10-Day Albania and Montenegro Tour Packages
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10 Day Balkans Hiking Itinerary, incl. Albania and Kosovo
Mountains and culture merge on this 10-day alpine adventure, highlighting Talijanka peak and Theth Valley. The 122 km trail network offers challenging routes, authentic mountain culture, and nights in local guesthouses.
- Days 1-2
Tirana to Albanian Alps
Your Balkans adventure starts with a 6 AM pickup in Tirana. You'll drive north through Shkoder to Tamarë where the Dinaric Alps begin. The first day includes a gentle acclimatization hike in Lëpushë village with its beautiful meadows. On day 2 you'll climb your first major peak, Maja e Berizhdolit (1,977m). This 6-hour round trip offers stunning views of snow-covered rocks. A recent traveler shared: "The trail is full of beautiful flowers, waterfalls, rivers and mountains. It was hard to keep my eyes on the path!"
- Days 3-4
Montenegro Border and Theth
Head to Montenegro to climb Mount Talijanka in the Grbaje Valley. The 6-hour hike shows off Lake Plav before going down to Vuthaj. The next day is an 8-hour trek to Theth village in Albania past the towering Arapi peak (2,217m). Make sure to visit the Lock-in Tower and Old Church but watch your step on the stone paths when wet.
- Day 5
Theth and the Blue Eye
The Blue Eye of Theth hike is an 18km round trip with 700m elevation gain. You can save time by taking local transport to Nderlysaj (€5-7 per person) which cuts the hike to 2 hours total. The water stays at 5°C all year if you're brave enough to swim. One hiker mentioned: "Definitely one of the best experiences we ever had. The trails and nature were just perfect."
- Days 6-7
Valbona Pass and Remote Villages
The Valbona Pass climb (1,050m elevation gain) is considered the best part of the Peaks of the Balkans trek. It's a challenging 6-8 hour hike but the valley views are worth it. The next day takes you to Cerem village where you'll stay in simple shepherd's huts. There's no electricity or WiFi but the mountain hospitality is incredible.
- Days 8-9
Kosovo's Highest Peak
Walk through Montenegro's pine forests to reach Doberdol (1,800m) and visit summer shepherd camps along the way. The next day you'll climb Kosovo's highest peak, Gjeravica. Look for its three alpine lakes including an unusual heart-shaped one. The day ends in Gjakova, known for its historic bazaar.
- Day 10
Return to Tirana
Take time to see Gjakova's restored Ottoman bazaar and 16th-century Hadum Mosque before heading back to Tirana. Bring enough cash for mountain meals (€12-15 each) since cards aren't accepted in remote areas.
- Day 1
Tirana to Theth
Begin your trip with a 4-hour drive from Tirana to the traditional village of Theth. Take a short 45-minute walk to Grunas waterfall in the afternoon. Theth's isolation has kept its unique culture intact. Visit the Blood Feud towers and bring Ismail Kadare's "Broken April" to learn about the area's fascinating history.
- Days 2-3
Theth to Valbona Valley
Take on the scenic Valbona Pass hike (1,759m). The 6-7 hour trail follows old mule tracks between tribal regions and climbs over 1,000m. Start early and bring trekking poles for steep sections. On Day 3, transfer to Cerem village before hiking to the shepherd community of Doberdol.
- Days 4-5
Kosovo's Remote Mountains
Enter Kosovo through high alpine landscapes. The main attraction is "Three Border Peak" at the intersection of Albania, Kosovo, and Montenegro. Stay in simple mountain huts in Milishevc village with no phone service, so get your offline maps ready. Day 5 offers a challenging but scenic descent to Rugova Canyon.
- Days 6-7
Peaks and Glacial Lakes
Scale Hajla Peak (2,403m) for panoramic views across five countries when skies are clear. Look for rare Albanian lilies along the way. Head to Montenegro via Shkodra Pass, an old silver trade route. Stop at pristine glacial lakes to refill your water bottles with safe spring water.
- Days 8-9
Montenegro to Theth
Visit the Grbaj Valley, known as former Yugoslavia's most beautiful valley. See the ancient "Great Mother" rock carving before a long hike back to Theth. You'll pass old communist-era military bunkers along the border areas, offering interesting historical context.
- Day 10
Return to Tirana
Take the morning drive to Shkodër, northern Albania's main city, then continue to Tirana. Plan to arrive late afternoon due to mountain road conditions.
10 Days in the Balkans, incl. Albania and Kosovo
The mountains call on this 10-day, 124km adventure through 7 destinations including Theth, Valbona Valley, and Talijanka peak. Nights spent in traditional guesthouses and shepherd huts showcase local hospitality.
