Raft, Kayak and Hike in Albania
Dive into spectacular natural scenery on an active adventure through untamed rivers, mythical mountains and epic canyons
What's Included?
Activities & Certified Guides
All itinerary activities with expert, local, English-speaking guidesHotel
4 nights in hotels, 1 night in a guesthouseMeals
5 breakfasts, 5 lunches, 3 dinnersTransfers
To and from the airport and everything in betweenEquipment
Everything you need for kayaking, rafting and river hike (seasonal)Small Like-minded Groups
Solo-friendly by design, join our small n’ sociable groups of up to 14 like-minded, active and outdoorsy people…
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What's it like?
Kayak and raft along the mighty Vjosa, the last truly wild river in Europe – a unique and richly biodiverse ecosystem
Venture deep into the sacred Tomorr Mountains on remote trails, featuring incredible vistas and welcoming villages
Explore the verdant natural wonder that is Osumi Canyon, swimming in natural pools and waterfalls along the way
Want to explore more of the country, including the Albanian Riviera? Check out our 8-night Ultimate Adventure in Albania
Key Information
Day 1
Welcome to Albania!
Driving
Touch down in Tirana, where your host will meet you either at the airport or in the city centre. From here, you’ll drive south through high mountains and green valleys to the ancient, fortified city of Berat. Set on the banks of the Osum River, Berat is a UNESCO World Heritage Site, known for its well-preserved Ottoman houses with rows of large windows that earned it the nickname ‘Town of a Thousand Windows’. Stretch your legs with a gentle wander through the cobbled streets and up to the hilltop castle nearby. This evening, tuck into a traditional Albanian meal at Castle Park Hotel – your base for the next two nights.
Day 2
Explore the sacred Tomorr Mountains
Hiking
Driving
Today, you’ll venture deep into the wild Tomorr Mountains by 4x4, travelling through rugged landscapes steeped in Albanian folklore. These remote peaks are still home to bears and wolves. Lace up your boots for a hike through pine forests and sweeping valleys, stopping for lunch in a small mountain village. Soak up the views of Mount Tomori – one of Albania’s most magnificent mountains – before heading to a local winery for a relaxed tasting. Dinner isn’t included tonight, so you’re free to eat at the hotel or venture into town to try one of the local restaurants.
Day 3
Osumi Canyon
Hiking
Driving
Leaving Berat, you’ll head south towards Osumi Canyon – one of Albania’s most dramatic natural sights. Known for its towering cliffs, lush greenery and the milky turquoise river that carves through it, the canyon is an adventure hub. Depending on the season and water levels (see the FAQ for details), you’ll either river hike or raft along the Osum River, with chances to explore hidden caves and waterfalls along the way. After lunch in Corovoda, you’ll drive back to Berat.
Day 4
Kayaking the Vjosa River
Kayaking
Driving
Take another scenic road journey through the remote interior of Albania to Këlcyrë Gorge, for a truly memorable kayaking adventure on Europe’s last wild river. Have lunch in Tepelena – a historic southern town with an Ottoman-era castle and sweeping mountain views, set where the Vjosa and Drino rivers meet - before paddling a beautiful and calm stretch of the Vjosa's turquoise waters. Hop back into the minibus to head to outskirts of the town of Permet to check in to your glamping site with incredible views of the mountains, and then relax at the natural geothermal mineral baths in Benja.
Day 5
Rafting the Vjosa River
Rafting
Driving
Today, you’ll take to the Vjosa again – this time on a raft, starting from the village of Kaludh. Depending on the season (check the FAQ below for details), you’ll tackle Class II–III rapids as you paddle through Albania’s first wild river national park, flanked by untouched mountain scenery. You'll head back to Berat for your final evening.
Day 6
The Cave of Pellumbas
Hiking
Driving
Depart beautiful Berat, and begin the journey back to Tirana. En route, you'll stop off to hike a short, steep and scenic trail which will lead you to the mysterious cave of Pellumbas, filled with huge stalagmites and dripping stalactites (be sure to watch out for low-flying bats!). After lunch in one of the local villages, you’ll return to Tirana for your journey home.
