5-Days Hiking Tour to the north of Albania

Day 1 Tirana - Kruja - Shkodra (Historical Day Tour)

1. 1

   Skanderbeg Square

   1 hour

   In Tirana you will visit the main Boulevard in the center, the Gallery of Arts, the Skanderbeg square, the main Boulevard, the
   Mosque, the Bunker, the Pyramid, Mother Theresa square, blloku area which is also the most frequented area of the city, the national park of Tirane, you will visit the National Historical Museum if you would like.

2. 2

   Enver Hoxha Pyramid

   1 hour

   Designed by Enver Hoxha's daughter and son-in-law and completed in 1988, this monstrously unattractive building was formerly the Enver Hoxha Museum and more recently a convention centre and nightclub. Today, covered in graffiti and surrounded by the encampments of Tirana's homeless, its once-white marble walls are now crumbling, but no decision on whether to demolish or restore it has yet been reached.
   The pyramid is during our sightseeing and we will stop 10 minutes for explanation

3. 3

   Pazari i Ri

   1 hour

   The New Bazaar (Pazari i Ri), one of the oldest and most historical residential neighbourhood in the city of Tirana, has undergone renovation and re-invigoration of late. Many of the traditional elements of the old town have been preserved whilst the square has been refreshed with an updated and more modern look. The name derives from the local farmer’s marketplace situated at the center, where more than 300 farmers of the surrounding areas come to sell their fresh fruit, vegetables, meat, seafood, and spices to name but a few.
   You will spend here some free time if you would like to buy some typical Products

4. 4

   Blloku

   1 hour

   is an upmarket area in Tirana, Albania. It is widely known as an entertainment destination with its boutiques, shops, restaurants, trendy bars, pubs, and cafes. The area is part of the neighborhood of Tirana e Re in southwestern Tirana. During the peak summer months, its trendy bars transfer along the Albanian Riviera.
   It became very attractive after the fall of Communism in Albania because during the communist period it was a restricted residential area for the members of the Albanian politburo, ordinary Albanians would not be allowed in. On most maps it was unmarked. Blloku you can still find the residence of Albania’s communist leader Enver Hoxha.
   In blloku neighberhood you will spend you free time for lunch or for caffe

5. 5

   1 hour

   This is one interesting attraction located in the Skanderbeg square, This mosque is built during the 17 century and you will get the full history when you come for your visit,

6. 6

   Kruja Castle

   1 hour Admission ticket included

   The ancient city of Kruja was the stronghold of Albania’s national hero, Skanderbeg, who successfully fought off the Ottomans for 25 years in the 15th century. A museum dedicated to
   Skanderbeg, designed by Enver Hoxha’s daughter, sits within the citadel walls. The small bazaar is probably the best place to buy handmade products and objects - wooden carpets, handcrafted
   pots, in Albania.

7. 7

   Ethnographic Museum of Kruja

   1 hour Admission ticket included

   Built during the mid-18th century, in 1764, by Ismail Pashë Toptani, this Ottoman house is considered one of the most unique museums in Albania. It includes a total of 15 rooms which tell of work and family life in the town of Kruja. A white, three-story construction with a tower placed in the middle, this house is surrounded by wood-carved windows of all sizes, letting the breeze flow freely in an out, and creating a pleasant sense of open space. Outside, you’ll notice traces of former springs surrounding the castle, from which the name of the city derives (the word for “springs” in Albanian is kroje), which also reflect the city’s former position as an agricultural center prior to the rise of commerce and artisan activities.

8. 8

   Shkoder

   1 hour

   This multifaceted city has had a traditionally rich artistic life and an enormous contribution to the Albanian culture. Shkodra is the cradle of the most important Albanian poets, like Migjeni, painters like Kol Idromeno and Edi Hila, and photographers, the Marubi Family. Shkodra houses the haunting Marubi National Photography Museum, which displays the first photo taken in Albania, and the Venice Art Mask Factory, where a local master produces the same intricate masks used in the Venice carnivals and Las Vegas shows. A city of myths and legends, the foundations of the famous Castle of Shkodra are said to be held by the body of Rozafa, the beautiful young mother who sacrificed herself for it. You will find that this naturally beautiful city has an abundance of mirrors in the Adriatic Sea, the Lake of Shkodra and the Buna River. Otherwise called the “city of bicycles,” the city’s views are best admired while pedaling in the open air.
   You will have free time and overnight in this city.

