THE ALBANIAN ALPS EXPERIENCE
Folklore + Albania
Something DIFFERENT. Somewhere DIFFERENT.
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THE ALBANIAN ALPS EXPERIENCE > WHAT
✷ WHAT – Experience / 05-‐06 ✷ WHY – Highlights / 13-‐14 ✷ WHERE – Location / 09-‐10 ✷ WHO – Type / 15-‐16 ✷ WHEN – Season / 11-‐12 ✷ HOW – Process / 17-‐18
SOMETHING DIFFERENT
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Somewhere Different What’s different about this experience?
THE ALBANIAN ALPS EXPERIENCE At A Glance
COUNTRY: Albania DURATION: 7 Nights
MONTHS: Apr -‐ Oct PRICE: £495
Something Different
ASSISTANCE: Helping Hand
Somewhere Different
FOLKLORE
Hiking Europe’s last wild frontier
ALBANIA
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The Albanian Alps
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THE ALBANIAN ALPS EXPERIENCE > WHAT
THE EXPERIENCE What happens on the experience? Read on to find out more about the itinerary.
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HOME > PODGORICA > SHKODRA
VALBONA
Day based in the Valbona Valley and/or the surrounding area; enjoy the great outdoors with a hike around the Albanian Alps under the shadow of the Accursed Mountains; take the wonderful journey to Thethi or get involved with some traditional activities with the locals.
Arrival in Podgorica (capital of Montenegro) followed by an airport transfer into Albania to Shkodra, known as the city of birds and bicycles. Here, you’ll check-‐in to a traditional Albanian guesthouse, museum and restaurant with excellent local cuisine and entertainment.
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SHKODRA > VALBONA
Early morning transfer to ferry port for Lake Koman Ferry Ride journey. Arrive in Valbona, and spend the rest of the day enjoying the serene mountain setting and the fresh traditional food listening to the locals talk about the legends of the blood feuds and sworn virgins.
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VALBONA
Day spent in the Valbona Valley experiencing the authentic life of rural Albania; head out on a nature trail to mountains stans; get your hands dirty helping the locals milk cows, herd sheep and pick berries for an afternoon.
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THE ALBANIAN ALPS EXPERIENCE > WHAT
THE EXPERIENCE
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VALBONA > THETHI
Morning transfer to the start of the hiking trail. You'll trek through the Valbona Pass over to the remote village of Thethi led by a local boy whose horse will carry your bags. The trek lasts approximately 5 -‐ 6 hours. Enjoy local hospitality at the guesthouse in Thethi.
THETHI > KOLASIN
Early morning drop-‐off at the start point of the trek across the mountains into Montenegro. The trek lasts approximately 6 -‐ 7 hours. You'll be collected at the end point of the trek and transferred to Kolasin where you'll check-‐in to your accommodation.
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THETHI
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Spend the day in Thethi and its National Park exploring the local Kulla and iconic church or taking some time out before your next trek tomorrow.
Transfer to Podgorica airport for the flight home or continue with the Black Mountain Experience through Montenegro.
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KOLASIN > HOME
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THE ALBANIAN ALPS EXPERIENCE > WHERE
THE LOCATION Where does the experience take place? Read on to find out more about the locations you’ll be visiting.
Albania
green pastures. Albania’s coastlines is the ultimate draw with miles of deserted pristine beaches, beautifully sun kissed along the Ionian Coast while the north of the country preserves rural traditions and maintains its reputation as a wild frontier. Here, legends of blood feuds and sworn virgins tumble through menacing mountains and desolate valleys, creating an atmosphere of mystery and intrigue.
Situated just north of mainland Greece, Albania is an undiscovered country full of outstanding natural beauty with a wealth of history just waiting to be explored. From the Romans and the Greeks to the Ottomans, past civilisations have left their distinct marks on Albania’s landscape, architecture and archaeological sites as showcased in fascinating ancient sites of its UNESCO World Heritage Sites, Berat and Butrint, and other dramatic mountain citadels dotted across the countryside.
With spectacular alpine scenery and local people that offer warmth and genuine hospitality, the fact that Albania is still one of Europe’s poorest countries makes it all the more incredible. Expect the unexpected and prepare to be blown away.
A country of stunning contrast, Albania boasts both wild and rugged landscapes peppered with jagged mountains and traditional villages alongside long stretches of sandy coastline, lush meadows and
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The Albanian Alps
Set off on an adventure through the wild paths of the Valbona Valley, exploring untravelled paths and witnessing the diverse flora and fauna on offer, revitalised with clean fresh air in your lungs and a dash of colour in your cheeks. Experience the most spectacular boat ride in Southern Europe and conquer castles along the way.
