Frequently Asked Questions
Booking
Please contact us if you have any questions regarding this journey or want to secure a spot. We recommend booking as early as possible for the best price. If you reside outside Oslo, we can also assist you with connecting tickets. It is also possible to extend your journey before the group trip begins or after the group trip ends if you wish to continue independently. Let us know when booking!
Questions? Get in touch!
How much pocket money should I plan for?
Pocket money varies greatly from person to person. Many experiences, activities, and accommodations are already included in this trip. In some places, you can choose to add activities (beyond what is already included). If you want to participate in everything, you should budget for some extra pocket money. The same applies if you plan to do some shopping.
When is the payment due for the journey?
At the time of booking, you must pay a deposit of 1,500 NOK. The rest of the journey must be paid no later than 60 days before departure.
Accommodation
A significant part of traveling around the world is being able to stay at different places and in different ways. On this adventure you can expect to stay in a mix of hostels, basic hotels and mountain guesthouses and huts for your days on trek. For hotel or similar accommodations, the room will either be a twin, triple, or quadruple room. Friends traveling together are not guaranteed to share a room.
Transport
This journey includes a mix of various modes of transportation. You can look forward to experiencing a variety of ways to get around! On this trip, you can expect transportation in the form of private minivans and a public ferry down Koman Lake.
Climate
Albania features a Mediterranean climate marked by mild, wet winters and hot, dry summers. Winter spans from November to April, with temperatures averaging 5-12°C and occasional rainfall. However, this tour, operational from May to October, focuses on the warmer months. During this period, from May to October, temperatures rise significantly, ranging from 25-35°C. Inland and mountainous areas may have cooler temperatures and varying weather conditions. For the Peaks of the Balkans trek in northern Albania, expect diverse weather in higher altitudes. Spring, just before summer, and late summer (autumn) may bring slightly cooler temperatures, particularly during the seasonal transitions. When preparing for this tour, it's essential to pack accordingly, taking into account potential variations in weather conditions during these transitional periods and at higher elevations.
Guide
All Tripmates tours feature a local guide or tour leader, ensuring a seamlessly balanced adventure. During the trek in the mountains, participants will benefit from guided experiences, where the guides assist with logistics, navigation, and accommodations. Moreover, they offer valuable insights into the visited destinations, suggesting various activities and attractions. After all, there's no one better to show you around than those who actually live there!
You will have days with and without a guide on the trip. Guided days indicate when your guide will be physically present with your group, while days without a guide refer to the days you are free to explore on your own. You can still ask for advice or tips, of course!