Albania Trekking Express: Hiking the Albanian Alps

This journey begins at Tirana. On the first day, we meet at 14:00.

This trip starts and finishes in Tirana, Albania. On arrival please catch a flight that lands at the latest 2pm as we'll be transferring from Tirana directly to Shkodër on this first day.

On the last day you are free to catch a flight that departs at anytime from Tirana airport.

This journey ends at Tirana. On the last day, you are free to leave at any time, so whether you need to book a flight, a train, or wish to continue the journey on your own, you can organize your return as you prefer.

For this itinerary, traveling with a backpack is mandatory for logistical reasons and the convenience of the entire group - including yourself! Trolleys, bulky suitcases, or hard luggage are not allowed. The Travel Coordinator will provide guidance on the ideal baggage before departure via the WhatsApp group.

Find out the entry requirements for Albania, and, if needed, apply for your visa through our partner Sherpa.

Before traveling, always remember to check the government website of your country of origin for updates on the entry requirements for Albania – you wouldn’t want to stay home due to a bureaucratic detail!

• UK residents: review the FCDO Travel Advice.
• US residents: consult the US Department of State Travel Advice.
• Other residents: refer to your government or local consulate's travel advice.

Albania is in the Central European Time (CET) time zone. During daylight saving time, usually from the last Sunday in March to the last Sunday in October, Albania switches to Central European Summer Time (CEST). Albania is one hour ahead of the UK.

The currency used in Albania is the Albanian Lek (ALL). You can exchange your currency at banks, exchange offices, and some hotels. It's a good idea to check the exchange rates before you go to get the best deal. Credit cards are accepted in larger cities and tourist areas, but it's handy to have some cash for smaller towns and markets.

You can pay in Albania using cash or cards. Credit and debit cards are widely accepted in most hotels, restaurants, and shops in larger cities. 

However, it's a good idea to carry some cash for smaller towns or local markets. ATMs are available in urban areas, where you can withdraw the local currency, the Albanian Lek.

In Albania, tipping is appreciated but not obligatory. It's common to leave a tip of around 5 to 10 percent of the bill in restaurants if you're happy with the service. In cafes, rounding up the bill or leaving some small change is a nice gesture. For taxi drivers, rounding up the fare is generally appreciated. 

If you're staying in a hotel, you might want to tip porters and housekeeping staff a small amount for their services. Remember, tipping is always at your discretion, so there's no pressure if you don't feel it's necessary.

Albania has decent internet coverage in urban areas, but it can be spotty in rural regions. If you're planning to stay connected while traveling, buying a local SIM card could be a smart move. You can find SIM cards at airports, mobile shops, and kiosks in cities. 

If you're traveling from another European country, you might be able to use your existing mobile plan without extra roaming charges thanks to the EU roaming regulations, but it's always a good idea to double-check with your provider.

In Albania, the official language is Albanian. Here are some useful colloquial expressions you might hear or use:

• Hello: Përshëndetje
• Thank you: Faleminderit
• Please: Ju lutem
• Yes: Po
• No: Jo

Most young people speak English, especially in urban areas, so you should find it relatively easy to communicate.

In Albania, the power plugs and sockets are of type C and F. These are the same types commonly used across Europe, so you might not need an adapter if you're traveling from a nearby European country. The standard voltage is 230 V, and the frequency is 50 Hz. Just double-check your devices to ensure they can handle this voltage, and you're good to go!

In Albania, the main religion is Islam, with a majority of the population identifying as Muslim. It's important to note that Albania is known for its religious tolerance and secularism, so you'll find a mix of other religions and non-religious people as well. Significant religious holidays include Ramadan and Eid al-Fitr for Muslims. Keep in mind that while Albania is generally relaxed about religious practices, modest dressing is appreciated when visiting religious sites or rural areas.

When traveling to Albania, you'll want to be ready for various weather conditions and activities. Here's a handy list of what to pack in your backpack:

• Clothing:
  Lightweight T-shirts
  Long-sleeve shirts
  Shorts
  Lightweight pants
  A light jacket or sweater
• Shoes:
  Comfortable walking shoes
  Sandals
  Hiking boots if you plan on trekking
• Accessories and Technology:
  - Sunglasses
  - Hat or cap
  - Smartphone with a charger
  - Portable power bank
  - Camera for capturing the beautiful landscapes
• Toiletries and Medication:
  - Travel-sized shampoo and conditioner
  - Toothbrush and toothpaste
  - Sunscreen
  - Insect repellent
  - Basic first aid kit including band-aids, pain relievers, and any personal medication

Albania offers diverse landscapes and activities, so pack accordingly to enjoy everything this beautiful country has to offer.

