Hauser Exkursionen
A German trekking specialist with an Albania programme spanning the Alps, Zagoria and the coast. Our local operations support journeys that combine walking, village hospitality and regional knowledge.
Explore the Albania programme
Zbulo for the travel trade
Zbulo: Adventure Travel DMC for Albania and the Western Balkans
Since 2012, our Tirana-based team has crafted human-powered adventures in Albania, Kosovo, Montenegro and North Macedonia. Local trail knowledge, thoughtful hosts and experienced guides bring your clients closer to the region.
In good company
Specialist travel companies across Europe and beyond choose Zbulo for local active-travel delivery. Here are four of our partnerships.
DAV Summit Club
The travel company and mountaineering school of the German Alpine Club. Our partnership brings together mountain-travel expertise and local delivery on journeys through the Balkans.
See Peaks of the Balkans
Wilderness Travel
A US adventure-travel specialist combining hiking with cultural discovery. Its Balkan journeys connect mountain trails, village guesthouses and local food across Albania, Kosovo and Montenegro.
See Hiking the Heart of the Balkans
Much Better Adventures
A UK adventure-travel company bringing small groups into the outdoors. Alongside local trip delivery, we have hosted partner stories introducing Albania and the wider Balkans to its community.
Read the partner storyActive travel with a local perspective
We specialize in active journeys enriched by local culture. We don't arrange sightseeing-only holidays or motorized adventure activities.
On foot
Easy walking, day hikes and multi-day treks, matched to your clients' fitness and the season. Culture and food are part of the journey, not a substitute for its active focus.
On two wheels
Cycling and mountain biking, including established self-guided cycling itineraries in southern Albania. We match the route and support arrangements to the riding experience required.
On snow
Snowshoeing and ski touring for suitably experienced travellers. Winter programmes require a separate conversation about ability, conditions and guiding.
How we can work together
Tour operators
Design and deliver an active programme under your own brand, with Zbulo as your local operating partner.
For tour operatorsTravel agents
Book clients into our guided departures on commission, or choose an established self-guided or private trip.
For travel agentsTravel advisors
Match clients to the right active journey, accommodation and degree of independence before considering bespoke development.
For travel advisorsBringing 1–5 travellers?
Start with our guided group departures. Your clients join an established itinerary and travel-trade partners can book on commission.
For 2027, at least one scheduled departure every weekend from 11 April to 24 October. Coastal and valley walks bookend the high-mountain summer season. Check the calendar for current dates, departure status and available places.
For clients who need their own dates or privacy, start with an existing self-guided or private itinerary. Bespoke development is primarily for parties of six or more; smaller-party exceptions are considered where an existing trip cannot meet the brief.
Our signature journeys
Routes we know on the ground, shaped by our work in trail and destination development. These are established journeys, not a claim of exclusive access to the trails.
Peaks of the Balkans
Cross-border mountain walking and village hospitality in the Albanian Alps.
- Duration and formats
- 8 or 12 days guided; 8 or 11 days self-guided. Existing private departures on request.
- Season and activity
- Summer mountain trekking. Sustained ascents and descents; choose the itinerary to match fitness.
- Places to stay
- Hotels and family guesthouses; some stages have shared rooms and facilities.
High Scardus Trail
Eastern highlands, pastoral communities and the option to climb Mount Korab.
- Duration and formats
- 8 days guided or self-guided. Existing private departures on request.
- Season and activity
- June to mid-September. Demanding mountain days; summit plans depend on conditions.
- Places to stay
- Hotels, shared guesthouse rooms and a simple shepherd-hut stay.
Hidden Valley Trek
Caravan paths, stone bridges and home-cooked meals in the Zagoria Valley.
- Duration and formats
- 8 days guided or self-guided. Existing private departures on request.
- Season and activity
- Mid-April to early June; September to mid-November. Moderate walking with a longer mountain crossing.
- Places to stay
- Family-run guesthouses with shared rooms, plus hotels with private en-suite rooms.
Albanian Coastal Trail
Olive groves, hilltop villages and mountain paths above the Ionian Sea.
- Duration and formats
- 8 days guided or self-guided. Existing private departures on request.
- Season and activity
- Mid-April to early June; September to late October. Moderate coastal walks and mountain viewpoints.
- Places to stay
- Hotels and guesthouses with private en-suite rooms throughout the guided itinerary.
Each itinerary has its own walking times, elevation changes, room arrangements and inclusions. See our activity ratings, self-guided walking trips and cycling itineraries.
The team behind your programme
Local delivery
Itinerary planning, local guides, accommodation, transfers, luggage arrangements and cross-border permits where required. We agree the services, rooming and responsibilities for each programme before it goes on sale.
Guides and training
Mirjeta is our Head of Guides and Training. Our in-house development and training with international instructors build route knowledge, guest care and practical guiding skills around Adventure Travel Guide Standards.
Support and risk
Guides and the operations team support travellers on the ground. We discuss route risks, emergency arrangements, insurance requirements and contingency plans with you before operation; remote travel still depends on terrain, weather and local infrastructure.
Ricardo Fahrig
Product development, sales and marketing. Your starting point for a new programme or travel-trade partnership.
Endrit Shima
Head of Operations. Local delivery, destination knowledge and coordination on the ground.
