Adventure travel company EverTrek is expanding its portfolio with the addition of Albania, bringing its total number of destinations to 23 and offering travellers an exciting new way to explore one of Europe’s emerging adventure hotspots.
The eight-day trip showcases the best of Southern Albania, combining mountain views, historic cities, village trails, rural cycling, rafting on the Vjosa River, natural thermal springs and time on the stunning Albanian Riviera.
Designed for travellers looking for more than a traditional walking holiday or sightseeing tour, the active and varied itinerary brings together outdoor adventures, local culture and opportunities to experience Albania’s diverse landscapes in one action-packed week.
Participants will explore the capital, Tirana, and the historic town of Krujë before discovering UNESCO-listed Berat, known as the ‘City of a Thousand Windows’, with its Ottoman architecture, castle walls and cobbled streets.
The adventure continues around Përmet, where travellers can hike and mountain bike through rural landscapes, discover traditional village trails and take in sweeping valley views.
They will also raft through the spectacular scenery of the Vjosa River, one of Europe’s last free-flowing rivers, before unwinding in the warm natural pools of Benja Thermal Springs.
The final leg takes the group south towards the Ionian Coast, with time to explore Sarandë, visit the ancient ruins of Butrint and discover the famous The Blue Eye spring, before experiencing the beauty of the Albanian Riviera.
No previous mountain biking or rafting experience is required, making the trip an accessible introduction to multi-activity adventure travel.
Travellers should have a reasonable level of fitness to enjoy the hiking and cycling, but the itinerary is designed to offer an achievable and varied challenge rather than an endurance test.
Rhys David, CEO of EverTrek, recently took part in the first trip and believes Albania is a brilliant addition to the company’s growing destination list.
He said:
“We decided to add Albania to the list of destinations at EverTrek in response to market research and customer feedback, which showed an appetite for more accessible adventures offering a mix of activities. While our roots are in high-altitude trekking, we wanted to broaden our offering with a destination that’s easier to reach and combines hiking with experiences such as rafting and mountain biking.
“Albania particularly stood out because, after decades of isolation, it is increasingly opening up to international tourism and offers huge potential for adventure travellers. Using the latest technology to identify emerging destinations and growth opportunities, we developed an itinerary that brings together the best of the country while reflecting what our customers want from an active holiday.”
Rhys added:
“Albania had been on my travel wish list for a while, and after spending eight days exploring the country, I came home wondering why I’d left it so long.
“From mountain adventures and river rafting to vineyards, beaches and discovering incredible local culture, the trip had so much variety. We were a group of six people who started out as strangers and quickly became friends, sharing plenty of laughs and some unforgettable experiences along the way.
“The activities were brilliant, but it was the people and the fun we had together that really made the trip special. Albania is a great choice for anyone looking for an active holiday with a bit of everything. It sits at the easier end of our adventure range, so while you’ll want a reasonable level of fitness, you don’t need to be an endurance athlete.”
