Northern Albania Cycling

Itinerary

Day 1: Transfer Airport –Tirana

Stop At: Tirana, Tirana, Tirana County
The group arrives at the Mother Teresa Airport in Rinas, Tirana. Transfer to the hotel in Tirana. Visit the historical center of Tirana, Ethem Beu Mosque, Toptan’s castle, ex-residential area Block, etc.
Duration: 3 hours

No meals included on this day.
Accommodation included: Overnight at a 3 stars hotel in Tirana

Day 2: Tirana –Arbanë –Ndroq –Shijak –Marikaj (Cycling) 55 Km; Kruje –Rubik (driving)

Stop At: Tirana, Tirana, Tirana County
We begin the morning cycling around the villages of Tirana enjoying the scenery. We will have a short break in “Kokomani” winery, the agro-touristic center Agro-Milli in Gjepalaj and Hajdar Kuqi Farm in Marikaj.
Duration: 5 hours

Stop At: Kruja Castle, Near Tirana, Kruje 1501 Albania
Load our bicycles and drive to Kruja where we will visit the castle, Scanderbeg museum, and the old bazaar.
Duration: 3 hours

Meals included:
• Lunch: Marikaj
Accommodation included: Overnight Katund I Vjeter (Old Village) in Rubik.

Day 3: Rubik –Kukës (Driving); Kukës –Golaj –Qafë Prush –Gjakovë (Cycling) 60 Km

Stop At: Kukes, Kukes, Kukes County
Driving to the city of Kukës. We reach the city in about 1hr 20 min. From there we start cycling on a secondary road toward the city of Gjakova in Kosovo.
Duration: 2 hours

Stop At: Gjakova, Gjakova
From Kukes to Gjakova is about 60 Km so we might need about 3-4 hours to reach Gjakova.
Duration: 4 hours

Meals included:
• Lunch: Near the city of Has, Albania we have organized a picnic lunch (Sondor Travel).
Accommodation included: Overnight in Gjakova

Day 4: Gjakovë –Deçan –Junik –Kosharë, Kosovo (Cycling) 50 Km; Padesh Village –Tropojë Village (Albania) –Cycling 15 Km

Stop At: Decan, Decan
We start cycling toward to visit Visoki Deçani this 14-century Monastery (UNESCO) built by the Serbian King Stefan Uros III. It is one of the biggest monasteries in the Balkan with an active monastic life. After our visit to the monastery, we head to the Albanian border passing through the panoramic route of Junik, Botushë, Kosharë. For about 500 m we will pass through the forest into the Albanian territory
Duration: 4 hours

Stop At: Tropoje, Tropoje, Kukes County
We take the bicycles and descent down to the village of Tropojë
Duration: 2 hours

Meals included:
• Lunch: Padesh
Accommodation included: Overnight n Aste Guesthouse.

Day 5: Tropoja e Vjetër –Cërnicë –Shoshan –Dragobi –Valbonë (cycling) 35 Km

Stop At: Valbona Valley National Park, Valbona Albania
Cycle toward the National Park of Valbonne through this itinerary Tropoje –Cernice –Shoshan –Dragobi –Valbonne. During the way, we will make short breaks in Klysyre, Dragobiand Xhema lake, etc.
Duration: 4 hours

No meals included on this day.
No accommodation included on this day.

Day 6: Valbone –Cerem –Valbonë (Cycling) 35 Km

Stop At: Çerem, Albania
Cycle in the graveled road to Cerem Village where we will meet with local farmers and experience the local hospitality.
Duration: 3 hours

Stop At: Valbone, Valbone, Kukes County
Head back to Valbonë. During tonight’s dinner, we have invited a folk group to perform for us (for 5 pax and up).
Duration: 4 hours

Meals included:
• Lunch: Cerem
• Dinner: Valbone
No accommodation included on this day.

Day 7: Valbonë –Bajram Curri –Fierzë (driving); Fierzë –Koman (Boat Tour); Koman –Shkoder (Cycling) 55 Km

Stop At: Fierze, Fierze, Lezhe County
We travel to Fierza to take a boat tour through Koman Lake. In the lake, we have been built 3 hydroelectric power plants, which produce about 70 % of Albania’s electric needs. When we reach the other side of the lake we resume cycling all the way to the city of Shkodër.
Duration: 3 hours

Stop At: Rozafa Castle, Rozafa, Shkoder Albania
visit the center of Shkoder and Rozafa Castle.
Duration: 2 hours

Meals included:
• Breakfast: Valbone
No accommodation included on this day.

Day 8: Tirana –Transfer Airport Mother Teresa Rinas

Stop At: Tirana, Tirana, Tirana County
Transfer to the airport.
Duration: 3 hours

No meals included on this day.
No accommodation included on this day.