Horseback riding in Central, Albania

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- Albania Winter Explorer
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Horseback riding vacations in Albania, Central

Horseback riding tours

Rides in Albania

  Intro to Albania

Trip in Albania

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Equestrian tours in Albania, Central
Albania Winter Explorer


Itinerary for Albania Winter Explorer




Sample Itinerary - subject to changes

Please note that this itinerary is given as guidance only and may be altered.

The tour starting on December 21st 2023 will include a traditional Christmas day with live music and dancing.

Day 1 (Friday): Arrival
Plan to land at Tirana airport ideally in the morning, but no later than 1:00 pm - this leaves enough time for the transfer plus a visit of Gjirokstra. The transfer from the airport of Tirana will take around 3-4 hours (250km).
Tonight, you will be accommodated in a traditional hotel, in the heart of the historical Gjirokastra: the new Bazaar. If you have some spare time before dinner, we recommend having a look at Enver Hoxha’s house, Gjirokastra castle, the church of the Old Bazaar, the mosque of the Bazar and Skenduli house.
Dinner will be served at a traditional restaurant. During dinner your guides will be able to speak to you about the trail (possible requests or needs, advice and things which are good to know). We recommend that you buy a map of the area before dinner in order to gain a good understanding of the itinerary.
Meals included: Dinner
Overnight in hotel in Gjirokastra


Day 2 (Saturday): Ride to Libohova  
After breakfast at the hotel and allocation of horses, we will set off on our ride through the picturesque countryside towards the village of Labova of the Cross. This charming village is known for its beautiful landscapes and historical significance. The route to Labova of the Cross will be moderately challenging, featuring hilly terrains, valleys, small water streams, and opportunities for enjoyable canters.
Upon reaching Labova of the Cross, we will check into a local guest house, where you can experience the warm hospitality of the villagers. The guest house will provide a comfortable and authentic stay, allowing you to immerse yourself in the local culture.
After settling in, we will visit the Church of Labova of the Cross, a significant religious site in the area. The church is known for its unique architecture and historical importance, offering a glimpse into the village's rich heritage.
In the evening, you can participate in various activities at the guest house, such as helping with farm chores or engaging in traditional cooking alongside the family. This will provide a hands-on experience of the village lifestyle and create memorable moments.
Overnight accommodation will be at the local guest house, where you can enjoy a delicious dinner consisting of traditional local cuisine. The guest house will offer a cosy and authentic atmosphere, ensuring a restful night's sleep.
Riding 4 hours
Meals included: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
Overnight at Family house in Libohova


Day 3 (Sunday): Libohova to Antigonea National Park
This morning, you will ride through rolling hills, Drino’s valley and few water streams before climbing a steep hill to reach Antigonea National Park, where we will stop for a visit. Antigonea was built by King Pyrrhus  in 295 BC and named after his first wife Antigona, daughter of King Ptolemeus of Egypt. After the break, we will ride 1 more hour before reaching the stables. Lunch will follow immediately after, in a village close to the stable.
After a short break, we plan to visit the cold war tunnel in Gjirokastra, a building of communism defence paranoia that has a lot to tell. Then, before dinner, you will visit a painter studio and learn from him about local art and special techniques of painting and installations, as well as about many elements of tradition that were involved in his works. Ideological art during communism can be one of the topics to be discussed. 
Dinner will take place at a small local restaurant in the historical area of Gjirokastra and a well-known iso-polyphonic group will be invited to talk, sing and explain about their complex role. South Alabian Iso-poliphony is a UNESCO protected world heritage.
Riding 4 hours
Meals included: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
Overnight in hotel in Gjirokastra

Day 4 (Monday): Butrint & Saranda (no riding)
This morning after a fresh cooked breakfast we will drive back to Gjirokastra and then towards Butrint, a UNESCO protected archaeological park, through a challenging off road path. The driving experience will be exceptional and the views some of the most beautiful met in your journey. Small remote villages, old houses, windy roads, no roads, small gardens, very few animals, old churches and the sense of time stopping somewhere in the past is the impression this driving day offers. We will stop to visit the ruins of the church of Leshnica and will have a coffee stop by Cerkovica village. A local person will give a short presentation on how this area lives and what was their past, and what do they expect for the future. We will later drive to Butrint to visit the archaeological park. Originally part of an area called Epirus, Butrint has been occupied by the Greeks, the Romans, the Byzantines and the Venetians. As a result, Butrint offers a wealth of incredible archaeological structures, including a well preserved theatre, Roman public baths inside which lies a paleo-Christian baptistery and a 9th century basilica. The sanctuary of Asclepius, god of medicine sits on its hill or “acropolis” and dates back to the fourth century.
After the visit, we will drive to Saranda for lunch in a restaurant next to the sea with plenty of seafood. Before going back to Gjirokastra for dinner, you will visit the local art gallery and will have a presentation by the manager who is also a very good painter. Dinner will take place in a restaurant in the old bazar.
Meals included: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
Overnight in hotel in Gjirokastra