The Area
Logistics
Starts
Tirana International Airport (TIA)
Arrive any time on Day 1
Ends
Tirana International Airport (TIA)
17:30 on Day 6
Transfers
Arrive at any time on Day 1 and your host will arrange a transfer from Tirana Airport to the hotel in Berat. The transfer time is approx 1.5 hours and if travellers are on flights arriving at similar times, then there may be a short wait in order to group the transfers together.
Pickups can also be made from a location in central Tirana for anyone who has arrived earlier and is staying in the capital - this is usually the Dinamo Stadium near the Grand Park of Tirana. Your host will confirm the pickup time and location with you in advance.
On Day 6 you'll be dropped off at the airport in time to catch any flight leaving after 19:00.
If you are arriving or departing outside those days your host can arrange private airport transfers for an extra cost. See Optional Extras for details.
Travel options
There are regular flights to Tirana from major airports across the UK and Europe.
Day 1
Breakfast
Lunch
Dinner
Day 2 – Day 3
Breakfast
Lunch
Dinner
Day 4
Breakfast
Lunch
Dinner
Day 5
Breakfast
Lunch
Dinner
Day 6
Breakfast
Lunch
Dinner
What is the food like?
Albanian food consists of hearty and healthy dishes of meat and vegetables, much of which is seasonal and sourced locally. Popular dishes include turkey, lamb or goat pershesh, served with a local bread known as kulac, a meat and leek pie made with thin pastry called byrek and freshly caught fish served in a Mediterranean style. Fish dishes are often flavoured with white vinegar and olive oil grown in Southern Albania, and many dishes are served with wine from one of the local vineyards.
Vegetarians, vegans and other dietary requirements and allergies can be catered for - please just let your host know on booking. Note that vegan options can be limited in Albania, so bringing a supply of your favourite vegan snacks could be a good idea.
What is the accommodation like?
Berat
You'll spend four nights in Berat, staying in twin-share rooms at Hotel Castle Park. Set in a scenic area of woodland, it's located around 1.5 kilometres from the centre of Berat town.
Permet Glamping
In Permet, you'll stay at a unique eco-glamping site located in a serene spot near the Vjosa River - the perfect launchpad for your adventures. Your group will stay in large safari tents, designed to keep cool in summer and warm in winter, which have 2-3 rooms in each plus a private bathroom and shower cabin. Rooms will be allocated on a twin-share basis, and have real beds with comfy mattresses and soft pillows. There is also a restaurant and bar on site where breakfast, meals and drinks are served.
Upgrades
For solo travellers looking for their own space, an optional private room can be booked for an extra charge at the hotel and whilst glamping, see Optional Extras for the price. Please request this at the time of booking, as this is subject to availability.
This trip has been rated as Moderate
You can expect several active days exploring the outdoors, so bring your adventurous spirit. No prior rafting or kayaking experience is necessary; all you need is a reasonable level of fitness and the ability to engage in a few hours of activity on these days. Your expert guide will be there to show you the ropes and assist you in navigating the water-based activities. Confidence in swimming is essential to ensuring your safety during the water-based sections of the trip.
For the hike on Day 2, a decent level of fitness and stamina is required, as it’s a 5 hour hike covering 10km. While a couple of steady climbs pose challenges during the day, the breathtaking views along the way make the journey truly worthwhile.
Please note that the length of the rafting and kayaking activities can change depending on the water level during the trip - for more information, please see the FAQs.
If you don't exercise regularly, please consider factoring in some moderate physical activity in the weeks leading up to the trip to ensure you're ready to enjoy the experience.
What if i need to skip an activity?
Of course, you can always opt out of some activities should you prefer to take the trip at a slower pace. If you would like to skip an activity just speak to your guide who can make alternative arrangements or recommendations for you.
What will I need to carry?
You'll need to have a larger bag suitable for all your belongings which will be transported for you, and then a small daypack to carry personal items and a water bottle each day.
The best months for hiking in Albania are February to June, and September to November, when the weather is warm and sunny, reaching temperatures of around 30 degrees. July and August can be hotter, however, this is usually broken up by cool coastal breezes.
