12 Days
Peak of the Balkans
The transnational”Peaks of the Balkans” leads through one of the remote and wild mountainous region of Western Balkans. By using shepherd paths and footways, the trail winds through high alpine mountains up to 2300 meters above the sea level and leads through mountains scenery, with a diversity of breathtaking landscapes, varying from green valley to crystal-clear mountain lakes, waterfalls, river and remote picturesque mountains village, in which time seems to have stopped.
A hidden treasure for nature lover and hikers, an authentic cultural experience and adventure to hike across the three mountains Albania, Kosovo and Montenegro. This trail is a paradise for hiking, nature and mountain lovers.
Schedule for 2020
June 7 – June 18,
June 21 – July 2
July 5 – July 16
July 19 – July 30
August 2 – August 13
August 16 – August 27
September 6 – September 17
September 20 – October 1
October 4 – October 15
October 11 – October 22
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PRICE : From 1.050 Euro
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ITINERARY
DAY 1.
Welcome to Kosovo. Arrival in Peja.
Arriving in Peja, we will have e cultural trail, visiting Tahir Bey Old Traditional House where the Ethnological Museum is located – represents the most beautiful type of old houses in the city of Peja. The house is a cultural monument built by Albanian masters in 1800, continuing, through the old Bazzar we will stop at Bajrakli Mosque, known as “Bazaars Mosque” built in 1471.
The Cultural path continues with the visit of Catholic Church “Saint Catherine”, built on the foundations of an old church of Albanian Catholic confection in 1928. As the parish church “St. Catherine” exists from the Arbers First Council (year 1703 led by Pope Clement). We will close the cultural path with the visit of Orthodox Church, known as “Patriarchate of Peja”, built in the early XIII century, which is located at the entrance of the Rugova Gorge. In the evening we will have a relaxing dinner.
DAY 2.
Via Ferrata – Reka e Allagёs – Hajla (Kosovo)
Trail distance: 11 kilometers
Elevation min: 1,072 meters max: 1,820 meters
Cumulative height uphill: 1,257 meters downhill: 1,139 meters
Difficulty level: Easy
Time: 4 -5 hours
After breakfast and coffee in the center of Peja, we will climb Via Ferrata ( Iron Route) a very attractive activity, than we will continue for Reka e Allages and Hajla. Relaxation afternoon at the base of Hajla , in the evening we will have a dinner and drinks around the fire.
DAY 3.
HAJLA PEAK – QAFA E DASMOREVE – BOGE
Trail distance: 15 kilometers
Elevation min: 1,350 meters max: 2,403 meters
Cumulative height uphill: 1,257 meters downhill: 1,139 meters
Difficulty level: Moderate
Time: 6-7 hours
Finishing the breakfast, we will climb a very attractive Hajla Peak ( 2,403 alt) , continuing the trail through the border ridge ( above 2,000 alt) , with amazing view in Kosovo and Montenegro territory. The night will be spent in Boge village.
DAY 4.
LIQENAT I KUÇISHTES (KOSOVO) – BABINO POLJE (MONTENEGRO)
Trail distance: 15.8 kilometers
Elevation min: 1,438 meters max: 2,276 meters
Cumulative height uphill: 1,151 meters downhill: 1,109 meters
Difficulty level: Moderate
Time: 7-8 hours
After short transfer Boge- Kuçishte, we start the hike at Guri i Kuq Complex.This is a relatively long hike, that goes through beautiful mountain areas with many water sources, glacial lakes, and mountain passes featuring breathtaking views. This day involves a transfer hike to Babino Polje, Montenegro. In Babino Polje, we will have a dinner and spend the night.
DAY 5.
BABINO POLJE – GREBAJA – VUTHAJ ( Montenegro)
Trail Distance: 9.8 Kilometres
Cumulative height uphill: 834 meters downhill: 908 meters
Difficulty level: Moderate
Time: 6-7 hours
A true paradise for outdoor lovers!
The Grebaje Valley is set in the heart of the Prokletije National Park south west of Montenegro, next to the Albanian border. There you can find mountains as emblematic as mount Taljanka and mount Volusnica, but also the majestic Karanfili peaks and Vezirova Brada pass. It is surprisingly very quiet, still unknown despite its breath-taking landscapes. This is a place you should not miss if you are doing the Peaks of the Balkans trail. It is only a slight detour from the official route but it is really a must-see and something you will never forget!
DAY 6.
