8-day self-guided Hidden Valley trek
Ancient caravan routes and homestays in southern Albania’s Zagoria Valley
Europe’s last wild river, the Vjosa, winds through southern Albania. One of its tributaries, the Zagoria River, has formed a mountain-framed valley within Europe’s first Wild River National Park. This self-guided journey follows ancient caravan routes and old village paths between remote communities, with flower-covered meadows beneath snow-capped peaks in spring and fruit harvests in autumn.
Cross Ottoman stone bridges, visit Orthodox churches and see medieval frescoes. The route also includes swimming beneath a waterfall and in the warm thermal pools of Benja, traditionally believed to have healing properties. At simple homestays, local hosts serve garden produce, homemade meals and raki. The journey continues to Gjirokastër, the City of Stone, before finishing in Tirana.
We arrange transfers, luggage transport and overnight stays, and provide route materials and support so that you can complete the walks independently at your own pace.
Overview
- Self-Guided
- 8 days (7 nights) including one arrival and departure day
- Late March to early June, from September to mid-November (best period)
- 2–8 travellers · minimum 2
- Tirana airport or city at pre-agreed timing
- 7 hikes up to 5:28h walking time (Ø 3:56h), 1250m altitude difference (Ø 525m) and a total of +3625m/-3325m/68.5km.
- Hotels with private ensuite rooms, guesthouse with shared rooms
days
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itinerary
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1
Welcome to Albania!
- 2:24h
- 7.0km
- 300m
- 150m
Meet a member of the Zbulo team in central Tirana or at Tirana Airport for a briefing and the handover of your roadbook, maps, GPS and SIM card. Depending on the booking, a driver takes you to the first accommodation or you continue in your own vehicle.
The journey into southern Albania takes up to four hours and follows the Vjosa River towards Tepelena before turning into the Zagoria Valley. The night is spent at a family-run guesthouse in Peshtan, close to the starting point of the first walk.
Arrival transfer- Transfer from Tirana airport of city center to Peshtan (3.5 h).
- 30 min meet and greet, either at the airport or upon arrival at the guesthouse.
- Optional transfers from Saranda (flights via Corfu) on request. No meet & greet, only Q&A on the phone.
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Meals-/-/D
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Accomodationguesthouse/private
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Transfers>3.5 h
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LocationPeshtan
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2
Into the hidden Zagoria Valley
- 5:28h
- 12.0km
- 875m
- 525m
The five-day trek begins at the edge of the Zagoria River Valley, a pristine tributary within Europe’s first Wild River National Park. Shielded by four mountain ranges, the valley forms a secluded landscape reached along an ancient caravan route lined with Ottoman bridges and Orthodox churches.
Climb through open woodland to a pass where the valley unfolds below, then descend through terraced fields to the tiny hamlet of Kala, home to only three residents. An Ottoman stone bridge beside the stream provides a possible swimming stop.
Follow the cobbled caravan route towards Limar, with views of Mount Strakavec (1,958 m) and the village’s distinctive stone houses. The night is spent in a local home, where dinner is prepared with regional produce and your hosts share stories of life in the valley. Follow the route notes carefully on the lesser-used sections between the settlements.
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MealsB/LP/D
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Accomodationguesthouse/private
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LocationLimar
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3
A life-seeing day in the Zagoria villages
- 5:25h
- 14.5km
- 725m
- 575m
Follow footpaths above the Zagoria River through Leskaj and Doshnica towards Hoshteve. The villages retain livelihoods connected to livestock, beekeeping and the collection of herbs, while the route alternates between cultivated land, woodland and open views of the valley.
At Doshnica Waterfall, the pool above the falls provides a possible place to cool your feet. Depending on the water level, continue beside the stream or return through the village before the final ascent.
In Hoshteve, visit the Church of the Holy Apostles, known for its frescoes and carved woodwork. The night is spent with a local family who returned after years abroad to establish a guesthouse.
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MealsB/LP/D
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Accomodationguesthouse/private
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LocationHoshteve
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4
Follow in the footsteps of Bill Tilman
- 4:41h
- 12.5km
- 600m
- 550m
A shorter stage crosses the hamlets of Vithuq and Koncka on the way to Nivan and Sheper, with views towards Mount Cajupi (2,145 m). The improving but still unmade roads show how access between the villages is changing.
Nivan contains remains of military installations and a memorial to British mountaineer and sailor Bill Tilman, who fought with the valley’s resistance against German occupation during the Second World War. Continue through oak forest to the river, passing a monastery and an optional detour to another of Ali Pasha’s stone bridges.
In Sheper, many formerly nomadic Aromanian shepherds were forcibly settled after the border with neighbouring Greece closed in the late 1940s. The ruined museum and faded quotations from Marx and Lenin remain visible reminders of Albania’s communist past. Accommodation is at a family-run guesthouse.
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MealsB/LP/D
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Accomodationguesthouse/private
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LocationSheper
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5
Crossing over the Dhembel Pass (1.450 m)
- 5:11h, 6:03h
- 10.5, 13.0km
- 575, 575m
- 975, 1250m
The final mountain crossing leaves the Zagoria Valley over the Dhembel–Nemercka range. As the road journey around the mountains is almost as long as the walk, the route remains useful to local people and luggage is transported separately.
Enver Hoxha-era bunkers still guard the entrance to the narrow cleft that climbs towards the treeless alpine valley. Shepherds have crossed these mountains for centuries, travelling from as far as Albania’s southernmost regions to reach the fertile summer pastures, a journey that can take two weeks with their flocks.
