Maja e Gjarperit Circuit
Gjarper ("Snake Mountain") offers anything from several pleasant day walks, to the opportunity to spend 3 or 4 days circumnavigating the mountain and staying in traditional shepherd's "stans" along the way - and you can take in a peak or two along the way! When the plums are in season in the old collective orchards, it also makes a great destination for bear watching!Maja e Pecmarres
A wild and craggy mountain, uninhabited and a bit dangerous, Pecmarra has marked trails that let you spend the day exploring the river banks and old growth Beech forest where the bird watching is fantastic. Or for the more adventurous, camping equipment can be rented, and willingness to sleep out gives you access to the beautiful and remote alpine meadows above the beech forest. Truly a world away, where you are likely to encounter the Chamois who roam the heights in large herds.Maja e Jezerces
At 2692 meters, Jezerca ("Jezer" is mist, or cloud, so this mountain was named for the fog that often wreathed its peak) is the highest mountain wholly within Albania. It can be approached from 4 different aspects, making it the crowning gem of several potential overnight trips. One night can be spent in the "Shpella e Malsore" the Cave of the Old Malesori, where a famously independent old highland woman used spend summers with her goats. Walking and exploring in The Accursed Mountains
Walk in the remote and beautiful Thethi National Park
Dramatic Valbona Pass crossing
Explore Rozafa Castle and the lock-in tower of Thethi
Cruise Lake Koman and visit historic Kruja
Itinerary
Day 1: Arrival at Tirana airport and transfer to Shkodra, Northern Albania's oldest city. After lunch at a waterfront restaurant, we visit Rozafa Castle to enjoy fabulous views over Shkodra and towards the Albania Alps. Dinner and overnight in Shkodra
Day 2: Drive to Theth. We stop en route for walk up to the top of the Sheep's Pass (1830m) for views of the Radohima Peaks. Returning to the vehicle we continue to the picturesque hamlet of Theth where we overnight in a simple guesthouse.
Day 3: Today's hike takes us through the Kaprea valley following the river to the "Blue Eye" waterfall. On the return we can relax by the water pools close to the village. We spend a second night in the guesthouse in Theth.
Day 4: We walk to Thethi village, with it's stunning scenic setting and traditional wooden-tiled houses. On the way we stop off at the Grunasi Canyon waterfall and the locally renowned Thethi 'blood-feud tower'. We stay tonight in a guest house in the village.
Day 5: A longer walking day today as we climb to the Pass of Valbona (1960m), and then descend into the Valbona Valley where we stay overnight in a local farmhouse. 6 - 7 hours walking.
Day 6: An easier day today starting with a very pleasant walk to the alpine bowl of Cet Harusha (1600m) to enjoy great views of the Valbona Valley. In the afternoon we have some free time to relax or take further walks around the area. Overnight in a local gueshouse
Day 7: Today we start walking towards the village of Kukaj (900m), and from here we follow the shepherd's path up to pastureland at 1600m from where we enjoy the gorgeous views of Jezerca, the highest of the Albanian Alps, and Rrethi i Bardhe, 'The White Circle'. Return to the guesthouse.
Day 8: We drive from Valbona to Fierza where we will take the ferry through the spectacular fjord-like canyon of Lake Koman. After docking at the dam in Koman, we will drive to Kruja, an important historic town and have dinner in a local restaurant. Overnight in Kruja
Day 9: After some free time to explore the lovely hill-top town of Kruja in the early morning (there are some interesting museums) we drive to Tirana Airport
- 2 nights hotels
- 6 nights village guesthouses
- 6 days MODERATE walking
- max altitude - 1960m
- All meals included
- Join in Tirana
