Trip Notes SNOWSHOEING IN ALBANIA Trip Code:
CVA
Countries:
Albania, Kosovo
Amended:
April 2014
Edition No:
JC 01 2014
Valid from:
01 Jan 2015 - 01 Apr 2015
HIGHLIGHTS • Snowshoe through spectacularly wild landscapes of
Valbonë National Park • Enjoy varied scenery passing rural hamlets, open
meadows and pine forest • See traditional dress and dancing at a folklore evening
norm. Far away from the crowds and without a ski piste in sight, this is where we venture on our snowshoes; through snow-dusted virgin forest, open meadows and past rural hamlets. As we enjoy our picnics en route we can appreciate some spectacular vistas looking toward Albania's highest peaks and most beautiful valleys. The warm hospitality of the locals will see us well looked after as we are invited for lunch in a villager's family home one day and are treated to a folk music evening. Spending a night in Kosovo is another highlight for most, with time to discover the sights of Prizren before returning to Tirana for our last night.
• Visit the fascinating cities of Tirana and Prizren • Have lunch in a villager's home and enjoy the warm
hospitality
SUMMARY Albania as a whole remains a largely undiscovered country, having only opened up to visitors as recently as 1991-2 when The Communist Party relinquished power. Natural beauty abounds throughout the country, but none more so than amidst the mountains of the Albanian Alps. Pristine, rugged and wild - inhabited by resilient agricultural communities, where farming practices and traditions have been preserved for generations, and where horse-drawn carts are the
IS THIS TRIP FOR YOU? This trip is graded level 4 - Moderate/Challenging As Albania is such a fascinating country, this winter holiday has been designed with both an active and cultural focus in mind. It would be a shame not to showcase both the rugged natural beauty and unique historic tradition of the region. Besides the arrival and departure days, there are five days of snowshoeing plus two travelling/ sightseeing days including time in Kosovo's cultural capital, Prizren. The snowshoe walks are centred amidst the stunning Albanian Alps and close to the Kosovan border in the remote north of the country. Previous experience of snowshoeing is not essential but would be advantageous as this is a moderate to challenging grade trip in a very remote region. You should lead an active lifestyle involving some form of regular exercise, and have a good level of fitness. On snowshoe days we will be walking for up to 6-7 hours a day (including rest breaks and lunch stops). The snowshoe days usually involve a short 20-30 minute transfer at the start and end of the day and explore a variety of alpine terrain ranging from meadows to pine and beech forest. Mornings usually involve roughly a 3 hour ascent, followed by a picnic lunch at a scenic high point before descending along a different route for roughly a further 2-3 hours. Expect to encounter undulating terrain and possibly deeper snow in parts and be prepared for some traverses and steeper sections of ascent and descent. If snow or weather conditions are unfavourable, your leader may occasionally have to adapt the itinerary. Whilst part of its charm, tourism is still in its infancy in Albania and facilities and services may not be on par with other European
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Day 3 Snowshoe walk to Pllanë
countries. Although warm and characterful, our guesthouses/alpine hotes in the mountains are simple, 'no frills'.
After a short transfer, we put on our snowshoes and begin walking uphill from the village of Kukaj. After 2-3 hours of passing through the snow we reach Pllanë, which at 1,550m above sea level, affords uninterrupted mountain views and makes the perfect picnic spot. In the afternoon we make our descent back to Valbonë, passing through wild open meadows and farmland.
There are some early starts and unavoidable long drives, namely the drive to Valbonë on day two, and the drive back to Tirana on day eight (approx. 6-7 hours). Journeys are broken up with sightseeing and lunch stops wherever possible. Many roads in the country are being resurfaced, however you can expect some bumpy potholed sections as we head into the mountains.
