At the Peaks of the Balkans
Pristina & Urban Scenes 8 days budget

At the Peaks of the Balkans

On the crests of the Balkans, an authentic trek between three little-known countries.

From€680per person
10 years of local expertise4.9/5 (71 reviews including 71 Google)

Duration

8 days

From

€680/pers.

Ideal seasons

Jun, Jul, Aug, Sep

Style

Guided tour

Comfort

budget

Travelers

Solo, With friends, Couple

The spirit of travel

The Balkan peninsula is one of the last bastions still little known and explored by tourism.

Yet endowed with undeniable historical, cultural, and gastronomic richness, this destination will undeniably become an unforgettable journey.

Join us for a dive into an incredible circuit through the mountains of the Balkans.

The stages of your journey

D1
PristinaHôtel Te liqen
D2
KuqishteHôtel
D3
Babino PoljeHôtel
D4
VusanjeMaison d'hôtes
D5
ThethMaison d'hôtes
D6
ThethHôtel Centrum 4*
D7
PrizrenGuesthouse
D8
Pristina

Highlights

Unique cross-border trek
Preserved Glacial Lakes
Traditional Balkan villages
Authentic Mountain Accommodations
Ottoman Heritage of Prizren
Albania's Blue Eye

Day-by-day itinerary

Jour 1
D1

Pristina - Peja - Kuqishtë, Kosovo

PristinaPeja

1h3085 km

Meet our guide at Pristina/Skopje Airport and head towards the city center.

Join Pristina, Capital of Kosovo, the youngest country in Europe. Explore Kosovo's political and economic capital where you will discover an unprecedented architectural contrast in Europe and a bustling city in constant evolution.

Then head to Peja, Kosovo's third largest city.

PejaKuqishte

45min35 km

Head towards the Rugova Gorges to reach your guesthouse in the mountains in Kuqishtë.

Traditional dinner and overnight stay in Kuqishtë.

Hôtel Te liqenDinner
Jour 2
D2

Hiking: Kuqisthë, Kosovo – Babino Polie, Montenegro

KuqishteBabino Polje

8h19 km

After breakfast, briefing on the week then start the hike.

Hike from Kuqishtë to Babino Polie through numerous water sources and passages across the mountains.

You will enjoy breaks by the glacial lakes "Liqeni i Kuqishtës" & "Liqeni i Drelajve".

In mid-afternoon, you will reach Montenegro and arrive at the village of Babino Polie on the border between Kosovo and Montenegro.

Arrival at your guesthouse in mid-afternoon.

Hike difficulty: moderate
Total elevation gain: 1,151 m
Total elevation loss: 1,109 m
Maximum altitude: 2,276 m
Minimum altitude: 1,438 m

HôtelBreakfastDinner
Jour 3
D3

Hiking: Babino Polie - Plav, Montenegro – Vusanje, Montenegro

Babino PoljePlav (Monténégro)

7h3020 km

After breakfast, you will start the hike towards Plav.

You will reach Hrid Lake which represents one of the highest altitude points of the day. Enjoy free time to swim and relax by the lake.

Continue the hike then arrival at the sublime Plav Lake located at 900 meters above sea level at the end of the day. Free time to swim or relax by the lake.

Hiking difficulty: moderate

Cumulative elevation gain: 597 m

Cumulative elevation loss: 1 123 m

Maximum altitude: 2 046 m

Minimum altitude: 1 002 m

Plav (Monténégro)Vusanje

20min11 km

Transfer by vehicle after free time to Vusanje, a valley located in the heart of the mountains.

Drop off your luggage in your charming chalet and enjoy the landscape to rest.

Dinner and overnight stay in Vusanje.

HôtelBreakfastDinner
Jour 4
D4

Hiking: Vusanje, Montenegro – Theth, Albania

VusanjeTheth

8h20 km

After breakfast, transfer by car to Lake Jerzerce then start hiking towards Theth.

You will cross magnificent landscapes including the Grlja waterfall on the Montenegrin side and the Jezerce glacial lake passing to the Albanian side.

You will stop at the natural spring of the blue eye « Syri i Kaltër », an underground cave 9 meters deep.

Begin the hike and pass at the foot of the day's highest point, the Peja Pass or « Qafa te Pejes » at 1,742 meters altitude.

In late afternoon, arrival at Theth, an intact and uninhabited village in the heart of the valley.

You will settle into your guesthouse where you can rest after your day of hiking.

You will then enjoy a meal composed mainly of local products (cheeses, meats, vegetables). Night in Theth.

