The 4 Valleys | Insight Albania

THE 4 VALLEYS OF THE ACCURSED MOUNTAINS

Dear visitor, this is the first hiking trail to traverse the 4 valleys, in an area where ancient tracks connect remote regions of the Balkans.

This circuit will take you through the mountains of northern Albania, and southern Montenegro. The ancient routes were cut during the cold war when tensions were high between Yugoslavia and Albania. The route offers a diversity of landscapes and cultural experiences where the level of difficulty ranges from easy to moderate, but requires good physical condition.

DAY 1

You arrive in airport and we start traveling to Shkoder. Shkoder is one of the biggest Albanians towns and in antiquity has been the capital of Illiria. We arrive on the evening in Shkoder and we will have opportunity to visit Shkodra castle with its stunning views over the rivers Drin and Buna and Shkodra city and lake the biggest in Balkan peninsula. After arrival at the hotel we will have time for diner and prepare for the beautiful next day.

Driving 11/2 hrs

Overnight in Shkoder

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DAY 2

Today we will drive towards the Albanian Alps to be at one of the most beautiful and undiscovered valleys in Albania and as well in the most northern area of the country in Vermosh. During our drive we will see “Leqet e Hotit” a beautiful twisted road compared with Stelvio pass on the Italian Alps. This beautiful road will lead us to Tamara village for a coffee break and refreshment to continue toward Lepushe. As we reach the Bordolec pass we get ready for our today’s walk to Vermosh. The walk will be partly on the forest and partly through pastures of Grebeni mnt. until we reach Vermosh centre. A buss transfer will bring us to Lepushe.

Walking: 5 hrs

Driving: 21/2 hrs

Overnight in Lepushe valley

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Skiing in Brezovica

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DAY 3

Today we will cross Albanian mountains to be in Montenegro. The walk will be towards Vajusha peak and beautiful pastures of the Alps. On the way we will see several shepherd hoods, horses, cattle and sheep. From here we will admire the gorgeous massive of the Accursed Mountains who will astonish us with its wilderness beauty and then will continue descent towards Grebaje valley from where a car transfer will bring us to our hotel in Gusinje.

Walking: 61/2 hrs

Driving: 30min

Overnight in Gusinje valley

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DAY 4

After an abundant breakfast we’ll start our journey towards Albania again through the heart of the Accursed Mountains under the massive of Jezerca (2694m), highest peak of the Albanian Alps to continue through other pristine valleys of Albania in Theth valley. During our walk we will have the accompany of horses who will carry our luggage between valleys. As we arrive in Okol (Theth) a car transfer well send us to the hotel.

Walking 8+ hrs

Driving: 45min

Overnight in Theth valley

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DAY 5

Theth is one of the most isolated areas and pristine villages in Albania. During this day we visit the Church of Thethi the Vendetta Tower, Grunas Waterfall and Canyon and we walk toward Nderlysa village for a beautiful walk and we can swim in Blue Eye a beautiful natural pool with cold water. Today we have a late warm lunch beside the cold waters of Kaprrea River in Nderlysa. Afternoon a buss transfer will send us back to the hotel.

Walking: 7 hrs

Driving: 35min

Overnight in the same place

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DAY 6

We will walk today to another beautiful valley through the Valbona Pass 1966m. This pass connected the valleys from centuries and also families between valleys are related in between. On out walk we will have accompanied by the horses that will carry our luggage as the only way of transportation. Also we admire the beautiful views of Irony Mountains and both valleys.

Walking: 8 hrs

Elevation: 1000m

Driving: 35min

Overnight in Valbona Valley

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DAY 7

We start our walk on a moderate peace on the Valbona Valley until we get on a steep climb with some views. The trail follow thought forest and pastures toward passages until we reach the Cerem Village where we stop for a tea/soft drink. Cerem is an village used only in summer with lack of electricity and infrastructure but this make it an beautiful a enjoyable place. A car transfer will bring us back to Valbona valley.

Walking 7-8 hrs

Driving:45 min

Overnight in the same place Valbona valley

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DAY 8

With the breakfast ''on the go'' we start our last day early to reach the bought in the Koman Lake who will take 2:30 min ride. The bought trip is considered to be as one of the most amazing scenic lakes formed by the construction of Koman Dam in the early 80’. After the bought we drive towards towards the Capital of Albania, Tirana and on the way we’ll visit the city of Kruja as it been the capital of Albania in meddle ages and a centre of resistance against ottomans. In Kruja we’ll visit a very beautiful old Bazzar , Ethnographic museum and our National Hero museum, Gjergj Kastrioti Skanderbeg. After the visit in Kruja we’ll drive to Tirana.

Driving: 4:30min

Overnight in Tirana

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DAY 9

Today is dedicated to Berat the gem of Albania and a Unesco World Heritage town. We enjoy a guided tour around the old district of Berat, with its pretty white buildings perched on the hill amid pine forests. We walk through the narrow cobbled streets and finally reach Berat Castle on the slopes of Mount Tomorr, where we are rewarded with breath-taking views (and begin to understand why it is known to Albanians as 'The City of a Thousand Windows'). Within the castle walls are dwelling houses and the Onufri Museum (Museum of Iconography), which we will visit. In afternoon return to Tirana.

Driving : 4hrs

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DAY 10

This morning we will have opportunity to visit BunkArt2 the nuclear shelter for the Internal Affairs Ministry during the Cold War now converted in a museum of Albanian police from 1912 until 1991. After the visit will have some free time wandering ourselves and depending on our departure time will leave Tirana for Airport.

Driving: 45min

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Note: According to your flight we need to be at the airport 2 hrs before !

End of service

Included:

All accommodation on the 8 Hotels and 1 Guesthouse for 9 nights (Breakfasts included)
All meals from the Day 1 Dinner until Day 10 Lunch (18 meals in total)
All transport with transfers and horses, entrance fees in Shkodra Castle, Vendeta Tower Theth, Kruja Castle, Berati Castle and Onufri museum with Mediaval centre Berat, BunkArt2 and Ferry ticket.

Not Included:

All drinks and everything that is not in the included.

What to bring: Soft bags/backpack are mandatory because they need to carry on horses. For suitcases a fee of 40euro is applied as we use extra horses for them.

Walking shoes mandatory and walking sticks if you use them. Summers are a warm month and temperatures can go between 30-35 degree and sun cream, sun glasses and hat are necessary. Is important to bring rain coat, sweater and long pants.

In Lepushe valley there are no hotels for single or double rooms available but 2* guesthouse will offer shared accommodation with best facilities.

Water we can fill in the guesthouse and there will be sources of water on the way

Maximum distance walk will be 16 km and the highest altitude 2000m.

Terms and condition on this program are the contact between us and everything else from your request will follow with an extra cost.

THE 4 VALLEYS OF THE ACCURSED MOUNTAINS

THE 4 VALLEYS OF THE ACCURSED MOUNTAINS

DAY 1

DAY 2

DAY 3

DAY 4

DAY 5

DAY 6

DAY 7

DAY 8

DAY 9

DAY 10

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