I couldn't have asked for
I couldn't have asked for better guides and hosts. Arti and his team went out of their way to make the experience safe, comfortable and relaxed (we didn't lift a finger). Everything was well organised and we crammed so many memory making experiences into just 5 days. From the hiking to the rafting on the Vjosa River, the adventure never stopped. It was well recorded by the guides so that we had an album of photos to take home of every experience. Overall it was an exceptional trip, revealing the hidden Albania, not to be forgotten!
Overbooked Tour, Underwhelming Experience
This was our first MBA and might be our last.
MBA advertises 'small liked-minded groups' so having our tour overbooked by 3 people was surprising.
It may have contributed to our change of hotel (from Castle Park to Boutique Osumi), which we weren't told about until we were about an hour out from our destination on day 1. This is not inherently a problem, but there was a 40 euro per night price difference between the two (per booking. com). So 3 nights x 120Epp x 17ppl = 2040 euro!! saved by the tour, no refunds or compensation offered to us. We were told this swap 'isn't unusual' by our guide, so be aware of that.
Our tour guide was quiet and didn't seem like he wanted to be there. Every other guided tour I've been on the guide is excitable, enthusiastic and is a big part of making the tour. He often sat on the fringes, communicated his part and then return to the sidelines.
The actual activities themselves were also a bit of a let down. If you're a keen, fit and active person you'll go insane at the pacing of these hikes and amount of rest stops.
The kayaking/rafting was also extremely easy due to water level. Obviously this is not MBAs fault, but I'd almost recommend not running a tour with a raft/kayak focus at this time of year. Often while kayaking (which was a pack raft not a kayak anyway) you had to push along or get out and pull it across stone. The rafting was not much better, and took a lot of paddling due to slow, low flow.
The final big issue was the bus AC couldn't keep up in summer with us literally dripping sweat on hour+ bus drives.
Having said all that, Albania is beautiful, you should absolutely go there. Maybe just don't go with MBA.
Thanks for taking the time to review your recent trip to Albania with us, although we are sorry it didn’t meet your expectations, especially as it was your first time travelling with us.
On the day of your arrival, a main water pipe broke at Castle Park meant our local host had to secure alternative accommodation. We’re aware that the alternative hotel may have appeared cheaper on public booking sites. However, group booking rates differ from publicly listed prices, and we’d like to assure you that the decision to move the group was based solely on availability and quality in a last minute situation - it was not to save to save money. There was no financial gain to the host or to us from this change.
Our trips are designed for small, like-minded groups. On your departure, an operational error led to three extra people joining, which is not our usual standard. This was a one-off mistake that we’ve addressed with our host to ensure it doesn’t happen again. We include details in the trip FAQ about how seasonal water levels can affect the rafting and kayaking experiences. That said, we’ll review this wording to make sure it sets the clearest expectations for future guests.
Our local host has recently invested in a brand new 19-seater bus for our groups, however we recognise that the extreme heatwave during your trip meant the air-conditioning struggled. We’re exploring what more can be done in such conditions.
We’re sorry to hear that your guide’s style didn’t meet your expectations. He’s worked with our host for several years and usually receives excellent feedback, but we’ve shared your comments so additional support and training can be provided if needed.
Your feedback is invaluable and has been passed to our local host so we can work together to improve the experience for future travellers. I understand our CX team has also been in touch with you directly, and we hope to be able to welcome you on another MBA trip in the future.
Ruth MBA Operations Team
Fantastic trip in an unspoilt country
This was a fantastic trip and I would highly recommend it. There are a few things I would improve:
There could be “up to” 14 people on the trip - we had 17 not all from MBA. Would have been nice to know this.
We were told not to take our phones with us and the guide will take photos - which they did, but they didn’t share them with us, despite asking multiple times!
Communication from the local agent before travelling was a bit stretched and not overly welcoming or clear.
We also got a mini heat wave, so the mini bus air con couldn’t keep up and we all melted for a few hours (windows don’t open either!), it was very hot though, so perhaps unavoidable.
It would have been nice for the guide to talk to us about the area a bit more too.
Finally, the “kayaks” are more like colourful rubber dinghy’s than kayaks so don’t steer too well and kept deflating. We still had a great time.
The food was really nice, a bit more meat/protein would have been nice, but no complaints there and the guide recommended some really nice dishes on our not included night.
