Mount Rosi we'll stop for lunch and take in the views. Depending on the weather and group we may ascend for anther 400m to a pass at 2000m which offers spectacular views over into neighboring Montenegro. We'll then descend towards the valley and on our way we'll stop for a cup of mountain tea in a garden in one of the houses of Kukaj. After our refreshment stop we'll return to our accommodation for our final night in the Valbona Valley.

    Accommodation

    Guesthouse

    Meals

    B L D

    Ascent

    860 M

    Descent

    860 M

    Time

    6 hours of walking

    Distance

    12 KM

    Today is a real highlight in our mountain journey as we pack our back and loads them onto our pack horses as we prepare to cross over into the neighboring valley of Thethi via the Valbona Pass. Initially we leave Valbona and warm up by walking along a level path as far as the last house of Rrogam. Here we start our ascent on a trail which brings us up to Valbona Springs with its adjacent alpine meadows. In the past, shepherds from the valley used to spend the summer months grazing their flocks in this lovely location. As we start to approach the Valbona Pass (1800m) we're on a true mountain track leading us up and into the a rockier Alpine zone. From here we'll have views over the Sheep and Diagonal Passes and down into Thethi and the canyon of the Shala River. After crossing the pass we descend via fir trees, rich beech forest and meadows until we reach the bottom of the valley and the remote village of Thethi. We'll finish this fantastic day at a homestay which will be our base for the next two nights. After checking in and freshening up there will be time to relax before dinner.

    Accommodation

    Guesthouse

    Meals

    B L D

    Ascent

    900 M

    Descent

    1150 M

    Time

    6 - 7 hours of walking

    Distance

    15 KM

    After yesterday's challenging day crossing the pass, today you are free to either have a day at leisure and relax independently around the guesthouse or join the days walk. The leader will organise a walk directly from the guesthouse today so we'll leave Thethi and hike towards the end of the valley. Our footpath passes the hamlet of Okol before a beautiful trail ascends to the Pass of Peja (1710m). The trial zig zags up and crosses the slopes which lie below the rocky dome of Mount Harapit (2218m). We'll have time to admire the superb views towards the Thethi and Radohima mountain ridges as we continue walking until the meadows of Gropat e Bukura on the foothills of Mt. Jezerca 2694m. This incredible peak lays only 5kms from the Montenegro border and sits in the national parks of Thethi and Valbona. Here we are surrounded by some of the wildest scenery in the country so we'll enjoy eating our lunch surrounded by an incredible panorama. In the afternoon we'll pass a small glaciar lake as we slowly descend to our guesthouse in Thethi. Tonight we'll enjoy our final dinner in Thethi.

    Accommodation

    Guesthouse

    Meals

    B L D

    Ascent

    1150 M

    Descent

    1150 M

    Time

    6 - 7 hours of walking

    Distance

    15 KM

    Today is a slightly more relaxed day as we explore the surroundings and highlights of Thethi before making our way to Nderlysa. Theti and its surroundings are charming and the village is known as one of the most enchanting places in northern Albania because of its stunning nature and traditional wooden-tiled houses. We'll leave the guesthouse and visit the church, Lock-in Tower, Thethi Waterfall, Grunasi Canyon, and stone walled terraces dating from the late bronze era. Located in Thethi National Park, the pretty church dates back to 1892 and is famed for opening the first Albanian language school for children in the area in 1917. A fascinating highlight is the Lock in Tower or Kulla, a fortified building which was a place of isolation and safe haven during blood feuds. After the highlights of Thethi we'll follow the Shala River towards the hamlet of Nderlysa where we spend the night. There will be time to relax by the pools of Kaprea creek until we meet up for dinner.

    Accommodation

    Guesthouse

    Meals

    B L D

    Ascent

    355 M

    Descent

    105 M

    Time

    4 hours of walking

    Distance

    7 KM

    After breakfast we leave Ndërlysa and ascend towards the Thore Pass where our trekkking adventure ends. Our trail heads along the right bank of the rocky creek of Kaprea which we follow until the spectacular Blue Eye spring. After the spring we continue through woods and meadows which have fantastic views of the Biga e Gimajve Mountain. We keep continue ascending and say goodbye to the mountains until we reach the top of the pass where we'll relax and enjoy our lunch. After our picnic we'll transfer to Kruja one of the most historical towns in Albania and home to the magnificent Kruja Fort. The town was home to Skanderbeg, the Albanian national hero who led a legendary resistance to the Ottomans in the 14th century. Late afternoon we'll explore Kruja including its traditional Ottoman bazaar before enjoying a final dinner in this excellent town.