Approx. 6 hours walking, 10km, max. elevation 1550m. BH (B,L,D)
Your Safety
Day 4 Snowshoe walk on Grykat e Hapta
All active winter holidays involve some element of risk; from something as normal as slipping on icy pavements, to the possibility of injuries sustained as a result of the activities themselves. While we do all we can to minimize any dangers, participants must be prepared to accept some risk as part of the holiday. Please refer to the 'risk of injury' section at the back of the Winter Activities brochure, or the
Today is one of the more demanding snowshoe walks of the week. We climb the slopes of Grykat e Hapta Mountain, reaching an elevation of about 1700m. From our highest point, we can enjoy amazing views over the Valbonë Valley and extending as far as Jezerca, the highest mountain in the Albanian Alps, standing a proud 2692m above sea level. We descend back to Valbonë after lunch. Approx. 6-7 hours walking, 8km, max. elevation 1700m. BH (B,L,D) Day 5 Snowshoe walk around Rrogam This morning we set off toward Rrogamit Mountain (1868m), ascending at first before entering the Vali Valley. We may pass the occasional shepherd hut en route but besides this we find ourselves among an amost pristine wilderness. From our highest point we can look down upon the beautiful alpine village of Rrogam, the last village in the Valbonë Valley and therefore one of the most remote and picturesque. We can enjoy the serenity as we descend through snow-clad pastures to Rrogam. Approx. 6-7 hours, 11km, max. elevation 1600m. BH (B,L,D) Day 6 Snowshoe walks and transfer to Tropojë Our final destination for tonight is the village of Tropojë, the former administrative centre of the district, which is widely accepted as the home of Albanian folk culture. After breakfast we drive to the tiny village of Shoshan (put on our snowshoes) and have a short walk from here to Cërnicë village. We can explore the rural villages en route and meet some of the friendly locals, learning about the history of the area and their traditions (which have remained unchanged for centuries) as we go.
online FAQs for this trip for further information. Snowshoes are adaptable to fit most trekking boot sizes, however if you wear larger than UK size 12 boots (US13 or EU47) please let us know at the time of booking. We will then be able to confirm if we can provide suitable snowshoes for you.
From here we transfer to our guesthouse in Tropojë (about 20 minutes drive), where a delicious lunch awaits. In the afternoon there is an optional short snowshoe walk to Shipshan village (800m). This evening will be rife with music and culture as we enjoy a special folklore performance.
LAND ONLY ITINERARY The entries in bold at the end of each day indicate the type of accommodation normally used (if different standards of accommodation are used - see accommodation section below for key to codes), and meals included (B=Breakfast, L=Lunch, D=Dinner).
Approx. 3 hours walking, 5km, max. elevation 800m. Approx. 3-4 hours driving, 35km. BH (B,L,D)
Day 1 Start Tirana
After a short (30 minute) transfer to the village of Buçaj, we follow a snowshoe route uphill for around 2.5 hours until we reach Padesh village (1450m). Set amidst dense beech and pine forest, this village is particularly beautiful in winter time when the trees are dusted with
Day 7 Snowshoe walk to Padesh; drive to Gjakovë, Kosovo
The tour starts at our city centre hotel in Tirana where we will enjoy a welcome dinner. The group flight usually lands at around 20:30 so you may wish to have a late lunch or some pre-dinner snacks to keep you going. SH (D) Day 2 Drive to Valbonë N. P. We have a fairly early start today as we have a quite a lot of ground to cover to reach our alpine hotel in Valbonë village - located in the heart of the spectacularly wild and rugged Albanian Alps. We break up the journey with stops along the way, including a lunch stop in Bajram Curri in the foothills of the Alps. The name of the city comes from the national war hero 'Bajram Curri', in honour of whom stands a seven metre high statue. After lunch we wind our way through pretty villages until we reach Valbonë. The Valbonë Valley was declared a National Park in 1996 and is renowned for its outstandng natural beauty and age-old agricultural traditions. We will be based here for the next four nights and have plenty of time to soak up rural life and mountain vistas as we follow a variety of snowshoe routes. Approx. 300km driving, 6.5 hours (with stops). BH (B,L,D)
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snow. On a clear day, we are rewarded with views over Tropojë Valley and toward the Dukagjini Plains in Kosovo. We'll experience the warm hospitality of the locals once more, as we take lunch in a family home in Padesh. After lunch we continue on our snowshoe walk, heading in the direction of Kosovo and pass a number of small hamlets until we reach Botushë village where our walk ends. We drive over the border into Kosovo and on to Gjakovë (approx. 3045 minutes drive). Gjakovë is famous for its Ottoman bazaar, which with over 500 stalls, is one of the largest in the Balkans. Approx. 5 hours walking, max. elevation 1450m. Approx. 1-1.5 hours driving, 20 km. SH (B,L) Day 8 Sightseeing in Prizren; drive to Tirana Our destination for our last night of the holiday is Tirana, but we cannot leave Kosovo without first visiting Prizren. Prizren is one of the best preserved Ottoman cities in Kosovo and has a rich cultural, historical and religious heritage with its 17th century Sinan Pasha Mosque, 14th century Orthodox Church 'Our Lady of Ljevis' and memorial to the former political 'Albanian League of Prizren'. Lunch is not included today but your leader will be able to recommend some restaurants in Prizren.