Difficulty level: moderate
Total elevation gain: 1,100 m
Total elevation loss: 1,524 m

Maison d'hôtesBreakfastDinner
Jour 5
D5

Hiking at Blue Eye, Albania

Breakfast at the guesthouse and departure by 4x4 for a one-hour drive, then hiking towards the "Blue Eye" or the blue eye. An incredible natural water spring and a paradise-like location where you can rest and swim in clear and limpid water.

Lunch by the water spring or on wooden tables built in the surrounding area by locals.

Free time, then return to your guesthouse.

Dinner and overnight stay in Theth.

Hiking difficulty: easy
Walking duration: 2 hours (round trip)

Maison d'hôtesBreakfastDinner
Jour 6
D6

Hiking: Theth - Valbona, Albania – Prizren, Kosovo

ThethValbonë (Albania)

6h17 km

Breakfast in Theth, then start the hike to Valbona.

A day of hiking through stunning landscapes in the Albanian Alps. You can relax during the hike in small cafés nestled in the heart of the mountains.

Mid-morning, you will reach the Valbona Pass, which is the highest altitude peak of the day, to admire the incredible landscape of the two sides of the mountain.

Arrival in Valbona in mid-afternoon.

Hiking difficulty: moderate

Total elevation gain: 1 104 m

Total elevation loss: 705 m

Maximum altitude: 1 806 m

Minimum altitude: 727 m

Enjoy a refreshing drink to celebrate the end of your hiking tour then return to Kosovo to reach Prizren, the cultural and historical capital of the country.

Surrounded by mountainous landscapes, discover the old Ottoman town center of the city where the Lumbardhi river flows.

Hôtel Centrum 4*Breakfast
Jour 7
D7

Prizren - Pristina, Kosovo

PrizrenPristina

1h85 km

After breakfast, guided tour of Prizren, cultural and historical capital of Kosovo.

Its cobbled streets and tea salons in the old bazaar give Prizren a unique Ottoman charm. You will visit three religious buildings located nearby: the Sinan Pacha Mosque, the Orthodox Cathedral of Saint George and the Catholic Cathedral of Our Lady of Perpetual Help.

Also visit the Albanian League of Prizren, the first league for the defence of Albanian rights established in the late 19th century.

Free time to visit the Prizren Fortress for a breathtaking view over the city.

Lunch in Prizren.

You will then depart for Pristina for your last night in the Balkans.

Dinner in Pristina, then enjoy your last evening to discover Pristina's very lively nightlife.

Your accommodation for the evening will be a private Guest House in the city centre.

GuesthouseBreakfast
Jour 8
D8

Pristina, Kosovo

After breakfast, free time at your hotel in Pristina until your transfer to Pristina/Skopje airport for your return flight.

Breakfast

Price per person

4-6 pers.€760/pers.
7-9 pers.€715/pers.
10 pers.€680/pers.

Indicative price per person, based on double room. Each trip is customized according to your preferences.

This trip can be tailored to your preferences

This itinerary provides an excellent foundation for discovery, but it can be fully customized. Our local advisors build each trip tailored to your budget, dates and preferences.

Not included

  • All additional expenses not mentioned in the program
  • The options
  • Tips
  • Insurance
  • Round-trip flights

Included

  • Airport transfers Pristina/Skopje – city – airport Pristina/Skopje
  • All transport mentioned in the program
  • Your accompanying guide during the tour
  • Nights in 4* hotels and mountain chalets
  • Full board from dinner on day 1 to breakfast on day 8 (breakfasts, packed lunches during hiking and dinners)
  • All the visits mentioned in the program
  • Entry fees in territories
  • Baggage transfer on day 2 and day 6

Practical Information

Registration is considered firm and final after payment of a deposit of 30% of the total price and acceptance of the specific terms of sale.

The balance must be paid no later than 45 days before the departure date.

See our specific terms of sale for full details.

In the event of cancellation by the traveller, the following fees apply:

  • Plus de 60 jours avant le départ : 40 % du prix total (acompte retenu)
  • Entre 60 et 30 jours avant le départ : 50 % du prix total
  • Moins de 30 jours avant le départ : 100 % du prix total

We strongly recommend taking out cancellation insurance. See our specific terms of sale for full details.

Les informations ci-dessous concernent les voyageurs ressortissants de l'Espace économique européen (EEE), de la Suisse et du Canada se rendant au Kosovo dans le cadre d'un séjour touristique. Les règles d'entrée pouvant évoluer, nous vous recommandons de vérifier les informations auprès des autorités officielles avant votre départ.

Passeport

Pour entrer au Kosovo, votre passeport doit être valide pendant toute la durée du séjour et comporter au moins une page vierge pour les tampons d'immigration.
Le document doit être en bon état (pas de pages détériorées, déchirées ou modifiées).

Séjour touristique sans visa

Les ressortissants de l'Espace économique européen, de la Suisse et du Canada bénéficient d'une exemption de visa pour les séjours touristiques au Kosovo.

