Excursions in Nature
SHKODER (NORTHERN ALBANIA)
The Region of the big natural contrasts: from the sea to 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).
Velipoja, a village in the sea coast, with a 14 km long beach, is only 32 km distant from the city. There you can also admire a system of wetlands: the Domni marsh, the Viluni lagoon, the delta of Buna River and the hunting zone.
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.
Shkodra invites you to get the best of the Albanian nature. This week will be unrepeatable experience for you.
1. Dates:
June, July, September.
2. Number of participants
10 to 12 persons; languages: Italian, English, German, Albanian.
3. Days of visit:
8 (7 nights)
4. Arrival:
Rinas Airport (Tirana). For those traveling by ferry-boat, the Port of Durrës.
5. Accommodation:
"Rozafa" Hotel in Shkodër; double rooms with toilet and shower.
In the Alps (2 nights), in the farmers houses, double rooms.
6. Transport:
Collective transport (minibus). It's about 100 km from Rinas Airport/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. For single rooms, 10 extra USD are needed.
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
PROGRAM
Day 1.
Arrival at Rinas Airport/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. Discovering the lagoon and delta area
Visit in Velipoja: a small marsh (of Domni), the lagoon of Viluni, the seaside beach, the Delta of Buna, the hunting zone.
Day 4 - 7. Four-day trekking in the mountain area.
Day 4 & 5.
Visit in Theth (National Park). One night in Theth.
Along the road to Theth: the field of aromatic plants (Postopojë), the Canyons of Përroi i Thatë (the Dry Stream), rare and endemic plants, the glacial valley of Boga.
In Theth: the spring of Thethi river, the waterfall of Grunasi, the Canyon of Kaprea, caves, bathing and fishing sites, the blood feud fortresses, the water-moulins.
Day 6 & 7
Visit in Lëpushë and Vermosh (one night in Lëpushë).
Wonderful mountain landscapes, the valley of Cemi river, canyons, springs, waterfalls, alpine flora, the glacial valley of Lëpusha, the Vermoshi river (the only in Albania to be part of the Danubian basin), wonderful beech forests, characteristic houses, farm life, water moulins, rare animals (wild goats, capreolus, etc.).
Day 8.
Departure from Shkodra to the Rinas Airport/Port of Durrës.
By the way: Visit in the city of Lezhë: Burying place of Scanderbeg (National Hero).
Visit in the city of Kruja: the Medieval Museum of Scanderbeg.