Dhembel Pass (1,450 m) provides views towards Greece and down to Përmet and the Vjosa Valley. The long, rocky descent requires care and continues through Leuse, where a frescoed church stands above the town. A short final walk leads to the hotel in central Përmet.
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MealsB/LP/-
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Accomodationhotel/private
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LocationPermet
Alternate routes:
- Sheper – Dhembel Pass – Lipe – Permet
- 6:02h
- 13km
- 575m
- 1250m
- Sheper – Dhembel Pass – Lipe
- 5:10h
- 10.5km
- 575m
- 975m
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6
Discover the wonders of Permet
- 2:21h
- 6.0km
- 300m
- 300m
A 45-minute drive leads to the trailhead beneath Mount Nemercka. Follow water channels towards Sopot Waterfall, with views across the Vjosa Valley and the mountain’s steep northern face.
After the walk, continue to the entrance of Lengarica Canyon and the warm thermal pools at Benja, traditionally believed to have healing properties. You can soak in the sulphur-rich water or explore part of the river canyon on foot, depending on water conditions.
The transfer to Gjirokastër takes around 1 hr 30 min. The night is spent in a traditional house in the old town, with time for an initial walk through the City of Stone.
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MealsB/-/-
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Accomodationhotel/private
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Transfers3 h (split up)
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LocationGjirokaster
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7
Explore the historic Gjirokastra & the modern Tirana
- 2:10h
- 6.0km
- 250m
- 250m
Explore Gjirokastër’s steep cobbled streets, Ottoman-era houses and castle above the Drino Valley. The old town is inscribed on the UNESCO World Heritage List and includes museums covering the city’s architecture and twentieth-century history.
Depending on your interests and available time, visit the castle, the ethnographic museum or the neighbourhoods above the bazaar. The onward journey to Tirana takes up to four hours by the arranged transfer or public transport option.
The evening is free to explore central Tirana before the final night.
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MealsB/-/-
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Accomodationhotel/private
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Transfers4 h
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LocationTirane
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8
Farewell Albania!
Depending on your departure time, there may be an opportunity for a final walk through central Tirana or a museum visit. The journey ends with the planned transfer to Tirana Airport.
Departure transfer- Return of materials
- 30 min transfer from the city center to the airport.
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MealsB/-/-
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Accomodation-
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Transfers30 min
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LocationDeparture
Good to know
Activity
Three moderate walks of 4-6 h in the lower mountain ranges culminate in a fourth longer day crossing the Dhembel Pass. There are two optional shorter walks to the Sopot Waterfall and in Gjirokaster at the end.
Accommodation
Four simple, clean and welcoming homestays with private rooms and shared facilities in the Zagoria Valley are followed by three centrally located hotel ensuite overnights in Permet, Gjirokaster and Tirana.
Weather
The Spring and autumn weather is mild. On altitudes from 400 to 1.450 meters the weather rarely harsh and the walks mostly inside the protected valley. The long season is interrupted by a summer too hot for most walkers. To beat the heat, you may start early and take a long lunch time siesta near the river.
Included
- Documentation for a self-guided trip
- Accommodation: 3 hotel(s), 4 guesthouse(s)
- Meals: All breakfasts, 4 lunch(es) and 4 dinner(s)
- Transfers: As per itinerary, incl one airport transfer on arrival/departure
- Luggage transport: 1/pers max 15 kg, duffels/rucksacks, no suit/flightcases * Zbulo is not liable for damages to luggage, please take out insurance
Excluded
• Meals not mentioned above
• Single room supplements, where private rooms are available
• Transfers required to skip a walk and excess luggage
• Personal expenses such as tips and souvenirs
• Flights - all Zbulo trips are ground-service only
• Overseas travel insurance*, required to ensure the best possible care
* Most European travel insurance policies already include this coverage
trip reviews
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
The trail in zagoria valley was amazing
Streams , snow in the mounrains , flowers , gren fields , small villiges
We had a great time in the Hidden valley trek, Communication with Zbulo was easy, the guidebook and GPX files are accurate and everything went well – highly recommended
A wonderful, wonderful experience. Everything was perfect. Zbulo! were organized, clear, responsive and created a magical journey for us. I can’t say enough good things about our hike in the Hidden Valley.
We booked the 8-days hidden valley, self guided, trek.
Zbulo service was top notch, communication was easy and fast, transfers were always on time, and the guide book/GPX files were comprehensive and accurate
Eine unglaublich gut organisierter Wandertrip durch eine ursprüngliche, bezaubernde Bergwelt. Wunderbare Begegnungen mit herzlichen, gastfreundlichen Menschen. Wir genossen das ausgezeichnete vegetarische Essen und auch die zweckmäßigen bis komfortablen Unterkünfte mit warmer Dusche. Wir waren einfach so begeistert von Natur und Menschen und bedanken uns von Herzen!
Vielen Dank für den bestens organisierten Trip. Wir waren begeistert und würden es jederzeit weiterempfehlen.
We had an unforgettable experience on the Hidden Valleys hiking trip in Albania booked with Zbulo — a huge thank you to the team for putting together such a fantastic adventure! The itinerary was thoughtfully planned, the scenery absolutely breathtaking, and every part of the journey was deeply rewarding.
The homestays were a real highlight: comfortable, welcoming, and full of genuine hospitality. The food was consistently delicious, and every host went above and beyond to make us feel at home.
A special shoutout to Eda for the excellent communication both before and during the trip — everything ran smoothly thanks to her support. And heartfelt thanks to Endrit for his quick and kind help when I temporarily lost my partner in Hosheve — truly appreciated! The phone and GPS, as well as shared routes to use with your own apps is quite a game changer on tours such as this when you’re out in areas with bad reception!
