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Self-Guided Alps Explorer - A Journey Through the Highlights of the Albanian Alps (8 Days)

8 days
Start and end in Tirana
5.0
5 traveler reviews

No departure dates available

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Hiking & Trekking
Epic trails and breathtaking landscapes await
Self-guided
Independent exploration, backed by expert advice and support
High Intensity
Travelers should be in very good physical condition and expect continuous demanding activities
Guided in English
Ages 18+
Image of a map showing the route of the tour

Itinerary

  1. Day 1

    Tirana/Podgorica to Shkodra

    Start point
    Tiranë, Tirana, Albania ( Tirana: City/Airport TIA/Main Bus Terminal , 08:00 - 20:00)

    Included Activities

    • Airport pickup and transfer to Shkodra
    • Tour briefing and materials collection

    Optional Activities

    • Swimming in Lake Shkodra
    • Visit Rozafa Castle
    • Explore the bazaar
    • Visit Marubi photo library
    • Evening meal at local restaurant
    Landmarks
    Rozafa Castle
    Lake Shkodra
    Marubi Photo Library
    Itinerary Image 1
  2. Day 2

    Shkodra to Valbona National Park

    Meals
    Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner (Hearty home-cooked meal)

    Included Activities

    • Drive through Drin Gorges to Koman Lake
    • Boat ride on Koman Lake with local pickups
    • Transfer to Valbona National Park village
    • Warm-up walk following crystal-clear stream through beech forest

    Optional Activities

    • Swimming break at river or pond
    Landmarks
    Koman Lake
    Valbona National Park
    Drin Gorges
    Itinerary Image 1Itinerary Image 2Itinerary Image 3
  3. Day 3

    Kukaj Hike

    Meals
    Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

    Included Activities

    • Hike to Kukaj hamlet

    Optional Activities

    • Climb to ancient border crossing at 2,045m
    Landmarks
    Kukaj
    Jezerca
  4. Day 4

    Valbona to Theth via Valbona Pass

    Meals
    Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

    Included Activities

    • Hike across Valbona Pass (1,811m)
    • Mule porter service for luggage
    Landmarks
    Valbona Pass
    Mt. Arapi
    Theth
    Itinerary Image 1Itinerary Image 2Itinerary Image 3
  5. Day 5

    Optional Hikes

    Meals
    Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

    Optional Activities

    • Hike to Peja Pass at northern end of valley
    • Panoramic hike to Meadows of Denelli
    • Explore village and relax
    Landmarks
    Peja Pass
    Meadows of Denelli
    Mt. Arapi
    Itinerary Image 1Itinerary Image 2
  6. Day 6

    Grunas Waterfall & Kanun History

    Meals
    Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

    Included Activities

    • Walk through Theth village
    • Visit iconic church
    • Learn about Kanun at lock-in tower
    • Hike to Grunas waterfall
    • Hike along bridle path to Nderlysa

    Optional Activities

    • Visit stone-aged terraces
    • Sample fruits in garden
    • Learn about beekeeping
    • Swim in stone pools
    Landmarks
    Grunas Waterfall
    Grunas Canyon
    Theth Church
    Lock-in Tower
  7. Day 7

    Nderlysa to Shkodra to Tirana

    Meals
    Breakfast, Lunch

    Included Activities

    • Hike through canyon to Blue Eye spring
    • Public minibus transfer across Terthoria Pass through Valley of Boge and along Lake Shkodra
    • Transfer from Shkodra to Tirana hotel

    Optional Activities

    • Swimming at Blue Eye
    • Extend hike to abandoned hamlet
    • Private 4x4 transfer in morning instead of minibus (notify in advance)
    Landmarks
    Blue Eye Spring
    Lake Shkodra
    Terthoria Pass
    Valley of Boge
  8. Day 8

    Tirana Departure

    End point
    Tiranë, Tirana, Albania ( Tirana: City/Airport TIA/Main Bus Terminal , 08:00 - 20:00)
    Meals
    Breakfast

    Included Activities

    • Airport transfer

    Optional Activities

    • Stroll to explore capital city center
    • Shop at New Bazar
    • Visit Bunkart 2 museum
    • Visit House of Leaves museum
    • Explore Skanderbeg Square area
    Landmarks
    Skanderbeg Square
    New Bazar
    Bunkart 2
    House of Leaves

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What's Included

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  • Accommodation
  • Meals
  • Additional Services
  • Transport

