Walking In Southern Albania: Coastal Trails & Ancient Empires
Walking In Southern Albania: Coastal Trails & Ancient Empires
8 Days Starting in TIRANA and ending in TIRANA
Visiting: Tirana, Vlorë, Llogara Pass, Himarë, Buthrotum, Sarandë, Gjirokaster
Tour operator:
Tour code:
SALB
Guide Type:
Fully Guided
Group size:
4 - 12
Age range:
1-99
Special diets catered:
Vegetarians, Please contact Wild Frontiers with any specific dietary requirements
Tour operated in:
EnglishTrip Styles:
Interests:
Activities:
Private Available:
Request A Private Tour
Tour Overview
With a rich heritage that can trace its influences back to the Illyrians, Macedonians, Greeks, Romans and Ottoman Turks, Albania is one of the most fascinating and least well-known countries in Europe. It is also blessed with some of the Adriatic’s wildest landscapes as well as arguably the continent’s least developed tourism infrastructure, not to mention some captivating history.
If that thought fills you with excitement then join us for this wonderful adventure into the wilds of the mountainous hinterlands of the south through which Byron once walked.
During our journey we will soak up the coastal charms of the ‘Albanian Riviera’, explore the famed UNESCO Ottoman-influenced town of Gjirokastër, and visit the fascinating ancient ruins of Butrint, located in the beautiful UNESCO World Heritage Site of Butrint National Park, and standing as one of the most enchanting archaeological sites anywhere in Europe.
Highlights
Itinerary
Day 1: Tour Starts In Tirana - Vlorë
Location: Tirana
Accommodation: Hotel
Accommodation Name: Hotel Partner or similar
Meals Included: Lunch, Dinner
Those arriving on the suggested group flight will meet at Tirana airport. (Refer to the GETTING THERE section for details of these.) We will then set off south through the plains of western Albania as we have lunch en route and make our way down to the beautiful bay of Vlorë where we will check into our hotel, just a stone’s throw from the welcoming waters of the Adriatic.
Day 2: Vlorë - Llogara
Location: Vlorë, Llogara Pass
Accommodation: Hotel
Accommodation Name: Hotel Sofo or similar
Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Continuing south we head towards the magnificent mountains of the Llogara National Park where we will begin our hike today. Following a beautiful forest trail we will slowly make our way up and along the famous ridge running to the Karaburun Peninsula, taking in breath-taking panoramic views of the Adriatic and Ionian Seas on one side, and the dramatic 2000-metre-high mountains on the other. We’ll have time to enjoy these stunning vistas with a well-earned picnic lunch, before continuing on along the ridge and down onto the Llogara Pass via an old army dirt road. A short transfer will then take us on to our hotel in Llogara where we can relax for the remainder of the day before dinner.
Approx. 5hrs walking (695m ascent, 450m descent. Total distance 10kms, highest point 1380m)
Day 3: Llogara - Himarë
Location: Himarë, Llogara Pass
Accommodation: Resort
Accommodation Name: Hotel Chimaera or similar
Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
This morning we will take a short drive to the Llogara pass, halfway up Mount Çika, the tallest peak of the Ceraunian Range and situated dramatically on the edge of the Ionian Sea at a height of 2044m. From the pass we will set off on foot and wind our way through coniferous forests and up the mountain slopes reaching just below Qore’s Summit, where we can take in the magnificent mountain and sea views. After enjoying lunch we will continue to soak up the scenic views by a road which meanders through citrus and olive groves and hills of Mediterranean maquis making our way further along the coast to our base for the night - Himarë.
Approx. 3hrs walking (510m ascent, 510m descent. Total distance 5kms, highest point 1550m)
Day 4: Himarë - Butrint - Sarande
Location: Buthrotum, Himarë, Sarandë
Accommodation: Hotel
Accommodation Name: Hotel Nertili or similar
Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
After breakfast we leave the lovely town of Himarë and drive along the celebrated bay of Porto Palermo, passing the castle of Ali Pasha, the ‘Lion of Yannina’, who ruled Albania during the late 18th and early 19th centuries. Continuing our journey we will stop near the quaint little hillside village of Kudhes from where we will walk along the foothills of the mountains by the sea to Old Qeparo village, and from there descend further to the seafront, for lunch and a swim for those who would like a refreshing dip. From the bay we can see the large island of Corfu in the horizon. In the afternoon we’ll drive on to Butrint National Park, home to the famed UNESCO World Heritage archaeological site that lies on the shores of the Mediterranean. Located on the Straits of Corfu and surrounded by a picturesque lagoon, the site has, at various stages of its development, been a Greek colony, a Roman city and a bishopric. Today it is a site of major historical significance and remains one of the most important archaeological finds in the country, with artefacts and monuments being unearthed that date back as far as the Bronze Age. Its setting, against the natural backdrop of native woodland and the fresh waters of Lake Butrint and the Vivari Channel, makes it a particularly attractive site to explore. After our visit we will drive to the coastal town of Sarande where we will settle for the night.
