Start/End
Tirane
Duration
8 days
Hiking days
5 days
Activity levels
2 (from 5)
Travel time
April to November
Group size
4 to 12 Persons
Accommodation
Comfort 3 to 4 star Hotels
Overview
This 8-day tour offers a good balance between sea and mountains. Climbing ancient paths up imposing mountain passes, with wonderful views of the seemingly endless blue sea, we pass sandy shingle beaches, rocky goat paths, through olive groves and along narrow cobbled streets of charming villages, and are soon walking directly down the coast to discover enchanted bathing bays.
- Hiking on the coast of the Ionian Sea
- Enjoy the good local cuisine
- Swim in the Gjipe Bay
- Get to know the Albanian hospitality
Included
Exleded
– Difficulty level
– Technique – medium
No alpine difficulties, good surefootedness required. Our tour runs on good hiking trails without any technical difficulties. Individual passages run on narrow paths and in gravel terrain and require sure-footedness.
– Fitness – medium
Walking times of approx. 3 to 5 hours a day, ascents and descents up to a maximum of approx. 600 meters in altitude, usually less. Previous hiking experience and good physical condition is necessary and a prerequisite.
– Comfort – Hotels
We stay in good and clean hotels. We stay 5 nights on the coast and one night in the Llogara National Park in a mountain hotel. The last night is in Tirane in a centrally located hotel.
– Meals
We usually take a packed lunch with us on our hikes. Breakfast and dinner are eaten in the accommodations. Sometimes we have dinner outside, but the local guide will inform you about this.
– Transportation
During the whole trip we travel (depending on the group size) in a comfortable bus.
- Highlights
-
- Hiking on the coast of the Ionian Sea
- Enjoy the good local cuisine
- Swim in the Gjipe Bay
- Get to know the Albanian hospitality
- Services
-
Included
Exleded
- Infos
-
– Difficulty level
– Technique – medium
No alpine difficulties, good surefootedness required. Our tour runs on good hiking trails without any technical difficulties. Individual passages run on narrow paths and in gravel terrain and require sure-footedness.
– Fitness – medium
Walking times of approx. 3 to 5 hours a day, ascents and descents up to a maximum of approx. 600 meters in altitude, usually less. Previous hiking experience and good physical condition is necessary and a prerequisite.
– Comfort – Hotels
We stay in good and clean hotels. We stay 5 nights on the coast and one night in the Llogara National Park in a mountain hotel. The last night is in Tirane in a centrally located hotel.
– Meals
We usually take a packed lunch with us on our hikes. Breakfast and dinner are eaten in the accommodations. Sometimes we have dinner outside, but the local guide will inform you about this.
– Transportation
During the whole trip we travel (depending on the group size) in a comfortable bus.
- Gallery
-
- Dates and Prices
-
Itinerary
01
Arrival and onward journey to Vlora
Our guide will pick you up at Tirana airport and continue to Vlore. On a walk we visit the Independence Monument and the oldest mosque in the city. Dinner together in a restaurant. Overnight in a hotel.( – / – / D)
approx. 2 h
02
Hiking in Llogara National Park to Qafa e Thelle pass
After a short drive we arrive at Llogara National Park and start our first hike. Through the natural forest we climb up to the Qafa e Thelle pass. Here a magnificent view of the Ionian Sea awaits us. Along the ridge we reach Thanas Peak and from there descend to the Llogara Pass. Tonight we stay in a mountain hotel in the heart of the park.( B / – / D)
approx. 4-5 h. 600m 400m
approx. 1 h
03
Up to the Dhjopuri Pass – on the Ionian Sea in Dhermi
From the Llogara Pass we continue our hike below Cika (2045 m) and Qorra (2018m), the highest mountains on the Riviera. From a mountain saddle we have a wonderful view of the Karaburun peninsula and the Ionian Sea. After the hike, transfer to our accommodation on the coast. Overnight in a hotel. ( B / PL / D )
approx. 3.5 h. 500m
approx. 1 h
04
Along the coast to Himare
We hike along the coast accompanied by magnificent views of the Ionian Sea to Himare.In the bay of Gjipe, which is called the pearl of southern Albania, we take a break and if you like, you have the opportunity to swim. The hike leads through further beautiful bays until we finally reach Himare. In the afternoon free time to explore Himare or swim. Overnight in a hotel. (B / – / D)
5 h. 250m
05
On old shepherd trails to Pilur
A short transfer takes us to the starting point of our hike. Via a gravel pastoral path we come up to the small, very original village of Pilur, which offers a very nice view of the sea. In Pilur we have lunch at a small family-run restaurant. Drive back to the hotel. (B / L / D)
approx. 3-4 h. 600m 100m
approx. 0.5 h
06
Through authentic villages to Borsh
From the old village of Kulles we follow an old shepherd’s path to Qeparo. The small village is picturesquely situated on a hilltop and is still inhabited by a few families.The path continues through olive plantations to Borsh. After a short break and relaxation at the village bar, we drive back to the hotel.(B / – / D)
approx. 4 h. 300m
approx. 0.5 h
07
Explore the capital Tirana
We say goodbye to the Albanian Riviera and drive towards the capital. Before we get into town, a winery awaits us for lunch, where we can enjoy Albanian dishes with a good drop of wine. In the afternoon we take a city tour through Tirana and have dinner in Bllok, the most famous district. Overnight in a hotel. (B / L / D)
approx. 4 h.
