Hiking in the Albanian Alps

8 days
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4.6/5 Excellent
100+ reviews  
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Small Group Tour
Explore the beauty of Northern Albania on this week-long walking holiday. Trek in the little-visited Albanian Alps, through the spectacular scenic Valbona and Theth National Parks before winding up in the cosmopolitan capital, Tirana. Along the way, encounter a traditional way of life, staying in remote villages and learning about the country's folklore. K...
$2,116
From$1,720
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Overview

Trip type
Small Group Tour
Lodging level
Premium - 4 star
Physical level
Moderate

Highlights

    • Explore the beauty of northern Albania, trekking in the little visited Albanian Alps
    • Spend time with the local families in Theth, enjoying a traditionally cooked lunch
    • Learn about about the fascinating history and culture of Albania

What's this trip about?

    Explore the beauty of Northern Albania on this week-long walking holiday. Trek in the little-visited Albanian Alps, through the spectacular scenic Valbona and Theth National Parks before winding up in the cosmopolitan capital, Tirana. Along the way, encounter a traditional way of life, staying in remote villages and learning about the country's folklore. Koman Lake - Take a boat ride across glassy waters and beneath dramatic mountain gorges. Traditional Villages - Spend time with local families in Theth, enjoying a traditionally cooked lunch. Alpine Walking - Marvel at wildflower meadows, lush valleys and craggy passes in the Albania Alps.

Details

Itinerary focusOff the Beaten Path
Group sizeSmall Group - max of 20 people
Age range16 to 85 years
Flights and transport
Start CityTirana Airport
End CityTirana

Travel Themes

  • Trekking & Expeditions

Destinations

Attractions

  • Alps
  • Tirana

Activities

  • Trekking

Min Group Size

  • Min Group Size: 20

Max Group Size

  • Max Group Size: 20

Itinerary

Travel Map

Day 1 Join trip at Tirana Airport, transfer to Shkoder

Our trip begins at Tirana International Airport (TIA) today at 8pm, where we'll meet our tour leader. To join the airport transfer, the latest your flight can arrive is 7.30pm. We'll travel as a group to our hotel in Shkoder, a journey of around 90 minutes. If p...

Day 2 Drive to Koman Lake, boat ride through scenic channels. Drive to Valbona via riverside walk

This morning, we'll drive from Shkoder to the docks at Lake Koman, before boarding our ferry. Described in the Bradt guides as 'one of the great boat trips of the world' our two-hour journey takes us on glassy blue waters through twists and turns of narrow waterways b...

Day 3 Hiking in Valbona National Park

We'll spend the next two days hiking in Valbona National Park. Valbona is based in the Tropoja district of Northern Albania which, along with two adjoining districts, encompasses a region called The Malesi, roughly translated this means The Highlands. A wild and high ...

Day 4 Hiking in Valbona National Park

Today we'll be walking through the mountain slopes in front of us that create the massif of Paplluga. The trail winds (steeply at times) through woods of beech and fir, crossing occasionally an old road used during the regime years for timber, until we reach the plate...

Day 5 Hike the Valbona Pass to Theth National Park

A morning transfer will take us from the hotel to the top of the valley in Rrogam, where the road ends. From here, we'll begin walking uphill along a steep and winding forest trail to reach the Valbona Springs. Later, the walk continues into wide alpine pastures with ...

Day 6 Exploring the Theth Valley

Theth is an iconic Northern Albanian 'malesore' (highlands) village. Enclosed in the full remoteness of the Accursed Mountains, it stayed protected from the multiple invasions that afflicted the more accessible parts of the Alps and life was organised following the de...

Day 7 Drive to Tirana, explore the city on foot

This morning, we'll drive into the scenic valley of Boga, where there is the option, depending on the group's wishes, to stop for a leisurely circular walk at the Thore Pass surroundings to admire the views (approximately 90 minutes). Leaving the silhouette of the ...

Day 8 Trip ends in Tirana

The trip ends after breakfast at our hotel in Tirana. There are no activities planned today, so you're free to depart from Tirana at any time. If your flight is departing later in the day, luggage storage facilities are available at our hotel. If you'd like an airp...

