A hiker beneath the towering mountains of Valbona at sunset

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Your specialist for active tours to Albania and the Balkans

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Stories from our travellers

Your review: 8 days Hidden Valley hike We had a great hike through a fantastic landscape. The food was so good! Zbulo could sell this as a food tour for hikers. The valley is remote, you really go back in time. It was my second guided hike with Zbulo. Maybe this one was not so demanding as PoB, but absolute worth it. Again everything was very well organized and again we had the best guide (Nedih).
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Trip photo shared by Liesbeth M 8-day guided Hidden Valley TrekLiesbeth M

Review by Liesbeth M

Liesbeth M
Tripadvisor

Sep 2026

Your review: 8 days Hidden Valley hike
We had a great hike through a fantastic landscape. The food was so good! Zbulo could sell this as a food tour for hikers.
The valley is remote, you really go back in time.
It was my second guided hike with Zbulo. Maybe this one was not so demanding as PoB, but absolute worth it. Again everything was very well organized and again we had the best guide (Nedih).

Trip photo shared by Luana Ariga Regis Coelho 8-day self-guided Peaks of the Balkans trekLuana Ariga Regis Coelho
​I would like to express our complete satisfaction with our 8-day self-guided experience on the Peaks of the Balkans. The Zbulo team did an impeccable job, demonstrating an outstanding level of professionalism, organization, and efficiency at every stage. ​We were the first group of Brazilians (a group of 6) to complete the trekking with the agency, and we were extremely impressed by the quality of the service. From the initial logistics of transfers and accommodations to the border-crossing permits, detailed maps, and emergency support, everything was executed with absolute precision, providing a strong sense of safety throughout the entire trek. ​I would also like to highlight the excellent service provided by everyone involved: drivers, support staff, and the owners and staff at the guesthouses and hotels—all of whom were exceptionally friendly and helpful. ​A special thanks to Eda and Ricardo, who supported us from the planning phase and initial Q&A all the way through to the trekking guidance, always with promptness and clarity; to Arsina, for her seamless assistance throughout the trail; and to Zamir, who handled our arrival and departure airport transfers and delivered a remarkably clear, comprehensive, and welcoming initial briefing. ​Your work was fundamental to the success and peace of mind of our expedition. Zbulo has truly solidified itself as our top recommendation for future trips to Albania and the region. ​Thank you all very much for your professionalism and outstanding service!
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Review by Luana Ariga Regis Coelho

Luana Ariga Regis Coelho

Sep 2026

​I would like to express our complete satisfaction with our 8-day self-guided experience on the Peaks of the Balkans. The Zbulo team did an impeccable job, demonstrating an outstanding level of professionalism, organization, and efficiency at every stage.

​We were the first group of Brazilians (a group of 6) to complete the trekking with the agency, and we were extremely impressed by the quality of the service. From the initial logistics of transfers and accommodations to the border-crossing permits, detailed maps, and emergency support, everything was executed with absolute precision, providing a strong sense of safety throughout the entire trek.

​I would also like to highlight the excellent service provided by everyone involved: drivers, support staff, and the owners and staff at the guesthouses and hotels—all of whom were exceptionally friendly and helpful.

​A special thanks to Eda and Ricardo, who supported us from the planning phase and initial Q&A all the way through to the trekking guidance, always with promptness and clarity; to Arsina, for her seamless assistance throughout the trail; and to Zamir, who handled our arrival and departure airport transfers and delivered a remarkably clear, comprehensive, and welcoming initial briefing.

​Your work was fundamental to the success and peace of mind of our expedition. Zbulo has truly solidified itself as our top recommendation for future trips to Albania and the region.

​Thank you all very much for your professionalism and outstanding service!

Zbulo did a fabulous job answering all of our pre-departure questions, providing detailed information in the roadbook & gpx files, and offering options for many of the hikes. This allowed us to fully enjoy the people we met, the incredible hikes and beautiful landscapes each day. The highlight for us was eating lunch overlooking Montenegro while at Pyramid 18.
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Trip photo shared by Mark Rankin 8-day self-guided Albanian AlpsMark Rankin

Review by Mark Rankin

Mark Rankin
Google

Aug 2026

Zbulo did a fabulous job answering all of our pre-departure questions, providing detailed information in the roadbook & gpx files, and offering options for many of the hikes. This allowed us to fully enjoy the people we met, the incredible hikes and beautiful landscapes each day. The highlight for us was eating lunch overlooking Montenegro while at Pyramid 18.