Albania's weather varies quite a bit depending on the region. Here's a quick breakdown:

• Coastal areas: Expect a Mediterranean climate with hot, dry summers and mild, wet winters. The best time to visit is late spring or early autumn for pleasant temperatures.
• Inland and mountainous areas: Experience a more continental climate with colder winters and warm summers. Snow is common in winter, especially in the mountains, making it ideal for winter sports.

Overall, the best time to visit Albania is from May to September when the weather is warm and sunny.

Return international flights are not included on our trips because we want to give you full autonomy and flexibility. You can choose your preferred airline, fly from the airport that works best for you, and decide how many stopovers you want to make along the way.

As flights are not included, you also have more flexibility with your travel dates: you could arrive at your destination a few days early or return home a bit later – or even continue independently to a nearby destination!

An "Available" departure means that the trip isn’t confirmed yet and we’re waiting for a few more travellers to sign up… which could be you!

If you book the trip please wait for it to be confirmed before booking your international flights.

The question of all questions! Here’s some more information: 

• The Money Pot is a common fund collected in local currency from all travellers on the trip and managed by your Travel Coordinator;
   
• It is used to streamline payments for extra activities, goods and services that the whole group decides to do. This guarantees flexibility in choosing activities and excursions at the destination in line with the mood of the group;
   
• It is typically collected on the first day of the trip in local currency, although at times, the Travel Coordinator may ask for it to be paid before departure;
   
• You’ll find the Money Pot amount on the website under the section ‘What’s included in the Money Pot’. To find this look for ‘What’s included’, scroll down to ‘Money Pot? Click here’ and you’ll find the details.
• The amount varies depending on the destination chosen;
   
• It is usually used for group expenses that all travellers decide to take part in, but sometimes if you opt out of an activity it might make more sense for it to come out of the Money Pot. In these cases the Coordinator will return the amount for this activity back to you at the end of the trip;
   
• It is estimated based on the experience of other groups but can vary depending on what activities your group is keen for. As such, the Travel Coordinator may need to increase the amount during the trip;
   
• If not all of the Money Pot is spent, the difference will be returned to all travellers at the end of the trip;
   
• The Money Pot also covers the Travel Coordinator’s share of the activities included in the Money Pot, except for those activities that are free for the Travel Coordinator;
   
• If you pay in advance for part of the Money Pot before the trip for certain non-refundable optional activities, unfortunately, the amount cannot be refunded if the trip is cancelled;
   
• Activities paid through the Money Pot: they are carried out by third-party local suppliers and their conditions apply; WeRoad does not intervene in their management nor assumes any responsibility. For details on the money pot, see the General Terms and Conditions

We offer several payment methods to fit every need:

1. Credit or debit card (Visa, Mastercard, American Express);
2. Instalment payment with Klarna (you’ll pay for the trip in three equal amounts);
3. PayPal (for selected destinations);
4. Revolut Pay to pay even faster straight from your Revolut account.

Anyone who books a WeRoad trip has the option to cancel or modify the trip – including both the dates and the destination – free of charge up to 31 days before departure. In case of cancellation up to 31 days before departure, you will receive a 100% refund of the WeRoad trip price. If you make a change, a price adjustment will be applied to the new trip chosen – meaning, if the new trip is cheaper, we will refund the difference; if it’s more expensive, you will need to pay the difference.

If you’ve purchased the Flexible Cancellation Option (which you can add in the first step of the booking process), you can request a cancellation or trip change until 8 days before departure. In case of cancellation, you’ll receive a 100% refund of the WeRoad trip price, minus the cost of the Flexible Cancellation option. 

How to request a cancellation or change to your trip? Send us an email at hello@weroad.com or a WhatsApp on +447716573700. Please share the booking reference for the trip you want to cancel or change, and, in case of a change, the new trip you would like to join.

For our trips we usually use locally owned accommodation instead of big hotel chains. It’s our favourite way to really experience the local culture and, whenever we can, support the local economy. Typically, you’ll stay in hotels, apartments, guesthouses and hostels with the same standard maintained across all trips in the same destination.