In Valbonë village accommodation is a little more rustic. We stay in a simple but charming 'no-frills' alpine hotel surrounded by mountains and with views of Jezerca (2692m), the highest peak in the Albanian Alps. The guesthouse in Tropojë has a fascinating history, having been renovated and converted from its original state when it served as the tiny town prison. There are 4 twin rooms, 2 triple rooms and 5 bathrooms; therefore 2 of the rooms will share a bathroom. We also sometimes use a nearby house to accommodate full groups.
From Prizren it is approximately a 3.5 hour drive to reach Tirana, where we will have our farewell dinner, and for those who wish there are plenty of bars to frequent. The main centre of Tirana's night life is in the Blloku neighbourhood, where villas were once occupied by members of The Politburo (former leading sect of the Party of Labour of Albania) but which is now a lively centre full of trendy bars, cafés, and fashionable clubs. SH (B,D)
Our lovely hotel in Gjakovë is one of the finest in the region and a stone's throw away from the bazaar. Full of character and decorated to a high standard, the rooms are equipped with all the mod-cons. The restaurant serves up particularly tasty local fare too.
Single Accommodation:
Day 9 End Tirana
A single room may be available on request at a supplement of £110. Please note that single rooms are limited and must be requested in advance.
For those not travelling on the group flights, the tour ends at our hotel in Tirana after breakfast.
KEY TO ACCOMMODATION: We indicate in the itinerary what type of accommodation is provided on each day. The descriptions are guidelines only and are used to give an idea of the accommodation offered, rather than an exact description.
If you have time before you fly home you may wish to take a look around Skanderbeg Square (located approx. 300 metres walk from our hotel). The square is dominated by the façade of the National History Museum, which is adorned with a gigantic mosaic known as, 'The Albanians'. This is one of the finest examples of late Albanian Socialist Realism in the country, depicting the resilience of the people in their fight against invasion and occupation throughout the centuries. (B)
SH Standard Hotel, Lodge or Gite - no-frills hotel, usually with twin rooms and en suite facilities. Service and amenities are generally adequate. BH Basic Hotel, Lodge or Gite, Mountain Hut, Village House - can be communal, often consisting of just a bed and shared facilities. Bed linen not normally provided. Running water, toilets and electricity may be inconsistent or non-existent. Cleanliness is not always assured.
For those on group flights, these depart in the afternoon and will arrive in the UK the same day.
ACCOMMODATION We spend 2 nights in Tirana, 4 nights in Valbonë, 1 night in Tropojë and 1 night in Gjakovë. All rooms are on a twin-share basis and have en suite bathrooms, with the exception of the night in Tropojë (where some rooms are triples, and 2 of the rooms share a bathroom). Star ratings are not regulated in Albania and Kosovo.