Trip photo shared by Hannah-clare 8-day guided Peaks of the BalkansHannah-clare
It's such a well organized trip, the accomodation was all really nice, the transfers were designed to prioritize the best hikes in the short amount of time that we had. The guides were really knowledgeable and as a group of 12 we had 2 guides, one at the front and one at the back to ensure our safety but also that we didn't need to put ourselves under pressure to stay at the front of the group and we could really enjoy the views. Loved the river and lake swims. Loved the variety of scenery that we walked. Overall thought Zbulo was so well organized, the hikes were so stunning and the guides were so great that I'd do another tour with them.
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Review by Hannah-clare

Hannah-clare

Aug 2026

It's such a well organized trip, the accomodation was all really nice, the transfers were designed to prioritize the best hikes in the short amount of time that we had. The guides were really knowledgeable and as a group of 12 we had 2 guides, one at the front and one at the back to ensure our safety but also that we didn't need to put ourselves under pressure to stay at the front of the group and we could really enjoy the views.

Loved the river and lake swims. Loved the variety of scenery that we walked. Overall thought Zbulo was so well organized, the hikes were so stunning and the guides were so great that I'd do another tour with them.

Fantastic 11-day hike with Zbulo! Everything was perfectly organized, and we thoroughly enjoyed the pristine landscapes and surprisingly lush mountains of Albania, Montenegro and Kosovo. My two sons (18 and 14) and I booked the “luxury version” of the hike as a self-guided tour, with Zbulo transporting our luggage to each accommodation. This made the whole experience much more relaxed, especially when hiking with the boys. The excellent information and navigation material provided by Zbulo made finding and following the trails very easy, so we never had any problems along the way. We were very happy with the organization, the accommodations and the overall experience. Five well-deserved stars for Zbulo – we can highly recommend this tour!
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Trip photo shared by Lorenz Müller 11-day self-guided Peaks of the BalkansLorenz Müller

Review by Lorenz Müller

Lorenz Müller
Google

Aug 2026

Fantastic 11-day hike with Zbulo! Everything was perfectly organized, and we thoroughly enjoyed the pristine landscapes and surprisingly lush mountains of Albania, Montenegro and Kosovo.

My two sons (18 and 14) and I booked the “luxury version” of the hike as a self-guided tour, with Zbulo transporting our luggage to each accommodation. This made the whole experience much more relaxed, especially when hiking with the boys. The excellent information and navigation material provided by Zbulo made finding and following the trails very easy, so we never had any problems along the way.

We were very happy with the organization, the accommodations and the overall experience. Five well-deserved stars for Zbulo – we can highly recommend this tour!

Trip photo shared by Paul 8-day self-guided High Scardus TrailPaul
Very happy with communication of Zbulo: every question answered quick and accurate. Staff is really doing a good job to make the trip a fantastic event, The high Scardus trail itself was definitely worth the effort, though the first two days were a little monotonous: a lot of meadows. But than the hosts of the places where we stayed were honestly great, from the simpler places to the more luxurious hotel and homestay: everywhere a warm welcome!
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Review by Paul

Paul

Jul 2026

Very happy with communication of Zbulo: every question answered quick and accurate. Staff is really doing a good job to make the trip a fantastic event,

The high Scardus trail itself was definitely worth the effort, though the first two days were a little monotonous: a lot of meadows.

But than the hosts of the places where we stayed were honestly great, from the simpler places to the more luxurious hotel and homestay: everywhere a warm welcome!

Excellent trip. Well organised, great guides, wonderful scenery, amazing flower meadows, plentiful food, friendly locals - would definitely recommend.
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Trip photo shared by Lena Bond 12-day guided Peaks of the BalkansLena Bond

Review by Lena Bond

Lena Bond
Google

Jun 2026

Excellent trip. Well organised, great guides, wonderful scenery, amazing flower meadows, plentiful food, friendly locals - would definitely recommend.

