11-day self-guided Peaks of the Balkans
Hiking beyond borders in Albania, Kosovo and Montenegro
This 11-day self-guided Peaks of the Balkans journey crosses Albania, Kosovo and Montenegro. Travel across Komani Lake to Valbona, cross Persllopi Pass to Cerem and continue through the Gash Valley to the summer pasture of Doberdol.
From Mount Trekufiri, the route follows high border trails through Kosovo to Drelaj, then crosses Jelenka and Ravno Brdo passes into Montenegro. A ridge walk above the Grebaja Valley is followed by the long route through the Ropojana Valley and over Peja Pass to Theth.
Compared with the shorter variants, this itinerary adds two nights in Kosovo, broader route coverage and more sustained high-alpine walking. Selected transfers reduce road walking. We arrange the planned accommodation, luggage transport and transfers, and provide route notes and GPS navigation for the self-guided journey.
Overview
- Self-Guided
- 11 days (10 nights) including one arrival and departure day
- June to September (best period)
- 2–8 travellers · minimum 2
- Tirana airport or city at pre-agreed timing
- 9 hikes up to 7:48h walking time (Ø 5:32h), 1300m altitude difference (Ø 805m) and a total of +6400m/-6550m/117km.
- Hotels with private, guesthouse with shared rooms and huts
days
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itinerary
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1
Welcome to Albania!
A transfer takes you from Tirana or Podgorica to Shkodër, the gateway to the Albanian Alps. Meet the Zbulo team for a briefing and receive the roadbook, maps and navigation equipment for your self-guided journey.
Depending on your arrival time, explore the pedestrian centre, visit the Marubi Photo Museum or take a taxi to Rozafa Castle for views across Lake Shkodra and the surrounding rivers. The bazaar and city shops are useful for any final trail supplies. Luggage not needed during the trek can be stored at the hotel before tomorrow’s early departure.
Arrival transfer- Transfer from Tirana airport of city center to Shkodra (2 h).
- Optional transfers from Podgorica (2 h) available on request.
- 30 min meet and greet at hotel upon arrival from Tirana or by 15:00 (Podgorica, individual arrivals).
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Meals-/-/-
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Accomodationhotel/private
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Transfers2 h
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LocationShkoder
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2
Journey into the Accursed Mountains
- 2:21h
- 7.5km
- 250m
- 50m
An early transfer follows the Drin gorges to Komani Lake. The ferry journey winds between steep rock walls and stops at small lakeside settlements before reaching Fierza. Continue by road through Bajram Curri and into the Valbona Valley.
A short introductory walk follows clear streams and beech forest beneath the limestone peaks of the Albanian Alps. Depending on the weather, there may be an opportunity to swim in the river or a mountain pool. The day ends at a family-run guesthouse in Valbona, where dinner is included and the surrounding peaks provide a preview of the walking ahead.
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MealsB/LP/D
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Accomodationhotel/private
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Transfers3 h + 3 h boat
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LocationValbone
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3
Facing the highest peaks of the Albanian Alps
- 6:04h, 7:39h
- 15.5, 14.0km
- 775, 1200m
- 775, 950m
The first major mountain stage climbs from Valbona towards Persllopi Pass (2,039 m). Beyond the pastures, the trail enters a treeless alpine basin beneath Mount Kolata and follows rocky karst terrain that requires steady footing.
From the pass, descend through the border highlands towards Cerem, meeting seasonal shepherds along the way. The village has limited mobile coverage and simple guesthouse accommodation, with a home-cooked dinner at the end of the stage.
When snow, weather or trail conditions make the pass unsuitable, use the alternative route and transfer described in the navigation materials. Do not attempt the high crossing when the advised alternative is in effect.
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MealsB/LP/D
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Accomodationguesthouse/private
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TransfersNone or 5 min
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LocationCerem
Alternate routes:
- Valbone – Persllopi Pass – Cerem
- 7:39h
- 14km
- 1200m
- 950m
- Cerem – Bor Pass – Siapica – Cerem
- 6:04h
- 15.5km
- 775m
- 775m
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4
High route into the remote borderlands
- 6:34h
- 16.0km
- 1100m
- 450m
Leave Cerem and follow a high route through flower-rich meadows and conifer forest towards the Gash Valley. Views extend back to Mount Kolata and across the changing limestone and pasture landscapes of the Albanian Alps.