VUSANJE (Vuthaj), (MONTENEGRO) – THETH (ALBANIA)
Trail distance: 21.35 kilometers
Elevation min: 726 meters max: 1,748 meters
Accumulative height uphill: 1,111 meters downhill: 1,437 meters
Time: 7- 8 hours
Difficulty level: Moderate
This is the last stage of our trek on Montanegro. After a wonderful detour in the Grebaje Valley, we jump back on the official track that will lead us back to Theth, where we began this journey. Starting from tiny village of Vusanje, this track will lead us through the valley of Ropojana, behind the stupendous Karanfili Peaks. It is such a marvellous stage, till the village Theth, the paradise in the heart of Balkan.
DAY 7.
THETH – VALBONA ( ALBANIA )
Trail distance: 19.5 kilometers
Elevation min: 745 meters max: 1,759 meters
Cumulative height uphill: 1,068 meters, downhill: 792 meters
Difficulty level: Moderate
Time: 7 hours
This itinerary involves a hike from Theth (745 m) over the Valbona Pass (1759 m) to Valbonë (995 m). This hike follows the route of an ancient mule track linking the tribal regions of Shala and Nikaj. All the hike is followed with spectacular views. Packhorses will accompany the group today in traditional style making the going easier. Dinner and overnight in a local guesthouse in Valbona.
DAY 8.
VALBONA – ÇEREM – DOBERDOL (ALBANIA)
Trail distance: 14 kilometers
Elevation min: 670 meters max: 1,156 meters
Cumulative height uphill: 541 meters
downhill: 382 meters
Difficulty level: Difficult
Time: 7 – 8 hours
Third day of trekking on Peaks of the Balkans, going from Çerem to Doberdol. After a first stage to warm us up and a second tough stage to challenge us, we’re now ready to walk over another pass and discover more of the balkanese mountains and meadows. Then we’ll take a day off in Doberdol, in this beautiful remote valley swept by the winds that has been described to us as a place of outstanding beauty…
DAY 9.
DOBERDOL ( ALBANIA) – GJERAVICA ( KOSOVO )
Trail distance: 18.2 kilometers
Cumulative height uphill: 915 meters downhill: 980 meters
Difficulty level: Moderate
Time: 8-9 hours
From Doberdol we will continue climbing Gjeravica Peak- 2656m, the highest peak in Kosovo and the second-highest mountain peak in the Accursed Mountains range and the Dinaric Alps chain, after Maja Jezercë. Gjeravica is somewhat different from the rest of the Accursed mountains in its lack of the stony, limestone texture the other mountains in Accursed have. Many large and small glacial lakes can be found near the summit. The largest of the lakes is Gjeravica Lake, which is just under the summit and is the origin of the Erenik river. Gjeravica and Accursed are mostly known for the growth of chestnuts. Relaxed afteroon in Doberdol.
DAY 10.
DOBERDOL (ALBANIA) – MILISHEVC (KOSOVO)
Trail distance: 18.2 kilometers
Elevation min: 1,534 meters max: 2,290 meters
Cumulative height uphill: 915 meters downhill: 980 meters
Difficulty level: Moderate
Time: 8-9 hours
After a nice day-off in the valley of Doberdol, we get back on track, walking towards Milishevc, Kosovo. The track follows a long impressive ridge marking the border with Albania. Today we’ll have to face a new challenge: the marks on this stage of Peaks of the Balkans are apparently not so reliable. In the evening we’ll enjoy a farewell celebration dinner together, around the fire.
DAY 11.
MILISHEVC (KOSOVO) – DEÇAN – GJAKOVË – PRIZREN – PEJË (KOSOVO)
Cultural Tour, through Monastery of Deçan, Hadum Mosque in Gjakova, built in the last decade of the 16th century and the charming Prizren city, getting back in Peja.
DAY 12.
Departure
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DETAILS :
INCLUDED:
– 11 nights accommodation on twin room share basis or, shared accommodation in guesthouses;
– 11 x dinner, 10 x lunch, 11 x breakfast;
– Transfer during the tour ( minibus / 4×4 / taxi);
– English speaking professional guide throughout the tour;
– National parks fee;
– Cultural attraction entrance;
– Permit for non-official border crossing and arrangement fees
NOT INCLUDED:
– Airport transfers ;
– Flights;
– Soft /Alcoholic drinks/Snacks;
– Insurance;
– Guide tips
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GENERAL CONDITIONS:
Clients need to be in good health and physically fit. Hiking takes place on varied terrain and sometimes paths are old, in bad condition and overgrown.
Please ensure you have:
comfortable, closed hiking shoes with ankle support recommended
minimum 2 liters water and snacks
daypack for carrying water and gear
waterproof jacket
sunscreen & sunhat
camera
small personal first aid kit / personal medication (your guide will carry a full first aid kit)
For hiking during the spring and autumn months please carry a warm layer of clothing and long trousers / gaiters are recommended. For each multi-day hiking tour you will be provided with a recommended kit list.
We can be flexible with the itinerary, depends of the schedule and request of the group interested for this tour package.
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