Cycle Albania

Duration
8 days
Site savings
$36
From
$1,733 USD

Immerse yourself in this previously isolated country by bike over 8 days. Some say that visiting Albania is as close as you’ll get to traveling back in time. It wasn’t until the collapse of the People’s Socialist Republic of Albania in 1991 that the world got its first glimpse of the country within. Huge snow-capped mountains, inviting beaches, rural villages, a genuine subsistence culture and an exceptionally friendly welcome are what you will find here.

  • Category
    Road Cycling
  • Type
    Fully Guided
  • Duration
    8 days
  • Culture Level
    Adventurous
  • Skill Level
    2 - Novice
  • Activity Level
    4 - Challenging
  • Elevation
    3 - Intermediate
  • Terrain
    Hilly
  • Distance
    228 miles
  • Avg. Daily Distance
    37.9 miles
operated by
Exodus Travels
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  • Where does the tour start and end?

    The tour starts in Pogradec, at the hotel on the shores of Lake Ohrid. You can arrive at any time on day 1 - there will be a welcome briefing in the evening, but if you miss it, the trip leader will update you.

    Fly in/out of Tirana International Airport Nene Tereza (TIA). The start location is approximately 3 hours from the airport. The options for arrival are:

    - A transfer by the ground operator is planned to coincide with a group arrival (from the UK). If you wish to join this transfer contact us and we can give you details of when this will arrive.

    - A taxi from the airport to the start hotel costs around €120 euros and takes around 3 hours.

    Public transport can be complex so either of the 2 options above are recommended.

    The tour ends in Vlore, at the hotel, after breakfast.

  • How long is the tour? How many cycling days?

    The tour is 8 days long with 6 days of cycling.

  • What sort of visa do I need?

    Travelers from the UK, US and EU normally do not need a visa to enter Albania. Please note, visa requirements often change and it is your responsibility to obtain any required visas for this trip. Therefore, we recommend that you check with the nearest embassy or consulate of your chosen destination(s), including any countries you may be transiting or transferring through.

    Some local governments provide guidance on what visas their citizens need. To help, we’ve gathered a selection of useful links below.


    Australia:  www.smartraveler.gov.au/destinations/europe/albania

    Canada:  www.travel.gc.ca/destinations/albania

    United Kingdom:  www.gov.uk/foreign-travel-advice/albania/entry-requirements

    USA:  www.travel.state.gov/content/travel/en/international-travel/International-Travel-Country-Information-Pages/Albania.html



  • What's the tour like?

    This trip is classified Road and Activity Level 4 (Moderate/Challenging) with an average daily distance: 37mi (60km) over 6 cycling days. There is vehicle support (with limited seats).


    Terrain and route: 100 percent paved, where some sections are in a poor condition with potholes and some unsurfaced areas. The terrain is undulating with some long, gradual climbs. The optional climb on Day 7 (3,422ft/1,043m) is the most challenging, although there is always the option of the support vehicle to get you up to the pass. The aim is to use quiet roads where possible, although on one occasion you'll need to pass busy sections to reach quiet roads beyond.

     

  • What's the weather like?

    Albania has a temperate, Mediterranean climate. The first day of spring is 15 March and things really start to hot up toward the end of the month when clear skies and balmy temperatures provide a nice way to ease into the heat of summer. Summer brings sunshine and maximum temperatures between 20C and 35C (68F and 95F). Summer days are long with sunrise before 6am and sunset after 8.30pm.

  • What's the food like?

    All breakfasts and two dinners are included.

    Food in Albania is quite varied thanks to the many influences on the country and particularly the Mediterranean combining Turkish, Greek and Italian tastes. Dairy products, especially milk and yoghurt, are present in almost every meal, usually locally sourced.

    Under the leadership of Enver Hoxha (the communist leader of Albania from 1944 to 1985), Albania became a self-sustaining country due to its isolation from the world. However, owing to the fertile valleys, fresh mountain springs and Mediterranean climate, they are still very much a subsistence culture and show very few signs of changing. In the countryside, expect your food to have been reared/grown not too far from your plate.

    Breakfasts are typically eggs, fresh bread, jam, honey, and coffee or tea. For lunch and dinner, meat dishes are often goat or lamb, while fish dishes might include trout or whitebait. Courses often come in meze form, complemented by a variety of vegetables, salad, freshly baked bread, homemade cheeses, local wines and, of course, raki. Your guide will recommend the best options when in the towns.

Overall Rating:
4.9/5
Wonderful introduction to the beauty, culture and history of Albania
David Laming
(Review obtained from Tour Operator)

Wonderful way to explore Albania aboard a bike saddle will be for us less fit people pretty challenging cycling, but the rewards for one’s efforts were great incredible views, fantastic mountain scenery, beautiful coastline and rural landscape. Once again, having a local guide made a massive difference introducing us to…

Fantastic trip to Albania
Elizabeth Logan
(Review obtained from Tour Operator)

My husband and I thoroughly enjoyed our cycling holiday in Albania with [the tour operator]. Booking the trip was easy and communicating very straight forward. We booked 4 months in advance in order to guarantee our places and to book flights when they were cheaper. We were met on arrival…

Stunning views, lovely group and difficult climbs
Vaughan Sheward
(Review obtained from Tour Operator)

Absolutely loved this trip. I am more of a runner so I found the mountain climbs quite hard at times, but once at the top, I had the most fun cycling down towards the ocean. Had no idea that Albania was this beautiful!!


Most Inspirational Moment
The entire group making…