    Accommodation

    Hotel

    Meals

    B L D

    Ascent

    1300 M

    Descent

    110 M

    Time

    5 - 6 hours of walking

    Distance

    9 KM

    Your holiday ends after breakfast. A single group transfer (1 hour) to Tirana Airport is provided.

    Meals

    B
    Download Trip Notes
    The Route
    Point Point
    Airport Airport
    Direction Direction
    Transfer
    Trek

    Essential Information

    We've compiled some of our Frequently Asked Questions to help you learn more about this amazing trip.

    • A professional and qualified tour leader
    • Single timed Tirana Airport transfers on arrival and departure
    • All accommodation as described
    • All meals
    • All land transport required by the itinerary
    • All activities/excursions/entrance fees mentioned except where specified as 'optional'
    • Baggage transfers by pack-horses or mules during the trek

    • Travel insurance
    • Tips
    • Miscellaneous expenses - drinks and souvenirs etc.

    The group will meet at Tirana Airport in the early afternoon of Day 1.

    A single transfer from Tirana Airport to the group hotel in Shkodra is provided mid-afternoon on Day 1.

    Hotel contact details and an emergency number will be provided with your booking confirmation.

    All meals, from dinner on day 1 to breakfast on day 9, are included.

    Water from the taps may not be drinkable in all locations on this trip - please check with your guide. We recommend taking water purification tablets and a reusable bottle with a filter such as Water-to-Go, which can both be used to help make safe other water sources. Please note that we do not encourage the purchase of single use plastic bottles.

    With a mix of Balkan, Turkish and European influences, Albania offers a rich variety of dishes. In hotels breakfast are continental style, with cereals, bread and jam, tea, coffee and sometimes eggs. You may also have the chance to try a more traditional Albanian breakfast of flavoured rice. At the guesthouses, breakfasts are simple but filling. Picnic lunches are provided (bread, meat, cheese, tomatoes, cucumber etc.  There will also be fruit and a snack/muesli bar etc. Evening meals include traditional soups, locally-grown vegetables, local dairy and meat dishes. The village accommodation is based deep in the heart of the Albanian mountains and the lifestyle here is very simple therefore “packed lunches” or sandwiches will not be the same as you are used to at home. However what is prepared is all freshly cooked and evening meals are based on what the local family would have themselves. If you are someone who enjoys chocolate/sweets/nuts on the trail then please feel free to bring extra snacks from home. Water is provided, but very often this is from local wells or mountain streams and is not chlorinated. If you are concerned about drinking untreated water, we suggest you bring a supply of water treatment tablets.

    During this holiday, the group will spend 1 night at a comfortable hotel in Shkodra and 1 night at a similar establishment in Kruja. These hotels provide twin-sharing accommodation.

    There will also be 6 nights in simple village guesthouse / farmhouse accommodation in Thethi, Nderlysa and the Valbona Valley. Rooms here are basic, but welcoming. Up to 6 persons will share a room, and it may be necessary for male and female group members to share. The village guesthouses, whilst charming and friendly have basic facilities however the warm welcome more than makes up for the lack of hotel facilities! Staying with local families is all part of the overall Albanian trekking experience and allows us to experience a genuine side to the Albanian Alps.

    If you are travelling by yourself, you will be paired up with another single client of the same sex for the 2 hotel nights. Single rooms are available for a supplementary cost for these 2 nights. If you are planning on extending your holiday additional nights at the group hotel are available on request.

    The group will be led by a professional and qualified tour leader, one or more support vehicle drivers (on Days 1, 2, 8 and 9), and a team of pack-animals and their handlers during some of the trekking days.

    Approximately £150 should be allowed for miscellaneous expenses including your bar bills and reasonable tips to the support crew.  If you intend to buy expensive souvenirs, you should budget accordingly. Albania's unit of currency is the Lek. ATM machines are available at Tirana Airport, in Shkodra and in Kruja. Credit cards can be used to purchase goods and services in some shops, hotels and restaurants in Albania.

