10-DAY TREKKING: THE PEAKS OF THE BALKANS TRAIL

Three Countries, Hajla & Gjeravica Summits, UNESCO Monasteries, Glacial Lakes & Shepherd Life

Ten Days. Three Border Crossings. The Legendary Peaks of the Balkans Circuit.

Forget standard hiking holidays.

Forget fast-paced, crowded tourist hubs.

This is the ultimate Peaks of the Balkans trekking expedition designed for mountain lovers who want to conquer the wild, ancient shepherd trails of Albania, Kosovo and Montenegro — combining peak summits, frozen glacial lakes, UNESCO World Heritage monasteries, shepherd settlements with organic dairy feasts and the rich historical soul of Prizren and Tirana.

From standing atop Kosovo’s highest mountain to sleeping off-grid in shepherd huts and descending historical trade routes into hidden valleys, every single day writes a legendary mountain chapter.

🥾 TREK. SUMMIT. CROSS BORDERS. DISCOVER. RECHARGE. CONNECT.

🗓️ DAY 1 — ARRIVAL IN TIRANA & CAPITAL CULTURAL WALK

🏙️ Welcome to Albania

Your epic Balkan expedition begins with an included airport pick-up in Tirana, transferring you comfortably to your hotel.

After settling in, step out for a guided walking tour of Albania’s dynamic capital. Discover Skanderbeg Square, the historic Et'hem Bey Mosque, the National Historical Museum, the iconic Tirana Pyramid and the vibrant Blloku district — a neighborhood transformed into a hub of modern art, coffee culture and nightlife.

🍽️ WELCOME DINNER

In the evening, gather with your local guide and fellow trekkers at a traditional restaurant for a Welcome Dinner. Raise a glass, taste local specialties and prepare for the mountain trails ahead.

🎶 CITY VIBES • HISTORIC SQUARE • MOUNTAIN BREWING

🗓️ DAY 2 — TIRANA → KOSOVO (PEJA MONASTERY) → RUGOVA CANYON → REKA E ALLAGES

🏔️ Journey Into Rugova Valley (260 KM)

Leave Tirana behind as we cross into Kosovo. Our first highlight is a visit to the medieval Patriarchate of Peja Monastery, a spiritual sanctuary nestled at the mouth of Rugova Canyon and protected by UNESCO.

🏡 SHEPHERD HOSPITALITY

After lunch, travel deep into the dramatic Rugova Canyon to the quiet mountain village of Reka e Allages.

Arrive at our local pension, where your hosts Mustafa and Fetije welcome you with genuine mountain hospitality. Settle in, enjoy a hearty homemade dinner and rest under the stars.

🗓️ DAY 3 — REKA E ALLAGES → HAJLA SUMMIT → DRELAJ

🥾 Conquering Mt. Hajla

Distance: 12 km | Duration: 4-5 hrs | ↗ 650 m | ↘ 840 m

Begin your official Peaks of the Balkans trekking journey with a spectacular 12 km trail through the Rugova Mountains.

Ascend through high alpine pastures to reach the majestic summit of Hajla Mountain. Take in panoramic, ridge-line views stretching across Kosovo and Montenegro while enjoying a scenic break on top.

🌲 DESCENT TO DRELAJ

Descend through remote mountain hamlets to the village of Drelaj. Settle into a traditional pension for the night, enjoying a fresh local dinner and insights into traditional mountain life.

🗓️ DAY 4 — JELENKA PASS → BABINO POLJE → GUSINJE (MONTENEGRO)

🦅 Crossing Into Montenegro

Distance: 16 km | Duration: 7-8 hrs | ↗ 1,145 m | ↘ 1,110 m

Power up with a hearty mountain breakfast before embarking on your first official border crossing on foot.

Trek past pristine glacial lakes and natural springs towards Lugu i Shkodres and the high Jelenka Pass — the remote frontier dividing Kosovo and Montenegro.

