12 jours d’aventure équestre le long de la dernière rivière sauvage d’Europe en Albanie

Day 1: Arrive at Tirana airport

Arrive at Tirana airport ideally in the morning, but no later than 2:30 p.m. This allows time for the transfer and an opportunity to explore the town of Gjirokastra. The drive to Gjirokastra takes approximately three hours. Settle into your hotel, which is conveniently located just a 10-minute walk from the historic centre of Gjirokastra.

Before dinner, take a stroll around the historical town, including the old Bazaar, and visit notable attractions such as Enver Hoxha’s house, Gjirokastra castle, the church of the Old Bazaar, and Skenduli house, offering insights into traditional Gjirokastra life. Enjoy a traditional dinner at a local restaurant, where your guides will provide information about the trail, address any inquiries, offer advice, and share useful details.

Day 2: First riding day

After breakfast at the hotel and horse allocation, embark on your ride through the countryside towards the medieval village of Karjan. This village holds a traditional charm and once served as a rural stop for passing caravans. Admire its small churches and the old Roman bridge. The route traverses a rural landscape, passing by small houses, gardens, and traditional farming activities. Expect a mix of hilly landscapes, valleys, small water streams, and cliffs. Along the way, catch glimpses of the “Tree of Life” river, the important water basin in the area associated with ancient pagan beliefs.

Encounter the ruins of the castle of Santa Triada, reconstructed by Ali Pasha in 1809-1810 as a strategic point for controlling caravan routes. The castle ruins were later utilized for military purposes during the socialist era. Pause for lunch in Shen Toder village, and after another one and a half hours of riding, reach Karjan village, where you will be hosted by a local family. Experience the local cuisine, prepared from their own garden produce, and indulge in raki and wine. You are welcome to feed, clean, water, and brush the horses.

• Total riding hours: 4.5

Day 3: Second riding day

After breakfast, you will start your ride through the picturesque Drino’s Valley. Your first stops will be Andon Poci village and later Hundkuq village, where the ride becomes more challenging as you enter a small forest. Emerging from the forest, you will reach the historic village of Labova of Zhapa, renowned for its magnificent Church and grand merchant houses, although most of them now lie in ruins. Labova is also the birthplace of Vangjel Zhapa, a famous businessman and philanthropist who lived around 200 years ago. You will enjoy a visit inside the unique medieval church, known for its distinctive style and pagan elements in the wall paintings.

Afterwards, you will start riding up the mountain, marvelling at the rare vegetation and endemic plants along the way. The path will lead you to the valley of Cajupi, where you will encounter a herd of 1000 sheep. This scenic spot will be your camping place for the night, offering the chance to taste the famous Brati spring water, witness a small medieval protection tower called “karakoll,” and experience sheep milking and cooking with the shepherds. Please note that, depending on the day’s temperatures, the guides may opt for a shorter path to Cajupi valley and plan an afternoon ride in the surrounding mountains. You are welcome to feed, clean, water, and brush the horses once again.

• Total riding hours: 5

Day 4: Third riding day

After enjoying a delicious traditional breakfast, your trail will follow the medieval Caravan pathway, passing by the infamous bandit hideout known as ‘Hija e Mallkuar’ or ‘The Cursed Shadow.’ This pathway was once used by medieval thieves to ambush caravans traveling through Zagoria. Continuing your ride, you will traverse the most important horse pathway of the 17th and 18th centuries, which connected the major commercial centers of Southern Albania. Along the way, you will be treated to the breathtaking view of the natural monument, the Rock of Zhej.

Prepare for a challenging downhill route that will lead you to the ruins of a medieval stone bridge, where you will enjoy a lunch break and a refreshing swim in the nearby river. In the afternoon, you will make your way to the Church of the Monastery of Nivan, constructed in 1702, and cross a symbolic bridge over the Zagoria River to conclude the day’s ride in Nderan, one of the region’s significant villages. You will spend the evening and night with a welcoming local family. You are welcome to feed, clean, water, and brush the horses.

