DURATION
6 nights
LOCATION
Albania, North Macedonia, Kosovo, Montenegro
ANNUAL LEAVE
5 days off work
SEASON
Jun-Sep
GROUP SIZE
Up to 14 people
MEETING POINT
Tirana International Airport Nënë Tereza
ACCOMMODATION
Classic
Guesthouse · Hotel · Mountain hut
DIFFICULTY
Tough
Three summits in a week? Prepare to hike up to 10 hours per day up steep, exposed and loose trails. Only for experienced and fit hikers.
Scramble to the top of Mt Gjeravica (2656m), Mt Zla Kolata (2534m) and the shared summit of Mt Korab (2764m)
Trek remote trails and over mountain borders to the highest points in Albania, Kosovo, Montenegro and North Macedonia
Sail across Lake Koman, bed down in a shepherd hut and fuel up on ‘slow’ food in the heart of the Accursed Mountains
Day 1
Welcome to Albania!
Driving
4hrs
Your adventure starts in Tirana airport where you'll jump in the bus and get whisked off towards the northeast near the border of Kosovo and North Macedonia. The journey follows a scenic motorway through Albania’s wild and mountainous Mirdita highlands. Your road trip will end in the sleepy village of Radomire, surrounded by verdant valleys and majestic high peaks. Get comfy in your guesthouse and tuck into a hearty dinner together with your fellow adventures. Tomorrow's hike starts right from your doorstep.
Day 2
The mighty Korab (2764m), the roof of Albania and North Macedonia
Hiking
8hrs · 17km · 1475m up · 1475m down
Driving
3hrs
Up bright and early to tackle your first and highest peak of the week, Mt. Korab (2764m). It’ll be a long and strenuous climb due to the elevation but it’s not technically difficult. Following the path from the village, you’ll cross shady woodland via open pastures speckled with shepherd huts before pushing on to the summit for dramatic views of North Macedonia's Mavrovo National Park and the high peaks of the Korab Koritnik Range. Celebrate with a picnic lunch at the top before starting your descent back down to the valley. You’ll then hop back in the bus for a scenic ride along the River Drin and into Europe's youngest nation, Kosovo, and onto the historic quarter of Gjakova, your home for the night.
Day 3
Summit Gjeravica (2656m), the highest peak in Kosovo
Hiking
8hrs · 17km · 1100m up · 1100m down
Set off early in a 4x4 drive to the bottom of Mt. Gjeravica, then lace-up your boots and get ready to tackle your second summit of the week. With your luggage loaded onto horses and eyes set on the peak, you’ll stride across blueberry-covered meadows to the ridgeline. The path winds through a boulder field up to a tranquil, heart-shaped alpine lake reflecting Gjeravica's dark and imposing roof. The final stretch to the summit becomes steeper, rugged and rough underfoot but once at the top your efforts will be quickly repaid by sweeping vistas of the Dinaric and Albanian Alps. After the obligatory summit photo, you’ll start your descent via an old Yugoslav border patrol route, before spending the the night in a remote traditional shepherd hut.
Day 4
Eastern Alps and shepherd settlements
Hiking
6.5hrs · 16km · 650m up · 1250m down
Wake up to the sound of chiming bells from the cows and sheep grazing nearby, time appears frozen in Doberdol. Here locals have been living in harmony with nature for centuries. After a hearty breakfast you’ll set off on a spectacular undulating hike through enchanting old growth forests, summer pastures and along the scenic Gashi River Gorge towards the Montenegro border. The fir forests here are home to brown bear, chamois, wolf and Albania's national animal, the golden eagle, and their wilderness has been preserved by the remoteness of this once off-limits border region. You’ll catch a glimpse of tomorrows summit in the distance and end the day in the sleepy village of Cerem hosted in a simple accommodation by a friendly local family.
Day 5
Ascend Zla Kolata (2534m), Montenegro's highest peak
Hiking
10hrs · 18km · 1500m up · 1750m down
Bid farewell to your host family, today you face the longest and hardest stage of the trek. You’ll start with a gradual ascent to the Bori Pass then cross into Montenegro through a labyrinth-like karst field with brief scrambling sections. From Persllopit Pass (2,045m) you’ll see the summit of Zla Kolata and commence a steady 2.5hr climb to the summit, tackling steep craggy karst terrain. Once at the top you’ll be rewarded with views across Albania’s Accursed Mountains, and into Prokletije and Valbona National Park. A steep descent over meadows, through forest and rocky mule paths will lead to your home for the night, a comfortable guesthouse in the beautiful Valbona Valley. Enjoy a substantial home-cooked meal and celebrate the bagging of your third and final summit - you made it!
