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Tirana · Tiranë · Albania
8 Day Guided High Scardus Trail with Accommodation and Transfers
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From $1,173.82 per person
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The Experience
What your day looks like
Join an adventure on the newest and wildest trekking route in the Balkans! This tour on the Albanian segment of the High Scardus Trail focuses on the remotest regions of the Eastern Highlands. The paths were originally built by Roman caravans in the 2nd Century BC, who after witnessing the spectacular colors of the landscape gave the mountains the name Scardus (later translated into Slavic Šar, meaning colorful). Demanding hikes through glacial valleys and alpine meadows are rewarded with panoramas of the surrounding peaks. Reaching mighty Mt. Korab (2.764 m), both Albania's and North Macedonia's highest peak, is an absolute highlight. Experience the remarkable hospitality of friendly homestays, and insights into local daily life, and prepare to roughen it for one night staying among herdsmen on the Grama Alp. Our journey ends in the tranquil stone villages of Dibra, strong in tradition and rich in history, famous for their sweet cherries, apples, and only the finest firewater. For treks in mountainous and alpine terrain fitness is important and previous trekking experience is recommended. It is not vital as long you are confident of your physical condition and sure-footedness. Prepare to endure poor weather and navigate rocky undefined routes, remoteness can also play a part. Walking days are usually between 5 and 8 hours, although they can be longer to cross passes or peaks (mostly optional). Daily ascents will likely be around 900m to 1.000m, perhaps with the odd day ascending around 1.100m to 1.300m. Point-to-point trekking with 6-8 hours daily walking time through the vast and remote Eastern Highlands. Prepare for a long, ascent to reach Mt. Korab (optional), the highest peak of Albania and North Macedonia, at half-time. The underfoot is often grassy and less rocky. When compared to the Accursed Mountains a walk of equal length may feel easier here.
At a Glance
The experience, in brief
- Handcrafted trek covers six stages of the Albanian High Scardus Trail
- We arrange transfers, luggage transport & overnights for your Guided stay
- High Scardus Trail takes you through Albania's remote Northeastern highlands
- Visit the picturesque stone villages of Dibra, strong in traditions & rich in history
- Experience the remarkable hospitality of friendly homestays & learn about local life
Your Itinerary
Your day, step by step
Day 1
Tirana
Welcome to the Balkans! Group transfer from Tirana/TIA departing at 15:00 at the latest. Welcome to the Balkans! You can join the group transfer at Tirana’s city center at 14:00 or 40 min later on at Tirana Airport. Arriving later or from another location? Please inquire for a private transfer (e.g. from Prishtina Airport) so you can join the rest of the group in Kukes in the afternoon, just in time for the tour brief and dinner. Note that luggage is best stored in Tirana/Prishtina as the trip doesn't return to Kukes.
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Tirana
Hiking. Views of the towering Mt. Gjallica Kukes is a small border town in north-eastern Albania, located at the confluence of Kosovo’s White and North Macedonia’s Black Drin Rivers. In a one of a kind case the city was nominated for welcoming and sheltering 450.000 Kosovar refugees in 1999 with the Nobel Prize. Views of the towering Mt. Gjallica (2.489 m) raise anticipation for the upcoming days. Let us know if you need more details on the arrival or need to book additional transfers.
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Tirana
Accommodation: Kukes: hotel (-/-/-)
Day 2
Tirana
Hiking. First stage of the High Scardus Trail A 45 min. transfer takes us through the mighty Vanave Gorge and up a winding road into the gora (highlands). When nation states formed at the turn of the 20th century the formerly nomadic, Slavic-speaking Gorani community spread across the border triangle. Today's hike starts near the Gorani village of Shishtavec, from where a gradual ascent takes us to the rocky outcrop of Mt. Kallabak (2.174 m). It’s the very first peak of the Sharr Massif that separates the three countries. Onward we walk through seemingly endless meadows along a panoramic ridgeline crisscrossing the border between Albania and Kosovo. A glimpse of Mt. Korab (2.764 m) creates pleasant anticipation of the days of adventure ahead of us. Descending into a deep cut alpine valley we reach the remote village Caje, possibly the highest, year-round inhabited settlement of the country. Here we visit the “club”, the nucleus of every Albanian village, for a chit-chat with the elders and a glass of strong raki (local firewater) at the end of our first day on the High Scardus Trail.
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Tirana
Accommodation: Caje: guesthouse (B/LP/D)
Day 3
Tirana
Eco Tour. village of Radomir Wishing farewell to our host family, we leave the simple homestay for our second, longer hike to the village of Radomire. Fairytale-like beauty awaits us at the alpine meadows covered by colorful flower carpets.With a bit of luck we may find the endemic Albanian lily or herds of semi-wild horses peacefully grazing here. Traversing a high ridgeline with minor ups and downs, the rocky peaks of Korab dominate the horizon. Every step takes us closer to the heart of the Korab-Koritnik Nature Park, with its high biodiversity and pristine nature a part of the Balkan Green Belt. New vistas open on our descent into the Field of Korabi, a hyperkarstic depression guarded by the infamous two-man bunkers rising from the ground like concrete mushrooms. Our destination Radomire is a lively village that shelters visitors aspiring to the heights of Korab. We greet our host and make ourselves comfortable in the simple pension for the next two nights. Time to put the tired feet up and snuggle down on the comfy sheepskin pads.
