Summer Flight Timetable for Flights to Albania
(Version 5 Effective 05 March 2021)
KUKES
A Fairytale Journey Through the Albanian Alps!
Mic Sokoli Tower
You can find Mic Sokoli Tower in Bujan Village, along the road that takes you to Bajram Curri in the Gjakova highlands. Tropoja locals consider this three-story, 18th century construction an icon of their historical and cultural heritage. The reason is simple. Mic Sokoli, a beloved Albanian hero, was born and raised here. Sokoli died a martyr on April 22nd of 1881. In revolt, he pressed his body against the mouth of an enemy cannon during a battle against the Ottomans.
The tower has seen many battles and survived many attacks. As such, it has special patriotic value, not only for the town but the entire country. In fact, the exhibits within the tower-museum focus not only on Sokoli but on exposing the national resistance against invaders. The tower was declared a monument of culture in 1978. In terms of construction, the tower is similar to others in effectively combining stone and wood materials. However, this prism-shaped construction has a distinct pyramidal, rather than a quadrilateral, roof.
The countless arched windows, called frëngji, scattered along the four sides of the building are an especially remarkable traditional detail. There are about 90 of them in total, covering the tower in its entirety. Yet, another fascinating aspect of the tower’s architecture is its sheer efficiency and functionality. Each space within it had a truly clear original function, whether it was to keep the cattle, store goods, or host guests and meetings.
Gashi River
The Gashi is a 27-kilometre-long river located in Tropojë, northern Albania. It is a nature reserve, spanning an area of 3,000 hectares. The nature reserve forms a part of the European Green Belt and has been declared a UNESCO World Heritage Site within the Primeval Beech Forests of the Carpathians and Other Regions of Europe. The river is located in the eastern part of the Albanian Alps at 2,175 m above sea level. It originates at the Dobërdol Pass 2,238 m and flows through numerous peaks including the Trekufiri 2,354 m in the north,
Maja Bogiçaj 2,405 m in the northeast and Maja e Shpatit 21,995 m in the northwest. The various streams, flowing first to the north and northwest, merge with the Dobërdol pasture in the northwest, than leaving the basin westward. Few kilometres further the river changes its course southwards and stops the direction in the sequence. It passes the Maja e Shkëlzenit 2,405 m on its western side. Farther south, the river passes through a narrow gorge and valley to the Tropoja basin, where the river below flows into the Valbonë river. All ancient beech forest natural reserves are fiercely protected in a total of 12 European countries, Albania being among them.
In fact, UNESCO has included two Albanian natural reserves in its World Heritage List precisely because of the stunning beech forests found within them. These areas are Gashi River, located in the basin of Valbona National Park, and Rrajca. Albania proclaimed the Gashi River a natural reserve back in 1996. The 3000-hectare-reserve is located northeast of the Albanian Alps, in Tropoja, Kukës county, entirely removed from any inhabited areas. A large part of the area is covered by virgin beech forests. The geological basin is crossed by the river and is surrounded by swamps and canals which, for decades, have kept the rich flora and fauna alive and helped it flourish, undisturbed by the human hand.
The beech and conifers coexist harmoniously in this area, particularly well-known for the rare and diverse fauna that it hides inland. The strictly protected territory is the habitat of the brown bear, deer, wolf, wild boar, mountain quail, wild boar, and snout, among a total of 64 species (some of them endangered). This national park’s wonderful climate is conducive to the growth of beech forests, which occupies a major part of the area. However, here you will also find Macedonian pine, Bosnian pine, Norway spruce, and silver fir. Although located up in the north, with a subarctic and oceanic climate, the Gashi River absorbs some the effects of the country’s Mediterranean climate. Thus, though it has cool summers and cold winters, the skies are mostly clear and exceptionally sunny.
Shishtavec
Located 1400 meters above sea level, Shishtavec is blessed by nature, possessing land that is rich in flora and fauna, water from both rivers and lakes, a terrain that perfectly suits winter sports and, last but certainly not least, famous hospitality. Shishtavec, located about 30 km away from the northern city of Kukës, is an ideal destination for nature and outdoor sport lovers. Hiking, horseback riding, and skiing are some of the popular sports that attract explorers and tourists to this beautiful and remote place. Suitable for all age groups, this destination has recently been included in several Albanian touristic guides.
