10-Day Albanian UNESCO Cycling Tour: Lake Ohrid, Gjirokastër, Butrint and the Riviera (Guided)

Beyond Albania calls this its best seller: a guided, fully supported 10-day bike tour that loops through southern Albania's most varied landscapes and two of the country's three UNESCO World Heritage Sites, the hillside city of Gjirokastër and the ancient Greco-Roman ruins of Butrint.

After a welcome dinner in Tirana, a transfer takes you to the Qafë Thanë Pass above Lake Ohrid, one of Europe's oldest and deepest lakes, where the riding begins. From Pogradec you cross briefly into North Macedonia to visit the Monastery of St. Naum, then ride to Korçë, often called the Paris of Albania, for a guided walk through its cathedral, the first Albanian school and the restored Old Bazaar.

The route then heads into remote villages along the Greek border under the Gramoz Mountains, over the Barmash Pass (1,160 m) to a trout farm at Sotirë, and down a 14 km descent to the Vjosa, one of Europe's last wild rivers, with an evening at the Benjë thermal springs beneath an Ottoman bridge. You follow the Vjosa through the Këlcyrë gorge to Gjirokastër for a tour of the citadel and bazaar, then drop to the Ionian coast to cross the Vivari channel by wooden ferry and visit Butrint with a guide.

The last two riding days follow the Albanian Riviera road past Porto Palermo castle to Himarë, then climb the Llogara Pass, the most beautiful and challenging day of the tour, before finishing by the sea at Radhimë.

In total: about 460 km and 6,000 m of climbing over eight riding days, rated 6.5 out of 10 (moderate), in groups of up to 20. You ride a hybrid bike with panniers (e-bikes are available for a supplement), your bags travel in the support vehicle, and a multilingual cycling guide rides with you.

What's included

9 nights' shared accommodation in a mix of hotels and guesthouses (single rooms available for a supplement); Bag support vehicle with driver/guide; 9 breakfasts, 8 lunches and 7 dinners; Hybrid bike rental with panniers (e-bikes available for an additional charge); Multilingual cycling guide; Guided visits to Korçë, Gjirokastër and Butrint; Transfer to Tirana International Airport at the end of the tour

What's not included

Flights to and from Tirana; Transfer from Tirana International Airport to your hotel in Tirana; Single room supplement; E-bike supplement; Entrance to selected visitor sites and attractions; Drinks and snacks; Water bottle; Gratuities