Route from Tirana / to Tirana Duration 10 days / 9 nights Distance approx. 485 km Level 3 Level 1 Easy cycling tours suitable for islandhoppers who are confident on their bikes but prefer riding on flatter terrain (15-30km and 200 elevation meters per day). Level 1 - 2 Easy to moderate cycling tours through hilly terrain suitable for islandhoppers who have a good basic level of fitness (20-35km and up to 200-400 elevation meters per day). Level 2 Moderate cycling tours through hilly terrain suitable for islandhoppers who cycle regularly and feel comfortable with longer climbs (25-40km and 300-500 elevation meters per day). Level 2 -3 Moderate to demanding cycling tours through hilly to mountainous terrain suitable for islandhoppers who like a challenge (30-50km and 400-700 elevation meters per day). Level 3 Demanding cycling tours through hilly and mountainous terrain suitable for islandhoppers who can take on steeper climbs (30-60km and 400-800 elevation meter per day). Share via ... E-Mail Whatsapp Facebook Twitter Copy Link
Discover an almost forgotten country and its stunning nature by bike! Albania (Shqipëria) has recently become one of Europe’s hottest and least expensive holiday destinations. Its untouched beaches, snow-capped mountains, traditional cuisine, Cold War era artefacts, unique traditions, unrivalled hospitality and wild countryside are just waiting to be discovered. Some say that discovering Albania by bike is as close as you’ll get to traveling back in time. On our Albania tour we explore the 3 UNESCO World Heritage Sites of Butrint, Korçë and Gjirokastёr. This tour is offered as self-guided tour with luggage transport and as guided tour. Book Now Highlights Culture: The beautiful city of Korçë & a visit to Butrint Nature: The breath-taking Ohrid Lake Activity: Enjoy a soak in the thermal springs in the Langarica Canyon Culinary: Grilled lamb is an Albanian specialty Souvenir: Culinary specialities such as honey or a pomegranate in autumn
Itinerary Accommodation Rental Bikes Dates & Prices Journey Extended Stay Things to note Itinerary ]> TIRANË Përmet Pogradec Gjirokastër Sarandë Himare Korçë Vlorë Sotirë Fier Lushnje Durrës Elbasan Librazhd Butrint ADRIATIC SEA Ohrid lake Montenegro Greece Mace-donia Serbia Bulgaria Albania Mace-donia Albania Greece IONIAN SEA JADRABSKO MORE Ohridskojezero Albanija Greece Make-donija Serbia Bulgaria Albanija Grčka JONSKO MORE ADRIA Ohrid See Montenegro Griechen-land Maze-donien Serbien Bulgarien Albanien IONISCHES MEER 1st Day Tirana (Arrival) Individual journey at Tirana. If you arrive early, take the time to enjoy a walk around Tirana. The trip officially begins at 6pm at the hotel where the guests and guide are introduced, and an initial tour briefing is held. After the briefing, we enjoy a welcome dinner all together. 2nd Day Qafë Thanë to Tushemisht (Pogradec) (aprx. 18 mi./29 km) In the morning we take a 2-hour transfer to the northern side of Lake Ohrid at the Albanian-Macedonian border. We cycle along the scenic shore of Lake Ohrid towards Pogradec. After reaching our hotel in the town of Tushemisht, just 4 km east of Pogreadec, lunch will be served at a waterfront restaurant at Drilon national park. After checking in the hotel we will continue cycling in the afternoon, crossing over into Macedonia, and visiting the monastery of St Naum. Please be sure to bring your passport! 3rd Day Tushemisht (Pogradec) to Korçë (aprx. 32 mi/51 km) Leaving Lake Ohrid we climb up to a high plateau surrounded by mountains. We then continue following the gorge for a while until the hills open up into a vast plain, a patchwork of individual farms and colourful fields. Depending on our arrival at the city, we will have the time to visit the old market and its quaint cobblestown streets run between and behind the main streets. Day ends with a short walking tour of Korcë, the Paris of Albania. 