An enticing mix of dramatic mountain scenery, rich wildlife and living legends, the Northern region of Albania remains a wild frontier overflowing with natural beauty and rural treasures. The rugged peaks of the Accursed Mountains tower over lush valleys punctuated with clusters of remote mountain villages. Get a taste for the rural mountain lifestyle and experience the warm hospitality of the local people who honour guests like royalty.
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THE ALBANIAN ALPS EXPERIENCE > WHEN
THE SEASON When does the experience take place and which is the best month to book? that enjoy long hikes through the mountain passes and valleys. Spring time also means that the meadows and hills burst into life with colourful wildflowers and other flora and fauna. While April can bring a fair amount of rain, May tends to be drier and warmer with the chance of the odd thunderstorm here and there. June, July & August: Expect warm days and clear blue skies throughout Albania in the peak summer months of June, July and August. In the mountains you're likely to experience cool evenings but elsewhere temperatures can soar to over 30 degrees so it's best to come prepared with lots of layers to accommodate any change in climate. September: September brings with it slightly fresher temperatures and a certain sense of tranquillity as the rush to get the hay in from the fields is usually over by this point. You’ll still have warm and very pleasant days with cooler evenings. September is one of our favourite times to spend in Albania.
The Season With increasingly long summers and winters, the climate in Albania is rather extreme and plays host to some scorching months as well as a period of severe cold and snow which is why the Albanian Alps Experience does not run through the winter months. Spring, summer and all the way up to early autumn, however offer beautiful weather with warm sunny days and cool evenings along with a wider range of local village activities that vary slightly according to the season. As there are barely any tourists there are no restrictions based on avoiding summer crowds, the only factors to consider revolve around temperature. April & May: As the temperatures in the mountains tend to average around 10-‐20 degrees cooler than they are in the lowlands, travelling to Albania and the Valbona Valley during the spring months mean mild temperatures -‐ perfect for those
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THE ALBANIAN ALPS EXPERIENCE > WHY
THE HIGHLIGHTS Why is this experience so wonderful?
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Take a step back in time and get your hands dirty, assisting the welcoming village people with traditional tasks like making jam, milking cows and herding sheep. Learn how to work with wool, the old-‐fashioned way, and make yourself a pair of warm woolen socks or a pure wool vest. Get out in the mountains and pick armfuls of in-‐season berries including cherries, strawberries, blueberries and plums. You can even try your hand at brewing some local firewater!
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Mountain scenery, flora and fauna in the Valbona Valley
Nestled in the heart of the rugged alpine Valbona Valley, the isolated village of Valbona is truly the stuff of legend. Albania’s wild ‘Accursed Mountains’ loom powerfully over the lush valley where lovely pockets of rural farmhouses and patchwork-‐quilt fields huddle in clusters amongst the mysterious surroundings. An icy cold and crystal clear river meanders through the valley, twisting and turning between thick forests, craggy rocks and remote villages. A region of incredible natural beauty, the Valbona Valley is home to an extensive eco-‐ system of wildlife and plant life, and remains one of the most beautiful, remote and undiscovered places in Europe. Fresh air, gobsmacking mountain vistas and a hub of thriving culture and history.
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Living like the locals
Journey to Thethi
Don your hiking boots, get out in the fresh mountain air and embark on a hike from the Valbona Valley over to the serenely beautiful village of Thethi. Set in a lush green valley encircled by dramatic snow-‐dusted peaks, Thethi is peppered with traditional farmhouses and is home to a th 19 century Catholic church as well as the infamous kullas, or defence towers used by those caught up in the blood feuds. The hike is the perfect opportunity to immerse yourself in the fairytale setting of the Albanian Highlands.
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THE ALBANIAN ALPS EXPERIENCE > WHO
THE TYPE Who is this experience perfect for?
Group Type This experience is suitable for the following group types:
Motivation Type
❋ Peace & Tranquility ❋ Get Active ❋ Live Like The Locals ❋ Get Back To Basics ❋ Step Back In Time
This experience is perfect for those with the following motivations: ❋ Culture & Tradition ❋ The Great Outdoors ❋ Escape 15
✓ Couples ✓ Friends ✓ Boys ✓ Solo Travellers
Personality Type This experience is suitable for the following personality types:
✓ Explorers ✓ Active Addicts ✓ Culture Vulture ✓ Free Spirits
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THE ALBANIAN ALPS EXPERIENCE > HOW
THE DETAILS How to get there, enquire and book?
