Albania
Albania has climbed up the list of the world’s hottest destinations and interest in this, for most people, unfamiliar country is greater than ever. Time here has stood still. Once you get beyond the capital city, it resembles in many respects what you would find in a photo album from the 1960s with fewer cars and more donkeys. In the village square, men play backgammon watched over by churches and mosques.
Your hosts are three academics, Kristina, Ilir and Aurel, who have all studied history, archeology, biology and chemistry and who have a passion for nature, animals and monuments. They have ridden since they were little and decided to explore the countryside on horseback with their friends. They have developed their rides and for the past five years, they have been taking foreigner visitors with them.
It is always special when someone is passionate about what they do and so what could be better than having three people with the same passion.
Accommodation and Food
You will stay two nights in a simple hostel in the center of Gjirokastra and five nights with families in different villages in the countryside. We recommend you book a double room, but it is possible to book a single room (in the hostel) with the payment of a single supplement. The hostel has shared bathrooms and showers, and in the villages there are common bathrooms.
Safe deposit box: No
A/C: No
Hair Dryer: Yes
Towels and sheets: Yes
Fridge: Yes
Food is one of the high points on this trail ride and it has received
very good reviews from riders (regardless of the weight gain ....).
Both at restaurants and at home with your local hosts, you will get hearty meals made from fresh local ingredients.
A typical breakfast might be: eggs, cooked the way you like them, tea, honey, freshly made pancakes and fresh baked bread with cheese.
For dinner, you will be served meat (lamb, veal, chicken or pork), vegetables, cheese, byrek (a delicious pie with vegetables and cheese), potatoes and rice. At dinner, you will also be served, good local wine and raki (an aperitif made from grapes and flavored with anise). You may eat and drink as much as you want.
In the mountain villages, you will be treated as greatly anticipated guest and the guest is traditionally the most important person in the house.
For lunch, you will generally be served a hearty picnic carried in your saddle bags and which can include a filling pie, pancakes, cheese, tomatoes and fruit (three days). When the support car is able to reach you, you will be served a hot lunch. And for drinks, you just need to say what you would like to have.
Horses
The horses are a local crosses of Tarpans and Thoroughbreds. They are small and strong horses, standing 135-150 cm (53-59 in) at the withers, and are used to the mountains and the often harsh terrain.
You will ride in English saddles.
You will ride about 5-7 hours per day, so it is better if you are in good condition.
Climate
The best months to visit Albania are from April to October. Although precipitation is quite high in Albania there is less rain during these months. This ride takes place in southern Albania which is around 5 degrees warmer than the rest of the country. You will experience different types of weather on the trail; from cooler mountainous air to a warmer climate down on the coast.
Travel Information
Ability description: Trail Ride Level 2-3 >>
Included: Zagoria Trail Ride, In King Skerdilajds Footsteps: 7 nights, 6 days riding, full board with wine and drinks.
Vjosa Trail Ride: 11 nights, 9 days riding, full board with wine and drinks (not on the free riding day).
Not included: Flights, entrance tickets in monuments or parks, lunch on day 1, extra drinks, other services or expenses during free time.
Travel: Book flight/rental car >>
Flight: To Tirana or Korfu (Greece).
Transfer: Book and pay in advance to HorseXplore.
From Tirana Airport to Gjirokastra, transfer time 3-4 hours.
Price: 90 Euro return/person
Time: We organise two transfers from the airport every Saturday, the first one at 12.30 and the second at 14.30 Flights that fit our normal transfer’s schedule should be planned to arrive no later than 14.30 pm and departures not earlier than 13.00.
Riders that arrive in Tirana one day in advance will be advised to arrive at the airport for the transfer of 12 o’clock or 14.30. We can’t organise transfers from central Tirana. It is very easy and cheap to reach Tirana airport by bus. There is a bus every hour starting from the center of Tirana (behind the opera palace).
Ferry: From Corfu you can take the ferry to Saranda.
