Join Solos as we head to Albania, a great destination for walking and hiking enthusiasts, offering a diverse range of landscapes. Albania’s trails are generally less crowded than those in more touristy regions of Europe, providing a more tranquil and authentic walking experience. Offering the solo traveller a diverse mix of mountains, National Parks, Nature Reserves and old towns with castles towering above, our escorted group tour of Albania is the perfect choice for those seeking a combination of nature, history & exercise.
Today we arrive into Tirana and transfer to our hotel just south of Vlore.
Today we hike into the mountains of Çajupi to discover the village of Saraqinisht with its charming houses. Various shepherd’s paths lead us to a monastery well hidden in the mountains before we make our way back. In the afternoon, we continue to Gjirokaster, the ‘city of stone’, which was declared a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 2005 and is the hometown of the great Albanian writer Ismail Kadare. It is rich in typical neighbourhoods and shady terraces.
Today we head for our guided tour of Berat – a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Dominated by the hill where the castle stands, the city stretches on both sides of the Osum River. The historic centre of Berat has many white stone houses with large wooden windows on the hillside, hence its nickname – ‘City of a Thousand Windows’. The castle, most of which dates back to the 13th century, is home to several Byzantine churches and Ottoman mosques. We then visit the Ethnographic Museum of Berat, which presents the daily life of the inhabitants of the region, followed by tasting of a Turkish coffee and a typical cake at the home of an Albanian family.
The day continues to Apollonia. Founded by the Greeks around 600 B.C., this ancient city of 100 hectares within the city walls and is now the largest archaeological site in Albania. It stretches around two hills where we discover the Archaeological site of Apollonia.
Today we have a free day to relax at the hotel or explore as we wish. We will be just south of the costal city of Vlore, which is rich in history and boasts beautiful beaches.
We do have the option of exploring the Llogora National Park if we wish. We discover the thousand-year-old forest to explore one of the most unspoilt corners of Logara Park. The hike takes you to the mountain ‘Qafa e thelle’. After crossing a very dense vegetation and meeting some goats, you reach a barren pass overlooking the Ionian Sea with its 1400 m. The panorama is extraordinary! We walk for around 3/3.5 hours with an elevation gain of roughly 450m.
We head to the town of Krujë to start a cultural hike centred around Bektashism, a widespread branch of Islam in Albania. This esoteric religious order, which originated in Turkey in the 13th century, has around 7 million followers worldwide. We visit the holy site (‘tekke’) of Sari Salltik, located in a cave on a mountainside.
After lunch we have free time in Krujë. The town, which nestles against the cliffs, is known by its inhabitants as the ‘Balcony of the Adriatic’. Krujë is also the birthplace of the national hero Skanderbeg, who made the town the capital of the country during his reign in the 15th century.
Karavasta Lagoon Park is a unique natural area in Albania. This genuine bird sanctuary is the most important nesting and breeding site of the Dalmatian pelican in Albania (especially between January and June). Here we can admire numerous migratory birds in their natural habitat as well as the famous pink flamingo. The lagoon, which is separated from the Adriatic Sea by a wide strip of sand, is interspersed with pine trees and forests. The length and difficulty of the hike can be adapted according to the physical abilities of the group.
This morning we drive to Tirana and take the cable car up to Mount Dajti, overlooking the capital from the top of its 1613m above sea level, with the Adriatic Sea as a backdrop. We discover the surrounding nature of Mount Dajti Park during the hike.
We return to Tirana by cable car and have free time for to discover the Albanian capital at our own pace. Surrounded by mountains, the city is a cultural and industrial hub for the country. Tirana revolves around Skanderbeg Square, named after the national hero and bordered by the Opera House, the Et’hem Bey Mosque and the Clock Tower.
We have our final breakfast together this morning before heading to Tirana Airport for our flight back home.
Valza Boutique Hotel four-star – Vlore region – 4 nights
Hôtel Lubjana four-star – Durrës/Golem Region – 3 nights
Frequently Asked Questions
Tirana Airport to first hotel – 2 hours 15 minutes
Second hotel to Tirana Airport – 40 minutes
Please note: At the beginning of your trip, your Tour Leader will ask if you would be happy to sign a photo permission form. This means that any photographs taken during your holiday can be used by Solos to share what the Solos experience is all about. It also means you have lots of memories to go home with! Details will be given at your welcome meeting.