Day 5 (Tuesday): Permet (no riding)
After breakfast and the views of a wonderful sunrise in the mountains, we will drive to the Drinos valley and follow the Vjosa river to reach the thermal baths of Benja, in Pwrmet. Along the river, there are splendid warm water human-made pools to soak on a cool day. People believe that the baths have healing properties. The pools are off the beaten path, and during winter months you can have enough privacy. Kadiu bridge, a monument of culture built in 1760 during ottoman period, offers a stunning view of the Langarica river. That is an entering gate to the canyons. During the day there are chances of exploring the canyons by hiking and swimming. Lunch will take place in the city of roses, Pwrmet. You will especially enjoy the local raki and the local sweets.
Later on, we will drive to a remote area close to Ballaban village to visit another unique farm that will be our accommodation for the evening. The owners will have a short presentation on how they abandoned the city life and made it possible live and dream far form everything. Tonight, we will enjoy a special wine tasting.
Meals included: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
Overnight at farmhouse near Ballaban

Day 6 (Wednesday): Ride to Karjan Village
After breakfast, we drive back to Gjirokastra to the horse stables for another riding day. Today's itinerary passes through a rural environment; beautiful steep hills, small valleys, pastoral atmosphere traditional farming and cultivation of the land, bush area, small lakes, small water streams and cliffs, old defence infrastructure from communism time. The view of River Drino, “Tree of Life” river remains on the left during the morning ride. Drino is the most important water basin in the area and part of ancient pagan beliefs. On your way you will meet the ruins of the castle of Santa Triada reconstructed during 1809-1810 by Ali Pasha, a strategic point to control all the mediaeval caravan itineraries. The castle ruins were used later during the time of socialism for military issues.
We will stop for a picnic lunch near the village of Erind. After around 4-5 hours riding we will reach Karjan village where a traditional dinner and accommodation await you in a local farm. You can visit the village and take part in the family activities, also help to feed, clean and water the horses.
Riding 4-5 hours
Meals included: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
Overnight at farmhouse in Karjan

Day 7 (Thursday): Ride to Dhoksat 
After having breakfast with the family, we get back in the saddle at 9 o’clock. We first ride towards Nokova village to visit medieval churches and later we ride through Lunxheria area where we stop for our picnic lunch in Dhoksat village. This village has a unique architecture and it is famous for the use of the back stone in building also and for the beautiful doors. A local expert will talk about the characteristics of life, tradition, folklore, costumes and ethnography of the area. 
The afternoon ride leads us to cultivated lands, gardens, livestock and meadows. We have another short stop by Qestorati lake to enjoy the view before heading back to the stables. The last part of the ride before reaching the stables is the most beautiful as the landscape allows several canters and the climbing up hills is stunning.
After the ride, we will drive back to Gjirokastra. You can go for a walk around the historical area before the farewell dinner. Later in the evening we can have a drink in a popular bar.
Riding 5 hours
Meals included: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
Overnight in hotel in Gjirokastra


Day 8 (Friday): Departure 
After breakfast at the hotel you will be transferred back to the airport of Tirana.

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Albania Winter Explorer
Tour Code: IT-ALBCV04
8 days / 7 nights
Dates : Jan-Feb & Dec

Difficulty : Riding Level
Riding Level Explained
ABeginner
Beginner A rider who has limited experience, is unable to post the trot and does not canter.
BNovice
Novice A rider who is capable of mounting and dismounting unassisted, capable of applying basic aids, comfortable and in control at the walk, moderate length posting trots, and short canters.
CIntermediate
Intermediate A rider who has a firm seat, is confident and in control at all paces (including posting trots, two point canters and gallops), but does not ride regularly.
D Strong Intermediate
Strong Intermediate An intermediate rider who is currently riding regularly and is comfortable in the saddle for at least 6 hours per day.
EAdvanced
All of the above, plus an independent seat, soft hands, and capable of handlinga spirited horse in open country.
Lodging: Basic
Lodging Level Explained
   
= Facilities in lodges, estancias, haciendas, resorts, etc.
   
Basic lodging - some with shared bathroom facilities, usually no AC or room service.
Regular standard room - usually with private bath.
 Accommodations with superior comforts.
   
 = Trips with nights in tent camps. Sometimes the first and last night are in hotels.
   
Basic tent camping - everyone helps out with camp chores.
Regular standard with some camp amenities and camp cook.
Camping facilities with superior comforts like camp shower, bathroom facility..
   
 = Trips that combine nights in hotels and camping.
   
Basic accommodation and basic camping facilities can be expected.
Regular standard with some nicer amenities.
Only assigned to hotel and camping facilities with superior comforts.

Online Reservation

Check here for details and availability
Season Tour Dates  Min / MaxReserve
A 2024 12/07 - 12/14 8d / 7n 8 day tour 4 /10 Reserve
A 2024 12/21 - 12/28 8d / 7n 8 day tour 4 /10 Reserve
Introduction
Day to Day Itinerary
Rates | Dates
Accommodation
Tack: English Trekking
Horses: Albanian Local Breeds
Pace: Moderate with some trots and canters. ...
Walk, Trot, Canter,
Airport: Tirana International Airport Nënë Tereza (TIA)
Location on Google Map
Image Gallery
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Customer Trip Rating
Climate
What To Bring
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