May 2022, the season was kicking off, and I was gearing up for a busy few months ahead. I had carved out 10 days of rest during the 4-month season, hoping for a little breather and to recharge. Then, out of nowhere, I get a call from a group from Germany. They wanted to add a section of the Peaks of the Balkan Trail to their itinerary. They were a group of 6, and as soon as we locked in the dates, I realized there would be no rest for me this season. But honestly, I was pumped—based on our conversation, the group sounded like they were going to be a blast!
The big day arrived, and I finally met the crew. They were all from Germany, tall and strong, and I couldn’t help but think, “These guys are going to take two steps for every one of mine!” The tour was 7 days, covering both Albania and Montenegro, with plenty of challenges like steep ascents, alpine lakes, and epic mountain peaks. The best part? I had planned it so we’d stay in cozy guesthouses, with traditional, mouth-watering food. Trust me, that made this tour unforgettable.
After a bit of travel, we hit the starting point, and the adventure truly began. The first night was spent at the Shala River, and it was dead quiet. No one was around, just us and the stars, and I felt like I’d walked into one of those post-apocalyptic movies where everyone disappeared. But honestly? It was amazing! The whole idea of the tour was for the group to really connect with nature, and that night, we definitely did.
The next day, we made our way to the Valbona Valley, where we were greeted by tall, wild peaks. The day ahead was packed with challenges, but the group? Hilarious! There was teasing, joking, and just good vibes all around. It made the whole experience way easier and definitely a lot more fun. Then, the next leg took us into Montenegro, where we climbed the peak of Vajusha, sitting right on the border with Albania. After that, we looped back into Albania, completing the adventure. These kinds of tours aren’t just trips—they’re memories that stick with you forever.
And here’s the best part: the group from Germany had such an amazing time that they’ve already asked to return in 2025 for the next part of Peaks of the Balkans Trail. We’re already talking about doing this whole thing again, but exploring new trails this time. Looks like this adventure is far from over!