Hike the Balkan peaks in 9 days

Pristina Airport - Pristina

Day 1: Arrival in Kosovo

You'll be welcomed at the airport today then transfer to your hotel in Pristina. Depending on your arrival time, there may be time to explore the town or simply relax and unwind after your journey. 

Pristina - Peja - Kuqishtë

Day 2: Journey into the Albanian Alps

After breakfast, spend the morning in Pristina, the capital city of the youngest country in Europe, Kosovo. Depending on the timings today, we may take a sightseeing tour of the city. 

Later, we depart towards Peja in the Albanian Alps and the largest city in western Kosovo. Depending on our arrival time, we may visit the Patriarchal Monastery, an important Orthodox religious centre. We then continue to travel through the Rugova Valley to the small mountain village of Kuqishtë, where you will be starting your hike the following day. Relax and enjoy dinner this evening and fuel up for tomorrow's activities. 

Kuqishtë - Babino Polje

Day 3: Hike into Montenegro

After breakfast, we'll sit down for a group briefing on the week’s programme before starting our hike. We then set off from Kuqishtë on foot to Babino Polje in Montenegro, passing many streams, rivers and lakes as we walk through the mountains. First, we pass Kuqishtë Lake then enjoy breaks along the way at the beautiful glacial lakes of Liqeni I Kuqishtë and Liqeni I Drelajve.

In the afternoon we reach Montenegro and the village of Babino Polje on the border between Kosovo and Montenegro. We arrive at our guest house in the mid-afternoon. After you've checked in and freshened up, enjoy dinner and an overnight stay in Babino Polje.

Length: 19 kilometres
Difficulty: Moderate
Travel time: 8 hours
Cumulative climb: 1,151 metres
Cumulative drop: 1,109 metres
Maximum altitude: 2,276 metres
Minimum altitude: 1,438 metres

Babino Polje - Plav - Vusanje

Day 4: Mountain lake swimming

After breakfast, we begin our hike towards Plav. Firstly we will climb to reach Lake Hrid at one of the highest altitudes of the day. Enjoy some free time here to swim and relax by the lake. Continuing the hike, we arrive at Lake Plav in the afternoon, located at 900 metres above sea level. Enjoy some free time to dive into this sublime lake. From here, we transfer by vehicle to Vusanje, a village located in a gorgeous valley in the heart of the mountains. Settle into your accommodation then relax over dinner and an overnight stay here.

Length: 20 kilometres
Difficulty: Moderate
Travel time: 7 hours 30 minutes
Cumulative climb: 597 metres
Cumulative drop: 1,123 metres
Maximum altitude: 2,046 metres
Minimum altitude: 1,002 metres

Vusanje - Theth

Day 5: The High Peja Pass

After breakfast, we transfer by car to Jerzerce Lake and start our hike towards Theth in Albania. We will be crossing beautiful landscapes including the Grlja Waterfall on the Montenegrin side and the glacial lake of Jezerce on the Albanian border. On the way, make a stop at the natural source of the famous Blue Eye (Syri I Kaltër) underground cave. Another highlight of the day will be crossing the high Peja Pass (or Qafa te Pejes) located at an altitude of 1,742 metres. In the late afternoon, arrive in Theth, an untouched traditional village with an incredible history in the heart of the valley, where you'll have dinner and rest for the night.

Length: 20 kilometres
Difficulty: Moderate
Travel time: 8 hours
Cumulative climb: 1,100 metres
Cumulative drop: 1,524 metres

Theth - Blue Eye - Theth

Day 6: Beautiful 'Blue Eye'

After breakfast at the guest house, we depart by 4X4 for a one-hour drive. We then start our hike to see the splendid Syri I Kaltër or 'Blue Eye'. This beautiful mountain pool is a heavenly place where you can rest and bathe in crystal cold clear water. Lunch will be served on tables at the water's edge. Later, return to your guesthouse in Theth where you can rest after a full day, followed by dinner and an overnight stay.

Difficulty: easy
Walking time: 2 hours (back and forth)

Theth - Valbona - Prizren

Day 7: The final mountain pass

Today we hike through sumptuous landscapes in the Albanian mountains. On the way, we will stop at several quaint cafes and learn about the way of life of the people living in the Albanian Alps. Around midday we will reach the Valbona Pass, the highest point of the day, to admire the incredible landscapes on both sides of the mountain. Arrive in Valbona in the mid-afternoon and enjoy a cool drink to celebrate the end of our hike. We then drive toward Kosovo to the city of Prizren, the country's historic cultural capital. Surrounded by mountainous landscapes, discover the old Ottoman centre where the Lumbardhi River flows. Tonight, you'll enjoy dinner and an overnight stay in Prizren.

Length: 18 kilometres
Difficulty: Moderate
Travel time: 7 hours
Cumulative climb: 1,104 metres
Cumulative drop: 705 metres
Maximum altitude: 1,806 metres
Minimum altitude: 727 metres

Prizren - Pristina

Day 8: Exploring Ottoman Prizren

After breakfast, it's time to explore Prizren and discover a city of well-preserved Ottoman architecture and many historical monuments. Cobbled streets, traditional tea rooms and the old bazaar give this city a unique charm. You will also visit the Sinan Pasha Mosque and the Albanian League of Prizren, the first Albanian rights league established at the end of the 19th century. You’ll have some free time to visit Prizren Fortress for stunning views of the city before lunch. Later, we leave for Pristina and our last night in the Balkans. Enjoy dinner in Pristina then perhaps head out to discover some of the city's vibrant nightlife. 

Pristina - Pristina Airport

Day 9: Airport transfer

Today you'll be picked up at your guest house after breakfast for transfer to the airport in good time for your return flight home.