The route passes seasonal grazing areas where shepherd families may offer refreshments before reaching Doberdol at around 1,750 m. This high-pasture settlement is an important stop on the Peaks of the Balkans and can be busy during the main hiking season.
Accommodation is in simple shepherd huts with shared facilities. Conditions are basic, but the overnight provides a practical base between two long mountain stages and an opportunity to observe seasonal pastoral life.
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MealsB/LP/D
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Accomodationhut/private
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Transfers-
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LocationDoberdol
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5
The three-border-peak of Mt. Tromedja
- 7:12h
- 18.0km
- 825m
- 1100m
Climb out of Doberdol towards Mount Trekufiri, also known as Tromedja (2,366 m), where Albania, Kosovo and Montenegro meet. From the summit area, the route continues along the high border ridge with views towards Mount Gjeravica and the surrounding pasture valleys.
Follow the mountain trail beneath the peaks of Marijash and Rops before crossing Roshkodol Pass. A long descent then leads into Kosovo towards Milishevc, a seasonal settlement surrounded by pine forest.
This is a sustained high-alpine stage with considerable distance and exposure. Use the route notes and GPS track carefully, particularly where paths across the open ridge are less distinct.
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MealsB/LP/D
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Accomodationguesthouse/private
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Transfers-
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LocationMilishevc
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6
Alpine villages of the Rrugova region
- 4:12h, 8:24h
- 10.0, 13.0km
- 525, 1250m
- 600, 1300m
A transfer leads to Reka e Allages in the Rugova highlands. From the village, climb through pine forest and open meadows towards the base of Mount Hajla (2,403 m).
The summit ascent is optional and adds steep, partly unmarked terrain. It should only be attempted in suitable weather and when you are comfortable with the additional effort and navigation. A shorter route continues below the mountain through alpine vegetation and along a high track towards Pepaj.
Descend through forest and a rocky gully to Drelaj, a settled village with guesthouse accommodation. This stage offers a shorter alternative after the previous long mountain day while retaining views across the Rugova region.
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MealsB/LP/D
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Accomodationguesthouse/private
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Transfers1.5 h
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LocationDrelaj
Alternate routes:
- Reka Allages – Mt. Hajla – Drelaj
- 8:23h
- 13km
- 1250m
- 1300m
- Reka Allages – Drelaj
- 4:12h
- 10km
- 525m
- 600m
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7
Across the Jelenka Pass into Montenegro
- 7:49h
- 15.0km
- 1150m
- 1050m
After a short transfer, climb through pine forest to Liqenat Lake at around 1,850 m. The route then passes a second lake and continues towards Jelenka Pass (2,272 m), the highest point of the day.
Beyond the pass, follow the broad ridge towards Ravno Brdo with views across the border mountains and the valleys of Plav, Theth and Valbona. The walking is mostly on open alpine terrain, with blueberries and seasonal grazing areas along the route.
From Ravno Brdo Pass (2,178 m), descend through grassy slopes into Montenegro and the scattered settlement of Babino Polje. The night is spent in simple mountain cabins near the forest.
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MealsB/LP/D
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Accomodationhut/private
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Transfers45 min
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LocationBabino Polje
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8
Grbaja Valley – the culmination of Prokletije National Park
- 6:34h
- 12.0km
- 950m
- 950m
The Grebaja Valley is one of the most awe-inspiring landscapes in the Balkans and a highlight of Prokletije National Park. A morning transfer takes you into the narrow valley beneath the rugged karst towers of Karanfili (2,461 m).
Climb through shaded, fairy-tale beech forest to an enclosed alpine meadow, then join the ridge leading towards Taljanka and Popadija. The high viewpoints look across the valley and towards Albania’s Kelmend highlands, while the dramatic walls of Karanfili rise opposite.
