Albanian Highlights

Day 1: Arrival
Day 2: Transfer from Tirana, Qafe Thane to Pogradec, 18 mi. (29km)
Day 3: Pogradec - Korcë, 32 mi. (51 km)
Day 4: Korcë - Sotirë, 45 mi. (72 km)
Day 5: Sotirë - Bënjë, 41 mi. (66 km)
Day 6: Bënjë - Gjirokastër, 44 mi. (70 km)
Day 7: Gjirokastër - Sarandë, 44 mi. (70 km)
Day 8: Saranda - Himarë, 32 mi. (52 km)
Day 9: Himarë - Vlorë, 40 mi. (64 km)
Day 10: Departure - Transfer from Vlore to Tirana Airport

*All distances are approximate.

Day 1: Arrival
After checking into the hotel in Tirana, there will be time to tour the mysterious Albanian capital. Lively, colorful Tirana is the beating heart of Albania, having undergone a transformation of extraordinary proportions since awakening from its communist slumber in the early 1990s. Tirana's center is now unrecognizable, with buildings painted in rainbow colors, adding brightness to what was once a rather monochrome cityscape.

Sample hotel: Hotel Austria

Day 2: Transfer from Tirana - Pogradec, 18 mi. (29 km) | Elevation: 70 meters/230 ft
After the morning transfer (2 hours) to the Albanian-Macedonian border and Lake Ohrid, you will start cycling clockwise around the lake, stopping for lunch at the UNESCO town of Ohrid. Boasting castles, monasteries, and postcard-perfect views at every turn, Ohrid is the kind of place that will pull you in with its beauty and wealth of history. After lunch, the tour continues along the shore all the way to Tushemisht, the other Albanian-Macedonian border.  Lake Ohrid, one of the oldest lakes in the world, is home to 212 known endemic species and with a surface area of 358 km2, it is probably the most diverse lake in the world.

Sample hotel: Hotel Millenium

Day 3: Pogradec - Korcë, 32 mi. (51 km) | Elevation: 512 m/1680 ft
This morning you will pedal from the lake to a high plateau surrounded by mountains. You will follow the gorge for a time until the hills open to a vast plain, a patchwork of individual farms and colors. The final destination today is Korcë, high in the Albanian hinterlands. The locals are quite influenced by the close proximity to Greece in more than one way. Many are fluent in both Greek and Albanian.  

Known as the City of Serenades, Korçë is often thought of as one of Albania’s most beautiful cities. It earned that nickname because of the men who would sing love ballads on the city’s balconies and in the courtyards. From the city’s museums to its bars to its wonderful bazaar, Korçë is a very homey, cozy city. It has a very relaxed feel, as evidenced by its parks and beer gardens, and also exudes a friendly charm.

Sample hotel: Villa Mano

Day 4: Korcë - Sotirë, 45 mi. (72 km) | Elevation: 1171 m/3842 ft
Leaving behind the agricultural plateau of Korcë, the route climbs steadily into the border mountains through a landscape of barren rock interspersed with wildflowers. Numerous cols and valleys lie ahead, climbing into the heart of the Grammoz Mountains and over the Barmash Pass (1159 m). Lunch will be enjoyed in the town of Ersekë, the highest city in Albania at about 1000m above sea level. You will overnight at Sotirë farm, nestled in its own tranquil valley. After checking into one of the cozy cabins, you can relax by the fish ponds with a glass of this family's special red wine.      

Sample hotel: Guesthouse Farma Sotira

Day 5: Sotirë - Bënjë  41 mi. (66 km) |  Elevation: 660 m/2165 ft
You will cycle from Sotirë to a high Pine forest plateau surrounded by soaring peaks, before reaching the source of the River Vjosa and descending through its spectacular gorge to Leskovik. The long descent to Çarshovë is exhilarating and offers some of the most incredible views of the entire tour. You follow the switchbacks high above the river to Përmet, famed for its strong raki. After arriving at your guesthouse for lunch, in the village of Bënjë, you will then continue cycling for another 4km to the thermal pools of Langarica and its canyon. A 16th-century ancient ottoman bridge marks the spot and the end of the road. Take a dip in one of the secluded pools to end a day of riding. 

