Balkans: 10 days – Peaks of the Balkans Hiking

About this package

Hajla Mountain (KS): Scenic hike with breathtaking mountain views. Liqenati Lakes (KS): Hike to beautiful mountain lakes. Ropojana Valley (MNE): Pass through a picturesque valley. Thethi Village (AL): Visit the charming mountain village of Thethi. Thethi Waterfall (AL): Marvel at the majestic waterfall. Nderlysa Blue Eye (AL): Discover vibrant turquoise waters. Valbona Valley (AL): Hike through iconic landscapes of Valbona. Qerrem & Doberdol (AL): Explore remote mountain villages. Three Border Peak: Hike through a unique tri-country border area. Roshkodoli & Milishec Valleys: Walk through lush, tranquil valleys. Rugova Valley (KS): Organic farm food tasting and hiking the Great Highlands.

Day by day

1. 1
   Day 1

   Meet & Greet in Kosovo

   Arrive in Prishtina international airport, Kosovo. Your trip leader will meet you outside of the customs and immigration area at the airport. He or she will answer questions, brief you on the immediate arrangements and you’ll take transport 1h close to Peja town best known for outdoor activities and adventures. Visit White Drini natural park with biggest waterfall in the region and Sleeping Beauty touristic cave. Transport through Rugova Canyon-top attraction in Kosovo to your starting point – Guesthouse in Rreka Allages 21km from Peja.

2. 2
   Day 2

   Hike Hajla Mountain in Kosovo

   Starting point from Rreka Allages mountain village at 1300m altitude. The first stage in Hajla mountain, from where you will have magnificent and panoramic views towards the rest of Accursed mountains peaks and Rugova valley. You’ll be walking through a pine forest and open mountainous terrain towards Drelaj mountain village. Accommodation and dinner at guesthouse in Drelaj with a view towards Red Rock peak 2522m. Moderate walk 4-5hrs walk +530m, -710m 12.5km. (optional climbing top of Hajla mountain 2403m, extra 2hrs 30min, 3km, +500m, -500m)

3. 3
   Day 3

   Liqenati Mountain Lakes in Kosovo and the Babino Polje in Montenegro

   In this beautiful stage you’ll hike by two attractive Liqenati Mountain Lakes and Shkodra overpass, passing from Kosovo side to Montenegro, continuing through blueberry fields of Jelenku mountain ridge stopping at Babino Polje (Grandma’s Field) mountain, next to Temnjacka stream and close to small city of Plav. - Moderate hike +1150m, -1110m 7-8hrs, 16km.

4. 4
   Day 4

   Ropojana Valley in Montenegro to Thethi in Albania

   Up to the start of this section short transport of 1h. You’ll hike through the magical Ropojana valley for amazing views on both sides of the valley. Passing from Montenegro side to Albania by Gshtarsi Lake. This used to be border patrol path, passing by some old bunkers and border posts, arriving in magical Thethi village. Moderate walk +1110m, -1440m 8hrs walk 19.5km

5. 5
   Day 5

   Thethi Highlights & Nderlysa in Albania

   Edith Durham prominent English writer and traveller once said about Thethi village: I think no place where human beings live has given me such an impression of majestic isolation from all the world. The village is at the centre of Thethi national park, an area of outstanding beauty.

6. 6
   Day 6

   Thethi to Valbona, Albania

   Epic hike from Thethi to Valbona valley passing over Valbona Pass at 1759m for great unrestricted views over the high mountain peaks will give you a feeling of being very small comparing to those. Moderate hike Start at Theth 728m, finish at Valbona 935m 7-8hrs walk +1070m, -850m, 19.5km. (optional transport last 5km of hike).

7. 7
   Day 7

   Valbona Valley to Qerrem & Doberdol, Albania

   Transport 1hrs from Valbona to Qerrem mountain village in Valbona Valley, and from here you’ll hike towards Doberdol village passing by scenic route next to the border line with Montenegro. Overnight stay and dinner at the guesthouse in Doberdol. Qerrem 1220m, Doberdol 1820m. Moderate walk. 6-7hrs walk +1030m, -440m / 16.5km.

8. 8
   Day 8

   Doberdol, Albania to Gjeravica-highest peak in Kosovo

   Hike through entire Doberdol valley, over Qafa Doberdolit-Neck and next to the Heart Lake, climbing to the top of Gjeravica peak at 2656m highest peak in Kosovo, continuing by the highest lakes in the Balkans just to finish by Gacaferri mountain huts at around 1800m altitude. Transfer with 4×4 to Gjakova town for overnight stay and dinner at iconic family-owned hotel and restaurant. Doberdol 1820m, Gacaferri Mountain huts 1800m. Moderate walk. 7-8hrs walk +900m, -920m / 19.5km.

9. 9
   Day 9

   Visit Gjakova & Prizren

   Today you will explore Gjakova and we’ll drive to next city of Prizren, which is known as a museum city, seated at the foot of the Shar mountains, Kosovo’s second city packs a heavy punch with its rich history, traditional handicraft shops and gastronomic delights. Situated at a major crossroad on the Balkan peninsula, the town hosted a handful of empires, with Byzantine and Ottoman architecture leaving the most distinctive marks on the cityscape. Ottoman vibes can be felt especially around Shadervan – near this main, cobbled square you’ll find a great selection of bars and restaurants, as well as the lovely Sinan Pasha Mosque (one of over 44 mosques in the city) and the Old Stone Bridge, which dates back to the 16th century but was reconstructed in the 1980s after was destroyed by flooding. Another interesting monument is Albanian League of Prizren from 1878, Prizren castle over the old city, and many more. Overnight stay at 3-star Hotel and free evening.

10. 10
    Day 10

    End of Itinerary

    Transfer to Prishtina International Airport (1hrs) will be provided for your homeward-bound flight.