Albania Multisport Adventure

Welcome to Tirana, Albania! Upon arrival, your driver will meet you at Mother Teresa Airport for a comfortable 1-hour transfer to your hotel in downtown Tirana. In the evening, explore the vibrant Blloku district, once exclusive to Albania’s political elite. Now, it’s the city's liveliest spot, filled with trendy bars and bustling cafes—perfect for enjoying a drink and soaking in the local atmosphere.

Travel Time: 1 hour to 1.5 hours (Airport to Tirana)

Start your day at 8:00 AM with a drive to Permet, renowned for its diverse hiking trails. After lunch at the hotel, hike 5 miles (8 km) through chestnut forests and along trails overlooking the Vjosa River valley, with 1,650 ft (500 m) of elevation gain and loss over about three hours. Walk through the village of Lipe, then continue to Leuse, a historic settlement more than 1,500 years old. Meet a local family and experience traditional rural life before visiting St. Mary’s Church, built on the ruins of a 6th-century Byzantine church. Descend to Permet for an overnight stay.

Ascend: 1,650 feet (502 meters)
Descend: 1,650 feet (502 meters)
Distance: 5 Miles (8 Km)
Hiking Time: 3 Hours
Travel Time: 4 Hours (Tirana to Përmet)
Alpine Hiking Scale: T2 - Mountain Hiking
Paths and Terrain: Paths with continuous track beds. Sometimes steep terrain, a slight risk of rockfall, and feet slipping.
Hiking Requirements: competent, agile, and with quality hiking shoes.

Begin your day with a visit to Benje's thermal baths, featuring six beautiful natural pools of thermal waters along the Langarica River. Explore the Langarica Canyon, where towering walls narrow to just a few meters, creating a surreal landscape. The Ottoman Bridge of Katiu is the frame of this beautiful place. 
Enjoy free time at the thermal baths before heading on to your afternoon adventure.

After lunch at a local restaurant, journey to Gjirokastra, a UNESCO World Heritage Site celebrated for its well-preserved Ottoman architecture. Wander the cobbled streets, visit the imposing hilltop castle, and tour a traditional 17th-century home reflecting the region's historical urban life. Conclude your day with dinner and an overnight stay in Gjirokastra.

Travel Time: 1.5 Hours (Permet to Gjirokaster)

Travel 45 minutes from Gjirokaster to Labove e Kryqit and visit the Church of the Dormition of the Virgin, an important Byzantine monument first built in the 6th century. Hike 4.3 miles (7 km) along old pastoral trails through open meadows, gaining 660 ft (200 m) and descending 820 ft (250 m) over about two hours. Finish in Libohove and transfer to a nearby family farm for a hands-on cooking experience using local ingredients from the garden. Prepare and enjoy lunch with the hosts, then learn a centuries-old coffee tradition by roasting beans over an oak fire, grinding them on carved limestone, and boiling them in a copper pot. Return to Gjirokaster for an evening exploring its historic streets, plazas, and craft workshops.

Ascend: 660 feet (201 meters)
Descend: 820 feet (249 meters)
Distance: 4.3 Miles (6.9 Km)
Hiking Time: 2 Hours
Travel Time: 45 Minutes (Gjirokastra to Labovë)
Travel Time: 30 Minutes (Local farmhouse to Gjirokastra)
Alpine Hiking Scale: T2 - Mountain Hiking
Paths and Terrain: Paths with continuous track bed. Sometimes steep terrain, slight risk of rockfall and feet slipping.
Hiking Requirements: competent, agile, and with quality hiking shoes.

Travel two hours from Gjirokaster toward Albania’s Ionian Coast, following the Bençe River valley through a landscape shaped by canyons, caves, natural bridges, springs, and waterfalls. Begin a 5-mile (8 km) hike near Kudhes, following rocky paths and old trails to Upper Qeparo. Explore the historic village and continue downhill to Qeparo Beach, gaining 820 ft (250 m) and descending 1,300 ft (400 m) over about three hours.

Enjoy lunch by the sea and free time at the beach before continuing to Porto Palermo. Visit the Ali Pasha Fortress on the peninsula and see the historic military tunnels along the bay. Transfer one hour to Dhermi for dinner and an overnight stay.

Ascend: 820 feet (249 meters)
Descend: 1,300 feet (396 meters)
Distance: 5 Miles (8.1 Km)
Hiking Time: 3 Hours
Travel Time: 3 Hours (Gjirokaster to Kudhes , and to Dhermi)
Alpine Hiking Scale: T2 - Mountain Hiking
Paths and Terrain: Paths with continuous track bed. Sometimes steep terrain, slight risk of rockfall and feet slipping.
Hiking Requirements: competent, agile, and with quality hiking shoes.

Enjoy a day of kayaking through the pristine waters of the Ionian Sea to the Pirate's Cave for a close-up look inside. Continue along a rugged coastline of limestone cliffs, sea caves, narrow inlets, and secluded coves before landing at a road-free pebble beach for swimming and relaxation. Return by kayak to Dhërmi, then transfer 45 minutes to Llogara National Park. Visit the Llogara Pass “Balcony” at 3,450 ft (1,050 m) for views across the Albanian Riviera and toward Corfu. Enjoy dinner and an overnight stay in the national park. In rough sea conditions, replace kayaking with a 3.7-mile (6 km) hike to Ngjipe Beach, gaining and losing 1,150 ft (350 m).

Travel Time: 45 Minutes (Dhermi to Llogara National Park)

Note: In the case of bad sea conditions, the kayaking along the coast will be replaced by a hiking activity to Ngjipe Beach. If this is the case, the day will start with a short transfer to the starting point of the hike. We will follow a well-prepared trail to descend to the beach. Some short stops are possible at panoramic spots along the way. After lunch we will hike back to the vehicle, to start the journey towards Tirana.

Hike through Llogara National Park, starting in a dense pine forest before reaching rocky terrain and a small shepherd’s settlement. At “Qafa e Thelle,” take in panoramic views of the Ionian coast—on clear days, even the Italian shoreline can be spotted. After lunch in the park, transfer to Tirana for an afternoon of exploration.

Discover Tirana, Albania’s vibrant capital, where Ottoman, Italian, and communist influences shape its streets. Start at Skanderbeg Square, surrounded by landmarks like the National History Museum, Et’hem Bey Mosque, and the Clock Tower. Stroll along the pedestrian street to see the ruins of the Byzantine-era Castle of Tirana. End your day with a farewell dinner at a nearby restaurant and a comfortable stay in a Tirana hotel.

Ascend: 1,300 feet (396 meters)
Descend: 1,300 feet (396 meters)
Distance: 6 Miles (9.65 Km)
Hiking Time: 3 Hours
Travel Time: 45 Minutes (Llogara National Park to Tirana)
Alpine Hiking Scale: T3 - Difficult Mountain Hiking
Paths and Terrain: Paths are not always visible, but some are exposed. Partially exposed sections with the risk of slipping, gravel, or unexpected changes in path and terrain.
Hiking Requirements: Previous mountain hiking experience and competent agility are needed. High-quality hiking boots are essential. 

This morning, enjoy a 1-hour transfer to the airport for your departure, marking the end of your unforgettable journey through Albania’s rich history, vibrant culture, and breathtaking landscapes.

Travel Time: 1 hour to 1.5 hours (Hotel in Tirana to Airport)