FOOD & TRANSPORT
In Tirana we stay in a comfortable 3-star hotel which is conveniently located only 300metres from the main Skandaberg Square. Rooms are equipped with modern facilities including A/C, TV, Free WiFi, minibar, telephone, and hairdryer.
Food in Albania is quite varied thanks to the many influences on the country and particularly Mediterranean combining both Turkish and European tastes. Dairy products, especially milk and yogurt are present in almost every meal, usually locally sourced. Meals are reasonably priced at around GB£3-5 per dish for traditional dishes such as baked rice, casseroles, stuffed aubergine and Jani Meat (beef or lamb sautéed with onions, garlic and spices). Fresh fish is also plentiful, from the sea or lakes and is an important ingredient in many dishes. Dishes that must be sampled are Tirana stew, Elbasani yogurt and baked phyllo pie.
Food All meals are included except for lunch in Prizren and dinner in Gjakovë.
For dessert, there are the classic cookies and puddings but most importantly the Baklava is very popular. Drinks are reasonably priced with a bottle of beer costing around GB£2.20 yet traditional drinks need to be tried as well, Raki and 'Scanderbeg' Cognac, (noted for its unique flavour and aroma). Your leader will recommend restaurants where meals are not included.
Transport For this trip we use a private bus, the size of which will depend on the group size, with a local driver.
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WEATHER AND SEASONALITY
JOINING THE TRIP IN TIRANA 9 days, normally start Tirana Sat, end Tirana Sun Itinerary Start Your trip normally starts at our hotel in Tirana in the evening of Day 1 of the itinerary. Details of how to reach the start point are provided in the Final Joining Instructions - sent approximately two weeks before departure.
For a relatively small country, Albania has several different climatic regions. In the mountainous north of the country, temperatures are mostly elevation dependent. Low winter temperatures are caused by the continental air mass that dominates the weather in Eastern Europe and the Balkans, with characteristic northerly and northeasterly winds. Whilst winters generally remain mild elsewhere in the country, in the mountains temperatures regularly drop below freezing during the months from November to March. More precipitation falls in the winter months and January and February are considered the most reliable months for snow cover, especially at elevations of 1000m or above. Due to the mountainous nature of topography, the weather can be unpredictable in the north of the country so you should bring appropriate winter clothing for both sunny and snowy days.
Airport Transfers If you require airport transfers, you may (by prior arrangement only) be able to join the group transfer. Transfers are arranged to coincide with the arrival time of the group flight - please check the group flight details 2 weeks before departure. If you do not take this transfer, or miss it, you must make your own way to the joining point at your own expense. If you would like us to organise a private transfer, please ask your sales consultant for a quote. Please ensure that you provide us with all relevant information at least 2 weeks before departure. Full joining instructions including local emergency numbers will be sent to you as part of our Final Joining Instructions. If you do not receive these at least a week before departure, or require them earlier please contact our office or your travel agent.
JOINING THE TRIP IN THE UK 9 days, normally depart London Sat, return Sun Itinerary Start The group flight from London is a daytime flight departing on Day 1 of the itinerary.
RESPONSIBLE TOURISM Tourism can be a real help to local communities, providing income, positive cultural exchanges and a financial incentive to protect their natural environment. Ours is a 'total approach' to responsible tourism, covering everything from the way we plan and operate our trips to the practices of Exodus as a company.
Flights from London We normally use the scheduled services of British Airways or Austrian Airlines (depending on availability). As flight timings and schedules change regularly we recommend you call one of our specialist sales staff or your agent to confirm up-to-date timings. Please note timings may change at a later date and cannot be confirmed until approximately two weeks before departure.
Albania is still in its infancy in terms of tourism, particularly the mountainous north. Our local partner is a father and son outfit, who were born and raised in the Albanian Alps. Together we have planned itineraries which visit remote villages which see little tourism and are reliant on agriculture as their main source of income. In these regions we stay and eat in local guesthouses, ensuring that tourism directly benefits the places that we visit.
