The trails are a continuum of steady ascends and descends. Enjoy a rural farm stay at this remote spot, surrounded by just the mountain air and views. The Southern Dinaric Alps / The Accursed Mountains: a spectacular massif that connects naturally Albania, Montenegro, and Kosovo. From here we will slowly descend towards the village of Thethi (approx. Facilities include a restaurant and bar serving both Albanian and pizza dishes, as well as two cafes. When you accrue points, you will qualify for the following discounts on all future bookings: Individual departures may vary so please refer to the information in the tour specific links in the Dates and Prices section below. The unit of currency in Kosovo and Montenegro is the Euro. There the Albanian packhorses and the guide await the group (see picture). The Southern Dinaric Alps / The Accursed Mountains: a spectacular massif that connects naturally Albania, Montenegro, and Kosovo. The grass grows through the road because hardly anyone comes here. A fatal blunder. WebThe Accursed Mountains. Although Albania is very close to most European destinations, even by train, it has not been developed for mass-tourism and it never will. The OA tours are Land Only; the prices do not include flights, nor transport* to and from the airport to the hotel (*unless requested separately). This is an incredible adventure encompassing epic scenery, stunning walks and an insight into traditional but dying way of life. The best way to find your way over that pass (Qafe e Valbons) is with a local guide. There you have it, its your own fault if only I had just turned around. Theres nobody around, my optimism grows with every kilometer. To the right the plateau below, left the mountain spectacle. See our description, photos and practical information for Here the people are used to do things their own way. In the afternoon we will take a leisurely river walk from the bridge of Dragobia to the Xhema Lake before rsettling in for an evening of local food and hospitality.Approx. Walk amongst the Accursed Mountains, home to isolated mountain villages and forest trails, Take a magical boat ride along Lake Koman and through the spectacular Drin River canyons, Enjoy wonderful local hospitality and delicious food in rural village guesthouses, Visit Shkodr, one of the oldest and most historic cities in all of the Balkans, Take the challenging hike up to Valbon Pass for rewarding views, Discover the beauty of the Thethi village, a protected historic centre in Theth National Park, The full services of a Wild Frontiers Tour Leader with local guides where appropriate, All entrance fees for sights mentioned in the itinerary, Ten trees are planted per passenger on this trip, Supports Wild Frontiers Foundation community projects, A contribution to renewable energy projects, The best of the best, the ultimate in luxury, Outstanding service and facilities, giving you the 5* experience, Excellent standards offering a higher-end experience, No frills, basic accommodation, but often in the most exciting of places, Walking in Northern Albania - Into The Accursed Mountains. The team that started Xplore Albania wondered why and how it is possible that the nature and sites of their country were still so unknown. If youre still not sure if this trip is right or just want to see get some different perspectives, then why not have a look at the wide variety of resources we have on our website? Drive to Thethi National Park. However please note that if you are planning on making your own flight arrangements, we recommend that you first check with us to see if the trip is guaranteed. We are here to help you. 850m above sea level), stopping along the way for another charming picnic lunch, and arriving mid-late afternoon. The fairly large Rozafa houses 77 rooms and is a notable hotel in the city having been around since 1971. A self discovery trek through the region of Kelmend, rustic valleys of Montenegro and the Valley of Theth. With idyllic scenes and epic hiking trails, its one of the highlights of Albania. Trek: 10 km, 5-6 hours, elevation gain: 1040m; elevation loss: 660m. The Peaks of the Balkans or The Albanian Alps are a hikers paradise. Apart from the hotels in nearby cities like Bajram Curri and Shkoder, there are a number of traditional village guesthouses that are becoming increasingly popular with international tourists. Breathable lightweight waterproof jacket and pants , fleece/wool pullovers/wind-stopper jackets and gloves, small back-pack with rain coverage, hat, mosquito repellent, head-lamp, hiking poles, water bottle, sunglasses/block. You are more a friend that is part of, and a contributor to, the Albanian community. I continue on to the mysterious tunes. (2011). Overnight in Lepushe. Did you come through Pej? Without paying. Lucky you.. Cycle the high mountain passes and rolling hills of rural Albania - eyes peeled for lynx Glowing red in the evening haze from the castle in Shkodr the previous night, the "Accursed Mountains" (part of the Dinaric Alps) seemed almost lunar. Total distance 13kms. I show them photos of the Netherlands on my phone, green and flat. The wild face popularly gave it another name: the Accursed Mountains. e Komisariatit and then turn left for Razm at Dedaj. It is one of the rare mountain ranges in Europe that has not been explored entirely yet, besides having several unescalated mountain walls. Should you have any concerns about your ability to partake in any aspect of the tour then please contact the office. Following the trail along the Kaprea Creek, we can stop to admire the stunning Nderlysa turquoise pools, before continuing up through forests and pastures until we reach the 1,685m-high pass. It turned out that the man was a mountain guide and simply said: thats exactly what youre looking for.Arriving at my guesthouse, the hospitality was underscored by a table full of local delicacies: cheeses, dried meat, grilled vegetables, home-baked bread. Price (exc. Since 2015, a good asphalt road leads from Fierz