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Albania Family Stay & Clinic
Central
Albania
This program is designed for nature enthusiasts who want to take intensive basic riding lessons and discover Albania.
You are based in the village “Asim Zeneli" near Gjirokastër in the South of Albania. The program was created to give the opportunity to beginner riders to improve their skills while getting to know this part of Albania from a local perspective. During your stay, you will gain knowledge about riding in nature that will enable youto undertake short journeys on horseback anywhere in the world.
Your instructor has many years of experience, teaching in several countries and a natural approach to horse and rider training techniques.
The program is based on the Parelli method but adapted to the English style of riding. The program respects the health and character of the Albanian horse and aims to create a personalized relationship between the horse and the rider.
In addition to riding, the program offers opportunities to learn about local life: helping the staff at the horse stable (if desired), participating in the daily activities of the host family, interacting with the villagers,...
The program also includes quiet times for other activities such as bathing in the river, hiking, visiting archaeological sites and a lot of free time to meditate, read or attend art classes.
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Riding Clinic
Center-based ride
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Meeting:
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Gjirokaster
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Airport:
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Tirana International Airport Nënë Tereza (TIA)
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Transfer:
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Tirana International Airport Nënë Tereza (TIA) or Saranda Port.
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Riders:
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Min
2 riders
Max
8 riders
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Trip Brochure (PDF) 
Trip Rating
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Rates include*:
Accommodation, All meals, Transfers between accommodation & stables & Riding lessons as decsribed in itinerary
* prices are per person based on double/twin occupancy
Rates Note:
Please, provide your passport information at time of booking
Pick-up/ drop-off for this trip is from Tirana International Airport Nënë Tereza (TIA) or Saranda Port before 3:00pm on your arrival day.
On the last day, we will drop you off at the airport between 9:00am and 12:00pm (noon), so please do not book your departure flights for before 12:00pm!
Rates do not include:
Aiport transfers, Gratuities & Activities (apart from riding)
The program is offered from Sunday to Sunday the second, third and fourth week of each month.
Because Sunday can be an arrival/departure day, there are no activities scheduled for that day. Your lessons will start on Monday and run until Saturday of each week.
You can choose to sign up for the whole program (3 weeks) or just the 2-week or 1-week option. If you choose to sign up for the first week only, you need to attend the first week of the program described below.
Each day, you will ride for about 4 hours (2 hours in the morning plus 2 hours in the afternoon).
The meals are always taken with your host family so you can get to know them better.
Week 1
Get to know your host family and the schedule of activities with them.
You will learn more about the school's horses and get basic riding lessons in the arena.
Week 2
During this week, your riding lessons are focused on getting a better position and maintaining the rhythm at a walk and trot, while doing figures in the arena.
If the instructor thinks it is safe, you will also go on your first trail rides in nature.
Week 3
For the final week, your lessons will be taken both in the arena and on the trails. You will learn to maneuver on terrain of varying difficulty.
On the last riding day (Saturday) you will go on a full-day ride, enjoying lunch with the staff from the riding school.
Note: In order to get more independence for extra activities, it is recommended to rent a car for the duration of the program. (however, it is not a must)
We can send recommendations and tips for activities before booking this tour.
Meeting:
Gjirokaster
Airport:
Tirana International Airport Nënë Tereza (TIA)
Transfer:
Tirana International Airport Nënë Tereza (TIA) or Saranda Port.
Distance:
220 km / 136.7 milles
Pick-up/ drop-off for this trip is from Tirana International Airport Nënë Tereza (TIA) or Saranda Port before 3:00pm on your arrival day.
On the last day, we will drop you off at the airport between 9:00am and 12:00pm (noon), so please do not book your departure flights for before 12:00pm!
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Tack:
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English Trekking
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Horses:
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Albanian Local Breeds
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Pace:
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Walk |
Trot |
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Level:
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(1
to
2
out of 5) Beginner
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Age:
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Min
14
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Weight:
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Max
220 lbs / 100 kg
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Riders:
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Min
2 riders
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Max
8 riders
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Riding helmets are mandatory for this ride.
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Horses
The horses used for this ride are locally bred and ideal for the terrain. They are small but very robust and surefooted Albanian horses (between 13 and 14.2 hands). The Albanian horse, a unique mountain breed that is s local mixture of the archaic Tarpan and medieval Arab horse. They are great climber, have a clear mind and are surefooted. Our breeding program aims to help saving this declining breed of horses.