Trip photo shared by Katrina 8-day guided Albanian Coastal TrailKatrina
A behind the scenes tour of Albania which was insightful and enjoyable to discover this country beyond the tourist hotspots. Tour guide, Tesi, was great, knowledgeable and supportive to those in the group who needed a little extra help.
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Review by Katrina

Katrina

May 2026

A behind the scenes tour of Albania which was insightful and enjoyable to discover this country beyond the tourist hotspots.

Tour guide, Tesi, was great, knowledgeable and supportive to those in the group who needed a little extra help.

Everything was organized to perfection, and we always managed to find our way easily. The phone, GPS, dog whistle, extra batteries, and chargers all came in very handy. The briefing was excellent and clearly indicated where there could potentially be difficulties on the route. Sleeping at local farmers’ houses in the mountains was a very pleasant and tidy experience. Every time we had clean bathrooms and comfortable beds. The only tiny little remark would be the lunch package we received. Day after day it consisted of cucumber, tomato, feta cheese, a hard-boiled egg, and an apple. In itself it was perfectly balanced, but after five days in a row, it became a little repetitive. To finish, I would like to say that this was one of the best holidays of my life because the nature and the surroundings were overwhelming. The fact that you can experience this without even coming across an electricity pole gives you a feeling of complete freedom in the magnificent nature of Shqipëria (Albania). We would book again without hésitation
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Trip photo shared by Khadija 8-day self-guided Hidden Valley trekKhadija

Review by Khadija

Khadija

Apr 2026

Everything was organized to perfection, and we always managed to find our way easily. The phone, GPS, dog whistle, extra batteries, and chargers all came in very handy. The briefing was excellent and clearly indicated where there could potentially be difficulties on the route.

Sleeping at local farmers’ houses in the mountains was a very pleasant and tidy experience. Every time we had clean bathrooms and comfortable beds. The only tiny little remark would be the lunch package we received. Day after day it consisted of cucumber, tomato, feta cheese, a hard-boiled egg, and an apple. In itself it was perfectly balanced, but after five days in a row, it became a little repetitive.

To finish, I would like to say that this was one of the best holidays of my life because the nature and the surroundings were overwhelming. The fact that you can experience this without even coming across an electricity pole gives you a feeling of complete freedom in the magnificent nature of Shqipëria (Albania).

We would book again without hésitation

Trip photo shared by sheenamalde 7-day guided three-peak challenge in the Balkanssheenamalde
I had a beautiful experience hiking the High Peaks of the Balkans with Zbulo. There were wonderful accommodations with hot showers (what a pleasant surprise) and the variety and quantity of food and generosity and warmth of the hosts left me feeling very welcome and warm. Our guides were super - attentive and also intellectual in sharing the culture/history of the Balkans. I'm in awe at the beauty of the Balkans, the warm hospitality I experienced and the stories I heard about the Balkans have left me wanting more.
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Review by sheenamalde

sheenamalde
Tripadvisor

Oct 2025

I had a beautiful experience hiking the High Peaks of the Balkans with Zbulo.
There were wonderful accommodations with hot showers (what a pleasant surprise) and the variety and quantity of food and generosity and warmth of the hosts left me feeling very welcome and warm.
Our guides were super - attentive and also intellectual in sharing the culture/history of the Balkans.
I'm in awe at the beauty of the Balkans, the warm hospitality I experienced and the stories I heard about the Balkans have left me wanting more.

Well organised. Mostly good accommodation & food considering this is a very new trip & an area that’s only just recently been developed. Great guide who was knowledgeable, helpful, informative, entertaining & patient.
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Trip photo shared by Q813SAmargarets 8-day guided High Scardus TrailQ813SAmargarets

Review by Q813SAmargarets

Q813SAmargarets
Tripadvisor

Oct 2025

Well organised. Mostly good accommodation & food considering this is a very new trip & an area that’s only just recently been developed. Great guide who was knowledgeable, helpful, informative, entertaining & patient.

Trip photo shared by Marion 8-day self-guided Albanian Coastal TrailMarion

Review by Marion

Marion

Oct 2025

Don’t hesitate to use Zbulo. The whole team were pleasant, good and quick communicators and always helpful, both online and on the ground in Albania.

