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Rafters passing through the Osumi Canyon with a waterfall in the background, Albania.
4.7
| 152 reviews

Raft, Kayak and Hike in Albania

5 nights
Moderate

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 guides

Hotel

4 nights in hotels, 1 night in a guesthouse

Meals

5 breakfasts, 5 lunches, 3 dinners

Transfers

To and from the airport and everything in between

Equipment

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
From

excluding flights
From

excluding flights

What's it like?

4.7
| 152 reviews
Amazing country, lovely people and loads of activities
January 2025
Mr B.
Amazing country, lovely people and loads of activities
January 2025
Mr B.
Amazing country, lovely people and loads of activities
January 2025
Mr B.
Excellent adventure
November 2024
Felicity M.
Excellent adventure
November 2024
Felicity M.
Excellent adventure
November 2024
Felicity M.
Excellent adventure
November 2024
Felicity M.
Had a great trip But
November 2024
Lynn S.
Brilliant!
October 2024
Liz A.
Brilliant!
October 2024
Liz A.
The ideal mix
September 2024
Kurtis S.
The ideal mix
September 2024
Kurtis S.
Stop looking for adventure and book this !!!!
August 2024
alan S.
Stop looking for adventure and book this !!!!
August 2024
alan S.
Stop looking for adventure and book this !!!!
August 2024
alan S.
A truly great holiday ,
August 2024
Paul B.
A truly great holiday ,
August 2024
Paul B.
Great trip overall, disappointing vegan food
July 2024
Freja B.
Great trip overall, disappointing vegan food
July 2024
Freja B.
Great trip overall, disappointing vegan food
July 2024
Freja B.
Great trip overall, disappointing vegan food
July 2024
Freja B.
wonderful trip
July 2024
Nils W.
wonderful trip
July 2024
Nils W.
wonderful trip
July 2024
Nils W.
This was a fab trip!
June 2024
Amy T.
This was a fab trip!
June 2024
Amy T.
This was a fab trip!
June 2024
Amy T.
Albania has been amazing!
June 2024
Daniel L.
Albania has been amazing!
June 2024
Daniel L.
Rafters passing through the Osumi Canyon with a waterfall in the background, Albania.

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 round off your adventure with some coastal hikes to pristine beaches? See our Canyons to Coast Adventure in Albania, which finishes up on the Albanian Riviera

Key Information

Day 1

Welcome to Albania!

Berat and the Osum River, Albania.

Driving

2hrs

Your host will pick you up either at Tirana Airport or in central Tirana, then drive south for about an hour and a half to reach the ancient, fortified city of Berat – a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Visit the old castle here and get to know your travel companions this evening over a traditional Albanian meal.

Day 2

Explore the sacred Tomorr Mountains

Hikers in the Tomorr Mountains of Albania with blue skies.

Hiking

6hrs · 16km · 400m up · 400m down

Driving

1.5hrs

Head out in off-road vehicles to explore the remote mountains of Albania. At the heart of Albanian folklore, they have deep spiritual significance in the country. Hike through one of the last wild wolf and bear sanctuaries left in Europe, stopping for lunch in a small village. Enjoy the views of Mount Tomori, one of the country’s most magnificent mountains, then unwind with wine tasting in a local winery.

Day 3

Osumi Canyon

Hikers wading into the Osumi River Canyon in Albania.

Hiking

2.5hrs · 300m up

Driving

1.5-2hrs

Enter Osumi Canyon – one of the most spectacular natural attractions in Europe. You’ll either river hike or raft along the River Osum (this depends on the time of year and corresponding water level; please read the FAQ below for more information). There will be plenty of chances to wild swim whilst surrounded by the canyon’s unique ecosystem, which stays lush and green all year round. After lunch in Corovoda, you’ll drive back to Berat.

Day 4

Kayaking the Vjosa River

Kayakers on the the Vjosa River, Albania

Kayaking

2.5hrs · 8km

Driving

3.5hrs

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 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, and then relax at the mineral baths in Benja.

Day 5

Rafting the Vjosa River

Rafters on the rapids of the Vjosa River, Albania.

Rafting

2.5hrs

Driving

3.5hrs

Experience more of the incredible Vjosa River today, newly established as a protected National Park, on a morning rafting adventure – you'll tackle Class 3 rapids through spectacular mountain scenery. You'll head back to Berat for your final evening.

