The City of Shkoder, “Rome of the Balkans”.
The city of Shkoder is situated at Skutari Lake, the greatest lake on the Balkan Peninsula. After the division of the Roman Empire in 395 AC, Northern Albania became part of Western Rome where the Roman Catholic Church has always had an important influence. Rozafa Castle is situated on a rock at the entrance of the city. It was the heart of the Illyrian Culture where the last Illyrian King, King Gent, was imprisoned by the Romans in 168 BC.

115 km with vans (2 hrs, 40 min); 30 miles with ferry (2 hrs); 5-6 hours trip
Roughly two hours, the trip offers spectacular, scenic views. Lacking the sight of cities and villages, only solitary houses can be seen in the middle of vast mountains. There are two ferries that run daily and allow locals and tourist alike to share the same experience of the lake and neighboring mountains. One ferry holds cars and is a larger barge. The other is a boat that is mainly used by locals being dropped off into their remote villages.
It’s an amazing sight of sheer cliffs and rolling mountains on the narrow, twisting lake with clear water. It is an unusual sight to see residents make something out of the difficult terrain, supporting their livelihood far, far away from schools, hospitals and other people. Throughout the trip, you can see lonely houses on top of the hills, or nearer to the lake, far from the previous and the next house. Overnight at Local Guest Houses.

Our route takes us through beech and pine forests down Rosi Peak and leads us onto the “White Circle,” where we enjoy panoramic views across the peaks and valleys of the Albanian Alps (approx. 6 hours walk). Valbona Valley is part of Tropoja district which in turn falls under the Albanian Alps with numerous mountains reaching over 2,000 meters high. There are mountainous massifs like the Eastern Block of Jezerca (2,694 m peak).
The Block of Maja e Hekurave (2,561 m) is distinguished for its asymmetric slopes and the peak which has a conical form. Shkelzeni peak (2,407 m) lies among the tectonic formations and has a pyramidal shape. The ridge is covered with forests of oaks, beech wood and some conifers up to the carbonic slopes whereas on the top there are some alpine pastures. Overnight at local guest house.

This walking trip will last 6-7 hours. Walk to Thethi (750-1950 m above sea level) through some of the wildest scenery into the Tropoje District, known as the home of Albanian folk culture. We walk for about 6-7 hours through forests and alpine pastures and from Valbona pass (1950m), we take a few moments to enjoy the spectacular views down Valbona and Theth Valley. As we pass Valbona River, some beautiful waterfalls and the quaint village of Rragam.
The National Park of Valbona valley is situated 30 kilometers north-west of the town of Bajram Curri. It has a surface of about 8,000 hectares. This park is considered a miracle of the Albanian Alps offering an amazing diversity in shapes, forms, colors, flora and fauna. The forests and pastures, the rivers and alpine lakes, the miscellaneous flowers, the characteristic houses and the hospitality of the inhabitants altogether create a unique place which can be explored on different levels. Overnight at local guest house in Thethi.

We start with the church of Thethi, originally built in 1892, and rebuilt and reroofed in 2005. Roughly opposite the church across a field is the “Kulla e ngujimit” or “Lock-in Tower” which can be seen only from outside, a testimony to a system of rigid and cruel codes to the modern visitors, but which has for centuries regulated an isolated lifestyle in these far away mountain. Another inaccessible monument inside, the old water-mill, situated just below the tower was used by the locals to grind corn.
Then we walk up the mill, following a path that leads to the magnificent waterfall Grunas (25-30 minute walk) to the left in a deep pool, and crystal clear, but cold water. After lunch, departure with van, the road reaches Thethi village, we twist and turn past breathtaking scenery and arrive at the mountain village of Thethi in the middle of the Thethi National Park, passing through the neck of Thore, descent into the den of the gate, organization of picnic/ cocktail. After cocktail, we’ll take a walking to “Gropa e Portes” and “Path of the Sheep”, 2000 m. These three mountains are bordered by Radohina’s and Arapi’s mountains, which can be seen when going further to the valley of Shala and to the village of Thethi. After walk down to Boga Okol, we will arrive in Boga Village(900-1950 m above sea level) . Overnight at local guest house in Boga.

50 km drive (Boge –Koplik-Tamare), 5 hr. walk (2.5 hour Boga& 2.5 hour Tamare) (1100 – 200 m above sea level).
Boga (Shkrel)
The valley and village of Boga are situated in the Albanian Alps, about 50 km north of Shkoder, in the upper part of “Perroi i Thate” (Dried Stream). Because of its fresh air, agreeable climate, and fantastic rocky landscape, this valley has been frequented by the people of Shkoder and by Albanians from other regions of the country for many centuries. The conditions are still basic but are improving incrementally. Because of karstic reasons, there are many underground galleries and caves in the mountains. We can see the church of Boga then walk to Gjek Marku’s Cave (2 hr walk) after transfer from Boga –Koplik –Tamare (50km).
Tamare (Kelmend )
Tamarë is the administrative center of the Kelmend region. The name comes from Tamara, the wife of the Shkodra Vizier who ordered the construction of the Vukli Bridge on the Cemi River in the second half of the 18th century. The bridge was given her name and the village was called the same. Tamarë has around 500 inhabitants. There is a secondary school, a hotel, policlinic, shops, bar-restaurants, etc. Everything is connected with the green river (photo 5). Wild pomegranates can be seen everywhere. We will pass the bridge and take a walking tour along the river, where we discover many springs coming from the mountains. Concrete canals and hoses lead the current water to the houses and agricultural properties. The irrigation systems are used for agriculture, but also for fish farming. Kelmendi region is famous for its so-called “trout with red points” (trofta me pikatekuqe), which has its entire body covered by small red points and can be as large as 50 cm. Overnight at local guest house in Tamare.

Shkodra city tour – Rozafa Castle – Roman Catholic Church – Museum – Mesi Bridge – Old village – Shkodra Lake – Zogaj –Relax.
From Tamara, our road will be passing through interesting panoramic points such as: Cemi Valley, Shkodra Lake, etc. The road unveils before us a unique panorama of valley. After, we will visit the northern city of Shkodër (Rozafa Castle Museum, Church, Mesi Brigde (5 km from city), etc.
In Shkodër, we make a short break for lunch near the old part of the city and accommodation in the hotel. After accommodation at hotel, we drive to Shkodra lake, Zogaj village (7 km from city), relax. 20:30 we start the festive dinner with traditional food & music.

Breakfast in hotel and then drive from Shkodra to Aeroport where the tour ends.