The full circuit includes steep sections and a sustained descent, so follow the recommended route for the day’s conditions and your available time. After returning to the valley floor, transfer to Vusanje for the night. A short evening walk to the Grla waterfall is possible.
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MealsB/LP/D
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Accomodationguesthouse/private
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Transfers1.25 h + 30 min
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LocationVusanje
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9
Through the heart of the Accursed Mountains
- 6:29h
- 15.0km
- 675m
- 1175m
Walk from Vusanje into the glacier-shaped Ropojana Valley. The route passes the karst spring of Oko Skakavice, Gjeshtare Lake and remains of the former border zone before entering broad alpine meadows.
A small lake marks the approach to Peja Pass (1,711 m). From the pass, a steep path descends in long bends into the Theth Valley. The terrain is rocky in places and the descent requires care, particularly when wet.
Near the bottom, you may arrange a local lift to the guesthouse or continue along the track into Theth. The day ends in the village after one of the longest and most varied border crossings of the journey.
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MealsB/LP/D
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Accomodationguesthouse/private
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Transfers2x 30 min
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LocationTheth
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10
Theth – tradition in the Albanian highlands
- 2:39h
- 8.0km
- 150m
- 400m
Walk through Theth to its church and the lock-in tower, where you can learn about the historic role of the Kanun in the northern highlands. Continue beside water channels to Grunas Waterfall and the cliffs above Grunas Canyon.
A bridle path follows the river downstream to Nderlysaj, where clear pools and glacier-shaped rock formations offer a possible swim. In the early afternoon, transfer over Thore Pass and through the Boge Valley to Shkodër.
After collecting stored luggage, continue to Tirana for the final night. The capital provides a clear contrast with the mountain villages and high passes of the previous days.
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MealsB/LP/-
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Accomodationhotel/private
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Transfers4.5 h
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LocationTirane
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11
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. Additional nights or onward travel can be arranged separately.
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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LocationTIA
Good to know
Activity
An extended trekking with nine continous walking days, mostly in the 6-8 h range. Trails are waymarked but not maintained, orientation requires previous experience navigating by GPS. Limited phone signal means we cannot provide remote support and you may need to be self-sufficent.
Accommodation
Framed by a comfortable first and last hotel overnight in the cities, there's a mix of welcoming guesthouses and huts, including the rustic stay on Doberdol alp. Rooms will be private, but not always ensuite. Zbulo books double and twin rooms, but the huts hosts can fail to manage bookings and may accommodate your party in a quad room instead.
Weather
Summer sees stable mountain weather with daytime temperatures of 20-27°C. While nights at high altitude can dip into the single digits, they don't slip into minus degrees - take a light sleeping bag or liner if you worry about feeling cold. Occasional (torrential) thunderstorms last 30-45 min, whereas multiple days of continuous rainfall are rare - less than 10% of annual precipitation fall in summer.
There may be a few snow fields as late as mid-June. In July and August, prepare for heat in Shkodra and Tirana. Traveling prior to June or later as mid-September, make sure to pack sufficient warm cloth and a three season sleeping bag. From late September, rain and fog become more likely, daylight hours shorten and nighttime temperatures drop.
Included
- Documentation for a self-guided trip
- Accommodation: 3 hotel(s), 5 guesthouse(s), 2 hut(s)
- Meals: All breakfasts, 10 lunch(es) and 8 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
- Other: trekking and border crossing permits
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
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!
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!
A wonderful trip organised by Zbulo. We were glad to let them guide us in choosing the itinerary and accommodation so we could explore the POB, and we have absolutely no regrets. What’s more, whenever we encountered minor difficulties along the way, Zbulo was always there to respond and sort out our problems (thank you, Arsina).
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!
A very beautiful trail; the Peaks of the Balkans! Sometimes spicy but very cool. Well organized, nice authentic guesthouses and a world guide: Fatlum.
7 days hiking in the mountains along the Albanian Riviera with Albanian top guide Mend Zavalani. Sporting holiday, beautiful nature, perfect organization.
Well-balanced hiking adapted to the group, good stops. Blessed guide mandu. We will definitely be back soon.
Jan + katrien
A very well organized trip. With beautiful landscapes and great people we got to know during our hike.