4th Day Korçë to Sotire (aprx. 45 mi/72 km) Today we leave behind the agricultural plateau of Korçë as we climb steadily into the border mountains through a landscape of barren rock scattered with wildflowers. Numerous cols and valleys lie ahead, as we cycle into the heart of the Gramoz Mountains and over the Barmash Pass (1,159m). We will stop for lunch in the town of Ersekë, the highest city in Albania at about 1000m above sea level. Overnight at Sotirë farm, nestled in its own tranquil valley with all kinds of animals a family farm can have. After checking in one of the wooded bungalows, relax by the fish ponds with a glass of family’s special red wine made from grapes growing at 1000m of elevation. 5th Day Sotire to Benje (Përmet) (aprx. 36 + 4 mi/59 + 7 km) Our morning begins with a climb from Sotire to a high Pine forest plateau surrounded by soaring peaks, before reaching the source of the River Vjosa and descending through its spectacular gorge to Leskovik. The 17km long descend to Çarshovë is both a pleasure and a thrill to cycle in one of the most scenic rides of the tour. After arriving at our guesthouse for lunch, in the village of Bënjë, we will there after continue cycling for another 4km to the thermal pools of Langarica and its canyon. A 16th cantury ancient ottoman bridge marks the spot and the end of the road. If you feel adventurous and want to swim alone in one of the more secluded pools, build every spring by the locals, hike upriver through one of the most magnificent canyons in Europe. 6th Day Benje to Gjirokastёr (aprx. 44 mi/70 km) Today we continue along the valley towards Këlcyrë, the distant “Shark’s Tooth Peaks” which guard another gorge. We cycle between the gorges to the tributary of the Drino River until we reach the next valley. Here the view opens onto a wide plain, over which the UNESCO-protected city of Gjirokastёr ("City of Stones") towers majestically. After checking in our hotel we will go on exploring on a guided tour, visiting the charming cobbled alleyways between the white-walled buildings and the fascinating traditional houses. 7th Day Gjirokastёr to Sarandё (via Butrint) (aprx. 44 mi/70 km) We begin our morning with a transfer (approx. 16 mi./25 km), after which we start cycling at the top of Muzina pass towards Sarandё, located on the Ionian coast. A short ride on a rustic ferry brings us to the UNESCO World Heritage Site of Butrint, one of the Albania’s most important archaeological treasures, with its Lion's Gate, theatre, forum and aqueduct, as well as the temples of Asklepios and Athena. Butrint's urban history can be traced back to the Greeks and Romans. After a guided tour in Butrint, we will make our way along the coast heading north with the island of Corfu always at your site. 8th Day Sarandё to Himarё (aprx. 31 mi/52 km) Once the sun has cleared the morning haze, the view of the Greek island of Corfu lying opposite becomes visible. Today we climb the rocky plateau outside Sarandёs by bike. Then it's over cols into bays and around headlands, always with the stunning mountain scenery to the right and coastal views to the left before descending to the long beach and the bay of Himarë, where there’s plenty of time for a swim in the clear blue waters of the Albanian riviera. Along the way we will pay a visit to Porto Palermo Castle, a Venetian castle, wrongly asserted as being build by Ali Pasha of Tepelena in the 19th century is shrouded in many mysteries. 