Cette exemption permet un séjour pouvant aller jusqu'à 90 jours sur une période de 180 jours à compter de la date d'entrée sur le territoire.

Les autorités peuvent également demander :

  • un billet de sortie du territoire (vol retour ou continuation),

  • une preuve de ressources financières suffisantes pour la durée du séjour,

  • une réservation d'hébergement ou une adresse de résidence durant le séjour.

Formalités à l'entrée

À leur arrivée au Kosovo, les voyageurs doivent se présenter aux services d'immigration et peuvent être amenés à fournir :

  • les informations relatives à leur passeport

  • les détails de leur vol ou moyen de transport

  • l'adresse de leur premier hébergement au Kosovo

Un tampon d'entrée est apposé sur le passeport par les services d'immigration kosovars. Il est recommandé de conserver ce tampon, car il peut être demandé lors de la sortie du territoire.

Voyage avec des enfants

Les mineurs doivent être titulaires de leur propre passeport valide couvrant la durée du séjour.

Dans certains pays européens, lorsqu'un mineur voyage sans l'un de ses parents, une autorisation de sortie du territoire peut être exigée selon la réglementation du pays de résidence.

Autres nationalités

Les conditions d'entrée peuvent varier selon la nationalité. Les voyageurs concernés doivent se renseigner auprès de l'ambassade ou du consulat du Kosovo de leur pays de résidence, ou auprès des autorités compétentes kosovares.

Pour participer à nos voyages, il est fortement conseillé d'être assuré en assistance-rapatriement et frais médicaux à l’étranger.

Votre agence locale vous encourage à prendre connaissance du contrat spécifique élaboré avec notre partenaire CHAPKA ASSURANCES et AXA ASSISTANCE.
Pour souscrire à une assurance, connaître les garanties et les tarifs, suivez le lien ci-dessous.

CAP EXPLORER : La solution d’assurance complète conçue pour vivre sereinement votre voyage !

Choisissez la formule qui vous correspond le mieux:

  • Explorer'Multirisque

  • Explorer'Annulation

  • Explorer'Assistance

  • Explorer' Complémentaire Carte Bancaire

Spécifiques à nos voyages, nous suggérons fortement d’y souscrire.
Si vous choisissez de souscrire à l’une de ces formules, la convention détaillant l’ensemble des garanties et les modalités de déclaration du sinistre sont disponibles sur le site Internet de l'assureur.

Votre agence locale en aura connaissance, mais seul le participant est responsable du respect des procédures de déclaration de tout sinistre. Le participant doit donc conserver cette convention avec lui pendant toute la durée de son voyage.

Chapka — Cap Explorer

Our insurance partner

Travel with peace of mind with our partner Chapka. Cancellation, repatriation, medical expenses, baggage… All the coverage for a worry-free trip.

Travel with peace of mind — I'll handle the insurance

Frequently asked questions

No, French nationals can stay up to 90 days within 180 days in Kosovo without a visa. A valid passport required for at least 3 months after entry. Please note: some Kosovo stamps may cause issues in Serbia (do not enter Serbia from Kosovo without taking precautions).

Go to the My Trips section to find all your projects.

You can send a message to your host directly from the Tea Lounge.

For a tailor-made quality trip, budget between 100 and 170 euros per day per person, including accommodation, meals, internal transport and activities. International flights (250-500 euros return) are additional. Kosovo is one of the most affordable destinations in Europe.

Your documents are accessible in the Documents tab of your trip.

Absolutely. We tailor each trip to match your travel profile. For families, we prioritize relaxed pacing, family-friendly accommodations, fun and educational activities, and comfortable private transfers. Our local English-speaking guides know how to captivate children with age-appropriate stories and anecdotes.

It's simple. You exchange with our local team to define your wishes, budget and dates. You receive a detailed itinerary proposal within 48 hours. You adjust every detail together until it's perfect. You confirm and travel with peace of mind. Your local agency remains available 7 days a week throughout your trip.

In case of emergency, contact your local agency immediately.

Payment is generally made in two installments.

Our agency is part of the Nomadays network, registered in France. You benefit from APST guarantee (Association Professionnelle de Solidarité du Tourisme) which covers 100% of your funds. Secure payment, repatriation insurance included, and English-speaking assistance 24/7 on site throughout your stay.

Alan, Custodian of Secret Balkans
10years of expertise

Let's talk about your adventure — Pristina Region

Custodian of Secret Balkans, based in Pristina

Kosovo often surprises travelers. Those who come out of curiosity usually leave deeply moved by the warmth of the locals and the country's energy.

Alan

APST Guarantee Secure Payment 24/7 Assistance4.9/5