People who do not know the country may be surprised to learn that Albania is a popular destination for garden tourists. The explanation lies partly in the climate
This botanical tour of Albania to conceived for lovers of gardens, scenery and Albania, to complement the Northern Albania
It takes in some of Albanian’s most beautiful scenery and offers the opportunity to see the very best of the country at their own pace.
Tirana International Airport (Google Map)
3 Hours Before Flight Time
We can tell you that the tour will be based mostly in the lush and mountainous northern region of Albania. Here we will explore the rich natural aspects of the region. However, if you have more time to set aside, we can journey to other parts of the country.
Arrival in Albania through Mother Teresa Airport . Overnight inTirana.
Drive direction Elbasan – SouthEast. Continue to the direction of Librazhd. Head to the
direction of Peshkopia while exploring Shebenik Jabllanica. Shebenik Jabllanica is one of the
most impressive Protected Areas in Albania while left alone with no or very little attention
from travelers. It is home to about 35% of the Albanian flora and has amazing landscapes,
beautiful peaks and an important amount of alpine vegetation, butterflies and insects. Arrive
Peshkopi. Dinner# and overnight in Peshkopi.
Expected driving time: 5h30’ for about 200km via the National Park of Shebenik – Jabllanica
After breakfast we will leave Peshkopia and will reach the nearby region of the highest
mountain between Albania and Macedonia called Korabi. We will hike easily to some glacial
lakes near the village of Radomire. Vegetation is alpine and there’s good chances for some of
it to be blossoming at this time of the year. We will reach Radomira where we will have a
small meal with local products. The villagers still live and farm using very authentic and old
traditional methods to produce their food. Dairy products are some of the local ‘delicacies’.
Drive back to Peshkopia. Dinner # and overnight in Peshkopia.
Expected driving time: 1h30 for a distance of about 65km total.
Depart to Valbona while exploring the region of the Pashtriku mountains and the Has
plateaus. Overnight in Valbona
We will explore the Meadows of the Snake which are situated between Valbona and Dragobi
villages at an altitude of 2000 meters above sea level and where because of the presence of
plums and cornelian cherry trees, there’s a frequent presence of brown bear activity today.
We’ll then take a moment to visit the nearby Lake of Xhema where there’s good chances to
spot reptiles, birds and a great natural lake the size of a pool.
Dinner# and overnight in Valbona.
Expected driving time: 45’
Continue the journey towards the Lake of Koman to get the ferry that transfers towards the
eastern shores of the lake. Subjective comments have this ride as one of the top lake boat
trips in the World. Reach the Western side of the lake after a couple of hours and then head
with the bus to direction Shkodra. We will have wonderful views of the Vau I Dejes (River of
the Goddess) artificial lake and a serpentine road going in the direction of the West. Check
in at the hotel. Visits of the Castle of Rozafa, the views on Lake Shkodra and the Cursed
Mountains and an eventual beautiful sunset on the region. Dinner# and overnight in
Shkodra.
Expected driving time: 3h30’
Today we will drive in direction Cursed Mountains to reach the 1685 meter high Pass of
Thore. Our aim is to walk for 1km and a half approximately through a beautiful track– it’s
doable for most people’s normal abilities. There’s possibilities to explore flora in the
vicinities without needing to get to the Pass of the Sheep.) Drive or hike down to Theth.
Dinner# and overnight in Theth.
Expected driving time: 3h
Explore the regions around Theth by starting with a hike to the beautiful site– Light hike. For
those that feel a hike would be good, we propose to walk for about 1h30’ to the Blue Eye on
a mountain trail. Meet at the Blue Eye after the– We can’t drive there since there is no road.
We can leave that as an option for the ones that would rather hike. If not we will explore the
area around the small wetland of Nderlyse.) and have lunch in a local family small restaurant.
Drive back to Theth. Visits of the Grunas Waterfall and the Lock in Tower of Theth (telling
about the ancient and dramatic traditions related to the traditional law called Kanun, Sworn
Virgins, Blood Feud etc). Dinner# and overnight in Theth.
Expected driving time: 1h15’
Drive to Shkodra on the same way we came from a couple of days earlier and then continue
to the famous farm Mrrizi I Zanave (can you say a little more about this farm, i.e. what it is
famous for? – Mrrizi I Zanave (alias Shade of the Fairies is famous for the approach that the
family running it has into the local cuisine, farming and collecting methods, the use of the
wild species of plants, the fact that they employ more than 300 families to work with them.
We can also organize a visit of the nearby church of the village of Fishta surrounded by
communist bunkers and hosting a small terracotta activity.).
Overnight at Mrrizi I Zanave farm
Day 10 – Transfer at the airport. End of our services
