Walking In Southern Albania: Coastal Trails & Ancient Empires
Group Tour
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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 ...
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
At a glance
MEALS
TRANSPORT
On this tour we will use a minibus and our own two feet!
GROUP SIZE
EXPERT TEAM
ACCOMMODATION
2 nights x Superior
ENTRANCE FEES
FITNESS RATING
WILD MILES
ACCOMMODATION
As an overall ethos, wherever possible we aim to use characterful accommodation that enhances the overall travel experience, not just offers a bed for the night. This can obviously vary dramatically from country to country and from trip to trip. On this particular trip we will be in comfortable hotels throughout. Please note that the accommodation mentioned in the itinerary is intended as a guide only and is always subject to availability.
FITNESS RATING
LOW: You should be comfortable walking around towns and cultural sites. May include some optional walks (typically 1-2hrs).LOW/MODERATE: May be of a long duration and/or involve numerous border-crossings. May include easy/moderate day walks (up to 2-3hrs/day). You should be relatively fit and lead a generally active lifestyle.
MODERATE: May include several easy/moderate day walks (up to 2-5hrs/day) possibly at altitude. You should be relatively fit and lead a generally active lifestyle. Previous experience of similar trips helpful.
MODERATE/HIGH: May involve several days of moderate hiking (up to 3-6 hrs/day) possibly at altitude. You must be a fit and active traveller with appropriate trekking experience.
HIGH: May involve several days of moderate/strenuous trekking (up to 4-7 hrs/day) possibly at altitude. You must be a very fit and active traveller with appropriate trekking experience.
Wild Miles Club
When you book a trip with Wild Frontiers you are awarded points, which are based on the return distance from London to the arrival city of your trip. Points are awarded for all our holidays, including both our escorted group tours and tailor-made trips. When you accrue points, you will qualify for the following discounts on all future bookings:
| Blue | More than 10,000 points | 2.5% discount |
| Bronze | More than 30,000 points | 5% discount |
| Silver | More than 45,000 points | 7.5% discount |
| Gold | More than 60,000 points | 10% discount |
Map & Itinerary
Individual departures may vary so please refer to the information in the tour specific links in the Dates and Prices section below
Day 1 Tour starts in Tirana - Vlorë
Day 1 Tour starts in Tirana - Vlorë
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
Day 2 Vlorë - Llogara
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
Day 3 Llogara - Himarë
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
Day 4 Himarë - Butrint - Sarande
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
Day 5 Sarande - Gjirokastër
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
Day 6 Gjirokastër
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
Day 7 Gjirokastër - Tirana
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 (of approx 2.5hrs duration) 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.
Day 8 Tour ends in Tirana
Day 8 Tour ends in Tirana
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.
ACCOMMODATION USED ON THIS TOUR
Hotel Partner, Vlore
The modern four-star hotel offers stylish, contemporary rooms that are well furnished with neutral décor and a good amount of space. You can expect amenities of an international hotel including Wi-Fi, air-conditioning and flat-screen T.V. Hotel Partner's central location means that the beach is only a 15-minute walk away and there are plenty of options for dining, however guests also have the choice to stay in for lunch or dinner as the restaurant and cocktail bar serve Mediterranean and international dishes.
Hotel Sofo, Llogara
Hotel Sofo has the feel of a large, lodge-style villa in the middle of the forest. Located in the Llogara National Park, the location is one of the reasons the hotel is one of the best known in the region. The 18 rooms are simple in design but cosy, comfortable and well furnished with pleasant interiors and standard hotel amenities. Each room also benefits from a private balcony from which to enjoy the surrounding mountain scenery through the tall alpine trees. The characterful restaurant serves hearty, local dishes, perfect after day’s hiking around the area, followed by a warm or relaxing drink from the bar. There is also an outdoor terrace with ample space for sunny summer months and rooms all have air-conditioning.