All that said, it’s an amazing trip and we all had so much fun. The guides were all helpful and looked after us and even took us to a few extra places where we could swim that weren’t on the plan which were great. We got to see quite a lot of the country which was awesome. I wouldn’t hesitate recommending the trip.
Great Week in Albania
It was an incredible week! Loved it all. Ditto to all the previous comments! It was freakishly hot but that became part of the adventure and we spent ample amount of time in the water to cool down. Highly recommended.
Such a great adventure and experience of Albania
highly recommend for anyone wanting to try any of these activities in such a beautiful country. The activities are conducted with extreme professionalism and the instructors are from their national team! The country itself was stunning to explore. There is a bit of time in the bus but unavoidable and worth it to get to the places! Our host Arti was such a great guide and made sure we were well looked after. I wish we could have stayed longer at the cabins because it was such a gorgeous site. Anyone considering this, you won’t regret doing it!
Amazing trip - highly recommend!
What a wonderful trip with a fantastic group of people. Everything was superb - the only slight negative was the lack of variety in food as I am pescatarian! But that isn't enough for me to give a lower rating!! if you are thinking of booking - do it!!
Albanian Odessey
Great trip - organisation, accommodation, staff, all very good
Great Activity Holiday
Really enjoyed the trip to Albania, hiking, kayaking and rafting. Hotel accommodation was very good and guides were excellent.
Raft, Kayak and Hike in Albania
We had the best time in Albania. I knew very little of the country before going and I could not recommend this tour highly enough. The Albanian Rafting Team were the perfect hosts. Their expertise, hospitality and knowledge were second to none. The mix of activities proved thoroughly enjoyable without any being too challenging. I couldn't recommend this tour highly enough and will definitely be back.
Such an amazing trip!! It
Such an amazing trip!! It was an incredible way to pack in so much beautiful scenery, culture, and adventure into a few days!! The guides were fantastic; always so encouraging and making sure the group was always having a blast! Can’t go without mentioning how well fed we were - there was plenty of traditional Albanian food to keep us fuelled for the adventures!
Amazing time
Staff were really good at what they do and created an great environment for us to enjoy
Very good trip, it was
Very good trip, it was the guide team that made it that extra bit better.
Best holiday of my life so far!
From the moment we arrived in Tiranë our guides were super helpful and knowledgeable, nothing was ever too much trouble. They were there for us consistently and really made our trip special. I loved learning about Albanian history and culture, enjoying the outstanding culinary delights, (the food was amazing and we certainly didn’t go hungry!) whilst also getting a thrill from the activities we were doing! Special mention to Arti and Endri 🇦🇱 ❤️ I’ll definitely go back the Albania, what a truly wonderful and beautiful country it is.
The best holiday ever
I would definitely recommend the Albania Rafting group to anyone who likes a holiday full of fun activities this was the best holiday I have ever been on even though it tired me out the most! The staff on the team are so friendly and love to teach you about their country and culture. Definitely do not miss this amazing opportunity and get yourself a holiday booked with the team!❤️
Would recommend!
Everything was as billed or better. Guides Arti and Endri (who was on Albania's national rafting team) really made it - they were professional, helpful and fun! The 'glamping' is actually proper cabins with bathrooms - I would happily have stayed there more nights and done more rafting / kayaking on the stunning Vjosa River. There's no chance to get bored, but it didn't feel rushed - long relaxing delicious Mediterranean meals featured 3x a day. It was lovely not to have to make any decisions or do any research - everything is organised. The activities required some fitness but no prior skill / experience.
Amazing trip with Albania Rafting
What a week. So many activities and memories shared. We packed so much in. The team was amazing that took care of us and the food and accommodation was perfect!
5 night 6 days rafting, kayaking
I booked this trip 4 days before starting date! Last minute trip indeed but its definitely worth it!! Arti, Endri and the rest of the guides were amazing! I met such amazing people from the UK, Ireland, Australia.
Of Note I am vegan the food were all tasty, perhaps for future add some vegan proteins in the meal? Tofu, beans etc.
Epic Time
The guides were incredible, really friendly. I’ve had an amazing six days. I’ll be going on another trip with you guys soon. For sure!