Lastly, a tip for fellow trekkers: walking poles are a huge help — not just for the climbs, but especially for the final 1200m descent into Përmet! Just remember, they’ll need to go in checked luggage if you’re flying.
Albania is an incredible country with warm, welcoming people, and this tour is a brilliant way to explore it. I’m already planning my next trip with this company — can’t wait to explore the North next time!
The fantastic Hidden Valleys hiking trip in Albania was excellent. We had an great time and thoroughly enjoyed every aspect of the experience. The itinerary was well thought out, the scenery breathtaking, and the whole journey left a lasting impression.
The home stays exceeded expectations – not only were they comfortable, but the hospitality was genuinely warm and welcoming. The food throughout was consistently excellent, and the hosting superb.
A couple of things to be mindful of; some paths were becoming overgrown and had fallen trees across them, so a bit of pushing past to be done, and long trousers would be useful if you don’t want scratched legs 😉 The other is that we found taking hiking poles was needed (younger people may of course be ok!), but there are some climbs, and on the day down from Sheper, it is long, and they definitely helped! We posted our poles home as airlines won’t allow them in the cabin (we went by train and boat so didn’t have that issue with getting the poles to Albania!).
All in all we loved our trip to Albania, and Zbulo offer a great service – thank you!
Had a great holiday walking through the Albanian hills and mountains. The home stays were welcoming and comfortable with a certain level of rustic charm. There was always plenty to eat and food to take with you each morning. The app and supplied tech will ensure you don’t drift too far off course. My one tip if it’s needed, is to bring walking poles. They’re really useful, particularly on the descents.
Thanks for a great experience.
Our experience with a self-guided walking adventure in the Zagoria valley in April 2025 was wonderful. Great local hosts, good food, beautiful natural settings and mountain vistas. Zbulo’s communication was clear and supportive when we needed it.
Thanks for working to provide complete information!
We hiked the Hidden Valley Trek and had an amazing time. The scenery was stunning and the remoteness made it feel like stepping into another world. We met friendly locals and had a truly special experience. The transport and support from Zbulo were perfect — we’d love to book another hike with you one day!
Thank you!
Albania is a beautiful country where we enjoyed a warm reception walking from village to village in the Zagoria river valley. I give high marks to Zbulo for their clear communications and trail logistics.
Excellent company – friendly support team, super responsive to any queries; we did a fantastic walk – 8-day Hidden Valley Trek in Albania; highly recommend
Wir buchten direkt bei Zbulo und fühlten uns hervorragend betreut. Wer unberührte Natur, freundliche und authentische Gastgeber sucht, ist hier richtig. Wir können diesen Treck zu 100 % weiterempfehlen.
It was perfect!! Thank you very much
Die Trekking Tour: Hidden Valley, im Zagoria Tal ist genau die richtige Tour für Menschen, die einsame Wege suchen.
Die Unterkünfte waren spitze. Wer Gemeinschaftsbäder akzeptiert, dafür eine in allen Unterkünften in den Bergen erlebte, Gastfreundschaft erfährt, hat hier die richtige Wahl getroffen. Die Verpflegung, sowohl das Frühstück als auch das Abendessen hat meine Erwartungen bei weitem übertroffen. Von deftiger mediterraner Hausmannskost, bis raffinierter albanischer Küche war alles dabei. Dir Tische bogen sich teilweise durch, ob der Filter der Speisen, was der hungrige Wanderer zu schätzen weiß.
Überwiegend wurden Produkte aus der eigenen Herstellung kredenzt. Lamm aus eigener Schlachtung, selbstgemachte Marmeladen, Obst und Gemüse aus dem Garten, eingelegte Walnüsse, deftige Suppen, und nicht zu vergessen, selbst gebrannter Raki, die Liste ließe sich noch lange weiter führen.
Die Organisation des Gepäck Transportes verlief sowohl mit dem 4×4 Fahrzeug als auch mit dem Pferd reibungslos. Mitarbeiter koordinieren den Treff mit den Fahrern, bei Transfers, über WhatsApp problemlos.
Die Tour kann ich nur weiter empfehlen
Hidden gem off the beaten path and a must go trip before it gets too touristy! A group of us decided to do an unguided tour in the southern part of albania (not the beach areas but between the moutain valleys). It was super remote and we got to experience a authentic week with the locals and in the nature. Fortunately, we got super lucky with the weather but the trails themselves were still challanging if not properly prepared physically.
The company were super friendly and helpful. They provided us with all the details in advance and on site before we were left with the locals and to venture on our own. Nevertheless, we didnt even need to use the satellite map or emergency phone not once during out trip. Some places offered wifi also, so wasnt completely isolated but you wont meet much of people on the trails.
we had a schedule to follow but we did it all on our timeline. all hosts were super nice in accomodating us with food when we wanted to have an early or late start to the day. Locals had fresh homegrown products on their property and we could snack on the hikes too haha from grapes, to walnuts, vegetables etc. if you are semi fit, you will make it! just take your time and dont panic but plan ahead.
So many! Not in order:
1. Spring flowers
1. Swimming in the rivers
1. Meeting locals
1. Learning about history
1. Meeting other travellers
1. Being challenged by the hikes (but not too challenged)
1. Baggage transport by horse!
1. Eating trout by the river close to Permet
1. Week long feeling of adventure
1. Amazing stone vernacular architecture
1. Limar -felt like one of the last wild places in Europe
Hiking is similar to hiking in Crete -lots of up and down, and rough terrain (gravelly or stony slopes). Hats and sunscreen essential. The time estimates were good. This is an adventurous holiday rather than a luxury one, for people open to new experiences.
