The Global Meaningful Travel Map

The Shepherd's Way Albania

Experience the rich traditions of Northern Albania by hiking with shepherds, participating in cheese-making, and enjoying authentic mountain homestays.

OUR EXPERIENCES
We offer immersive experiences with the Malësorë shepherds in Lëpushë, Northern Albania—an ancient highland community whose transhumant way of life has safeguarded both cultural heritage and the biodiversity of the Albanian Alps for centuries. Travelers are invited to walk (or horseride) alongside shepherds on day hikes, or join in seasonal tasks like milking and cheese-making, as well as sharing meals and stories in their mountain homes (known as Stans) through overnight homestays. Each tour not only offers visitors a rare window into living traditions, but also helps sustain the families and landscapes that keep this heritage alive.

ABOUT US
The Shepherd’s Way Albania is a community tourism initiative that connects travelers with the Malësorë shepherds of Kelmend, in Northern Albania. Our mission is to preserve and share the living heritage of transhumant shepherding, while creating sustainable livelihoods for local families. By inviting guests to step into the daily rhythm of shepherd life—through hiking, farming, cooking, and storytelling—we envision a future where rural traditions are not only celebrated but also supported as vital to the cultural and ecological landscape of the Albanian Alps.

OUR IMPACT
Our work generates meaningful impact across social, environmental, and educational dimensions. By partnering directly with Malësorë shepherd families, we create fair income opportunities that help sustain traditional livelihoods and encourage younger generations to see shepherding as a viable future. Travelers contribute directly to rural households, strengthening communities and preserving cultural heritage.

Environmentally, transhumant shepherding plays a vital role in maintaining the biodiversity of the Albanian Alps. By supporting this practice through tourism, we help protect highland pastures, traditional grazing systems, and the delicate balance between people and nature. Through immersive experiences, guests gain firsthand insight into highland life, deepening their understanding of sustainable living and cultural resilience. Over the past few years, dozens of small groups have participated in our tours, enabling families to reinvest in their farms while fostering lasting cross-cultural connections.

DETAILS
To learn more, contact: theshepherdsway.albania@gmail.com

What are your minimum and maximum group sizes?
1-10

Do you require visitors to pre-book?
No

Do you have group rates?
Yes

Do you pay commissions to travel advisors?
No

What languages do you offer your services in?
English, Albanian, German

When are you open?
We offer tours during the summer (mid June - early September)

What accommodations do you make for people living with disabilities?
Our tours require people to be able to walk, since most of our shepherds live in remote mountain areas. Unfortunately, we are not able to accommodate people in wheelchairs or with low mobility.