🫐 BLUEBERRY TRAILS & VALLEY TRANSFERS

After a trailside picnic lunch, descend through Babino Polje Park, a lush valley inhabited by seasonal shepherds where you can pick wild, naturally grown mountain blueberries.

Finish the trek with a short car transfer to the historic mountain town of Gusinje for dinner and a restful night in a local pension.

🗓️ DAY 5 — ROPOJAN → PEJA PASS → THETH (ALBANIA)

🏔️ Medieval Trade Routes into Theth

Distance: 19 km | Duration: 7-8 hrs | ↗ 720 m | ↘ 1,050 m

Take a short drive to Lake Gjeshtari in Ropojan to cross your second border on foot — from Montenegro into Albania.

Trek through deep alpine pine forests into the dramatic Rrunica Valley before reaching the famous Peja Pass, where you will marvel at the frozen Peja Lake.

🏡 HISTORICAL DESCENT

Follow an ancient merchant trade path down the steep mountain slope into the fairytale valley of Theth.

Check into your guesthouse surrounded by towering vertical cliffs and enjoy a well-deserved traditional Albanian dinner.

🗓️ DAY 6 — THETH NATIONAL PARK: WATERFALLS, BLUE EYE & STONE TOWERS

💧 Natural Wonders & Heritage

Distance: 10 km | Duration: 3-4 hrs | ↗ 164 m | ↘ 315 m

Spend a full, relaxing day discovering the natural and cultural jewels of Theth National Park.

Admire the roaring waters of Grunas Waterfall and the sheer walls of Grunas Canyon.

Take a cold, invigorating dip in the Nderlysa Natural Pools.

Enjoy a scenic picnic lunch right by the glowing, icy waters of the Blue Eye of Theth.

🏛️ CENTURIES OF TRADITION

In the afternoon, explore the village center to visit the 400-year-old Lock-in Tower (Kulla e Ngujimit) — historically used for blood feud reconciliations — and the iconically preserved 100-year-old Theth Church.

Return to your guesthouse for another feast of organic mountain cuisine.

🗓️ DAY 7 — THE TRANS-ALPS PASS: THETH TO VALBONË

🥾 The Classic Balkan Traverse

Distance: 19 km | Duration: 7-8 hrs | ↗ 980 m | ↘ 1,000 m

Set off on the region's quintessential mountain trail connecting the two most famous valleys in the Accursed Mountains.

Ascend through dense beech and pine forests up to Qafa e Valbonës (Valbonë Pass). From the top, take in a breathtaking, simultaneous view of both the Theth and Valbonë Valleys framed by jagged limestone peaks.

🌲 DESCENT TO RAGAM & VALBONË

After a trailside refreshment, descend along a historic path through the alpine village of Ragam and along the pebbled bed of the crystal-clear Valbonë River.

Arrive at your cozy pension in Valbonë for dinner and a relaxing evening.

🗓️ DAY 8 — VALBONË → ÇEREM → DOBËRDOL SHEPHERD VILLAGE

🧀 Off-Grid Shepherd Life

Distance: 16 km | Duration: 6-7 hrs | ↗ 950 m | ↘ 270 m

Take a brief morning vehicle transfer from Valbonë to the remote settlement of Çerem, the starting point for today’s wilderness trek.

Hike up to Dobërdol, a high-altitude alpine pasture settlement where shepherd families live seasonally with their herds.

🏡 AUTHENTIC LIVING

Experience a night completely disconnected from modern distractions — living off-grid without electricity or cell reception.

In exchange, enjoy incredible warm hospitality and a feast of fresh, homemade organic dairy products, local breads and traditional dishes made right in the shepherd huts.

🗓️ DAY 9 — GJERAVICA SUMMIT → DEÇAN MONASTERY → PRIZREN

🏆 Conquering Kosovo’s Highest Peak (80 KM)

Distance: 16 km | Duration: 6-7 hrs | ↗ 1,110 m | ↘ 730 m

Set out early to claim the ultimate trophy of the trek — ascending Mt. Gjeravica (2,656 m), the highest mountain peak in Kosovo.