Meeting the very hospital and warm people in the villages. the beauty of the nature.
The way the hike was built up. Reaching the Dembel pass.
Having a good condition is enough to finish this tour. Walking hours in the roadbook are not exaggerated. It took us sometimes longer, the paths were sometimes a bit hard to find, so we had to turn back now and then.
Use the gps all the time.
We brought chocolate for the families were we stayed with to thank them. It’s nice when you can show your appreciation to the people. Although it is not necessary, I would do it again.
The valley is beautiful, the variety of tracks Great, the autumn temperature so nice,the stays with local people excellent and worthwhile, despite the language problems .
And it is very interesting to get to know the history and complexity of the country this way. As you walk you experience a landscape and the people better.
We read Lea Ipi ‘s book Free and it helped us a lot to understand your country!
Go and meet the nature and Albanese people , it is beautiful and friendly!
Zbulo’s people love their country and do their utmost best to feel yourself comfortable and safe in nature far away of everyone . They prepare you a hike you will remember as a very pleasant experience !
It was wonderful to walk through mountains and villages, and to have the possibility to meet locals and spend time with them. It was a great experience and a good way to start exploring Albania!
Great walking experience and exceptionally good service for a fair price.
We had an amazing time hiking in Albania. Zbulo is a very well-organized company and they provided us with great food, accommodation, maps and even a GPS device! I would recommend this trip to anyone who likes hiking on beautiful trails and meeting friendly people.
We did the self guided walking tour. A great introduction to this wonderful country. We found the timings of the walks very ambitious but can’t fault the variety and the information, possibly too much information at times to be able to process. The back up is superb, GPS coordinates, local phone, etc. The drivers for pickups and transfers totally reliable and a great choice of hotels.
To be honest, two middle-aged Brits without a word of Albanian between them, wandering the hills, sometimes without seeing another human for hours on end – you got to have confidence in the back up and we certainly did.
Sleeping in the middle of nowhere. Meeting very friendly people. The big difference between the countryside of Albania and the capital Tirana.
Just do it!
Total isolation from the outside world. The friendly guest families, having a taste of the rural life in the south Albanian mountains. Pushing your boundaries.
Bring poles, good shoes, and some hiking condition and just go.
The homestay in Limar, the great nature, the authentic villages, crossing an Ottoman bridge during the first day hike, the lack of crowds, and the homemade FOOD! We really loved the trip, hard to choose only a few highlights 🙂
With a flexible attitude and some preparation towards mountain hiking, it is a great and authentic adventure to experience living in a valley! Although it is a self-guided tour, the provided GPS and runbook will not make you loose track. The homestays are more comfortable than it might look.
Zbulo is a great company, and they support sustainable tourism.
Great Trek, beautiful nature, very nice hosts and excellence guidance of Zbulo!
Tolle, unberührte Landschaften! Gute Touren und vor allem sehr freundliche Menschen! Die sehr gute Organisation nicht zu vergessen! Ich kann es rundum empfehlen!
Unspoiled, beautiful nature, and authentic and hospitable accommodations. Very well organized by Zbulo!
The Zbulo organisation delivered everything that they promised : each time on time . Travel information (lodging / routing / logistics ) was clear and condorm the documentation that was handed out before the trip .
Self guided material requirs somebody to walk with a GPS device and / or telephone : not always pleasant . The routing was very difficult to down load on your phone .
Everything was lovely ; the people in the tiny villages, the scenery and the itinerary was on spot !
Our trip with Zbulo was amazing. The hikes through the valley were scenic, remote, and stunning. We saw few people and many sheep and wildflowers. The trail was well-marked and took us through a variety of landcapes. It was wonderful to walk through blooming pastures, along side rivers, across ancient stone bridges, and through old villages with stone buildings. It felt like stepping back in time. We were invited in to the homes of locals along the trail for coffee, honey, cookies, and raki. Guesthouse accomodations were comfortable and welcome after a long day on the trail. Meals were simple but delicious, with the exception of standout dining in Hoshteve! We have already recommended this experience to friends and look forward to visiting Albania again!
Incredible experience!
Thank you so much for a perfectly organised trip.
Really takes the pressure out and we could travel with ease of mind and enjoy without worrying about logistics.
Wonderful experience.
We would thoroughly recommend the Zbulo team to anyone considering a trekking experience in Albania. We chose the self guided Hidden Valley Trek.
We were provided with information required to navigate the trail, including written instructions, maps and electronic navigation. Our few questions we had while we were there, were quickly answered. With this level of support, we were able to enjoy a fabulous holiday, with beautiful hikes through many different landscapes. Another highlight for us the opportunity to sample the lifestyle of our hosts in the remote villages. Our trip ended with some time spent in the capital, Tirana, which we found to be a lively and vibrant city. The transfers between the various trailheads etc were efficiently carried out by friendly, knowledgeable drivers. We would love to return and experience one of the other areas offered. Thank you again!
Zbulo! Provided an outstanding experience for my friends and I on our hike through the Zagoria Valley. Absolutely perfect.
Sept was super hot and the big climbs to Limar and Hoshteve were HARD in that weather. I had a 2 liter water container and emptied it. So it was a little harder than we expected. But I’d do it all again tomorrow! Regular life is dull now!
Fantastic trip with friends. Accommodation,food and drink Fantastic. The company organised everything perfectly.
We enjoyed the Zagoria-walk, the hospitality of our hosts and the punctuality/organisation by Zbulo very much.
Würde wieder bei Zbulo buchen.