What's Not Included

  • Flights
  • Guide
  • Insurance
  • Additional Services
Rating
5(20 reviews)
Response time
9 hours
Response rate
100%
Cancellation policy

Traveler Moments

Traveler Reviews

5.0
Overall rating based on 5 Reviews
  • Itinerary
    5.0
  • Transport
    5.0
  • Guide
    5.0
  • Accommodation
    4.5
  • Food
    5.0
  • 5.0

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  • J
    September 10th, 2024
    I've been on many tours, and admittedly I don't often post reviews, but in the case of Zbulo I will make an...
    Show more
    Traveled in August 2024
  • Self-Guided Alps Explorer - A Journey Through the Highlights of the Albanian Alps (8 Days) reviewer 2
    October 17th, 2023
    Best trip I've ever taken
    Traveled in September 2023
  • T
    October 17th, 2023
    Best trip I've ever been on
    Traveled in September 2023
  • S
    October 16th, 2022
    We thoroughly enjoyed our 8-day Self-Guided tour of northern Albania. All went smoothly from the hand-over documents...
    Show more
    Traveled in October 2022
  • Self-Guided Alps Explorer - A Journey Through the Highlights of the Albanian Alps (8 Days) reviewer 5
    July 20th, 2021
    Our self guided hiking trip organised by Zbulo was perfectly organised, they are very responsive and arranging :) It...
    Show more
    Traveled in July 2021
    Reply from: Zbulo - Discover Albania
    Thanks for your feedback Gaëlle! I'm glad you found our road book for individual hikers useful and that the GPS with prerecorded trails added value. We would be happy to welcome you back for our Hidden Valley Trek in Southern Albania or to test one of upcoming new self-guided adventures. Warm regards :)
    Show more
Can’t find the answer to your question?
Reach out to the experts at Zbulo - Discover Albania with your enquiry, they usually respond within 9 hours.

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Good to Know

Tour ID: 217111

  • Currency
    L
    Lek
    Albania
  • Plugs & Adapters

    As a traveler from USA, Canada, England, Australia, New Zealand, South Africa you will need an adaptor for types C, E, F.

    Type C
    Albania
    Type E
    Albania
    Type F
    Albania
  • Vaccines
    • These are only indications, so please visit your doctor before you travel to be 100% sure.
    • Typhoid - Recommended for Albania. Ideally 2 weeks before travel.
    • Hepatitis A - Recommended for Albania. Ideally 2 weeks before travel.
    • Hepatitis B - Recommended for Albania. Ideally 2 months before travel.
    • Yellow fever - Certificate of vaccination required if arriving from an infected area for Albania. Ideally 10 days before travel.
    • Tick-borne encephalitis - Recommended for Albania. Ideally 6 months before travel.
  • Visa
    • Unfortunately we cannot offer you a visa application service. Whether you need a visa or not depends on your nationality and where you wish to travel. Assuming your home country does not have a visa agreement with the country you're planning to visit, you will need to apply for a visa in advance of your scheduled departure.
    • Here is an indication for which countries you might need a visa. Please contact the local embassy for help applying for visas to these places.
  • Payment information
    • For any tour departing before July 6th, 2026 a full payment is necessary. For tours departing after July 6th, 2026, a minimum payment of 25% is required to confirm your booking with Zbulo - Discover Albania. The final payment will be automatically charged to your credit card on the designated due date. The final payment of the remaining balance is required at least 60 days prior to the departure date of your tour. TourRadar never charges you a booking fee and will charge you in the stated currency.
    • Some departure dates and prices may vary and Zbulo - Discover Albania will contact you with any discrepancies before your booking is confirmed.
    • The following cards are accepted for "Zbulo - Discover Albania" tours: Visa, Maestro, Mastercard, American Express or PayPal. TourRadar does NOT charge you an extra fee for using any of these payment methods.
  • Cancellation Policy
  • Accessibility
    Some tours are not suitable for mobility-restricted traveler, however, some operators may be able to accommodate special requests. For any enquiries, you can contact our customer support team, who are ready and waiting to help you.

Who is travelling?

AdultsAges 18 or above

2

ChildrenUnder 18

0

Select departure month

2026

Jan
Feb
Mar
Apr
May
Jun
Jul
Aug
Sep
Oct
Nov
Dec

2027

Jan
Feb
Mar
Apr
May
Jun
Jul
Aug
Sep
Oct
Nov
Dec

2028

Jan
Feb
Mar
Apr
May
Jun
Jul
Aug
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