HIKING MACEDONIA & ALBANIA

YOUR ITINERARY:

DAY 1: SHKODER A group transfer will be provided from Tirana International Airport to the hotel in Shkodra (85km / 1h 45min). If time permits, after a traditional Albanian dinner, your guide may take you for a walk in the center of Shkodra and through the pedestrian historic area. Overnight in Shkoder. (D) 

Shkoder Thethi waterfall

DAY 2: HIKE / DISCOVER TETH Beautiful drive through the valley of Boga and up the Thore Pass in a spectacular mountain landscape. During the afternoon we will visit the main attractions of Thethi valley, such as the Church (750m), the Kulla e Ngujimit ,the Thethi Waterfall, Grunasi Canyon, and the cyclopean stone walled terraces dating from the late bronze era, recently discovered in 2007. Overnight in a guesthouse in Thethi. (B,PL,D) Walking time: approx. 5Hrs

Theth Valley Thethi

DAY 3: VALBONA PASSThis morning we will leave Thethi behind as we are heading over the Valbona Pass (Qafe e Valbonës). The pass lies at 1960m and will be the highest point of our trek. We will follow a rough and rocky mountain trail, which is the only connection to the Valbona valley where we are heading. From the pass we can look forward to fantastic views of the Radohima and Jezerca Mountains. Accommodation: Guesthouse Kole Gjoni Rrogam/Valbona (B,PL,D) Walking time: approx. 8hrs

Thethi church Theth meadows

Day 4 - Boat Koman lake - KrujaThis morning we will have to leave very early in the morning to catch the ferry boat service from Fierze which leaves around 6 am. However this is definitely worth since the journey along Lake Koman itself is absolutely stunning! It takes around 2 and a half hours, and as Lake Koman is narrow and surrounded by steep sided mountains, the journey is akin to travelling through a spectacular fjord like canyon. From Koman we will drive to Kruja. During the afternoon we will make the hike to the Sarisalltik Peak of the Kruja Mountain. Overnight in Kruja. (B,PL,D) Walking time: approx. 4hrs

 

Day 5 – Hike to Pellumbas cave in Tirana. Leaving Albania

Today we visit the capital of Albania - Tirana, and wen head towards village of Pellumbas lying in the rural hills above Tirana. A 2km trail leads us to “Shpella e Zeze” or “The Black Cave of Pellumbas”. The view from the trail is spectacular, with the mountainside dropping down into the canyon of Erzen River. After 4 hours walking, we come back to Pellumbas village for a delicious lunch of dishes that are typical to the area. The last driving will bring us to the border crossing of Qafe Thana with Macedonia, and to our hotel by the cave churches in Kalista on Ohrid Lake. Dinner and overnight in hotel in Kalista. (B,L,D) Walking time: approx. 4hrs

Ohrid Lake Black Cave of Pellumbas

DAY 6: OHRID & OHRID LAKE

Enjoy the breakfast on the hotel balcony overlooking Ohrid Lake, and start the tour from the cave churches and monk cells carved into the rocks above Ohrid Lake and into the Old town of Ohrid, a UNESCO heritage city also known as “the Jerusalem of the Balkans”: city with 365 Byzantine churches and the birthplace of the Cyrilic script. On the tour around the lake you wil visit the Bay of Bones (archeological site under water) and take a boat in the lagoon of the springs by St Naum. Lunch in a fishermen village by the lake. Optional, we may arrange a diving tour of the ruins underwater at the Bay of Bones. Evening drive over Galicica National Park to a small village by Prespa Lake for a nice homemade village dinner and overnight in the monastery rooms. (you may take your bed outside if you wish and sleep under the stars) (B,L,D)

St Jovan Kaneo - Ohrid

DAY 7: NATIONAL PARK PELISTER

It is a big hike day: over Baba mountain and the peak Pelister (2.600m), to the other side of the mountain, and to the “city of consuls” Bitola. Break at the peak with possibility to take a swim in the glacial lake “ the Eye of Pelister”. This is the oldest Natioanl Park in Macedonia, also famous for its ancient fiveneedled pine, lynx, and bearded eagle. Dinner and overnight in a hotel at the foothills of Pelister. (B,L,D) Hiking time: 9 h /1000m-2600m- 1420m

The Eye of Pelister

DAY 8: TRESKAVEC – THE MONASTERY ON BOULDERS Today we drive to the tobacco area of Macedonia, where we hike pass the medieval walls and towers of King Marko and to a XIV century monastery Treskavec placed between massive boulders on the top of the Gold mountain. Afternoon drive to the wine area of Macedonia for a guided visit of the wine cellars of Popova Kula winery, and for winetasting of some of the best Macedonian wines paired with traditional dinner. Overnight in the winery hotel. (B,L,D with winetasting) Walking time: 5h

DAY 9: MATKA CANYON Morning drive to Mt Vodno overlooking Skopje where a cable car will take us to the Millennium Cross on the top of Vodno mountain. From we take an easy 3-4h trekking to Matka canyon where lunch will be served in the gardens of a XIII century monastery purched on the rocks above Matka Lake with fantastic view over the canyon. Afternoon transfer to Skopje. Evening walk through the cobblestoned alleys of the Old Town of Skopje to for dinner in a restaurant under the city walls. Overnight in hotel in Skopje. (B,L,D) Walking time: 3-4h

Canyon Matka

DAY 10: SKOPJE

After breakfast transfer to airport for flght home. Optional, if there is time,walk through the Old town of Skopje with the colorful bazaar of gold jewelry, artcrafts and spices.

End of tour

INCLUDED IN PRICE:Transport by airconditioned minicoachAcommodation: Albania: 2 nights in guesthouse, based on several single beds per room, 2 nights in 3/4 star hotel based on twin shared ensuite rooms.Macedonia: 1 x 4* hotel,2 x 3* hotel,1 x monastery (shared facilities), 1 x winery hotel Meals: 9 x breakfast, 8 x lunch, 7 x dinner, 1 x dinner with winetastingBoat ride in St Naum springs, cable car on Mt Vodno, tourist guide in Ohrid, life music in MatkaAll luggage transfer by mule and vehicle (bring bags, no suitcases!)Full escort by English speaking hiking guide Organization and logistic of Macedonia Travel & Outdoor Albania

NOT INCLUDED IN PRICE:Travel insurance Drinks with the meals, snacks and any personal expenses not mentioned in the Included servicesEntrance fees for sites visited Discovery diving in the Bay of Bones ( 45 euro)