Non-stop fun
Great trip, jam packed with activities. There won't be much down time, but it's worth it.
Amazing trip!
Great trip all round, organiser were great and we loved the hikes. Personally the mountain side picnic was the best!
Take a big water bottle Or camel pack of going in the summer it can get hot.
Mind Blowing
From the first contact all the way to the last, the team were incredible, you could tell all they wanted was for us to have the best possible time while we were with them.
Everybody who we encountered on the trip was friendly and welcoming, a special shout out has to go to Hendri who went above and beyond for us the whole trip.
Would recommend to anybody.
Great time
I wasn’t sure what exactly to expect but went with a group of 5 friends and couldn’t have asked for better. The entire trip was well organised and the guides were spot on. I found the pace of the trip as a whole really relaxed with just enough activity/excitement. A great way to experience Albania. I’d recomend it to anyone.
Great trip
I can honestly say it was one of the best outdoor experiences I've had, friendly people and well organised activities
The scenery was stunning, and the food was excellent, a great way to see rural Albania
5* Activity Holiday
A definite 5 star activity holiday with a laidback pace which I would thoroughly recommend. Be aware though you will not be on the go 100% of the time (not that this was a bad thing for me!). Why go?
- A perfect time to see rural Albania before it gets too touristy.
- Good pace of activities.
- Everyone is so friendly - both the staff at Albania Rafting and the restaurant/villa owners where we had such lovely meals (raising a glass to Villa Goliku and the Albanian dancing after lunch!)
- The food is excellent - didn't have a bad meal either at the hotel / glamping or the meals out.
Considerations if you are on the fence for booking:
- There is a lot of driving between hotel/activity sites - a couple of times in a minibus but mostly in 4x4s on what we would say in the UK are un-made roads (rather than off-roading). They bounce / you're bumping shoulders / you get a coating of dust - however you get access to areas of Albania you wouldn't see in a minibus so embrace the travel.
- If you did each activity in the UK (in 18C heat) I'd describe the physical difficulty as easy. However you are in direct sun and looking at 33 to 35C heat so happy to agree with the moderate difficulty. Take lots of sun cream and be prepared to buy water at every shop / cafe stop. Last advice - even if you only learn to say "Thank You" in Albanian and give it a go in every shop / restaurant it makes everyone's day! Faleminderit!
Amazing experience
The trip was one of the best holidays I have ever had. The people were very friendly and the food was amazing. . and there was so. . much. . food!
The scenery was so beautiful and the activities were well organised so there was no worries. We could just take it all in and enjoy ourselves.
I highly recommend this trip!
I would like to thank
I would like to thank everyone at MBA for a fantastic adventure in Albania. This was my first solo trip. It was so well organised from the very start and throughout. Our host was brilliant. And made everything easy. I absolutely loved all the activities, and everyone in our group was super friendly and supportive of each other. I honestly can not find anything at all to fault about my trip. Well done MBA. I will definitely be booking another adventure very soon
Great team
So well organised and value for money. Loved the canons so beautiful.
Loved Albania
I absolutely loved Albania, the culture is wonderful and the people so friendly. The mountains were really beautiful and I loved the hikes although found them both pretty short (although very hilly). The river conditions meant we did rafting 3 times instead of kayaking or river-hiking, we had great guides who prioritised safety. There was some opportunity to explore history and culture but not so much, so those who want to explore this might like to stay a few days before or after - we found it very easy to get a hire car at the airport and explore the coast, and also loved time in Tirana. Some people would probably like to be aware that there is quite some travel-time in this trip, and the road-conditions are not super smooth.
Second trip with MBA, the
Second trip with MBA, the first being the wild camping on the Norwegian fjords. Based on the first trip being rated as “moderate”, and both my daughter and I finding it to be actually quite challenging, we opted for another trip rated as moderate. Unfortunately, it wasn’t, even with the rivers being judged as too high to safely allow the kayaking (an extra days white water rafting being drafted in its place), the rafting was quite sedate. The 16km hike was a pretty easy stroll, albeit very scenic in places, and fell somewhat short of the 16kms promised. All of that said, Albania was very welcoming, the guides were great and, as it’s really only just catching on to tourists, there were few queues
Thank you so much for joining us on your second Much Better Adventure in April, and for taking the time to share your feedback. We're really pleased to hear you enjoyed the warm welcome in Albania, and the support from our guiding team. We are sorry however that the challenge of the trip did not quite live up to expectations.
