|
Horseback riding tours
Rides in
Albania
Intro to Albania
----------------------------
 HungaryBulgaria Slovenia Romania
|
|
|
|
|
|
In the Footsteps of Lord Byron Horse Trek
Central
Albania
‘Land of Albania! Let me bend mine eyes on thee, thou rugged nurse of savage men’.
So wrote Lord Byron in his famous poem Childe Harold’s Pilgrimage, where he chronicled the journey that he and his friend and diarist J.C. Hobhouse took through the mountainous regions of southern Albania in 1809. Along the way he passed through a land that many at the time considered nothing more than an illiterate backwater of the Ottoman Empire, ruled by a despotic vizier and inhabited by savage mountain tribes. What Byron found though was a land of fierce independence and unbowed spirit that appealed to his romantic ideals. This incredible journey follows the path they took through the mountains and the beautiful landscapes of the Vjosë Valley, en route to a rendezvous with Vizier Ali Pasha himself in his castle stronghold at Tepelenë. During the course of the 6 day horse trek we will take in the UNESCO splendour of the Ottoman town of Gjirokastër and the beautiful Byzantine church of Labovë e Kryqit, take lunch at a Bektashi monastery on the outskirts of Melen and ride through the dramatic Këlcyra Gorge. We will stand in Byron’s shadow and gaze down across the flowing waters of the River Vjosë from the citadel of Tepelenë, and journey through the villages of the Vjosë Valley. Byron described himself at the time as ‘the humblest of thy pilgrims passing by’, but the resulting poem that the journey inspired still remains one of English literature’s most eloquent works.
|
|
|
Rates and Dates for 2012
Rates include:
Accommodations (3 nights camping, rest in country inns and guesthouses), all meals, camping gear, 6 riding days
| A | 2012 | 9 day trip, AB | 9d / 8n | $1895 |
| Single supplement | $165 |
| Non Rider Discount | ($495) |
Group Leader - FREE with group of 8+
Transfer Option:
|
2012
|
Transfer is included from Tirana at set times
|
Tour Dates for 2012
Check here for details and availability
|
| A |
2012
|
04/21
- 04/29
|
9d / 8n
|
9 day trip, AB
|
4
/14
|
Expired
|
| A |
2012
|
05/12
- 05/20
|
9d / 8n
|
9 day trip, AB
|
4
/14
|
Expired
|
| A |
2012
|
05/26
- 06/03
|
9d / 8n
|
9 day trip, AB
|
4
/14
|
Reserve
|
| A |
2012
|
06/16
- 06/24
|
9d / 8n
|
9 day trip, AB
|
4
/14
|
Reserve
|
| A |
2012
|
09/08
- 09/16
|
9d / 8n
|
9 day trip, AB
|
4
/14
|
Reserve
|
| A |
2012
|
09/22
- 09/30
|
9d / 8n
|
9 day trip, AB
|
4
/14
|
Reserve
|
| A |
2012
|
10/06
- 10/14
|
9d / 8n
|
9 day trip, AB
|
4
/14
|
Reserve
|
| A |
2012
|
10/20
- 10/28
|
9d / 8n
|
9 day trip, AB
|
4
/14
|
Reserve
|
|
|
Rates do not include:
Sleeping bag
Daily details in brief
Day 1: Arrive Tirana
Day 2: Travel to Gjirokastër
Day 3: Begin horse trek towards Bektashi Monastery and Libohovë
Day 4: Ride to ancient site of Antigonea
Day 5: Ride to the village of Erind
Day 6 & 7: Ride to Kelcyra Gorge
Day 8 Ride into the Kelcyra Gorge
Day 9: Tirana
(B=Breakfast, L=Lunch, D=Dinner)
Day 1: Arrive Tirana:
Albania’s largest city and its capital since the 1920s, Tirana was founded by Sulejman Pasha during the early years of the 17th century. Established under Ottoman rule, its position along the caravan routes saw Tirana’s rise in importance culminate in its choice as the capital of the newly independent Albania. A mix of grandiose 1930s design and Communist inspired urbanisation, the city is an interesting architectural mix of ideologies, something that we will see more of this afternoon during a tour of the city with a local guide. Later we will enjoy dinner in a local restaurant. Hotel (D)
Day 2: Travel to Gjirokastër:
This morning we travel south towards the UNESCO World Heritage town of Gjirokastër, stopping en route firstly to visit the important Roman archaeological site of Bylis and secondly to take a look at the castle of Tepelenë. Ali Pasha was born here in 1741 and, in spite of a reputation as a tyrant and a despot, managed to build up an almost independent fiefdom that extended from the River Shkumbin in the north to the Peloponnesse in the south. Maintaining