Zbulo in Albania has organized our accommodation, transport and travel permits as well as the luggage transport, so we could hike quite comfortably with our daypack.
The Peaks of the Balkans are really highly recommended, although in Albania it can be a bit crowded in some places. For this we were almost alone in Kosovo.
Our accommodations were all very basic but clean and everywhere we were warmly welcomed and the food was fantastic.
Zbulo! provided excellent organization, good value for money and quick help when questions arose during the trip.
Most guesthouses had a better standard than the trip description suggested, all of them were upgraded since my first trip in 2021.
The trail is still a great experience although it is not an insider tip any more.
Theth already suffers from overtourism, make sure to stay in a guesthouse in the upper part of the valley like Kometa, that was still quiet and authentic.
It seems I can only add 5 photos on this website – I had selected 7 🙁
Although a self guided walk, the logistical support provided by the company make the whole walk seamless
We have already recommended and know a friend has booked for September
We hiked Zbulo!’s 11-day self guided Peaks of the Balkans trail. Zbulo! provided excellent organization, good value for money and quick help when questions arose during the trip.
Most guesthouses had a better standard than the trip description suggested, they all were upgraded since my first trip in 2021.
The trail is still a great experience although it is not an insider tip any more.
Theth suffers from overtourism, make sure to stay in a guesthouse in the upper part of the valley like Kometa, that was still quiet and authentic.
Thanks again for the good organization and planning. Everything worked out perfectly. The hike on the Scardus trail is not always easy, but you will be rewarded with great experiences and views. The accommodations are partly quite simple, but for that it is made away from the warmth of the people. Here you can really get to know the country and its people. Greetings to Albania….Mandy u Enrico
We hiked Zbulo!’s 11-day self guided Peaks of the Balkans trail. Zbulo! provided excellent organization, good value for money and quick help when questions arose during the trip.
Most guesthouses had a better standard than the trip description suggested, they all were upgraded since my first trip in 2021.
The trail is still a great experience although it is not an insider tip any more.
Theth suffers from overtourism, make sure to stay in a guesthouse in the upper part of the valley like Kometa, that was still quiet and authentic.
When we began planning our hiking trip to Albania, we knew we wanted a local company to assist with the details. We found Zbulo online, and they helped turned our dream into a reality. They tailored the itinerary to our requests, answered all our questions, provided us with all the needed detailed materials and gave us the confidence to hike without any logistic worries. Drivers and transfers showed up on time, accommodations where good, local food was plentiful, routes were challenging and beautiful, and we loved it!
Since Albania is undergoing a massive transformation regarding tourism, it’s important to go with a local company who understand how things work. Zbulo is that kind of company.
Super hiking holidays on the peak of the balkan tour.can highly recommend.everything well organized, great hiking guides.we learned a lot about country and people, never there was hectic or time pressure.simple accommodation,each had its own charm,always lots and good food
Nature is breathtaking.
Thank you
The Hidden Valley trek in southern Albania was an unforgettable experience. You dive into a different world in the secluded valley, unlike the Peaks of the Balkans hardly visited yet. We did the hike with a guide (350 € for four days). Thanks to him, we stopped by several families in the valley and learned a lot about life there. Everything was perfectly organized by Zbulo. Highly recommended!
I took part in a group trekking on the high-scardus trail. The landscape was pristine, diverse and beautiful, food simple but very delicious and the accommodations depending on the possibility on site from very simple to high class. The trip was well organized, our guide Nehdi spoke very good English, told us a lot about country and people and looked after us very well. I really enjoyed the trip and would definitely book again with Zbulo.
Period: 2024.06.18-28
Our trip was simply wonderful. The organization is fine, almost perfect. The tour overview is an excellent tool for following up the planning.
The trackx (GPX) perfect and a pleasure to navigate.
We navigated without guides, but the roadbook tells you everything you need. (reason of 5 stars)
All people were friendly, helpful, …
All transfers on time
The food: always too much, the best thing was to be able to put together your own dinner.
The weather: about 30° daily with some rain one day
Please note: the walks are not to be underestimated. On average we gained more than 1000 meters of altitude per day. We did walk all optional walks.