Vielen Dank für’s Ermöglichen dieser wunderbaren Wanderwoche.
Danke für Ihre netten Mitarbeiter, die uns Alles erklärt haben und gut transportiert haben!!
Eine mega gut organisierte Tour, die Begnungen mit sehr herzlichen Menschen, tolles und super gutes Essen, sehr schöne Landschaften.
DANKE💚!
We really liked the trip, we were very happy with our guide. He was nice and helped us with the scary dogs. The hike is really beautiful and most of the home stays were lovely.
So, I was the person bitten by the dog outside of Sherper. For this reason I don’t want to say anything publicly because I want Zbulo to be successful. But I would also like to be assured that this problem with the dogs has been dealt with.
It was clear to us, Edmund and Antoneta that Cimi the horseman would accompany us until we got past the stable with the dogs. We waited until he was ready to leave to walk with him, but shortly before we got to where the stable was, he got on his horse and went faster than we could walking. By the time we got to the stable he was out of sight.
These dogs, it seemed to be about 6-8 of them, had no shepherd with them and were out of control. The one that bit me was the larger of the 2 Great Pyrenees.
That was March 19. I had 16 stitches in Gjirokastar, so it was not a small bite. For the remaining 12 days of our trip I couldn’t walk very much, so that changed a lot of what we had planned to do.
The price of skin the doctors stitched on in Gjirokastar died, so had to be removed, leaving a big hole in my leg. It is 6 weeks since I was bitten, but I’m still very much dealing with the impact. I’m going to a Complex Wound Clinic once a week and to our local clinic once a week for treatment.
So all to say, this was not a minor little bite.
What I would like to know is why did the horseman take off, when we were relying on him to accompany us past the dogs.
What has been done to make sure those dogs don’t attack anyone else?
Edmond and Antoneta and rightly so, were really upset by and angry with the owner of the dogs.
We live in a small community with lots of hiking and cross country skiing. We have a lot of friends who travel and love to hike. But when I tell them about being attacked by a bunch of dogs, they respond pretty negatively to the idea of hiking in Albania.
On a last note, everything else was great.
I would like to thank Antoneta and Edmond for their kindness and care when I was taken back to their place after I was bitten. Could you either give me their contact, or if not possible, please pass on my thanks to them. They were wonderful and very kind.
I am curious about some things I couldn’t find on your website, but which I think can be benefical for profiling Zbulo as a trustworthy and amazing travel agency! Mostly about transparancy on themes like:
– How did you find the guesthouses? How did you start working with them?
– What are they earning & what profit are you able to make? Or how are you spending that profit?
– Are people like the luggage transfer from Sheper to Permet (by horse) paid honestly?
I do trust Zbulo after this experience, but I also know there are some big Western agencies that take advantage of people and the country through tourism and it would be good reading how you work.
This is an excellent company – offering a fantastic walking itinerary, I have never experienced such an accomodative and responsive team; highly recommend
Perfect experience, all friendly, helpfull, flexible and efficient people: hosts, drivers and organisation! Good and clean accomodation. Questions immediately answered, beautiful route. English speaking drivers, driving really relaxed (appriciated!) More than value for money, we’ll be back sometime soon!
Maybe the food, though all good (especially at Katarina’s place!), could be maybe a little more varied. We saw after a few days a strong pattern in the ingredients of breakfast, lunch and dinner. Still, everything good quality, so no need to change, maybe something to think of.
Enjoyed the self-guided tour in Zagoria valley very much. Beautiful itinerary with lovely hosts and nice accommodations. Well organized, Zbulo staff replied to our mails anlways within a short period of time and were flexible when we had little change requests.
What an amazing experience! Everything was perfectly planned and great value. The people and food were amazing. Zbulo was very responsive in getting our trip set up and all the guesthouse hosts they selected we delightful.
They provided a 60 page pdf itinerary of the whole week, including host bios, written trail following instructions (to pair with the gps and gps files they give you), extra things to see if you have the energy, bad weather options, etc. It is so well thought out!
We don’t like camping much but do a lot of longer day hikes to get away from people and into nature. This type of town to town hike in a remote area of Albania was the perfect activity for us. We never had to carry more than our day packs since our extra bags were transported ahead by Zbulo via car or mule! We got to spend hours each day hiking one way, seeing all new scenery everyday.
Southern Albania is beautiful and the hidden valley hike is a bit lesser known that then hikes in the north. I recommend doing this trip if you want to get farther away from the crowds.
Good organized excellent gids. Perfect trail
(Translated by Google) A wonderful hiking tour through the Zagori Valley in southern Albania. We chose the self-guided tour. Zbulo! is superbly organized and flexibly accommodated our minor requests for changes. The accommodations were good, in Gjirokastër even with a balcony and a view, and the family hosts went above and beyond with the meals. It was a great time!
(Original)
Wunderbare Wander-Tour durchs südalbanische Zagori-Tal. Wir haben die individuelle Tour ohne Führer gewählt. Zbulo! ist großartig organisiert und hat flexibel auf unsere kleinen Änderungswünsche reagiert. Die Unterbringungen waren gut, in Gjirokastër sogar mit Balkon und Aussicht, und die Familien-Gastgeber haben sich bei dem Mahlzeiten extrem ins Zeug gelegt. Es war eine schöne Zeit!
A fascinating experience, very worthwile!
Thank you!
Dankeschön! Alles Gute weiterhin für Euch und Eure Angebote.
