The Balkan 3 Peaks Challenge

This was one of the toughest challenges I’ve ever done but I’d do it again in a heartbeat. Be prepared for long days and tough inclines, but also spectacular views and wonderful new friends. Deni and Elena were the most professional and personable guides.

A highly organized trip, from Eda's swift responses to the various modes of transport, everything worked perfectly.

We had two great guides in Deni and Elena - with their mountain and weather wisdom, Albanian dance lessons, and Balkan history, and encouragement, they enriched the hiking experience tremendously.

Our accommodations were nicer than anticipated and the food was very good, sometimes terrific. I especially appreciated the abundance of veg options.

The hike itself was very difficult largely due to the pace and a few of us did not reach all summits. In retrospect, I should have commenced the hike upon arriving in Europe, rather than after three "tourist" weeks. Nonetheless, it was gorgeous, the trails were uncrowded and it was so worth it.

This was our second hike with MBA. And like on the first trek, the hikers were fabulous. We quickly became a tight group, full of laughter, happy to share, super supportive.

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This is super late, but I've finally got around to writing it up.

Had the most epic week back in July doing the Balkins 3 Peaks.

Firstly, the two guides Anton and Prevesa made our trip - two incredible and delightful human beings and every minute spent with them was a genuine pleasure - they really looked after us and made our trip.

Secondly, the trip was so well organised, each day of hiking offered something a little different and the guides (especially Anton) were extremely knowledgeable about so many aspects of the trip (all things Albania and Kosovo). The scenery was stunning and all the peaks had their own different vibe, so there were no two days the same.

Lastly, we travelled as a group of 5, so there were 10 other travelers outside of us and we were completely blessed with how great everyone was. We all jelled instantly and grew a very tight bond over the course of the trip - everyone offered to the trip and it was so awesome getting to know them all (I realise MBA can't control this, but I wanted to share anyway).

Overall, we all had the most magic week back in July and I genuinely couldn't recommend this trip enough. I very nearly missed out 'umming' and 'ahhing' over whether to book, but I bit the bullet and booked one of the last slots. I count my lucky stars I did, as I had no idea how incredible it would be.

If you're doubting whether to book this up or not as well - don't! It's genuinely worth every penny!

I was so impressed by the organisation of the guides who made us feel safe and welcoming throughout the whole trip. They explained a lot about about the history and culture and always took the time to answer our questions. The scenery is spectacular and the routes weren't busy. Fantastic trip

Physically challenging but doable. Each day brought a new challenge with amazing & breathtaking views. Everything was well organized, the guides were very knowledgeable & we all had a great time.

An excellent but challenging trip. The Guides were very knowledgeable and helpful. The hosts and the accommodation were very good and we had a good mix of people on the trip

The hiking itself was superb, with amazing views, diverse landscapes, and few other people around. Each peak felt really unique and it was difficult to resist the urge to constantly stop and take photos! Our guides, Deni and Renis, were brilliant and really knowledgeable about everything from local history and geology to how to select the best wild blueberries. The accommodation was really great and much nicer than expected, and the food was delicious, fresh, and a real highlight of the trip (even as a vegetarian!). Our first introduction to this part of the Balkans and we will certainly be back!

The scenery was sublime. The views were superb and improved by the lack of crowds. The food was excellent, and a lot better than I expected. In particular, vegetables were prominent: each meal did not feel like it was all about the meat, with other elements an afterthought.

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.