Day 1: Arrival in Tirana, Drive to Vlora.
Today we will meet in the afternoon at 15:00 o'clock in central Tirana. We’ll head directly to our first destination of Vlora (approximately 2 hour drive).
Dinner: restaurant
Overnight: Hotel in Vlora
Transfer: Airport – Vlora, 140 km/2 hrs
Day 2: Vlora to Dhermi
Our journey begins today with cycling amongst the forest paths of Llogara National park, situated in the southwest of Albania. This scenic park is home to wonderful flora and fauna such as the black pine, the Eurasian otter and the golden eagle. From here we will head down into the picturesque village of Dhermi, nestled amongst the rocky slopes of the Ceraunian Mountains, where we will arrive in the afternoon. You will have time to relax and enjoy the atmosphere on the beach before dinner in the evening.
Dinner: Restaurant next to the sea
Overnight: Hotel in Dhermi
Cycling distance: 70 km
Day 3: Dhermi to Saranda along the Albanian Riviera
Leaving the hotel after breakfast, we cycle towards Palermo Bay and the old fortress of Ali Pasha of Tepelena. On the way to Saranda, we will pass through small villages situated near beautiful and almost deserted beaches. We will reach Saranda, situated between the high mountains and the Ionian coast, in the afternoon. From here we will cycle out to the UNESCO World Heritage site Butrint. This ancient city contains traces of the Greeks and the Romans, and is one of Albania's most important archeological sites. After exploring Butrint, we will cycle back to Saranda to enjoy a good meal before retiring to the hotel.
Dinner: Restaurant
Overnight: Hotel in Saranda
Cycling distance: 55 km
Day 4: Saranda to Gjirokaster via the Muzina Pass
Today we will turn away from the coast and head inland. We will pass the natural wonder of the Blue Eye Spring before tackling the uphill climb to the Muzina Pass and into the Drino Valley. In the afternoon we will reach the historic city of Gjirokastër, another UNESCO Heritage site that is home to some truly stunning Ottoman architecture. In the afternoon we will explore the city’s steep cobbled roads and its Ottoman citadel, believed to be the second largest in the Balkans.
Dinner: Traditional restaurant
Overnight: Hotel in Gjirokaster
Cycling distance: 65 km
Day 5: Scenic Ride from Gjirokaster to Permet
Today we will cycle across some of the most spectacular landscapes of the tour. Leaving Gjirokastër, magnificently set between the towering Gjerë Mountains and the Drino River, we will pass through the Drino Valley and on to the Kelcyra Gorge. Continuing on into the Vjosë River Valley, we cycle until we reach the town of Permet. Famed for its cuisine and its strong raki liquor, Permet gives us a chance to spend the evening enjoying some traditional Albanian delicacies in a local restaurant.
Dinner: Traditional restaurant
Overnight: Hotel in Permet
Cycling distance: 70 km
Day 6: Explore the Skrapar region and the Osumi Canyon.
In the morning we will leave Permet and cycle along an unpaved road into the remote Skrapar region. This beautiful area is filled with gorges, forests and mountain streams. It is home to the spectacular Osumi Canyon, one of Albania's most majestic natural attractions. We will ride through the canyon until we reach Çorovoda, a city that some archaeologists believe to be the oldest in Albania.
Dinner: Restaurant
Overnight: Hotel in Çorovoda
Cycling distance: 45 km
Day 7: Cycle through the Osumi Canyon to Berat
Today will be out final cycling day. We will follow the gentle waters of the Osumi river downstream toward the historical town of Berat, “city of a thousand windows.” As we continue along the canyon, the imposing walls of Mount Tomorr rise up before us, with its powerful presence looming over a national park that is home to a number of rare and endangered species. In the afternoon we will reach Berat, where we will stay on a traditional hotel in the historic neighborhood called “Mangalemi”. We will wander through the small cobbled streets of the city and explore the scenic riverside area before dinner.
Dinner: Traditional restaurant
Overnight: Hotel in Berat
Cycling distance: 46 km
Day 8: Transfer to Tirana
In the morning we will continue our exploration of Berat. We will we pay a visit to the Onufri Iconographic Museum, located in the sanctuary of St Mary's Church, in the inhabited quarter of Berat Castle. After our visit we will drive North to Kruja, where we will visit walk through the bazaar and visit the citadel, from where Albania's national hero Skanderberg led the resistance against the Ottoman conquest. He succeeded in ousting the Turks in 1443 and Albania was free for the next 30 years. Today the fortress is a place of pilgrimage and inspiration for Albanians. It enjoys a classic setting high on a ridge staring out to the Adriatic coast, approached via hills carpeted in pine.
In the late afternoon we will drive to Tirana.
Dinner: Restaurant
Overnight: Hotel in Tirana
Transfer: Berat-Kruja 2:30-3:00 hrs and Kruja-Tirana 45 min
Day 9: Departure
Depending on the departure time of your flight, we will make a walking tour through Tirana and visit the National Historical Museum. After this we will drive to the airport where the tour will end.
Transfer: Tirana-Airport 17 km/ 25 min
*Private tour
If you wish to do this tour on a different date, please contact us via the enquire now button. We have guides who can speak Albanian, English, Italian, French, German, Italian, Dutch or Spanish.” |