Zbulo does provide abbreviations here and there or options for additional transfer if things become a little more difficult.
Incredible experience and fast answers from Zbulo! They provide an excellent service at understanding everything you know even from a self guided experience! Thanks from Canada 🙂
Our trip was simply wonderful. The organization is fine, almost perfect. The tour overview is an excellent tool for following up the planning.
All people were friendly, helpful, …
All transfers on time
The food: good and always too much
The views: amazing, beautiful, …
Period: 2024.06.18-28
Our trip was simply wonderful. The organization is fine, almost perfect. The tour overview is an excellent tool for following up the planning.
All people were friendly, helpful, …
All transfers on time
The food: always too much
Fantastic experience. Wonderful scenery and insights into the recent history and culture of the region. Excellent guiding and some very satisfying walking. Logistics all taken care of.
The area is stunning, unspoilt and seems quite different from other European mountain ranges. Zbulo were magnificent. All ran smoothly with transport, accommodation and luggage on our 11-day self-guided Balkan Peaks Trail Hike. Travelling through Albania, Kosovo and Montenegro, we encountered nothing but willing hospitality.
Don’t go for the comfort or the variety of food especially in the more remote guesthouses. Do go for the isolation, the scenery and the people.
Very good organization and the guesthouses that they picked for us were beautiful. Transportation and luggage transfer were always on time. All staff were supportive and helpful
Everything was fantastic. I was initially concerned about how things would work when we arrived in Albania but everything was covered. The information was superb, materials were spot on. Transfers were all on-time and excellent. Accommodation choices were really good in context, generally excellent. Communication was also excellent throughout. The key take-away for me is that Zbulo had everythnig covered and you were able to rely upon them. In fact, it was a much more sophisticated operation than I was expecting.
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!
And the Roadbook was very helpful for us!
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!
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!
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!
A wonderful trip organised by Zbulo. We were glad to let them guide us in choosing the itinerary and accommodation so we could explore the POB, and we have absolutely no regrets. What’s more, whenever we encountered minor difficulties along the way, Zbulo was always there to respond and sort out our problems (thank you, Arsina).
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!
The accommodations were generally better than expected. We were consistently spoiled with excellent food, especially at the smaller, privately run lodgings. The car service was also flawless and always punctual.
Incredibly rugged mountains, medium to hard hiking, great hospitality
Breathtaking, partly unspoiled landscapes; consistently hospitable people; very good food.
Interesting route, with beautiful landscapes.
Some boring sections on ugly jeep tracks.
The trail is buisy, less on the kosovan part.
The organisation provided by Zbulo is excellent.
Great itinerary and trip. The self guided was laid out well and all directions as far as transfers and accommodations were clear. If you’re looking to avoid many hours of planning and booking transfers and accommodations individually Zbulo is a great outfit.
Nice mountains, very kind people, quiet, good organisation
ZBulo is a local company that organized everything into the details from the beginning to th end. I would recommend you to my friends!
Thanks again.
This is the 2nd time we booked a self-guided ‘luxury’ hiking trip with Zbulo. We were 7 friends that hiked together. Zbulo, like for the first hike 2 years ago, have a very good organisation. No hiccups with transport of luggage, people, accomodation, meals or the hiking routes. I can definetly recommend them.
Cannot express how highly I recommend this – What a fantastic trip! Zbulo’s service was a great value – well worth the cost! The logistics of transfers were complicated and very well executed – we would not have been able to arrange it to go so smoothly on our own. We appreciated the lodging choices and loved all of the people we met all along the way. Luggage transfer was a bonus that made each day easier. The provided materials were valuable for navigation and understanding what each day included. The hike, views, variety, alternatives….just stop thinking about it and book it!
Not sure how to publish this otherwise, but please share my comments on your website.
Loved everything about the trip. Thank you.
The Albanian travel company provides plenty of clear information in advance, keeps agreements, communicates quickly and clearly and is also correct in handling. They have done their utmost to make us feel at home in Albania and that has been excellent.