Approx. 3-4hrs walking (177m ascent, 486m descent. Total distance: 7kms, highest point 426m)
Day 5: Sarande - Gjirokastër
Location: Gjirokaster, Sarandë
Accommodation: Hotel
Accommodation Name: Hotel Kastro or similar
Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
This morning we head further inland to the UNESCO World Heritage city of Gjirokastër. We’ll enjoy the scenic drive as we pass through the valley of Drinos, crossing the picturesque Muzinë Pass. After about an hour we will reach the foothills of the mountains and set off from the village of Libohova and its fortress, along the trail which Lord Byron himself took centuries ago. Our walk will end in the village of Labovë where we will have lunch and visit the Labovë e Kryqit Church, one of the oldest churches in Albania. From here we will take a short transfer to eventually reach the historic town of Gjirokastër. A beautifully preserved example of an Ottoman town, dramatically situated between the Gjerë Mountains and the Drino River, Gjirokastër is still dominated by its Ottoman citadel, one of largest in the Balkans. Originally built in the 12th century, the citadel has undergone a number of makeovers since its original construction, and now operates as a historical site with a selection of interesting post-War era weapons and memorabilia, including a US Air Force plane which was captured in Tirana during the 1950s. Filled with a lovely collection of charming 17th and 18th century buildings and palatial residences, the old part of the city still reflects something of Gjirokastër’s once favoured status amongst the Ottoman elite of the 19th century, and stands as the perfect base for us this evening.
Approx. 3hrs walking (200m ascent, 270m descent. Total distance 7kms, highest point 680m)
Day 6: Gjirokastër
Location: Gjirokaster
Accommodation: Hotel
Accommodation Name: Hotel Kastro or similar
Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch
After breakfast we take a short drive east, passing the ancient site of Antigonea en route to the village of Saraqinishte. From here we will follow shepherd trails along the slopes of the Lunxheria Mountains reaching the tree concealed monastery and cave of Saint Ilias before descending into the valley to reach the village of Dhoksat, where we will be treated to a traditional lunch prepared in a local home. Later in the afternoon we make our way back to Gjirokastër to allow for some free time to explore this fascinating town further.
Approx: 4-5hrs walking (493m ascent, 628m descent. Total walking 9kms, highest point 1167m)
Day 7: Gjirokastër - Tirana
Location: Tirana, Gjirokaster
Accommodation: Hotel
Accommodation Name: Sar'Otel Boutique Hotel or similar
Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Our final journey will take us to the country’s capital today, Tirana, travelling at times via the Shkumbin Valley, which once formed an important section of the Via Egnatia, the Roman road that connected the western and eastern parts of the Roman Empire. After a final walk en route in the basin of the Vjosa River, Europe's first wild river National Park, we plan to arrive in Tirana mid-afternoon to allow for time to take in the renovated Skanderbeg square, the historic Et'hem Bey Mosque and some of the famed coloured government buildings which date back to the 1930s Italian-influenced era. This evening we will enjoy our final dinner in a local city restaurant.
Approx. 2.5hrs walking (260m ascent, 260m descent. Total distance 6.5kms)
Day 8: Tour Ends In Tirana
Location: Tirana
Meals Included: Breakfast
The tour ends this morning in Tirana. Those on the suggested Group Flights (see the GETTING THERE section) will be transferred to the airport in time to check-in.
What's Included
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MEALS
7 x Breakfasts7 x Lunches6 x Dinners
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TRANSPORT
On this tour we will use a minibus and our own two feet!
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GROUP SIZE
Maximum: 12
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CARBON CONTRIBUTIONS
Contributions to climate and community projects for all bookings
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EXPERT TEAM
The full services of a Wild Frontiers Tour Leader with local guides where appropriate
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ACCOMMODATION
3 nights x Premium
3 nights x Superior -
ENTRANCE FEES
All entrance fees for sights mentioned in the itinerary
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FITNESS RATING
Moderate / High
What's Not Included
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We believe in a completely transparent approach to pricing with no hidden extras. As such, please note that the following are not included in the cost of the tour.Visas & Travel Insurance: Visas will always be tourationality dependent but travel insurance is mandatoryTips: Always optional but some guidance will be given in the pre-departure information documentsInternational .Flights: Please ask us for an obligation-free quote for flights which originate in the UK.Beverages & any costs of a personal nature: This will include items such as laundry and souvenirs
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ExcludedItem
We believe in a completely transparent approach to pricing with no hidden extras.