Following a recent reassessment of the hiking route, including updated GPS data and feedback from travellers like yourself, we've now adjusted the distance from 16km to 10km; the trip page has also been updated. We would like to apologise for any disappointment this caused.
As noted in the trip FAQs, kayaking can occasionally be replaced by rafting when water levels are too high, especially earlier in the summer. While we aim to maintain a full and engaging itinerary regardless of conditions, we understand the rafting may have felt more relaxed than anticipated and we have further updated our FAQs to set expectations more clearly.
Our Difficulty Ratings take into account key factors such as the duration and intensity of activities each day, as well as the altitude, terrain and the environment they take place in. There is a set system for deciding these across all trips which creates consistency and removes any subjectivity. Whilst certain other factors contributed to your trip being slightly easier than expected, feedback such as yours helps us to further refine a very good (but not perfect!) system.
Thanks again for your thoughtful comments and for choosing to travel with us. We hope to be able welcome you back for another adventure soon.
Ruth MBA Operations Team
Great trip
Great trip with great people
Itinerary Activities
- Visit the city of Berat, a UNESCO Heritage Site
- Guided hike through a wild wolf and bear sanctuary
- Guided river hike or raft along the River Osum
- Guided kayaking in the Këlcyrë Gorge
- Visit mineral baths
- Guided rafting on the Vjosa River
- Guided hike to the cave of Pellumbas
Guides
- Expert, local, English-speaking guides
Accommodation
- 4 nights in hotels
- 1 night in glamping safari tent
Meals
- 5 breakfasts
- 5 lunches
- 3 dinners
Transfers
- Arrival transfers from Tirana International Airport at any time on Day 1/early hours of Day 2, or from central Tirana
- Group departure transfers to Tirana International Airport on Day 6
- All transfers during the trip
Equipment
- All equipment for kayaking, rafting and river hiking (seasonal) is provided
Our trips are hassle-free by design. We include all the activities and equipment, as well as many of the meals, so you can simply rock up with your rucksack and share the adventure with your new pals.
Travel to and from the trip
Our trips do not include flights, trains or other travel to the start point and back from the end point.
Tips
Tips are not included in the trip cost. These are entirely at your discretion and the amount should be reflective of your perception of service and quality - a tip is not compulsory and should only be given when you receive excellent service.
Travel insurance
Travel insurance is compulsory for all of our adventures, and you'll need to provide your policy details before departure. Your insurance should offer adequate cover for overseas medical treatment, evacuation/repatriation, your baggage and equipment, and the specific activities involved in your adventure. We also recommend ensuring your policy includes cancellation and curtailment cover, in case you're unable to join your trip due to unforeseen circumstances such as illness.
Standard travel insurance may not cover all the activities included in your adventure, so it's essential to check the details carefully. There are adventure-specific providers that many travellers have used in the past, such as True Traveller (for those based in the UK or Europe), or Rise + Shield, both of which offer cover for a wide range of adventurous activities.
Please make sure your chosen policy meets your individual needs and covers all aspects of your trip.
Visas
Visa requirements often change, and you are responsible for obtaining any required visas for this trip. Please check with your nearest embassy or consulate for up-to-date advice.
Personal Expenses
You know your own spending habits best, so please budget an appropriate amount for things like optional meals and drinks, shopping, optional activities, and laundry.
What's included?
- All kayaking and rafting equipment
- Wetsuits, lifejackets and helmets for river hike
What do I need to bring?
