Bravobike Southern Albania bike route

Duración: 10 Days / 9 nights

Localización: Albania

Precio: From 780€

Intro
Biking itinerary
Self -guided info
Guided info

Albania bike tour

Overview:

Albania is rising as one of Europe’s hottest and least expensive destinations. Its unspoiled beaches, snow capped mountains, traditional cuisine, Cold War era artefacts, unique traditions, unrivaled hospitality and wild countryside are ripe for a flourishing tourist market. Self-guided is on offer from April to June and September to October and can be started on any day of the week.
Itinerary for our Albanian bike tour

Day 1: Arrival in Tirana

Individual arrival in Tirana. Meet your guide and the group at the hotel at 18:00 for the Tour Briefing. After the tour briefing we will join the Welcome Dinner.

Day 2: Tirane-Pogradec – 40 km/25 miles

Morning transfer (69 mi./110 km/1.5–2 h) to the Albanian-Macedonian border. Start cycling along the lake Ohrid, stopping for lunch at one of the many restaurants on the shore of the lake. After lunch continue through Pogradec to Tushemisht, near the other Albanian-Macedonian border on the south-east corner of the lake. After checking in the hotel we will ride to St. Naum in Macedonia to visit the beautiful Monastery. You will need your passport here!

Day 3: Pogradec-Korce – 51 km/32 miles

A climb out from the lake onto another high plateau. Following the gorge for a while until the hills open up leading into a vast plain, a patchwork of individual farms and colours. An early arrival in Korçë allows you to go for a cultural tour around the city known as the Paris of Albania.

Day 4: Korce to Sotire – 72 km/45 miles

We start cycling leaving behind the agricultural plateau of Korçë climbing steadily into the border mountains through a landscape of barren rock and wild flowers. Numerous hills and valleys lie ahead, climbing into the heart of the Gramoz Mountains and over the Barmash Pass(1,159m) to Sotire lying in its own tranquil valley.

Day 5: Sotire to Benje – 66 km/42 miles

A climb out from Sotire to a high grassy plateau surrounded by soaring peaks before reaching the source of the River Vjosa and descending through its spectacular gorge to Leskovik. Descending more into Çarshove and then following the corniche route high above the river to Benje situated on a bluff above the river. After lunch and checking in the guesthouse we will take a short ride to the thermal springs for a swim at the end of the Langarica canyons.

Day 6: Benje to Gjirokaster – 70 km/44 miles

Continue along the valley towards Kelcyra the distant shark’s tooth peaks, which guards a further gorge. Ride between them to the Drinos river following yet another gorge. This opens out into a wide plain with the town of Gjirokastёr (city of 1,000 steps) high above on your right.

Day 7: Gjirokaster to Sarande – 70 km/44 miles

After a short 25 km morning transfer we will start riding at the top of Muzina pass towards Sarandё, which lies along the Ionian coast, sandwiched between the high mountains and the sea and close to the ancient remains of Butrint. As an UNESCO World Heritage Site, Butrint is one of the county’s most important archaeological sites, tracing its origins back to the Greeks and the Romans.

Day 8: Sarande to Himare – 52 km/32 miles

A roller coaster of a ride, leaving as the mist is burnt off by the sun, climbing steeply out of Sarandё to a rocky plateau. Then it’s over hills into bays and around headlands, always with the stunning mountain scenery to the right and sea to the left before descending to the long beach and the bay of Himarë.

Day 9: Himare to Vlore – 64 km/40 miles

Today’s route is as challenging as it is spectacular. Cycling up to the Llogara pass 1,000 m above the blue waters of the Ionian Sea and its National Park, home to black pines, Eurasian otters and golden eagles. The park is a scenic expanse of protected woodland that encompasses the forests on the northern side of the Llogara Pass. After lunch we cycle downhill all the way to Vlorё.