• Total riding hours: 3,5

Day 5: Fourth riding day

Today’s ride will begin with a return to Hoshteva and a mountain climb to reach the Gjurmemushka mountain pass. Once you reach the summit, you will mostly enjoy a downhill ride, passing through Maleshova village to visit its charming church and the ruins of the Limari ancient castle. You will pause for a picnic lunch near a tranquil water stream, where you can rest under the shade of the trees. During the afternoon ride, you will be rewarded with stunning views of the Vjosa River from the mountaintop.

Your overnight stay will be in a comfortable village guest house in Grabova village, a remote and isolated area known for its warm hospitality. Here, you can experience the traditional mountain cooking and savor the famous “petanik,” a special local pie. Grabova is renowned for its Raki production and delectable “spoon” desserts. In the evening, you will enjoy dinner on the guest house’s terrace, overlooking the magnificent flow of the Vjosa River just 200 meters away. You are welcome to feed, clean, water, and brush the horses once again.

• Total riding hours: 6 - 7

Day 6: Fifth riding day

After a satisfying breakfast, you will embark on a downhill ride to reach the Vjosa River. The rest of the day’s ride will take place along the riverbank, offering breathtaking and diverse landscapes. This leg of the journey will be particularly enjoyable, with ample opportunities for exhilarating gallops. You will pause for a swimming break near Piskova village, taking advantage of the dry part of the river bed. For lunch, you will relish the delicious food prepared by a small restaurant in Permet, which will be conveniently transported to your riverside stop.

If interested, you can also indulge in some fishing. Spend the entire afternoon swimming and relaxing before riding the final one and a half hours to reach the small town of Permet. After settling the horses at the accommodation, you will spend the night in a nearby hotel, just a short 10-minute walk from the town center. Dinner will be served at a well-known traditional restaurant.

• Total riding hours: 3

Day 7: Non-riding day

This day is a free-riding day, allowing you to choose your own adventure. They suggest a visit to the Benja thermal waters in the Langarica canyons, a mere 30 minutes away from Permet. There, you can explore the canyons, swim, and, for the more daring, engage in river hiking to discover the “Pigeons Cave” perched on a rock along the Langarica River. You have arranged lunch at a restaurant near the canyons, and you will return to Permeti town in the late afternoon. Dinner will be served at a small restaurant close to the hotel. Alternatively, if you prefer to rest and relax, you are free to create your own plan for the day.

Day 8: Sixth riding day

Prepare for one of the longest and most challenging days of your journey. Due to branches and foliage, it is advisable to wear long sleeves. You will embark on a mostly uphill ride, climbing Dhembel Mountain. The panoramic view from the top will leave you awestruck. You will carry a picnic lunch in your saddlebags since the car cannot reach you until the final destination later in the day. Your rendezvous point will be in Hoshteva Zagoria, where logistic arrangements await us. You will camp beneath the trees near Hoshteva’s church, and as a group, you will collaborate to cook dinner and enjoy a memorable meal under the starlit sky. This camping experience will be truly enchanting. You are welcome to feed, clean, water, and brush the horses.

• Total riding hours: 6

Day 9: Seventh riding day

Get ready for an exhilarating equestrian adventure this morning. After a fresh country-style breakfast, you will ride through a mountain valley that is perfect for gallops. Along the way, you will pass small remote farms, awe-inspiring cliffs, and numerous historical paths off the beaten tourist trail. Your route through the Pogoni region will transport you through time, passing ancient ruins and mythical natural wonders. You will enjoy a picnic lunch near the famous stone bridge of Hllomo or Kacarello’s, an isolated construction from the merchant period accessible only by horse.

In the afternoon, you will reach the heart of the Pogon region, the mountain village of Polican, inhabited by a Greek minority. You will spend the night with a Greek minority family, who will accompany you to explore remarkable cult monuments from the medieval period. In the evening, you will indulge in local gastronomic delights, including a variety of honey flavours, as this village is renowned for its mountain honey production, offering up to 10 different seasonal tastes. You are welcome to feed, clean, water, and brush the horses once again.