    Tips do not form part of the wages of local staff but they are very much appreciated.  It is important to remember that tipping is voluntary and should be dependent on good service.  It is best if the tip is given at the end of the trip by the group as a whole.  We recommend that each group member contributes around £25 and that tips are then distributed between the guide and support staff as the group feels is appropriate.

    Baggage will be transported between overnight stops by vehicle, other than on day 5 when it will be transported by mules. There is no weight restriction other than that imposed by your international carrier but we do ask you to limit your luggage to one piece which weighs no more than 15kgs plus your day pack. For this holiday we recommend a soft holdall or rucksack (not a suitcase) which is easier to secure and more comfortable for the mules.

    For each holiday there is a minimum number of participants required to enable it to go ahead. Once the minimum number is reached, the trip status will change from 'Available' to 'Guaranteed to run'. You can check the trip status for each departure in ‘Dates and Prices’ table. Other than in exceptional circumstances, we will not cancel a trip once it has achieved this guaranteed to run status and so you are free to proceed with your international flight booking and other travel arrangements.

    The LAND ONLY dates and prices are for the itinerary joining in Tirana. For clients making their own flight arrangements, Tirana Airport is the most convenient for transfers to the group hotel. Please refer to 'Joining Arrangements and Transfers' in the trip dossier for further details.

    Flights SHOULD NOT be booked until you have received your booking confirmation and the trip is showing 'Guaranteed to Run' or 'Limited'.

    The information that we provide is for UK passport holders. A passport with 6 months remaining validity at the end of your stay is generally required, and you should have at least 2 blank pages for each country that you visit.

    It is your responsibility to ensure that you have the correct travel documents and visas for your holiday. Please ensure that you check for the latest advice before travel. For the most up to date information on entry requirements, please visit the UK Government website.

    Visa Albania

    UK and USA passport holders do not require a visa for shorts stays.

    If you have a severe allergy please inform the KE office before you travel. We will do all we can to help, but we cannot guarantee an allergy free environment on KE trips. You will need to carry your own treatment for the allergy with you, as 'adrenaline auto-injectors' are not carried as standard by KE leaders and staff. You should inform your leader on arrival of your allergy, and let them know where you keep your adrenaline pen.

    VACCINATIONS

    You should contact your doctor or travel clinic to check whether you require any specific vaccinations or other preventive measures. You should be up to date with routine courses and boosters as recommended in the UK e.g. diphtheria-tetanus-polio and measles-mumps-rubella, along with hepatitis A and typhoid. A good online resource is Travel Health Pro.

    The unit of currency in Albania is the Lek.

    It makes a lot of sense to spend some time before coming on an active holiday getting some additional exercise.  Whilst regular hiking in hill or back country is the best preparation, running, cycling and swimming are also good for developing better cardiovascular fitness and stamina.  Before departure, we suggest that you try to fit in a number of long walks in hilly country.

    Daytime temperatures in the lower valleys will vary between 20ºC and 30ºC at the times of year we operate this trip.  The weather in summer is generally excellent - with hot days, clear skies and little rain.  Note that temperatures do drop in the evenings by several degrees.  High up, we may encounter cooler conditions and stormy weather cannot be ruled out at any time of year in this mountainous region.

    As a reputable tour operator, KE supports the British Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office's ‘Travel Aware campaign to enable British citizens to prepare for their journeys overseas. The 'Travel Aware' website provides a single, authoritative source of advice for all kinds of travellers and we recommend that prior to travel, all KE clients visit the official UK Government website at travelaware.campaign.gov.uk and read the FCDO Travel Advice for their chosen destination. North Americans can also check out the U.S. Department of State website: www.travel.state.gov for essential travel advice and tips.

    KE treat the safety and security of all clients as the most important aspect of any trip we organise. We would not run any trip that we did not consider reasonably safe.  Should the FCDO advise against travel for any reason, we will contact everyone booked to travel to discuss the situation.  We receive regular updates direct from the FCDO and are in constant touch with our contacts on the ground.  If you have any questions about government travel advice, please call our office.

    KE do not encourage the use of single use plastic items. We are ensuring that our agents all over the world are working together to reduce the problem and educate those around them. We are leading by example in our KE office by reducing our plastic use.

    • The Accursed Mountains - Robert Carver

    • Broken April - Ismail Kadare

    • General of the Dead Army - Ismail Kadare

    • High Albania - Edith Durham

    • The Albanians : A Modern History - Miranda Vickers

    Albania Road Map. Freytag and Berndt. 1:400,000.