WHY CHOOSE US

Zbulo has been at the forefront of Adventure Tourism and Active Holidays in Albania since it was founded in 2013. Our team was involved with the development of most of the trails and regions popular with hikers visiting the country and its border regions today, making us true mountain tourism experts and helping us to provide the best service to our clients. Our committed office staff and experienced, professional guides, trained to the highest standards, aim to create transformative travel experiences for you.

LOCAL ENCOUNTERS

Dive below the surface and really get to know your destination. Create true emotional connections through unique encounters with the locals and fill your holidays with deep experiences.

SIGNATURE PRODUCTS

We have been involved with the scouting and development of touristic regions and trails in Albania and its neighbouring countries for many years. This allows us to carefully curate them to create the best possible, original tours for our clients.

NATURAL & CULTURAL GEMS

Our tours are designed to immerse you in the nature and culture of Albania, Kosovo, Macedonia and Montenegro. Discover unrivalled biodiversity and dramatic scenery, as well as ancient Greek and Roman ruins, Ottoman architecture and the archaic highlander way of life!

HIGHEST TRUST

Hundreds of 5-star reviews on TripAdvisor and continuous positive feedback from our guests don’t lie. Choose the most trusted travel specialists Albania has to offer to make your next trip the holiday of a lifetime.

Find out more about our values and what sets us apart!

TRAVEL WITH US

GUIDED TOURS

Join one of our guided tours that take you to the highlights of Albania and the Balkans. Travelling in small groups accompanied by one of our experienced and passionate guides is the best way to experience the breathtaking scenery, stunning nature and wonderfully hospitable people of Albania and its neighbours. Check our calendar of tour dates to find out about the next departures of your perfect active holiday!

SELF-GUIDED TOURS

Self-guided trips put you in charge of your own adventure. While you travel without a guide, every other aspect of  your trip is being taken care of by us: your accommodation is booked, transfers arranged, and you will be equipped with a GPS and a roadbook with all the information your need for a smooth and unforgettable trip, while giving you flexibility and freedom to go your own way. Sounds like something for you? See all our self-guided trips in one handy overview to find the one that suits you best, or maybe you got a specific itinerary in mind and would like to build your own trip instead?

OTHER SERVICES

BORDER CROSSING PERMITS

As you are planning to take on the cross border trails of the Peaks of the Balkans, the High Scardus or the Via Dinarica, you have surely come across the need for border crossing permits. These permits are part of a special application system used by hikers and cyclists who wish to cross the “green borders” between Albania, Kosovo, Montenegro or North Macedonia. Even if you don’t book a trip with us and prefer to explore these trails independently, we can assist you with obtaining your permits.

TRAIL AND GENERAL TRAVEL INFORMATION

PEAKS OF THE BALKANS GUIDE AND FAQ

While our main focus is providing you with the best tours possible, we understand that for some people it’s simply the best fit to explore independently. In order to do that, you need quality, reliable information to plan your trip, which can be hard to come by, even as Albania and the region gets more popular. We have put together a handy “Guide to the Peaks of the Balkans Trail“ which answers traveller’s frequently asked questions, as well as some general information about Albania, mountain safety information and a recommended packing list.

WHO WE ARE

MEET THE TEAM

Zbulo consists of a small team of dedicated office staff, guides who accompany you in the field to bring you closer to the natural and cultural wonders of Albania and the region, all lead by Ricardo Fahrig and Endrit Shima, the hearts and minds behind Zbulo. Learn more about our team, find out how to work with us, or drop us a line if you need to contact us.

WHY ZBULO

With over a decade of experience in creating unforgettable active holidays for thousands of satisfied clients in Albania and its neighbouring countries, you can count on us to make your dream trip to the Western Balkans come true.

TRAVEL WITH US

Whether you are looking for a traditional guided group tour to the most beautiful places of Northern or Southern Albania, a trek through the Peaks of the Balkans border triangle with Kosovo and Montenegro, or a self-guided adventure on foot or by bike, you're in the right place.

BORDER PERMITS

We can assist with Border Crossing Permits for the Peaks of the Balkans or High Scardus Trail for independent hikers.

TRAIL INFORMATION

Do you want to get to know Albania and its trails better? Planning to hike the Peaks of the Balkans or High Scardus Trail? We have compiled some helpful information for you.

MEET THE TEAM

Want to see the faces behind the name? Have a looks who will be putting together your trip to Albania and Beyond.

our trips

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