Peaks Of The Balkans - Ten Days, Three Countries

Arrival in Shkoder and accommodate at the hotel. Meeting the guide and the group for a short briefing from 20:00 – 21:00 hrs.  The transfer from the airport and back can be provided on demand.

The village of Theth is one of the most picturesque places in Northern Albania. Preserved by the wild nature, the village has the kulla and other buildings dating back in middle ages. The village is 100 percent Roman Catholic, and has the most unique structure in the world, Kulla e Ngujimit, which is a three story rock building with no windows. It served as the self-imposed exile for people who were involved in blood feuds. You will spend this day walking in the village toward the waterfalls and naturally created “bath-tubs” of the river Shala. This is a short relaxing walk full of culture and natural beauties.

Today you will do one of Albania’s most iconic hikes from Theth (728 m) over the Valbona Pass (1759 m) to the town of Valbona (995 m) in the heart of the eponymous national park. This 14- kilometer route follows the path of an ancient mule track linking the tribal regions of Shala and Nikaj. The hike goes through a narrow crest that gives a view in both of the valleys and it the most southern glacier in the northern hemisphere. After a difficult ascent, you will walk slowly in the track to get to the village of Valbona. You will be walking between the catholic valley of Shala and the Muslim valley of Valbona. The Albanian Catholics are descendants of pro Venetian Albanians living in the city of Shkodra. These are the most southern Roman Catholics in Europe as the divide between the Orthodoxy and Roman Catholics is Croatia. The Albanian catholic tribes have moved to these mountains to preserve their religion from the ottoman rule.