Itinerary
- Day 1
Tirana
After you land at Tirana Airport, your driver picks you up for the short 30-minute drive to your hotel in the city center. The rest of the day is yours to explore however you'd like. You can wander through the New Bazaar to see local goods and street food, head over to Skanderbeg Square for the main sights, or dig into the city's communist history if that interests you. By evening, head to the trendy Blloku district and grab a cocktail somewhere while you settle in.
Optional Activities
- Donation-based guided tour of Tirana
- Explore New Bazaar
- Visit Skanderbeg Square
- Learn about communist-era history
- Enjoy cocktails in Blloku district
Landmarks Skanderbeg Square New Bazaar Blloku District - Day 2
Tirana to Korça
You'll travel from Tirana toward Korça, and the drive itself is nice with scenic views along the Shkumbin River and past Lake Ohrid. Once you arrive, your cycling adventure begins right away. You'll ride through rural areas heading toward remote villages, cycling across fertile plains with the Gramoz Mountains in the distance. The route takes you through Ersekekë (Albania's highest town at 1,050 meters) and the village of Rehoven, where you'll see cobblestone streets and old churches. It's a moderate day to get used to being on the bike.
- Meals
- Breakfast
Included Activities
- Scenic transfer from Tirana to Korça along Shkumbin River and past Lake Ohrid
- Cycling adventure through rural plains of Korça
- Cycle to remote villages along Greek border
- Visit Erskekë (1,050 meters altitude)
- Visit Rehoven village with historic churches and traditional houses
Landmarks Lake Ohrid Gramoz Mountains Erskekë Rehoven - Day 3
Rehoven to Sotira Farm
Today's ride covers rough terrain with old asphalt that's been broken up in places, but the peaceful roads with almost no traffic make it worthwhile. You'll descend past some refreshing roadside springs near the Barmash Pass, then climb through wooded areas toward Shelegur. By afternoon you reach Sotira Farm with its wooden bungalows, where you can relax and watch farm animals. Dinner is farm-to-table with organic produce and fresh trout from the property, so the food quality makes up for the tough cycling.
- Meals
- Breakfast
Included Activities
- Cycling from Rehoven through Barmash Pass
- Descent past roadside springs
- Climb through wooded areas to Shelegur
- Farm-to-table meal at Sotira Farm
Optional Activities
- Relax in hammock at Sotira Farm
Landmarks Barmash Pass Sotira Farm - Day 4
Sotira Farm to Gjirokastër
After breakfast at the farm, you cycle to Leskovik and then enjoy a long scenic descent toward the Vjosa River, which is Europe's last wild river. The valley ride offers great views of dramatic mountains and green areas. You'll reach the village of Binj and stop at the thermal springs there to soak and relax. Later a vehicle transfers you to Gjirokastër, the UNESCO-protected town, and you check into your hotel in the old town. Dinner happens at a local restaurant on cobblestone streets surrounded by historic stone houses.
- Meals
- Breakfast (Farm breakfast), Dinner (Dinner in local restaurant in Gjirokastër)
Included Activities
- Cycling from Leskovik to Vjosa Valley
- Views of Vjosa River valley
- Relax in thermal springs at Binjë
- Transfer to Gjirokastër
- Dinner in Gjirokastër
Landmarks Vjosa River Binjë Gjirokastër - Day 5
Gjirokastër to Saranda
Your bikes get loaded onto a local car after breakfast and driven to Muzina Pass. From there it's an exciting descent all the way to the Ionian coast. You'll stop to see the Blue Eye, a karst spring with jungle-like vegetation around it. After the winding descent, you cycle along the Bistrica River on quiet roads toward Butrint, passing lake views and citrus groves. A rustic ferry takes you across a narrow canal to reach Butrint, the UNESCO site with ancient Greek, Roman, Byzantine, and Ottoman ruins scattered around. Lunch is seafood in Ksamil with swimming to nearby islands, then the final ride to your hotel in coastal Saranda.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch (Seafood lunch in Ksamil)
Included Activities
- Bike transfer to Muzina Pass
- Descent from Muzina Pass to Ionian coast
- Visit Blue Eye karst spring
- Cycle along Bistrica River toward Butrint
- Cross canal by rustic ferry to Butrint
- Explore Butrint UNESCO World Heritage Site
- Seafood lunch in Ksamil
- Swimming to nearby islands from Ksamil
- Cycle to Saranda
Landmarks Muzina Pass Blue Eye Bistrica River Butrint Ksamil - Day 6
Saranda to Himare
This day starts with a challenging climb to Nivica and Shen Vasil, which is the hardest cycling of the trip. Once you reach the top, the views of the Ionian Sea are excellent. Then you cycle along the Albanian Riviera where sparkling beaches are on one side and rugged mountains on the other. You'll pass through villages, olive groves, and citrus orchards to reach Porto Palermo with its submarine bunkers and Ali Pasha Castle. Stop for lunch and walk to the castle for coastal views. You arrive in Himare in the afternoon and spend time on the pebble beach near your hotel before dinner.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch (Lunch at Porto Palermo), Dinner (Dinner in Himare)
Included Activities
- Climb to Nivica and Shen Vasil villages
- Cycle along Albanian Riviera
- Visit Porto Palermo
- Visit Ali Pasha Castle with coastal views
- Lunch at Porto Palermo
- Relax on pebble beach in Himare
- Dinner in Himare
Landmarks Nivica Shen Vasil Porto Palermo Ali Pasha Castle Himare - Day 7
Himare to Tirana
After a week of cycling, today is about relaxing. Breakfast is leisurely and then you can spend the morning on Himara's beaches swimming in clear water, lounging, or walking along the coast. In the afternoon a 4-hour transfer takes you back to Tirana where the cycling portion ends. You'll have time to think back on the week as you drive through the country toward the vibrant capital for your last evening.
- Meals
- Breakfast
Included Activities
- Leisure time on Himara beach
- Swimming in crystal-clear waters
- Peaceful coastal stroll
- Transfer to Tirana
Optional Activities
- Lounge on beach
Landmarks Himara Beach - Day 8
Tirana
If you have time this morning, walk around Tirana's streets one more time. Grab an espresso at a local bar, watch the morning crowds, and pick up some edible souvenirs at the New Bazaar. For a look at the communist period, Bunkart 2 or The House of Leaves are both just a short 5-minute walk from Skanderbeg Square. Your journey ends with a 30-minute transfer to the airport.
Optional Activities
- Stroll through Tirana streets
- Enjoy espresso at local bars
- Shop for edible souvenirs at New Bazaar
- Visit Bunkart 2
- Visit The House of Leaves
Landmarks Skanderbeg Square New Bazaar Bunkart 2 The House of Leaves
