Hike and Yoga on Via Dinaica / Kosovo and Albania

Why Via Dinarica in Kosovo and Albania?

The Via Dinarica is an amazing trail in Western Balkans, nearly 2,000 kilometers long, which connects countries around Dinaric Alps and Sharr Mountains. It is an adventurous walk through different cultures with heritage sites and the last of the continent’s unspoiled and most beautiful landscapes.

Starting from Slovenia, Croatia, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Montenegro, Kosovo, Serbia, Albania, and arriving in Macedonia, the Via Dinarica is Outsides Magazine’s Best New Trail in 2014, Paste magazine’s best trekking path in 2015, and a must see both Wanderlustmagazine and The Guardian in 2016, and also National Geographic Traveler‘s “Best of the World” destination for 2017.

Kosovo is a newly created country which made its way forward very fast through the enthusiasm of its young population–the youngest in Europe despite its hard past with many conflicts and wars involved.

There is a huge assortment of food choices in both countries, starting from very a simple but tasty fast food pastry to the amazing fish and seafood restaurants, especially in Albania. The fruits and veggies are mostly organic everywhere you shop. Meeting new people in both countries is going to be a great fun as the people are extremely positive and generous.

Highlights of the trip:

• Visiting Prishtina and Shkodra

• Experiencing Local Tradition – Food and Hospitality

• Dramatic mountains

What is included:

• 5 bed breakfast overnights in guest house

• All transfers according to itinerary, with own minivan and an English speaking professional driver

• Transfers of the loads with horse (bags)

• 2 guided hikes with an English speaking certified guide (for 12 people)

• 5 dinners

• 4 lunch packs during hikes

• Guided walking tour of Prishtina

What is not included:

• The drive to Nderlyse – you can either walk or take a drive,

• Hiking attire

• Alcohol, drinks, snacks

• Travel insurance

• Tips for your guide

• Bank transfer

 Other information:

Duration: 5 nights (days) / 6 days (days)
Difficulty: Hiking is on a moderate level.

Day 1: Wednesday: Prishtina – Shkoder – Theth

9:00 Arrival at Prishtina Airport

10-12:00 City Tour in Prishtina

12:00 start driving from Prishtina to Shkodra.

We will stop in Shkodra for one hour for a short walk and lunch – burek.

16:00 start driving to Theth.

After accommodation we start the first session of Yoga in Theth – outdoor, and the first meditation session latter.

Day 2: Hiking to Nderlyse – Yoga Outdoor

Your hike and yoga trip will continue to Theth, which is at the heart of Albania’s wild Accursed Mountains. We will explore the timeless village of Theth and visit some of its most impressive places and objects.

After we arrive at Theth, we will settle into a guesthouse we will have a traditional dinner cooked by a local family. Afterwards we will have the first Yoga session and then we continue walking around the village.

Activity: hiking and visiting the village

Difficulty: Easy to Moderate

Yoga: 2 session of Yoga – Morning and Afternoon.

Meditation: Evening

Day 3: Hiking to Valbona – Yoga Outdoor

After a good night and a very quiet and comfortable sleep, early yoga and breakfast, we will be ready to start hiking from Thethi to Valbona.

The most popular trail of all Dinarica trip is definitely the hike from Thethi to Valbona. A relatively hard and long hike is rewarded every moment with the pleasure of enjoying the spectacular landscape.  The hike will be quite long, around 8 hours and the highest point that we will be reaching is Qafa e Valbones when we see both valleys, Thethi and Valbona, where we will have lunch and a break.

Activity: Hiking

Difficulty: Moderate 8h / gain altitude 800m and the highest point is 1800m.

Yoga: 2 session of Yoga – Morning and Afternoon.

Meditation: Evening

Day 4: Hiking to Doberdol – Yoga Outdoor

After early yoga and breakfast, we are ready to start our journey to explore the area further more. As we are getting closer to Kosovo border, we will drive for 1 hour from Valbona to Qerrem (small village).

From this point, we will start to hike to Doberdol, another beautiful small village near Kosovo border. During this part of our hike, we will hike deeper through more hilly terrain. The view is magical, and we will be able to see some of the most beautiful peaks, Kollata Peak and the whole Kollat range.

Activity: Hiking

Difficulty: Moderate 8h / gain altitude

Yoga: 2 session of Yoga – Morning and Afternoon.

Meditation: Evening

Accommodation: Guest House – Shepherd House-Wood Cabin.

Day 5: Hiking Doberdol to Gjeravica

After early yoga and breakfast in Doberdol, we will start hiking towards Kosovo, passing the border. At some point we will be close to the highest peak in Kosovo, Gjeravica. During this hike, we will also see some glacier lakes. 

Down at the village we will stop at a shepherd’s house to have our lunch bags and to prepare for a drive to Junik, a small town and will be accommodated at Kulla – Traditional house.

Activity: Hiking

Difficulty: Moderate 8h / gain altitude

Yoga: 2 session of Yoga – Morning and Afternoon.

Meditation: Evening

Accommodation: Kulla Junik

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