Trek across vast alpine meadows and past stunning, heart-shaped glacial lakes. Take on the final steep climb to the summit and celebrate standing on top of Kosovo with panoramic views across three nations.

🏛️ UNESCO HERITAGE & PRIZREN NIGHTS

Descend to the valley for a 4x4 pickup and transfer to visit the magnificent Visoki Dečani Monastery, a UNESCO World Heritage site protected for its medieval Serbian Orthodox frescoes.

Continue to the romantic Ottoman city of Prizren. Check into your hotel and enjoy a celebratory dinner along the Bistrica River.

🗓️ DAY 10 — PRIZREN EXPLORATION → RETURN TO TIRANA / AIRPORT

🕌 Ottoman Heritage & Departure

After breakfast, enjoy a guided morning walking tour through the cobbled streets of Prizren.

Visit the majestic Sinan Pasha Mosque, the UNESCO-listed Church of Our Lady of Ljevis, the League of Prizren Museum and the iconic Ottoman historic center, famous for its master gold and silver filigree craftsmen.

✈️ GOODBYE, BALKANS

In the afternoon, transfer back to Tirana / Tirana Airport for your return flight home.

Your 10-day trekking story comes to an end, but the memories stay:

Tirana streets • Rugova Canyon • Hajla summits • Jelenka Pass borders • Blueberry trails • Peja Pass trade routes • Theth Blue Eye • Valbonë Pass panoramas • Off-grid Dobërdol living • Gjeravica Peak • Dečani frescoes • Prizren filigree

✨ WHY CHOOSE OUR 10-DAY PEAKS OF THE BALKANS TREKKING TOUR?

✔️ Private Group Exclusivity: Available exclusively for private groups starting from 4 travelers

✔️ Three-Country Circuit: Seamless foot-trekking across Albania, Kosovo & Montenegro

✔️ Two Major Summits: Conquer Mt. Hajla and Mt. Gjeravica (2,656 m — Kosovo’s highest peak)

✔️ UNESCO World Heritage: Patriarchate of Peja, Visoki Dečani Monastery & Church of Our Lady of Ljevis

✔️ Off-Grid Shepherd Experience: Sleep in the remote shepherd settlement of Dobërdol with traditional dairy feasts

✔️ Iconic Mountain Passes: Trek Jelenka Pass, Peja Pass and the famous Valbonë Pass

✔️ Full Board Mountain Fuel: Daily breakfasts, trail picnic lunches and traditional homemade dinners included

✔️ Hassle-Free Logistics: Included airport transfers, luggage/4x4 transfers and expert local mountain guidance

❤️ TEN DAYS. THREE NATIONS. ONE UNFORGETTABLE TREK.

🥾 EPIC PEAK SUMMITS

Stand on top of Hajla and Gjeravica, looking out across the entire Balkan range.

💧 GLACIAL WATERS & BLUE EYES

Cool off at frozen mountain lakes, Grunas Waterfall and the legendary Blue Eye of Theth.

🧀 AUTHENTIC SHEPHERD LIFE

Disconnect from the world in Dobërdol and savor fresh, organic farm-to-table food.

🏛️ ANCIENT CULTURAL HERITAGE

Touch centuries of art and history at UNESCO monasteries, Ottoman fortresses and stone Kullas.

🤝 TRIPLE BORDER FREEDOM

Cross wild mountain borders on foot, tracing historical trade and shepherd routes.

🇦🇱🇽🇰🇲🇪 10-DAY TREKKING: THE PEAKS OF THE BALKANS TRAIL

3 COUNTRIES • HAJLA & GJERAVICA PEAKS • UNESCO MONASTERIES • THETH • VALBONË • DOBËRDOL • PRIZREN

Start in Tirana.

Summit Kosovo's highest peak.

Trek across 3 national borders.

Sleep in remote shepherd villages.

Discover the soul of the Accursed Mountains.

This isn’t just a trekking trip.

It’s your ultimate Balkan mountain story. 🇦🇱🇽🇰🇲🇪🥾