    Road map of the entire country of Albania.

    It is an essential condition of joining a holiday with KE Adventure Travel that you have a valid travel insurance policy to cover the cost of medical treatment and to protect the value of your holiday in the event of cancellation.  When taking out insurance please ensure the policy you choose covers you for the activities and altitude included in your itinerary.

    For appropriate insurance cover we recommend Campbell Irvine Direct.  Please go to our Travel Insurance page for further information and to get a quote.

    This holiday is part of our Explore International range. Participants on these trips can book through KE or through one of our international partners. This helps us to gather together sufficient numbers of like-minded adventurers to get your holiday up and running quickly. Led by an English-speaking guide, the cosmopolitan nature of these groups can be an important part of the experience!

    The following checklist should help you with your packing. As a general rule, you should always try to keep the weight of your equipment to a minimum.

    You should bring the following items:

    • Hiking boots
    • Trekking trousers / shorts
    • Baselayer shirts (1 short sleeve, 1 long sleeve)
    • T-shirts or casual shirts
    • Socks & Underwear
    • Light fleece shirt or mid-layer
    • Warm fleece jacket or jumper
    • Waterproof jacket & overtrousers
    • Lightweight thermal gloves
    • Sunhat
    • Warm hat
    • Sunglasses
    • Daypack 30 litres
    • Headtorch and spare batteries
    • Sun protection (including for lips)
    • Water bottle (we encourage re-filling water bottles rather than single use plastic)
    • Water purification tablets
    • Washbag and toiletries
    • Travel towel
    • Basic First Aid Kit including: Insect repellent; antiseptic cream; throat lozenges; diarrhoea treatment (Diocalm or Imodium); painkillers; plasters and blister treatment; and re-hydration salts (Dioralite). Glucose sweets and vitamin tablets are a useful addition.

    The following items are optional:

    • Training shoes or sandals
    • Trekking poles (highly recommended)
    • Camera
    • Reusable cloth bag for shopping (to avoid plastic bags)

    Cotswold Outdoor Red PantonMany of the Equipment items listed above are available from Cotswold Outdoor - our 'Official Recommended Outdoor Retailer'. When you book a holiday with KE you will receive 12.5% discount voucher from Cotswold Outdoor and other retailers.
    >> Find out more

    Reviews

    4.9 out of 5 from 19 reviews

    Beyond any expectations! ★★★★★

    Albania is so beautiful country! - mountains, wild flower meadows, waterfalls, gorges, rivers, "fjords" like cruise on the lake, fresh tasty food, friendly people and it is very safe for tourists. Hikes are tough due to hot weather and very stony uneven paths but they worth the effort. I would recommend reasonable hiking experience for this trip, it was not just a long walk by any means but steep assents and descents (1,000m+ each way). Guesthouses are hostels and we had 6 women per ro om but no bunk beds, no mixed genders and additional toilets were available. Hotels for the 1st night and the last night were superb.
    By Alla from New Milton | 28 June 2023

    Beyond any expectations!

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    By Alla from New Milton | 28 June 2023

    A fascinating place with great scenery ★★★★★

    The mountains were stunning and the scenery glorious with lovely views on every walk. The flower meadows were particularly impressive with everything from daisies to orchids, as well as butterflies and other assorted bugs. While not crowded, there were a number of groups following the same route so the paths were busy in places. The walks provide a good challenge and you do need to be fit but are not too demanding for anyone who is used to walking in the hills. The trails were generally good but we had some very hot days which made the walking a bit tougher, though enterprising Albanians have set up cafes on the popular trails where you can get very welcome cold drinks. The guest houses were clean and well run. As was made clear in the trip notes, in a couple of places we were in a six bed dormitory which was fine if a bit crowded. The food was lovely, excellent evening meals but there is no choice so fussy eaters will struggle. There are also very few places to buy snacks so best to bring your own with you. Our guide was excellent and very patient with the more demanding members of the group. Overall, Albania is a really interesting place which is developing fast and well worth visiting.
    By Fiona from Barnet | 27 June 2023

    A fascinating place with great scenery

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    By Fiona from Barnet | 27 June 2023

    Fantastic trip ★★★★★

    Really enjoyable and exciting trip, in superb mountain region. Fantastic walking, and our guide Geri was excellent, and a very interesting font of Albanian and Balkan history. Accommodation in guesthouses was good and meals and food excellent. A few days were spent at one base, with day walks from there and back. A couple days was walking from A-B with baggage travelling by packhorse. I would say this is harder than a 6 rating. There were some pretty long days and steep ascents!