08
Flgiht home
A nice week is over. Transfer to the airport (30 min) and flight home. (B / – / -)
approx. 0.5 h
- Day 1
-
01
Arrival and onward journey to Vlora
Our guide will pick you up at Tirana airport and continue to Vlore. On a walk we visit the Independence Monument and the oldest mosque in the city. Dinner together in a restaurant. Overnight in a hotel.( – / – / D)
approx. 2 h
- Day 2
-
02
Hiking in Llogara National Park to Qafa e Thelle pass
After a short drive we arrive at Llogara National Park and start our first hike. Through the natural forest we climb up to the Qafa e Thelle pass. Here a magnificent view of the Ionian Sea awaits us. Along the ridge we reach Thanas Peak and from there descend to the Llogara Pass. Tonight we stay in a mountain hotel in the heart of the park.( B / – / D)
approx. 4-5 h. 600m 400m
approx. 1 h
- Day 3
-
03
Up to the Dhjopuri Pass – on the Ionian Sea in Dhermi
From the Llogara Pass we continue our hike below Cika (2045 m) and Qorra (2018m), the highest mountains on the Riviera. From a mountain saddle we have a wonderful view of the Karaburun peninsula and the Ionian Sea. After the hike, transfer to our accommodation on the coast. Overnight in a hotel. ( B / PL / D )
approx. 3.5 h. 500m
approx. 1 h
- Day 4
-
04
Along the coast to Himare
We hike along the coast accompanied by magnificent views of the Ionian Sea to Himare.In the bay of Gjipe, which is called the pearl of southern Albania, we take a break and if you like, you have the opportunity to swim. The hike leads through further beautiful bays until we finally reach Himare. In the afternoon free time to explore Himare or swim. Overnight in a hotel. (B / – / D)
5 h. 250m
- Day 5
-
05
On old shepherd trails to Pilur
A short transfer takes us to the starting point of our hike. Via a gravel pastoral path we come up to the small, very original village of Pilur, which offers a very nice view of the sea. In Pilur we have lunch at a small family-run restaurant. Drive back to the hotel. (B / L / D)
approx. 3-4 h. 600m 100m
approx. 0.5 h
- Day 6
-
06
Through authentic villages to Borsh
From the old village of Kulles we follow an old shepherd’s path to Qeparo. The small village is picturesquely situated on a hilltop and is still inhabited by a few families.The path continues through olive plantations to Borsh. After a short break and relaxation at the village bar, we drive back to the hotel.(B / – / D)
approx. 4 h. 300m
approx. 0.5 h
- Day 7
-
07
Explore the capital Tirana
We say goodbye to the Albanian Riviera and drive towards the capital. Before we get into town, a winery awaits us for lunch, where we can enjoy Albanian dishes with a good drop of wine. In the afternoon we take a city tour through Tirana and have dinner in Bllok, the most famous district. Overnight in a hotel. (B / L / D)
approx. 4 h.
- Day 8
-
08
Flgiht home
A nice week is over. Transfer to the airport (30 min) and flight home. (B / – / -)
approx. 0.5 h