Speleology and Rock-climbing

Boga and Thethi (Albanian Alps)

The place of magnificent mountains and of the underground labyrinths

The area is made of carbonatic rocks, essentially of lime and lime-dolomite, aging from the Tertiary and the Higher Cretacio. This area offers fantastic carstic morphologies with an alterning of crests and depressions.

The mountain massifs present themselves as huge amphitheaters with high walls, more than 2000m high, if viewed from the villages (Boga and Thethi).

These magnificent mountains represent a great speleological potential: caves with galleries situated in more levels, deep wells, underground streams which serpentize for hundreds of meters and create many small lakes...

Thethi represents one of the centers of classical alpinism in Europe. The Albanian Federation of Alpinism and the Albanian Society of Speleology have stated 236 itineraries in the area.

Boga and Thethi invites skilled speleologists and alpinists to find the joy and the pleasure of the discovery.

1. Dates:

June. July, August.

2. Number of participants

10 to 12 persons; languages: Italian, English, German, Albanian.

3. Days of visit:

10 (9 nights)

4. Arrival:

Rinas Airport(Tirana).For those traveling by ferry-boat, the Port of Durrës.

5. Accommodation:

"Rozafa" Hotel in Shkodër (the first and the last night); double rooms with toilet and shower.

In the Alps (7 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 authority:

Albanian Society of Speleology.

Address: Rruga "Daut Boriçi", Nr. 1265, Shkodër.

Tel/Fax.:

Contact person: Prof. Gezim Uruçi , President.

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. Geographical presentation of the Region of Shkodra, using diapositives.

Day 2.

Arrival in Boga and setting up of the camping or accommodation in the farmers houses. Acknowledgment with the area and planning of the explorations.

Day 3 - 5.

You can choose to explore three of the most interesting caves in the zone:

Cave of Gjek Markut, one of the greatest vertical caves in Albania (- 230m).

Cave of Puci, with galleries in three different levels, with an areal of 5000m and dislevel of about 355m.

Cave of Cilikokave, one of the deepest caves in Europe (- 550m), not completely explored, dwelled by a huge colony of bats.

Day 6 - 8.

Transfer and accommodation in Theth. You can choose to explore three of the caves near Thethi:

Cave of Rratheve, mainly horizontal, with biospeleological interest.

Cave of Katarakt, the entrance is a horizontal gallery, from where takes life Thethi Waterfall, furthermore several-leveled siphons have been discovered .

Cave of Arapi, one of the greatest in the Balkans. Three big siphons and about 13 km of galleries have been explored.

The conic shaped Arapi Peak (2200m) represents one of the most attractive site for rock climbing. Arapi Peak has a vertical face of over 900m.

Day 9.

Back to Shkoder. Visit to the Cave of Gajtani (prehistoric traces of human activity). Visit in the Medieval Castle of Rozafa, built over illyric walls.

Day 10.

Departure from Shkodër to 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.