Description
Dates: 11 – 18 September 2021
Duration: 8 Days / 7 Nights
Price: EUR 1,530 per person
Booking window closes 21 days before the departure date.
You will pay a deposit of 10% to secure your spot. Once confirmed, your tour operator will charge the remaining amount.
Terrain: Trail Running
Average daily running distance: 10-15 km per day.
Longest running distance in a day: 21km
Group size: up to 12 participants
TABLE OF CONTENTS
What level of running is this trip suitable for?
Are there any alternatives for non-runners?
What’s NOT Included in the Price?
See Additional Information for more details on Payment Procedure and Cancellation Policy.
What Level of Running is this Trip suitable for?
Suitable for all abilities, preferably for those who have a bit of experience with running on trails.
Are there any Alternatives for Non-runners?
N/A
Accommodation
Twin or Double Share. Single supplement available on request.
Dietary Accommodation
- Vegetarian
- Vegan
- Dairy-free
- Gluten-free
- Halal
If you have any dietary requirements, please let us know about them in a comment upon your booking.
ITINERARY
DAY 1 | ARRIVAL INTO TIRANA
Welcome to Tirana! Capital of Albania and what a surprise place to visit. Surrounded by mountainous scenery and packed full of cultural wonder. We pick you up in the arrivals area of the airport (you won’t miss us!) and whisk you to our hotel in the central part of the city by private air-conditioned minibus. Check-in with some time to relax and get your bearings after the flight. We will all catch up and get to meet your fellow Pure Trail runners, as well as our trail guides for a briefing of the adventure that lies ahead for us. Then it’s off out into Tirana to explore by foot to stretch our legs and see what this mysterious city has to offer.
DAY 2 | TO THE ALBANIAN ALPS
After an early breakfast and final kit check, we’ll catch our mini-bus as we travel to the north of the country, our final destination being the Albanian Alps. Our route will take us via Shkodra city where we’ll get some cultural immersion into ancient Albania. We’ll visit the old castle located in front of the city and also check out some of the city sights before heading onward to the village of Vermosh, one of the countries’ northern-most villages. Arriving in the mountains, we check into our village accommodation, explore the surrounding area, and feast on some delicious Albanian cuisine.
DAY 3 |HIT THE TRAIL
We start with a short transfer to the trailhead at Lepushe. The countryside here is magnificent, we’ll start running through beech woodland and past fresh springs, reaching the vast open pasture of Koprisht. From here we head up to The Ridge of Berizhdol which is a panoramic wonder to traverse along. The running is largely on soft grass, surrounded by mighty views of the northwestern faces of the Accursed Mountains.
DAY 4 |ONWARD TO VUTHAJ
Today we pick up the trails as we travel along a fine beech forest trail until we reach the narrow alpine valley of Gerbaja, which is surrounded by sheer slopes and jagged peaks. We head onwards to Vuthaj we where have time to explore before checking into your guest house for the evening.
DAY 5 | THE HEART OF THE ALBANIAN ALPS
We load our luggage on horses this morning as they go on ahead of us to our guesthouse for the evening. Today we will begin our long run as we reach the valley of Thethi which is in the heart of the Albanian Alps. The trail is sided by the spectacular massif of the Lango-Karanfil peaks to our right, while Jezerca (2,694m), the highest mountain in Albania dominates to our left.
DAY 6 | THETH – VALBONA
We leave the Valley of Theth behind us today as we start climbing towards the Pass of Valbona, reaching our next valley, Valbona. The trail is beautiful and remains one of the countries’ iconic routes for walkers and trail enthusiasts alike, it is also the only direct way into the Valley of Valbona. Arriving in this outstanding place, we check into our guesthouse with the evening to soak up the views. Relax in the evening with an Albanian feast served with local beers and wine to crown our trail running journey.
DAY 7 | JOURNEY TO DURRES
We check out of our village guest house today with breakfast overlooking the magnificent Albanian mountains for one final time. Our group transfer will then take us to the coastal city of Durres – rich in ancient roman history and blissful sandy beaches. We’ll check into our hotel first, with the afternoon to see the ruins of a Roman Colosseum, a touch of shopping before heading to the beach to relax.
DAY 8 | HOMEWARD BOUND
It’s time to pack up and bid farewell to your new-found trail running friends and our local team. Private transfers are arranged for you back to Tirana International Airport in time to connect with your onward flight back home.
What’s Included in the Price?
- 7 Nights Accommodation in Boutique hotels in Tirana & Mountain Guesthouses
- Fully–supported trail running trip
- Cultural sightseeing
- Full board throughout the trip
- All transfers
- 4:1 Runner to Guide Ratio
What’s NOT Included in the Price?
- International Flights
- All beverages and snacks
- Personal equipment
- Personal bills
- Travel insurance (required)
- Tips
Trail grade:
Moderate graded trail runs normally follow on well-established trails and route at lower altitudes which are generally lower than 1,500m. Some of the trails will involve some short, steep ascents. Previous experience is not essential.
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