Walking in Albania

Name: Walking in Albania
Brand: Exodus
Rating: 4.4 (34 reviews)

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8 Days from

USD 2,149

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Walking & Trekking

Ways to Travel :

Guided Group, Private Group Adventures

Activity :

Walking & Trekking

Activity Levels :

3 out of 7 - Moderate

Group Size :

4 - 16

Ages :

16+

Trip Code :

TVZ

Trek in the Albanian Alps and soak up the culture as you visit historic landmarks

This fascinating, lesser-known Mediterranean country has a pristine, rugged and wild landscape waiting to be discovered. It wasn't until the collapse of the People's Socialist Republic of Albania in 1991 that the world got its first glimpse of the country within. Our trek is focussed in the remote Albanian Alps in the north, where ancient blood feuds and folklore mark its past. We explore the remote regions of Theth and Valbonë on foot, where Agricultural life has remained unchanged for centuries. We then have time to explore the historic towns of Berat and Krujë and delve into the captivating history of this hospitable country.

Highlights

The picturesque regions of Theth and Valbone
The 'Lock-in Tower' of Theth
UNESCO World Heritage Sites
Traditional folklore evening

Key Information

2 nights guesthouses, 5 nights hotels
3 full day walks; 2 shorter walks
Altitude maximum 2090m, average 1250m
Group normally 4 to 16, plus leader(s). Min age 16 yrs

Countries visited: Albania

What's Included

All breakfasts, 4 lunches and 4 dinners included
All accommodation
Transfer for group flights

What's Not Included

Travel insurance
Visas and vaccinations
Single supplement

5 Days of Walking & Trekking

Pace:

Anything from 1-7 hours walking per day

Terrain:

Low altitude; uneven trails, some cross-country routes, with some steep ascents

Day 2

2 km / 1.2 miles

Day 3

14 km / 8.7 miles

Day 4

10 km / 6.2 miles

Day 5

15 km / 9.3 miles

Day 6

3 km / 1.9 miles

Day 7

2 km / 1.2 miles

People, Places & Planet

We work hard to create trips which improve life for the people and places we visit, and look after the planet we explore. Find out more about our sustainable travel ethos and practice here, and find out about the work of the Exodus Travels Foundation here.

Some sustainable travel highlights of this trip include:

People - How this trip helps improve life for local communities.

The use of a local guide means our customers will be well informed about local traditions, and cultural and social sensitivities.
This trip brings income and opportunity to the destination community through the inclusion of locally-owned hotels and restaurants, the emphasis on eating locally produced food and support of other local enterprise.
We use fairly small, family run and locally staffed establishments which ensures that we are benefiting local communities.
Our activity also benefits the rural village of Copey, which is nestled in the highlands of the Central Mountain Range. By passing through this area, seeing how the locals live and work and having lunch in a typical home, we are encouraging cultural exchange and providing valuable avenues of income here.
There is an option for clients to directly support local schools by packing a gift of educational supplies when we visit Copey area on this tour.
This is a small group tour, meaning that we have a low impact on the environments and communities we visit and are able to ensure that we do not disrupt or lead to the displacement of local people.
Our local operator is very involved in supporting community projects. On International Tourism Day in 2019 they took part in cleaning a beach at Guacalillo. They collected a total 150 Kg of waste and all the plastic lids collected were donated to the Fundación Proparques, for a project developing walkways to improve accessibility for people with mobility problems in the country's protected wild areas.
In 2017 Exodus Travels introduced the Inspiration Project, where we’ve worked with our partners to take more than 6,000 children in 30 countries on a day of adventure and exploration. Each inspirational day out is designed to introduce young minds to the wonders of our world and their place in it. From visiting cultural heritage sites to natural wonders, each trip has been packed with firsts – their first time leaving their own village, their first time seeing the sea, their first time visiting a busy city. We continue to operate these days out to inspire children to protect and preserve the world as they grow up.