to Valbona , which has made the valley more accessible and also more vulnerable. As such, with the greatest respect, if you are someone who needs to know that everything will happen exactly as planned, we would kindly suggest that perhaps our tours are not for you. The Accursed Mountains remain among the least visited areas of Western Balkans. From Albania I steer towards the city of Pej in Kosovo. The can be found here - www.wildfrontierstravel.com/visa. Trek: 9 km, 4-5 hours, elevation gain: 850m; elevation loss: 460m. Over coffee I get into conversation with locals who tell me that there is a shortcut that bypasses the closed border crossing there is discussion about the right location with Montenegro. Just a little bit and Karanfili! The range also includes the mountain Gjeravica, which, at 2,656m (8,714ft), is the second tallest mountain in Kosovo. Behind it is my goal: a view of the Karanfili, one of the most spectacular rock formations in Europe. Showing the Albanian lifestyle to every traveler: thats been the goal of Off Limits Albania since 2013. On the Itinerary below, we will give you some highlights of the places we should hike through. Maja Jezerc, standing at 2,694m (8,839ft), is the highest point of the Accursed Mountains and of all Dinaric Alps, and the fifth highest peak in Albania. Summarize this article for a 10 years old, The Accursed Mountains (Albanian: Bjeshkt e Nmuna; Serbo-Croatian: , Prokletije, pronounced[prkltij]; both translated as "Cursed Mountains"), also known as the Albanian Alps (Albanian: Alpet Shqiptare), are a mountain group in the western part of the Balkans. Maja Jezerc, the highest peak of Prokletije (the Accursed Mountains), is also known as the Queen of the Alps. With an elevation of 2694 m/alt. The wooden and stone structure is built to a high standard and rooms are found within the main building or as separate log cabins. Browse our community section to read our blogs, watch videos and find out about our events. There are spectacular mountain views here of the Karanfil mountains and at the top of the Peja Pass, there is the dramatic col with Maja e Jezerce and the Accursed Insurance that provides cover for emergency repatriation in case of a medical emergency is compulsory for all tours. It is so unbelievably beautiful here. Following a simple shepherds path up through beech and pine forests and lush green meadows we can enjoy dramatic views of the rocky domes of Maja Jezerc (2695m) and Mount Rosi (2560m) as we further explore the depths of this remote region. SeasonMay-November 11 days Included: Accommodation at boutique hotels, guesthouses or shepherd huts. While on tour, you will only need to carry the personal day-pack. For safety reasons, we reserve the right to modify the agreed hiking route in the remote case of severe weather conditions, and do our best to minimize any extra costs that might rise because of it. Lunches and dinner we can include upon your request. Following the winding slopes of Mount Sqapit, this afternoon we will make our way back down to erem where we will meet our minibus and drive back to Valbon for the night. I visited the heart of the Pyrenees searching for wilderness and it came pretty close, but I was convinced that Europe must still have even wilder spots. Surprised and confused, I enter Montenegro over an abandoned mountain pass. Theth is a hidden place where the residents make the rules. Illegal indeed, but with a bit of luck there wont be any border police and itll save me hours of detour. The villages of Thethi, Valbon and Kelmend are the main tourist destinations. Depending on where you are, the range is called Prokletije, Alpet Shqiptare or Albanian Alps. We will switch to a local van and drive downhill to a nice guesthouse in the village where we will stay overnight and enjoy a tasty homemade meal. It is exactly as Dutch writer A. den Doolaard described this view in the 1930s: a laughable attempt by man to confront nature.. The trails are a continuum of steady ascends and descends. Day 3: Spectacular hike from Kukaj to the Jezerca Lakes, This is an amazing trek. Since ancient times, Albania has seen different cultural influences come and go, leaving behind archaeological and historical treasures, such as Roman or Greek cities, walled towns, monasteries and other interesting jewels.Adventure & Fun Albania offer journeys through places full of majestic scenery, spectacular mountains such as the Accursed Mountains, remote valleys, deep gorges, small hidden bays and crystal-clear sea. The Kitchen, of course, serves up sumptuous, home-cooked local grub which can be enjoyed out in the tended-to part of the forest that makes up the gardens. 9/1, Sh.2, Ap.4, Tirana, Albania, The Best of Via Dinarica: An 8-Day Hiking Adventure, Journey in to the Accursed Mountains (8 Days), Hiking in scenic Southern Albania (8 Days), Self Guided Local Village House Trek (5 days), Into the heart of the Accursed Mountains/, Self Guided Majestic Mountain Trek from Valbona to Thethi (3 Days), Sea-kayaking at the Albanian riviera (4 Days), Sea-kayaking along the beautiful Ionian coast (7 Days), Hike to the village and cave of Pellumbas (Day Trip), Majestic Mountain Trek from Valbona to Thethi (3 Days). The following checklist has been created to help you choose your clothing and gear for this trip. Over coffee I get into conversation with locals who tell me that there is a shortcut that bypasses the closed border crossing there is discussion about the right location with Montenegro. Hans Avontuur travels to Albania in search of a fierce, rugged mountain range. Two police cars. Trek: 14 km, 6-7 hours, elevation gain: 750m; elevation loss: 1160m. The selected paths are mostly well trod underfoot and safe (rarely exposed). The trail winds beside the rocky dome of Harapit Peak, which dominates the valley end and continues sided by the spectacular massive of Langoj-Karanfil peaks on the right and Jezerca the highest summit of the Albanian Alps on the left.
Nimrod And The Tower Of Babel, Articles A