UK Regional Flights The Flight Inclusive price is based on a London departure, but we are happy to tailor this to your local or regional airport. Please visit www.exodus.co.uk/regionaldepartures for a useful overview of the options available, and contact our sales team for expert advice.
For full details of our Responsible Tourism Policy please visit:
If booking regional flights other than with Exodus, you must allow a minimum connecting time (in addition to the international check in time) of 1 hour at Gatwick, and 1½ hours at Heathrow; this is longer than the official minimum, but baggage handling is known to be subject to delays.
www.exodus.co.uk/responsible-travel
PRACTICAL INFORMATION Passports and Visas
Airport Transfers
All nationalities require a full passport that must be valid for 6 months beyond the intended length of stay. It is your responsibility to have the correct personal documents and to obtain your own visa, if one is necessary, in accordance with the regulations of the country you are to visit. The information below is primarily for UK passport holders, and other nationalities should check with their travel agent or the relevant embassies. We are not responsible for the actions of local immigration and customs officials, whether at points of entry or otherwise, and any subsequent effects.
Airport transfers are included for those on the group flights. Please note that transfers are not included for clients arriving on any other flight, even if Exodus has booked it. Those arriving from London on non-group flights should read the airport transfer section below for information on reaching the start point. Please check with the Exodus office.
Albania No visa required for most nationalities, including UK passport holders, most other EU nationalities, US, Canadian, Australian and New Zealand.
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Kosovo No visa required for most nationalities, including UK passport holders, most other EU nationalities, US, Canadian, Australian and New Zealand.
Large capacity water bottle and/or thermos flask Sunglasses and high factor sun cream and lip protection Blister kit (some people find they are more prone to blisters with snowshoes) Sit-mat (or small square of karrimat) for taking lunches in the snow Trainers/comfortable shoes for the evenings
Visa regulations can change without notice: please check the current regulations in good time to obtain a visa if one is required.
Vaccinations and Health Baggage and Baggage Allowance
Travel health can often be something people forget about before going away, but a little preparation and knowledge can go a long way to help you stay fit and healthy while abroad.
At time of writing the standard weight limit for hold baggage on the recommended international carrier for this trip is 23kg. We recommend packing only one piece of checked baggage.
There are no mandatory vaccination requirements for this trip.
As advice about luggage allowances for both hand and hold luggage is subject to change, we suggest you check www.baa.com and/or the airline's website for the latest information prior to your departure.
Recommended vaccinations for this trip are: Tetanus, Hepatitis A. We are advised that there is no risk of malaria on this trip.
Maps:
The above information can change at short notice; as we are not qualified to answer all your questions about travel health we strongly recommend you contact your Medical Professional or a Travel Health Clinic at least 8 weeks prior to departure for up-to-date information.
The most accurate maps are Huber Verlag Hiking maps (created with Albanian Association of Climbers), which cover the National Parks of the Albanian Alps. Tropoja - B. Curri - Valbona (1:50,000 - Sheet 2).
Insurance - are you adequately covered? You must have adequate travel insurance, and if you are joining a trip which goes to high altitude, you must check that you are covered up to the maximum altitude of the trip. If you are resident in the UK we strongly recommend Exodus travel insurance, which is specifically designed to cover all activities on your trip.
JOIN THE EXODUS ONLINE COMMUNITY Don't forget to visit the Community area on our website. You can view the range of Exodus videos and podcasts, read trip write-ups which have featured in the national media and take advantage of some special deals on travel gear and equipment.
Local Time
In the Community Travel Forum you'll find the Departure Lounge where you can discuss your trip with fellow travellers before you depart. When you get back from your holiday remember to upload your images to the relevant trip page on our website. This helps other people see what our holidays are really like and you'll be entered automatically into our monthly photo competition.
GMT + 1 hour
Electricity European 2-pin plug socket (220-240 Volts).
Group, Staff and Support The group will generally be between 5 and 16 people. There will be a local leader and drivers and local guides where needed.
