Mountain biking
IN THE ALBANIAN ALPS
Shkodra is situated in the northern part of Albania, where lives a poor population, rich in outstanding historical and cultural tradition.
The area is wellknown for its water resources: wonderful mountain rivers, artificial lakes and the greatest lake in the Balkans: the Lake of Shkodra (Lacus Labeatis of the romans).
60 km north to the city, you can admire the incomparable beauties of the valleys in the heart of the Albanian Alps, the roughed relief of the magnificent mountains, the freshness of the beech woods and the cold water springs.
The tour we propose you, is one of the most attractive for those who wants to taste the rough beauty of the mountains, the big contrasts of the relief along a mountain road that often passes near the rivers, in the area wellknown for its tradition and costumes inherited by the previous generations.
Shkodra invites you to get the best of the Albanian nature. This week will be unrepeatable experience for you.
The itinerary is about 150 km, starting from Koplik (17 km north of Shkodra). Trips in the surroundings of the city are also included in the itinerary.
The road passes mainly through the remarkable valleys of the Dry Stream, of the Shala river and of the Kiri river.
1. Dates:
June. July, August.
2. Number of participants
10 to 12 persons; languages: Italian, English, German, Albanian.
3. Days of visit:
8 (7 nights)
4. Arrival:
Rinas Airport/Port of Durrës.
If you bring with you the bicycles, Port of Durrës would be the best entrance point.
5. Accommodation:
"Rozafa" Hotel in Shkodër (the first and the last night); double rooms with toilet and shower.
In the Alps (4 nights), in the farmers houses or in hotel (Theth).
6. Transport:
Collective transport. It's about 100 km from Port of Durrës to Shkodër.
7. Guide:
Three guides after the language to be used.
8. Prices:
350 USD per person, including: double room with toilet and shower, food and drinks, payment for
the visits, the guide and the asicuration.
9. Responsible agency:
"Rozafa" Tourist Agency
Address: Hotel Rozafa, Rruga "Vasil Shanto", Shkodër.
Tel/Fax.: (+355) 224 3590, tel. (+355) 224 3767
Bank account no. Banka Kombëtare Tregtare, Nr. 4056/7102
Contact person: Luan Dervishi
The group should make known to the Agency if it will bring its own equipment or intends to hire it in Albania. In the second case the group should make a deal with the Agency about the prices.
PROGRAM
Day 1.
Arrival at Port of Durrës and transfer to Shkodër, at the "Rozafa" Hotel. First contact with the place, a trip in the city. Historical and geographical presentation of the Region of Shkodra, using diapositives.
Day 2. Visit in two symbols of the city: The Castle and the Lake.
Visit at the Castle of Rozafa: Mediaeval castle built over illyric ruins, situated in a 130m-high hill. From this dominant point you can view several natural landscapes: Lake of Shkodra, Buna and Drini rivers and their union point, the mountains around the city and around the lake.
Visit in the two villages near the lake (Shirokë and Zogaj), where small-boat fishing is an old tradition. Trip in the lake.
Day 3.
Koplik ---- Dedaj ----- Bogë (36 km). Non-asphalted road along the Dry Stream Valley, where several interesting canyons can be seen.
Day 4.
Bogë --- Theth (17 km). Difficult itinerary passing the Buni i Thores Pass (1700m) through beech and pine woods.
Day 5.
Theth. The place is wellknown for its pleasant climate, the refreshing Shala River and the Thethi National Park.
Day 6.
Theth --- Nicaj ---- Kir (29 km). There are several waterfalls, canyons, fishing and bathing sites in the Shala River.
Day 7.
Kir --- Shkoder (45 km). The road passes through a mountain area, following the flow of the Kiri River.
Day 8.
Departure from Shkodër to Port of Durrës. By the way: Visitin the city of Lezhë: Burying place of Scanderbeg (National Hero). Visit in the city of Kruja: the Medieval Museum of Scanderbeg.