The Price
The Flights
For current prices please visit the website. This experience includes the following:
As a tour operator we are not able to offer flights. The listed airlines fly directly in and out of the arrival and departure airports for this experience:
✷ Transfers Private airport pick-‐up and drop-‐off All in-‐country 4x4 transfers ✷ Accommodation 1 night in a traditional guesthouse in Shkodra with breakfast 3 nights B&B mountain accommodation in Valbona 2 nights full board guesthouse accommodation in Thethi 1 night B&B accommodation in Kolasin
London > Podgorica Stansted (Ryan Air)
✷ Activities Tickets for the Lake Koman River Ferry Valbona – Theth Hike Theth – Plav Hike Horse and boy for both treks
The Assistance
Here’s more information on enquiring, booking and paying in 10 simple steps:
This experience is classified as ‘helping-‐hand’. This means: ü
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Select experience and booking page on website 2. Choose travel dates from availability calendar 3. Fill in details on enquiry form 4. Wait up to 24 hours for a response from our team 5. If availability is confirmed, we hold your places and you book your flights 6. Booking is processed and confirmed with deposit payment of 25% (if earlier than 6 weeks before start date) 7. Receive digital materials including a personalised trip itinerary and booklet 8. Outstanding balance is paid 6 weeks prior to departure 9. Pack your bags 10. Get ready for a unique travel experience!
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Structured itinerary and pre-‐ planned logistics Services and access to bi-‐ lingual guide and driver Private transfers Pre-‐booked accommodation, breakfast, activities and reservations Extensive digital information and handpicked recommendations for sights, bites and highlights
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Want to extend your trip? Consider spending some more time in Montenegro on either the Black Mountain Experience and/or the Kotor Yachting Experience. There’s even the Off-‐Road Albania Experience for those who want to see more of the south of Albania.
✷ Other Bi-‐lingual guide The Albanian Alps Experience booklet
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The Process
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THE INSPIRATION Like this experience? Then you’ll love these.
THE EXPERIENCE 1. Home > Podgorica > Kotor 2. Kotor > Tivat > Kotor 3. Kotor 4. Kotor > Podgorica > Home
Somewhere else with nature & wildlife
THE HIGHLIGHTS ✷ Relax on a yacht along the Adriatic Coast ✷Explore the UNESCO sites of Perast and Kotor ✷Admire the beauty of Kotor Bay
THE EXPERIENCE 1. Home > Podgorica > Kotor 2. Kotor > Tivat > Kotor 3. Kotor 4. Kotor > Podgorica > Home
THE HIGHLIGHTS ✷ Spot wild bears at a Transylvanian hide ✷ Meet rescued bears at the Liberty Bear Sanctuary ✷ Track bears and bison in the Carpathian Mountains ✷ Visit Dracula’s Castle
BROWN BEAR
Something else in the mountains THE EXPERIENCE 1. Home > Marrakech 2. Marrakech > Atlas Mountains 3. Marrakech 4. Marrakech > Home THE HIGHLIGHTS ✷ Become one of the few people to have skied in Africa ✷Witness the epic Atlas Mountains
MOROCCO SKI
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KOTOR YACHTING
Something else near Albania
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ICE HOTEL
Something totally different
THE EXPERIENCE 1. Home > Bucharest 2. Bucharest > Brasov 3. Brasov > Ice Hotel 4. Ice Hotel > Sibiu > Bucharest 5. Bucharest > Home THE HIGHLIGHTS ✷ Spend the night in a remote Ice Hotel 2,000m above sea level and only accessible by cable car ✷ Sip cocktails at the Sub Zero Ice Bar ✷ Eat at one of the only Ice Restaurants in the world ✷ Visit Transylvania’s castles
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For more information on any of these experiences as well as our complete collection, please visit our website www.untravelledpaths.com
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At Untravelled Paths we believe our innovative approach in combining unique experiences with unusual destinations makes for a winning travel formula. We also believe buying experiences is more important than buying things. That’s why our ‘something different, somewhere different’ experiences are filled to the brim with original and memorable moments to share with the people you love. An Untravelled Paths Experience is a life-‐long purchase that gets even better with time. Unlike other tour operators, our team is tiny. Don’t let this put you off though, for what we lack in manpower, we more than make up for in enthusiasm, passion and downright dedication. We pride ourselves on being able to add a more personal touch to the way we do things. Find out more about our other experiences at www.untravelledpaths.com
CONTACT www.untravelledpaths.com 0207 101 4061 info@untravelledpaths.com 24 Ferncroft Avenue, London, NW3 7PH
Something DIFFERENT. Somewhere DIFFERENT.