- Day 1
Tirana to Lëpushë
Your journey starts with a 4-hour drive from Tirana or Shkoder to Lëpushë village in the Albanian Alps. Bring layers since mountain temperatures can change quickly even during summer. Take an easy 2-hour walk through local meadows to get used to the altitude. The local mountain cheese and slow-cooked lamb are regional specialties you won't want to miss.
- Day 2
Maja e Berizhdolit Loop (1,977m)
Set out by 8 AM for a tough 6-hour loop hike with 900m elevation gain. You'll walk across patches of snow and bare rock faces. Bring at least 2L of water since mountain springs aren't always reliable. Night at Lëpushë guesthouse.
- Day 3
Talijanka Peak to Vuthaj
One of the most scenic sections as you cross from Albania into Montenegro. The U-shaped Grbaje Valley shows off impressive jagged peaks. Plan for 6 hours to cover 12km with 1,100m elevation gain. A short transfer takes you to Vuthaj. If you still have energy, walk 40 minutes to see Ali Pasha springs.
- Day 4
Vuthaj to Theth via Arapi Peak
An 8-hour day crossing back to Albania. The path winds past hidden waterfalls and old shepherd huts under 2,217m Arapi peak. Bring a headlamp for the darker forest sections. This 21km day with 1,150m gain is quite demanding. In the evening, visit Theth's historic church and 'Lock-in' tower.
- Day 5
Blue Eye of Theth
A gentler day with a 6-hour round trip to the Blue Eye spring. The trail is 18km with 700m elevation gain. Local tip: local transport (€5-7) cuts hiking time to 2 hours. The water stays around 8°C so keep swims short.
- Day 6
Theth to Valbona Pass
The highlight of your trek: 6-8 hours crossing Valbona Pass with 1,050m gain. Leave by 7 AM to avoid afternoon storms. The views of both valleys from the pass are incredible. Trekking poles will help with the steep descent. Spend the night at a traditional Valbona guesthouse.
- Day 7
Valbona to Cerem
A 7.5-hour hike through forests and meadows to remote Cerem at 1,300m. You can take a 3-hour side trip to Zla Kolate peak. The shepherd's huts are basic with no electricity or Wi-Fi but offer amazing homemade cheese and fresh bread.
- Day 8
Cerem to Doberdol
The trail passes through Montenegro's pine forests full of wild berries in summer. You'll walk through Albania's only brown bear reserve. It's a 6.5-hour hike with 1,025m gain reaching 2,100m at its highest point. Sleep in basic shepherd's huts at 1,800m in Doberdol.
- Day 9
Doberdol to Gjakova
Hike to Kosovo's highest peak, Gjeravica. You'll pass three alpine lakes including a unique heart-shaped one. A 6-hour hike with 700m gain before a 4x4 takes you to Gjakova where you can finally enjoy a proper shower.
- Day 10
Gjakova to Tirana
Explore Gjakova's historic bazaar in the morning. It's Kosovo's largest. Get breakfast for the 5-6 hour bus ride back to Tirana. Keep taxi money ready for the final trip from the bus station to your hotel.
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What people love about 10-day Albania and Montenegro tours
- Semi-Private Hiking Tour; Peaks of the Balkans in 10 days
It is hard to express how close I feel to the people at Choose Balkans. I got in touch with them about this hike 3 years ago before the pandemic limited all my travel for an unfathomably long time. We finally got to go in sept 2022. Throughout those years I stayed in touch, often trying to plan again and never being able to. Every time they were kind, patient and honoured my initial deposits! We we finally got there (me and 9 other hikers) we had a meet up with the Choose Balkans team and they are all kind, funny, and well informed. My great thanks to Alban for his generousity and local knowledge on that night out especially. From then on it was hiking time! Our guide Erwin has global hiking and mountain climbing experience but it was clear his heart is in the balkan alps. He is a tough, capable guide but also a caring, intelligent, funny teammate. I cannot reccomend him enough. The hike was hard but exceptionally beautiful and I plan to go back another time as the changing scenery, weather, flora and fauna mean you would need years to see and do all there is to see and do. We have hiked mountains around the world, and these ones, while lower, are just as tough and in many ways more beautiful and mysterious. With choose balkans, and Ervin as your guide, you are in good hands no matter what happens on tbe trail, or off it, unrelated to them i needed to make some itinerary changes and despite our remoteness, transport, accomodation, opportunities were magicked out of this air. A really flexible and versatile team In short, i cant reccomend them enough. They bring trust, calm and humour, you just need to bring a sense of adventure
- Visit Albania - North Macedonia - Kosovo - Montenegro
Franco, our guide was enthusiastic and fun. I enjoyed the tour.
- Albania & Montenegro Tour
An excellent tour. Leo great tour leader and Albania a terrific country. Tour itineracy perfect. Hotel room in Tirana on 1st night just too small. Other hotels excellent