Albania active trip 2020

Pick-up in Tirana – Welcome to your Albania active trip! You will be picked up individually from your hotel or the airport, and the trip will begin around 3:00 in the afternoon. Following a short walk we will set out for Durres, specifically the Cape of Rodon – «Kepi i Rodonit» in Albanian. This prominent outcropping lies north of Durres on the Adriatic Sea. We will spend some time taking in the ruins of the fortress, which dates from the middle ages, as well as the wonderful view of the Albanian Adriatic. After a short break we will continue to the port city of Durres and spend the night there.

Durres is Albania’s second-largest city and offers our tour groups many different options for evening activities.

We will begin with breakfast at the hotel, and then set out for the nearby national park. Albania features a rich diversity of flora and fauna. The Divjaka-Karavasta National Park, near Durres, contains year-round populations of birds, such as pelicans, which we will be able to see. A short trip by boat gives an impressive view of how the lagoon developed into an ecosystem, in large part because of its two estuaries. It is an impressive natural spectacle which nature-loving travelers in Albania should not miss. An ideal place for our Albania active trip! We will enjoy dinner in a local restaurant, then spend the night in a hotel further to the south of the city.

The journey now continues to south Albania. We will make a stop at a natural sandy beach about halfway down the coast. This long section of shoreline is typical of the Adriatic Sea in Albania, and clearly distinguishes it from the south of the country. This will be a free day for us to spend as we wish. It will be a good opportunity for athletic types to burn off some energy on the Albanian Adriatic. And lovers of sunshine will also enjoy this area (depending on the weather, of course). We will take advantage of the seclusion and tranquility of this section of beach to spend a relaxing afternoon. That evening we will reach the port city of Vlora, on the Ionian Sea, where we will have dinner and spend the night.

The destination for this morning will be Gramata Bay. We will leave the roads on foot and embark on a hike to our cove. We will carry only necessities with us on this tour. The secluded cove has been used as a hideout since ancient times, as evidenced by the ancient Roman and Greek inscriptions on the rocks. Its location in the middle of Llogara National Park is an untouched natural setting. We will stay at this place full of secrets and kissed by the turquoise sea, then we will be picked up by boat in the early evening. Afterwards we will travel along the coast to the beach of Drymades, where we will spend the evening together. We will spend the night on the Llogara Pass.

For today’s outing, following breakfast we will climb the «Maja e Cikes» mountain. Its summit is at the Llogara Pass and is 2045 meters above sea level. Our hike, which will last up to five hours, will be rewarded with an incredible view.

Gorgeous natural landscapes, as well as south Albania’s forests and Riviera, will be quite visible from this location. This region has been known since ancient times for its wild-growing herbs and is a must for travelers discovering south Albania! We will enjoy the solitude and tranquility and spend the day hiking in this fascinating swath of nature.

For lunch we will have a picnic consisting of simple, regional fare. We will spend the night back at the Llogara Pass and enjoy south Albanian specialties at dinner.

Dhermi Beach and Drymades Beach are two different beaches located on the same strip of coastline. In the early morning we will travel to the quieter Drymades Beach and take in its pebbly expanse and turquoise waters. Today will be free to spend as you choose. We have arranged a breathtaking tandem paraglider flight from the Llogara Pass down to Drymades Beach – sure to please the adventurous traveler. The flight descends 1,000 meters in altitude over 20 minutes, enabling you to see possibly the most beautiful panorama in all of Albania. The flight is led by an experienced paraglider pilot from one of our partner businesses. A 4K video of your flight is included, and everyone receives a small certificate to commemorate the experience. We are happy to provide this to you!

Please note: this activity may not actually take place at Llogara Pass, depending on the weather conditions. Instead, we will have access to an alternative flight location in Vlora. We will stay the night in the same hotel at Llogara Pass.

From Llogara Pass, we will set out early in the morning for Gjipe Canyon, hiking the last part of the journey on foot. Gjipe Canyon features amazing scenery with its tall cliff faces. Depending on the plant growth and time of year, we will see a panorama of virgin forest and a pathway of red sand. In the morning we will begin a hike through the canyon, through which water flows during the winter months. Both rainfall and the forces of nature change its particular appearance year after year. We will stay here at this beautiful pebbly beach until late afternoon, then hike back to our starting point. Afterwards we will travel via the coastal road further south to Himare, where we will have dinner and stay the night.

On the way south today we will admire some smaller coves of the Ionian Sea by boat, taking time to linger and go swimming if the weather permits.

Our visit to the submarine bunker, which is protected by the cove, and the fortress of Palermo will provide an impression of Albania’s history. Hundreds of thousands of bunkers can be found, not all on land. During its communist era, Albania had at least one well-known submarine bunker, which we will see from the outside; you can only imagine how protective its meter-thick concrete walls must have been. Close by is the fortress of Palermo, which we will also visit. Afterwards we will travel back to Himare, from where we will continue our trip south the next morning. We will spend the evening enjoying the welcoming atmosphere of Himare’s beach promenade.

We will take some time to relax and recover a bit this morning. On the way to Saranda, in the far south of Albania, we will stop in a small village. After lunch in a traditional tavern, we will make our way to the idyllic «Krorëzës» cove.

We will reach this dreamy strip of beach by hiking over a hill amidst wild surroundings. This south Albanian beach is an insider’s tip which features picturesque natural scenery. After a day at this beach we will travel by boat to another nearby beach, then continue on to Saranda, where we will stay the night.

Early in the morning we will journey to the south Albanian cape. Limestone shale, typical of this region, forms the steep cliffs all along the coast. The Greek island of Korfu can be seen from this location. We will spend some time admiring the surroundings at this rock ledge. We may be treated to a light, pleasantly cooling sea breeze, depending on the season. Adventurers will be beckoned by the small rock outcroppings to swim in the crystal-clear water. We will drive to the port city of Saranda and use the evening for a Mediterranean-style stroll through the town, also called «Xhiro» in Albanian. The delectable cuisine in this port city will fulfill every culinary desire. Our activities for the evening will be decided either individually or as a group. The hotel is located here in town, and night owls will get their money’s worth here in Saranda.

No longer an insider’s secret, but now a must-see for Albanian travelers: the ancient city of Butrint and Lake Butrint, located near Saranda. After visiting in the morning, we will set out for «Syri i Kalter» in the afternoon. This spring, called «Blue Eye» in English, offers a cooling reprieve for the daring traveler in hot weather with its ice-cold water. Even today it is unknown exactly how deep the source of this spring goes. Both places are surrounded by a beautiful natural setting and diverse flora and fauna. On our last evening together we will reminisce about the experiences we have shared, enjoying a round of cool drinks and the Mediterranean atmosphere.

We thank you for the trust you have placed in us! On our last morning, after breakfast you will have the option of continuing your trip in Saranda, or you can return to Tirana with us. The return trip will be via our original trip route. Of course, we can take you to your location of choice along the way – just let us know in advance where you would like to go. Our arrival time in Tirana will be around 4:00 PM. It has been our privilege to bring you closer to the travel destination of Albania and its beautiful coast!

We are pleased that you are immersed in our Albania active trip. We warmly thank you for the trust you have placed in us, and we hope to see you again.