The Ultimate Adventure in Albania

Marta Marinelli, raised in Italy’s serene Prosecco Hills, dreamt of global adventures, inspired by her father's travel stories. Her passion evolved into a career, backed by a decade of studies including degrees in international tourism and destination management. She’s worked in the adventure travel sector since 2012, living in Italy, the UK, and now sunny Portugal.

Over twenty years, Marta has explored over 55 countries, visiting remote areas like Ghana, Rwanda, Sao Tome and Principe, Haiti and Nepal’s Upper Mustang region. As a Senior Adventure Expansion Manager at Much Better Adventures, she focuses on creating life-changing experiences, ranging from multi-activity adventures, challenging treks to ultimate adventures in iconic places. She loves the challenge of finding the best local adventure hosts around the world, collaborating on adventures that offer genuine immersion, pushing beyond the beaten path and working on exclusive itineraries that challenge your comfort zone.

What makes her tick? Enabling people to live adventure-rich lives while positively impacting and empowering local communities around the world, generating sustainable opportunities for both the host, guides, community, and the environment.

At Much Better Adventures, we work hard to accommodate dietary requirements and allergies so your trip is safe, inclusive and enjoyable. That said, options can vary by country, location and accommodation, and in some places options may be limited or unavailable. The information below has been provided by your host so you’re fully informed about what will be possible on your trip depending on your individual requirements. This information should be read carefully prior to your trip to ensure that you are adequately prepared for the situation ‘on the ground’.

Once you have booked on your trip, please fill out your passenger information form asap with any dietary requirements. Once you complete your passenger information, your dietary needs and any allergies are automatically shared with your host and, in turn, your guide. Please submit this as early as possible so they can plan accordingly and deliver the best experience. Please also remind your guide about your dietary requirements upon arrival, as mentioning these in person allows your guide to comprehend individual preferences and limitations as soon as you arrive.

BACKGROUND

Albanian cuisine is shaped by a long tradition of simple, resourceful cooking in a rugged landscape where communities historically grew only what the mountains allowed. As a result, meals remain hearty, rustic and limited in variety, relying on local, seasonal ingredients and the roots of ‘cucina povera’. Rural guesthouses, restaurants and hospitality providers that mainly serve a domestic audience are often unfamiliar with dietary restrictions and preferences, and special diets are not always well understood. While the food is wholesome and filling, travellers with specific dietary requirements should not expect a wide culinary range. Having said this, in Berat and Permet, you will be well looked after as your host provides the meals and has a broad and good understanding of various dietary requirements.

SPECIAL DIETS

Vegetarian -Vegetarian diets can be catered for on this trip, provided that your host is made aware in advance. However you should be aware that traditional Albanian dishes can be very meat-heavy, and vegetarian diets are not common in certain areas that this trip visits. Having said this, there are several traditional dishes that are vegetarian by default with meat usually served as a separate side dish. Vegetarian dishes are considered shared dishes and are generally served to the entire group. Vegetarians are often served the same meals as everyone else, minus the meat or fish.

Vegan -Vegan diets can be catered for on this trip, provided that your host is made aware in advance. While your host will do their best to meet these requirements, please be aware that the required produce and ingredients are not abundant in this destination, and you may find the food provided repetitive. Traditional Albanian dishes are very meat-heavy, and vegan diets are not common in certain areas that this trip visits. Please bring snacks and protein-rich supplements from home to supplement the meals and ensure you have enough fuel for the adventure.

Kosher -Fully certified Kosher kitchens and supervision are rare and cannot be guaranteed unless expressly confirmed in advance by your host. Vegetarian or vegan options are the most reliable alternative if this is acceptable to you. Please read the related sections above.

Halal -Certified Halal supply varies by location and may not always be possible. Vegetarian or vegan options are the most reliable alternative if this is acceptable to you. Please read the related sections above.

INTOLERANCES

Lactose Free -Lactose-free diets can be catered for on this trip, provided that your host is made aware in advance. However, please be aware that the required produce and ingredients are not abundant in this destination. Please also see the text on the vegan diet above.

Gluten Free (for Coeliac, please see Allergies section below) -Gluten-free diets can be catered for on this trip, provided that your host is made aware in advance. However, please be aware that the required produce and ingredients are not abundant in this destination. Gluten-free alternatives beyond the occasional dense and dry corn/mais bread are virtually unknown/unavailable and supplements from home are recommended.

ALLERGIES Our host has confirmed that they are able to accommodate mild allergies to the 14 allergens identified by the UK Food Standards Agency, where these are disclosed in advance. However, if you have a severe or life-threatening food allergy, please get in touch with our CX team prior to booking to discuss whether your requirements can be accommodated safely on this trip. This will allow us to carefully consider the sensitivity and severity of your allergy, the available provision on the trip and the accessibility of medical care should a reaction occur. Your safety is always our top priority. Please note that when travelling overseas, local ingredients, food preparation methods and labelling standards may vary, particularly in remote areas. It is also worth noting that any allergies may result in more limited options and repetitive provision in some areas. Whilst your guide will help communicate dietary requirements where possible, customers remain responsible for managing their own allergies during the trip.

