Itinerary
Albania in winter, six days by private minivan with a local expert guide, starting and ending in Tirana. We head south to Berat, the city of a thousand windows, for a wine tasting and a traditional dinner, then to Përmet for rafting on the Vjosa, one of the last wild rivers in Europe, and a soak in the Bënja hot springs in the Langarica Canyon. Two nights in Gjirokastra, the Stone City and a UNESCO World Heritage site, put the Blue Eye spring, the archaeological park of Butrint and lunch by the sea in Saranda within reach. Back in Tirana there is Skanderbeg Square, the street art of Blloku and an optional zipline or quad tour. Culture and castles lead, with adrenaline, thermal downtime and long evenings out.


Welcome to Albania, arrival in Tirana
1 night: Tirana
Check-in: our adventure starts in Tirana
Roundtrip flights or transportation to reach the destination are not included in the package, so you can decide from where and when you want to leave! This gives you complete freedom of choice to adjust your travel itinerary to your needs. Flights arrive whenever suits each of us, so the group only really forms at the welcome meeting later in the day.
The afternoon is free in Tirana, the colorful city, named for the rainbow shades and street art on its buildings, and the streets carry the mood.
Dinner is in a 100% local restaurant, authentic Albanian dishes on the table, maybe Tavë Kosi, the lamb, eggs and yogurt dish the country is known for.

From Tirana to Berat
1 night: Berat
Breathtaking landscapes, ancient history and authentic flavors in the heart of Albania
An early start, and the capital gives way to green hills and villages where nothing much seems to have moved in years.
The private minivan heads south, which is time for talking, sharing music and the first photos, before Berat finally appears a few hours down the road.
Berat is the City of a Thousand Windows, and we walk its cobbled streets past Ottoman houses with red rooftops and the surrounding mountains filling the view.
The afternoon brings a local wine tasting, the evening a traditional Albanian dinner of qofte and tavë kosi, with a good glass of wine to match.

Rafting the Vjosa and the Përmet hot springs
1 night: Gjirokastra
Adrenaline-filled rafting adventure on the wild Vjosa River
Berat looks even better in the morning light, but breakfast is quick, because the river is the whole point of today.
We drive to Përmet and get on the Vjosa River, one of the last wild waterways in Europe, turquoise water threading through canyons, cliffs and untouched forests.
The rapids land somewhere between adrenaline and fun, handled by expert guides who also fill in the stories and the nature around us as we go.
From adrenaline to pure relaxation: the hot springs of Përmet
Fourteen kilometres from Përmet, the Bënja baths sit in the Langarica Canyon: natural pools at 28–30°, rich in sulfur and minerals, good for skin, breathing and joints.
Late afternoon we reach Gjirokastra, the Stone City and a UNESCO World Heritage gem, for grey houses, Ottoman alleys, a traditional dinner and bars with music afterwards.

Blue Eye, Butrint and Saranda
1 night: Gjirokastra
Epic landscapes, ancient ruins and the magic of timeless towns
Early alarm today. The day runs all the way south and back again, the longest stretch of driving on the trip.
First stop is the Blue Eye, a natural spring of turquoise, crystal-clear water that hardly seems to quite belong to the real world at all.
Butrint is a UNESCO World Heritage site, ruins of Greek, Roman and Byzantine civilizations wrapped in lush nature, and we give it two to three hours.
Lunch is in Saranda on the coast, local specialties and fresh fish with a sea view, before we point the minivan back north again.
Back in Gjirokastra a guided walk takes us through the cobbled streets and stone houses, then a traditional dinner and an evening between bars and lounges.

From Gjirokastra back to Tirana
1 night: Tirana
Ending the journey on a high note
Last full day, and the capital gets the closing slot, which suits it better than any of the smaller towns.
The walking tour starts at Skanderbeg Square, the beating heart of the city and the obvious place to line up for the final group photo together.
Blloku was once closed off to the communist elite and is now street art, trendy cafés and nightlife, which is where the memories get retold.
Anyone still after adrenaline can take the longest zipline in the Balkans or a quad tour, and the day ends with a toast on a panoramic terrace.

Goodbye Albania
1 night: .
Check-out and goodbyes
Goodbye for now. Home with landscapes, laughter, toasts and a set of new friends, and the next WeRoad adventure already somewhere in mind.
What's included
5 nights in twin or multi-share rooms with private bathroom
Minivan with driver from day 2 to day 5
Wine tasting experience in Berat
Entrance ticket to the Blue Eye in the village of Muzinë
Walking tour of Tirana
Medical and baggage insurance - (coverage limits by destination country/region - €10,000 Italy, €20,000 Europe, €30,000 World, €50,000 USA/Canada)
What's not included
- Food and beverages when not specified
- Tirana Airport round-trip transfer
Expert local guide throughout the entire itinerary - approx. USD95
Gas/petrol, parking, toll fees - approx. USD24
Tips
- All the extras you'll be able to fit in your backpack
- Anything not mentioned in the "What's included" section
Optional activities
Please see below extra optional activities that you can experience during your trip. Your Group Leader will be happy to assist with organizing these activities for the group. Availability may vary depending on location and group preferences.
Please note these activities are provided by third party suppliers and liability rests exclusively with these third party suppliers.
Rafting - approx. USD48
Butrint ticket - approx. USD12
Additional info
Typical local hotels and/or guesthouses
The “Private Room” option is not available for all departures.
We’ll travel in a private minivan with driver – we’ll never have to drive!
- Info on private roomsShow all details
Why WeRoad
Small groups, on average 11 people
Move or change your trip for free up to 31 days before departure
Book with $ 0. Pay the $ 100 deposit only once the trip is confirmed
The Group Leaders
Find your flight
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This is a WeRoadX
A trip designed and created entirely by an experienced WeRoad Travel Group Leader.
This is a trip designed and created entirely by an experienced WeRoad Travel Group Leader. They organise the whole trip: from defining the itinerary to selecting accommodation and on-site experiences. On the WeRoad website you can book the trip and manage it in MyWeRoad, just like any other WeRoad.



















