Shepherd's Life in Albania
Eight days living the shepherd's life in Albania
A self-guided trek through the wild heart of the Shebenik-Jabllanicë National Park — a waterfall at Shëngjergj, forgotten farms, and two nights with nothing but a day pack, sleeping in shepherd huts under Kallkanit and above Lake Ohrid. Private transfers link every stage, a personal roadbook shows the way, and the trail ends on the turquoise shore of Lin.
Photos
A closer look at the waterfalls, the shepherd trails, and the lake that closes out the trip.
The Route
Eight days, one loop through the Shebenik-Jabllanicë massif — from the waterfall at Shëngjergj to the shores of Lake Ohrid at Lin.
Tirana Airport → Shëngjergj
60 km driveShëngjergj → Kuterman
15 km↗ 695↘ 663 mKuterman → Fushë-Studë
9.4 km↗ 709↘ 709 mFushë-Studë → Bergerie de Dorëz
16 km↗ 800↘ 900 mDorëz → Stani Urimit
12 km↗ 670↘ 480 mStani Urimit → Rrajcë-Skënderbej
16 km↗ 300↘ 900 mRrajcë-Skënderbej → Lin → Tirana
135 km driveTirana → Airport
Departure
Itinéraire & étapes: programme ALB15L — Ma vie de berger en Albanie (8 jours). Base map: Natural Earth. Routes are indicative.
Practical Information
The essentials, in one place — pick a topic on the left.
Price
Price per person (double room) depends on group size: from €529 for a group of 6, up to €1,048 for a group of 1. A single supplement of €25 applies for solo travelers, and triple rooms save €7 per person. Rates valid for departures until 19 December 2026.
The cost includes
- 3-star hotels, guesthouses and shepherd huts
- Full board Day 2 to Day 6, breakfasts Day 2 to Day 8
- Private transfers between stages and to/from the airport
- A personalized roadbook with every stage and stay
- An Albanian SIM card with a data plan
- 24/7 French-language support throughout the trip
The cost excludes
- International flights and airport taxes
- Travel and repatriation insurance
- Meals not mentioned as included
- Beverages
- Personal expenses
Best Time to Go
This trip runs from spring through autumn, following the shepherds' own transhumance season in the highlands.
- May and June: waterfalls are at their fullest and the high pastures are turning green.
- July and August: the warmest, most reliable weather for the summit days.
- September: quieter trails and the first cool mornings in the shepherd huts.
- Dates are flexible — as a private departure, you choose your start date, with at least 60 days' notice to confirm.
Meeting Point & Transfers
Your trip starts and ends in Tirana, close to Tirana International Airport.
- You're met at the airport on Day 1 and driven to Shëngjergj for your first night.
- Private transfers link every stage that isn't covered on foot — no shared minibus.
- Your roadbook lists every pickup and drop-off point in advance.
Flights
Flights aren't included, so you're free to book whatever works best for you.
- Fly into Tirana International Airport (TIA).
- Your Day 8 departure transfer is timed around your return flight, so send us your flight details once booked.
- We recommend booking flights only once your spot is confirmed — remember the 60-day minimum notice.
Guides & Safety
This is a self-guided trip — you walk the trails at your own pace using your roadbook, with private transfers arranged for every stage in between.
- 24/7 French-language phone support is included for the whole trip.
- Along the way you'll meet the shepherds and host families who run each stop.
- Not confident navigating alone? Ask us about adding a local guide for the summit days.
FAQ
Is this trip guided?
It's self-guided — you follow a detailed roadbook on foot each day, with private transfers between stages and 24/7 phone support if you need it. No one walks with you.
What does "sans bagages" mean?
On Day 4 and Day 5 you sleep in shepherd huts with no vehicle access, so you carry only a day pack — your main luggage is looked after and waiting for you on Day 6.
How fit do I need to be?
Daily hikes run 9–16km with climbs and descents up to 900m. Day 4 and Day 6 are the most demanding. A regular hiking base is recommended — see What to Expect below.
Will I have phone signal on the trail?
Coverage is patchy in the park and non-existent around the shepherd huts. Your Albanian SIM card helps in town, but expect to be offline on the trail itself.
Day by Day
Hover a day for a preview — or tap on mobile.
Day 1
Tirana Airport → Shëngjergj
Land in Tirana and drive into the hills to Shëngjergj, with a stop at its dramatic waterfall before your first night in a mountain guesthouse.
Shëngjergj → Kuterman
A full day on foot via Gurakuq to Kuterman, with a stop at a working farm along the way.
Day 3
Kuterman → Fushë-Studë
A loop hike to the summit of Maja e Gurit and back, with sweeping views over the valley.
Day 4
Fushë-Studë → Bergerie de Dorëz
Climb past Stëblevë to the summit of Kallkanit before descending into Shebenik-Jabllanicë park for your first night under canvas.
Day 5
Dorëz → Stani Urimit
Watch the flocks graze, learn to make cheese with the shepherds, and catch your first glimpse of Lake Ohrid.
Stani Urimit → Rrajcë-Skënderbej
Cross the length of the park through changing forest and pasture before a night with a local family.
Day 7
Rrajcë-Skënderbej → Lin → Tirana
Explore the lake village of Lin, then drive back to Tirana via historic Elbasan for Skanderbeg Square and the Blloku district.
Day 8
Tirana → Airport
A short transfer to the airport, timed around your flight, closes out the trip.
What to Expect
To describe a trek properly, it helps to break it down. Here's what to plan for, based on distance, weather, and terrain.
Distance & Elevation
Roughly 90km on foot across five trekking days, with daily distances between 9 and 16km.
- Day 4 and Day 6 bring the steepest climbs and descents of the trip.
- Two nights (Day 4 and Day 5) are spent without your main luggage — pack a separate overnight bag.
Weather
Warm days and cool nights at altitude are typical, with a growing chance of afternoon showers as the season turns.
- Layers matter more than any single heavy jacket.
- Shepherd huts are basic — bring a warm sleeping bag liner for Day 4 and Day 5.
Terrain
A mix of farm tracks, forest trails, and open shepherd pasture — mostly well-marked, occasionally steep.
- This is a self-guided route, so keep your roadbook and GPS track handy.
- Trekking poles help on the descent into Shebenik-Jabllanicë park.
Plan Your Trip
Pick a start date and let us know how many are travelling — this trip runs privately, just for your group.
