Winter Horseback Trail and Culture Experience in Albania

Plan your arrival at Tirana airport ideally in the morning, but no later than 13:00 pm to allow time for transfer and a visit to the town of Gjirokastra. The transfer from Tirana airport will take approximately 3-4 hours (250km). Your accommodation will be in a traditional hotel in the heart of the historical Gjirokastra. If there is daylight remaining, you can explore the new Bazaar, Enver Hoxha’s house, Gjirokastra castle, the church of the Old Bazaar, the Bazar mosque, and Skenduli house before dinner. During dinner, your guides will provide insights into the trail, address any requests or needs, offer advice, and share important information. We recommend purchasing a map of the area before dinner to gain a better understanding of the itinerary.

After breakfast at the hotel and allocation of horses, we will set off on our ride through the picturesque countryside towards the village of Labova of the Cross. This charming village is known for its beautiful landscapes and historical significance. The route to Labova of the Cross will be moderately challenging, featuring hilly terrains, valleys, small water streams, and opportunities for enjoyable canters.

Upon reaching Labova of the Cross, we will check into a local guest house, where you can experience the warm hospitality of the villagers. The guest house will provide a comfortable and authentic stay, allowing you to immerse yourself in the local culture.

After settling in, we will visit the Church of Labova of the Cross, a significant religious site in the area. The church is known for its unique architecture and historical importance, offering a glimpse into the village’s rich heritage. You will have the opportunity to explore the church and learn about its fascinating history.

In the evening, you can participate in various activities at the guest house, such as helping with farm chores or engaging in traditional cooking alongside the family. This will provide a hands-on experience of the village lifestyle and create memorable moments.

Overnight accommodation will be at the local guest house, where you can enjoy a delicious dinner consisting of traditional local cuisine. The guest house will offer a cosy and authentic atmosphere, ensuring a restful night’s sleep.

Riding hours: 4 hours.

This morning, we will embark on a ride through rolling hills, the enchanting Drino Valley, and several water streams, followed by a steep climb to reach the captivating Antigonea Archaeological  Park, where we will make a stop for a visit. Antigonea was built by King Pyrrhus in 295 BC and named after his first wife, Antigona, daughter of King Ptolemais of Egypt. After the break, we will ride for another hour until we reach the stable, where you can enjoy the experience of letting your horses roam freely. Lunch will follow shortly after in a village near the stable. We will return to the same hotel in Gjirokastra for accommodation. After a brief respite, we plan to visit the Cold War tunnel in Gjirokastra—a relic of communist defence paranoia that holds intriguing stories to tell. Before dinner, we will visit a painter’s studio, where the artist will share insights into local art, special painting techniques, installations, and the incorporation of traditional elements in his works. Discussions may also touch upon ideological art during the communist era. Dinner will be held at a small local restaurant in the historical area, accompanied by the presence of a renowned iso-polyphonic group—a UNESCO-protected world heritage—offering performances, songs, and explanations about the complex role of its members.

Riding hours: 4 hours.

After a freshly cooked breakfast, we will embark on an exceptional off-road journey from Gjirokastra to Butrint, a UNESCO-protected archaeological park. This challenging drive will take you through small remote villages, old houses, winding roads, off-road paths, small gardens, scarce animal sightings, old churches, and a palpable sense of time suspended in the past. We will pause to visit the ruins of Leshnica Church and have a coffee stop in the village of Cerkovica, where a local resident will provide a brief presentation on the area’s history and future aspirations. Continuing our drive, we will reach Butrint to explore the fascinating archaeological park. Dating back to the 7th century BC, Butrint has a legendary origin tied to the exiles who sought refuge after the fall of Troy. Having been occupied by the Greeks, Romans, Byzantines, and Venetians, Butrint boasts a plethora of remarkable archaeological structures, including a well-preserved theatre, Roman public baths housing a paleo-Christian baptistery, and a 9th-century basilica. The sanctuary of Asclepius, the god of medicine, crowns the hilltop acropolis and dates back to the fourth century. Afterward, we will enjoy lunch in Saranda at a seaside restaurant, relishing an array of locally prepared seafood. On our return to Gjirokastra, we will visit the local art gallery, where the manager—an accomplished painter—will provide a presentation. Dinner will be served at a restaurant in the old bazaar.

Driving hours: Total of 6 hours.

Following breakfast at the hotel, we will depart for the Drinos Valley, tracing the path of the Vjosa River until we reach the thermal baths of Benja in Permet. Along the river, you will discover splendid, warm-water, human-made pools—a hidden gem perfect for relaxation on a cool day. These baths have been believed to possess healing properties for centuries, and during the winter months, you can enjoy privacy and tranquillity. As you journey, you will encounter the Kadiu Bridge, a cultural monument built in 1760 during the Ottoman period, offering a stunning view of the Langarica River—an entrance to the canyons. Throughout the day, you will have the opportunity to explore the canyons through hiking and swimming activities. Lunch will be served in the “City of Roses,” Permet, where you will delight in the local raki and sweets. Later, we will drive to a remote area near Ballaban village to visit another unique farm that will serve as our accommodation for the evening and dinner. The owners will share their story of abandoning city life, pursuing their dreams, and living in harmony with nature. This will also be a special wine tasting experience. 

Driving hours: Total of 3-4 hours.

After breakfast, we will drive back to Gjirokastra to reach the horse stables for another day of horse riding. Today’s itinerary will take us through a rural landscape, featuring beautiful steep hills, small valleys, pastoral scenery, traditional farming practices, bush areas, small lakes, small water streams, cliffs, and remnants of defence infrastructure from the communist era. Throughout the morning ride, the captivating view of the River Drino—the “Tree of Life” river—will accompany you. The Drino River holds great significance in ancient pagan beliefs. Along the way, you will encounter the ruins of the Santa Triada Castle, reconstructed during 1809-1810 by Ali Pasha as a strategic point for controlling medieval caravan routes. These castle ruins were later repurposed for military use during the socialist era. We will pause for a picnic lunch near the village of Erind. After approximately 4-5 hours of riding, we will arrive at Karjan village, where a traditional dinner and accommodation await you at a local farm. In the afternoon, you can explore the village, partake in family activities, and assist in feeding, cleaning, and watering the horses. 

Riding hours: 4-5.

After enjoying breakfast with the family and packing a picnic, we will commence our ride at 9 o’clock. Our route will take us first to Nokova village, where we will visit medieval churches. Continuing through the Lunxheria area, we will stop for a picnic in Dhoksat village. This village is renowned for its unique architecture and the use of black stone in construction, as well as its beautiful doors. A local expert will join us to provide insights into life, tradition, folklore, costumes, and ethnography of the area. After lunch, our ride will continue through cultivated lands, gardens, livestock areas, and wide meadows, offering captivating panoramic views. We will have another brief stop by Qestorati Lake to savour the scenery before returning to the stables from a different direction. The final leg of the ride in the afternoon will be the most picturesque, with several opportunities for canters and breath-taking hill climbs. After the ride, we will drive back to Gjirokastra, where you can take a stroll around the historical area before the farewell dinner. In the evening, we can enjoy a drink at a popular bar. 

Riding hours: 5 hours.

Following breakfast at the hotel, you will be transferred back to Tirana Airport for your departure.