What to expect
Guided Walks
Embark on four fully guided walks through Albania's diverse and captivating landscapes, offering a tranquil and authentic hiking experience away from crowded tourist trails.
Local Immersion
Immerse yourself in Albanian culture with guided tours of historic Berat and Apollonia, and enjoy unique local experiences like a traditional Turkish coffee tasting and Albanian cake.
Diverse Landscapes
Discover the stunning variety of Albania, from coastal regions near Vlore to mountainous terrain, national parks like Karavasta, and scenic hikes up Mount Dajti with views over Tirana.
About this trip...
What's included
Airport transfers
Private Room
Half board: Breakfast & Dinner
Welcome drink
Four guided walks-
Guided tour of Berat and Apollonia
-
Turkish coffee tasting and a typical Albanian cake in Berat
-
Cable car ride between Tirana and Mount Dajti
Accompanying Solos Tour Leader
What's extra:
- International flights not included
- Travel insurance
- Tips & drinks
- Meals when not included in the itinerary
- Activities when not included in the itinerary
Itinerary
- Arrive into Tirana and transfer to Vlore
- Hike to Mountain of Cajupi and onto Gjirokaster
- Berat and Apollonia
- Free day
- Hiking in the Krujë region
- Hike in Karavasta National Park
- Hike to Mount Dajti with free time in Tirana
- Departure from Tirana
What you'll be doing
Day One: Arrive into Albania
- Dinner included
Day Two: Hike to Mountain of Cajupi and onto Gjirokaster
- Walking distance: Approximately 5 miles
- Elevation gain: Approximately 820 feet
- Breakfast & dinner included.
Day Three: Berat and Apollonia
Today we head out for our guided tour of Berat - a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Dominated by the hill where the castle stands, the city stretches on both sides of the Osum River. The historic center of Berat has many white stone houses with large wooden windows on the hillside, hence its nickname - 'City of a Thousand Windows'. The castle, most of which dates back to the 13th century, is home to several Byzantine churches and Ottoman mosques. We then visit the Ethnographic Museum of Berat, which presents the daily life of the inhabitants of the region, followed by tasting a Turkish coffee and a typical cake at the home of an Albanian family. The day continues to Apollonia. Founded by the Greeks around 600 B.C., this ancient city of about 250 acres within the city walls is now the largest archaeological site in Albania. It stretches around two hills where we discover the Archaeological site of Apollonia.
- Breakfast & dinner included
Day Four: Free day
Today we have a free day to relax at the hotel or explore as we wish. We will be just south of the coastal city of Vlore, which is rich in history and boasts beautiful beaches. We do have the option of exploring the Llogora National Park if we wish. We discover the thousand-year-old forest to explore one of the most unspoiled corners of Logara Park. The hike takes you to the mountain ‘Qafa e thelle’. After crossing very dense vegetation and meeting some goats, you reach a barren pass overlooking the Ionian Sea from about 4,600 feet. The panorama is extraordinary!
- Walking Distance: 3 to 3.5 hours
- Elevation Gain: Roughly 1,475 feet
- Breakfast & dinner included.
- Breakfast & dinner included
Day Five: Hiking in the Krujë region
We head to the town of Krujë to start a cultural hike centered around Bektashism, a widespread branch of Islam in Albania. This esoteric religious order, which originated in Turkey in the 13th century, has around 7 million followers worldwide. We visit the holy site (‘tekke’) of Sari Salltik, located in a cave on a mountainside. After lunch, we have free time in Krujë. The town, which nestles against the cliffs, is known by its inhabitants as the ‘Balcony of the Adriatic’. Krujë is also the birthplace of the national hero Skanderbeg, who made the town the capital of the country during his reign in the 15th century.
- Walking distance: Approximately 5.6 miles
- Elevation gain: Approximately 1,540 feet
- Breakfast & dinner included.
Day Six: Hike in Karavasta National Park
Karavasta Lagoon Park is a unique natural area in Albania. This genuine bird sanctuary is the most important nesting and breeding site of the Dalmatian pelican in Albania (especially between January and June). Here we can admire numerous migratory birds in their natural habitat as well as the famous pink flamingo. The lagoon, which is separated from the Adriatic Sea by a wide strip of sand, is interspersed with pine trees and forests. The length and difficulty of the hike can be adapted according to the physical abilities of the group.
- Walking distance: Approximately 6.2 to 9.9 miles
- Elevation Gain Approximately 33 feet
- Breakfast & dinner included.
Day Seven: Hike to Mount Dajti with free time in Tirana
This morning we drive to Tirana and take the cable car up to Mount Dajti, overlooking the capital from the top of its about 5,300 feet above sea level, with the Adriatic Sea as a backdrop. We discover the surrounding nature of Mount Dajti Park during the hike. We return to Tirana by cable car and have free time to discover the Albanian capital at our own pace. Surrounded by mountains, the city is a cultural and industrial hub for the country. Tirana revolves around Skanderbeg Square, named after the national hero and bordered by the Opera House, the Et'hem Bey Mosque, and the Clock Tower.
- Walking distance: Approximately 7.5 miles
- Elvevation gain: Approximately 1,540 feet
- Breakfast & dinner included.
Day Eight: Departure from Tirana
We have our final breakfast together this morning before heading to Tirana Airport for our onward flight.
- Breakfast included
Accommodation
Walking in Albania hotels
- Valza Boutique Hotel four-star - Vlore region - 4 nights
- AMH Hotel Durres 4* - 3 nights
Dates & Prices
Essential Information
- Walking boots with good ankle support
- Waterproofs – jacket and trousers
- Walking poles – recommended as they provide good support for the knees, particularly on downhill sections of walks and when conditions are wet/slippery
- Lightweight trousers and shorts with pockets
- Shirts or t-shirts for walking in
- Walking socks – several pairs
- Lightweight fleece or jumper
- Daysack/rucksack for walking
- Lightweight drinking bottle to carry water whilst walking
- Small first aid kit – bandaid, insect repellant, etc
- Good, high factor sunscreen, sunhat and sunglasses
We recommend that you check passport and visa requirements for the country you are visiting at the State Department if you have a U.S. Passport. Most countries require that your passport have at least six months validity when traveling internationally, and many require that you have one to two blank visa pages for either an entry stamp or visa. As a general rule, please check that your passport has six months validity beyond your planned trip, and if not, please renew your passport with plenty of time to provide Solos with your updated passport information by the final payment due date.
We recommend that you check if vaccinations are required for your destination at the CDC’s recommendations for your visited destination(s). We also recommend you purchase travel protection. A travel protection plan can often assist with medical emergencies and reimburse costs that are covered by the plan. Please verify coverage details with Solos before you travel.