    By Robert from Box Hill | 30 October 2022

    Traveller Reviews
    4.9 out of 5 from 25 reviews

    Beyond any expectations!
    ★ ★ ★ ★ ★
    Albania is so beautiful country! - mountains, wild flower meadows, waterfalls, gorges, rivers, "fjords" like cruise on the lake, fresh tasty food, friendly people and it is very safe for tourists. Hikes are tough due to hot weather and very stony uneven paths but they worth the effort. I would recommend reasonable hiking experience for this trip, it was not just a long walk by any means but steep assents and descents (1,000m+ each way). Guesthouses are hostels and we had 6 women per ro om but no bunk beds, no mixed genders and additional toilets were available. Hotels for the 1st night and the last night were superb.
    By Alla from New Milton | 28 June 2023

    Beyond any expectations!

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    By Alla from New Milton | 28 June 2023

    A fascinating place with great scenery
    ★ ★ ★ ★ ★
    The mountains were stunning and the scenery glorious with lovely views on every walk. The flower meadows were particularly impressive with everything from daisies to orchids, as well as butterflies and other assorted bugs. While not crowded, there were a number of groups following the same route so the paths were busy in places. The walks provide a good challenge and you do need to be fit but are not too demanding for anyone who is used to walking in the hills. The trails were generally good but we had some very hot days which made the walking a bit tougher, though enterprising Albanians have set up cafes on the popular trails where you can get very welcome cold drinks. The guest houses were clean and well run. As was made clear in the trip notes, in a couple of places we were in a six bed dormitory which was fine if a bit crowded. The food was lovely, excellent evening meals but there is no choice so fussy eaters will struggle. There are also very few places to buy snacks so best to bring your own with you. Our guide was excellent and very patient with the more demanding members of the group. Overall, Albania is a really interesting place which is developing fast and well worth visiting.
    By Fiona from Barnet | 27 June 2023

    A fascinating place with great scenery

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    By Fiona from Barnet | 27 June 2023

    Fantastic trip
    ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

    Really enjoyable and exciting trip, in superb mountain region. Fantastic walking, and our guide Geri was excellent, and a very interesting font of Albanian and Balkan history. Accommodation in guesthouses was good and meals and food excellent. A few days were spent at one base, with day walks from there and back. A couple days was walking from A-B with baggage travelling by packhorse. I would say this is harder than a 6 rating. There were some pretty long days and steep ascents!

    By Robert from Box Hill | 30 October 2022

    Geri was an excellent leader
    ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

    Geri was an excellent leader. He was friendly, humorous and knowledgeable. He knew the trails well and told us many tales of Albanian folklore and culture. Could not praise him highly enough.

    By John from Cumbria | 06 October 2022

    Expert guide with a passion to educate us about Albania
    ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

    Valentino was a superb guide, extensive local knowledge, passionate about his country's politics, history and environment. Good humoured, sociable and eager to engage with all. He ensured that walks were done at a speed to include all, regardless of our individual pace. He used his local knowledge to ensure we were all safe.

    By Fiona from Salisbury | 06 October 2022

    A new European experience
    ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

    Our Albanian leader Erenik was so helpful and caring. He told us a lot about his country. Close contact with the Albanian people who were so friendly. We seemed to be immersed in a relatively new destination . It's history and culture were fascinating.

    By Graham from Swanley | 12 October 2019

    A wonderful walking holiday and glimpse into Albania
    ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

    A wonderful trip and lovely trekking.Our guide, Erenik was great. He was very well organised and looked after us so well. He introduced us to aspects of Albanian culture and was sensitive to the needs of the group. Although there were many, perhaps my highlight of the trek was walking through the forests. That will stay with me for some time.

    By John from Wigan | 03 October 2019

    Walking The Albanian Alps - 14th - 22nd September 2019

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    By John from Wigan | 03 October 2019

    Stunning beautiful Albania
    ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

    Excellent walking holiday with good group follow walkers. Our guide Erenik was fantastic , very knowledgeable and passionate about all Albania. The walks can be steep , but if you're used to walking Munros you'll manage, walking poles advised as loose dusty rocky paths under foot. Guest houses fine, food good and plentiful . Just go before Albania becomes busy, you wont regret going to this beautiful mountainous country.

