Vjosa River Trail Ride

Horseback riding in Central, Albania

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Vjosa River Trail Ride

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Itinerary for Vjosa River Trail Ride

Sample Itinerary - subject to changes

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

Day 1 (Wednesday): Arrival
Plan your flight to arrive at Tirana airport ideally in the morning, but no later than 2:30pm - this leaves time for the transfer and to be able to visit the town of Gjirokstra. From the airport, the transfer will be by mini-van or off-road car and will take around 3-4 hours (250km). Settle into your hotel, 10 minutes walking from the centre of historical Gjirokastra. You can have a walk around the historical town of the old Bazaar: visit Enver Hoxha’s house, Gjirokastra castle, the church of the Old Bazaar, the mosque of the Bazar, and Skenduli house representing an ideal sample of Gjirokastra traditional life. 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 (Thursday): Ride to Karjan
After breakfast at the hotel and allocation of horses, we will start to ride through the countryside towards the medieval village of Karjan. This village is traditional, a rural stop of the passing caravans with its small churches and old roman bridge. The road to reach this destination passes through a rural environment; small houses, gardens, traditional farming, and cultivation of the land. The route combines hilly landscapes, valleys, small water streams, and cliffs. This path also passes along the view of River Drino, “Tree of Life” river. It is the most important water basin in the area and part of ancient pagan beliefs. On your way you will meet the ruins of the castle of Santa Triada reconstructed during 1809-1810 by Ali Pasha, a strategic point to control all the caravan itineraries. The castle ruins were used later during the time of socialism for military issues. We will stop for picnic lunch just near the village of Erind. We will reach Karjan village where a traditional dinner and accommodation will be hosted by a local family.
Riding: ~4.5 hour
Meals included: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
Overnight in family house in Karjan village

Day 3 (Friday): Karjan to Cajupi Valley
After breakfast we will ride down along Drino’s valley first to Andon Poci village, and then Hundkuq village. The ride will become challenging when entering a small forest before reaching Labova of Zhapa. This village is well known all over the south for its wonderful Church and the big houses belonging to the merchants which are now mostly in ruins. Labova is the birthplace of Vangjel Zhapa, the organizer of the first Modern Olympic Games. Zhapa was a well-known businessman and philanthropist who lived around 200 years ago. Labova will be our lunch picnic stop. After visiting the church a very unique mediaeval building you will start riding up the mountain. You will be impressed by the mountain's rare vegetation such as mountain tea, oregano, wild rose, and other endemic plants like digitalis or 'Dig–Dag' as it's known locally. We follow the mountain path to the valley of Cajupi where we stop by a cattle of 1000 sheep. This place will be our camping place for the night. You will have the chance to taste the Brati famous spring water, a typical station of the old caravans and visit a small mediaeval tower of protection called “karakoll”. Riders can experience the sheep milking process and cooking with the shepherds.
(This day the guides might decide to take a shorter path to Cajupi valley and go again for a ride in the afternoon in the mountains around Cajupi’s valley depending on the temperatures of the day)
Riding: ~5 hours
Meals included: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
Overnight camping in Cajupi Valley

Day 4 (Saturday): Cajupi Valley to Nderan
After a nice traditional breakfast, the trail will follow the medieval Caravan pathway ‘Hija e Mallkuar’ or ‘The Cursed Shadow’. This pathway was once used by medieval thieves to ambush caravans traveling through Zagoria. Continuing our ride, we'll traverse the most important horse pathway of the 17th and 18th centuries, which connected the major commercial centers of Southern Albania. Along the way, we'll be treated to the breath-taking view of the natural monument, the Rock of Zhej.
Prepare for a challenging downhill ride that will lead us to the ruins of a medieval stone bridge, where we'll enjoy a lunch break and a refreshing swim in the nearby river.
In the afternoon, we'll make our way to the Church of the Monastery of Nivan, constructed in 1702, and cross a symbolic bridge over the Zagoria River to conclude the day's ride in Nderan, one of the region's significant villages. We'll spend the evening and night with a welcoming local family.
Riding: ~3.5 hours
Meals included: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
Overnight in Family house in Nderan village

Day 5 (Sunday): Nderan to Grabova
Today's ride will begin with a return to Hoshteva and a mountain climb to reach the Gjurmemushka mountain pass. Once we reach the summit, we'll mostly enjoy a downhill ride, passing through Maleshova village to visit its charming church and the ruins of the Limari antic castle. We'll pause for a picnic lunch near a tranquil water stream, where we can rest under the shade of the trees.
During the afternoon ride, we'll be rewarded with stunning views of the Vjosa River from the mountaintop.
Our overnight stay will be in a comfortable village guest house in Grabova village, a remote and isolated area known for its warm hospitality. Here, you can experience the traditional mountain cooking and savour the famous "petanik," a special local pie. Grabova is renowned for its Raki production and delectable "spoon" desserts. In the evening, we'll enjoy dinner on the guest house's terrace, overlooking the magnificent flow of the Vjosa River just 200 meters away.
Riding: ~6-7 hours
Meals included: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
Overnight in family house in Grabova

Day 6 (Monday): Grabova to Permet
After breakfast, you will start the ride downhill to reach river Vjosa. The rest of the ride for the day will take place on the right of the river bank. This leg of the journey will be particularly enjoyable, with ample opportunities for exhilarating gallops. We'll pause for a swimming break near Piskova village, taking advantage of the dry part of the river bed.
For lunch, we'll relish in the delicious food prepared by a small restaurant in Permet, which will be conveniently transported to our riverside stop. If interested, you can also indulge in some fishing. Spend the entire afternoon swimming and relaxing before riding the final 1.5 hours to reach the small town of Permet. After taking care of the horses, we'll spend the night in a nearby hotel, just a short 10-minute walk from the town center. Dinner will be served at a well-known traditional restaurant.
Riding: ~3 hours
Meals included: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
Overnight in hotel in Permet

