DAYS | 9
ROUTE | The Accursed Albanian Alps (6 days)
CHARITY | Any
REG FEE | £490
DIFFICULTY | Moderate
DATE | Various 2024
THE challenge
Our Peaks of The Balkans challenge leads you through a sublime natural environment, as you challenge yourself each day on varied terrain through changing landscapes. We have carefully selected activities across the itinerary to provide a breathtakingly beautiful and challenging trek in the midst of the Accursed Mountains, with an immersive taste of cultural and historical Albania, Montenegro and Kosovo. Take it all in whilst trekking as a team around this spellbinding region, supporting each other under the expert supervision of our knowledgeable local team.
You will be rewarded with amazing views of hidden valleys, mountain peaks and enjoy some downtime in the up and coming, dynamic Albanian capital Tirana, whilst getting a chance to rest your feet upon arrival at your accommodation each day.
Our trips are inclusive of accommodation, meals, transport and more, so all you need to do is focus on the challenge ahead!
TREK ITINERARY
DAY 1 - DEPARTURE
After meeting as a group at the airport, you board the flight to Tirana, Albania. On arrival you will be met by the local team and transfer directly to historic Shkodra, the oldest and largest town of Northern Albania. Here you have a chance to visit the ancient hilltop fortress of Rozafa, or simply take in the views over Lake Shkodra and the mountains beyond, before a briefing of the challenge ahead followed by dinner with your group in the atmospheric town centre. For those on flights booked themselves, please contact us for arrival details.
Trekking: Arrival day. Hotel and dinner included.
VIEW FULL ITINERARY +
DAY 2 - TREK DAY 1
After a scenic lakeside transfer through the wild valleys of Kelmand to the alpine village of Lepushe, your trek can begin. You will depart the village on foot making your way up through the forest and pastures of Dobku, eventually crossing the ridge between the peaks of Popadija (2027m) and Talijanka (2015m) into Montenegro.
As you approach the Volusnice cliffs, spectacular views of the Karanfil Peaks that tower over the Grebaje Valley open up, revealing one of Montenegro’s most beautiful and remote areas. From this plateau, the trail descends through scree fields and native birch forest until you reach the valley to have lunch. A short transfer will bring the group to the village of Vuthaj, with time to rest and explore before dinner and staying in a local guesthouse overnight.
Trekking: approx 11km / 5 hours. Breakfast, packed lunch and dinner and guesthouse accomodation included.
DAY 3 - TREK DAY 2
After breakfast, a short transfer along the scenic Ropojana valley brings you to where the next walking trail begins, near the Albanian border.You begin the challenging walk ascending steadily across the deserted karst plateau of Runica, surrounded by jagged peaks, until you reach the Peja pass (1730m).
Here, sweeping views of the Theth valley will greet you, overlooked by the austere Jezerca and Radohima massifs. The winding trail descends through the valley past the sheer face of Mount Arapi (2217m), the most iconic peak of the Theth valley. As you move lower down the trail passing clear streams, you will see the traditional houses of Okol along the way. Once in Thethi, you will have time to relax before dinner and spend the night in a local guesthouse.
Trekking: approx 18km / 7-8 hours. Breakfast, packed lunch and dinner and guesthouse included.
DAY 4 - TREK DAY 3
A shorter and more relaxed trek today enables you to explore the area around Thethi, the most famous alpine village in Albania. The traditional houses set within orchards, combined with the impressive mountain background, make for a captivating highland experience. Leaving the guesthouse, the walk takes in local sights including the church, the blood feud tower ‘Kulla e Ngujimit’, the Grunas waterfall, Grunas canyon, as well as ancient stone walled terraces dating from the late Bronze Age.
You continue the walk out of Thethi, beside the clear waters of the Shala River surrounded by the lush verdant landscape, until reaching the hamlet of Nderlysa. If you would like to extend the walk by another hour, there is the option to visit the Blue Eye pool, set amidst the dense vegetation of the Kaprea creek, before a short transfer back to Thethi for dinner and overnight accommodation in a local guesthouse.
Trekking: approx 10km / 5 hours. Breakfast, packed lunch and dinner and guesthouse accommodation included.
DAY 5 - TREK DAY 4
Today’s walk is probably the most well known and picturesque of the Albanian Alps. To this day, it remains the only direct trail winding through the narrow valleys between Thethi and Valbona. You leave the Theth valley behind as the trail steadily climbs towards the Valbona pass (1800m), with the scenery changing from green pastures and dense woods to rocky scree. Once you reach the pass, it’s time to marvel at some of the highest peaks in the majestic Accursed Mountains, including Jezerca (2694m) and Radohimës (2570m).
