Hiking the Albanian Alps

A great introduction to Albania with a city tour and mountain hiking. The hotels are functional and suited to a hiking type holiday. The breakfasts were very good and there are plenty of restaurants and bars to choose between for an evening meal at all of the overnight stops. The hiking required a good level of all round fitness and poles were useful on occasions although not essential hiking boots are definitely preferred to trainers as they offer support and protection especially on the rocky sections on the trails. Drinking water was plentiful and easily replenished at all of the mountain stops and overnight accommodation other canned drinks were also available. The ferry crossing to Koran Lake requires you to carry your luggage through a tunnel in order to board the ferry so make sure you pack economically as it is a reasonable distance with a narrow footpath with cars and bikes also using the same tunnel you are required to leave your luggage on the lower deck. In summary the Explore tour notes are an accurate description of the daily schedule and the tour represents very good value.

The hikes were varied and all very interesting. The scenery was beautiful! Our guide did a good job of choosing the trails to maximize scenery, quiet trails and suitability according to the weather. The accommodation and food were fantastic, although it has to be said that some of the places where we stayed were still in the process of being finished. I was also not so keen on showers that make the entire bathroom wet and slippery. I would have appreciated advance warning on the 5:15 am start the day after arrival. Luckily I was already on the right time zone and my flight arrived in the afternoon! The last day airport transfer inflexibility after a change in the program by Explore was very inconvenient and I ended up having a wasted night at an airport hotel on my own budget. I hope Explore work on airport transfer arrangements in the future.

I have travelled with Explore many times before, but my experience for this holiday was poor. Mix ups prior to travel with itinerary changes not notified, no northern flights offered and payment processing errors. On tour a below expectations Tour Leader....but Albania is lovely country with amazing landscapes, so I would recommend a trip there!

The hikes were too short and the guide did not voluntarily give much information. He left two people at one point and said they could find their own way back! The tip kitty was too much and the food not great. A shame as much to learn and experience.

This is a superb holiday, with fantastic scenery throughout - especially the sailing up the lake and the walk over the pass to Theti. Our guide Albi was very attentive whilst maintaining a great sense of humour and enjoyment. The accommodation is a little basic - but then we were in a remote part of Albania, and that was part of the appeal. Visiting Albania was an eye-opener in itself.