Rapo Resort Hotel, Himare
Rapo's Resort is well located for experiencing the Albanian riviera, a few metres from the closest beach. Of course, the large outdoor pools and loungers come in handy for those who don’t want to venture too far, and likewise the on-site restaurant and bar, serving local and international dishes, can cater to those not in the mood for exploring the variety of restaurants along the coast. Rooms are large and bright, evoking a feeling of summer holidays, with most featuring large sliding doors leading on to a private balcony and beautiful views.
Hotel Kastro, Gjirokastër
Hotel Kastro’s whitewashed, stone building is typical of the area and part of the city’s aesthetic appeal. The little boutique accommodation looks straight out of an Andalusian town, surrounded by quaint gardens. Charming from the outside in, the designs of the rooms vary but all offer a cosy, characterful environment, whether from exposed brick adorned with antique-style paintings to create a 16th century castle atmosphere, or stylish wood-panelled walls and wood-beamed ceilings for a more cabin-lodge setting. Despite the old-world and rustic feel, the accommodation is finished to a high standard with modern facilities and bathrooms. There is a lounge indoors and a pretty outdoor terrace, perfect to enjoy a spot of breakfast in the morning sun or a drink as the sun is setting.
Hotel Rating
Hotel Rating
Hotel Rating
Hotel Rating
Accommodation displayed here should be taken as a guide only. *Please refer to the Detailed Itinerary of your individual departure for more information.
PRIVATE HOLIDAYS: DATES DON’T FIT?
All group tours can be taken on a private basis.
Additional Details
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.
Reducing Single Use Plastic
We recognise the environmental issues and challenges around single-use plastic in many countries we visit and are actively working with our partners on the ground to reduce plastic waste on our tours and within the hotels and restaurants we visit. You can help to reduce your personal plastic waste by taking a refillable, filtered water bottle with you on your trip. Filtered water bottles can be refilled from water sources including your hotel room and restaurant taps, drinking fountains and refill stations. Every time you refill your bottle without the use of single-use plastic, you will be helping to reduce waste and protect the environment. Filtered Water Bottles | Wild Frontiers (wildfrontierstravel.com)
Getting There
For this trip our suggested flights from the UK (subject to change) are shown below.
Unfortunately, we are unable to book these flights on your behalf as Wizz Air is an online low-cost airline, so you will need to book these yourself. However, we can arrange any transfers or supplementary accommodation that you may require.
Please note that before making your own flight arrangements, we recommend that you first check with us to see if the trip is guaranteed. We then suggest that you purchase flights that are flexible and ideally refundable as due to the nature of adventure travel, itineraries and destination accessibility can change at any time. For more information, please refer to our booking conditions.
If travelling to/from the start/finish of the tour from another European country you might also want to consider reducing your carbon footprint by travelling at least part of the way there by train. We are unfortunately not (yet) in a position to help you with the actual booking of the train tickets but lots of good information can be found here - www.seat61.com
| Flight Code | Departing | Arriving |
|---|---|---|
| W9 5002 | London Luton (LTN) 06:50 | Tirana Airport (TIA) 10:55 |
| W9 5001 | Tirana Airport (TIA) 11:30 | London Luton (LTN) 13:50 |
Visas & Vaccinations
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 a reputable visa agency. More details can be found here - https://www.wildfrontierstravel.com/visa
For this tour UK passport holders currently do not require a visa for Albania.
Passports should ideally be valid for a minimum period of 6 months from the end of your tour.
Non-UK passport holders or non-UK residents should contact the relevant embassies for individual requirements.
VACCINATIONS & ADDITIONAL TRAVEL REQUIREMENTS
There are no mandatory vaccination requirements for travellers to Albania.
For all destinations, please make sure you are up-to-date with any standard vaccinations (e.g. MMR, Hepatitis A, Tetanus) as recommended by your local health care provider.
