Welcome to Albania! You will be met in Tirana (airport or city), where you will receive the tour navigation materials and a short briefing on the upcoming days. The extended drive South to the Albanian Riviera (appr. 4hrs) will pass the Vjosa River (one of the last wild rivers in Europe), the salt pans of the Narta Lagoon (the second most important site for water birds in Albania) and above the Bay of Vlore with coastal vista before reaching the Llogara tunnel. On its other end, the sun-kissed Albanian Riviera awaits and a winding road will take you further through the charming Mediterranean villages to the small seaside city Himara. You will base here for the next five nights, getting daily transfers to/from the trailheads, exploring picturesque pebble beaches and the idyllic villages of the Ionian Coast.

A scenic morning drive (20min) along glistening bays will take to the foot of the Kudhes village. Your first self-guided walk in Albania will start here. The winding road will take you through olive trees and houses up to the heart of the village, where the generous shade of the plane trees will invite you for a coffee in the company of the friendly locals. The rocky shepherds' path that follows right after leaving the village will be adorned by bright pink oleanders and lush green cypress trees. As you ascend slowly, flocks of roaming goats grazing the grounds will raise their heads towards you with curiosity. Arriving at the terraced fields, the view will open towards the deep blue sea and over to the Greek Corfu Island in the close background. Soon you will arrive at the Qeparo old town, perched on the top of the hill. Do not miss the viewpoint there, overlooking the olive fields and tranquil shore. Time seems to stand still in the maze of traditional stone houses and cobbled streets. From here you can descend to the New Qeparo by the beach or continue the walk above the shoreline and across the hillside towards the maritime village of Borsh in case you wish to enjoy the coastal landscape a little longer. Transfer back to Himara.

Instead of mountains, today's hiking route will take you across cliffs and through the Mediterranean maquis from one dazzling beach to another. It is by no means a flat walk, but it offers the perfect "hike & swim" day through the beaches that have turned the Albanian Riviera into a booming destination. A 30min morning drive will take you to one of the most distinct coastal villages - Vuno. The white, stacked up houses on the hillside, the centuries old orthodox churches, the central open-air café and the partisan memorial next to it will invite you for an exploratory stroll. An idyllic descent will follow later on, passing through olive groves. Slowly you will feel the salty aroma while nearing the sea and the secluded “Aquarium”. Reachable on foot only, it is named after it’s unusually clear water. Accompanied by the awe-inspiring colors and the sound of the crashing waves, you will walk the red-earthed trail until you reach Livadhi Beach. You can choose to stop here for some more swimming, walk through the city to reach your hotel or go the 1000 years old cobblestone path up to the old town of Himara and it’s ancient castle of ancient. The hilltop town offers a similar atmosphere as Qeparo, which is especially beautiful right before sunset.

Your self-guided walking tour continues in the lesser known southern part of the Riviera. There you will go for a coastal mountain hike opposite to the beaches. From Lukova (45min drive), an initially steep shepherd’s path will take you towards the ridge, revealing some fine views of the terraced hills plunging into the turquoise sea. Soon, Corfu Island will appear in the horizon too. Once at the pass you will peek at the wild and solitary territories on the other side of the mountain range. Weather permitting, it will be even possible to follow a steep, yet straightforward path up to the Lavani Peak, the highest point in sight (861m a.s.l.). The olive tree covered coastal landscape and the bays of tomorrow’s walk will offer one of the most special views of the entire trip, yours to fully enjoy in peace during your picnic break. The descent will follow a wide gravel road, allowing you to immerse yourself in the views all the way down to Piqeras, where you regain contact with the world again. The beach of Piqeras is a hidden gem along the picturesque Albanian Riviera, renowned for its stunning natural beauty and tranquil atmosphere. A 35min transfer will take you back to Himara.

A relaxed and diverse hike will show you today the southern side of the Albanian Riviera once more. Starting again in Lukova (45min drive), you will walk through the flower adorned houses, down the old cobblestone alleys and even discover a small waterfall. As you will continue through uniform paths and endless terraces of olive groves (mostly built during communism by political prisoners) you will eventually descend to Bunec Beach. The open skyline, tranquil sea, and the unusual emptiness of the pebbly shore will make it seem like a scene from a stranded film. Continuing the stroll along the hillside, the endless seeming Borsh Beach will slowly come to view. Spend your time for a refreshing swim before getting transferred for your last overnight in Himara (25min drive).

The heights of the Ceraunian Mountains and Llogara National Park are calling (though you may skip the most demanding walk of this journey, spend the day in Himara and transfer up in the late afternoon). A driver will take you to the highest point of the Llogara pass at above 1000m a.s.l. (1hr drive). Here a wide gravel path will steadily climb to the radio towers at the ridge, where the lush green Karaburun Peninsula's western slopes plunge steeply into the deep blue Ionian Sea. Great views of the rugged Albanian Riviera and the Bay of Vlora on the other side will accompany your steps along the peninsula’s spine. You will also have the opportunity to climb Mt. Gjipali (1446m a.s.l.) for a high-up picnic break, taking a moment to memorize the harsh beauty of the entire coastal line. A descend into a mountain pasture will be expecting you later on, before entering the rainforest-like green corridor which will offer a nice shade in the afternoon. This is a nature protection area mostly famous for its 500-year-old black pines and firs. The curious shapes the trees take from the winds and the ever changing climate conditions, especially when engulfed by fog, create an atmosphere of an enchanted forest. You will stay overnight in a comfortable mountain hotel in the national park.

A short morning transfer will take you to the trailhead of the last stage in this self-guided walking adventure. This will be the highest point of the Llogara Pass (1043m a.s.l.). A narrow and partly steep trail will take you up from there through ancient snakeskin pines. During communism the tree giants were tapped for resin but today they rest peacefully surrounded by chamomile and sage. Today’s goal lies at the foot of the rocky peak of Qorre (2018m a.s.l.) at the Dhjopuri Saddle (1600m a.s.l.). There you can take a rest and enjoy the views of the Llogara Pass, separating the Karaburun Peninsula from the rest of the Riviera, and the village Dukat at the foot of the mountain. Once finished, you will retrace your steps down to one of the restaurants, where you can have a well-deserved beer. A driver will pick you up from there for a transfer (3,30hrs) to Tirana - Albania's modern capital, where you will arrive in the late afternoon. If you wish to skip the climb or prefer to spend more time in Tirana, please let us know in advance to arrange a morning transfer instead.

Your self-guided walking holiday in Albania will end with a 30min transfer to the airport.