Off Road
Itinerary
Day 1: Arrival
Acomodation in Tirana
Day 2: Tirana – Klos – Peshkopi
In the morning we will leave Tirana we will step into Dajti mountain. The trail takes a new dirt road to Shengjergj. From there, it climbs - via Shenmarie - to the dizzying heights of Mali me Gropa (you may climb Mali me Gropa from here - see separate trail). The trails cuts across the steep side of the mountain, and eventually takes the turn to Klos. In the afternoon we will reach the city of Peshkopi, where we will be accommodated.
Day 3: Peshkopi – Librazhd – Pogradec
We will depart early to proceed in Pogradec. This day will pass along the old trails, a part of Albania which has been abandoned for decades. Around midday, between the mountains, we will stop for lunch and we can also visit a masjid, place of worship for Bektashi religion. We will go down towards Librazhdi city where the terrain will be more difficult for a long time. In the afternoon we will reach Pogradec city, where Ohrid Lake will accompany us. Accommodation and overnight in Pogradec.
Day 4: Pogradec – Gjirokaster
After breakfast, once we have passed the city of Korca, we will travel south east Albania, across villages and cities, where few people live now. In this part of not well-developed Albania time seems to go slowly. This is obviously noticed from the old road infrastructure which date back in the communism era. As we pass through mountains and hills in southern Albania, we will achieve the famous Permet’s thermal baths. These are also known as thermal baths of Benje. There are 6 springs at the foot of the massive rocks, on both sides of the Lengarice River. These waters with a sulfur base have very high curative effects, from which 4 sources are used for chronic rheumatism, the other one for stomach diseases, and the last for skin disease. After this we will continue our tour towards Gjirokaster city. Its old town is a UNESCO World Heritage Site and one of the most attractive tourists’ sites of the country. Overnight in Gjirokastra.
Day 5: Gjirokaster – Himare
From Gjirokastra we will drive towards Tepelena to continue to the canyon and the village of Nivica. In our left side we can see the wonderful view of the canyon. From Tepelene we will leave the city to enter between the mountains through paths that snake towards the coast, which we will only reach late in the afternoon. Around midday after we have passed along the riverbed, which lies deep within the canyon, we will have reached Kuci’s Buronjas. We will begin the descent towards the Ionian coast. Here the off-road paths finish to follow later by a paved road which stretches along the coast to the seaside village of Himara. Accommodation in a seaside hotel-restaurant.
Day 6: Himare – Llogara – Cape of Gjuhez – Vlore
After breakfast, we will be leaving towards the canyon and the famous Bay of Gjipea named differently as the “Garden of the Gods”. After a short visit to this southern pearl, we will go up to the neck of Llogara 1027 m above the sea, which offers a breathtaking view. Then we will continue the descent on the other side, along the National Park of Llogara. will continue towards the Karaburun Peninsula, one of the most hostile and wild places for adventurers trekking. The entire peninsula is uninhabited, except of any shepherd we can see rarely. Will really be an off-road adventure, to arrive so at the most western point of Albania territory, in the Cape of Gjuhez. This place offers the strangest landscape and wonderful that you may have ever seen. Later in the afternoon we will come out from the peninsula to go towards the coastal city of Vlora, where we will accommodate.
Day 7: Vlore – Berat
From Vlora we will drive towards Berat. We can see the beautiful panorama that nature offers us. Our off-road adventure will continue twisting along the villages like Peshkëpi, Fratar near Shpirag mountain etc. After few hours off road, we will continue to Berat, where we will accommodate.
Day 8: Berat – Tirana
Departure.
Tirana International Airoport.