The area surrounding Shishtavec is rich in natural resources and renowned for the delicious local cuisine, served with a good dose of the famous Albanian hospitality, a value that is still faithfully upheld in the northern, rural areas. In terms of nature, deep canyons, forests that are listed in international lists of top natural monuments, and rivers created by tectonic movements that have taken place over the centuries, represent only a few of the aspects that attract hiking enthusiasts to this beautiful area.
Organised journey starts from Tirana, the guides will lead you and your traveling group on a road that has vastly improved over the past few years, facilitating the faster and smoother arrival at the desired destination. The average priced tourist packages cover transportation costs throughout the day, several daily meals, outdoor guides and accommodation at the hotel for the days that you plan to devote to the exploration of this beautiful and still largely unexplored northern area. The Shishtavec village is one of the best known in Albania for skiing. The beautiful and fragrant coniferous forests, characteristic of this area, endow it with a both fresh and mysterious beauty. Recently, Shishtavec has also been equipped with professional alpine guides.
Novosejë is one of area’s most interesting spots and the place in which the groups of local and/or foreign tourists are usually accommodated. Shishtavec is surrounded by highlands and mountain ranges which, during the spring, are covered by a vast variety of plants and blooming flowers. The area is well-known for its potato and rye production but, surprisingly, there is also no lack of fruit growing in these heights which are characterized by harsh winter temperatures. The area’s residents are renowned for their skill in conserving dairy products, a necessity during the harshest winter months.
Maja e Thatë
Maja e Thatë is a 2,406-metre-high mountain peak of the Albanian Alps in Albania. It is located within Valbonë Valley National Park, roughly 2 km northwest of Valbonë and rises more than 1,500 m above the village. The mountain's southern and western lower slopes are relatively rich in beech and pine forests, while the higher slopes consist of very steep dolomite and limestone rock walls, suitable for mountaineering and rock climbing.
The mountain pass Qafa e Rupës (Qafa e Kuqe) at 2130 m elevation, northwest of Maja e Thatë, detaches it from Maja e Rosit (2524 m), while the tectonic-erosive mountain pass of Rrethi i Bardhë in the east detaches Maja e Thatë from Maja e Lugut të Ujit (2482 m), which is part of Kolata block. Glacial activity north of the mountain has created several small cirques in its surrounding troughs: Lugu i Rupës, which stretches along east-west direction and Lugu i Persllopit, northeast of the mountain, along SW-NE direction. The shortest trail connects its nearest village, Valbonë with Maja e Thatë through Lugu i Rupës.
The mountain can be reached from Vusanje in Montenegro through the mountain pass of Persllopi (2039 m), which is part of the border between the two countries, which subsequently continues with Persllopi trough (Albanian: Lugu i Persllopit) west of Kollata mountain (2555 m) until the feet of the rocky northeastern face of Maja e Thatë. The peak seems insurmountable from the northeast owing to its very steep rocky faces, which start directly from the trough surface.
The summit is a sharp ridge, and its crest has jagged edges. Horizontal monoclines are visible through all the mountain's northern rocky face, giving it an imposing appearance. Maja e Thatë can be seen quite impressively from the highest peaks of Grykat e Hapëta – Zhaborre mountain range, running in southwest-northeast direction, south of the villages Rragam and Valbonë, as well as from Maja e Rosit.
Maja e Boshit
Maja e Boshit is the only peak where you can enjoy the stunning views of three valleys in the Accursed Mountains. Theth Valley, Valbone Valley, and Valley of Curraj i Epërm. It is a difficult hike through a rocky trail. The starting point for this trail is in Valbona Valley National Park. Valbona Valley is 22 km from the city called Bajram Curri. Reaching Bajram Curri from Tirana takes around four hours. The bus station in Tirana is in front of Asllan Rusi Sports Centre. In Valbona Valley there are a lot of Guesthouses, which are cheap, traditional, cozy and they serve you very delicious food. During the summer, the Guesthouses are usually full of tourists, so make sure to book them early.