9th Day Himarё to Vlorё (aprx. 40 mi/64 km) Today’s tour is as challenging as it is spectacular. We cycle up to the Llogara pass 1,000 m above the blue water of the Ionian Sea and on through the National Park, home to black pine, Eurasian otter, and golden eagles. The park is a scenic expanse of protected woodland that encompasses the forests on the northern side of the Llogara Pass. After lunch we cycle downhill all the way to Vlorё. 10th Day Departure (transfer time aprx. 3 hrs) It’s time to say farewell! After breakfast and check-out from the hotel, we take a transfer from Vlorё to Tirana Airport. As the transfer to the airport takes about three hours, please book a return flight that departs from Tirana Airport after 1 pm. Accommodation Our Hotels (3 - 4 stars) During the tour, we stay at the best possible hotels currently reachable to us in Albania. The current infrastructure in Albanian currently allows our tours to reach 4-star hotels in big cities and 3-star hotels in smaller cities and towns with en suite facilities (according to Albanian Tourist Board grading system). We overnight in family-owned guesthouses in remote locations. The tour price covers one bed in a double room with two people. If you would like to stay in a room alone, single rooms are bookable for a surcharge of 15 euro/night depending on the hotel capacity.… Rental Bikes 30 gear GIANT™ hybrid bicycle All our rental bikes used on this tour are from the bicycle brand GIANT™. The bikes come in 5 different sizes: XSmall, Small, Medium, Large and XLarge. Components: lightweight hybrid with hydraulic disk brakes, 30 speed gears, rack and waterproof Ortlieb panniers, bottle holder, handlebar side grips, and gel seat on the women’s bikes (our women’s bikes also have a step-through frame). Bike hire: GIANT™ bike rental is included in the tour price. … Electric bike GIANT™ Explore The GIANT Explore E+3 STA (2022) is designed for ease and fun, especially on medium to long bike rides outside cities. The battery is powerful and placed centrally for perfect balance. Components: AluxX aluminium frame; SyncDriveC motor powered by Yamaha; Shimano Deore XT shifters; GIANT™ EnergyPakF LithiumIonen battery Bike Hire: GIANT™ Explore E-Bikes are rented for 160 euro per tour (limited number: 5). … 30 gear GIANT™ hybrid bicycle Electric bike GIANT™ Explore Prices, Dates and Services All travel dates and prices for the guided tours can be found below. If your desired date is not listed, you can also book this trip as an self-guided tour and send us a suggested date (Minimum 2 participants). Groups of 10 or more receive a 10% discount. Basic tour price Self-Guided-Tour: 890 euro (per person in a double room) Self-guided-tour inquiry Included services Included services self-guided tour: 9 nights in selected hotels and family-owned guesthouses 9 x breakfast 30-speed rental bicycle (GIANT™) and waterproof panniers Transfers as described in the itinerary Luggage service from hotel to hotel Emergency phone Included services guided tour: 9 nights in selected hotels and family-owned guesthouses 9 x breakfast, 8 x lunch & 9 x dinner Professional English-speaking tour guide 30-speed rental bicycle (GIANT™) and waterproof panniers Transfers as described in the itinerary Support vehicle with bilingual driver Luggage service from hotel to hotel Not included in the basic tour price Not incluced self-guided tour: Journey to/from Albania Drinks with meals Entrance fee for sights Lunch and dinner Tips for driver and tour guide Not incluced guided tour: Journey to/from Albania Taxi from Tirana Airport to Tirana town: 20 euro (1 – 3 people) Drinks with meals Entrance fees for sights Lunch/Dinner on day of departure Tips for driver and tour guide Prices for Additional Optional Services Additional optional services (guided tour) Single room surcharge 180 euro/tour (equal to 20 euro/night) Rental E-bike with Ortlieb pannier 160 euro/tour Transfer Tirana Airport – Tirana Town 1 – 3 people 30 euro / 4 – 7 people 50 euro Additional night in Tirana Prices see additional nights Additional optional services (self-guided tour) Single room surcharge 180 euro/tour (equal to 20 euro/night) Rental E-bike with Ortlieb pannier 160 euro/tour Transfer Tirana Airport – Tirana Town 1 – 3 people 30 euro / 4 – 7 people 50 euro Additional nights in Tirana Prices see additional nights Discounts Returning Islandhopper's are rewarded: as of the third tour booked directly via Islandhopping you will receive our 5% SEA-you-Again discount for bookings placed before the 31.12. (The SEA-YOU-Again discount applies to all tours in our program which are booked directly via Islandhopping given that the previous bookings actually took place). As this tour is operated by a third party partner, not all regular Islandhopping discount offers apply. Time Period Tour Country Accommodation Route Availability Price from The final price is dependent on the type of cabin, the number of guests staying in the cabin and any additional services booked. April 2023 07.04. Comfirmed departure 07.04. – 16.04. Hotel & Bike Roundtrip Albania Albania Albanien - Hotel & Rad Tirana bis Tirana available 1090,00 € To Booking 20.04. Comfirmed departure 20.04. – 29.04. Hotel & Bike Roundtrip Albania Albania Albanien - Hotel & Rad Tirana bis Tirana fully booked 1090,00 € on waiting list May 2023 20.05. Comfirmed departure 20.05. – 29.05. Hotel & Bike Roundtrip Albania Albania Albanien - Rad & Hotel Tirana bis Tirana available 1090,00 € To Booking 01.05. Comfirmed departure 01.05. – 10.05. Hotel & Bike Roundtrip Albania Albania Albanien - Hotel & Rad Tirana bis Tirana fully booked 1090,00 € on waiting list 11.05. Comfirmed departure 11.05. – 20.05. Hotel & Bike Roundtrip Albania Albania Albanien - Hotel & Rad Tirana bis Tirana available 1090,00 € To Booking 23.05. Comfirmed departure 23.05. – 01.06. Hotel & Bike Roundtrip Albania Albania Albanien - Hotel & Rad Tirana bis Tirana available 1090,00 € To Booking June 2023 03.06. Comfirmed departure 03.06. – 12.06. Hotel & Bike Roundtrip Albania Albania Albanien - Hotel & Rad Tirana bis Tirana fully booked 1090,00 € on waiting list 24.06. Comfirmed departure 24.06. – 03.07. Hotel & Bike Roundtrip Albania Albania Albanien - Hotel & Rad Tirana bis Tirana available 1090,00 € To Booking 12.06. Comfirmed departure 12.06. – 21.06. Hotel & Bike Roundtrip Albania Albania Albanien - Hotel & Rad Tirana bis Tirana available 1090,00 € To Booking July 2023 01.07. Comfirmed departure 01.07. – 10.07. Hotel & Bike Roundtrip Albania Albania Albanien - Rad & Hotel Tirana bis Tirana available 1090,00 € To Booking August 2023 26.08. Comfirmed departure 26.08. – 04.09. Hotel & Bike Roundtrip Albania Albania Albanien - Hotel & Rad Tirana bis Tirana available 1090,00 € To Booking September 2023 19.09. Comfirmed departure 19.09. – 28.09. Hotel & Bike Roundtrip Albania Albania Albanien - Rad & Hotel Tirana bis Tirana fully booked 1090,00 € on waiting list 11.09. Comfirmed departure 11.09. – 20.09. Hotel & Bike Roundtrip Albania Albania Albanien - Hotel & Rad Tirana bis Tirana available 1090,00 € To Booking 28.09. Comfirmed departure 28.09. – 07.10. Hotel & Bike Roundtrip Albania Albania Albanien - Hotel & Rad Tirana bis Tirana available 1090,00 € To Booking 02.09. Comfirmed departure 02.09. – 11.09. Hotel & Bike Roundtrip Albania Albania Albanien - Rad & Hotel Tirana bis Tirana available 1090,00 € To Booking October 2023 09.10. Comfirmed departure 09.10. – 18.10. Hotel & Bike Roundtrip Albania Albania Albanien - Rad & Hotel Tirana bis Tirana available 1090,00 € To Booking 07.10. Comfirmed departure 07.10. – 16.10. Hotel & Bike Roundtrip Albania Albania Albanien - Hotel & Rad Tirana bis Tirana fully booked 1090,00 € on waiting list