Hiking in Southern Albania

Travelling from the Adriatic to the Ionian coast, guests can marvel at the splendour of Llogora Pass, with the mighty Cika peaks towering above the crystal waters and the white gravel beaches of the Ionian Sea.

A few days are spent enjoying the picturesque villages of the Riviera. The tour then proceeds to explore a succession of archaeological sites and the historically significant towns of Butrint, Gjirokastër and Berat.

The tour itinerary is as follows:

Day 1: The hotel in Tirana is cosy and centrally located. Participants meet the guide at 6 pm and go over the programme for the tour. The group then sets off on a walking tour of the city's most famous sights, such as Skanderberg Square, Clock Tower, Mosque of Tirana, government buildings and Blloku district. The group stops for dinner at a restaurant and returns to the hotel for the night. Guests have the option of going back to Blloku for a drink after dinner. Blloku, once the district of the communist polit-bureau, is now a hip bar-district of Tirana and is a short walk from the hotel.

Day 2: The group drives south, towards the coastal city of Vlora, and stops at the ancient ruins of Apollonia; the Byzantine Monastery and, as an option, the Museum of Archaeology. Founded in 588 BC by Greeks from Corinth, the city grew to 50,000 residents by 2nd century BC. Apollonia became a free Roman city after it sided with Julius Caesar during the war against Pompey. It developed into a cultural centre until the 3rd century AD when an earthquake rerouted its river and led to the city's decline. Lunch can be enjoyed under the shadow of the trees of the restaurant at Apollonia Park. The group then moves to the hotel at Vlora, which is located by the sea.

Day 3: After breakfast, the group drives to the next destination on the tour - the Llogora National Park. Guests check in at a family-run mountain hotel located in the middle of the park. The hotel specialises in homemade wine and offers an array of delicious mountain dishes for dinner. The surroundings of Llogora Park offer some dramatic mountain and sea views. The trek begins here and participants can soak in splendid views of the Vlora Bay and the steep slopes of the Karabruni Peninsula plunging into the waters of the Ionian Sea. After the trek, participants relax in the hotel until dinner time.

Day 4: The day begins with a hike up Mount Cika, the highest peak in south-west Albania. The summit proffers mighty views of the highlands of Labëria - the land of the Southern shepherds - and the splendour of the Ionian Sea with Corfu and other smaller Greek islands on the horizon. After completing the hike, the group drives further along the Ionian coast, via the town of Himara, to the village of Qeparo by the sea. On route to the village, there are stops at the Bay of Porto Palermo and the Ali Pasha Tepelena fortress. The splendid Bay of Palermo served as an important secret submarine base during the communist era. The semi-abandoned base, its tunnel and structures are still visible, though the main attraction of the bay is its 19th century fortress built on the central promontory by the powerful Ali Pasha Tepelena. On reaching Qeparo village, the group checks in at a guesthouse by the sea. In the afternoon, there is time to walk up to the old part of the village on top of the hill.

Day 5: The group drives further south along the splendid Albanian Riviera to Saranda. The city of Saranda is set in a lovely horseshoe bay and has been a holiday resort since communist times. Mentioned by the ancient Roman Philosopher Cicero in his writings, it acquired its current name in honour of the 40 (Saranda in Greek) Christian legionnaires who were put to death in 320 AD. Driving along a panoramic road along the lagoon, the group reaches the ruins of Butrint. Set in a marshy landscape beside the busy straits separating Corfu from Albania, it is also a haven for bird life. The group has lunch at a restaurant near the ruins and then drives to the hotel by the sea, to relax on the beach or stroll through the city until it is time for dinner at a fish restaurant.

Day 6: The tour leaves the coast and drives inland towards Gjirokastër, the City of Stone, and visits the Castle, the Museum of Weapons and the Ethnographic Museum. The group explores the stone paved alleys of the town. Gjirokastër is one of the most beautiful Albanian historic towns, with a citadel dating back to the 13th century. The walls of the castle offer a view of the town and the large valley where River Drinos flows. Walks along the stone paved streets allow the group to discover the charm of Albanian traditional architecture. It was in these grey coloured streets that the infamous dictator Enver Hoxha and the notorious writer Ismail Kadare grew up. At the end of the visit to Gjirokastër, the group proceeds to the next night-stop, the city of Berat.

Day 7: The City of a Thousand Windows, Berat is the best preserved historic town of Albania. Illyrian, Roman, Byzantine, Ottoman and Socialist structures accumulated over 2,400 years testify its rich history. The group walks through the characteristic neighbourhood of Mangalemi and visits the Ethnographic Museum, then hikes up to visit the citadel district of Berat, its splendid Orthodox churches and the Onufri Icons Museum - named after the famous 16th century master painter of icons and murals. The building where the museum is housed demonstrates the architectural significance of Berat's buildings. The group then proceeds to Durres (92 km; approximately 1 hour and 30 minutes), where accommodation is by the sea.

Day 8: On the last day, participants can relax on the beach before returning to the airport.

The fixed departure date with English-speaking guide is Saturday 15 August to 29 August.

Those who would like to go on the tour on different dates with their own private groups are requested to contact the operators with their specific requirements. The operators have guides who can speak Albanian, English, Italian, French, German, Italian, Dutch or Serbian.