From there transfer to Gjirokastra, time 1-2 hours.
Transfer price: 50 EUR return/person.
Single room: Can be booked with a supplement the first and last night ((16 EUR/night). Pay on locatoin.
Currency: LEK in Albania. Normally you don't spend so much money, only on souvenirs maybe 50-60 EUR. You can exchange money at the airport.
Credit card: Not accepted by riding center.
Tipping: Not required but appreciated.
Wifi: Yes first and last night.
Electricity jack: EU standard
Group size: Minimum 3, maximum 12 on The Zagoria and king Skerdilajds rides. Can also be run with two riders for an additional cost of 158 EUR.
Vjosa Trail minimum 4. Can aslo be run with 3 riders for an additional cost of 183 EUR.
Weight limit: 90 kg, with considerations for height-to-weight proportions.
Age limit: 14 years old.
Closest village: First and last night in Gjirokastra.
Beach: Availibilty is depending on ride, normally possible to go to beach or river bank.
Pool: No
Misc.:
Luggage: Transported by a support vehicle.
Riding equipment to borrow: None
Saddle bag available: Yes
Special diet: Inform when booking.
Boots: Have boots you both can ride and walk in.
Albania doesn’t have any equestrian shops, so it is very difficult for them to reach the tack market. If possible, please bring with you an old pad, or halter, rope, girth, bridles or other equipment that you don’t need. They would be very thankful.
Feedback from our travellers
An Unforgettable Riding Experience in Albania’s Beautiful Landscape
A truly fantastic, warm, and cheerful welcome, including a car ride to a delicious and plentiful welcome dinner with wine at a restaurant in Gjirokastra’s old town! The food was abundant, tasty, and healthy, with many vegetarian options, which I appreciated.
Absolutely amazing – far beyond expectations! Long riding sessions through a diverse, exciting, and untouched wilderness and mountains. Climbing steep paths was mixed with long, exhilarating full-speed gallops! To top it all off, we rode for two days down to the breathtakingly beautiful, crystal-clear sea, with the opportunity for a swim in the afternoons.
Despite my extensive riding experience in different countries, I consider this trip one of the absolute best in all categories! A truly fantastic riding and nature experience!
Per Hedenmark / In the Footsteps of King Skerilajd
Fantastic Nature and Exciting Riding
Great and varied riding. Stunning nature, friendly people, and fascinating history! It was particularly nice to stay with local families. The riding group was mixed in age and nationality, and overall, we got along well. I had better information than other travelers who had booked through different agents.
This is like an addiction! Where should I go next?
Eva Udd / Zagoria Long Ride
A Personal and Educational Ride Through Spectacular Terrain
A personal, cheerful, and friendly experience. It was incredibly interesting to receive so much information about Albania in fluent English from Kristina and Ilir.
This ride requires experienced and skilled riders with no fear of heights. The horses were fantastic and reliable, even in the sometimes challenging terrain. One of the best riding trips we’ve ever been on – and the other participants agreed!
Anna-Catharina Nelson / Zagoria Long Ride
Culture, History, and Warmth in a Perfect Combination
Some meals were absolutely delicious (almost everything was locally grown). We were also offered plenty of drinks.
Staying with wonderful families and experiencing cultural elements such as guided tours of villages and visits to churches and excavations was truly appreciated. Fantastic hosts who shared their deep knowledge of the country. Extremely hospitable and kind!
Yvonne Vilen / Zagoria Long Ride
An Adventure Beyond the Ordinary
Fantastic accommodation with wonderful hosts. The food was excellent and well-prepared.
Beautiful terrain, a perfectly paced ride, and highly professional guides. The horses were lively, friendly, and very sure-footed, even in the more challenging sections. Outstanding service – I felt completely safe and well taken care of the entire time.
I have traveled a lot and often in my life, but this was the most fun experience I’ve ever had!
Monica Winberg Nowak / Zagoria Long Ride
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