Kayak, Snorkel and Hike Canyons in Albania
Explore mysterious caves, snorkel in remote bays and kayak an uncrowded lake. 6 days. 4 days off work.
Travel to a part of Europe still untouched by mass tourism. Visit an ancient fortified city, explore the beautiful Karaburun peninsula by speedboat and meet a local family in the Tomorr mountains.
Your hassle-free adventure includes:
- Experienced, English speaking guide
- 5 nights accommodation
- 4 Breakfasts, 4 lunches and 4 dinners
- Local transportation
- Airport transfers
- Kayak, snorkelling and river hiking equipment
Perfect for: Active travellers who want to experience a range of different outdoor activities in one of Europe’s best-kept secrets.
Need To Know
Your hosts are a group of rafting enthusiasts who founded of the first rafting association, which has gone on to help develop sustainable outdoor tourism in Albania, attracting an increasing number of tourists to remote areas and extending the time of their stay in Albania. This has helped generate revenue for local, while maintaining the authentic values of the area, creating new jobs activities through vocational training of young people in rural areas. They have also campaigned to help save the Vjosa river - the last wild river in Europe.
The following costs are not included in the trip price:
Dinner on Day 3 Optional tips for your guides Any personal expenses such as drinks
No previous experience is needed, however a moderate level of fitness is required along with the ability to swim.
This trip will run with a minimum of 4 people, and a maximum of 16.
Sure can! Over 50% of our travellers travel solo, it’s a great way to meet like-minded people.
Albanian food is hearty and healthy, usually based around 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 the local vineyards.
Please let us know of any dietary requirements in advance so we can cater to these.
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.
We’ve teamed up with the guys at World Nomads to offer insurance designed for adventurous travellers across 140 countries that includes overseas medical, evacuation, baggage and a range of adventure sports and activities. To get yours sorted, click here.
Yes. When booking this trip as a private trip, children from the age of 8 can join this adventure.
All kayaking and snorkelling equipment is included.
Got a question not covered here? Contact the host.
Location
The Republic of Albania is a mountainous and green country that’s only now appearing on many travellers radar thanks some of the best and least developed beaches on the Mediterranean. Destinations on this trip include the countries capital, Tirana, home to a thriving café culture, the Karaburun peninsula, at the heart of the Karaburun-Sazan National Marine Park, the UNESCO world heritage site of Berat, The Osumi gorge, whose unique ecosystem keeps it green all year round, the Tomorr National Park and Ulza Regional Park, known for its green tourism and lovely man made lake.
Start point
Tirana Airport - 20:00 or 21:30
Your adventure begins at Tirana Airport (TIA) with your airport transfer at either 20:00 or 21:30. Please schedule your flight to arrive more than 30 minutes before this time. You will meet your host and fellow adventurers in the arrivals area.
The transfer from the Airport takes around 35 minutes.
Finish point
Tirana Airport - 18:00
At the end of your adventure, you will be dropped back at Tirana Airport (TIA) at 18:00, and you are free to book any flight departing after 20:00.
British Airways (Gatwick) and Whizz Air (Luton) both offer suitable return flights.
What to Expect
Day 1: Arrival into Tirana
Fly to Tirana Airport in Albania and get transferred to your guest house for the night before sitting down for a meal of traditional Albanian food with your fellow adventurers at once of the best local restaurants in Tirana called Mullixhiu.
The transfer from the Airport takes around 35 minutes.
Day 2: Kayak Lake Ulza
Head to Ulza National Park and kayak around Lake Ulza, enjoying the fresh air and clear water of this protected nature reserve.
After a couple of hours kayaking we will head to the garden of locals Tina and Artan’s house. Tina will serve a delicious meal using home grown, organic ingredients. You will taste some local food such as stuffed eggplant, stuffed peppers, homemade breads, and fresh vegetables and fruits .
The drive from Tirana to Ulza is around 80 minutues.
After lunch you head to the historic city of Vlora on the Adriatic coast, which is around 2.5 hours driving from Lake Ulza, where you spend your second evening in a local guesthouse.