• Total riding hours: 6

Day 10: Eighth riding day

This riding day offers a blend of changing landscapes and varying riding paces. You will traverse wide valleys, navigate steep downhills, pass through verdant forests, and admire the beauty of the Suha River. We can take a refreshing swimming break in the Suha River, explore the bridge, waterfalls, and caves along the river. Later, you will embark on a special equestrian climb up the Swallow Rock. Afterward, you will head to Labova of the Cross for a late lunch at a traditional guest house and restaurant. Before your afternoon ride, you will visit the Church of the Labova of the Cross, one of the most significant churches in the country. Built by Justinian the Great in 554, this church served as the venue for his marriage to his wife, Teodora.

The villagers have preserved her wedding dress for centuries. The monument was reconstructed in the 10th century and features an old wooden iconostasis adorned with floral and symbolic animal scenes. You will conclude the day with a two-hour ride to reach Libohova, a charming town nestled at the foot of the Bureto Mountain. The town boasts an ancient settlement that flourished in the 17th century, becoming a vital commercial center. During the afternoon, you will have the option to take a stroll, visit Libohova’s castle, explore a Bektashi cult object, or pay respects at the tomb of Ali Pasha’s sister, Shanisha. You will spend the night in a local family’s house and savour delicious local cuisine. You are welcome to feed, clean, water, and brush the horses.

• Total riding hours: 5

Day 11: Last riding day

On this day, you will embark on a shorter riding adventure. In the morning, you will ride through rolling hills and the picturesque Drino’s valley, crossing a few water streams. Afterward, you will conquer a steep hill to reach Antigonea National Park, where we’ll stop for a visit. Antigonea, built by King Pyrrhus in 295 BC and named after his first wife Antigona, showcases ancient ruins steeped in history. After the break, you will continue riding for another hour to reach the stables, where you will experience the joy of releasing your horses and bidding them farewell.

A picnic lunch prepared by your last hosting family awaits in the village of “Asim Zeneli,” a short five-minute drive from the stable. Later, you will return to Gjirokastra and stay at the same hotel. For your farewell dinner, you will gather at a small restaurant in the old Bazaar. If you would like, you can conclude the evening with a drink at a popular bar.

• Total riding hours: 3.5

Day 12: End of trail

After breakfast at the hotel, you will be transferred back to the Tirana airport, marking the end of your equestrian adventure.

About the tour

Along the way, you will have the chance to visit rare cultural monuments and encounter remnants of Albania’s communist dictatorship. Indulge in local traditional cuisine, savour the famous Permeti Raki and wine, witness livestock rituals, and even delve into city nightlife, making this trail an incredibly diverse and enriching adventure. The highlight of this trail is encountering the majestic Vjosa River, known as the last wild river in Europe. Riding alongside its untamed, free-flowing waters and camping in the river bed offers a breathtaking experience.

The Vjosa, also referred to as “the blue heart” of Europe, spans over 270 kilometres and boasts stunning canyons, braided river sections, islands, oxbows, and meandering stretches. It serves as a complex habitat for spawning fish and migratory birds. All itineraries provided are for your guidance only and may be altered on-site and in accordance with prevailing conditions by the organizing team.

• Trail difficulty: At least level three riding outdoors (out of five levels) - intermediate rider
• Age limit: 14 (must be accompanied by a parent or legal guardian)

Weight limitation

Caravan Horse Riding Albania has a weight limit of 90 kilograms for participants in their activities, with considerations for height-to-weight proportions. This is because the weight distribution directly impacts the safety and comfort of participants' horses and equipment. Therefore, they reserve the right to refuse participation to individuals whose weight-to-height proportions significantly deviate, ensuring the safety and enjoyment of everyone involved.

Assisting the riding center

Since Albania lacks equestrian shops, procuring necessary horse equipment from the local market becomes a significant challenge for them. If it is feasible for you, they kindly request your assistance in bringing along any spare or unused items such as old pads, halters, ropes, girths, bridles, or any other equipment that you no longer use. Your contribution would be greatly appreciated by the center.