If you want a off the beaten path where it’s not so touristy yet, go to the south part and do the hiking tour! We did a self guided one and was super easy to follow the trails, we read and downloaded everything beforehand so didn’t even look at the satellite device provided or anything, the company were super nice and provided everything needed and more! Truly an amazing experience! Maybe be a little mentally and physically prepped for the long 4 intense days of the hikes but they were daily manageable and we were super lucky with the weather to truly get the most out of the trip! Must go asap in my opinion….did some other travels afterwards across Albania and it’s incomparable! Hidden gem!!!!!!!
Thank you thank you so much for all your planning and organizing!
The last hotel we encountered an issue with the booking…we asked for separate beds but the receptionist made it super difficult for us to change the double bed into two separate beds. Overall great experience and look forward maybe coming back again to do another tour
Wie have been four people and no couple. But for the last hotel we got a couple, bed and we got in to discussion with the hotel employees to change it.
(Translated by Google) The Hidden Valley Trek in southern Albania was an unforgettable experience. In this secluded valley, you’re immersed in another world, unlike the barely visited Peaks of the Balkans. We did the hike with a guide (€350 for four days). Thanks to him, we stopped off at several families’ homes in the valley and learned a lot about local life. Everything was perfectly organized by Zbulo. Highly recommended!
(Original)
Der Hidden Valley Treck in Südalbanien war ein unvergessliches Erlebnis. Man taucht in dem abgeschiedenen Tal in eine andere Welt ein, anders als bei den Peaks of the Balkans noch kaum besucht. Wir haben die Wanderung mit einem Führer gemacht (350 € für vier Tage). Dank ihm haben wir bei mehreren Familien im Tal Rast gemacht und dabei viel über das dortige Leben erfahren. Alles war von Zbulo perfekt organisiert. Sehr empfehlenswert!
super, thanks
We were very impressed by Zbulo. Thiis trip demonstrated the experience planning and knowledge the team have for this area. We did the self guided hike – taking us through striking scenery into very underpopulated areas over mountain passes to stay with friendly people who can give you insight into living in rural Albania and its history. Ending with hot pools and a canyon, towards the end of the hike the accommodation became luxurious and the towns larger so we acclimatised to ending our holiday and our muscles could recover. We felt safe if there were any problems we were aware and had ways of contacting Zbulo who were very open to being contacted. Zbulo were flexible and, gave clear good advice.
Thank you thank you thank you.
We have had such a wonderful trip in Albania. Thank you.
The “ Hidden Valley Trek” surpassed all that we expected.
The amazing scenery, history, host families, simple wholesome food and meeting the local people made this trip incredible!!
This was due to the impeccable detail that Zbulo did to make our trip possible.
Many Many Thanks to the Zbulo Team.
We would definitely recommend your company!!!
Beatiful track, very well marked paths, easy to find. Well structured tour and very well organised, drivers, hosts all friendly, realiable. Thanks for a wonderful week!
Fantastic!
Thanks so much to Zbulo!
Loved Albania and our trip!
👍👍
We absolutely loved our Self-Guided trip in the Zagoria Hidden Valley, Albania.
It exceeded our expectations in every way.
The magnificent scenery, trekking, accommodation, food and lovely hospitable people!
Zbulo arranged everything perfectly!
Thanks so much to all the Zbulo Team! A fabulous and very interesting adventure.
Highly recommend.
Ricardo and his team did a great job. Nothing was too much trouble and they were flexible enough to allow us to make changes mid trip. We had a marvellous time.vthank you!
Thank you very much. It was a real pleasure.
Great hike and a perfect organisation. Zbulo knows what people like. The homestays were unforgettable. It´s a great way to get to know the real Albanian way if living. We would strongly recommend Zbulo to all people with a heart for the environment and respect for people and nature. Good jou you do, Zbulo!
(Translated by Google) A fantastic organization that organizes trekking tours with respect for the locals and the environment.
We did the Hidden Valley Trekking in Zagoria in April. Everything was perfectly arranged and taken care of. Communication was also smooth! No drawbacks! We would book with Zbulo again.
(Original)
Geweldige organisatie die trekkings organiseert met respect voor de bevolking en het milieu.
We deden de Hidden Valley Trekking in Zagoria i april. Alles was tot in de puntjes geregeld en verzorgd. Vlotte communicatie ook! Geen minpuntjes! We zouden opnieuw bij Zbulo boeken.
The valley trek
Do it!
The whole trek through the hidden valley and staying in the homestays, swimming in the river on the first day of the trek, the Cold War tunnel in Gjirokaster, the beach in Himare, hiking up to the castle/museum in Berat.
Eating lunch and napping under the Ottoman stone bridges was amazing! Thanks again to Endrit, Ricardo and Kristi for organizing our special changes to allow for kayaking in the Vjosa, helping with the transport on the day when our friend was sick and organizing the horseback luggage transport over the pass. We had a great time, thank you so much!
The organization is great, Zbulo thought of every detail. Go for it!
Everything on the Zagoria Valley trip!
Go now! Southern Albania is wonderful and easily accessed from Corfu
We had a perfectly organized tour through an amazing landscape (second week of May 2023). Although we had some rain almost every day it meant the vegetation was very lush and all the flowers were blooming – a breathtaking sight. For me it was the perfect way to get to know a remote part of Europe. The presence of an albanian guide meant that we were able to get in touch with local people, all of whom showed great hospitality and provided insights into their life.
The hike from Sheper to Permey was amazing. And the stays at the guesthouses was an unique experience. Everybody was really friendly and welcoming
We could probabaly have arranged the tour ourselves but it was a really nice security to have down through Zbulo. We got alot of help and advice + the gps was good to have
We swam under the Ottoman bridge in the Zagoria valley. The scenery was amazing. I loved meeting local families and seeing their villages. Our hosts were highlights for sure.