Sample hotel: Guesthouse Coli

Day 6: Bënjë - Gjirokastër, 44 mi. (70 km) | Elevation: 427 m/1401 ft
Leaving Bënjë, you will cycle through the valley towards Këlcyrë. You will ride between stunning peaks to the confluence of the Drinos. This opens out into a wide plain with the town of Gjirokastër high above on the right. Gjirokastër, known as the city of 1,000 steps, is one of the most interesting places you'll visit on this tour, as it is the most well-preserved Ottoman city in all of Europe. Incredible two-story stone houses line winding, cobblestone streets and are reminiscent of times past. This city is also of great importance to the Albanian people as it is the birthplace of the most famous Albanian writer of all time, Ismail Kadare.

Sample hotel: Hotel Cajupi

Day 7: Gjirokastër - Sarandë, 43 mi. (70 km) | Elevation: 525 m/1722 ft
You will start with a short transfer before beginning to pedal at the top of the Muzina pass towards Sarandë. Before arriving in this coastal city, you will visit the UNESCO World Heritage Site of Butrint, one of the country's most important archaeological treasures. This place has a special atmosphere created by a combination of archaeology, monuments, and the nature of the Mediterranean. Leaving Butrint, you will make your way along the coast heading north with the island of Corfu in your view.

Sample hotel: Hotel Nertili

Day 8: Sarandë - Himarë, 32 mi. (52 km) | Elevation: 1064 m/3491 ft
The morning is a bit of a roller coaster ride, starting with a steep climb out of Sarandë to a rocky plateau, through cols into bays, and around headlands. You will cycle with the stunning mountain scenery to the right and the sea to the left before descending to the long beach and the bay of Himarë. Before arriving at your destination, you will visit Porto Palermo Castle, located on a small island in the Bay of Palermo. From the castle terrace, you have amazing views over the Ionian Sea, the rocky coastline, and the mountains.

In Himarë, you'll find some of the most beautiful beaches in Albania. 

Sample hotel: Hotel Rondos

Day 9: Himarë - Vlorë, 40 mi. (64 km) |  Elevation: 1590 m/5216 ft
Today’s route is as challenging as it is spectacular. You will cycle 1000m up to the Llogara pass above the blue water of the Ionian sea and its National Park, home to black pine, Eurasian otter, and golden eagles. The park is a scenic expanse of protected woodland that encompasses the forests on the northern side of the Llogora Pass. It truly is breathtaking scenery. After lunch, you will cycle downhill all the way to Vlorë.

Vlorë is an old city, founded in the sixth century, and situated in a beautiful location as part of the Albanian Riviera. Its shores are bathed by both the Adriatic and the Ionian Seas and present a unique mixture of rocky and sandy beaches. The gorgeous vistas of the Karaburun Peninsula and Sazan Islands stretch in front of the city.

Sample hotel: Hotel Coral

Day 10: Departure - Transfer from Vlore to Tirana Airport
Today you will say goodbye to your new-found friends. Depending on your flight, right after breakfast, we will transfer you to Rinas airport in Tirana (2.5 hours). A separate transfer will be offered to those staying longer in Albania.

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Accommodations

You will be accommodated in quality 3 and 4-star hotels and comfortable guesthouses that have been chosen for their quality and location to enhance your experience. You will find the hotels that are usually used listed in the daily itinerary. For example in Pogradec, Hotel Millennium is a beachfront establishment that overlooks Lake Ohrid. In Gërmenjë, you will be accommodated in the Farma Sotira Guesthouse, a working farm located inside the national park Germenj-Shelegur, in the middle of pristine forests, featuring homegrown organic food.

Bicycles

Men’s Standard Bike with front suspension

Giant Roam

• Aluminum frame (men's frame)
• Shimano Deore 30 speed
• Front lockout suspension
• Hydraulic disc brake
• 700 C wheels
• Schwalbe Marathon Tires
• Rear rack

Women’s Standard Bike with front suspension

Giant Rove

• Aluminum frame (women's)
• Shimano Deore 30 speed
• Front lockout suspension
• Hydraulic disc brakes
• 700 C wheels
• Schwalbe Marathon Tires
• Rear rack

Electric Bike with front suspension

Giant Explore E

• Aluminum step-through frame
• Shimano 10 speed
• Front lockout suspension
• Hydraulic disc brakes
• Rear Rack
• 700 C wheels
• Schwalbe Marathon Tires
• Giant Sync Drive Sport motor (Pedal assist up to 20 mph)
• Giant Energy Pak 400 battery, 36 V