Our stable include 38 horses and is situated amidst scenic hills, green valleys, surrounded by high mountains. Our horses are trained with natural horsemanship techniques that we are pleased to share with the guests.
Instructor
Alexa is an American riding instructor who decided to settle in Albania a few years ago. She has a lot of experience teaching horseback riding in several riding schools around the world.
Gjirokaster area
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Month
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Jan
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Feb
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Mar
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Apr
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May
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Jun
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Jul
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Aug
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Sep
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Oct
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Nov
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Dec
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Average High Temperature (°F)
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41
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45
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52
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59
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67
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75
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82
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83
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76
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63
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51
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42
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Average Low Temperature (°F)
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24
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27
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31
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36
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43
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48
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54
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53
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48
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39
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31
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24
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Average High Temperature (°C)
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5
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7
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11
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15
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19
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24
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28
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28
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24
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17
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11
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6
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Average Low Temperature (°C)
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-4
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-3
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-1
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2
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6
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9
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12
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11
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9
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4
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0
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-4
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Source: NOAA
Seasons
The best months to visit Albania are from April to October. Although precipitation is quite high in Albania there is less rain during these months and because of the continental air mass, most precipitation is over the central highlands. Albania has a high number of climatic regions relative to its landmass - the coastal lowlands have a typically Mediterranean climate; the highlands have a Mediterranean continental climate. This ride takes place in southern Albania which is around 5 degrees warmer than the rest of the country. You will experience different types of weather; from cooler mountainous air to a warmer climate down on the coast.
What to Bring
Normal riding clothes: riding hat, long sleeved shirts (please avoid packing your favourite or expensive clothing due to risk of damage) riding trousers and chaps, gloves.
Good mountain shoes - with a grip for walking but not too thick as you will need to ride in them too. Normal riding boots with a smooth sole are not recommended as they can be slippery when walking on foot.
Waterproof raincoat
Casual clothes for the evening
Swimming suit, river shoes and towels
Sleeping bag for camping
Sun cream, sunglasses, hat, water bottles.
Anti-allergy medicine for possible insects bites
Camera - please bring small cameras as large professional ones are very difficult to transport on horseback.
Copy of passport
Personal saddlebags are welcome if riders would like to bring their own. Small saddlebags are provided by the ride but just for food and water.
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.
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..view other reports for different trips
Accommodations
This is a stationary ride so all nights will be spent at the same accommodations.
Description
You will be sleeping in a small village near the stables. Your host family will be happy to welcome you into their home.
The rooms are simple but comfortable. Please, note that facilities are shared between guests and the host family.
Meals
All meals are included in this trip from dinner on Day 1 to breakfast on the last day.
You will get to enjoy local Albanian food (local meats, fruits, and vegetables) traditionally cooked with organic products.
Breakfasts usually include eggs, butter, cheese, local pancakes, fruit jams, honey, milk and tea.
Dietary Restrictions
We can cater to all dietary restrictions with prior notice.
This trip
can accommodate special dietary requests.
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Tack:
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English Trekking
|
|
Horses:
|
|
Albanian Local Breeds
|
|
Pace:
|
|
|
Walk |
Trot |
|
|
Level:
|
|
(1
to
2
out of 5) Beginner
|
|
Age:
|
|
Min
14
|
|
|
Weight:
|
|
Max
220 lbs / 100 kg
|
|
Riders:
|
|
Min
2 riders
|
Max
8 riders
|
|
Horses
The horses used for this ride are locally bred and ideal for the terrain. They are small but very robust and surefooted Albanian horses (between 13 and 14.2 hands). The Albanian horse, a unique mountain breed that is s local mixture of the archaic Tarpan and medieval Arab horse. They are great climber, have a clear mind and are surefooted. Our breeding program aims to help saving this declining breed of horses.
Our stable include 38 horses and is situated amidst scenic hills, green valleys, surrounded by high mountains. Our horses are trained with natural horsemanship techniques that we are pleased to share with the guests.
Instructor
Alexa is an American riding instructor who decided to settle in Albania a few years ago. She has a lot of experience teaching horseback riding in several riding schools around the world.
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.
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Albania Family Stay & Clinic
Tour Code:
IT-ALBCV05
8 days /
7 nights
Dates :
Apr-Dec
Difficulty :
Riding Level Explained | A | Beginner
 | Beginner A rider who has limited experience, is unable to post the trot and does not canter. | | B | Novice
 | 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. | | C | Intermediate
 | 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. | | E | Advanced
 | All of the above, plus an independent seat, soft hands, and capable of handlinga spirited horse in open country. |
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