Peaks of the Balkans Winter (Kosovo, Montenegro & Albania)

Overview

• Skitour/Splitboard Journey
• 5 Days of Freeride/Backcountry
• Winter Route Peaks of the Balkans
• Via Ferrata in Rugova Canyon
• Visit Peja
• Balkan Hospitality

Booking on request, subject to guide availability. Please contact us via chat or mail@rycetravel.com.

TRIP START
Sunday, Pristina/Skopje Airport (pick-up depending on your flight)

TRIP END
Saturday, Pristina/Skopje Airport (drop-off depending on your flight)

ITINERARY

Peaks of the Balkans Winter

Discover Peaks of the Balkans, the cross-border route through Kosovo, Montenegro & Albania, on tourskis or split board!

Background

This trip was originally designed as a hiking route to promote local tourism and bring regions closer together, all across national borders. Majestic mountains, deep powder, and Balkan hospitality make this journey an unforgettable experience.

"The Last Border of Europe" is the nickname for the mountains on the border of Kosovo, Montenegro, and Albania (the Accursed Mountains). These mountains are high, rocky, and wild. Their pointed peaks rise up to 2656 meters (the highest peak is Mount Gjeravica), and we will slowly traverse this breathtaking landscape. The region is close to the Adriatic Sea, which increases humidity and enhances snowfall. The Accursed Mountains (Bjeshkët e Nëmuna) are thus the most snow-sure area in the Balkans. Combine that with a journey through three countries in one week, and you have the recipe for an unforgettable adventure!

Ryce Travel Peaks of the Balkans winter trip

As always we are predominantly working with local partners and local guides. As a non profit tour agency we are supporting tourism in developing countries. That means that you will have a local experience and that locals have a decent income. Moreover do we help foster local initiatives to grow (winter)tourism.

Start

This adventure begins upon arrival at Prishtina or Skopje airport. We'll take you to Peja, a city of about 100,000 inhabitants at the foot of the Accursed Mountains and our freeride base.

After a short visit to the Serbian Orthodox Monastery of Peja, we head to the Rugova Canyon. Here, we'll embark on a challenging via ferrata climb. We return to Peja for a well-deserved dinner.

After dinner, we'll prepare our equipment and have a briefing about the route, snow conditions, and safety. We'll spend the night at Hostel Bora. Tomorrow, our ski tour/split board adventure really begins!

Skitour/Splitboard Itinerary

The early bird catches the worm. A 4x4 transfer will take us to our starting point: Pepaj. Here, we'll begin the journey by climbing Hajla (2403m) via the southern slope.

This first day involves about 1000 meters of elevation gain. It's a steady ascent, and the view from the top is breathtaking. Our first descent is short but intense, about 400 meters down to the renowned Hajla Mountain Cabin, built by our friend Fatos Lajqi, director of Environmentally Responsible Group (ERA).

ERA's goal is to find harmony between humans and nature within protected areas. The proceeds are also used to fund the ERA wildlife conservation and monitoring program.

The next day, we'll receive avalanche training and climb Hajla again, this time via the southern slope, to continue our journey towards Rreka Allages. Here, we'll stay at Guesthouse Ari. Mustaf and Fetije welcome us to their eco-friendly lodge. We get to enjoy the delights of Albanian cuisine.

After a hearty breakfast, we'll take another 4x4 transfer, this time from Rreka Allages to the village of Kuqishte (1450m). Here, we'll begin the climb to the Shkodra Pass (2300m) in the direction of Montenegro. Today, we'll finish in Babino Polje (1500m) at Guesthouse Enko.

From Babino Polje, we'll cut a piece off and begin the ascent of the Three Border Peak (2366m) between Montenegro, Kosovo, and Albania. From this peak, we have a beautiful descent ahead of us to Doberdöl, a beautiful place in the middle of nowhere. We'll stay at Guesthouse Uka. This day will be the toughest in terms of elevation gain and distance, but remember, the landscape is sublime, wild, and stunning.

From Doberdol, we'll start early in the morning to climb the highest peak in Kosovo, Gjeravica (2656m). The upper part is steep and challenging. Further down, the terrain gradually becomes gentler until we reach a mountain path that leads us to the Zalli I Rrupes-Deçanik Gorge. The 4x4 will be ready to take us back to Peja, where we'll stay at our beloved Hostel Bora.

The last day is optional. We can, for example, take a trip around Peja, visit local hot springs, or explore the capital city of Prishtina. This last day's program depends on your flight, really. The transfer to the airport is, of course, included.

ITINERARY

DAY 1 - Arrival and Transfer to Peja

11:00: Arrival at Prishtina Airport
13:00: Lunch in Peja
14:30: Visit to Peja's Monastery
15:30: Start of Via Ferrata
19:00: Dinner
20:30: Briefing

DAY 2 - Hajla Peak (Kosovo)

07:30: Breakfast at Hostel Bora
08:30: Departure to Pepaj by 4x4
10:00: Start of the ski tour to Hajla Peak (2403m)
14:00: Lunch on the top of Hajla
16:00: Arrival at Hajla Cabin at 2000 meters
18:30: Dinner

DAY 3 - Rreka Allages (Kosovo)

08:00: Breakfast at Hajla Cabin
09:30: Avalanche training and start of the climb of Hajla (via the southern slope)
13:00: Lunch on the top of Hajla
15:00: Arrival in the village of Rreka Allages
18:00: Dinner at Guesthouse Ari

DAY 4 - Babino Polje (Montenegro)

08:00: Breakfast at Guesthouse Ari
09:30: Transfer to the village of Kuqishte
10:30: Start of the hike to the Shkodra Pass (2300m)
13:30: Lunch on the Kosovo-Montenegro border
14:30: Start of the descent to Babino Polje
18:00: Dinner at Guesthouse Enko

DAY 5 - Doberdöl (Albania)

08:00: Breakfast at the guesthouse
09:30: Transfer to the base of the Three Border Peak (Trekufiri/Tromedja - 2366m)
10:30: Start of the hike
13:30: Lunch on the Three Border Peak
14:30: Start of the descent to Doberdöl (Albania)
18:00: Dinner at Guesthouse Uka

DAY 6 - Gjeravica/Peja (Kosovo)

08:00: Breakfast at the guesthouse
09:30: Start of the ski tour to the Kosovar border
13:30: Lunch at the border of Albania and Kosovo
14:30: Start of the descent from Gjeravica Peak (2656m)
16:30: Transfer to Peja
19:30: Dinner at a local restaurant

DAY 7 - Optional Day/Return

08:00: Breakfast at Hostel Bora
09:00: Packing for the return journey
09:30: Optional day/return

INCLUDED

• Transfer Pristina - Peja - Pristina
• All accommodations (2 nights in Hostel Bora, 4 nights in a mountain hut/guesthouse)
• Lead & tail guide
• 3 meals per day (breakfast, lunch (packed), dinner) and non-alcoholic beverages