Itinerary

Day 1:
At 18:00 o'clock we will meet at our hotel. Here we will have a short informative meeting about the rest of the tour.

Overnight: hotel Tirana
Dinner: restaurant

Transfer information: Airport-hotel Tirana 17km/20min.

Day 2
Today we begin to cycle from Tirana to our first destination: Librazhd. We climb out of Tirana via a winding road where we occasionally catch a glimpse of the sea on one side and the rugged mountains on the other side. The locals sell their home-grown fruits and vegetables here along the way. After a steep descent in Elbasan, we continue along a road following a gorge until we arrive in Librazhd.

Overnight: hotel Librazhd
Dinner: restaurant

Cycling distance: Tirana- Librazhd 68km

Day 3
Today we continue following the same gorge for awhile until the hills open up into a vast plain, a patchwork of individual farms and colours. Here we will cross the border into Macedonia, descending to the wonderful Lake Ohrid and riding along its shore. We’ll pass Macedonian cities and villages until we eventually cross back into Albania and reach our hotel by the lake in Pogradec.

Overnight: hotel Pogradec
Dinner: restaurant

Cycling distance: Librazhd- Pogradec 50km

Day 4
Our destination for today is the city of Korce. We ascend uphill from the lake area into another high plateau surrounded by mountains until we reach Korce. This city is famous for its historic center and delicious beer and meatballs.

Overnight: hotel Korce
Dinner: restaurant

Distance: Pogradec- Korce 42km

Day 5
Today we leave the agricultural plateau of Korce behind us and climb steadily into the border mountains through a landscape of barren rock interspersed with wild flowers. We will climb into the heart of the Grammoz Mountains and over the Barmash Pass (1759m) to the village Germenje, lying in its own tranquil valley.

Overnight: hotel Germenje
Dinner: restaurant

Distance: Korce- Germenje 78km

Day 6
Our final destination for today is the picturesque village of Permet. We will climb out from Germenj to a high grassy plateau surrounded by soaring peaks before reaching the source of the Vjosa River. Then we’ll coast down through a spectacular gorge, which we will follow until we reach the village of Permet, situated on a bluff above the river.

Overnight: hotel Permet
Dinner: restaurant

Distance: Germenje- Permet 60km

Day 7
We will start the day by continuing our route along the valley towards Kelcyra (the distant shark's tooth peaks), which guard another gorge. Ride between them to the concourse of the Drinos river, following yet another gorge. The gorge opens up into a wide plain near the town of Gjirokastra, also known as the city of a thousand steps. We will wander through the narrow cobbled streets of this UNESCO World Heritage city, famous for its Ottoman architecture, until it is time for dinner.

Overnight: hotel Gjirokastra
Dinner: restaurant

Distance: Permet-Gjirokastra 70km

Day 8
We will head South and climb steadily through woodlands, wee gorges, forests and hairpin bends, after which we will descent until we will finally reach the Ionian sea. Our destination is the harbor-city Saranda, a lively city with nice long boulevard along the sea and a vibrant nightlife.

Overnight: hotel Saranda
Dinner: restaurant

Distance: Gjirokaster- Saranda 65km

Day 9
Today there are two options: choose to have a rest day in Saranda and relax on the beach, or if you prefer, cycle to the archeological World Heritage site of Butrint and wander through the ruins of this ancient town.

Overnight: hotel Saranda
Dinner: restaurant

Optional: Sarandë –Butrint- Sarandë 20km

Day 10
We cycle from Saranda to the beautiful beaches at Dhermi today. We start climbing steeply out of Saranda to a rocky plateau. Then it's over hills and into bays and around headlands, keeping the stunning mountain scenery to the right and sea to the left before descending to the long stretch of beach and the bay of Dhermi.

Overnight: hotel Dhermi
Dinner: restaurant

Distance: Saranda-Dhermi 70km

Day 11
Today we leave early in the morning to climb over the Llogara Pass (1025m). We’ll need an early start, since there are no trees to shade the road as it twists upwards for a good distance. We will have a break at the top to refresh and enjoy the stunning sea panorama, and then descend through woodlands to the coastal plain and the port of Vlora.

Overnight: hotel Vlora
Dinner: restaurant

Distance: Dhermi- Vlora 56km

Day 12
We will cycle along the coastal road until we take a turn eastwards into the agricultural regions. Afer a short climb we will arrive in Berat, perhaps the most beautiful town in Albania. We will have time to explore the cobbled alleys between the white-walled houses and visit the old fortress, high above the town.

Overnight: hotel Berat
Dinner: restaurant

Distance: Vlora-Berat 80km

Day 13
In the morning we will have a transfer from Berat to the historically important city of Kruja. Here you can wander through the old Bazaar and visit the old castle of Albania's national hero Skanderbeg.

Overnight:hotel Kruja
Dinner: restaurant

Day 14
We start the day with a short transfer from Kruja to Tirana. We will visit the National Museum. Then, we take a cable car to Dajti National Park, a 1500m peak above Tirana. From here on you have a wonderful view over the city and you can walk through the forest or have a drink or lunch in one of the restaurants.

Overnight: hotel Tirana
Dinner: restaurant

Day 15 Departure
Transfer to Nene Tereza Airport, Tirana 17km/20min.

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