- Small backpack with rain cover
- Suitable walking shoes for hiking
- An additional pair of trainers that can get wet (for use when rafting, kayaking and if doing the river hike)
- Breathable, light-weight, waterproof clothing
- Swimwear
- Plenty of spare underwear and clothes for getting wet
- Quick drying travel towel
- Wind-stopper jacket
- Sun hat
- Sunglasses
- Suncream
- Refillable water bottle
- Mosquito repellent
- Head torch for the cave visit
- Car sickness tablets (optional)
Pre/post trip accommodation in Berat (Double / Twin)
Payable Before Departure
Pre/post trip accommodation in Berat (Double / Twin)
… Per night
Pre/post trip accommodation in Berat (Single)
Payable Before Departure
Pre/post trip accommodation in Berat (Single)
… Per night
Pre/post trip accommodation in Tirana (Single)
Payable Before Departure
Pre/post trip accommodation in Tirana (Single)
… Per night
Pre/post trip accommodation in Tirana (Double / Twin)
Payable Before Departure
Pre/post trip accommodation in Tirana (Double / Twin)
… Per night
Optional Private Room Upgrade - 2025
Payable Before Departure
Optional Private Room Upgrade - 2025
… Per person
Optional Private Room Upgrade - 2026
Payable Before Departure
Optional Private Room Upgrade - 2026
… Per person
Berat to Tirana Airport
Payable Before Departure
Berat to Tirana Airport
…
Tirana Airport to Tirana City
Payable Before Departure
Tirana Airport to Tirana City
…
We partner with the World Land Trust to ensure this trip achieves Net-Zero emissions. We also support their Buy an Acre programme, helping local communities to buy and protect natural habitats in perpetuity.
What's the number?
It works out on average at 135kg of CO2 emissions per person, including all local transport, accommodation, food, activities, guides, staff and office operations.
The only thing it doesn’t include right now is flights and travel to the destination. We do make an overall estimate across all our customers separately, but as we don’t book flights, have customers from all corners of the world, and no way of reliably knowing their travel plans, we simply can’t include an individual number in the figure on display here. We’ve got a goal to fix that, so that when you book, there is a way to measure and mitigate the carbon emitted by your flight too.
But what does the number mean?
Yep, hard to picture eh? To give you an idea:
- Driving 1000 miles/1609km would be approximately 281kg of CO2 in an average car (or 140.5kg per person, if there were two of you in it).
- A return economy class flight between London and New York would be approximately 1619kg (1.66 tonnes) per person.
- 10 trees in a temperate forest are estimated to remove approximately 250kg of CO2 from the air in a period of 5-10 years.
What are we doing about it?
Our trips are relatively low-carbon by design, and we're working with all our hosts to develop long term carbon reduction plans. We partner with the World Land Trust to ensure this trip achieves Net-Zero emissions. We also support their Buy an Acre programme, helping local communities to buy and protect natural habitats in perpetuity, ensuring the protection of the reserve and its wildlife.
Want to know more?
Amazingly, no international travel company has ever publicly published their carbon measurements before, as far as we know. We believe that must change, quickly. So we’re openly sharing the method we used in the hope that other companies will be able to more easily follow suit and build on what we've done so far. You'll find it all here.
For departures from November to June, you'll generally go rafting within the canyon, as the typically higher water levels at this time of year create a safe environment for rafting. For departures between July and October, when there has been less rainfall, you'll go river hiking. This involves hiking along the riverbed within the canyon and jumping into pools along the way.
In summary, the season and water levels determine the activity: rafting in the wetter months, river hiking in the drier months – so you’ll enjoy the canyon at its best, whatever the time of year.
Please note that these months are intended as a general guide and may vary depending on weather conditions and rainfall.
This trip operates in areas where daytime temperatures can reach extreme levels, with limited shade and, at times, high humidity adding to the challenge. These conditions can affect physical performance and increase the risk of dehydration or heat-related illness. Your guide will adjust the pace and monitor the group closely, but staying well hydrated, wearing suitable clothing, and using sun protection is essential.
Before travelling, consider your ability to remain active in high temperatures and consult a medical professional if you have any concerns, especially if you have cardiovascular or heat-sensitive conditions. Arriving a day or two before the trip may help you adjust gradually to the heat.
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.
The 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.
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.
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.
Need help finding flights?
From logistics and how to get there, to fitness, group dynamic and trip difficulty, Rory and his team of friendly experts are on hand to help.
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DEPARTURE DATES
Wednesday 3rd September 2025
to Monday 8th September 2025
Wednesday 10th September 2025
to Monday 15th September 2025
Wednesday 24th September 2025
to Monday 29th September 2025
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