Peaks of the Balkans - 10 Days

Day 1 AIRPORT – TIRANA

1. 1

   Tirana

   3 hours

   Upon arrival at the airport, meeting with the local guide and transfer to the hotel. Free time available. Guided tour of Tirana, which includes the Skanderbeg Square, EthemBey Mosque, National Historical Museum, the Pyramid, the Blloku area. The city, symbol of the new Albania, has changed its face and is full of trendy clubs, art galleries and cultural centers.
   Dinner in a local restaurant and overnight in hotel.

Day 2 REKA E ALLAGES (VALLEY OF RUGOVA) VIA PEJA • (260 KM)

1. 1

   30 min Admission ticket included

   Today we are leaving for Kosovo. We stop in the city of Peja, we will go to visit a medieval Orthodox monastery Patriarchate of Peja (UNESCO).

2. 2

   Rugova Mountains

   3 hours

   After lunch we continue our journey to the village of Reka e Allages in Rugova Canyon. Mustafa and Fetije will welcome us to his pension in the village of Reka e Allages. Dinner and overnight in pension.

Day 3 REKA E ALLAGES – HAJLA SUMMIT - DRELAJ

1. 1

   6 hours

   Today we begin our journey of the Balkan Peaks with a 10 km trek in the Rugova mountains, up to the village of Drelaj. This beautiful stretch will give you more information about mountain life in Kosovo. Our first summit will be that of the Hajla mountain, passing through several villages. After a pause with the panoramic view we begin to descend towards the village of Drelaj where we will settle down for the night. Dinner and overnight in pension.

Day 4 JELENKA PASS - BABINO POLJE PASS - GUSINJE

1. 1

   Gusinje

   8 hours

   You will begin your first border crossing of the Balkan Peaks towards Montenegro. This intense 15.8km hike offers some of the region's most breathtaking views. After breakfast we leave to cross the first border with Montenegro. Our trek offers some of the most breathtaking views of the region, passing through several glacial lakes and water sources of water. We continue towards Lugu i Shkodres and the Jelenka Pass, which is also the border point between Kosovo and Montenegro. After lunch the descent will take us to Babino Polje Park, which is mainly inhabited by shepherds. You will have the opportunity to collect naturally grown blueberries. This day will end with a transfer by car to the village of Gusinje. Dinner and overnight in Gusinje.

Day 5 ROPOJAN – PEJA PASS - THETH

1. 1

   Theth

   8 hours

   After a short drive to Ropojan, we will start walking from Gjeshtari lake. This is also a border point between Montenegro and Albania. The trek continues through a forest until the imposing Rrunica Valley appears in front of us. Then we continue towards Peja Pass where we will also see the frozen lake of Peja. From there you go down to Theth in a historical path that follows the coniferous forests and the mountain slope. Merchants used this route in medieval times. Dinner and overnight stay in Theth.

Day 6 THE CANYON AND WATERFALL OF GRUNAS – THE BLUE EYE AND VILLAGE OF THETH

1. 1

   Theth National Park

   6 hours

   Breakfast in the guest house. Spend a day discovering Theth National Park. Admire the sight and sound of the waterfall and Grunas canyon. Enjoy a refreshing swim at the natural pools of Nderlysa and have lunch at the Blue Eye of Theth, after walking through breathtaking landscapes. In the afternoon, return and visit the village of Theth, where a four-century tower used as a reconciliation tower and the well-preserved centennial church are the highlights. Dinner and overnight stay in Theth.

Day 7 THETH – VALBONE

1. 1

   Valbone

   8 hours

   We start from Theth in the direction of Valbona. We cross a wonderful wood, from which we will see both valleys on the same day, the Valbona valley and the Theth valley. On the way to the Passo di Valbona we see the majestic Alps of Albania. When we arrive in Qafa and Valbones (Valbona Pass) we clearly see the two valleys. After a refreshment we begin to descend through a historical path until we return to a forest again reaching Ragam, a village. We pass Ragam and walk following the Valbona river until we reach the pension.

Day 8 VALBONE – CEREM – DOBERDOL

1. 1

   8 hours

   We will leave Valbona by car and arrive at the village of Cerem. From there we will start walking to the Doberdol shepherds' village. Here the shepherds and their families spend summer with their cattle. We will be hosted in the homes of these families, who live without electricity or cellular connection, but we will have a lot of delicious dairy products as a substitute.

Day 9 GJERAVICA SUMMIT – ERENIKU VALLEY – DECAN MONASTERY – PRIZREN

1. 1

   5 hours

   This is a wonderful excursion with the trophy of the highest mountain in Kosovo, 2656 m / alt. We will begin the climb to the top, crossing large meadows and heart-shaped glacial lakes. Most of the path slowly gains height, with the exception of two places. One who arrives at the lakes and the second most difficult climb is reaching the top itself.

2. 2

   Visoki Decani Monastery

   2 hours Admission ticket included

   After a break, we go down to the village where you will have a pick up with a 4 × 4 vehicle that will take you to visit the Decan Monastery (which is protected by UNESCO). Transfer to Prizren and accommodation in hotel Prizren.

Day 10 Prizren - Tirana / Airport

1. 1

   Prizren

   3 hours

   After breakfast we visit the city of Prizren in the morning for a walking tour of the city entering the Sinan Pasha Mosque, the Church of Our Lady of Ljevis (UNESCO), the Prizren League Museum, castle, and the Ottoman historic center known for its gold and silver filigree craftsmen.

2. 2

   Tirana

   In the afternoon return to Tirana / airport for the return flight.