Mirjeta
Head of Guides and Training
Guide development and training, connecting our local route knowledge with the experience your clients receive.
Memberships, standards and recognition
Trade memberships
- ATTA: Adventure Travel Trade Association
- WBATA: Western Balkans Adventure Travel Association
- ATOA: Albanian Tour Operators Association
Industry memberships are distinct from company certification and individual guide qualifications.
Responsible operations
We received the Travelife Partner award in 2023 for our work on sustainability and corporate social responsibility. Partner level is distinct from Travelife Certified or direct certification by GSTC.
Local hosts, careful route planning and support for mountain communities make responsible travel part of the product. Talk to us about your programme's sustainability requirements.
Recognition
- ATTA Tour Operator Scholarship, 2013.
- Peaks of the Balkans trail initiative: WTTC Tourism for Tomorrow award, 2013.
- High Scardus Trail: British Guild of Travel Writers recognition, 2022.
Trail awards recognise the wider projects, not an exclusive company certification. Explore independent press recommendations.
More of our travel-trade partners
Alongside the four featured above, these companies have worked with Zbulo on active journeys. Each listing links to the partner's website.
Active on Holiday
Partner for individual active trips.
Adventure Peaks
Partner for guided group journeys.
Aktiva Tours
Partner for individual active trips.
Anders Reizen
Partner for guided group journeys, individual active trips.
ASI
Partner for guided group journeys, individual active trips.
Aventura
Partner for guided group journeys.
Backabush Xplorers
Partner for guided group journeys.
Baumeler
Partner for guided group journeys, individual active trips.
Berg und Tal
Partner for guided group journeys.
Bering Travel
Partner for individual active trips.
Bookatrekking
Partner for individual active trips.
Bootz
Partner for guided group journeys.
Bunkhouse
Partner for guided group journeys.
Chamina Voyages
Partner for individual active trips.
Diamir
Partner for guided group journeys, individual active trips.
Earth Tracks
Partner for individual active trips.
ECKTIV
Partner for individual active trips.
Eco
Partner for guided group journeys.
Eurobike
Partner for individual active trips.
Eurohike
Partner for individual active trips.
Eurotrek
Partner for individual active trips.
EverTrek
Partner for individual active trips.
Explore-Share
Partner for individual active trips.
Frosch Sportreisen
Partner for guided group journeys.
Grand Angle
Partner for guided group journeys, individual active trips.
Intersoc
Partner for guided group journeys.
Join The Crew
Partner for guided group journeys.
Joker
Partner for guided group journeys.
Kasbah Itran
Partner for guided group journeys.
KE Adventure Travel
Partner for guided group journeys, individual active trips.
Meidan Vishinsky
Partner for guided group journeys.
Moja Travel
Partner for individual active trips.
Natural Adventure Company
Partner for guided group journeys, individual active trips.
Pasaulio Zygiai
Partner for guided group journeys.
Penguin Travel
Partner for individual active trips.
Radius
Partner for guided group journeys.
Renatour
Partner for individual active trips.
Ruby Rejser
Partner for individual active trips.
S-Cape
Partner for individual active trips.
Silvertip
Partner for individual active trips.
Skyhook
Travel-trade partner for active journeys in the region.
SNP
Partner for guided group journeys, individual active trips.
Terres d'Aventure
Partner for guided group journeys, individual active trips.
Top Mountain Tours
Partner for individual active trips.
TourRadar
Travel-trade partner for active journeys in the region.
Traventuria
Partner for individual active trips.
UTracks (AU)
Partner for individual active trips.
Viaggi e Miraggi
Partner for guided group journeys.
Walk Vacations
Partner for individual active trips.
Walks Worldwide
Partner for guided group journeys, individual active trips.
Waymonde
Partner for individual active trips.
Wikinger Reisen
Partner for guided group journeys, individual active trips.
Wild Rover Travel
Partner for individual active trips.
Wildland Trekking
Partner for guided group journeys.
World of Mountains
Partner for individual active trips.
World Walks
Partner for individual active trips.
Zuiderhuis
Partner for guided group journeys, individual active trips.
A few practical questions
Can you arrange sightseeing-only or motorized trips?
No. Our focus is walking, hiking, cycling and winter adventures enriched by culture. We don't arrange sightseeing-only holidays, 4x4 expeditions or ATV tours. Vehicle transfers that support an active itinerary are a different matter and can be included.
Can a couple or small party have a private trip?
Yes, an existing private or self-guided itinerary may be suitable. For 1–5 travellers, first consider a guided group departure, bookable by travel-trade partners on commission. Bespoke development is primarily for six or more; explain the specific need if a smaller-party exception is necessary.
Are all calendar dates guaranteed to run?
No. Scheduled dates, guaranteed operation and remaining seats are different. Check the status of the individual departure. Partner-exclusive trips, when shown in the calendar, are booked through that partner rather than as Zbulo buy-in departures.
How do we obtain rates and commercial terms?
Contact the B2B team for the relevant programme and partnership model. We confirm the applicable trade rates or commission, inclusions, payment and cancellation terms, and client communication responsibilities before a booking or programme is agreed.
Let's talk about working together
Tell us about your company, clients and the active journeys you want to offer. For an existing client enquiry, include the trip, approximate dates and party size if already known.