The list of accommodation for your trip will be shared with you by your Travel Coordinator 2-5 days before departure, along with other useful details for your adventure!

Yes! We might not know the flights for everyone else in the group, but there are ways to find out which flights your fellow WeRoaders will be taking. 

1. All travellers can share their flight details after booking on their My WeRoad account so that other travellers on the same trip can see these details anonymously. 

2. Alternatively you can join our Facebook group: Solo Travellers | WeRoad Community – (here is the extended link: https://www.facebook.com/groups/963298767843213 ) Look for a post about the trip you’re interested in or ask the group admin for help in getting in touch with your future travel companions!

3. If the Coordinator has already been assigned to the trip you’re keen for, you can easily find their Facebook post on the website. Click 'Ask the Coordinator' and follow the link here. 

Generally, our groups have an average of 11 people. Everyone on our trips speaks English, and travellers join us from across the UK, Europe and beyond. Our trips are open to travelers between 25 and 49 years old. The indicated age is meant to give you an idea of the type of group, but it's not a strict limit: it's possible to participate even with a few years more or less, as long as you can keep up with the pace and energy of the group you're traveling with.

Each group will be joined and led by one of our experienced Travel Coordinators, who’s there to ensure everything runs smoothly and the group feels well-supported. 

If you’d like to know more about our typical WeRoad groups do reach out to us on WhatsApp on +44 7716573700. 

Yes! If you're curious, you can take a sneak peek at the group before booking. 
You’ll find the info in the ‘Group’ section for each trip on the departures page, showing how many WeRoaders have already booked. 

Click the little arrow and you’ll even see their gender and ages – but hey, that’s exclusive info, so we’ll ask you to log in or sign up to see that!

For some trips, in the itinerary section, you’ll find the number of nights and the location (not the hotel) where you’ll be spending the night(s). The location shown is the one we usually go for on most trips, but in some cases, you might stay in a nearby town. This will depend on logistics or availability of accommodation. 

The list of accommodation for your trip (and therefore also the exact locations) will be shared by your Travel Coordinator 2-5 days before departure, along with other useful information for your adventure!

The WeRoad Travel Coordinator is an experienced and skilled traveller who will be the perfect companion for your trip. They will manage all the logistical aspects of the itinerary like transport, timings, accommodation, restaurant bookings and meeting points, so that you can enjoy the trip without this hassle. They’re there to support the group, ensure everything runs smoothly and will no doubt make the trip a lot of fun along the way too! 

The Coordinator will set up a WhatsApp group approximately 2 weeks before departure. This will be the moment to ask any pre-departure questions and get to know the rest of the group! If the trip you are interested in already has a Travel Coordinator assigned, you can contact them before booking. Their details will be on the trip page, or you can search for their name here. After booking, you will find their contact details in your My WeRoad account, under ‘Bookings and Trips’ > ‘Your Upcoming Trips’ > ‘Trip Details’.

Yes, on all our trips you will share a room with other WeRoaders in your group. By default this will be people of the same gender, unless you tick ‘I'm OK with a mixed gender room’ when you book. The bathroom will either be private or shared only with other travellers on the trip. The rooms might be twins, triples, quadruples or multi-share (up to 8 people in exceptional cases), depending on the destination and availability.

You will never share with people from outside of the WeRoad group, except in certain cases for local experiences, which are specifically mentioned in the itinerary or communicated before booking. These typically involve specific nights in unique accommodation like tents, homestays, or camping, offering a more adventurous travel experience in exchange for some comfort.

On some of our trips we can offer a private room for an additional cost. Just tick the ‘Private Room’ option at checkout to get this added. For some of our trips if you book as two travellers together you can add this private room free of charge. Look out for this option at checkout. 

Please note that if you do book a private room with a friend/partner this could be either a double or a twin room so please email hello@weroad.com if you have a preference on this. 

When you set off on a WeRoad trip, you’re officially a WeRoader – and as we often say, 'once a WeRoader, always a WeRoader'. This means that once you’re part of the community, a little piece of WeRoad will always stay with you.

But you’re not just a WeRoader during your trips, far from it! The community is alive and active all year round: you can stay in touch by following and interacting on our social media channels, like the Facebook group or the Instagram profile. You can also come along to one of our many events that we run in different cities worldwide. Check out and sign up to our events by downloading the WeMeet app here.