It was a wonderful trip to discover Albania especially thanks to our guide Mend Zavalani. The walks in nature were beautiful. Everything was very well organized! Highly recommended! Mend was so much more than a guide, he made sure everyone could comfortably enjoy so much beauty! Thank you again, Mend!
Great Adventure with Zbulo, everything was very fluid and extremely well organized, we fully enjoyed the magnificent trail !
Thank you very much, it was a great expérience and perfectly organized !
We just did the 11 day self-guided trek and had a great experience. The logistics of the trek are not trivial to work out solo (especially if you want to skip the less interesting road sections), and so having Zbulo manage it all the background was incredibly helpful – all we had to do was wake up and hike!
The team were unbelievably responsive and friendly, and the hiking itself was incredibly beautiful. I will be telling all my friends about Zbulo and the Peaks of the Balkans trail!
Thank you!
We are experienced hikers and we’re not used to using a travel agency. Still we did not regret one single second. The walks were challenging as we wanted (with some extra possibilities in the itinerary). The travel agency has done a perfect job by choosing the right places (no vulgar places with music etc… but always the right ones), the food was good and adapted to the physical exercise, the people helping us along the road (hosts, drivers) were all nice and efficient. Thanks for all!
We did the 11-day self-guided peaks of the Balkans trip with Zbulo and had a great experience. We are experienced hikers, but the logistics of doing the hike solo aren’t trivial (especially if you want to skip the road sections and get transfers where relevant), and Zbulo made it really easy. All we had to do was turn up and hike! Worth also saying the hiking itself was fantastic!
The team were incredibly responsive, kind and helpful. I would recommend them to anyone. It’s a really excellently run company.
We experienced Zbulo as a travel organization that really makes the greatest effort to let you have a good experience.
For us, we unfortunately couldn’t complete our self-guided hike due to personal circumstances. Zbulo first thought along on alternatives to maybe tailor the trip. However we decided we wanted to go back to the hotel, so they arranged transport back (free of charge). We really felt the support of Zbulo, thank you for that!
For this, we would recommend Zbulo if you want to explore the mountains in the Balkan and like to have an organization helping you to create a great experience
I hope my text conveys how positive we are about Zbulo. If things are still bit unclear, please let me know
Can’t praise this trip and the team at Zbulo highly enough. We took the self guided option and the support materials were more than upto the job. We had an issue with stomach flu and a foot injury towards the end of out trip. None of which were down to the organisers. However the team were on it fro the start. Salvaging the remainder of the trip for those how wished to continue and easing the retnn home logistical challenges for those that could’nt
In our 60’s this is not “our first Rodeo” so to speak and I have to say we have been very impressed
Des
Hiking in the Peaks of the Balkans was one of the best trips I’ve ever taken! Zbulo did a fantastic job in arranging the trip for my friend and me. It is a hiking experience not to be missed. Guest houses were lovely and the food was delicious. We met so many wonderful people along the way. This hike will challenge you but you will have the experience of a lifetime and you won’t want to leave.
We started on an individual tour on part of the Scardus trail. Everything was perfectly organized: Pick-up at the airport, instruction on the hike, briefing, handover of an emergency mobile phone with which the Zbulo team was always available, GPS and GPS app (which we also used because the marking was not always given). The hike took us through magnificent, impressive landscapes, the quarters were great, the food was excellent, the people were all friendly, warm, our luggage was transported, so we only had to carry a daypack. Unfortunately, on 3. Day of our hike in the mountains suffered a serious accident. Thanks to the above equipment, the Zbulo team was immediately available, sent us two mountain rescuers (on foot and horseback) and because that was unfortunately not enough, they organized a helicopter. That was unbelievable and saved the lives of two people! We cannot thank you enough, 5 stars are not enough, even 100 stars would not be enough. It is the very best, most perfect, friendly and reliable organization you can find for such a trip. There is no increase. It couldn’t be better and safer! Thanks to the whole team!!
Maybe ability to choose where you stay
Just amazing. We have traveled the globe and you all did a fabulous job start to finish.
One person got the stomach bug at Doberdol. The women had gone home for end of season and the boys couldn’t cope with the numbers coming through. This guesthouse was unpleasant.