diplomatic relations with many of Europe’s major powers, his fame even extended into classic literature, taking a pivotal role in Alexander Dumas’s ‘The Count of Monte Cristo’. After their meeting with Ali Pasha, Hobhouse described him as a short, fat man with a pleasing face and a long, hoary beard. Byron seems to have been more affected by the man’s somewhat less than savoury reputation though and went on to write about an ‘...aged and venerable face’ and of ‘...deeds that lurk beneath and
stain him with disgrace’. We’ll take a chance to visit the castle from where there is a good view of the pedestrian bridge that spans the river below, the original of which was built by Ali Pasha as a gift to the city of his birth. From here we will head on to Gjirokastër, a beautifully preserved Ottoman town, dramatically situated between the Gjerë Mountains and the Drino River, still dominated by its Ottoman citadel, believed to be the second largest in the Balkans. Filled with a lovely collection of
charming 17th and 18th century buildings and palatial residences, the old part of the city still reflects something of Gjirokastër’s once favoured status amongst the Ottoman elite of the 19th century. The town was captured by the Albanian-born Ali Pasha of Tepelenë, a man whose character and power was to have a marked influence on Byron during his journey. It seems fitting therefore that this should be the spot from where we begin our horseback trek through the mountainous Albanian countryside. Hotel (B,L,D)
Day 3: Begin horse trek towards Bektashi Monastery and Libohovë:
From Gjirokastër we will drive south to the Greek border where we will meet the horses, saddle up and head off on the trail. Byron and Hobhouse headed north, their journey taking them first via a small monastery on the outskirts of Zitza, where they sought accommodation and a meal of ‘grapes and pleasant warm wine’ from the resident prior. Mirroring their journey to some degree, we will take lunch at the Bektashi Monastery in Melan, close to the road they took across the low lying plains in 1809. A fascinating order, the Bektashi emerged as a ‘heretical’ Sufi sect that became associated with the imperialist ideals of the Ottoman Empire (in a similar way that Christianity did with Roman Imperialism). A celibate, anti-hierarchical and anti-dogmatic order, the Bektashis played an important military role throughout Ottoman history, as well as being at the forefront of the struggle for Albanian Independence. The
monastic buildings today are set amongst a grove of tall Cyprus trees and, whilst the site can trace its ancestry back to the 5th century, the current buildings were erected at the beginning of the 19th century, dating them to around the time of Byron’s original journey. From here we will ride on over the high ground, passing shepherds and their flocks, before reaching Libohovë. Here we will corral the horses in the Ottoman castle and walk down to a small local guesthouse. Approx 6hrs riding.
Guesthouse (B,L,D)
Day 4: Ride to ancient site of Antigonea:
Today’s ride takes us on towards the site of the ancient site of Antigonea, a city founded by King Pyrrhus of Epirus in 295 BC and one that, before its destruction during the Macedon Wars 150 years later,
was once one of the most important trading centres in southern Albania. Our meandering route begins by first picking up the horses from the castle and riding out of the village of Libohovë. A pleasant conurbation, lying in the shadow of the Bureto Mountains, beneath the imposing presence of a hilltop fortress, Libohovë was once the home of Albanian nobility. Ali Pasha’s sister, Shanica, married into this noble family and the castle that still dominates the town was the dowry that her brother presented to her on her wedding day. We will take the opportunity of visiting the ruined castle, before continuing our journey north across the valley and back up into the hills to end the day at the spectacularly located ancient settlement of Antigonea.
