Packrafting / Rafting / Hiking / UNESCO Culture Site visits / Thermal Bath
Raft, hike and camp in the last wild river of Europe
Experience one of Europe's last living wild rivers, packraft across natural parks and hike majestic mountains.
Duration
7 Days
GROUP SIZE
Up to 14 people
ACCOMMODATION
Hotel / Camping / Guest House
MEETING POINT
Tirana International Airport
SEASON
April—November
DIFFICULTY
Moderate
- No rafting or hiking experience needed, just a reasonable level of fitness and the ability to handle 5-7 hours of activity a day.
Join an Active Albania trip with expert guides and support the growth of the adventure tourism and of the local economy of Vjosa community. Save the blue heart of Europe. Vjosa no dams!
From
€1300
Cancel up to 31 days before departure and we'll transfer your deposit into credit for a future booking.
- IMPORTANT COVID-19 TRAVEL GUIDANCE - PLEASE READ BEFORE BOOKING
Click ‘see changes’ for specific Foreign Office travel advice plus any trip alterations and additional safety measures in place, as a result of COVID-19.
Immerse mountains, authentic rural villages, a genuine culture and an exceptionally hospitable locals is what awaits anyone who makes the journey to these much unknown gems. It’s the perfect place to get off the beaten path and have a unique Albanian experience through the last wild river of Europe.
Visas :Albania
No visa required for most nationalities, including UK passport holders, most other EU nationalities, US, Canadian, Australian and New Zealand.
COVID-19 info: https://www.activealbania.com/covid-19/
Vaccinations: Albania
There are no specific health risks.
A Company you can Trust
- included
- Guides
Expert, friendly, English-speaking guides.
- Accommodation
4 nights in a bed and breakfast and 2 nights riverside camping
- Meals
Natural, fresh food.
- Transfers
We’ll pick you up and drop off at Tirana Airport.
- Equipment
Everything you need for packrafting and camping is provided.
- not included
- Flights to and from the meeting point
- Dinner on day 6
- Personal expenses
- Travel insurance
- Transfer
Your trip starts at ends at Tirana International Airport where you will meet the Active Albania guide.
- Food
Food in our region is very diverse and greatly influenced by its neighbouring countries. It 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, Musaka, Ajvar and freshly caught fish served in a Mediterranean style. Fish dishes are often flavoured with white vinegar. Many dishes are served with wine from one the local vineyards.
- Dietary Requirements
Please let us know of any dietary requirements in advance so we can cater to these.
- Weather
The best months for experiencing this tour are April November when the weather is warm and sunny, reaching temperatures of around 30 degrees.
- Minimum age (on a private trip)
The children can join only private trips. They should have at least 12 years old.
- Customer should be aware of
Previous experience, medical conditions, weight, dietary requirements.
Day 1 - Pack rafting Divjaka Karavasta National Park
You’ll meet with the guide at Tirana International Airport and will travel for about 1,5 hour to the amazing beauty of Divjake-Karavasta National Park. After the accommodation in the hotel we will packraft into this natural oasis of untouched nature and of stunning biodiversity, the biggest lagoon in Albania. A birdwatchers heaven and a perfect place to relax and have a quiet time in the beautiful surroundings of the park. After the packrafting we will enjoy a welcoming fish based delicious dinner.
Day 2 - Hiking to Sopoti waterfall
After arriving in the small city of Permet, we will do a short hike from the village of Stëmbec to the beautiful waterfall at the foot of Nëmërçka Mountain wall. This trail offers amazing views of the most dramatic southern face of Nëmërçka Mountain including the natural monument of the glacial of Nëmërçka. After 1,5 hours of hike ww will enjoy a picnic lunch. The hiking roundtrip is about 6 km. In the afternoon we will have the opportunity to enjoy the hot sprint in Benja and a river hiking in the spectacular canyons of Lengarica. Overnight in a guesthouse in Permet.
Day 3 - Rafting and wild camping in Vjosa river
We will leave Permet city and will travel for around 1,5 hours to the boarder of Greece to start our expedition to Vjosa river. It is called the last wild river of Europe and is one of the natural wonders of Albania. It is home to over of 1,100 species and authentic communities. The fish fauna of the Vjosa is characterised by high shares of species endemic to the Balkans. The lush vegetation makes this river a great place for adventure enthusiasts to explore and relax. There are many underground passages and unexplored caves throughout the length of the free flow. We will raft for about 15 km, have a packaged lunch and build a camping close to the river. Tonight we will learn how to cook the a famous Albanian traditional dish close to a campfire.
Day 4 - Rafting and wild camping in Vjosa river
You awaken on the second day of the expedition to crisp morning air, and a scrumptious hot breakfast. You then embark on the river around 9 a.m. to begin your new day of whitewater excitement for about 15 km downriver. Lunch will be a riverside picnic. Evenings at our riverside camp are enchanting and starlit with nothing but the whisper of water to lull you to sleep right after our famous disco music night on the river which ends at 10:30 p.m.
Day 5 - Last day of rafting expedition
Today we will raft the last 15 km of Vjosa, ending in Permet city. Lunch will be a riverside picnic. Tonight we will enjoy a folcoric night with the saze music. Oversleep in a guesthouse in Permet.
Day 6 - Visit of the UNESCO site of Gjirokaster
We cannot leave Albania without visiting the city of stones of Gjirokastra and we can not speak about Gjirokastra without enjoying its traditional typical food. In this local experience, you will learn to cook two of the oldest typical Gjirokastra recipes and a dessert. We will share with you the secret ingredient, as we have inherited it from generation to generation from family tradition. After the delicious lunch we will enjoy the Castle of Gjirokastra through a sightseeing tour. Ac-commodation in a traditional guesthouse.
Free evening to explore the city by your own.
Day 7
After breakfast you will be transferred to Tirana International Airport (231 km; 3,5 h). We will do a stop to the Archeological Park of Apollonia and enjoy a good bye lunch.
- What is included?
✓ Professional English speaking guide
✓Transportation with SUV, minivan
✓ First aid equipment
✓ Accommodation
✓ Pack rafting,Rafting and Camping equipment
✓Airport transfer
- What is not included?
✕ Flights to and from the meeting point
✕Dinner on day 6.
✕Any personal expenses such as drinks
✕Clothing suitable for hiking
- What should customers pack?
✓Hiking shoes
✓ Extra Plastic Bag for Wet Clothes
✓ Jacket or fleece in case of cold or rainy weather
✓ Sun cream, sun glasses and hat
✓ Hiking boots, water sport sandals
✓ Long underwear Polypropylene, Smart wool, or Capilene
✓Shirts: long-sleeved is best for sun protection*
- Private Room upgrade (upon request)
30 Euro/person
- Price for an additional night pre/post trip?
45 Euro/person
Minimum 6 persons and maximum 14 person.
Please let us know of any dietary requirements in advance so we can cater to these.
The best months for experiencing this tour are April to June and September to November when the weather is warm and sunny, reaching temperatures of around 30 degrees.
The children can join only private trips. They should have at least 15 years old.
Previous experience, medical conditions, weight, dietary requirements.