Two of us got bedbugs at Theth. This guesthouse needs some attention and love. Please let the owner know we stayed in room 1 and have no doubt there is a bad bed bug infestation.
Thanks very much. Communication was always 10/10.
Very professional organisation. Everything went smoothly in every detail. Transfers, accommodation, luggage, food all worked perfectly. The Road book is very good.
Great rugged sceneries, delicious food, sweet people. Overall great experience but a good challenge (some rough days, sickness, heat). It felt more like daily hikes than a treck because of the different shuttles but it made us see great parts we would not have seen otherwise.
We had a great experience with Zbulo – great organization and support throughout the trek, especially when we unexpectedly needed to change plans.
Our trip with Zbulo was a great experience! Everything worked out well, the schedule perfectly fitted our needs and all services worked seamlessly together. Thank you!
We did a 11 day Peaks of the Balkan self-guided tour and this was really a great experience! Everything worked out perfectly, all guest-houses were chosen well and all services worked together like a well-oiled machine. Thank you so much!
Great Peaks of the Balkans group tour. Small group, excellent guides, great accommodations. Everything great and highly recommended.
I already recommend you to all my friends
Thanks a lot
only negative point is the heat .. of course zbulo can not change this but what would be good is that walkers could start the day much earlier : now we could only start around 08:00 (as breakfast was served only at 07:00).
Knowing that day light starts at 05:00 in the morning … having a much earlier start in the morning would make the walk much more convenient.
The guesthouses were not so flexible about this.
1/ classic tour peaks of the balkan is OK, but indeed the part in kosovo is not so ‘interesting’ and walking on the dirt roads (also used by jeeps) is awful, especially when the temperature is hot.
I am sure there are much nicer places in the mountains around the places we have been that are much nicer than the classic actual tour ‘peaks of the balkan’.
I would suggest looking for nicer alternatives for some parts.
2/ Some lodges/guesthouses should really do effort on ecological aspects (waste water, collecting garbage, waste of food (as really to much is served and not even half is eaten).
See you next year 😉
If you want to explore Albania or the Dinaric alps, contact Zbulo!
Thanks for your contribution to our holyday!
Me and my sister just completed an incredible 11-day adventure on the Peaks of the Balkans trail, and I can’t thank Zbulo enough for their exceptional arrangement. The detailed itinerary balanced challenging hikes with stunning views, and each day brought new surprises from rugged peaks to serene valleys. The local hosts enriched the experience with their passion and insights, and the cozy accommodations and delicious local cuisine were fantastic. Zbulo’s commitment to safety and sustainability was evident throughout the trip, making the adventure even more meaningful. This hike was transformative, and I highly recommend Zbulo to anyone seeking an unforgettable experience in the Balkans!
I had no idea of what I was really expecting with the walk and it blew me away. It was just stunning, every day. I can’t tell you which was my favourite day’s walk as I loved so many of them. The views were astonishingly beautiful. It was warm but being up high made it more manageable.
I’m soooo glad that we added Gjeravica to our itinerary as the walk was a highlight. We also swam in the heart shaped lake on the way down which was divine. I would say any Brit used to walking in the UK would find it an immensely doable walk. The hardest day was probably the walk out of Valbona as it was steep and hot and new!!
I just adored this holiday thank you so much. It’s a tough walk, I would maybe stress the elevation each day as my companion didn’t really register what that would mean as he was just looking at distance and not ascent! However, I’m a reasonably fit not mega fit person and managed it without too much difficulty.
We needed our towel also in some guesthouses. So add a towel to the list.
Thanks so much to the entire Zbulo team. Despite the illness we experienced, we had an unforgettable experience thanks to your planning.
I would strongly recommend booking a hiking tour with Zbulo for the following reasons:
-Very responsive communication, both before the, during and after the trip.
-Very receptive to tailoring the trip to your needs and preferences.
-Their expert understanding of the region, in both Albania and beyond, ensures you going to the best places, both in terms of walking but also accommodation and restaurants.
-Helpful materials given for the trip such as paper guides, maps and a Garmin ensures there was a balance on our self-guided trip of doing it ourselves with expert support in the background.