    By Keith from Aberdeen | 24 September 2019

    Stunning beautiful Albania

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    By Keith from Aberdeen | 24 September 2019

    Great walking in a stunning mountain environment
    ★ ★ ★ ★ ★
    Wonderful mountains, just think of the Dolomites but slightly smaller and a lot less people around. Probably one of Europe’s best kept secrets, but is going to change, so go now. The difficulties of access, lack of roads and near Himalayan standards of mountain roads will hopefully keep the less adventurous tourist away. Could possibly stand a higher grading, 5 of the 6 days walking require ascents approaching 1000m! If flying via Frankfurt make sure 2 hours is allowed to make the connecting f light both ways, otherwise you are likely to be separated from your luggage for a while and possibly miss your flight connection.
    By David from Doncaster | 28 August 2019

    Tough walking; beautiful mountains; friendly people; sociable group
    ★ ★ ★ ★ ★
    I knew very little about Albania before this trip and my expectations of the country (not the trip) were pretty low. The country, though poor, is far more developed than I had expected. The guesthouses were very traditional but very clean and with decent facilities. The walking was tough: ascents were steep, long and often unrelenting; descents were often on steep, slithery paths. Having said that the rewards justified the difficulty: superb mountain views which reminded me of the Dolomites; flo wer-strewn Alpine meadows; forests of mature beeches; the occasional snake! Our guide, Bledi, was unfailingly cheerful, helpful, entertaining and knowledgeable about the region having been born and raised there: I particularly enjoyed his story of the time when he was woken by a wolf trying to kill his dog (it survived). During the walks Bledi and his excellent assistant Goni , took every care for our welfare: being on the spot to provide assistance or reassurance wherever the path was dodgy, or a stream had to be crossed. The group included people with a range of ages, experience and backgrounds, and gelled very well. An excellent holiday. PS. think carefully before organising your own flights. In particular steer clear of short transfer times at Frankfurt. I understand that flights from Tirana rarely take off on time and you could end up spending an unplanned night in Frankfurt, as some members of our party did.
    By John from LANCASTER | 07 July 2019

    STUNNING SCENERY AND WONDERFUL PEOPLE
    ★ ★ ★ ★ ★
    Having travelled with KE Adventure before I was pretty confident that we would have an excellent time with everything being smoothly organised. We were not disappointed. This was mainly due to our wonderful guide Bledi who made such a difference to our trip. The scenery was spectacular, the Albanian people we met were very friendly, the accommodation was good (especially the Hotel Panorama in Kruja), the food was plentiful and tasty and cold beers were available everywhere. The trip is graded as a 5 though I would say it is at the top end due to some very long and steep ascents and descents as well as some very rocky paths. The weather was very sunny and hot throughout. All in all a fabulous trip and highly recommended.
    By Martyn from WAKEFIELD | 05 July 2019

    Good value enjoyable trip
    ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

    Bledi our trek leader was excellent. Very helpful and knowledgeable. Although this trip is graded five, i found the walking to be demanding with some long ascents. It was extremely hot in Tirana for the short time we were there at the airport. Once up in the mountains it was still hot on occasions but not uncomfortably hot for walking (end of June). No one had any medical problems and it was possible to use water from natural water sources in the mountains.

    By John from Thornton Cleveleys | 01 July 2019

    Off the beaten track with jaw dropping scenery
    ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

    An excellent walking trip. The food was delicious throughout. Bledi was a great guide with lots of local knowledge and nothing was too much trouble for him. The accommodation was quirky and fun and the camp fire every night after dinner was brilliant. The walks were steep at times and rocky underfoot, but taking it steady we all coped with it well and it was well worth the effort to see those jaw dropping views. Will definitely return to Albania in the near future.

    By Alison from Sandbach | 01 July 2019

    The truly wonderful Albania Alps!