Day 6
Cross Lake Koman to Tirana
Driving
4hrs
Sailing
3hrs
An early morning start today as you leave Valbona Valley and transfer to the small port of Fierza. You’ll board a local ferry for a 3hr scenic sail across the picturesque Lake Koman. Put your feet up, relax and soak up the views of this fjord-like landscape on the outer edge of the Albanian Alps. Disembarking in Koman, hop in the van and drive to the world class farm-to-table restaurant Mrizi i Zanave, a leader in Albania's slow food movement, and a very special culinary experience. Later in the afternoon you’ll head back to Tirana and celebrate your achievement over dinner with new friends.
Day 7
Goodbye Tirana!
Enjoy the day strolling through Tirana's colourful bazaars, parks or museums then head back to the airport in time for your flight home.
Included
Guides
Expert, local, English-speaking guide
Accommodation
3 nights in a guesthouse, 2 in a hotel and 1 in a traditional shepherd hut
Meals
Munch on tasty and hearty local food throughout
Transfers
To and from the airport and everything in-between
Porterage
Your overnight bag will be transported each day by jeep or horse
Permits
Entrance fees, trekking and border crossing permits
Not Included
Flights to and from the meeting point
Travel insurance
Personal expenses
Tips for your guides
Visas where required
Day 1
Guesthouse · Twin or triple share
Breakfast
Lunch
Dinner
Day 2
Hotel · Twin share
Breakfast
Lunch
Dinner
Day 3
Mountain hut · Same sex dorm
Breakfast
Lunch
Dinner
Day 4 – Day 5
Guesthouse · Twin or triple share
Breakfast
Lunch
Dinner
Day 6
Hotel · Twin share
Breakfast
Lunch
Dinner
Day 7
Departure day
Breakfast
Lunch
Dinner
What is the food like?
Breakfasts are typically eggs, fresh bread, jam, honey and coffee or tea, while for lunch you’ll carry fresh products and sandwiches provided by your guesthouse. On Day 6 you will get the chance to taste a variety of regional dishes and produce at the world class farm-to-table restaurant Mrizi i Zanave, a leader in Albania's slow food movement. Dinner is always a warm and filling meal after a big day of hiking, and courses often come in meze form and are served with vegetables, freshly baked bread, homemade cheeses, local wines and (of course) Raki. There are snacks available to purchase locally but if you'd like specific things then please bring them from home.
Vegetarians and other dietary requirements and allergies can be catered for - please just request on your passenger info form. Please be aware that options for vegans will be limited.
What is the accommodation like?
On the trek
You'll spend three nights in small, family-run guesthouses or basic hotels. You’ll stay in a twin-share en-suite hotel room on day 2 and 6, whilst on the rest of the trek your group will be accommodated in same gender dorm rooms depending on availability. One night will be spent in a shepherd hut, offering a shared sleeping area with floor mattresses and blankets (mixed-dorm style up to 6 people per room). This is a unique opportunity to experience traditional Albanian hospitality in a unique remote location.
Tirana
You'll stay in comfortable and centrally located accommodation, usually Hotel Vila 60, Hotel Theatro or Hotel Boka, in a twin-share room.
Upgrades
Due to the nature of the guesthouses and hotels used on this trip, it is only possible to have a private room on Day 2 and Day 6 of the trip. See Optional Extras for the price and request it upon booking.
The Area
Logistics
Starts
Tirana Airport (TIA)
Catch any flight arriving before 13:10 on Day 1
Ends
Tirana Airport (TIA)
Catch any flight on Day 7
Transfers
On Day 1 you can choose to be collected at the airport or at Tirana Rinas Bus Station if you happen to already be in town. If you fly in on the first day of the trip, please make sure you book a flight that lands by 13:10 at the latest. Your host will inform you of transfer logistics and timings prior to your trip.
Airport transfers between Tirana and the airport are included for any time you choose to depart on Day 7. Transfers between the city and the airport (before or after the trip) can easily be arranged locally and independently by shuttle bus. There is a regular bus line that offers daily service, from 06:00 in the morning until 24:00 in the evening called Rinas Express, which travels from Tirana to the Airport and back every hour. The journey takes 30 minutes. If you would like to arrive early or extend your stay, your host can arrange accommodation for an extra cost. See the Optional Extras section for further details.
Travel options
There are regular direct flights to Tirana from major airports across the UK and Europe.
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What do I need to bring?