Here we will ‘camp’ at the small visitor centre and have dinner beside a camp fire. Approx 6hrs riding. Visitor Centre (B,L,D)
Day 5: Ride to the village of Erind:
Today we will continue on Byron’s trail to the village of Erind, on the eastern side of the Drinos Valley. Taking lunch on the way we will ride till mid afternoon when we will leave the horses, and jump into the minibus to visit the church of Labovë
e Kryqit, one of Albania’s oldest churches and certainly one of its most interesting. Dating back to the 12th or 13th centuries, the Byzantine building is dedicated to Saint Mary and it was once believed to contain a fragment of the true cross, before the relic was stolen during the civil unrest of the early 1990s. Today the building provides us with a classic example of Byzantine architecture, with a high central cupola, cruciform plan nave and aisles and interior walls that are covered in frescoes. Interestingly, this region is also home to a sizeable Greek minority and amongst some of the more notable personalities to emerge from the Dropull region was the businessman and philanthropist, Evangelos Zappas, the man who, along with his cousin
Konstantinos, bankrolled the first modern Olympic Games in 1896. From here we will drive back to Gjirokastër for a night in the comfortable hotel. Approx 6hrs riding. Hotel (B,L,D)
Day 6 & 7: Ride to Kelcyra Gorge:
For the next two days we will head northeast, high up over the mountains on a different route to that taken by both Byron and the intrepid pioneers of this ride in 2011. By staying high, rather than following the valley, we will be able to avoid all asphalt roads and remain out in the wilderness, sharing our path only with the shepherds. On a trail known only to the drovers and ancient pilgrims we will explore local monasteries and churches and camp for two nights before heading down into the spectacular Kelcyra Gorge. Approx 6hrs riding each day. Camp x 2 (B,L,D)
Day 8 Ride into the Kelcyra Gorge:
Today we will ride down out of the high hills and into the Kelcyra Gorge, a place that witnessed one of the most famous and pivotal battles of antiquity as King Philip of Macedon was defeated by the Roman proconsul Paulus Emilius in 198 BC, thus ushering in the dominance of the Roman Empire. Now back on Byron’s trail, heading southeast we will ride through the beautiful countryside of the Vjosë Valley, considered by many to be one of the natural highlights of the Albanian landscape. The valley runs along the Trebeshinë-Dhëmbel-Nemërçkë Mountain chain and passes through the wonderfully picturesque Këlcyra Gorge, providing us with some of the most enchanting vistas of our journey so far. Byron wrote of how the people and landscapes of this region drew him back to the Highlands of Scotland: ‘The very mountains seemed Caledonian with a kinder climate...their dialect, Celtic in sound, and their hardy habits, all carried me back to Morven’. Enjoying the genteel pace and the splendid setting, we ride along an ancient mountain trail to our final resting place, a pretty riverside hotel. Here we will bid farewell to our guides and our mounts, as we settle down for our final evening in Byron’s wild Albania. Approx 6hrs riding.
Hotel (B,L,D)
Day 9: Tirana:
After an early breakfast we will drive back to Tirana (4-5hrs), heading directly to the airport for our onward flights. (B)
Meeting:
Saranda
Airport:
Tirana
Transfer:
Tirana airport
Distance:
30 miles
|
Tack:
|
|
English Trekking
|
|
Horses:
|
|
Local Albanian breeds
|
|
Pace:
|
|
Slow to moderate trekking with some trots. Approx. 5-6 hours in the saddle per day.
|
Walk |
Trot |
|
|
Level:
|
|
(2
to
2.5
out of 5) Novice+
|
|
Age:
|
|
Min
18
|
Max
75
|
|
Weight:
|
|
Max
275 lbs
|
|
Riders:
|
|
Min
4 riders
|
Max
14 riders
|
|
Fitness…
Riders should be able to ride to an intermediate standard, be reasonably fit and in a decent state of health. You should also be happy to share facilities and live in a fairly basic style.
