The Balkan 3 Peaks Challenge

Great itinerary! Get three peaks in four days - ended up being just over 80km. Wish the day before Zla Kolata was a bit easier - the whole group was feeling tired right before the toughest summit. The hotels and guesthouses were all great, and surprisingly accommodating given the remoteness. Packed lunches were a bit sparse. Wish we didn't stop so much in the sun, especially when there's shade 10 meters in every direction.

Wonderful trip - wonderful guides, amazing food and gorgeous scenery.

Amazing hikes in wonderful scenery, the friendliest locals, tasty food, great guides. What a superb trip!

I really enjoyed this trip with a great bunch of people, we were from all corners of the world but quickly bonded and became friends. The guides Blend and Renis were excellent, they were highly knowledgeable, friendly and chilled out, and felt like members of the group as well as guides. Be under no illusions, the hiking is tough. Technically there is nothing particularly difficult but the summer heat adds its own challenges on the long hikes. However if you have a good fitness level you should manage with no issues. The accommodation was basic but better than I was expecting, it was clean, comfortable and we were served good quality meals. Although it’s worth noting that some of the portion sizes on the trip were quite small, so if you are someone who eats lots then I would highly recommend bringing some substantial snacks to keep you going. I would definitely recommend the trip to anyone, it’s a great way to see parts of the Balkans that few tourists ever visit and there are some real hidden gem locations in the hikes. You won’t regret booking!

This was a phenomenal trip from start to finish, everything from the guides to the group dynamic met expectation. A great opportunity to spend time in the mountains with like minded people. An excellent opportunity to immerse yourself in new culture where the locals welcome you into their homes… An unforgettable trip and hopefully the first of many. Having been on trips across the globe with different companies… Much Better Adventures are a cut above anything I’ve experienced before and can’t wait to book again!!

This trip was one of my favourite of all time! I bolted some time on either end to explore more of the Balkans, but this hiking trip was just insane! It is tough, but so rewarding and our guides, Anton and Preveza, set such a good pace that kept us together while still covering ground. Views were unbelievable, food was ace, accommodation lovely and I can’t deny the group I had were top tier!! I cannot fault this trip at all. . wish I could go back and do it all over again!! Thank you thank you thank you!! <3 Picking only 10 photos to add was torture!!

Great week with great views and greater people. The group dynamic was spot on and the two tour guides, Blendi and Renis were amazingly supportive and attentive, they looked after us from the moment we arrived to the literal minute we departed.

The first three hikes were tough but doable individually, with the fourth day being by far the hardest. There was some mild scrambling involved but nothing too technical. The downhills are tough so would recommend having grippy, sturdy boots.

Overall, an unforgettable experience and I can’t speak highly enough of Blendi and Renis, two great guys who made it an amazing week.

Fantastic trip. Great guides especially. Thank you Renis and Igli.

I've just returned from a week in the Balkans hiking the three peaks of Albania, Kosovo, North Macedonia and Montenegro and it was fantastic! This trip is a fantastic way to visit four countries and the scenery is truly stunning. For people wondering how tough it is, I consider myself pretty fit, (gym three times a week, can run 10k in under an hour and cycle up mountains for fun) but this was a challenge, so if you're considering it then get some miles up mountains in your training! We had a truly fantastic group of people and were led by the Amazing Renis and Preveza who were superb guides. Their expertise and experience really made the trip and I would certainly book with much better adventures again.

A great trip which was really well organised. It was tough in places but very rewarding - the views were absolutely incredible. Would recommend a solid amount of fitness for this as there is a lot of ground to cover and a good pace. Food wasn't great for the most part (small portions, low protein), particularly the breakfast and lunch, so would recommend some snacks and protein supplements.

If you’re even thinking about doing the Balkans 3 Peaks Challenge — stop thinking and just book it. This trip was one of the most epic, beautiful, and all-round joyful experiences I’ve ever had. Over the course of a few unforgettable days, we hiked to the highest points in Albania, North Macedonia, Kosovo, and Montenegro — and every single summit felt like a mini victory (followed by some serious “wow” moments).

Huge shoutout to our guides, Renis and Igli, who were absolute legends. Super knowledgeable, funny, motivating, and somehow always in a good mood — even when we were questioning our life choices halfway up a rocky ascent. They struck the perfect balance between keeping things safe and structured while also making it all feel relaxed and fun.

The scenery? Outrageous. Think wildflower-strewn meadows, misty mountain passes, and 360-degree views that stretch across countries. We even got a taste of local life, staying in charming guesthouses with some of the warmest, kindest hosts you could imagine.

The group vibe was awesome — total strangers became team cheerleaders, hiking buddies, and dinner table comedians by the end. Yes, your legs will be sore. Yes, your hiking boots will get muddy. But your camera roll will be glorious and your soul will be very happy.

All in all, 10/10, would hike again. Balkans = underrated. This trip = unbeatable.

Fantastic trip in an amazing part of the world with a great group!