BAGS
Duffle bag or rucksack (Maximum of 15kg)
Hiking pack (30-40 litres)
Waterproof liner for kitbag or rucksack/drybags
CLOTHES
Lightweight down or synthetic jacket
Lightweight waterproof and windproof jacket
Breathable wicking layers
Fleece jacket or similar
Buff or neck scarf
Lightweight trousers/shorts/skirts for hiking
T-shirts
Underwear and socks
Sunglasses
Sunhat
Warm hat and gloves
Something to sleep in
Hiking boots (worn-in)
Lightweight shoes for overnight stays
OTHER
Universal travel plug adapter
Power bank or solar charger
Passports (and visas)
Travel insurance documents
Suncream
Personal first-aid kit (inc. blister treatment)
Personal items (biodegradable toiletries, sanitary wear etc)
Toilet kit (toilet paper, biodegradable bags to carry paper out to dispose of)
Quick-dry towel
Alcohol hand-gel
Face mask
Headtorch or torch
Two reusable water bottles (1 litre)
OPTIONAL
Earplugs
Energy bars and snacks
Trekking poles
Lunch box (to avoid using packaging and plastic bags for your meals during the trek)
Eye mask for sleeping (some rooms may not have curtains)
Sleeping bag liner (for if you feel the cold)
Sleeping bag (2/3 season)- for Sep departures only
Double/Twin room in Tirana
Payable Before Departure
Double/Twin room in Tirana
…
Single Room in Tirana
Payable Before Departure
Single Room in Tirana
…
Optional Private Room Upgrade (2 nights)
Payable Before Departure
Optional Private Room Upgrade (2 nights)
…
I loved this trip! The scenery is absolutely stunning and virtually untouched. The accommodation in local guesthouses was very comfortable and the food provided was delicious. Our guides Deni and Adriatik were great, very knowledgeable about the local area and made sure everyone was catered for. They made this trip all the more special. Bring warm clothing for evenings as it can get chilly!
Fantastic trip is a fantastic location with fantastic guides! Each day's hike wasn't super strenuous, but when 4 days were done back to back and in the hot sun, it was a lot. Food was simple and delicious. The restaurants the last day were incredible.
My first holiday with MBA and I'll definitely be doing more! This was a really great holiday. It was physically tough but not too tough - enough to feel tired at the end of the day but not completely exhausted. The mountains are absolutely stunning - the highlight for me was the view from the top of Montenegro - mountains forever! The food was good and lots of it (I'm vegetarian and this was fine) but definitely good to take snack bars from home as there's nowhere to buy stuff like that. The accommodation was all really nice and the guides were great. We had two guides which was good as previous reviews mentioned they only had one, but we definitely needed two due to large range of walking speed within the group. In summary, this is a great holiday if you like hiking in the mountains and fancy going somewhere a bit different. Great to see mountain life that hasn't changed for centuries and so much cheaper than the french/Swiss Alps etc.
Completed Balkan Three Peaks in the end of August and it was one of the best trips for me so far. Great experience lead by fantastic guides Deni and Tesi. Challenging but certainly achievable. Unfortunately we couldn't reach the summit of the last peak due to the weather but plenty of other highlights along the way. Very well organised which must have been difficult due to the logistics. Can certainly recommend
It was a nice challenge with the opportunity to hike on the different countries borders!
Great trip; amazing views and lovely hikes (challenging but fun!).
The trip was fantastic, very well organised and excellent guides
Good discovery of the country but doing the different peaks (a good theme in itself) involves a bit too much travel by minivan to go from region to region
n/a
Fun trip overall with great like minded people. Would recommend improving the trip with more than one guide (though our guide was awesome) when more than 10 people.
We've crunched the numbers to work out the total carbon footprint of this trip, and plant enough trees to suck 2x as much back out the atmosphere.
What's the number?
It works out on average at 244kg of CO2 emissions per person, including all local transport, accommodation, food, activities, guides, staff and office operations.
The only thing it doesn’t include right now is flights and travel to the destination. We do make an overall estimate across all our customers separately, but as we don’t book flights, have customers from all corners of the world, and no way of reliably knowing their travel plans, we simply can’t include an individual number in the figure on display here. We’ve got a goal for 2023 to fix that, so that when you book, there is a way to measure and mitigate the carbon emitted by your flight too.
But what does the number mean?
Yep, hard to picture eh? To give you an idea:
- Driving 1000miles/1609km would be approx. 281kg of CO2 in an average car (or 140.5kg per person if there was 2 of you in it).
- A return economy class flight London - New York would be approx. 1,619kg (1.66 tonnes) per person.
- 10 trees in a temperate forest are estimated to remove approx. 250kg of CO2 from the air in a period of 5-10 years.
What are we doing about it?