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    By Suzanna from Melrose | 27 September 2018

    Simply a gem of a trip.
    ★ ★ ★ ★ ★
    This was a gem of a holiday. Just 3 hours' flying time from London, Albania offers hints of a country much further away from western Europe than it has any right to. From the traveller's point of view it offers interesting cities and friendly people, with sweeping vistas best taken in from one of the many hilltop forts. The Albanian Alps are utterly spectacular, with the boat trip in to them along Lake Koman being up there with Petra's Siq when it comes to creating a sense of anti cipation. The walking is moderately tough, taking 6-7 hours a day and generally including 800 to 1000m of climbing. But the paths are good. Albania is very forested, so quite a lot of the walks involve atmospheric descents through trees. The walker is very rarely too far from a little shack-style bar-cafe, where reasonable sustenance is to be found at a very reasonable price. The Valbona and Theti valleys have a real sense of inaccessibility. On trek the accommodation is straightforward but comfortable enough. The ancient town of Kruje is a fitting place to end the trip, with wonderful views offered from the very comfortable Panorama Hotel. The local operators are well-organised and our guide - Geri - was first class: knowledgeable, helpful and good at marshalling the group. One word to sum it up: "go"! A tip: if you take the included flights allow for a little time for the connection at Frankfurt Airport. Even with German efficiency, the 45 minutes allowed in the original booking may not be sufficient. We asked KE to book us on a flight an hour earlier out of Heathrow. This meant for an early start but also meant we had an extra hour for the connection. Others who did not have that luxury missed the onward flight to Tirana and ended up reaching the hotel in Skhodra at 2 in the morning. Manageable, were it not for the fact that the bus was due to leave just over 4 hours later.
    By Michael from EDINBURGH | 30 October 2017

    KE Adventure reply

    Thank you for your review. We are glad you think as highly of Albania as we do. We agree that the Lufthansa connection time at Frankfurt looks a little tight and although the airline has assured us it is sufficient, we have erred on the side of caution and will not be using Lufthansa for future groups. 


    A wonderful surprise in every way- scenically, culturally and socially.
    ★ ★ ★ ★ ★
    A fabulous, value for money week in a fascinating and extremely beautiful part of the Balkans. The walking is not too hard (the grade is very accurate) although there are a couple of quite hard days, and the heat was an issue sometimes for the whole party. The scenery is very beautiful, ranging from good tracks, beech and pine forests, Alpine flower meadows and steep rugged slopes leading to high passes overlooking Montenegro. The guide, Besi, was a great guy, full of fun, but also passionate ab out his country. The food was very good, and the accommodation always interesting, though you won't get much privacy! For me, though, the best thing were the local people who were charming, kind and politely proud of their country. One of the best weeks holiday I have ever had!
    By David from Frome | 03 July 2017

    awesome scenery
    ★ ★ ★ ★ ★
    The first day was a very difficult steep descent which was not ideal to get going with The poor guide had to lead 16 people which is too many for one guide to manage as some people struggled with the walking most of the group felt that the walking was hard predominantly hills with steep ascents and descents and that the grading of 5 moderate was not accurate more like a 7?? Food was plentiful but basic and did not vary much during the week ie bread eggs cheese cucumber tomato Could have done wit h more fruit/veg very very hot at this time of year Scenery amazing and accommodation comfortable with wi fi every where which was unexpected recommended
    By Julie from Sheffield | 02 July 2017

    An excellent walking holiday in a fascinating country
    ★ ★ ★ ★

    My only comment : We had one guide for 16 walkers. This was not enough. One of the walkers had an accident on the very first walking day and the guide was unable to look after the injured walker as well as the remainder of the group. Quite rightly he looked after the injured walker but the remainder of the party were left completely alone on the mountainside for 7 - 8 hrs. At least two guides should have been provided.

    By Nigel from ESHER | 02 July 2017

    KE Adventure reply

    Thank you for your review. We understand that on the first day of trekking from the Diagonal Pass, after a client hurt her knee during the descent, the guide allowed the group to descend at their own pace and wait at the lake. We also understand that an assistant guide accompanied the group for subsequent walks.


