A Bicycle Tour of Southern Albania
Tour Dates
September 16 - 28, 2019 - SOLD OUT
September 14 - 26, 2020 (not yet confirmed) - taking names for advance notice of dates once confirmed
Here is a summary of your trip:
Day 1 – Meet and Greet
- Meet in early afternoon at hotel
- Introduce staff, give out booklets, jerseys
- Briefing on how a typical day will go and what to expect during the tour
- Fit rental bikes
- Transfer to Dinner at local farm
Overnight: Hotel in Tirana
Day 2 – City Tour – Cave of Pëllumbas – Hike – Elbasan
- Guided Morning walking tour of the capital
- Transfer to the Cave of Pellumbas Village
- Lunch at a riverside restaurant
- Hike the Cave of Pellumbas
- Further transfer to Elbasan, followed by traditional dinner in the area
Overnight: Hotel in Elbasan
Day 3 – Elbasan – Pogradec (73 km)
- Early breakfast at the hotel
- At approximately 8:30 - 9 am leave to start cycling
- Stop for coffee/tea mid-morning
- Lunch at local restaurant after the pass
- after check-in, chance to explore lakefront, National Park of Drilon
Dinner: Local Restaurant
Overnight: Hotel in Pogradec
Day 4 – Pogradec – Korça – optional ride to Voskopoja (52/90 km)
- Early breakfast at the hotel
- At approximately 8:30 am leave to start cycling
- Stop for coffee/tea mid-morning
- Lunch in the outskirts of Korça
- Stop for coffee/tea mid-afternoon in Voskopoja (Churches in Voskopoja – St. Nicholas 1721, St. Athanasius, St. Michael, St. Elias 1751) – option to stay in Korce or to have van transfer to Voskopoja
- Arrival at the hotel in Korça, followed by check-in and visits of the local attractions, such as the first school in Albania and the Orthodox church
Dinner: Local Restaurant
Overnight: Hotel in Korça
Day 5 – Korçë – Sotira Farm (70 km)
- Early breakfast at the hotel
- At approximately 8:30 am leave to start cycling
- Stop for coffee/tea mid-morning
- Lunch at Restaurant
- Coffee/tea mid-afternoon at Sotira
- Arrival at the Sotira Farm followed by check-in and free time to relax
Dinner: “Sotira Farm” Gërmenj
Overnight: Wooden Bungalows of “Sotira Farm” Gërmenj
Day 6 – Sotira Farma – Përmet (70 km)
- Early breakfast at the hotel
- At approximately 8:30 am leave to start cycling
- Stop for coffee/tea mid-morning
- Lunch in the outskirts of Përmet
- Visit of the Thermal Springs of Bënja, near the Ottoman Stone Bridge of Katiu
- Arrival at the hotel in Përmet, followed by check-in and visits of the local attractions, such as the Orthodox church of Leusa
Dinner: Local Restaurant Përmet
Overnight: Hotel in Përmet
Day 7 – Free day in Permet
- Breakfast at the hotel
- Flex Day – options of a hike, white water rafting, or day in Permet
- Picnic lunch depending on the activity of the day
Dinner: Local Restaurant Përmet with entertainment
Overnight: Hotel in Përmet
Day 8 – Përmet – Gjirokastër (60 km)
- Early breakfast at the hotel
- At approximately 8:30 am leave to start cycling
- Stop for coffee/tea mid-morning
- Lunch in Gjirokastra
- Arrival at the hotel in Gjirokastra, followed by check-in and visits of the local attractions, such as the Castle, Local Bazaar and the Ethnographical Museum
Dinner: Local Restaurant Gjirokastra
Overnight: Hotel in Gjirokastra
Day 9 – Gjirokastër – Sarandë (60 km)
- Early breakfast at the hotel
- At approximately 8:00 am leave to start cycling
- Stop for coffee/tea mid-morning
- Visit and lunch at Blue Eye
- Arrival at the hotel in Saranda, followed by check-in and time to explore the city, especially the boardwalk along the waterfront.
Dinner: Local Restaurant Saranda
Overnight: Hotel in Saranda
Day 10 – Sarande – Butrint – Qeparo (70 km)
- Early breakfast at the hotel
- At approximately 8:00 am leave to start cycling towards the Archaeological Park of Butrint
- Visit of the site and also stop for coffee/tea
- Lunch at local restaurant
- Stop for coffee/tea mid-afternoon
- Arrival at the family run guesthouse in Qeparo, followed by check-in and free time to relax and enjoy the beach.
Dinner: At Hotel
Overnight: Hotel in Qeparo
Day 11 – Qeparo – Llogara Pass (53 km)
- Early breakfast at the hotel
- At approximately 8:00 am leave to start cycling
- Stop for coffee/tea mid-morning
- Lunch at local restaurant
- Arrival at the hotel in Llogara, followed by check-in and free time to enjoy the fresh air of the mountain. Possible Hike
Dinner: At Hotel
Overnight: Hotel in Llogara
Day 12 – Llogara Pass – Vlore – Apollonia - Berat – Tirana – 35 km
- Early breakfast at the hotel
- At approximately 8:00 am leave to start cycling
- Stop for coffee/tea mid-morning in Vlora where the group will change clothes and continue the journey by the dedicated minivan.
- Visit to ruins and Lunch in Apollonia
- Explore Berat - the City of 1000 Windows – Castle, Museum, Citadel
- Further transfer to Tirana, where the group will check in at the Hotel and prepare for a farewell dinner in the city center.
Dinner: Local Restaurant
Overnight: Hotel in Tirana
Day 13 – Tirana
- Breakfast at the hotel followed by individual departures.