Places - How this trip helps protect and conserve local landscapes and nature.

Read about our commitment to nature protection and restoration here, including our rewilding commitment for every customer who travels.
By travelling in a small group, led by a local guide, we ‘tread lightly’ to minimise our impact on local resources and the environment.
Being a wildlife-based tour, we are very conscious of our effects on the environment and how we can reduce negative impact and aid conservation. We visit national and private parks, including the Santa Elena Cloud Forest Reserve, one of the first community-managed reserves in the country. Our entrance fees also directly support conservation efforts in the areas we visit.
Our local operator has a policy of Animal Welfare that requests suppliers to comply with the minimum conditions of animal welfare.
Our local operator has been awarded by the Costa Rican Tourism Board for their sustainable tourism practice & dedication to improving sustainability standards. This means that efforts are made to rationally use water and electricity, provide adequate waste management, and positively impact communities, among many other actions.
Most of the accommodation and restaurants we visit on this trip use locally sourced food such as fruit which is always sourced locally and abundant. Esquinas lodge have their own policy whereby they produce their own organic vegetables and fruit, marmalade, juices, mayonnaise, bread, chocolate and seasoning.
Vegetarian options are available if notice is given which include a variety of fresh fruit, vegetables, and rice.
To reduce our carbon emissions, we use a shared coach at the beginning of the tour to transport clients from San José to Tortuguero rather than an internal flight. During the trip, we travel responsibly using appropriate methods of transport; therefore, depending on group size, a minibus/coach will be used.
Our trips adhere to ABTA’s industry-leading animal welfare guidelines to ensure the best possible practices with regard to working animals and wildlife viewing. Our animal welfare policy can be found here.
We work with our partners on the ground to proactively eliminate or reduce waste, for example eliminating all single-use plastic water bottles and instead providing refills for re-usable bottles.

Planet - How we seek to keep the carbon footprint of this trip low.

Read about our climate action here, including our carbon reduction and compensation commitments.
An example of eco-friendly accommodation on this trip is the Esquinas Rainforest Lodge, a model project combining conservation, environmental research and community development in a rural area. The plot is surrounded by approximately 3,000 hectares of untouched rainforest which acts as a carbon sink and the lodge itself is 100 % carbon neutral, meaning it will take action to remove as much carbon dioxide from the atmosphere as they produce.

Itinerary

The tour starts at our centrally located hotel in Tirana, Albania's trendy capital. Those on the group flight arrive at lunch time and will be transferred to the hotel (approx. 30 mins drive).

Sky 2 Hotel or similar

We have an early start this morning and drive to Shkodër (approx. 2 hrs), where we visit the Castle of Rozafa and the city centre of one of the oldest and most historic places in Albania. We recommend that you also take this opportunity to shop for anything you might want for the next three days (snacks, chocolate etc.) before we head into the more remote regions. Our journey continues into the breathtaking Albanian Alps and Theth National Park (approx. 3 hrs), an area admired for its rich flora and fauna. After checking into our quaint guesthouse in Theth, we set off on a gentle walk through the valley nestled between the wonderful surrounding peaks, gaining an insight into agricultural life as we pass locals going about their day. We continue to the Roman Catholic Church of Theth, built in 1892, which was once used as a health centre during the communist regime. The highlight, however, is a visit to the shutting tower (or lock-in tower) of Theth, known locally as ‘Kulla’. These historic stone ‘lock-in towers’ were used for protection of families that were involved in blood feuds and this is one of the few that remains today.

Shpella Guesthouse or similar

Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Theth Valley is predominantly an agricultural region, where age-old farming practices and horse-drawn carts are still used today. We observe rural life as we begin walking to Grunas Waterfall. From here we continue on to Nderlyse where we find a string of natural water pools and a feature known as the ‘Blue Eye of Kapre’. There is an opportunity to swim here, so don't forget your swimming things.

