Accursed Mountains Balkan Summer
8 Days
Min 7 max 10
€1550,-
The Trip
For those with superstitious tendencies, the prospect of wild-camping through the Dinaric Alps in the Balkan countries of Albania and Montenegro may cause some nervousness. Indeed, this part of the Alps is known as the Accursed Mountains, or cursed mountains. For a long time, travel in this region was impossible, but in recent decades the Balkans have undergone a transformation into an inviting place for wilderness travel with wild untouched landscapes. Green forested valleys, flower-strewn alpine meadows and higher up impressive walls, pointed peaks and gravels of limestone and dolomite. Rewilding at its best!
But what makes a trip through the Balkan mountains truly unique is the cultural context. Wandering around the area, you are reminded of the past by remnants in the form of abandoned military huts and makeshift settlements adapted into shelters for shepherds and farming families. These are connected by goat paths to ancient mountain villages, where the pastoral life of the mountain people of yore has continued for centuries.
Supported by horses and equipped with our own tent camp, we will explore the Accursed Mountains in search of the roots of the Balkan mountain people. For a week, we will explore the Balkan hinterland on foot in a traverse from Montenegro through Albania to Kosovo. Along the way we will climb the highest peaks of the Dinaric Alps, drink Turkish coffee with the local mountain people and experience the culture and hospitality of this region.
5.0 (60 reviews)
Theme and levels
The theme of this trip is Wild Roots: a journey to a place where nature and culture are inseparable. This trip requires good fitness and experience in mountainous terrain. We do not follow the well-known Peaks of the Balkans route. Indeed, daily we walk 7-9 hours and cover 10-20km with many altimeters. We start up in the valley and the highest peak can reach up to 2600m. Combined with the warm temperatures, the trip can be physically demanding. Experience with (wild) camping and Wild Human is also a big plus.
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Experiences
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Practical
Cost
€1550,-
What’s included
7 nights accommodation in typical mountain accommodations Balkan style or tent
breakfast, lunch and evening meals
Rewild group camping equipment
local guide
Rewild Mountain Leader / wilderness guide
24/7 backup support from the Netherlands
support by horses
transport on site
Not included in this price is your round trip flight, any expenses in catering establishments and mountain sports insurance. We recommend taking out this at the NKBV.
Logistics
We will fly to Podgorica on our own. This cost is outside
the package price. From there, transportation is organized by Rewild and
is included in the price.
Nutrition and water
Because we can load the horses with food and cooking equipment,
we can bring more fresh and unprocessed ingredients and food. For
the food and drink will be provided. Part of this trip is that
we prepare the meals as a group. In addition, we bring plenty of
snacks that do not require preparation.
Travel guarantee and booking
The departure of this trip is guaranteed from 7 people. A maximum of 10 people can join the trip. This trip is a package tour and to comply with the legally required guarantee on package tours, Rewild uses the guarantee of VZR Garant. You can find the conditions of this guarantee scheme on the website of
Insurance
To participate in Rewild trips, you must be insured for activities in mountainous areas off the beaten track. You can inquire about this with your current insurance company or purchase travel insurance from the Dutch Climbing and Mountaineering Association.
Conditions of participation
By participating in a Rewild trip, you accept the general travel conditions, as found at the bottom of the website. The cancellation policy is also explained here.
Packing List
Travel Program
Day 1
Travel Day
After our flight to Podgorica and follow-up transportation by private bus to the mountains, we will stay in a rural guesthouse in the valley.
Day 2 through 7
Wild camping trek through the Accursed Mountains
For a week we roam right through the most rugged part of the Accursed Mountains in on the border of Balkan countries Albania and Montenegro. Self-sufficient with our own tented camp and as a team accompanied by local shepherds, horses and guide, we trek through the mountains, walking between 10 and 20 km daily with the necessary altimeters (6-10 hours). We camp in the wild, sleep with local mountain people and feast on local Balkan mountain cuisine. Rugged peaks and wild valleys alternate with beautiful forests and lakes. The horses carry our food and basecamp, allowing us to lightly pack and maneuver our day hikes. After 6 days in nature, we conclude the trip in Balkan style with a traditional dinner.
Day 8
Travel Day
Back to the Netherlands with a real Balkan experience in the pocket.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do you have questions about our trips, practicalities or our story? In these frequently asked questions, you’ll find the answers quickly and easily.
How do I book a trip on your website?
Simply find your destination, choose your dates and follow the steps to complete your booking. You will receive the confirmation by e-mail.
Can I cancel or change my booking?
Yes, cancellation is possible according to our terms and conditions: up to 8 weeks before departure you pay only the deposit, after that increasing costs apply up to 100% just before departure.
Do you offer travel insurance?
No, we do not offer travel insurance ourselves. We recommend mountaineering insurance through the NKBV.
Are there any hidden fees or service charges?
No, there are no hidden costs. All unavoidable additional costs are clearly stated in advance in the travel price.
Do you also rent equipment or materials?
Yes, some of the required equipment is available for rent on our trips. We offer these rental options during the booking process. There you can see exactly what gear is available and add it directly to your booking. That way you don’t have to arrange this separately in advance.
What payment methods do you accept?
You can pay with us easily and safely via iDEAL and Bancontact. It is also possible to pay by bank transfer. All payments go through our secure booking system Bookinglayer.