To make full use of the Community you'll need to join My Exodus. It's free, registration is simple and easy, so what are you waiting for?
There will be a local leader, and at least one second support guide (although his English may not be as good as the leader's), horsemen, drivers and local guides where needed. Our local leader was born and raised in the Albanian Alps and has been walking in the region all his life.
http://www.exodus.co.uk/community
IMPORTANT INFORMATION FOR ALL CLIENTS Exodus operates a 24 hour duty office for emergencies, which can be contacted on 0044 (0)1582 640 045.
The minimum age of clients on this trip is 16 years. Please note that anyone aged under 18 must be accompanied by (and share accommodation with) a parent or legal guardian.
Every time that you travel abroad you should take the time to read the warnings in the essential information in the brochure or at www.
exodus.co.uk/about-exodus/essential-information?
MONEY MATTERS
Full joining instructions including local emergency numbers, and details of how to reach the start point, will be sent to you approximately 2 to 3 weeks prior to departure. If you do not receive these at least a week before departure, or require them earlier please contact our office or your travel agent.
Currency Information The national currency of Albania is the Albanian Lek (ALL), with an exchange rate of 169.5 to the UK£ and 101.5 to the US$. The national currency of Kosovo is the Euro (EUR), with an exchange rate of 1.2 to the UK£ and 0.72 to the US$.
The information in these Trip Notes is given in good faith. Where differences exist between the Trip Notes and our current brochure or website, the Trip Notes supersede the brochure and website. All holidays can be subject to unexpected changes; in order to enjoy them you should be prepared to be flexible where necessary. Occasionally, as stated in our brochure, it may not be possible to follow the itinerary as planned. This may be for a variety of reasons - climatic, political, physical or other. In these circumstances we will make the best possible alternative arrangements that maintain the integrity of the original itinerary.
Exchange rates are correct at the time of publication.
ATM availability/Credit Card Acceptance/Travellers cheques
WHAT TO TAKE Essential Equipment and Clothing In addition to your 'normal' daily clothes, you will need the following clothing and equipment: Outdoor/winter clothing and footwear: Walking boots: 3 or 3-4 season waterproof walking boots with semirigid soles, and good ankle support. Good quality waterproof jacket Waterproof trousers and gaiters Warm fleece Warm hat and gloves. T-shirts, lightweight trousers and light fleeces (occasionally we experience unseasonably warm days). Other essentials: Medium sized daypack: (approx 30 litres), on occasions you should expect to carry your snowshoes strapped onto the outside of your pack, packs with a lid or adjustable side straps are well suited for this.
As fuel prices, airport taxes and exchange rates fluctuate, and airlines manage their rates to match demand, it is proving harder than ever to guarantee our Flight Inclusive prices. Although we endeavour to keep our website as accurate as possible, daily fluctuations mean that our Flight Inclusive price may be out of date. For accurate prices we recommend that you contact one of our Travel Experts, or your Travel Agent. Prices and exchange rates were correct at the time of publication. The most up-to-date prices can be found on the Exodus website. © Exodus Travels Ltd. ATOL 2582/FTO
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HOW TO BOOK YOUR TRIP 1. Check availability Go online to check availability, or contact us by phone or email.
2. Secure your place You can provisionally hold a place on this trip, usually for between three and seven days. 3.
Complete your booking and payment
When you’re ready to book, go to www.exodus.co.uk for online booking, book over the phone or you can complete a booking form (available online or on request by calling us). We accept all major credit and debit cards, or you can pay be cheque.
Book with confidence: Exodus is fully licensed and bonded as a tour operator. We hold Air Traffic Organisers Licence (ATOL) number 2582 issued and bonded with the Civil Aviation Authority (CAA). We are also bonded to the International Air Transport Association (IATA) and we are members of the Federation of Tour Operators (FTO) and ABTA - The Travel Association. This means you can book your Exodus holiday with confidence, as all monies paid to us for your trip are fully protected.
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