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Dates & Availability

Price From $1,720
Price per day$215
Last Updated: 3/30/2025
Departure Date
Finish Date
Base Price
Single Room (Optional)
Availability
07 Jun 2025
14 Jun 2025
$1,720
$1,990
Sold Out
14 Jun 2025
21 Jun 2025
$1,720
$1,990
10 spots left
21 Jun 2025
28 Jun 2025
$1,720
$1,990
8 spots left
28 Jun 2025
05 Jul 2025
$1,720
$1,990
11 spots left
12 Jul 2025
19 Jul 2025
$1,720
$1,990
14 spots left
09 Aug 2025
16 Aug 2025
$1,720
$1,990
7 spots left
06 Sep 2025
13 Sep 2025
$1,720
$1,990
9 spots left
13 Sep 2025
20 Sep 2025
$1,720
$1,990
16 spots left
20 Sep 2025
27 Sep 2025
$1,720
$1,990
8 spots left
27 Sep 2025
04 Oct 2025
$1,720
$1,990
14 spots left

Check current availability, prices, specials & more.

The total tour cost includes the tour price (regular or promotional) and the compulsory local payment. The promotional price is subject to change. Check directly with the operator for the latest price offer. The tour operator requires you to pay only the tour price to purchase your travel. The compulsory local payment will be paid when you join the trip. All prices are based on double, twin or triple share occupancy. Solo passengers will be accommodated in a double, twin or triple room according to availability with a passenger(s) of the same gender. Single supplement only needs to be paid if the passenger does not want to share and requests their own room. Discounts can only be applied at the time of booking and cannot be added at a later date, regardless of any changes made to the original booking.

Prices may vary due to local taxes and trip seasonality. Click "Request Info" to inquire directly with the tour operator for the final trip price.

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Explore! Reviews & Ratings

4.6/5  Excellent
Excellent
10,540
Great
3,394
Average
533
Disappointing
160
Terrible
82
J

John

Oct 2024

Written on

Walking Albania

Exceeded my expectations. Tour leader was excellent

M

Maryann

Oct 2024

Written on

Walking Albania

We had a very happy tour group of 8, ranging from about 63 to 70 years. The trails were challenging and technical and very beautiful. Our guide Albi B. was amazing. ...

T

Trusted Customer

Oct 2024

Written on

Walking Albania

Great walking in northern Albania.

Write a Review

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Logistics

Accommodation

Transportation & Flights

Bus, Boat,

Transportation & flights

Bus, Boat
Guides
Explore Tour Leader, Driver(s), Local Guide(s)
Travel Insurance
We strongly recommend purchasing travel insurance alongside your travel package to safeguard against unforeseen circumstances such as medical expenses, trip cancellations, and other contingencies. It offers you peace of mind and ensures you are prepared for unexpected events that may occur before or during your journey
Visa requirements
Albania: Visas are not required by UK, Australian, New Zealand, US and Canadian citizens. Other nationalities should consult their local embassy or consular office. You should confirm all visa related questions with the relevant Embassy prior to departure.
Health & Safety
We recommend protection against hepatitis A, typhoid, polio and tetanus. Rabies vaccination is recommended by the Foreign & Commonwealth Office due to the large number of stray dogs in Albania. You should seek further advice from your travel clinic. Tick-borne encephalitis is recommended by some medical sources if travelling in certain areas of Eastern Europe, at specific times of the year. Please check the latest requirements with your travel clinic or doctor prior to departure. The above is not an exhaustive list. Further information regarding vaccinations and travel health advice can be found by following the NHS and NaTHNaC links at <a href="https://www.explore.co.uk/essential-information/know-before-you-go/travel-health">Explore Travel Health</a> and from your local healthcare provider. Visa and vaccination requirements are subject to change and should be confirmed by you before travelling.
Meals Included
  • Breakfast : 7
  • Dinner : 2
  • Lunch : 4
Age Requirements
16 to 85 years
Additional Information
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Trip ID
explore-ALW

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