7 Day Super-Active Holiday in Albania

“We had an excellent time and met like-minded people to explore with. It was brilliant….an amazing country to visit and the walk over the mountains is an experience!”
Dawn Ballard, June 2020

2023 departure dates: June-October (Sunday to Sunday) min. 4 persons

Experience the stunning beauty of Albania with this action-packed adventure holiday for those who don’t want to sit still or just lie on a beach! More accessible than ever before thanks to budget airlines like easyJet and Wizzair now flying into Tirana, this staggeringly pretty and near-unexplored destination is the perfect getaway for those who want to push their personal boundaries.

Adventure into the heart of one of Europe’s most exciting new destinations! Discover Albania’s Alps on a full-day hiking challenge taking in two national parks – Thethi & Valbona – kayak in the splendour of vertical cliff-fringed Lake Koman and explore Berat, the city of 1000 windows. Not far beyond lie the wondrous Osumi and Gradec canyons for adrenalin-filled days rafting, caving and climbing the legendary, sacred Mount Tomor. All the while you will learn about blood feuds, the sworn virgins of the mountains, life under Enver Hoxha, one of the most crazed of all European dictators, and much, much more besides with our brilliant, English-speaking local guides.

Our Albania adventure holiday is suitable for a maximum of 12 people and requires a good level of physical fitness. Minimum age 12+. Not sure it’s the right challenge level for you? Click here to read more about our activity levels.

Book to Give Back – every booking sparks a donation to our chosen local environmental and community causes!

All transport, accommodation and meals are included, as well as 24/7 qualified guides who will collect you from your location and bring you back to Tirana at the end of your trip.

Your Country Experts:

Emma’s enthusiasm for Albania is as great as her love for her adopted home of Montenegro! For eight years now she’s helped guests discover this amazing country, tracking down all the best spots with her young children to put together the ultimate family adventure.

Alma and her husband Zamo were among the first people in Albania to become qualified rafting and canyoning guides. When it comes to outdoor activities, they have it all covered from their characterful family-run hotel in Berat. Alma and her team all speak excellent English.

Want to see more? Watch our video!

Day 1 – Arrival
You will be collected from Tirana Airport and then our guide and driver will give you a warm welcome and plenty of useful information on the way to the remote and spectacularly beautiful mountain village of Theth, stopping in the Valley of Boga for refreshments. Overnight at the Bujtina Polia Guesthouse, where we will also taste the delicious food of the village.

Day 2 – Hiking the Theth to Valbona Pass
After an early breakfast, alpine style, we set off for Valbona. Our trail offers some of the wildest, most untouched views in the Balkans, taking 7-8 hours to walk in total. We will first pass through the ancient forest before arriving at the plateau offering magnificent views of the Valbona Valley below. From here it’s a steep downward descent to our traditional guesthouse in beautiful Valbona. Mules are available to carry bags if required. At the end of the hike, there is time to relax and watch the sun go down over the mountains, before enjoying a great local dinner of delicious locally-made products. Overnight at the Kol Gjoni Guesthouse.

Day 3 – Kayaking on Komani Lake
This man-made lake is framed on all sides by sheer limestone cliffs and the contrast with the sapphire waters is remarkable. Our destination after a short car journey and the ferry ride is “Peace Island”, a tiny, isolated community, where after checking into our bungalow accommodation, we will set off for a paddle on this magnificent stretch of water to visit the Shami river and a secret cave where swimming is positively encouraged! The views throughout are spell-binding – and when we get back our hosts will prepare a dinner for us of delicious fresh fish. Overnight at the Berisha Chalets.

Day 4 -Transfer to Berat
Our destination is the town of 1000 windows – the UNESCO Heritage site of Berat. This stunning hillside village on the steps of the Tomor mountains is a place of great beauty and tranquillity, and it’s our base for the remaining days of the holiday. After arrival, you can walk around the old town and castle before dinner at your accommodation. Overnight at Hotel Castle Park, Berat.

Day 5 – Hiking to the Pirogoshi Cave
Pirogoshi is located in the canyon of Gradec, surrounded by limestone cliffs. It has a width of about 30 m, a height of 5 m and a length of 1252 m with extensions, narrows, large halls and natural galleries – a real underground maze and a unique adventure for explorers young and old! There are many superb formations to be seen here, with stalactites, stalagmites, columns, stone waterfalls, red cave pearls, and more. Lunch is at a real locals’ secret restaurant, before a return to our base in Berat. Overnight at Hotel Castle Park.

Day 6 – White-Water Rafting
The nearby Osumi canyon offers the opportunity for many amazing activities! Until the end of June, we can go white-water rafting on a class 3 river – the hollows, natural sculptures, and waterfalls flow in different shapes. You go through natural wonders like “the Cathedral”, the champagne waterfall, the Devil’s Gate and the Love Waterfall, whose legend says those who kiss under it will remain forever in love. In July/August, when the water levels on the river are too low for rafting, we switch to the stunning Vjosa River instead!

Day 7 – Hiking the Summit of Tomorr
The highest point of Mt Tomor affords astounding views to those who can say they have conquered her peak! A six-hour ascent takes you through staggering scenery, and the first half is actually done on horseback before we resort to old-fashioned hiking. With a lavish picnic lunch of fresh local products to sustain us, we will reach the peak of 2417 metres before making our descent back down again, passing the old shepherd’s hut and the chance to view mountain goats in their natural environment.

This is a long day, requiring a 05:00 start, so pack well and rest up with a cold beer after!

Day 8 – Transfer back to Tirana Airport (other destinations will incur an extra transfer charge)

Prices are in £ Sterling per person and include all transport, all activities, all accommodation, all meals and all guiding (drinks not included).

HOLIDAY	APRIL/OCTOBER	MAY/JUNE/SEPTEMBER	JULY/AUGUST
Super Multi-Active Albania 7 nights	£1,045pp	£1,095pp	£1,145pp

Please note, on this holiday, accommodation is clean and characterful – do not expect luxury! If for any reason the first choice accommodation is not available, we will let you know about the alternatives well in advance of your holiday.

BUJTINA POLIA