Shpella Guesthouse or similar

Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

We walk through some of the wildest scenery into the Tropojë District, known as the home of Albanian folk culture. We firstly ascend through forests and alpine pastures to reach the Valbonë Pass (1800m), from where we take a few moments to enjoy the spectacular views down Valbonë and Theth Valleys. We then follow a trail which brings us alongside the Valbonë River, passing some beautiful waterfalls along the way. We finish at the quaint village of Rragam, where the minibus will wait for us to transport us to our hotel. Expect some rocky mountainous terrain today, particularly as we descend.

Hotel Rilindja/Hotel Margjeka or similar

Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Our route today takes us through beech and pine forests down Rosi Peak and leads us onto the 'White Circle', where we enjoy panoramic views of the peaks and valleys of the Albanian Alps. There is the option to either do the full length of the 'White Circle' or walk as far as the ridge of the 'White Circle', then back down the valley. For those who wish to opt out of the 'White Circle' walk, you can instead walk independently in the local area, or head to the slopes to collect some mountain tea. Please note that the total ascent/descent is 1000m if doing the full length.

Hotel Rilindja/Hotel Margjeka or similar

Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

After breakfast, we drive to Fierza (approx. 1.5 hrs). We then take a boat through the beautiful Komani Lake (which takes approx. 2 hrs). The boat journey allows us to take in the spectacular scenery whilst we wind our way between high cliffs and towering peaks. Three hydroelectric power plants have been built here at the lake, which produces approx. 70% of Albania's electricity. We then drive for another 2.5 hrs to Kruje, the centre of Skanderbeg's resistance to the Ottoman invasion in the 15th century.

Hotel Panorama or similar

Meals Included: Breakfast

This morning we travel to Berat. On arrival, we enjoy a guided tour around the old district of Berat, with its pretty white buildings perched on the hill amid pine forests. Our tour includes a visit to the Ethnographic Museum (a 18th-century Ottoman house) and the King Mosque. We walk through the narrow cobbled streets to finally reach Berat Castle on the slopes of Mount Tomorr, where we are rewarded with breathtaking views. Within the castle walls are dwelling houses and the Onufri Museum (Museum of Iconography). There is free time to enjoy the other sites of Berat or to perhaps absorb the relaxed café culture on the promenade. Our hotel is situated in Mangalem, the historic quarter of Berat, where the castle peers down upon the area from its hilltop.

Hotel Mangalemi or similar

Meals Included: Breakfast, Dinner

Those on the group flight will be transferred back to Mother Theresa Airport for their lunchtime flight to London (approx. 2-hour drive to the airport).

Meals Included: Breakfast

Essential Info

Visa

Albania

Travellers from the UK, US and EU normally do not need a visa to enter Albania. Please note, visa requirements often change and it is your responsibility to obtain any required visas for this trip. Therefore, we recommend that you check with the nearest embassy or consulate of your chosen destination(s), including any countries you may be transiting or transferring through.

Some local governments provide guidance on what visas their citizens need. To help, we’ve gathered a selection of useful links below.

Australia:  www.smartraveller.gov.au/destinations/europe/albania

Canada:  www.travel.gc.ca/destinations/albania

United Kingdom:  www.gov.uk/foreign-travel-advice/albania/entry-requirements

USA:  www.travel.state.gov/content/travel/en/international-travel/International-Travel-Country-Information-Pages/Albania.html

Vaccination

Albania

There are no required vaccinations. However, you may want to consider vaccinations for hepatitis A, hepatitis B, tetanus, rabies and tick-borne encephalitis. Please confirm with your doctor or travel clinic.

You will, however, require a yellow fever vaccination certificate if arriving from a country with risk of yellow fever transmission.

Eating and Drinking

All breakfasts, 4 lunches and 4 dinners included.

Three of these lunches are packed lunches. In the itinerary, we state which meals are included on each day.

