Active cycling through Albania and Kosovo

Itinerary:

Day 1. Arrival
Please arrive until 2pm latest. Pickup from airport, transfer to Prizren/KS, dinner and accommodation at hotel („Prizreni“ or similar). If some time left a walk through the historic town, Prizren is the most attractive city of Kosova. Or we start directly with a singletrack above the city, we know a gem out there…

Day 2. Pristina - Brod
1.5h transfer in the morning, after that alpine tour in Kosovas most remote corner, „Dragash“, the mysterious 3-border area of Kos/Alba/Macedonia. Higher than 7000ft we bike on single tracks and meadows past mountain lakes, fresh streams and friendly greeting shepherds. As in the alps 100 years ago! The day’s end brings a tasting of local cheese, and a shot of “raki” to celebrate.
~27km and 2800ft + / 3600ft -

Day 3. Brod - Fshat
Early morning transfer to a remote (but official) border crossing into Albania, entry and start of day tour in alpine area (7000ft+) along the borderline. During communism heavily guarded, today only the occasional bunker-ruins give witness of the borderline in this otherwise completely deserted mountain area. Great downhill single track with curved trail and varied terrain over nearly 6000ft altitude. Overnight stay at traditional guesthouse (“Shtini”) in a beautiful mountain village (“Fshat”).
~38km and 3900ft + / 5900ft -

Day 4. Fshat - Peshkopi
Today there`s something of everything, and on top of it some special. After a short asphalt climb some incredible singletracks takes us down to the black Drin, the free floating river of the region. Over dirt roads we now bike to lunch, which we get served at a private family home in the village. Where “tourism” stops – and genuine experiences begin! Freshly strengthened we start the second half of our day, and part of that is a fantastic flow trail connecting two villages. Goal of this day is the regional town of Peshkopi, where with some time left we hang our legs in an improvised sulfur-bath at the edge of the road – nothing that wouldn’t exist here… Accommodation at the best Hotel in town (“Piazza”), freshly renovated and with modern comfort.
~45km and 4300ft + / 4800ft -

Day 5. Peshkopi - Black Drin - Peshkopi
We cross the delta of the black Drin – a short splash is a must, its mostly warm here – and climb up into the hills. Once on top we get treated with smooth single tracks and panoramas of the opposite border mountains. In intervals of climbs and varied downhill’s we ride some trails coming very close to a human made bike park – but actually nothing else than old village trails together with mother nature`s work. Back at our old friend the „black Drin“ we know a little village bar with maybe the best Ice coffee in all Albania – like many here the owner has worked for a long time in Greece. The village kids observe us a little shy but with big interest for our bikes. We spend a second night at the comfortable “Hotel Piazza“ in Peshkopi, which allows us to give some laundry & get it back fresh the next day. 
~25km and 2500ft + / 2500ft -

Day 6. Peshkopi - Bulqize
Today starts with downhill & a view, before we cross for a last time the Drin river and climb over natural roads into a remote mountain valley. The trail takes us along one of the most authentic villages of Albania, with fences woven from branches, cattle in the alleys, and local youngsters rather perplexed by us bikers. The highest point and the following downhill past alpine huts including some cool singletrack we earn with a juicy technical climb – or why not a little walk. The accommodation on this day is a memorable one. We are guests at the Hupi-family in their centuries old defense house, where rather simple conditions are compensated by far with warmth and authenticity. The sister cooks delicious food, the son entertains enthusiastically – and we dive deep into Albanian life. 
~40km and 4400ft + / 4300ft -

Day 7. Bulqize - Tirana
After a bus transfer close to the capital Tirana we today get our swim in the sea: Lonely trails with a fresh breeze bring us on this last day to the beach, where we celebrate the end of a memorable week over grilled fish & white wine. Respect for you bike-pioneers, from 7000ft in Kosovas mountains down to sea level zero of the Adriatic! Accommodation in a comfortable hotel in Tirana. 
~34km and 2000ft + / 2300ft -

Day 8. Departure
Transfer from hotel to airport

Important safety notice: 
Albania and Kosova do not have the emergency services speed and also not the following medical care of Western Europe. Nevertheless we see all mountain/ tour-mountain biking still as relatively safe, also in Albania & Kosova. Additional we are careful in our route planning and in descents, and of course we have first aid equipment, emergency numbers and a satellite-phone always with us. The local inhabitants are very helpful and concerned about the well-being of foreign guests. On the side of our guests a valid accident insurance with international coverage and the signature of a liability-disclaimer before the tour is mandatory.