Albania Winter Explorer Central Albania This unique winter program combines 4 days of horse riding adventure with another 2 days of cultural exploration! Winter has a lot to offer including fun adventures, smaller groups, and a different light on cultural elements such as monuments, music and traditions. The riding portion of the trip takes place on the East bank of river Drino, close to Antigonea archaeological park, and goes deep in the history of the valley. You will experience unforgettable moments in the saddle, while exploring the undiscovered treasures of Southern Albania.   When you are not riding, you will learn more about the Albanian culture and have the luxury of discovering its monuments, thermal baths, archaeological sites, Ionian coast and shepherd lifestyle. On this tour, guests will also have the opportunity to interact, participate and live part of the Albanian local life. If you already love Albania in the summertime, you should try exploring it in the wintertime. This season brings a slower pace of life and lets you discover another side of this wonderful country! Progressive Ride (no camping) Family Vacation Meeting: Gjirokaster Airport: Tirana International Airport Nënë Tereza (TIA) Transfer: Tirana International Airport Nënë Tereza (TIA) or Saranda Port. Riders: Min 2 riders Max 12 riders Trip Brochure (PDF) Trip Rating

Packages and Options

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Rates Note:

Please, provide your passport information at time of booking

Transfer and Other Charges:

Pick-up/ drop-off for this trip is from Tirana International Airport Nënë Tereza (TIA). Scheduled transfers every Saturday at 12:30 pm and 14:30 pm Recommended arrival time for flights: No later than 14:30 pm Recommended departure time for flights: Not earlier than 1:00 pm 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 1:00pm!

Sample Itinerary - subject to changes

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

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): Thermal baths & Sightseeing (no riding)
Following breakfast at the hotel, we will depart for the Drinos Valley, tracing the path of the Vjosa River until we reach the thermal baths of Benja in Permet. Along the river, you will discover splendid, warm-water, human-made pools—a hidden gem perfect for relaxation on a cool day. These baths have been believed to possess healing properties for centuries, and during the winter months, you can enjoy privacy and tranquillity. As you journey, you will encounter the Kadiu Bridge, a cultural monument built in 1760 during the Ottoman period, offering a stunning view of the Langarica River—an entrance to the canyons. Throughout the day, you will have the opportunity to explore the canyons through hiking and swimming activities. Lunch will be served in the "City of Roses," Permet, where you will delight in the local raki and sweets. Later, we will drive to a remote area near Ballaban village to visit another unique farm that will serve as our accommodation for the evening and dinner. The owners will share their story of abandoning city life, pursuing their dreams, and living in harmony with nature. This will also be a special tea tasting experience.
Meals included: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
Overnight in Farmhouse near Ballaban

Day 5 (Tuesday): Drino River Ride 
After breakfast, we will drive back to Gjirokastra to reach the horse stables for another day of horse riding. Today's itinerary will take us through a rural landscape, featuring beautiful steep hills, small valleys, pastoral scenery, traditional farming practices, bush areas, small lakes, small water streams, cliffs, and remnants of defence infrastructure from the communist era. Throughout the morning ride, the captivating view of the River Drino—the "Tree of Life" river—will accompany you. The Drino River holds great significance in ancient pagan beliefs. Along the way, you will encounter the ruins of the Santa Triada Castle, reconstructed during 1809-1810 by Ali Pasha as a strategic point for controlling medieval caravan routes. These castle ruins were later repurposed for military use during the socialist era. We will pause for a picnic lunch near the village of Erind. After approximately 4-5 hours of riding, we will arrive at Karjan village, where a traditional dinner and accommodation await you at a local farm. In the afternoon, you can explore the village, partake in family activities, and assist in feeding, cleaning, and watering the horses.
Riding 4-5 hours
Meals included: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
Overnight at farmhouse near Karjan

Day 6 (Wednesday): Villages Ride 
After enjoying breakfast with the family and packing a picnic, we will commence our ride at 9 o'clock. Our route will take us first to Nokova village, where we will visit medieval churches. Continuing through the Lunxheria area, we will stop for a picnic in Dhoksat village. This village is renowned for its unique architecture and the use of black stone in construction, as well as its beautiful doors. A local expert will join us to provide insights into life, tradition, folklore, costumes, and ethnography of the area. After lunch, our ride will continue through cultivated lands, gardens, livestock areas, and wide meadows, offering captivating panoramic views. We will have another brief stop by Qestorati Lake to savour the scenery before returning to the stables from a different direction. The final leg of the ride in the afternoon will be the most picturesque, with several opportunities for canters and breath-taking hill climbs. After the ride, we will drive back to Gjirokastra, where you can take a stroll around the historical area before the farewell dinner. In the evening, you can enjoy a drink at a popular bar.
Riding 5 hours
Meals included: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
Overnight in hotel in Gjirokastra

