10-Day Self-Guided UNESCO Cycling Tour in Albania: Lake Ohrid to the Riviera

The self-guided version of Beyond Albania's best-selling UNESCO tour: the same 10-day loop through southern Albania, ridden at your own pace, with your hotels booked, your bags moved each day and a route booklet in your pannier.

On arrival in Tirana you are met for an orientation briefing on the route, practical tips and local customs. Next morning a private transfer takes you to Lake Ohrid near Lin, where your bike is fitted and the ride begins along the lake to Tushemisht, with the option of crossing into North Macedonia to visit the Monastery of St. Naum. From there you ride to Korçë, the "Paris of Albania", then along the Greek border under the Gramoz Mountains and over the Barmash Pass (1,160 m) to the trout farm at Sotirë.

A 14 km descent leads to the Vjosa, one of Europe's last wild rivers, and on to Përmet, with the Benjë thermal springs nearby. You follow the Vjosa through the Këlcyrë gorge to Gjirokastër, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, then descend from the Muzina Pass to the coast, cross the Vivari channel by wooden ferry and can visit the ruins of Butrint. The last two days follow the Riviera road past Porto Palermo to Himarë, and climb the Llogara Pass before finishing by the sea at Radhimë.

In total: about 460 km and 6,000 m of climbing over eight riding days, rated 6 out of 10 (moderate). You ride a hybrid bike with panniers (e-bikes available for a supplement) and carry a pannier with tools for common repairs. Meals are not included, so you choose where to eat along the way.

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 (luggage moved between hotels); Arrival briefing in Tirana; Private transfer from Tirana to Lake Ohrid at the start; Booklet with maps and route information; Hybrid bike rental with panniers (e-bikes available for an additional charge); Pannier with tools for common repairs; Transfer to Tirana International Airport at the end of the tour

What's not included

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