Under the leadership of Enver Hoxha (the communist leader of Albania from 1944-1985), Albania became a self-sustaining country due to its isolation to the world. However, due to the lush fertile valleys, fresh mountain springs and Mediterranean climate, they are still very much a subsistence culture and show very little signs of changing. In the countryside expect your food to have been reared/grown not too far from your plate.

Food in Albania is quite varied thanks to the many influences on the country and particularly Mediterranean combining both Turkish and European tastes. Dairy products, especially milk and yoghurt are present in almost every meal, usually locally sourced. Meals are reasonably priced at around GBP£3-5 per dish for traditional dishes such as baked rice, casseroles, stuffed aubergine and Jani Meat (beef or lamb sautéed with onions, garlic and spices). Fresh fish is also plentiful, from the sea or lakes and is an important ingredient in many dishes. Dishes that must be sampled are Tirana stew, Elbasan yoghurt and baked phyllo pie. For dessert, there are the classic cookies and puddings but most importantly the Baklava is very popular. Drinks are reasonably priced with a bottle of local beer costing around £1 yet traditional drinks need to be tried as well, Raki and ‘Scanderbeg’ Cognac for example (noted for its unique flavour and aroma).

Your leader will recommend restaurants for each evening. Vegetarians are well-catered for in Albania as long as the hotels are advised in advance - please inform us before departure of any special dietary requests. If you follow a vegan diet you should expect that the variety of food may be limited whilst on this trip. This diet is relatively uncommon in this region and we cannot guarantee that the hotels and restaurants will provide meals that have the necessary variety.

Weather

Albania generally experiences a Mediterranean climate with summer temperatures at 25ºC on average in the day, and the warmest months are July and August where temperatures can rise to 30ºC and above. It becomes cooler further inland towards Korca during these months, especially in the evenings with high temperatures around 25ºC. There is always the small chance of rain in the mountains yet we aim not to travel in the coldest and wettest months, which is November to January. Berat also experiences a Mediterranean climate but thanks to its location in the shadow of Mt Tomorr, summers are much warmer than expected for the Mediterranean.

Weather Charts

Tirana, Albania

Is this trip for you?

Activity Level: 3 Moderate

This trip focuses on the north and central regions of Albania and is a balance of walking, culture and sightseeing. During the first half of the week, we trek in the remote Albanian Alps in the north. For the second half, we visit the historic towns of Berat and Krujë.

This trek is suitable for the average walker who is prepared to put in some physical preparation. For the most part, our walks follow good trails yet the terrain can be very rocky and slippery in parts, particularly in the Theth and Valbonë regions. We will encounter sustained steep ascents/descents (sometimes with gravel slopes) and you should be confident in your ability to deal with heights.

Over the course of the week, we enjoy five walks of varying length. There are three spectacular full day walks of up to about 7 hours walking per day, and two shorter walks each of roughly 1-3 hours walking (including stops). Walking hours stated are given as approximates only. The remainder of our time is spent sightseeing in Berat and Krujë.

There will be some long drives (approx. 4 hrs in total on Day 6 plus a 2hr boat journey), which are unavoidable in order to see as much as possible. Due to certain areas still being relatively undeveloped, some of the drives will be on windy and quite bumpy roads. Some roads are full of potholes and of a much lower standard to what is mostly expected in Europe. Still, we are always rewarded with spectacular wild scenery throughout. There may be some very short off road journeys where seatbelts cannot be guaranteed for the 4x4 vehicles used.

Luggage is transferred by horses during the trek. Hard suitcases are therefore not suitable.

Download our Fitness Training Guide for more information on our Activity Levels.

Following a review of all our trips we have categorised this trip as generally not suitable for persons of reduced mobility. However if you are a regular traveller on such trips, please contact customer services to discuss the trip and your personal condition.

Emmy L

Reviewed October 2022

Great hiking!

