The Balkan 3 Peaks Challenge

Marta Marinelli, raised in Italy’s serene Prosecco Hills, dreamt of global adventures, inspired by her father's travel stories. Her passion evolved into a career, backed by a decade of studies including degrees in international tourism and destination management. She’s worked in the adventure travel sector since 2012, living in Italy, the UK, and now sunny Portugal.

Over twenty years, Marta has explored over 55 countries, visiting remote areas like Ghana, Rwanda, Sao Tome and Principe, Haiti and Nepal’s Upper Mustang region. As a Senior Adventure Expansion Manager at Much Better Adventures, she focuses on creating life-changing experiences, ranging from multi-activity adventures, challenging treks to ultimate adventures in iconic places. She loves the challenge of finding the best local adventure hosts around the world, collaborating on adventures that offer genuine immersion, pushing beyond the beaten path and working on exclusive itineraries that challenge your comfort zone.

What makes her tick? Enabling people to live adventure-rich lives while positively impacting and empowering local communities around the world, generating sustainable opportunities for both the host, guides, community, and the environment.

The tap water in the mountains is safe to drink. Please bring along your own reusable water bottle to fill up at the hotels and guesthouses to avoid buying single use plastic bottles.

During the trek you'll be trekking across the borders of Albania, North Macedonia, Montenegro and Kosovo. Your host will collect a copy of your passport ahead of the trip and will apply for permits on your behalf, so there is no paperwork or applications for you to worry about.

There is generally no convenient way to store excess luggage on this trip. It may depend upon which hotel is booked in Tirana as some have limited space for luggage storage, which is not possible to reserve, and some don't at all. Please enquire with you host for more information.

For groups of up to 8 people, there will be 1 lead guide. For groups of 9 or more, there will also be an assistant guide.

In adverse weather conditions, it may not be safe to ascend the exposed peaks, especially Mt. Kollata. Your guide will monitor weather conditions and act accordingly.

In the event of unusually high amounts of snow in spring, you will not use crampons or ice picks on this non-technical trip and may divert routes instead. Your host will be in touch prior to departure and will let you know if any extreme weather is forecast. In the event of heavy snow, you may be advised to bring waterproof shoes, gaiters and walking microspikes.

The follow are contingency plans for parts of the itinerary that are most likely to be impacted if there is unseasonable adverse weather: Day 3: When the traverse behind Mt. Gjeravica is under heavy snowpack, you may transfer to another starting point and climb Mt. Trekufiri (2366m), the point where Albania, Kosovo and Montenegro meet. Day 5: If the Persllopit Pass is closed, you may take a transfer from Cerem to Valbona and aim to ascend Mt. Roshit (2524m). This is a return hike and can be shortened if needed but would adjust the hiking on this day to: 9.5hrs · 14km · 1450m up · 1450m down. Day 5: If the Persllopit Pass is open but the ascent of Mt. Kollata snow-covered and deemed too dangerous, the summit is skipped. This would mean the hiking on this day is adjusted to: 7hrs · 13km · 1075m up · 1125m down.

This trip visits locations at or above 2500m, where some people may experience symptoms of Altitude Sickness (opens in new tab), also known as Acute Mountain Sickness (AMS).

Previous experience at altitude doesn’t guarantee the same response again – your body can react differently on each trip. However, having been at altitude before is still valuable: it gives you a better understanding of how your body might respond, what symptoms to look out for, and how to manage your pace and energy levels.

Your guide is trained to manage the risk of altitude sickness by controlling the rate of ascent, monitoring group wellbeing, and responding appropriately if anyone feels unwell.

Before booking, we recommend considering your personal health, particularly if you have any pre-existing conditions, and consulting a medical professional if you’re unsure. Arriving early to allow your body to acclimatise can also make a big difference.

Your travel insurance must cover the maximum altitude reached on this trip and include emergency evacuation.

This trip operates in areas where daytime temperatures can reach extreme highs, where limited shade and high humidity can also be a factor. These conditions can affect physical performance and increase the risk of dehydration or heat-related illness. Your guide will adjust the pace and monitor the group closely, but hydration, proper clothing, and sun protection are essential.

Before travelling, consider your ability to be active in high temperatures and consult a medical professional if you have concerns – especially if you have any cardiovascular or heat-sensitive conditions. Arriving a day or two prior to the trip may help you adjust gradually to the heat.

Sure can! Over 70% of our travellers travel solo, it’s a great way to meet like-minded people.

Our team of Adventure Hunters co-create exclusive adventures which are run by highly vetted, specialist hosts. The trip is run by our trusted host partner in the destination. We only work with independent, local, in-destination experts who know the very best places to explore and how to stay safe. Read more information about the local teams we partner with (opens in new tab). You’ll be introduced to the host straight after making a booking via the Much Better Adventures platform.

Much Better Adventures refer to the UK Government’s official travel advice when designing trips and monitoring trip operations. We recommend that all customers are familiar with the practical information provided on the Government’s FCDO website (opens in new tab), where current travel advice can be found by searching for the applicable destination(s).

For customers joining this trip from other international destinations – please also read the official travel advice applicable to your country of residence/origin, as this may differ.

We recommend checking out the country-specific information (opens in new tab) and also talking to a travel nurse.

We automatically convert prices from the local currency that a host receives to your chosen currency. We update our exchange rates on a daily basis so this does mean that prices displayed on the site are subject to currency fluctuations, which is why you may see them change over time.

If you wish to change the currency you pay in, head to the bottom of the page.

All of our group adventures are specially designed for adults to enjoy as we want these adventures to bring together outdoorsy people who are truly like-minded. You must be over 18 to join one of our trips.

You're always in good company on one of our adventures.

Our trips are typically made up of a mixture of solo travellers and small groups of 2 or 3 friends, with most in their 30s-50s.

Our sociable adventures are solo-friendly by design and naturally attract outdoorsy people with a shared mindset; a love for adventure, a desire to push themselves and meet awesome, like-minded people along the way.

It’s this camaraderie that has so often turned a great adventure into a life-changing one.

Don't just take our word for it:

• 95% of people rate the group dynamics on our trips 5/5
• 90% of people recommend joining a trip to make new friends
• 75% of people have met people on our trips that they would now consider friends

See here (opens in new tab) for more info about the Much Better Adventures tribe.

Departures are scheduled throughout the summer season only (Jun-Sep). Typical summer weather conditions in this part of the Balkans are dry, clear and warm during the daytime, with the temperature dropping at night or as you climb higher to the summits. Occasional rainfall is also possible at this time of year.

You may encounter some snow on altitudes above 1800m until the end of June, especially on northern-facing slopes. Your guides monitor the conditions in order to stay prepared and share information with your group before you set out on your trek, in case any changes to the route are required – please see the FAQ below on 'Plan B'.