Tap water in Albania is generally not safe to drink. You may find purified water in some of the accommodation which you can use to fill up each morning, so be sure to pack a reusable water bottle or two. To avoid plastic waste where filtered water is not available, we suggest bringing water purification tablets (or an alternative purification system) for extra safety.

Overall, weather conditions down by the coast should be pretty favourable in the months when this trip is scheduled to run, with plenty of sunshine and mild temperatures ranging from 18 to 26°C on average. However, as always, Mother Nature is unpredictable so the best you can do is to be prepared for anything and come equipped with sunscreen, a hat and waterproofs. Your host will be monitoring the weather conditions during the course of the trip and may suggest alternative, safer routes or activities should the weather get particularly bad or should the water conditions be unsuitable for the rafting and kayaking. The Llogara National Park sits on alpine heights and forms a weather divide between the Adriatic and Ionian Seas; as such, the park is prone to rapid weather changes and cooler temperatures.

Kayaking takes place in the beautiful Këlcyrë Gorge, which is ideal for paddling year-round. Water levels change with the seasons, so the pace and length of the experience can vary: higher water usually means a faster, shorter journey, while lower water allows for a slower, more leisurely one.

Seasonal overview: Spring (March–May): Faster-moving water and a lively paddling experience. Summer (June–September): Calmer flows, with longer time on the water. Autumn (October): Variable conditions depending on recent rainfall. Winter (November–February): Cooler weather and a brisker pace on the river.

Please note that these months are intended as a general guide and may vary depending on weather conditions and rainfall. Whatever the season, your hosts will ensure you enjoy a full day out, with plenty of time to explore and enjoy the outdoors.

Water levels on the Vjosa River change throughout the year, affecting both the duration of the activity and the grade of rapids, due to the speed and volume of water flowing. In general, the more rainfall there has been, the higher the grade of the rapids.

Seasonal overview: Spring (March–May): Shorter rafting (1–1.5 hrs) with more challenging rapids (Class III–IV). Summer (June–September): Longer rafting (around 2.5 hrs) with gentler rapids (Class II–III). Autumn (October): Dependent on rainfall – usually moderate rapids (Class III–III½). Winter (November–February): Shorter rafting (1–1.5 hrs) with more challenging rapids (Class III–IV).

Please note that these months are intended as a general guide and may vary depending on weather conditions and rainfall. Whatever time you travel, your host will ensure your day is full and that you have plenty of time to explore and enjoy the outdoors.

Sure can! Over 70% of our travellers travel solo, it’s a great way to meet like-minded people.

Our team of Adventure Hunters co-create exclusive adventures which are run by highly vetted, specialist hosts. The trip is run by our trusted host partner in the destination. We only work with independent, local, in-destination experts who know the very best places to explore and how to stay safe. Read more information about the local teams we partner with. You’ll be introduced to the host straight after making a booking via the Much Better Adventures platform.

Much Better Adventures refer to the UK Government’s official travel advice when designing trips and monitoring trip operations. We recommend that all customers are familiar with the practical information provided on the Government’s FCDO website, where current travel advice can be found by searching for the applicable destination(s).

For customers joining this trip from other international destinations – please also read the official travel advice applicable to your country of residence/origin, as this may differ.

We recommend checking out the country-specific information and also talking to a travel nurse.

We automatically convert prices from the local currency that a host receives to your chosen currency. We update our exchange rates on a daily basis so this does mean that prices displayed on the site are subject to currency fluctuations, which is why you may see them change over time.

If you wish to change the currency you pay in, head to the bottom of the page.

All of our group adventures are specially designed for adults to enjoy as we want these adventures to bring together outdoorsy people who are truly like-minded. You must be over 18 to join one of our trips.

You're always in good company on one of our adventures.

Our trips are typically made up of a mixture of solo travellers and small groups of 2 or 3 friends, with most in their 30s-50s.

Our sociable adventures are solo-friendly by design and naturally attract outdoorsy people with a shared mindset; a love for adventure, a desire to push themselves and meet awesome, like-minded people along the way. Check out our Community Values – a shared code to make sure that everyone's experience is safe, inclusive and brilliantly unforgettable.

It’s this camaraderie that has so often turned a great adventure into a life-changing one.

Don't just take our word for it:

• 95% of people rate the group dynamics on our trips 5/5
• 90% of people recommend joining a trip to make new friends
• 75% of people have met people on our trips that they would now consider friends

See here for more info about the Much Better Adventures tribe.

Albania enjoys a temperate Mediterranean climate, making it an ideal destination for outdoor adventures from April to October. During this period, temperatures are generally mild to warm, with daytime highs ranging from 22-26°C in spring (April to late May) and autumn (September to October). These are perfect months for hiking, cycling, and exploring Albania’s stunning landscapes. In the summer months (June to August) temperatures can soar, especially in coastal areas like Qeparo and the valley around Permet, with highs often reaching 30°C or more. However, water-based activities like kayaking, rafting, and wild swimming are the perfect way to stay cool and energised, even if you are visiting during the hotter months. Although Albania enjoys abundant sunshine, occasional rain showers are possible at any time of the year, so it’s always a good idea to pack for all conditions.