As such, please note that the following are not included in the cost of the tour.
Visas & Travel Insurance: Visas will always be tour
ationality dependent but travel insurance is mandatory
Tips: Always optional but some guidance will be given in the pre-departure information documents
International Flights: Please ask us for an obligation-free quote for flights which originate in the UK
Airport Transfers: We include complimentary transfers if arriving/departing on the suggested group flights
Beverages & any costs of a personal nature: This will include items such as laundry and souvenirs
Visas
Visas are necessary for many of the destinations we travel to and while we aim to provide you with the most up-to-date information, requirements frequently change and as such for the latest advice we advise that you check with the relevant embassies or contact our recommended visa agency, Travcour www.travcour.com
For this tour UK passport holders do not currently require a visa for Albania.
Non-UK passport holders or non-UK residents should contact the relevant embassies for individual requirements.
Further details will be sent out to you on booking, however ensuring that correct and valid visas are obtained remains the sole responsibility of the client.
Key Aspects to Consider
You will need to be in a reasonable state of health and have a good level of fitness to be suitable to join this tour. The trek is graded as moderate with average daily walking time of around 4hrs. In many places the paths are rocky and uneven.
Walking times and distances have been given in the itinerary, please note that times are averages and dependent on other factors, such as the pace of the group and weather. They also do not include breaks for picnics, photos and the like.
This tour has a couple of short/medium driving days. These will typically be longer than approx. 3.5 hours driving time (around 230km) and regular breaks will be provided.
Responsible Travel
With local people, culture and eco-systems in mind, responsible travel and sustainable tourism are at the core of Wild Frontiers. We believe that a successful trip not only delivers a unique and unsurpassable journey for our travellers but also benefits the people and places we visit.
When designing our tours, we actively seek out experiences that have a positive impact on the communities and precious environments we visit - from supporting social enterprises; resting our heads in rural homestays; and eating at locally owned restaurants; to helping fund conservation projects that protect wildlife and their habitats.
Visit the Responsible Travel area of our website to read more, including the work of the Wild Frontiers Foundation through which we fundraise to aid community empowerment and education projects.
Travelling Solo
As a company approximately 70% of our clients are solo travellers, so it’s very unlikely you’ll be alone!
Our prices are typically based on twin-share accommodation, but single supplements are not compulsory for any Wild Frontiers tour. If you prefer not to pay a single supplement we’ll pair you with someone else of the same sex for you to share with throughout the trip.
On this trip, if you do opt to pay for a single supplement then please note that it will cover you for all nights of the tour.
Please note that paying a single supplement entitles you to lone occupancy of a single room. In many cases these rooms will be of the same size as a double/twin room, but in some cases they may be smaller.
Insurance
Insurance that provides cover for emergency repatriation in case of a medical emergency is compulsory for all tours. You should be aware that due to some of the geographical areas visited and some of the activities included on certain of our trips some standard insurance policies may not always provide adequate cover. As such we strongly recommend that you purchase a policy that adequately covers your trip. Please see the Insurance section for more details.
Check out our Q&As
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Do you require a visa for this holiday?
For this tour UK passport holders do not currently require a visa for Albania.
Non-UK passport holders or non-UK residents should contact the relevant embassies for individual requirements. -
What is the maximum group size?
12
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Are airport transfers included in this tour?
We include complimentary transfers if arriving/departing on the suggested group flights
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Are the local guides on the tour English speaking?
Yes
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What policies are in place for Covid-19?
We have a complete Covid-19 hub here: https://www.wildfrontierstravel.com/en_GB/covid-hub
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Do you operate a “single share” option and how does it work?
Over 70% of passengers on our group tours are solo adventurers. Unlike many tour operators, we don’t believe in charging solo travellers a premium, so if you are happy to share a room with a fellow traveller of the same sex, you will pay exactly the same as a couple..Occasionally you may even end up with your own room. You can travel as a single traveller on any of our holidays, from our escorte
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Will the accommodation included meet local health and safety regulations?
Yes
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How long has the tour company been trading?
Since 2002
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Do I need to be double-vaccinated against Covid-19 to travel with you?
In most cases, yes. Not only are many destinations making double-vaccination a requirement of entry to the country and/or access to restaurants, museums etc., but additionally on all our group tours for the foreseeable future, for everyone’s peace of mind, we are asking that all clients be double vaccinated.
Reviews from travellers on this tour
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