Day 6

The Cave of Pellumbas

View of the buildings in Berat, Albania

Hiking

1.5hrs

Driving

2hrs

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

map

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

Hotel · Twin share

Breakfast

Lunch

Dinner

Day 2 – Day 3

Hotel · Twin share

Breakfast

Lunch

Dinner

Day 4

Glamping · Twin share

Breakfast

Lunch

Dinner

Day 5

Hotel · Twin share

Breakfast

Lunch

Dinner

Day 6

Departure day

Breakfast

Lunch

Dinner

What is the food like?

Group enjoying a picnic lunch in the sunshine in Albania.

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.

What is the accommodation like?

Hotel Castle Park, Berat, Albania
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.

Safari Tents, Permet Glamping, Vjosa River, Albania: Host (Albania Rafting)
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.

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 3-4 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 good level of fitness and stamina is required, as it’s a 6-hour hike covering 16km. While a couple of steady climbs pose challenges during the day, the breathtaking views along the way make the journey truly worthwhile.

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.

Mr B.(January 2025)
Amazing country, lovely people and loads of activities
Amazing country, lovely people and loads of activities
Amazing country, lovely people and loads of activities
Amazing country, lovely people and loads of activities

Thank you to Arti and Alma for creating a wonderful trip for us. We had no idea how beautiful Albania would be. Lush mountains covered by snow, hidden bunkers with missing gold, rafting through deep canyons, and some of the best 4x4 driving I have experienced! The best part was, as it was December, we had Albania looking it's best and all to ourselves, which enhanced our chances to speak with local people.

Adarsh R.(December 2024)
Fantastic!!!

It is one of the best trips I have done. Brilliant experience overall,. although we could not do kayaking due to the time of the year and the swell in the river.

The offloading, hiking, rafting was well worth it. The castle and cavea were good too. The thermal bath was the best! The food and the hospitality was next to none.

Felicity M.(November 2024)
Excellent adventure
Excellent adventure
Excellent adventure
Excellent adventure
Excellent adventure

I booked this trip pretty last minute and went in with no expectations. Albania turned out to be incredibly beautiful. We were treated to 6 days of sunshine and stunning sunsets every night. Arti was an excellent guide and all the activities were really fun. I was a little worried as a veggie about the food, but I was pleasantly surprised, we had loads of great veggie-friendly options.

Lynn S.(November 2024)
Had a great trip But
Had a great trip But

Had a great trip But would have liked a bit more free time in berat ( we had none ) And a bit less time travelling to the activities,though I appreciate this may be difficult

Liz A.(October 2024)
Brilliant!
Brilliant!
Brilliant!

Well done MBA! My third trip with you and each one different but equally amazing. It was well organised and nothing was too much trouble for our leader, Arti. Canyoning and rafting were exhilarating, some great hikes and a relaxing kayak all in stunning scenery. Still buzzing from the river jumps (and still getting over the raki🤣🤣). Can’t wait for the next adventure.

Laura R.(October 2024)
Loved it

Arti our guide was the best, the group of people was amazing. I loved it so much

Maria A.(October 2024)
An excellent adventure

This was a really fun trip and a first time for me in Albania as well. I enjoyed the variety of the activities on offer, which included canyoning (my favourite), kayaking and hiking. I also enjoyed the fact that there were different supplementary activities in place such as a visit to the thermal baths and wine tasting after our main activities. This does mean a full day of itinerary but it is worth it for the different experiences. The food is plenty and very tasty, with a range of vegetables and meat dishes that are shared between the group. Many thanks to Arti our guide and our drivers.

Points to note, it can be quite chilly in the evenings in September so bring some warm clothing. Definitely bring water shoes they dry so much more quickly. Make sure you bring some sickness tablets or sit at the front of the minibus as there are some windy mountain roads to navigate through. Have fun!

Daniel M.(October 2024)
Had a good time

Had nice and fun time even if the weather was rainy on some days. Getting out of comfort zone and not having social media just fun in nature was very welcomed especially when coming from a big and busy capital. Will book other trip in the future and recommend it to others

Stephanie T.(October 2024)
raft,kayak and hike in Albania

We had a wonderful holiday, the guides and all the team on the ground (Albanian rafting) were superb. Beautiful scenery with fun activities

Kurtis S.(September 2024)
The ideal mix
The ideal mix
The ideal mix

What a great trip. My first with MBA and certainly won’t be the last. Our group had a great dynamic and made the week fly by. Our guides, especially Arti, were fantastic organising everything from food to sorting out any issues we had. They are great at taking photos throughout the activities so you don’t need to risk your phones then sharing them all each day in an iCloud folder.

Tracey W.(August 2024)