For the most up-to-date information on all vaccination requirements and the most suitable anti-malarial tablets, we strongly suggest that you seek advice from your local travel centre or consult an official travel health website such as www.fitfortravel.nhs.uk or www.travelhealthpro.org.uk
Covid Testing: No mandatory testing is currently required for vaccinated or unvaccinated travellers.
If necessary further details will be sent out to you upon booking, however ensuring that correct and valid visas & vaccinations are obtained remains the sole responsibility of the client.
Extensions
If you have more time available, why not arrive early to adjust to a new time zone or just to get a feel for the country before your tour starts? Alternatively, you might choose to allow a few extra days after the tour to relax or to undertake some further exploration.
The choice is completely yours and we can usually arrange anything from simply additional accommodation and transfers to full tailor-made itineraries*. Please contact the office for more details and to discuss your requirements.
*Please note bespoke, tailor-made itineraries need to be a minimum of 7 days and we can only offer them in countries where we have a tailor-made expert
Northern Albania
Check out our Northern Albania itinerary which often connects perfectly with our Southern Albania dates and will give you an incredible insight into the north’s stunning landscapes of the Albanian Alps. Allow 8 days
Governmental Travel Advice
Many governments issue advice which highlights potential hazards their citizens might experience when travelling abroad. We strongly suggest you refer to your country’s particular advisory site before booking and contact us if you have any queries or concerns. Click to follow links to the advice of the British Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office (FCDO) or the US State Department.
Non-UK citizens should consult the travel advice of their respective governments.
Key Information
CLIMATE
Albania has a variety of climatic conditions, being situated in the transition zone between the typical Mediterranean climate in the west and the moderate continental in the east. In early/late summer you can typically expect daytime temperatures to be around 27-29C and night-time temperatures to be around 14- 16C. Rain is always possible so please come prepared.
IS THIS TRIP FOR ME?
It may sound obvious but Wild Frontiers tours are not always for everyone and it is important to us that the tour you choose is the most suitable. All our tours have a fitness rating as a guideline but you should check the day-by-day itinerary carefully. In certain instances we may ask you to complete a travel questionnaire before confirming your booking in order to ensure your suitability. Should you have any concerns about your ability to partake in any aspect of the tour then please contact the office.
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.
THE NATURE OF ADVENTURE TRAVEL
We feel that it’s worth pointing out that while we will always strive to stick as close to the stated itinerary as possible, it may be necessary from time to time to make changes to our itineraries or services (due to weather, political and religious influences etc.) and this can happen with little or no notice. This unpredictability can be one of the most exciting aspects of adventure travel and for many of our clients often leads to unexpected highlights as the tour-leader necessarily adapts the tour to the changing conditions. However we are aware that this lack of assuredness may not suit everyone. As such, with the greatest respect, if you are someone who needs to know that everything will happen exactly as planned, we would kindly suggest that perhaps our tours are not for you. Adventure travel can be infectious and once you’ve caught the bug, it is likely to never leave you, but especially if this is your first such tour we would strongly urge you to give us a call if you have any concerns whatsoever about your suitability for this trip.
TRAVELLING SOLO AND SINGLE SUPPLEMENTS
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.
General Information
TOUR PRICE
All our tours are priced on a land-only basis, giving you maximum flexibility when deciding how to get to and from your tour.
DEPOSIT
A 10% deposit is required to confirm your booking.
PROTECTION FOR YOUR MONEY
For further details please see our travelling with peace of mind page
WILD MILES
This tour will earn you 2234 Wild Miles
WHAT'S NOT INCLUDED
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/nationality 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
WILD FRONTIERS COMMUNITY
If you’re still not sure if this trip is right or just want to see get some different perspectives, then why not have a look at the wide variety of resources we have on our website? Browse our community section to read our blogs, watch videos and find out about our events.
WHY WILD FRONTIERS?
We are frequently asked what makes Wild Frontiers different from other tour operators. Visit our Why Wild Frontiers page to find out.