Explore The Trail ‘Peaks of The Balkans’ with the Zbulo team, passing through Albania, Kosovo*, Montenegro, and back to Albania! Be prepared for long, continuous trekking days and expect to be rewarded with first-class panoramas of a remarkably diverse landscape, warm Balkan hospitality, and the inspiring and modest lifestyle of the locals! Make your way through mountains and valleys, from guesthouses to shepherd huts; from a glass of local rakia to a home-cooked meal and meet the rural beauty of the Western Balkans!
Level of difficulty
- Medium
You need to be experienced in hiking and trekking.
Budget
- Affordable to Moderate
Best for what
- Trekking
- exploring new destinations and cultures
- time in nature
Best for who
- Active travellers
- Nature lovers
- Active families with children/teenagers
- Breath-taking views
- Rural experience
Highlights
- Crossing the borders between Albania, Kosovo and Montenegro on foot
- Hiking through five amazing national parks on this genuine trekking journey
- Experiencing a melting pot of cultures; similarities and differences
- Ascending the panoramic peaks of Mt. Trekufiri, Hajla, Taljanka and Arapi
- Meeting a colourful selection of warm hosts and local accommodations
- Enjoy the rural lifestyle of the Western Balkans
Day by day program
Day 1 - Welcome to the Balkans!
Routing: Arrival – Shkodra
Short: Arrival Day to Shkodra (Tirana or Podgorica Airport)
Host: Boutique Hotel
Meals: – / – / D
Transfers: 2h
Dist
Alt+
Alt-
Hours
Day 2 - Journey into the Accursed Mountains
Routing: Shkodra – Koman – Bajram Curri – Valbona
Routing: Arrival – Shkodra
Short: A Boat Ride on Koman Lake and Warm Up Walk in the Valbona
Host: Mountain Hotel
Meals: B / L / D
Transfers: 2:30 h + 3 h boat
Dist: 7
Alt+: 250
Alt-: 0
Hours: 3:30
Day 3 - The Highest Peaks of the Albanian Alps
Routing: Valbona – Persllopit & Bor Pass – Cerem
Short: Across the Persllopit Pass or through the Maskollata Gorge to Cerem
Host: Simple Guesthouse
Meals: B / LP / D
Transfers: max. 10 min
Dist: 14
Alt+: 1200
Alt-: 950
Hours: 8:00
Day 4 - High Route into the Remote Border Triangle
Routing: Cerem – Balqin – Doberdol
Short: Eastern Alps and Seasonal Life on the Summer Pastures like Doberdol
Host: Shepherd Huts
Meals: B / LP / D
Transfers –
Dist: 16h
Alt+: 1250
Alt-: 650
Hours: 7:00
Day 5 - The Border Triangle of Mt. Trekufiri
Routing: Doberdol – Mt. Trekufiri – Milishevc
Short: Across the border into Kosovo’s “Bjeshket e Namuna” National Park
Host: Mountain Chalet
Meals: B / LP / D
Transfers: –
Dist: 18
Alt+: 825
Alt-: 1100
Hours: 7:45
Day 6 - Rugova Gorge: Kosovo’s Outdoor Destination No. 1
Routing: Milishevc – Lumbardhi – Rugova Gorge – Reka e Allages
Short: On top of Mt. Lumbardhi and Deep Down the Rugova Gorge
Host: Guesthouse
Meals: B / LP / D
Transfers: 30min
Dist: 14
Alt+:525
Alt-: 1200
Hours: 6:00
Day 7 - Ridge Hike on the Spine of Hajla
Routing: Reka e Allages – Mt. Hajla – Drelaj
Short: Blueberries, Rare Alpine Plants and the Kosovo Conflict’s Living Past
Host: Guesthouse
Meals: B / LP / D
Transfers: –
Dist: 15
Alt+:1150
Alt-: 1300
Hours: 8:00
Day 8 - Across the Jelenka Pass into Montenegro
Routing: Drelaj – Liqenat – Jelenka Pass – Babino Polje
Short: Past Alpine Lakes over the Highest Point of the Peaks of the Balkans
Host: Guesthouse
Meals: B / LP / D
Transfers: 30min
Dist: 15
Alt+: 1150
Alt-: 1050
Hours: 7:30
Day 9 - Grbaja Valley – The Culmination of Prokletije
Routing: Babino Polje – Grbaja – Mt. Taljanka – Vusanje
Short: Ridge Hike to the Double Peaks of Mt. Popadija & Taljanka (2.056m)
Host: Guesthouse
Meals: B / LP / D
Transfers: –
Dist: 12
Alt+: 950
Alt-:950
Hours: 6:30
Day 10 - Through the Heart of the Accursed Mountains
Routing: Vusanje – Peja Pass – Theth
Short: The Caravan Route into Albania with Optional Climb of Mt. Arapi (2.217m)
Host: Guesthouse
Meals: B / LP / D
Transfers: 30min
Dist: 11
Alt+: 650
Alt-: 900
Hours: 6:45
Day 11 - Theth – Tradition in the Albanian Highlands
Routing: Theth – Nderlysa – Blue Eye – Shkodra
Short: Learn about Kanun & Blood Feud, Hike to the Grunas Waterfall & Blue Eye
Host: Boutique Hotel
Meals: B / L / D
Transfers: 3h
Dist: 16
Alt+: 225
Alt-: 500
Hours: 5:30
Day 12 - Farewell from Albania!
Routing: Shkodra – Departure
Short: Departure Day from Shkodra (Tirana or Podgorica Airport)
Host: –
Meals: B / – / –
Transfers: ~2h
Dist: 0
Alt+: 0
Alt-: 0
Hours: 0
Cancellation policy
Maps and directions
ECO
RURAL
ADVENTURE
Environment protection
The tour includes visits to five national parks.
Almost all services are sourced from the local community. This includes accommodation at family-run guesthouses and huts; local transport with village minibus, 4×4 and horses; local guides.
Income provided to the rural stakeholders provides incentives and creates awareness about the importance of nature preservation and conservation. It’s a valuable long-term alternative to short term exploitation of natural resources.
Guides have received “Leave No Trace” – training and promoting the principles of “take only photos and leave only footsteps”. They’re also encouraged to collect litter during the trip and participate in annual clean-up events. A financial scheme reimburses horse porters on their empty-handed return journey for each kilo of trash collected.
Zbulo developed mechanisms and trained stakeholders to environmentally friendly standards.
Zbulo supports the up-cycling initiative “Tek Bunkers” and summer school program (including environmental awareness) of the Balkans Peace Park initiative active in all three countries.
