Itinerary
- Day 1
Tirana
You'll arrive in Tirana and check into your hotel in the city center. The capital has quite a bit to see, from Ottoman and Italian architecture scattered throughout to communist-era landmarks that tell the city's history. If your flight gets in early, take the cable car up Dajti Mountain for views over the whole valley and surrounding area. Later, wander around the Blloku district where you'll find trendy cafes and bars perfect for getting a feel for the local scene.
Optional Activities
- Cable car to Dajti Mountain for panoramic views over the city
- Explore city boulevards and landmarks from Ottoman, Italian and communist periods
- Visit cafes and bars in the Blloku district
Landmarks/POIs Dajti Mountain Blloku District - Day 2
Tirana to Valbona
Meet your guide and the rest of the group for a briefing, then get fitted with your mountaineering equipment. You'll transfer to Valbona by driving through Gjakova in Kosovo and Bajram Curri, traveling alongside the Valbona River through the Albanian Alps valley. After settling in, you'll do a short acclimatization hike in the afternoon so you can see views from the hills above the valley and get used to the terrain and elevation.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Included Activities
- Mountaineering equipment fitting
- Short afternoon hike in surroundings of Valbona with trail to hills above valley
Landmarks/POIs Valbona River Albanian Alps Kukaj - Day 3
Valbona
After breakfast you'll hike toward Kukaj, a hanging glacial valley, walking through boulders and meadows before entering beech forest. The route takes you through Kukaj village and into the valley itself, stopping at a small shepherd's hut for a longer break where you can rest and take in the surroundings. From there, you'll hike back down to the guesthouse for the evening.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch (Packed Lunch), Dinner
Included Activities
- Hike to hanging glacial valley of Kukaj through boulders, meadows and beech forest
Landmarks/POIs Kukaj Valley - Day 4
Valbona
This day starts at the guesthouse where you'll head west through dense forest on winding trails that climb gradually, then steeply through meadows toward a summit at 1868m with some of the best views over Valbona valley. You'll have lunch at the top and time to sit with the panoramic views before making the hike back down to the guesthouse.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch (Packed Lunch), Dinner
Included Activities
- Hike to summit peak at 1868m with views over Valbona valley
Landmarks/POIs Valbona Valley Summit (1868m) - Day 5
Valbona to Tirana
After taking the morning easy, you'll transfer to Fierzë for a scenic ferry ride across Lake Koman, where the boat winds between high cliffs and towering peaks that'll remind you of Norwegian fjords. You'll leave the ferry at Koman and then drive by car back to Tirana, settling into your hotel or exploring on your own. Your guide will take you out for a farewell dinner in the evening.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch (Packed Lunch), Dinner (Farewell dinner in Tirana)
Included Activities
- Ferry ride across Lake Koman
Landmarks/POIs Lake Koman - Day 6
Departure from Tirana
You'll have breakfast at your hotel before heading to the airport and departing Albania.
- Meals
- Breakfast