Day 7 (Tuesday): Sightseeing (no riding)
This is a rest day for the horses. We suggest to drive you to Benja thermal waters in Langarica canyons, 30 minutes away from Permet. There are chances of exploring the canyons, swimming, and the “most brave” can go river hiking to explore the “Pigeons Cave”. We have planned having lunch in a restaurant close to the canyons and return back to Permet town late in the afternoon.
Dinner will be served in a small restaurant close to the hotel. During this day is possible that you make your own resting plan if you don’t want to join this program.
Meals included: Breakfast
Overnight in hotel in Permet

Day 8 (Wednesday): Permet to Hoshteva Zagoria
This is going to be one of the longest and most difficult days. Long sleeves are needed because of branches on the trail. During most of the ride, we will climb Dhembel Mountain. The view is amazing from the top. Picnic lunch will be carried in the saddle. The car can’t reach us before the final destination during this day. You will meet logistic in Hoshteva Zagoria. We will camp next to Hoshteva’s church under the trees. The whole group will be involved in cooking dinner and will later eat under the stars. The camping place is really beautiful and a unique experience.
Riding: 6 hours
Meals included: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
Overnight camping in Hoshteva Zagoria

Day 9 (Thursday): Hoshteva Zagoria to Hllomo
This morning will be a really exciting equestrian experience. After a fresh country breakfast we will ride through a mountain valley, perfectly suited for gallops, passing small remote farms, wild cliffs and many historical routes off the tourist trail. Riding through Pogon region is a true travel in time. We will be passing by ancient ruins and mythical natural wonders. Our picnic lunch will be near the stone bridge of Hllomo or Kacarello’s, which can only reached by horse.
In the afternoon, we will reach the centre of the Pogon region. The mountain village of Polican is populated by a Greek minority. You will spend the night with a Greek minority family. In their ,company you have the chance to explore some very particular cult monuments of the medieval period. Later in the evening you will enjoy local gastronomic delights. This village is one of the most important territories of mountain honey in South Albania and it offers about 10 different varieties of honey.
Riding: ~6 hours
Meals included: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
Overnight in family house in Hllomo village

Day 10 (Friday): Hllomo to Libohova

This riding day combines changing landscape and different riding pace. Wide valleys, steep downhills, green forests and the beauty of Suha River are part of your itinerary . We can stop to swim in Suha river, explore the bridge, the waterfalls and caves along the river. Later we are climbing the Swallow Rock. The climb will be a special equestrian experience. Will reach the village of Labova of the Cross for a late lunch in a traditional guest house and restaurant. Before the afternoon ride will visit the church of Labova of the Cross one of the most important in the country. This church was built by Justinian the Great in 554 as a smaller chapel. Justinian married Teodora his wife this church and the villagers inherited her wedding dress for centuries. The monument was reconstructed during the X-th century and is decorated with an old wooden iconostas full of floral and symbolic animal scenes.

This riding day combines changing landscape and different riding pace. Wide valleys, steep downhills trails, green forests and the beauty of Suha River are part of your itinerary . We can stop to swim in Suha river, explore the bridge as well as the waterfalls and caves along the river. Later we will climb the Swallow Rock. The climb will be a special equestrian experience. We will reach the village of Labova of the Cross for a late lunch in a traditional guest house and restaurant. Before the afternoon ride will visit the church of Labova of the Cross one of the most important in the country. This church was built by Justinian the Great in 554 as a smaller chapel. Justinian married his wife in this church and the villagers inherited her wedding dress for centuries. The monument was reconstructed during the X-th century and is decorated with old wooden icons full of floral and symbolic animal scenes.
The ride to Libohova, a small town nestled at the foot of the Bureto Mountain will take another 2 hours. The archaeological evidence indicates a very ancient settlement which reached its zenith in the 17th-century when it became an important commercial centre. It is possible to take a long walk and visit Libohova’s castle, a Bektashi cult object and the tomb of Ali Pasha’s sister, Shanisha.
You will overnight in a local family house and will taste delicious local food.
Riding: ~5 hours
Meals included: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
Overnight in family house in Libohova

Day 11 (Saturday): Libohova to Stables
This will be a short riding day. 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 to the stable where you can enjoy the experience of letting your horses free. A picnic lunch will follow in the village close to the stable. You will be accommodated at the same hotel in Gjirokastra. Your farewell dinner will take place in a small restaurant in the old Bazaar. Later in the evening we can have a drink in a popular bar.
Riding: ~3.5 hours
Meals included: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
Overnight in hotel in Gjirokastra

Day 12 (Monday): Departure
After breakfast at the hotel you will be transferred back to the airport of Tirana.
Meals included: Breakfast,

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Vjosa River Trail Ride

Tour Code: IT-ALBCV03
12 days / 11 nights
Dates : April and October

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.

Lodging:

Lodging Level Explained


=	Facilities in lodges, estancias, haciendas, resorts, etc.

	Basic lodging - some with shared bathroom facilities, usually no AC or room service.
	Regular standard room - usually with private bath.
	Accommodations with superior comforts.

=	Trips with nights in tent camps. Sometimes the first and last night are in hotels.

	Basic tent camping - everyone helps out with camp chores.
	Regular standard with some camp amenities and camp cook.
	Camping facilities with superior comforts like camp shower, bathroom facility..

=	Trips that combine nights in hotels and camping.

	Basic accommodation and basic camping facilities can be expected.
	Regular standard with some nicer amenities.
	Only assigned to hotel and camping facilities with superior comforts.