Following the path downhill, you encounter grassy meadows and the Valbona Springs before following a gravel track lined with pine trees and passing the first houses of Rrogam village. The last leg of today’s trek follows a dry riverbed that leads you to Valbona, where you will have dinner and stay overnight.
Trekking: approx 16km / 7 hours. Breakfast and packed lunch and guesthouse accommodation included.
DAY 6 - TREK DAY 5
After breakfast, a short transfer takes you to the village of Çerem, where today’s trek begins. This evocative and remote village, set amongst the trees, is only inhabited by shepherds in the summer due to harsh winter conditions. Setting off on foot into the undulating and beautiful alpine scenery, you leave the Kollata Mountains behind.
The trail winds up through the shady forest, passing sun dappled glades and leading onto a gravel track until you cross the Montenegrin border and soon after, the ruins of an old military border post. Continuing the walk to the picturesque hamlet of Balqin, you stop for lunch, a well earned rest and a chance to cool your feet in the streams fed by nearby springs.
After lunch, you enter the Gashi valley, steadily ascending to arrive at the hamlet of Doberdol, where vast alpine pastures await. Take time to rest and relax in this pristine alpine environment before dinner and stay overnight in typical shepherd’s huts.
Trekking: approx 15km / 8 hours. Breakfast and packed lunch and Shepherd’s Hut accommodation included.
DAY 7 - TREK DAY 6
In the morning, you start on the path that climbs steadily towards the ridge that marks the border between Albania, Montenegro and Kosovo. Continuing along the meadow trail, you begin to traverse the slopes of Mount Gjeravica (2656m) until reaching the lowest point of the ridge that leads up to the summit.
Upon arrival at the rocky peak, all your efforts are rewarded by the magnificent views of the surrounding mountains and the three glacier lakes glistening below you. After a short onwards walk, you meet the vehicle and transfer down to the historic town of Gjakova in Kosovo. There is time to rest and explore this ancient town with your guide, including the Bazaar and Ottoman architecture. Enjoy dinner in the historic town centre before heading to the hotel.
Trekking: approx 15km / 7-8 hours. Breakfast and packed lunch and hotel accommodation included.
DAY 8 - TIRANA DAY
After breakfast, it’s time to say goodbye to Kosovo as you cross the border into Albania by bus, heading for the Fierza docks. You will embark on a scenic ferry ride along the Lake Koman canyon, a spectacular experience.
Sit back and leisurely admire the scenery whilst reflecting on your adventure, before arriving into Koman docks for the final leg of your journey. You will transfer to a farm specialising in wine and traditional food located on the outskirts of the capital. After a tasty lunch, you continue into the capital, Tirana, checking into your hotel before a guided walking tour of the city.
Soak up the vibrant energy of one of the most attractive capitals of the Balkans whilst seeing the sights including Skanderbeg Square, the Et’hem Bey Mosque and architecture from several historical eras. Celebrate with your group at a local restaurant for dinner before heading back to the hotel.
Ferry around Lake Koman | Breakfast and packed lunch and hotel accommodation included.
DAY 9 - DEPARTURE DAY/EXTENSION DAY DEPENDING ON YOUR TRAVEL OPTION
Waking up to the sounds of the city, your amazing Peak of the Balkans adventure comes to an end. A transfer will take you back to Tirana airport for your flight back to the UK. Those on our ‘without flights’ travel option are free to continue on your own itinerary after breakfast. If you’ll be joining us on the Albanian Riviera extension trip, you will depart on your extended itinerary today! Breakfast included.
COSTS & INCLUSIONS
We provide several funding options for our trekking challenges, to provide you with the maximum possible flexibility.
First, all you need to do is decide whether you wish to fundraise a set amount which covers your trip costs, or whether you’d like to fund your trip yourself.
The separate funding options are detailed in full below:
SELF FUND
Registration fee:
£490
Balance payment:
£975
Fundraise:
No fundraising required
Read more...
The full cost of this challenge is £1,465. You will be required to pay the registration fee of £490 at the time of booking and the final balance of £975 which is due 10 weeks before departure.
Whilst registering for the challenge, you will still be asked to select a charity. This charity will receive a notification of your registration and may support you with any fundraising you may wish to do alongside your challenge - however, there is no obligation to fundraise and there is no minimum sponsorship amount due.
Once your final balance has been settled at or before 10 weeeks prior to departure, your place on the trip will be confirmed and you'll be ready to take on the challenge of a lifetime!
MINIMUM SPONSORSHIP
Registration fee:
£490
Fundraise:
£1,950
Read more...
You will be required to pay the registration fee of £490 at the time of booking, and you'll then need to raise a minimum sponsorship amount of £1,950 for your nominated charity, which usually needs to be raised in full by 8 weeks prior to your departure.