    Sally Baden's pictures from Albania 2016

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    By Sally from Oxford | 03 October 2016

    Albania's Accursed Mountains
    ★ ★ ★ ★ ★
    This holiday provides excellent walking through varied terrain , from broad river valleys through tall beech forests and up into heavily glaciated limestone peaks that are spectacularly craggy . Most of us swam in the blue eye pool , beautiful as a tropical lagoon. Our guide Alfred was terrific and we particularly enjoyed our interactions with the shepherd communities that settle the high pastures through the habitable summer months .
    Expect mountain weather - this september trip was
    mostly gloriously sunny but temperatures drop in the evening - pay heed to the KE kit list !
    The accommodation was all much more comfortable than I anticipated - everywhere had power sockets and hot showers , and the water is pure.
    The hospitality of our hosts was wonderful and as they live so remotely , the food is all local or home produced , vegetarians no problem . The local raki is potent and the Mountain Tea really refreshing . I wish I had asked to buy some to bring home ~ you don't find shops outside the towns . Albania is a fascinating country with a mind-boggling history , development is coming apace but it still feels very unique
    By Clive from Oxford | 26 September 2016

    Great hikes
    ★ ★ ★ ★

    Albania is wonderful. It was like hiking in the Tetons and Yosemite with no one around. The group was large at 15 with only one guide. I think another guide was needed. The hikes were tough. The rating should be a 6 at least. I think the routing on the first day should be rearranged to something else. Good food but no snacks available. The lodging was basic and with 15 people a little small for that big of a group. Albania is a great destination and I would like to go back and hike other trails.

    By Jane from BUENA VISTA | 08 October 2015

    KE Adventure reply

    We are pleased you enjoyed your holiday. We agree with you that Albania offers wonderful hiking in genuine wild mountain country. It is a relatively new destination for adventure travel and as such, the choice of accommodation in the mountains is still limited. Most of our groups enjoy their stay with local families and we hope the big hotels do not move in here anytime soon.


    DATES & PRICES

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    2025

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    • Walking the Albanian Alps
      Without Flights
    • Departure Reference: ALB /01/25/
    • This trip begins on Sat 7 Jun and ends on Sun 15 Jun
    • This departure is available to book. Secure your place today with a deposit of US$350
    • Single Supplement Price: US$140 - Only available for the 2 hotel nights.
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    More Information

    • Walking the Albanian Alps
      Without Flights
    • Departure Reference: ALB /02/25/
    • This trip begins on Sat 14 Jun and ends on Sun 22 Jun
    • This departure is available to book. Secure your place today with a deposit of US$350
    • Single Supplement Price: US$140 - Only available for the 2 hotel nights.
    • Download Trip Notes

    More Information

    • Walking the Albanian Alps
      Without Flights
    • Departure Reference: ALB /03/25/
    • This trip begins on Sat 9 Aug and ends on Sun 17 Aug
    • This departure is available to book. Secure your place today with a deposit of US$350
    • Single Supplement Price: US$140 - Only available for the 2 hotel nights.
    • Download Trip Notes

    More Information

    • Walking the Albanian Alps
      Without Flights
    • Departure Reference: ALB /04/25/
    • This trip begins on Sat 23 Aug and ends on Sun 31 Aug
    • This departure is available to book. Secure your place today with a deposit of US$350
    • Single Supplement Price: US$140 - Only available for the 2 hotel nights.
    • Download Trip Notes

    More Information

    • Walking the Albanian Alps
      Without Flights
    • Departure Reference: ALB /05/25/
    • This trip begins on Sat 6 Sep and ends on Sun 14 Sep
    • This departure is available to book. Secure your place today with a deposit of US$350
    • Single Supplement Price: US$140 - Only available for the 2 hotel nights.
    • Download Trip Notes

    Land Only Information

    The LAND ONLY dates and prices are for the itinerary starting and ending at Tirana Airport. A group transfer from Tirana Airport to Shkodra will be provided in the early evening on Day 1. A single transfer back to Tirana Airport from Kruja is also provided on the final day of the holiday.

    There are a number of low cost carriers offering direct flights to and from Tirana. If you would like to take advantage of these schedules please check the timings of the provided transfers on Day 1 and Day 9 with the office team.

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    BOOK WITH KE CONFIDENCE - No surcharge guarantee

    The price of our holidays can change depending on a variety of factors but unlike some other tour operators, KE have undertaken to guarantee the Land Only price of your holiday will not change after you have booked. The price when you book is the price you will pay, whether you are booking for this year or the next. Book early to avoid any tour price increases, get the best flight prices and take advantage of our 'No Surcharge Guarantee'.

    KE Adventure is a fully bonded tour operator. We hold an ATOL license (No: 2808) and are bonded with ABTA (Membership No: W4341)


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