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Tirana
Accommodation: Radomire: guesthouse (B/LP/D)
Day 4
Tirana
Hiking. Trek on We rise early and prepared to conquer the peak of Mt. Korab (2.764m). It’s a strenuous day with much elevation difference but without technical difficulty. The path sees shepherd huts and mixed terrain, rocky stretches and soft meadows. Reaching the the saddle at the border, we circle the peak and approach it from the backside. Weather allowing, we have lunch on the top and return on the same route back to our accommodation. You may complete only part of the return hike or skip it altogether to explore the village and spend the day at leisure. Same overnight as last night.
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Tirana
Accommodation: Radomire: guesthouse (B/LP/D)
Day 5
Tirana
Hiking. The Highlands We leave our base at Mt. Korab to head back into the highlands. Climbing up an old patrol route towards the border we see the “brezi i bute”, a stretch of sand created to detect footsteps. The peaceful surroundings we enjoy so carefree today hold a gloomy past. They were under strong surveillance during communism in Albania and trespassers, if not fatally punished on the spot, would be sent together with their families to forced labor camps. From the highest point of today's hike, we overlook the wide plain of the glacial shaped valley with flocks of thousands of sheep roaming freely. We pass by a glacial lake where we can dip our feet into the refreshing cold.
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Tirana
Local Flavor. Local Shepards Tonight the shepherds of the Kaloshi clan welcome us into their modest wooden huts on the so-called Ladies Pasture at 1.770 m altitude. There’s no phone signal, electricity or a shower. Instead we receive warm hospitality and unique insights into their daily work and life - today's also your best chance to try milking a sheep. At night we sit under the endless night sky around a bonfire before falling asleep.
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Tirana
Hiking. Accommodation: Grama: hut (B/LP/D)
Day 6
Tirana
Hiking. Zig-zagging down Parting from the shepherds and this secluded alpine world, separated by time and high mountains, we may admire their happiness but understand the hardship of the modest lifestyle better. Grounded by the experience, we ascend on a mule path towards the Grama Pass (2.300 m) to face sweeping 360° vistas of the surrounding peaks. Looking behind, views of Korab and Grama Lake leave us appreciating the long way we have come and provide strength for the demanding descent. After zigzagging down the old border patrol path, a peek back up from some distance makes it hard to believe that we just descended the immense, rocky wall. Circling at ease along the rim of the valley and cluster of villages far below we soak in the panorama. Closing in through the mountain pastures of Rabdisht, we gain a bird's eye view of the village with scattered red-tiled roofs and smoke from chimneys - a signal of our return to civilization.
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Tirana
Accommodation: Rabdisht: guesthouse (B/LP/D) Once down in the cobbled alleys, we reach our lovely guesthouse and join our hosts for a firewater or home-made juice toast in their idyllic garden.
Day 7
Tirana
Hiking. Final Hike Today's hike around the picturesque villages of Dibra makes for a smooth transition from the simplicity and rawness of alpine heights to the fast-paced life of the city. We walk across hills and pastures between those villages viewed from above yesterday. Lack of road access has seen the once prosperous area fall behind. Locals still live largely off their own harvest and, lacking opportunities,the youth leaves en mass. Visiting Zagrad, Cerjan and Bellove we take a closer look at traditional stone houses, meet locals and are surely invited for a coffee.
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Tirana
Hiking. Free time In the early afternoon we continue by car to Tirana. The modern capital's turmoil is a stark contrast to what we have experienced on the trek, showing a very different, more contemporary side of the country. On an evening stroll along the main boulevard, we learn about the origins and influences that shaped the city. During our last dinner together we look back on an eventful week and the highlights on the Balkan's youngest long distance trail. Time to wish farewell to each other.
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Tirana
Accommodation: Tirane: hotel (B/LP/-)
Day 8
Tirana
Sightseeing. City Exploration? Time permitting, Tirana invites you to explore its streets and sights on a stroll. Sip an espresso in one of the charming bars, observe the busy morning flow and select special treats as edible souvenirs at the lively “New Bazaar”. Interested to learn more about the communist past? “Bunkart 2” and “The House of Leaves” provide insights and are only a 5 min walk away from Tirana’s main "Skanderbeg Square".
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Tirana
Thank you for visiting! Your multi-faceted journey in Albania ends with a 40 min transfer to the airport. Thank you for joining our adventure, we hope to see you again in the country of warm hospitality, countless mountains and sun-kissed beaches. Not ready to leave yet? Ask us what more to do in the mountains, exploring the cultural highlights of Albania’s historic cities or a laid-back beach extension - there’s always more to explore in the **Balkans!**
Before You Go
What to know before booking
Included
English-speaking guide(s) Transfers: As foreseen by the itinerary, including airport transfer Luggage transport: 1/pers max 15 kg, duffels/rucksacks, no suit/flight cases Other: entrance fees
Not Included
Tips and gratuity Pick up from Podgorica airport is available on request for an additional cost of €80
What to Bring
Comfortable clothing and footwear Camera and other items you may need
Meeting & Pickup
Welcome to the Balkans! We meet at the airport or in Tirana for a walk-through of the tour.
Languages Offered
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Optional Add-ons
Single-room supplement - 70.00 Per Person
Planning Notes
Minimum age: 18 Hotel pickup offered: Yes Confirmation: Manual By Business
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