Day 3: Protected Waters and Mysterious Caves
Explore the beautiful Karaburun peninsula by speedboat, including the Karaburun-Sazan National Marine Park. This is the only reserve of its kind in the country and little is understood yet of the biodiversity of the park; if you’re extremely lucky turtles, seals and dolphins have been sighted previously.
We visit the mysterious cave at Haxhi Aliu, used by traders and smugglers for millennia and now a national monument.
There is an opportunity for snorkelling in a remote bay, sunbathing on an untouched beach and enjoying a picnic lunch on the sand.
In the afternoon we return to your guesthouse in Vlore for a delicious dinner of locally caught fish and seafood at Chef “Bujari”.
Snorkelling: 1-2 hours. Caves: one hour. Speedboat: 1.5 hours.
Day 4: Berat and the Osumi Canyon
Check out of your hotel and drive for around ninety minutes to the ancient fortified city of Berat, A UNESCO World Heritage Site.
From there we continue to the Osumi Canyon, one of the most spectacular natural attractions in Europe and swim in a natural pool surrounded by the canyon’s unique, green ecosystem.
Rafting or river hiking (depending on the water levels) along the banks of the river Osum through an unspoilt landscape of pine forests and river plains, visiting local landmarks like the Crocodile Head, Love Waterfall and Devils Gate.
Return to Berat and check into your guesthouse. Tonight you are free to explore the town and eat in any of the local restaurants (dinner not included).
Hike time: approx 2 hours / 5km inside Osumi’s canyons or rafting (March to June): 10 km of rafting inside of Osumi’s canyons
Total driving: approx 3.5 hours (three journeys of 90 minutes).
Day 5: Hike the Tomorr Mountains
After breakfast, we head to the trailhead and then hike into the rugged Tomorr Mountains. The Tomorr Moutains are a spiritual place and very special for Albanian people. With its imposing height of 2416m above sea leve, Tomori is one of Albania’s most magnificent mountains you can enjoy panoramic view from the top, looking towards the holy mountain of Tomor.
Enjoy a picnic lunch looking down on the surrounding landscape, before returning to Berat.
After plenty of time to rest and relax, we then drive the short distance to the Nurellari winery for wine tasting and a chance to try some of the best olives and different kind of cheeses produce from the locals around Tomor.
We then enjoy dinner at Castle Park hotel: one of the best in Berati area.
Hike: 12km. On your feet: 4 hours. Total driving: approx 3 hours.
Day 6: Depart for Tirana
After breakfast, you depart to Pellumbas Village, Tirana for a hike and Black Cave exploration.
The Cave of Pellumbas, or the Black Cave (Shpelle e Zezë), is about an hour hike outside the village of Pellumbas. The cave itself is approximately 360 meters deep, and inside are impressive stalagmites and stalactites, as well as bats flying around the cave. The inside of the cave is completely dark after single upon entrance. Local lunch in the villages.
For the afternoon, you will get a short guided tour of Tirana city. You will then get dropped back at the airport in time to get your return flight home.
Cave exploration: 40 minute. Hiking: 1 hour and 25 minutes.
Accommodation
On night one you’ll stay in a shared twin room at the Artistic Tirana Guesthouse, a newly refurbished building in the heart of Tirana. On night two and three you’ll stay at Hotel “Bologna” in Vlore, located just a minute’s walk from the National Museum of Independence, 10 minutes’ walk from the closest beach. On night four and five you’ll stay at Hotel Castle Park, set in a quiet area of woodland around 1.5 kilometres from the centre of Berat town. All have free Wi-Fi.
For solo travellers looking for their own space, an optional private room can be booked for €40 per person (subject to availability). Please request this at the time of booking.
Dates & Prices
Prices include
Accommodation · Airport Transfers · Equipment · Guide · Local Transport · Meals As Described · Happiness Guaranteed · 100% Financial Protection
Please note: Flights are NOT included and must be purchased separately.
Loading Dates & Prices...
Optional Extras
Make your life easy. Once you have reserved your space, your host can help you arrange the extras you’ll need. Here are some guide prices which can be confirmed with you during booking.
| Single Room Upgrade | Payable Before Departure |
|---|---|
| Single Room Upgrade | · · · Per Person |
| Additional Night Accommodation | Payable Before Departure |
|---|---|
| Additional Night Accommodation | · · · |