WhatsApp Group: Just before the start of your trip, you will be sent an invite to the WhatsApp group which will put you in touch with your fellow Solos travellers and Tour Leader prior to your departure day. By choosing to join, you’re consenting to share your contact details with other members of your group. However, if you prefer not to join, that’s completely fine, and you can meet the group on your first day instead. Please note, if you have not received an email within 24 hours of departure, we recommend you check your email junk folder.
For technical reasons, the order of visits and excursions may be modified or reversed, while respecting the content of the program. The hiking trails are given as an indication and can be adapted on site according to the physical abilities of each person.
It is your responsibility to ensure that you are fit and well enough to take part in your chosen activity holiday. If you are unsure as to whether the walks are within your capabilities, please contact the office to discuss this matter, thus making sure you appreciate the terrain that you will be walking.
You will be walking across uneven ground in some areas and extreme care must be taken, especially if wet. If used to using a pole/stick, it is advisable to bring it. Please appreciate the route and content of the holiday may change at the time and at the discretion of the guide/organiser, should conditions require. Solo’s Holidays cannot be held responsible for personal injury, accident or damage to property whilst on these walks other than incidents arising out of the company’s negligence. The guide has the right to refuse to guide a walk with anyone not properly attired.
It is of paramount importance that you have the correct footwear for this walking holiday. It is essential to wear walking boots that are comfortable and preferably lightweight, with some ankle support and a good grip. If you already have a pair of boots that you are happy walking in (including during hot/wet weather and on hard ground), then bring these along. However, if you are bringing new footwear, do make sure they are well broken in before you arrive. Experience has shown that wearing 2 pairs of woollen socks adds to comfort. Whilst we would hope for good weather during your holiday, it is of course impossible to guarantee this. We would therefore recommend you travel with clothing suitable for all conditions, and suggest you use the following checklist as a guideline of what to take:
There is often confusion on the question of gratuities, since it frequently depends on the type of holiday, location and, of course, your attitude towards tipping, as to what is normally expected. To give you a rough idea, we have given appropriate guidance below.
The Tour Leader will be on hand to offer advice or suggestions if required but gratuities are offered entirely at the sole discretion of the individual. We suggest a group collection at the beginning of your holiday to cover drivers, guides, porters and hotel staff. Your Tour Leader will collect this on your behalf and distribute it accordingly, thus relieving you of the burden of who, when and how much to tip.
Your passport must have an ‘expiry date’ at least 3 months after the day you plan to leave Albania.
You can visit Albania without a visa for up to 90 days in a 180-day period, for tourism or business.
Compulsory vaccinations: None.
At least 8 weeks before your trip, check the latest country-specific health advice from the National Travel Health Network and Centre (NaTHNaC) on the TravelHealthPro website. Each country-specific page has information on vaccine recommendations, any current health risks or outbreaks, and factsheets with information on staying healthy abroad. Guidance is also available from NHS (Scotland) on the FitForTravel website.
General information on travel vaccinations and a travel health checklist is available on the NHS website. You may then wish to contact your health adviser or pharmacy for advice on other preventive measures and managing any pre-existing medical conditions while you’re abroad.
Albanian Lek
Average Temperatures
| Month(s) | Highest temperature | Lowest temperature |
|---|---|---|
| January - February | 14 °C | 5 °C |
| March | 18 °C | 7 °C |
| April | 22 °C | 9 °C |
| May | 28 °C | 14 °C |
| June | 33 °C | 19 °C |
| July | 36 °C | 21 °C |
| August | 34 °C | 21 °C |
| September | 31 °C | 18 °C |
| October | 31 °C | 18 °C |
| November | 21 °C | 10 °C |
| December | 16 °C | 7 °C |
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“I’ve been travelling with Solos for nearly 20 years, on and off. The reason is for exactly what you want – you meet like minded people… and have loads of fun!”
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