It is a challenging trek if you have knee issues. It is also for people who like “roughing it”. But it is well worth it.
We hiked through the Zagoria Valley and, with the help of Zbulo, it was an amazing experience. The nature was astonishing and the last three days spent in Permet, Girokaster and Tirana were an amazing window into the Albanian way of life.
the hike Sheper – Permet
Arriving at Anetas wonderful place in Sheper
Hiking day 4 from Sheper to Permet was a real highlight an the view up from the mountain unforgettable. There were so many small highlights, especially the contact to the family´s and getting along with just a few words of albanian. The first accomodation in Peshtan at Mani´s house was just lovely – we loved the terasse and the little town.
It is just wonderful an well organised! The only important thing: be aware of the dogs on the way – the guesthouse should inform the sheper in case if there are a flock of sheeps and their dogs on the way. Remember that
The familys, the mountains, the villages. Day 3 and 5!
Take care of the nasty dogs. (Serious)
Highly enjoyable trip with a strong sense of being well away from the more popular areas and seeing something of a hidden Albania. People were incredibly hospitable and the walking wasn’t too strenuous. Highly recommended.
Very good Organisation and communication. Wonderful hosts. The feeling of beeing off the beaten track.
Go for it!
Wilderness in the Zagoria valley, especially the river. Staying with the people and eat what they grow. And Tirana, a real discovery.
If you feel comfortable staying with locals in their house and don’t care so much about the usual comfort… do it!
Zbulo is a great tour company, we love the way they promote sustainable tourism in this country.
We had booked the self-guided mulit-day hike “Hidden Valley Trek” in Zagoria valley.
Zbulo provided us with a GPS, tracks and a runbook. They had made reservations for our overnight stays in homestays with the local people, a truly authentic experience.
Their drivers are good too, we felt safe on the road.
Highly recommended!
We thoroughly enjoyed our walking trip which was so well organised by Zbulo. Great communication by email with the company, well organised transport and great accommodation. We highly recommend Zbulo
Supervakantie in Albanië! Zeer goede organisatie en lokale gids. Een onvergetelijke ervaring! Alle verblijven waren dik in orde en het transport was ook steeds correct.
Dankzij onze gids hebben we vele aangename contacten gehad met de mensen in de dorpjes. Overal vriendelijke en zeer gastvrije mensen.
Een aanrader, bedankt aan het hele Zbuloteam.
We had a 3 day walking trip of Albania organised by Zbulo, with additional pick ups, to give us time to see Gjirokaster and Sarande. Nardi was an excellent driver, really helpful fitting in a trip to the blue eye en route and finding us an ice cream shop at the end of our last day of walking! His driving was careful and safe.
We had 3 days with Petro, who made sure we were safe and kept to the route, which we would never have found alone! He was an amazing guide, very quickly got the measure of our small group, even though we couldn’t communicate too well because of the language, it didn’t matter. The walking was just as advertised, it took the time advertised and was challenging, but enjoyable. The views were worth the climbs.
Our bags were transported by horse, which seemed to work very well. The horses were much faster than we were, so bags were ahead of us, or brought by Mr Domani, our host on the first night, after he’d finished his day job as the local school teacher. Staying in the local village homes with the families made the experience more authentic. The accommodation was basic, but much better than we had expected. We ate freshly cooked food, with locally grown ingredients. Breakfast was plentiful and we packed lunches from breakfast. On our first day Petro brought lunch for us, he had been up early making spinach borek and packing a great feast.
The whole experience was excellent. Everything was well planned and executed. Good value and fantastic service. Thanks to the staff for making this a great experience…and for getting me down the mountain in one piece!!
A group of four of us had a very enjoyable 3 day, 2 night hike in Zagoria Valley with Zbulo in mid-May. All arrangements worked very well and we were well guided by Petro. Highlights included the wonderful scenery and the village stays. The walks were about the right length though some in our group found the scree on the final day’s descent difficult. I would thoroughly recommend this trip with Zbulo. If coming from Sarande I would recommend stopping off at the Blue Eye on the way and a day and overnight at Gjirokaster.
My wife and I arranged a 4 day hiking trip in the Zagoria valley (close to Permet, Albania) through Zbulo. The trip was spectacular. The scenery is amazing and every day we were treated to great views of the mountains and valley along with great old churches, monasteries, waterfalls, and rustic villages. It was a treat to spend our nights with host families in remote villages and spend the evenings talking to family members. My wife and I have been living in Albania for more than a year, and this was one of the highlights of our time here. I highly recommend the trip and would recommend Zbulo to anyone looking for an authentic Albanian experience.
I just came back from Albania and I must say a big thank you to Zbulo and its team for their help in organising this trip!
If you are planning a trip to Albania I would definitely recommend to get in touch with these guys. They are very professional and have extensive knowledge of the country.
We recently joined a Zbulo 3 day trek in the beautiful Zagoria valley out of Permet, Albania. The trip was extremely well organised and our local guide, Cimi was pleasant, knowledgeable and fun. Our mountain hosts were delightful, the accommodation comfortable and food great. Zbulo were very accommodating, going out of their way to ensure the trip worked well for us and for the one other person in our group. Albania is a great place to visit, and one of Zbulo’s trips is highly recommended.
frequently asked questions
Many dishes are vegetarian by default and meat in most cases served as a side dish separately. For vegan, lactose and gluten-free diet, as well as more details on what to expect in general, please read on here. For more information on dieterary preferences and allergies please visit this link.