When taking on a challenge with us, you can rest assured that all of the money you fundraise throughout the year will go directly to the charity you are supporting.
Once you hit that all-important fundraising target and your place on the challenge is confirmed, the charity will use this money to cover the remaining costs of your challenge (which will never exceed 50% of your fundraising target).
The remainder of your fundraising (never less than 50% of your fundraising target) will stay with your charity, as a donation to their vital work. In addition, 100% of any Gift Aid and every single pound that you raise above your target will stay with your charity.
FLEXI FUND
Registration fee:
£490
Flexi payment:
£195 or £395
Fundraise:
£1,560 (£195 flexi) or £1,160 (£395 flexi)
Read more...
You will be required to pay the registration fee of £490 at the time of booking, and then you will make a further contribution of either £195 or £395 to your trip costs, due 10 weeks before departure. You will also have a minimum fundraising target.
The benefit of the Flexi Fund option is that it gives you the best of both of the other funding options: your contribution toward your trip costs will decrease the minimum fundraising amount you need to raise. The more you contribute with your Flexi Fund payment, the greater the discount on your fundraising target:
- If you opt for the £195 Flexi Fund amount then your fundraising target will be £1,560.
- If you opt for the £395 Flexi Fund amount then your fundraising target will be £1,160.
When taking on a challenge with us, you can rest assured that all of the money you fundraise throughout the year will go directly to the charity you are supporting.
Once you hit that all-important fundraising target and your place on the challenge is confirmed, the charity will use this money to cover the remaining costs of your challenge (which will never exceed 50% of your fundraising target).
The remainder of your fundraising (never less than 50% of your fundraising target) will stay with your charity, as a donation to their vital work. In addition, 100% of any Gift Aid and every single pound that you raise above your target will stay with your charity.
INCLUSIONS & EXCLUSIONS
Your full itinerary, in the Challenge Information Pack below, gives details of the specific inclusions for your trip.
Please note that international flights are not included in our public challenges in order to allow you maximum flexibility on when to arrive, how long to extend your trip, which airline you fly with, where you depart from or which class you fly (lucky you if not in economy with us!).
Take a look below to see at a glance the inclusions and exclusions for this challenge.
WHAT’S INCLUDED
Accommodation as specified in the itinerary
Ground transfers
Luggage transfer (Vehicle / Mule)
All meals on the trek and other meals as specified in the itinerary
All National Park fees, entrance fees, taxes, and permits
Lake Koman boat trip, traditional farm lunch and Tirana city tour
English-speaking professional guides
Comprehensive pre-departure support and advice
Full support team and emergency assistance
24/7 support and emergency line available throughout the trip
WHAT’S NOT INCLUDED
International flights to Tirana, Albania
Tips and gratuities
Visa (if required)
Travel insurance
Medical expenses in case of emergency on your trip
Any necessary vaccinations or medications
Clothing or any other items of a personal nature
WHICH CHARITIES CAN I CHOOSE FROM?
When you register, you’ll see a list of charities to choose from - this list includes our Peak Partner Charities registered across the UK and Ireland who have already agreed to support fundraisers taking part our in challenges.
If you’d like to fundraise for a charity which is not already a partner of ours, just let us know and we’ll link up with them!
KNOW BEFORE YOU GO:
How difficult is this challenge?
We have four difficulty levels for our treks, which take into account factors like altitude, terrain, weather conditions and more. The rating for this trip is as below:
Tough - for our tough challenges plenty of training will be required and some previous experience of trekking or hiking would be a bonus!
You will face very long trekking days, on some relatively difficult terrains and be physically tested as you step out of your comfort zone.
You will need to be in reasonably good shape to complete this challenge.
What will the weather be like?
The weather in these high and remote mountains can be unpredictable. Our challenge dates are scheduled to take place in spring and late summer/early autumn, when the days are typically warm and the nights are cool, without being too extreme!
Do I need mountaineering skills?
Nope! One of the huge benefits of the Peaks of the Balkans challenge is that you do not need any specialist mountaineering skills, experience or equipment to complete the challenge.
This non-technical trek will be a real test of your mental and physical resilience - but it does not require you to be a seasoned mountain climber. However, you absolutely must train for this event, as it is considerably tougher than many expect.
What will the group size be?
Group size typically between 12 and 30.
THE ALBANIAN RIVIERA
EXTENSION TRIP
ADDITIONAL DAYS | 5
REG FEE | £125
ACCOMMODATION | Hotel
ACTIVITIES | Shkodra, Kayaking, Velipoja Beach, Lezha, Kruja, Tirana
BALANCE | £595
2025 Dates to be announced - please get in touch to arrange. a bespoke 2024 trip.