Day 2 Shkodra - Ferry ride - Valbona village (Ferry Ride and Hiking Tour day)

1. 1

   Koman

   2 hours

   Early in the morning, you will depart to Valbona National Park. Your breakfast will be served in small take-out boxes. First, we will arrive and depart to Valbona village by the ferry to Koman lake, one of Albania's undisputed highlights is this superb three-hour ferry ride across vast Lake Koman, connecting the towns of Koman and Fierzë. Lake Koman was created in 1978 when the Drin River was dammed, with the result that you can cruise through spectacular mountain scenery where many incredibly hardy people still live as they have for centuries, tucked away in tiny mountain villages. Unfortunately, the scenic beauty is rather marred by the thousands of plastic bottles and other rubbish floating in the lake. In places this rubbish forms 'islands' so big they're virtually a shipping hazard.
   The Ticket of the ferry Trip will be included in the packet

2. 2

   Valbona Valley National Park

   1 hour

   The Valbona Valley is one of rivers, spectacular waterfalls, and endless forests under the shade of the surrounding high peaks. In this spectacular setting, organic, farm-fresh products and clear air seemingly add years to your life. This natural wonder offers a rare sense of tranquility and beauty, that is not to be missed by those looking for the most awe-inspiring of Albania’s natural treasures.

3. 3

   1 hour

   Kukaj is a small hamlet (really just 2 houses) located about 200m, or a 20 minute hike, OR a tricky 4×4 drive above the valley bottom. Quiet, with one of the oldest houses in the valley, it’s a super place to stay for people wanting either a real homestay experience (and able to get around the challenge of approach) OR those planning to hike on up the valley to either Montenegro.

Day 3 Valbona - Thethi Hiking Tours (Hiking Tour Day)

1. 1

   Valbona Pass

   6 hours

   After breakfast depart to Thethi village. You will leave your main
   belongings at the horses and you will keep for yourself a backpack including a bottle of water and food packages for lunch.
   During the walk you will have many breaks for water or coffee. The walk will be mostly climbing. After 3 hours hiking and climbing you will arrive at Valbona Neck, which lays 1820 m above the sea level. Have your picnic lunch at the famous Valbonne Neck. Continue your walk. Arrival in Thethi Village by the afteenoon.

Day 4 Thethi - Blue eye - Thethi (Hiking Tour Day)

1. 1

   Thethi-guide,com

   1 hour

   This unique mountain village easily has the most dramatic setting in Albania. Just the journey here is quite incredible, whether you approach over the mountains on foot from Valbona or by vehicle over the high passes from Shkodra. Both a sprawling village along the valley floor amid an amphitheater of slate-grey mountains, and a national park containing stunning landscapes and excellent hiking routes.

2. 2

   Grunasi Waterfall

   1 hour

   It takes approximately an hour to get the waterfall from the center of Theth Village. The hike is spectacular, taking you along a spectacular landscape of rivers, pastures, and mountain slopes. The last leg of the hike involves a 15-minute climb of an intermediate level so be prepared with your best, non-slippery shoes. Although the journey is not especially easy, the reward, as it often happens, is well worth your time and energy. Especially at the very end of your climb, when you will witness a scenery so breathtaking that it will immediately erase any traveling fatigue.

3. 3

   Nderlysaj

   2 hours

   Start the walking to Blue eye After 8 km of nice walking near the Thethi river arrival to “Nderlysa” to discover the most interesting kind of Landscapes Ndërlysa’s marble pools are a result of rare rock formations. The various and irregular geometric shapes, carved throughout the centuries by the water erupting from the rocks, will leave the visitor stunned. Constantly drenched by the wild waters of the river and the snow-covered streams, these pools are the ideal place for cooling down during the hot summer months. The pools’ surface is smooth and calming, the water crystal clear and the entire environment refreshing. However, please exercise caution if visiting this site with children and make sure you supervise their movement along the unpredictable terrain.

4. 4

   Blue Eye of Theth

   2 hours

   The Blue Eye is one of the rare beauties of entire Albania. It is formed from the Black River, which flows out from the Black Top. The Blue Eye is formed by the erosion of rock by the water that descends from the mountains. The Black Well is about 100 m2 and about 3 to 5 meters of depth. The Black River is entirely formed from the melting snow in the Alps. Any tourist (of any age) can go to the Blue Eye because the road lay in a plain valley. Along the way, you have to bear in mind to follow the signs that are made by local residents.

Day 5 Thethi - Shkodra - Tirana (Driving Tour Day)

1. 1

   Skadar Lake National Park

   1 hour

   In the Northwest of Albania lies the beautiful Shkodra Lake, the largest in the Balkan Peninsula, and one of the many natural wonders of this part of the country. With a vast surface area of 368 km2, the lake stretches beyond the country and across the border with Montenegro, with 149 km2 of it lying in Albania. The lake beautifully frames the historic and artistic city of Shkodra, a calming and refreshing area, reflecting effect of the water which gracefully surrounds it.

2. 2

   Tirana

   1 hour

   On the afternoon you will arrive in Tirane and You will spend some free time or visit some monuments in the Capital of Albania