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We had an amazing trip with Zbulo, and our guides Tesi and Igli! For 8 days, we hiked through the beautiful mountains of Albania and Montenegro and learned a lot about Albanian history and culture. Igli and Tesi made sure we got everything we needed, and even unexpected problems that were not their fault (like some of us getting sick) were handled very well! It is very clear to me that Zbulo and our guides put all their effort in making our trip incredibly memorable.

We were told in the beginning that the accommodations would sometimes be very basic, but I enjoyed them very much and was pleasantly surprised and often even blown away by them! It’s different from what you’re probably used to at home in terms of luxury, but I think that’s part of the experience and the charm. I slept well in all of them (do bring earplugs!), we had amazing views and great food and the hosts were very welcoming.

We were sometimes a bit scared during the bus transportations. Sometimes the drops are steep and there are not always fences on the side. Roads can also be very bumpy. But we got everywhere safely! 🙂

I really would recommend training before going on this hike, as it isn’t always the easiest. We don’t have mountains nor very high temperatures where we come from, so some of the ascending in the full blown heat was a bit challenging for me. If you have the chance, I’d recommend going during a season in which it’s a little bit colder than in August, if that’s possible. Nevertheless, the hikes were surely doable (even with these temperatures) if you are used to walking longer distances, and we did get the chance to sometimes pick the shorter route instead of the longer one for those of us who wanted to 🙂 Igli and Tesi made sure no one was left behind and no one was pushed beyond their limits. And also, if someone got accidentally injured or sick, they could get a transportation from one accommodation to the next accommodation and skip the next hike. Be aware though that, as Zbulo writes on their website, “there is no professional rescue services as you would find it in the Central European Alps”, so be careful, avoid poisonous snakes, try to not get sick, and listen to your guides 😉

This surely was one of the best trips I have been on! There’s something magical about spending so much time in nature with a really nice group of people in an area like this.

Zbulo, Igli and Tesi, thank you so much. I will not forget this experience and absolutely recommend this trip to anyone who fancies adventure, who likes to learn new things, who enjoys connecting with people from different countries and cultures, who absolutely loves being outside and hiking in nature, and who is not afraid of a challenge sometimes! 🙂 Albania and Montenegro are absolutely beautiful and 100% worth a visit!