Our trips are relatively low-carbon by design, and we're working with all our hosts to develop long term carbon reduction plans. For every person booked with us since 2016 we’re planting enough trees to suck at least 2x more carbon out the atmosphere than is emitted by their trips. All native trees, as part of amazing projects that are re-foresting degraded land, tackling the biodiversity crisis and supporting local communities at the same time. We go further than that too, also funding re-wilding projects worldwide to help protect important keystone species from extinction. See the reforestation and re-wilding schemes we support. See our carbon action plan.
Want to know more?
Amazingly, no international travel company has ever publicly published their carbon measurements before, as far as we know. We believe that must change, quickly. So we’re openly sharing the method we used in the hope that other companies will be able to more easily follow suit and build on what we've done so far. You'll find it all here.
This trek is a serious challenge! At this difficulty level previous trekking experience is essential. Adverse weather conditions and exposed paths may be part of the tour although there is no technical climbing involved. 90% of the trails on this trip are also used by packhorses, that means the paths are reasonably wide for a hiker. There are few exposed stretches with steep drops which are almost exclusively part of the optional final ascents to the summits. These can be skipped, should one not feel comfortable with them. All together this is a non-technical trip that doesn't require scrambling, climbing, the usage of hands or gear. It's mostly about the ability to negotiate uneven paths or craggy karst terrain and good stamina to manage long walking days of at least 7 to 10 hours and ascents above 1000m, with the odd day of cumulative climbing of up to and above 1500m.
Sure can! Over 70% of our travellers travel solo, it’s a great way to meet like-minded people.
The tap water in the mountains is safe to drink. Please bring along your own reusable water bottle to fill up at the hotels and guesthouses to avoid buying single use plastic bottles.
Departures are scheduled throughout the summer season only (Jun-Sep). Typical summer weather conditions in this part of the Balkans are dry, clear and warm during the daytime, with the temperature dropping at night or as you climb higher to the summits. Occasional rainfalls are also possible at this time of year. You may encounter some snow on altitudes above 1800m until the end of June (especially on northern facing slopes). Your guides monitor the conditions in order to stay prepared and share information with your group before you set out on your trek.
During the trek you'll be trekking across the borders of Albania, North Macedonia, Montenegro and Kosovo. Your host will collect a copy of your passport ahead of the trip and will apply for permits on your behalf, so there is no paperwork or applications for you to worry about.
Yes, you can leave your luggage in Tirana with your host on Day 1 as you'll be returning there for the last night of your trip.
No. You'll need to have a duffle bag or rucksack (max. 15kg) suitable for all your belongings which will be transported for you by vehicle, horses or mules, and then a small daypack (30-40L) to carry personal items during the day.
Tips are not included in the trip cost. These are entirely at your discretion and the amount should be reflective of your perception of service and quality - a tip is not compulsory and should only be given when you receive excellent service.
For current advice about travelling in the countries visited on this trip, have a read of the UK Foreign Office pages:
Our recommended travel insurance provider is Campbell Irvine.
Travel insurance is compulsory for all of our adventures and you are required to provide your policy information before departing.
Your insurance should include adequate protection for overseas medical treatment, evacuation/repatriation, your baggage and equipment and the specific activities involved on your adventure. We also strongly recommend it includes cancellation and curtailment insurance, should you be unable to join your trip for specific reasons such as illness.
We fully endorse Campbell Irvine as their insurance offers all of the above, so get in touch with them or call on 020 7938 1734 to get your insurance sorted. We suggest that you book travel insurance as soon as you book your adventure, just to cover you for any last-minute life changes. We know you’re an active lot and injuries do happen!
We automatically convert prices from the local currency that a host receives to your chosen currency. We update our exchange rates on a daily basis so this does mean that prices displayed on the site are subject to currency fluctuations, which is why you may see them change over time.
If you wish to change the currency you pay in, head to the bottom of the page.
All of our group adventures are specially designed for adults to enjoy (18+) as we want these adventures to bring together outdoorsy people who are truly like-minded. Children can be accommodated on some private departures.
You're in good company. Our adventures are typically made up of a mix of solo travellers and small groups of two or three friends who simply love adventure, pushing themselves and meeting awesome like-minded people. See here for more info about our lovely bunch of Much Better Adventurers.
Want to book a private trip? Just tap ‘Private Group’ in the dates and prices tab.
Your trip is led by carefully curated local hosts and expert guides. See here for more info about the guides we work with.
Pay In Installments
You can choose to pay for this trip in as many installments as you like, with no interest or fees.
Full Financial Protection
Your money is safe. Every booking is fully financially protected.