Day 10: Departure day (transfer to Tirana – 3 hours)

Farewell! Morning transfer from Vlorё to Tirana Int. Airport. Please keep in mind, that a transfer to Tirana airport is about 3 hours. We recommend booking a return flight that leaves after 1 pm or spending an extra night in Tirana (not included).

This bike trip at a glance?

Duration	10 days / 9 nights self-guided 780€ This tour is offered from April to June and September to October and can be started on any day of the week. Minimum number of participants: 2 people.
Included services	9 nights hotel accommodation 9 x breakfast 30-speed rental bicycle (Giant) with waterproof panniers Transfers as described in the itinerary Luggage service from hotel to hotel Emergency phone
Not included in the tour price	Journey to and from Albania Drinks with meals Entrance fee for sights Lunch/Dinner Tip for driver and tour guide Service charge: 2 % of the total invoice value. This service charge is excluded for payments via IBAN bank transfers.
Transfer rates	Transfer Tirana Airport – Tirana Town: 15€ per person
Difficulty level	Level 5: The bike routes require a good level of fitness. The routes are medium with climbs. The roads are mostly asphalted and there is not much traffic outside of holiday periods.
Single supplement	Single room supplement: 135€
Bicycles	A hybrid 30 gear bike is included in the tour price E-Bikes are available for 160€ per week (limited amount:5)
Cancellation fees	60 days or more before the beginning of the trip: 10% of the trip price 25 € per person minimum 59 – 31 days before the trip begins: 30% of the trip price 30 – 21 days before the trip begins: 50% of the trip price 20 – 11 days before the trip begins: 70% of the trip price 10 – 01 days before the trip begins: 90% of the trip price We urge you to consider effecting a travel cancellation cost insurance. Before the trip, please also find out about your medical and accident insurance and about luggage insurance or travel liability insurance, if necessary.
How to book this tour and payment?	We require 50% deposit for the trip per person upon reservation, final payment 6 weeks before tour departure. Credit card payments by Visa or Mastercard do have an additional increase of 2%.

This bike trip at a glance?

Duration, dates and price	10 days / 9 nights 950€ (per person in a double room) 11–20 / 20-29 April 29 April – 8 May 9-18 May 13-22 / 22 June – 1 July 26 August – 4 September 14-23 / 23 September – 2 October 3-12 / 12-21 / 21-30 October
Included services	9 nights hotel accommodation 9 x breakfast, 9 x lunch & 9 x dinner Professional English speaking tour guide 30-speed rental bicycle (Giant) with waterproof panniers Transfers as described in the itinerary Support vehicle with bilingual driver Luggage service from hotel to hotel
Not included in the tour price	Journey to and from Albania Taxi from Tirana airport to Tirana town: 20€ (1 – 3 people) Drinks with meals Entrance fee for sights Lunch/Dinner on day of departure Tip for driver and tour guide Service charge: 2 % of the total invoice value. This service charge is excluded for payments via IBAN bank transfers.
Transfer rates per person	Transfer Tirana Airport – Tirana Town: 15€ per person
Difficulty level	Level 5: The bike routes require a good level of fitness. The routes are medium with climbs. The roads are mostly asphalted and there is not much traffic outside of holiday periods.
Single supplement	Single room supplement: 135€
Bicycles	A hybrid 30 gear bike is included in the tour price E-Bikes are available for 160€ per week (limited amount:5)
Cancellation fees	60 days or more before the beginning of the trip: 10% of the trip price 25 € per person minimum 59 – 31 days before the trip begins: 30% of the trip price 30 – 21 days before the trip begins: 50% of the trip price 20 – 11 days before the trip begins: 70% of the trip price 10 – 01 days before the trip begins: 90% of the trip price We urge you to consider effecting a travel cancellation cost insurance. Before the trip, please also find out about your medical and accident insurance and about luggage insurance or travel liability insurance, if necessary.
How to book this tour and payment?	We require 50% deposit for the trip per person upon reservation, final payment 6 weeks before tour departure. Credit card payments by Visa or Mastercard do have an additional increase of 2%.