Our guides Blendi and Donart were amazing throughout. They were extremely knowledgeable about the trails and mountains, as well as the history and culture of the region. They often went above and beyond to look after the group, even organising surprise birthday cakes one of the nights.

The accommodation was great, with the local guesthouses always friendly and serving amazing local food.

Would definitely recommend this trip if you are considering it!

Amazing experience and fantastic challenge with great tour guides in Rennis and Igli!

This was really an incredible area for hiking in the mountains. Hikes were tough but not too hard for what I expected.

Our guides Blendi and Donart were great, guesthouses and hotels were good and the food was way better than I expected, especially on the last day.

Thank you Much Better Adventures for a truly memorable and spectacular trip!

I booked this to celebrate another year around the sun and could not have asked for a more magical way to spend my birthday than by tackling the three highest peaks in the Balkans.

I honestly can not recommend this trip highly enough. The website made it clear that this was a challenging hike, so expectations were clear from the outset. Whilst tough at times, I personally found it to be quite achievable as long as you had a reasonable level of fitness. The guides take you up the mountain at a really steady pace and you are rewarded with the most stunning mountain views. The summits were truly breathtaking!

A huge thank you as well to our amazingly supportive guides Blendi and Donart. You were not only enthusiastic but always calm, collected, friendly, genuine, funny and so positive, greeting us each morning with a big smile. Thank you for getting us safely up and down the mountain! You were unflappable even when hiking in 35-degree weather and you really set the tone for the trip, for which I could not be more grateful! Thank you as well for secretly organising a birthday cake. Was not expecting that kind of service deep in the mountains!

Not only are the views a selling point, but the food was scrumptious! Fresh produce and hearty fare greeted me each day and the accommodation was quite comfortable and luxurious.

Lastly, I was really fortunate to share this experience with some truly remarkable, positive and inspiring people. I feel like I have left with some new found, and life long friends. Thanks for making this such a special week for me!

All I can say is, if in doubt, JUST BOOK! This trip is 100% worth it!

Thank you again MBA, Blendi and Donart for an amazing and unforgettable week!

Nicely organized with comfortable transport and great lodging. Our guides- Blend and Donart were knowledgeable, supportive and communicated clearly. The hikes were challenging, especially during the summer heat and especially the last hike, but all were very doable for intermediate and plus hikers. Bags were transported by car each day which made hiking even easier as you didn’t have to carry everything you needed on your back. Great experience and great views! Highly recommend- what a beautiful area of the Balkans!

This was my 1st organised group trip and all I can say is WOW! What an amazing experience. Very good communication from initial booking through to the trip itself. Logistically very well organised, and the guides Blend and Donart were the best to ensure everything went smoothly and safely.

Highly recommend this trip with MBA! Not often you get an opportunity to hike the tallest peak in four different countries in only 4 days. The landscapes are gorgeous and views are worth the climb! Accomodation was very comfortable, always with access to water and clean showers with towels. The food exceeded my expectations, both fresh and nourishing for the hiking.

Cannot speak more highly of our two local guides Blend and Donart. Who went the extra mile to ensure we had the best experience possible. Including arranging birthday cakes on the mountain, surprise extra snacks, accomodating all dietary requirements and an overwhelming knowledge of the land and history we hiked on. Also having a lot of fun with our group along the way.

This was an amazing trip in such an a beautiful part of the world. Alll 4 days spent hiking were special and it was a pleasure spending it with such a great group. I can’t thank our guides Anton &Preveza enough for looking after us and having such a great sense of humour. This was my first trip with MBA and will not be my last. Would highly recommend

A really well organised trip. Good accommodation, excellent food, and two very knowledgeable, warm and funny guides.

Just WOW! What a fabulous week we have just had. In record breaking heat, with the loveliest group of people we ascended, descended, laughed, swam, ate and applied copious amounts of sun cream as we explored the stunning scenery of this corner of the Balkans. In a week of record breaking heat, this was a tough challenge but made doable by the knowledge , professionalism and care of our superb guides, Blendi and Donart. I am convinced Blendi knew every rock on every mountain and he paced us perfectly in the challenging conditions. They were both so knowledgeable, professional and truly cared about our experience. They went above and beyond to ensure our experience was fabulous. The accommodation is described as basic but it was palatial in comparison to other trips I have done - hot water, showers at every stop and even en-suites in a couple of the guest houses. The hotel in Kosovo was an unexpected luxurious surprise! A far cry from the usual 20 mattresses in a room . The food throughout was so much better than expected. The last day the ferry ride, special lunch and celebratory dinner made a perfect end to a special week . Just wonderful. Thank you again to Blendi, Donart and to the whole group for such positive energy and being such inspirational fellow trekking companions.