Horses:
The horses used for this rides are locally bred and ideally suited to the terrain. They are a typical Eurasian breed, strong and sturdy, between 13 hands and 14.2 well natured and ‘bomb proof’.
Pace of the ride:
The rides are at a moderate pace overall as most of the time we are travelling through mountains, however, there are occasions where the more adventurous among you can have a good canter.
Albania has a variety of climatic conditions, being situated in the transition zone between the typical Mediterranean climate in the west and the moderate continental in the east.
The average annual temperature is 15°C (59°F). Rainy winters (with frequent cyclones) and dry, hot summers are typical of the coastal plain.
Summer rainfall is more frequent and winters colder in the mountainous interior. Annual precipitation ranges from about 100 cm (40 in) on the coast to more than 250 cm (100 in) in the mountains.
| This list is only a guideline for you |
|
|
| Hidden Trails Travel Documents and Trip Voucher (contains important local tour contact info.) |
| Flight tickets |
| Passport |
| Visa (check with your consulate) |
|
|
| RIDING GEAR |
| Riding pants or Jodhpurs |
| Riding boots (short) + Minichaps |
| Riding helmet (recommended for all trips) |
| Riding gloves |
| Hat (with chin strip) for sun protection |
| Lightweight Rain coat |
|
|
| PERSONAL CLOTHING |
| Jacket or sweater for cool evenings |
| Comfortable T-Shirts/Shirts |
| Jeans |
| Shorts |
| Underwear and socks |
| Pyjamas |
| Bag for dirty clothes |
| Trekking boots/ comfortable shoes |
| Swimsuit |
| |
| |
| ADDITIONAL THINGS TO BRING |
| Personal Toiletries |
| Insect protection |
| Personal medications |
| Sore cream (for an emergency) |
| Sewing kit |
| Torch/ Flashlight |
| Adapter for electric appliances |
| Camera and extra film or batteries |
| Belt pack |
| Address book and pen (for postcards!) |
| Sun glasses with strap |
| Sun protection lotion and lip balm |
Sorry, no video is currently available for this tour.
*Important Notice: The following ratings have been submitted by guests and do not necessarily represent the views of Hidden Trails, its partners or employees.
Every care is taken to ensure accuracy but Hidden Trails is not liable for any errors or omissions.
** No trip reports found
with the tour ID you provided.
|
..view other reports for different trips
Accommodation will be in a combination of hotels, guesthouses, two nights camping and one night spent at the Antigonea visitor center (subject to availability).
This trip includes
some wine with dinner
and can accommodate special dietary requests.
|
Tack:
|
|
English Trekking
|
|
Horses:
|
|
Local Albanian breeds
|
|
Pace:
|
|
Slow to moderate trekking with some trots. Approx. 5-6 hours in the saddle per day.
|
Walk |
Trot |
|
|
Level:
|
|
(2
to
2.5
out of 5) Novice+
|
|
Age:
|
|
Min
18
|
Max
75
|
|
Weight:
|
|
Max
275 lbs
|
|
Riders:
|
|
Min
4 riders
|
Max
14 riders
|
|
Fitness…
Riders should be able to ride to an intermediate standard, be reasonably fit and in a decent state of health. You should also be happy to share facilities and live in a fairly basic style.
Horses:
The horses used for this rides are locally bred and ideally suited to the terrain. They are a typical Eurasian breed, strong and sturdy, between 13 hands and 14.2 well natured and ‘bomb proof’.
Pace of the ride:
The rides are at a moderate pace overall as most of the time we are travelling through mountains, however, there are occasions where the more adventurous among you can have a good canter.
This information is not being updated on a regular basis. Hidden Trails does not
take any responsibility for the accuracy of the above information. Please, consult
the embassy or consulate for updated info.
|
|
|
|
In the Footsteps of Lord Byron Horse Trek
|