On each self-guided tour, we hand out a GPS Unit containing all GPS tracks of the trip and a simple mobile phone with a local SIM card, so guests can contact us in case problems arise. Both are already included, no extra fee or deposit is required. However, we do charge a fee in case of loss or damage, to cover part of the replacement cost. The fee is to be paid in cash to our drivers on-site.
Fees in case of loss or damage:
- GPS Unit: €150
- Mobile Phone: €30
You only carry a light daypack with the items needed during the day. Your luggage is transported by vehicle and car from one accommodation.
- Luggage is transported and you have access to it every day.
- This is limited to 15 kg per piece and person.
- Please take only soft pieces like duffel bags or rucksacks.
- Avoid plastic suitcases or metal flight cases. Items with hard shell are at the risk of being damaged and can be difficult (extra cost) or impossible (no luggage transport) to handle.
- A large sturdy trash bag comes in handy to protect items from abrasion or getting wet. While the luggage will be covered in plastic tarps, in case of rain, this is no ultimate protection. A waterproof duffel is the best possible option.
- A daypack in the 20-35 liter range is recommended for the hikes. There needs to be sufficient space to store warm layer, rain/wind/sun protection, water, lunch and personal items.
- Additional luggage may be stored at the initial/final hotel and recollect at the end of the trip - for example if you're booked in Shkodra or Tirana prior to the trip.
Available dates
Select your preferred start date below.
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We booked our self-guided tour through Zbulo. From our arrival at the airport and the first transfer to our final day in Tirana, everything worked perfectly. All of our luggage transfers and border crossings went smoothly. Whenever we had a request, they always looked for a solution and did their best to make everything possible. We really enjoyed the entire
We booked our self-guided tour through Zbulo. From our arrival at the airport and the first transfer to our final day in Tirana, everything worked perfectly. All of our luggage transfers and border crossings went smoothly. Whenever we had a request, they always looked for a solution and did their best to make everything possible. We really enjoyed the entire trip. The landscapes are amazing and we recommend this trip to everybody!
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It was an amazing trip, very well organized with Zbulo. The Hikes are beautiful, the GPS really self explenatory. The hosts were all really friendly with great hospitality. If you had questions you could contact Zbulo easly and they could help. I am really happy with the trip!
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An excellent trip with Zbulo on the High Scardus Trail, guided by Blend. The organization has been perfect, from the first minute until the very last one. Blend was extremely attentive to each of us, and really cared that we enjoy the trip to the most. The High Scardous Trail was really beautiful, with very little hikers on the way and it made possible to di
An excellent trip with Zbulo on the High Scardus Trail, guided by Blend. The organization has been perfect, from the first minute until the very last one. Blend was extremely attentive to each of us, and really cared that we enjoy the trip to the most. The High Scardous Trail was really beautiful, with very little hikers on the way and it made possible to discover the kindness and sense of welcome of Albanian people. This trip highly exceeded my expectations!
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We discovered that Zbulo is a very highly regarded company in Albania. Our self-guided 11 day Peak of the Balkans trip was seamlessly organised and coordinated. Zbulo chose the highlights of the hiking trails, provided transfers to eliminate the long, tedious road sections, and added a spectacular day in Prokletije National Park. Felt very supported, great g
We discovered that Zbulo is a very highly regarded company in Albania. Our self-guided 11 day Peak of the Balkans trip was seamlessly organised and coordinated. Zbulo chose the highlights of the hiking trails, provided transfers to eliminate the long, tedious road sections, and added a spectacular day in Prokletije National Park. Felt very supported, great getting transfers to and from Tirana and having a boat trip on Lake Komani. Hiking days are long, so having just a day pack to carry works well. Just book it!
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My 2 friends and I did the self guided 11 day peaks of the Balkans trip with Zbulo and had an amazing experience! We truly got to turn our brains off as they sorted out EVERYTHING for us. It was amazing to have rides, transport, guesthouses, etc. all booked without having to do the work. My friends and I unfortunately came down with a stomach bug during the
My 2 friends and I did the self guided 11 day peaks of the Balkans trip with Zbulo and had an amazing experience! We truly got to turn our brains off as they sorted out EVERYTHING for us. It was amazing to have rides, transport, guesthouses, etc. all booked without having to do the work. My friends and I unfortunately came down with a stomach bug during the trip, but the team at Zbulo was amazingly helpful. They sorted transport for us on the days we couldn’t hike and helped us every step of the way. It was also fun to connect with others who were on the same itinerary with us. It felt like we had a group even though we were on the self guided tour. I can’t say enough good things about the Zbulo team and our trip!
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Perfectly organised. Beautiful trail and hotels ! Couldn’t even improve this trip if I tried . Amazing experience .
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Zbulo is very organized especially in preparing its participants for the hike. Excellent communications! I appreciate the Knowledge Base which provided information and insights on the Balkans. I appreciate our expert guides Igli and Krist who were both knowledgeable and trust-worthy.
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We discovered that Zbulo is a very highly regarded company in Albania. Our self-guided 10 day Peak of the Balkans trip was seamlessly organised and coordinated. Zbulo chose the highlights of the hiking trails, provided transfers to eliminate the long, tedious road sections, and added a spectacular day in Prokletije National Park. Felt very supported, great g
We discovered that Zbulo is a very highly regarded company in Albania. Our self-guided 10 day Peak of the Balkans trip was seamlessly organised and coordinated. Zbulo chose the highlights of the hiking trails, provided transfers to eliminate the long, tedious road sections, and added a spectacular day in Prokletije National Park. Felt very supported, great getting transfers to and from Tirana and having a boat trip on Lake Komani. Hiking days are long, so having just a day pack to carry works well. Just book it!
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