This trip to Albania provided hikes far beyond my expectations, the best of which was crossing the pass from Theth to Valbone. We each ascended/descended at our own pace that day, as the path was very clearly marked, and regrouped every so often at the cafes along the way – the perfect opportunity to really enjoy your own tempo. Dorian was a fantastic leader, really knowledgeable and keen to share. Good food and lovely hosts everywhere we went. I’m a vegetarian and didn’t struggle to find plenty of options – Dorian made sure I was always accommodated for. Take your swimmers for an icy cold dip in the blue pool. Definitely would recommend this trip to anyone who enjoys lively culture, good food and a nice hike.

Penny Welford

Reviewed September 2022

Great walks and interesting history

The trip was a good balance for me between excellent walking through stunning scenery and learning about the country’s history and visiting some historic sites.

Thoughts on Group Leader

Dorian was a great guide: very encouraging when walking, coped very well when problems arose (didn't let us know). Extensive local and national knowledge and a good sense of humour. Dorian also cared about our local well-being and needs.

Advice for Potential Travellers

Remember it can be hot and humid. Take lots of water I packed a light-weight hair dryer but didn't need it (either available or too hot!) Small head-torch is useful depending on your itinerary. I felt very safe even when on my own away from people.

Suggestions

The food was good and interesting!

Phyllis Ryan

Reviewed June 2022

Great trip

We were a group of seven people on this trip. Our tour leader’s name was Bledin (probably the wrong spelling). He was an excellent leader, very friendly, knowledgeable and helpful. For some of the time we were really just sightseeing, but when we were trekking it was quite hard work. This trip is classified as moderate, but I do feel that it should be classified as moderate/ challenging, as when we were trekking in the alps, we were on shale, which is rather challenging, especially as I’d never walked on that surface before. However, with Bledin’s help I was able to successfully negotiate the three days of trekking. Our forth walk was on rocky steps which I am more familiar with.

The Albanian people are very friendly, and helpful. The wife of one of the hoteliers even leant me a pair of boots, when mine fell apart!

All in all, a very enjoyable trip.

Most Inspirational Moment

Managing to walk across the snow on the pass between Theth and Valbone'

Thoughts on Group Leader

He was excellent

Advice for Potential Travellers

Make sure that you can walk up mountains on shale.

Anita Williams

Arvil was an extremely pleasant and well informed leader who spoke English fluently. However there are 2 points I would like to raise regarding his decisions 1. For reasons which were never made clear the already scheduled long drive from Valbona (Day 6) to Berat was extended to go via Dourros on the coast (his home town I believe). There appeared no good reason for this. This made it an extremely tiring day of almost 12 hours arriving at Berat at 1900 where we were, after checking into our hotel, taken off for a guided tour of 2 of the oldest mosques in the country (on the itinerary for the following day). Most of the group including myself were too tired to either challenge this or declined this tour. 2. On Day 5 the option to do the full length of the White Circle was not given. Although I was perfectly happy to walk only as far as the ridge and back down the valley, I know that at least 2 of the group was very disappointed not be able to be given this choice. Again no reason for this was presented by Arvil.

Advice for Potential Travellers

If you are not fit and a seasoned walker this trip will find you out!!! The Exodus rating of 3 Moderate is a little understated I would say. The mountain walking in this programme is really wonderful but if you are not already a regular walker and unfit think twice about this. Having said all of the above I would highly recommend this programme if you like unspoilt untouristy places - go now before its too late!

Suggestions

I hesitated to give the programme the "excellent" rating which in many ways it deserves - the wonderful walking, excellent food and accommodation, and good guiding (despite my above comments on Arvil's handling of the programme in a couple of instances - mainly because the cultural part of the programme, in my view, could be improved greatly by adding an extra night at Berat (which everybody loved) instead of just the one night. In that way participants would have time to really appreciate this really fascinating city and recover from the long trip from the mountains. Most of the group were of the same opinion.

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You will get a refund if you have to cancel your trip due to COVID-19.

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