8 Days Off Road in South Albania

After breakfast and a brief informational meeting, we depart at 10 o'clock. The first stop is Durres, which is located on the Adriatic Sea in the mid-western part of Albania. After a short coffee stop to enjoy the seaside view, we head to Divjake. We take a little time at this beautiful beach to have some fun with the jeeps in the sand. We visit the Karavasta lagoon, which is the largest lagoon in Albania and one of the largest in the Adriatic Sea. The lagoon features lots of shady pine trees and small sandy islands and is famous for the rare Dalmatian pelican, which nests there. Our last stop on the Adriatic Sea is Vlora, where the Albanian Declaration of Independence was signed on November 28, 1912. Here we have an afternoon to visit the local beaches and bars. Accommodations for the night in Vlore.

Early in the morning we depart Vlora and head out to explore more of the southern part of Albania. The Ionian Sea is well known for its beauty and unspoiled nature. The first stop is the National Park of Llogara, which is surrounded by pine trees and sits at an elevation of 1000 meters above sea level. Before traveling further south, we stop here for a traditional lunch to enjoy the refreshing sea breezes. The panoramic views of the seashore from the road are amazing and you can take some wonderful photographs as we move down to the sea. During our trip to Himare, we stop at several beaches to enjoy the views and the fresh sea air before we stop for the night.

This day holds some of the most beautiful cities and beaches of Albania. After breakfast, we depart for adventure. On our way to Saranda, we visit the castle of "Ali Pasha”, perfect to visit for its history and beautiful view of the sea. We continue to a beach named Borsh, which is one of the longest beaches in south Albania with a coastline that covers three kilometers. The next stop is Butrint, an ancient Greek and later Roman city in Epirus. Butrint has a special atmosphere created by a combination of archaeology, monuments, and nature on the Mediterranean. After exploring Butrint we go to relax on one of the most beautiful beaches in south Albania, Ksamil. We spend the afternoon on the beach then head back to Saranda for dinner and accommodations. But before we turn in let’s explore the nightlife in Saranda. During the summer months, Saranda offers plenty of fun and relaxation.

After breakfast, we depart for one of the most beautiful natural attractions Albania has to offer: the Blue Eye. The Blue Eye is a natural phenomenon created by an underground spring. It is well known for the clear blue water of the spring which forms a pool more than fifty-meters deep. We leave the serenity of the Blue Eye and drive back into history. Gjirokaster is an ancient city that lies in the historical region of Epirus. We take some time to wander the ruins of the castle of Gjirokaster which overlooks the city. The castle contains a military museum featuring German and Italian artillery from the Communist resistance as well as a captured US Air Force plane which commemorates the Communist regime's struggle against the "imperialist" Western powers. We have lunch in this ancient city. Next, we head to Permet. Located just 14 km from Permet, the Benje thermal baths with their sulfur-rich waters offer many curative effects. With temperatures from 26º to 32º Celsius, the healing waters are known as cures for chronic diseases such as rheumatism, stomach conditions and skin diseases. We return to Permet to dine and stay the night.

From Permet, we drive off-road to Corovode and be able to see some typical Albanian villages along the way. We also have views of the Osumi River which passes through Corovode, Skrapar, and Berat. Upstream it forms canyons and caves which are the highest and the longest in Albania. In this amazing place, we have our lunch as we stop and relax there. From there we move to Berat where we will visit the castle of Berat which is a fortress overlooking the town. It dates from the 13th century and contains many Byzantine churches. It is built on a rocky hill at an elevation of 214 meters beside Osum River. Berat is an antique town and has a very particular architecture. Dinner and accommodations in Berat.

After breakfast, we depart for Elbasan. As we travel we have the chance to see the small town of Belsh which rests among many small lakes and agricultural land. Also on the road to Elbasan are the many oil fields and wells left here from the time of communism. When we arrive in Elbasan we enjoy some traditional foods and see some historical and religious places such as the Orthodox Church, the mosque and the castle of Elbasan. We have our lunch here and then return to Tirana, the capital city of Albania. You have some free time in the afternoon and then we go out to enjoy the nightlife tour of Tirana.

After this amazing time together in Albania, we take you to the airport.

Every trip is different, depending on weather conditions. Our trips are not recommended for pregnant women, children under 2 years old and people who suffer from any medication disability. Do not bring unnecessary items or items of high value on board, our company will not take responsibility for any loss.