Awesome and experimented guiding company that quickly answer any question you might have. As we are approching our departure, we got our cross-border permits with them and secured a few info so that when we’ll get on the trail, we won’t encounter unplanned issues. As Canadians we we wondering about food accessibility in villages and about bear activity and there’s nothing like knowledgable guides to answer those questions. Thanks for being this sharp and friendly!
Scenery, friendliness of the people.
Choose zbulo!
Everything – truly wonderful experience and Park in Montenegro and circular walk was my highlight
Use Zbulo and arrange soon as my fear is that in years to come the routes/accommodation will become over developed
Peak of the Balkans is a great trail, waymarking good, hospitality excellent and varied mountain scenery
End of June good time with the wild flowers and snow still on the mountains
The walk from Doberdol to Millshevc was a highlight in terms of scenery, as was the walk to Babino Polje (which gets very close to the Doberdol Millshevc route as well). The last full day’s walk from Vusanje to Theth was also spectacular. However, there were no days when the walking was not very good.
Certainly to do it. We found the infrastrcuture quite developed and the hosts and service providers along the way knew exactly what they were doing. Some of the accomodation was more basic, but never bad, and if one night was more basic generally the next was more luxurious, so never long without a very good shower and bed. The walking is relaitvely easy and the daily distance and vertical very manageable – epecially with bags being ported for you.
Strenuous but incredible trip with wonderful albanian people and knockout views
Rained in the afternoons but otherwise exceeded all expectations
We were a group of 6 on a self-guided 11-day Peak of the Balkans tour at the end of June, great hiking in varied scenery and everything was well-organised by Zbulo. Highly recommended for the interesting destination, the local hospitality and some challenging trails.
Beautiful PoB hike with awesome guides. Everything with Zbulo worked out very smoothly and exceeded my expectations.
The day we did the balloon hike 🙂 the part which official not belong to the peaks of the Balkan
I will recommend this to everyone!
Theth the less.
If you carry your luggage minimize as much as possible, I wld recommend full rain cover incl for backpack, start early in the morning and take your time and – end June/beginning July was perfect
Vusanje – Theth, Doberdol, Grbaja
Great nature experience. Technically not very demanding but physically challenging, a mix of fairly basic and quite modern accommodation. Some hosts very friendly and open, others rather distant.
Pack minimized if you carry your stuff on your back 😉
Guided by ourself arrangement before by Ricardo and his team was the best.
Don’t miss the Pass from Valbona to Cerem.
We booked a self-guided 12 days tour mostly following the peaks of the balkans.
The organisation was perfect, several transfers, accomodation, everything went smooth. Ricardo and his team were very friendly and helpful. You get a detailed briefing and extensive documentation, and a phone with a local number (important because Albania is one of the very expensive roaming countries. However, reception in the mountains is usually rare). P
The Peaks of the Balkans trail is a great nature experience, technically not very demanding but physically challenging. You’ll find a mix of fairly basic and quite modern accommodation. Transfer can feel like an adventure, but this is due to the condition of the local roads and vehicles.
However, Thethi, one of the better known places, was very disappointing for us. Compared to the rest of the trail, one can speak of overtourism here already.
Overall a great experience for us, and the Zbulo team has played a big part in that. Thank you very much!
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.
Zbulo tours don't always follow the official Peaks of the Balkans route the way it is described on maps and guidebooks. The original route was designed for independent hikers walking point-to-point. To show you the best of the trail, we decided to include transfers that skip dirt and asphalt roads as well as replace lesser sections with highlights off route, for example the Grbaja Valley. Some of our adaptations have been taken up by the general public and our now the quasi default, for example the crossing from Valbona to Cerem via the Persllopit and Bor Pass. The Zbulo team helped develop the route in 2012 and started running the first guided group tours ever on it in 2014 - you're in good hands. :)
There's an early departure from Shkodra on day two, the transfer leaves the hotel at 6:15 am. If you're looking to get a good nights sleep, you may add a pre-trip overnight in the city or at an airport hotel and transfer to Shkodra on the follwoing day.
Interested? Request a private tour
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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
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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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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
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