Day 7 (Thursday): Mountains Ride
This day will be dedicated to exploring the mountainous terrain on horseback. We’ll start our ride from the stable, following gravel paths and rugged trails towards the Spilea Monastery, with breathtaking views of the surrounding landscape.
At the Monastery of Spilea (1634), you’ll visit the Church of St. Nicholas, a first-category cultural monument. Its cross-shaped naos features vibrant frescoes by artist Mihali, painted during the time of Bishop Kalist. The expressive, rebellious style of the murals makes the monastery a remarkable site. You’ll also explore a small cave church within a karst rock formation, once home to hermit monks until after WWII, before it was abandoned during the communist era.
After a short break at the monastery, where you can enjoy a light snack, we’ll begin our descent through a diverse landscape. The route passes through the village of Tranoshishtë and along the ancient path of the Epirot village, winding through rich meadows and pastures filled with pastoral life.
We’ll leave the horses at the stable and head to Asim Zeneli village for lunch. Afterward, you’ll return to Gjirokastra to relax before gathering for a farewell dinner at a cozy restaurant in the old Bazaar. 
Riding 4-5 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.

                                            Gjirokaster area

Month	Jan	Feb	Mar	Apr	May	Jun	Jul	Aug	Sep	Oct	Nov	Dec
Average High Temperature (°F)	41	45	52	59	67	75	82	83	76	63	51	42
Average Low Temperature (°F)	24	27	31	36	43	48	54	53	48	39	31	24
Average High Temperature (°C)	5	7	11	15	19	24	28	28	24	17	11	6
Average Low Temperature (°C)	-4	-3	-1	2	6	9	12	11	9	4	0	-4

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 on the trail; from cooler mountainous air to a warmer climate down on the coast.

Your luggage is transported by vehicle to the accommodations each night.

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

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Since Albania lacks equestrian shops, procuring necessary horse equipment from the local market becomes a significant challenge for us. If it's feasible for you, we kindly request your assistance in bringing along any spare or unused items such as old pads, halters, ropes, girths, bridles, or any other equipment that you no longer require. Your contribution would be greatly appreciated.

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Accommodations
This is a progressive ride so nights will be spent in different accommodations.

Description
You will be staying in a variety of accommodations. Bathrooms are shared during the whole trip.
Access to electricity is possible every evening and the whole area has a good phone coverage.
Laundry can be done at various locations for a small fee.

Wi-Fi access is only available in Gjirokaster. Internet access is difficult during this ride so we recommend guests to buy an Albanian sim card (around 13 euros) to get free internet access and about 30 minutes of free calls.

Accommodation Itinerary - subject to changes based on availability
Night 1-3: Hotel in Gjirokaster
Night 4: Farmhouse near Ballaban
Night 5: Farmhouse in Karjan
Night 6-7: Hotel in Gjirokaster


Room Occupancy
It may be possible to pay for a single supplement on the first, third, fourth and last night of the trail but for the rest participants must be prepared to share accommodation and facilities.



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.

Breakfasts include eggs, butter, cheese, local pancakes, fruit jams, honey, milk and tea.
Lunch is often a picnic packed by the riders from the family they stayed with the night before and usually consist of bread, cheese, tomatoes, eggs, olive, pie fruit and a drink.
For dinner, we serve meat (chicken, calf  or pork meat, fish by the sea), salads, cheese, local yogurt sauce, olives, pickles, vegetables from the garden and fruits.

Wine or beer is included with lunch and dinner every day.

Dietary Restrictions
We can cater to all dietary restrictions with prior notice.

This trip can accommodate special dietary requests.

Tack:		English Trekking
Horses:		Albanian Local Breeds
Pace:		Moderate with some trots and canters. 3 to 4 hrs a day | Walk | Trot | Canter |
Level:		(2.5 to 3 out of 5)    Low intermediate
Age:		Min 14
Weight:		Max 200 lbs / 90 kg
Riders:		Min 2 riders	Max 12 riders

Riding Experience
This trip has been designed for intermediate riders who are reasonably fit and in a decent state of health. You should also be happy to share facilities with others and live in basic conditions.

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.

Pace
The rides are at a moderate pace overall. Most of the time we are traveling through mountains so that must be taken into account in regards to your expectations of speed, however there are indeed occasions where you can have a good canter.

Guides
Kristina, Aurel and Ilir are all native from Albania and always happy to share their love for horses and their knowledge of Albania with guests. There are 2 guides accompanying you on this trip.

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.