Those arriving on the suggested group flight will meet at Tirana airport. (Refer to the GETTING THERE section for details of these.) We will then set off south through the plains of western Albania as we have lunch en route and make our way down to the beautiful bay of Vlorë where we will check into our hotel, just a stone’s throw from the welcoming waters of the Adriatic.

Continuing south we head towards the magnificent mountains of the Llogara National Park where we will begin our hike today. Following a beautiful forest trail we will slowly make our way up and along the famous ridge running to the Karaburun Peninsula, taking in breath-taking panoramic views of the Adriatic and Ionian Seas on one side, and the dramatic 2000-metre-high mountains on the other. We’ll have time to enjoy these stunning vistas with a well-earned picnic lunch, before continuing on along the ridge and down onto the Llogara Pass via an old army dirt road. A short transfer will then take us on to our hotel in Llogara where we can relax for the remainder of the day before dinner.
Approx. 5hrs walking (695m ascent, 450m descent. Total distance 10kms, highest point 1380m)

This morning we will take a short drive to the Llogara pass, halfway up Mount Çika, the tallest peak of the Ceraunian Range and situated dramatically on the edge of the Ionian Sea at a height of 2044m. From the pass we will set off on foot and wind our way through coniferous forests and up the mountain slopes reaching just below Qore’s Summit, where we can take in the magnificent mountain and sea views. After enjoying lunch we will continue to soak up the scenic views by a road which meanders through citrus and olive groves and hills of Mediterranean maquis making our way further along the coast to our base for the night - Himarë.
Approx. 3hrs walking (510m ascent, 510m descent. Total distance 5kms, highest point 1550m)

After breakfast we leave the lovely town of Himarë and drive along the celebrated bay of Porto Palermo, passing the castle of Ali Pasha, the ‘Lion of Yannina’, who ruled Albania during the late 18th and early 19th centuries. Continuing our journey we will stop near the quaint little hillside village of Kudhes from where we will walk along the foothills of the mountains by the sea to Old Qeparo village, and from there descend further to the seafront, for lunch and a swim for those who would like a refreshing dip. From the bay we can see the large island of Corfu in the horizon. In the afternoon we’ll drive on to Butrint National Park, home to the famed UNESCO World Heritage archaeological site that lies on the shores of the Mediterranean. Located on the Straits of Corfu and surrounded by a picturesque lagoon, the site has, at various stages of its development, been a Greek colony, a Roman city and a bishopric. Today it is a site of major historical significance and remains one of the most important archaeological finds in the country, with artefacts and monuments being unearthed that date back as far as the Bronze Age. Its setting, against the natural backdrop of native woodland and the fresh waters of Lake Butrint and the Vivari Channel, makes it a particularly attractive site to explore. After our visit we will drive to the coastal town of Sarande where we will settle for the night.
Approx. 3-4hrs walking (177m ascent, 486m descent. Total distance: 7kms, highest point 426m)

This morning we head further inland to the UNESCO World Heritage city of Gjirokastër. We’ll enjoy the scenic drive as we pass through the valley of Drinos, crossing the picturesque Muzinë Pass. After about an hour we will reach the foothills of the mountains and set off from the village of Libohova and its fortress, along the trail which Lord Byron himself took centuries ago. Our walk will end in the village of Labovë where we will have lunch and visit the Labovë e Kryqit Church, one of the oldest churches in Albania. From here we will take a short transfer to eventually reach the historic town of Gjirokastër. A beautifully preserved example of an Ottoman town, dramatically situated between the Gjerë Mountains and the Drino River, Gjirokastër is still dominated by its Ottoman citadel, one of largest in the Balkans. Originally built in the 12th century, the citadel has undergone a number of makeovers since its original construction, and now operates as a historical site with a selection of interesting post-War era weapons and memorabilia, including a US Air Force plane which was captured in Tirana during the 1950s. Filled with a lovely collection of charming 17th and 18th century buildings and palatial residences, the old part of the city still reflects something of Gjirokastër’s once favoured status amongst the Ottoman elite of the 19th century, and stands as the perfect base for us this evening.
Approx. 3hrs walking (200m ascent, 270m descent. Total distance 7kms, highest point 680m)

Our final journey will take us to the country’s capital today, Tirana, travelling at times via the Shkumbin Valley, which once formed an important section of the Via Egnatia, the Roman road that connected the western and eastern parts of the Roman Empire. After a final walk en route in the basin of the Vjosa River, Europe's first wild river National Park, we plan to arrive in Tirana mid-afternoon to allow for time to take in the renovated Skanderbeg square, the historic Et'hem Bey Mosque and some of the famed coloured government buildings which date back to the 1930s Italian-influenced era. This evening we will enjoy our final dinner in a local city restaurant.
Approx. 2.5hrs walking (260m ascent, 260m descent. Total distance 6.5kms)

The tour ends this morning in Tirana. Those on the suggested Group Flights (see the GETTING THERE section) will be transferred to the airport in time to check-in.