Wow! What a week. A really incredible experience that delivered so much. The hiking was exceptional, each day offered something different from type of terrain, valleys and forests. It certainly lived up to its billing as being a tough challenge but definately within most experienced hikers capabilities. I would certainly rank the climb of Zla Kolata as one of the best days of hiking I've ever had. To celebrate our achievements, the final day cruise and hospitality was top class and underlined our amazement on what value for money the whole trip was. All of the organisation , travel and accommodation worked without any hitches or delays. A final massive thanks would go to our two guides, Anton and Preveza who lead us with such knowledge , skill and sense of humour that got us all up the steep climbs. I would 100% recommend this trip.

Amazing first visit to the Balkans. Long challenging days rewarded with epic scenery, enjoyable food & accommodation in different locations. MBA have put together a varied itinerary which works really well, including the last day's ferry trip & tremendous restaurant. We had two fantastic guides, huge thanks to Anton & Praveza for their knowledge, enthusiasm & humour, they made the trip. Highly recommended.

Breathtaking can be an overused word, but not in this case, particularly the views when you reach the final peak at Zla Kolata. Each day was distinct, but all were equally stunning. The routes are challenging and while not technically difficult, a decent level of fitness and training is needed as they are long days with some steep climbs and descents. Completing the final peak gave us all a real sense of achievement, even those who have previously done similar trips.

Our guides, Anton and Preveza, were brilliant. The group was pretty well matched, but they just made sure the pace was balanced for everyone, offering great support if needed. Their humour and friendliness also shone through and they just became part of the group.

We had a fantastic group, a real mix of ages and backgrounds, but everyone got on so well together and supported each other throughout each day. The food and accommodation ranged from perfectly acceptable to very good, and I would say better than what I had expected. Lunch on the trip back to Tirana was a definite highlight.

This was my first MBA trip, and won’t be my last.

Great trip ! Fantastic cultural experience and good physical workout ! The days are hard and long, but full of surprises and fun . . the last day boat ride and eco lunch was a treat ! Anton and Praveza were the best guides ever !

This trip was so much fun. Hard and challenging, with some early starts and long days, it also delivered views, nature and a chance to learn about new cultures and languages. Anton and Preveza our two guides did a fantastic job of guiding and shepherding us over the 5 days, keeping us safe, entertained and informed. I learnt a lot about the Balkans: it's history, culture, food and people. And after 4 amazing days of hiking, our final day with the ferry trip and lunch was a classy way to finish off a great tour. Thanks MBA, another excellent trip.

Just returned home from the most incredible trip, absolutely loved everything about this experience. The mountains and scenery were simply amazing. Every day was very different and each peak had an individual feel.

The whole challenge is put together so well, accommodation throughout was good and added to the experience of the balkans. The challenge itself is hard but certainly well within the capabilities of people with experience of mountains & hiking for long days.

The guides were exceptional, both our lead guide Anton & assistant guide Preveza were very knowledgeable but most importantly great company throughout the whole trip. They added so much to the experience and I couldn't speak highly enough of them.

Our group was top class, different characters and personalities that all bonded so well. Alot of laughs & encouragement between everyone. The last day celebrating with a trip across lake koman was a perfect end to this experience. Loved it.

I've just returned from the Balkan 3 Peaks Challenge - my fourth trip with MBA, and what an incredible adventure it was! The whole experience was absolutely fantastic from start to finish. It is definitely not a trip for the faint-hearted and the hiking consists of four long/tough days with plenty of elevation gain. But the incredible scenery, so variable from day to day, is totally worth the effort. There are some scrambling sections and a little bit of exposure with the final peak in particular, being a tough/long day. Besides the trip being completely awesome in its own right, we were so blessed with a fantastic group, who were such a selfless team right from the start. The encouragement, support and camaraderie shown by everyone was incredible. Of course, such a fantastic adventure would not have been possible without our two guides, Anton and Preveza and you were both absolutely incredible throughout the trip. Anton, your excellent leadership, knowledge of the route, constant advice and support, and of course wonderful sense of humour, were second to none. Preveza, I can never thank you enough for your quiet strength throughout the adventure - your kindness, patience and encouragement will leave an indelible mark on my soul! You made a fabulous team and are the best guides I have experienced on an adventure trip. Finally, the accommodation, food and logistics of the whole trip were great and I particularly loved the "travel back" day as the Icing on the Cake after four days in the mountains. I have been on many "classic" adventures (including Kilimanjaro, EBC, Machu Picchu etc) and in my opinion this adventure is probably physically harder than those, and rightly given the 4/4 rating by MBA. But with good training and great guides, is a very doable one! I can guarantee if you choose this trip, you will not be disappointed!

This is a brilliant trip! The technical aspect of the final day of hiking on Zla Kolata was a highlight for me, but all three peaks are stunning, unique, and challenging in their own ways. The group was a brilliant mix of ages and backgrounds, from 20s -50s. The guides (Anton and Preveza) were both very knowledgeable, fun, kind and supportive people who went above and beyond to ensure every member of the group had an amazing experience. This was my first trip with MBA and I would 100% book with them again!

A very good trip although I think it could be enhanced with a couple of additions as mentioned in the feedback below.