Albania Guided Bike Tour

2023 Tour Dates: June 4 – 12, 2023

On our Albania Guided Bike Tour you will be introduced to the fascinating culture and natural beauty of one of Europe’s most interesting and off-the-beaten-path cycling destinations. Beginning in the capitol city of Tirana, we enter into a rural landscape punctuated with small villages, family farms, historic medieval towns, lakes, and mountain valleys. Bike touring in Albania is relatively new and it is always fun to see the cheerful smiles and waves from locals as you pass by on a bike.

After Albania emerged from communism in 1991 it became a vibrant democracy with a strong middle class. The Albanians have done a good job preserving many of their historical treasures like Butrint and Gjirokaster which are both UNESCO World Heritage Sites. The food is scrumptious, you can drink the water everywhere and you will fall in love with this wildly beautiful country called Albania!

2023 Tour Cost: €2,200 euros per person / double occupancy

Single Supplement: €250 Euros
Bike rentals: Hybrid bike / €100 Euros, Electric bike / €180 Euros
Price Includes:
  • 9 nights lodging
  • all meals beginning with dinner on day 1
  • van support and luggage transfers
  • hydrofoil transfer to Corfu, Greece
Price Does Not Include:

International flights, beverages, Bike Rentals, Single Supplement €250

Tour Difficulty

This is a challenging tour. The route is quite hilly with one day of 1,155 meters of climbing. We will have a support vehicle and it will be available to give riders a lift.

  • Difficulty: Very Hilly
  • Road Conditions: Paved with some rough sections
  • Hybrid bikes are provided
  • Electric bikes are available at an additional cost

Tour Highlights

  • Europe’s newest cycling destination!
  • Pristine mountain valleys
  • Snowcapped peaks
  • Historical cities
  • Ride in the lovely seaside city of Sarande on the Ionian Sea
  • See the archaeological wonder of Butrint

“The trip was absolutely fantastic .. More than I could have hoped for .. Great group of people and loved getting to know Chuck and Judy .. Having them there was like frosting on the cake. Food was out of this world delicious .. So many fresh vegetables .. Loved the roads and the people, sheep , goats , horses along the way .. Loved learning about the history of a country I knew nothing about .. It was great all around.”

~ Sandy M. (Guided Bike Tour of Albania)

Itinerary

Day 1- Arrival in Tirana

Transfer from Tirana airport to your hotel in Tirana. Today is a rest day to get over jet lag, but does include your tour orientation and bike fitting.

Day 2 – Cycle to Pogradec

2 hour transfer out of the city of Tirana to Ohrid National Park where you begin a lovely ride to Pogradec. Due to its historic culture and unique flora and fauna, in 1980, Pogradec was declared by UNESCO as a place of worldwide natural and cultural heritage. Tonight’s hotel overlooks the lake. (cycling distance: 28 km)

Day 3 – Cycle from Pogradec to Korçë

A climb from the lake into a high plateau bounded by mountains. Continue following the gorge for awhile until the hills open up and lead to a vast plain: a patchwork of farms and colors. (cycling distance: 52 km)

Day 4 – Cycle from Korçë to Gërmenjë

Leave behind the agricultural plateau of Korce, climbing steadily into the border mountains through a landscape of barren rock interspersed with wildflowers. Numerous cols and valleys lie ahead, as the route climbs into the heart of the Grammoz Mountains and over the Barmash Pass to the tranquil valley of Germenj. (cycling distance: 72 km)

Day 5 – Cycle from Gërmenjë to Përmet

A climb out from Germenj to a high grassy plateau surrounded by soaring peaks before reaching the source of the River Vjosa and descending through its spectacular gorge to Leskovik. Today’s route continues descending to Cashare and then follows the Corniche route high above the river to Permet situated on a bluff above the river. (cycling distance: 65 km)

Day 6 – Cycle from Përmet to Gjitrokastër

Continue along the valley towards Kelcyra, the distant shark’s tooth peaks, which guard another gorge. Ride between them to the confluence of the Drinos following yet another gorge which will open out into a wide plain containing the town of Gjirokastra (city of 1000 steps) high above on the right. Here you have a chance to explore its narrow cobbled alleys and Ottoman houses. (cycling distance: 70 km)

Day 7 – Cycle from Përmet to Gjitrokastër

Today you will cycle down into the valley heading south before climbing over several cols, through woodlands, gorges, forests, and hairpin bends on the beautiful descent to the sea. You will spend 2 nights in Sarandë. (cycling distance: 65 km)

Day 8 – Cycle from Sarandë to Butrint

Your final ride is a lovely loop ride to the archaeological wonder of Butrint, after which you’ll return to Sarandë for your last dinner in Albania.

Day 9 – Transfer to the port for a hydrofoil (25 minute) ride to Corfu, Greece. You can purchase the hydrofoil tickets an hour before you board.

We have chosen to depart from Corfu to avoid the 8 hours of driving back to Tirana. The airport in Corfu, Greece is a short distance from the port. You may choose to spend a night or two enjoying Corfu, or there are inexpensive flights to Athens and you can book your return flight home from Athens that evening.