It’s time to say goodbye to friends and family before boarding your flight to Tirana. After a short flight you will be met and transferred to your hotel. If time allows, you will have a short tour around seeing highlights such as Skanderbeg Square, the Et’hem Bey Mosque, and ‘Blloku’, the once restricted residential district of the communist elite. (D)
Accommodation: Hotel
This morning you will drive through the valley of Shkumbin and Thana Pass until you reach the shores of Lake Ohrid where the cycling challenge begins. After checking and fitting the bikes, the warm up ride alongside the lake soon ends as you head through the hills to the Korça plateau. Known for its relaxed atmosphere, Korça houses the oldest brewery of Albania! (B,L,D)
Accommodation: Hotel
After breakfast the ride today passes through apple fields and along a roller coaster road beside the Gramoz Mountains. In the afternoon, you’ll reach the Barmash Pass which opens to stunning views towards the Germenj woods that lie ahead. The final push for today winds through the pine and fir forests until reaching your accommodation. (B,L,D)
Accommodation: Hotel
Today starts by cycling across a remote and beautiful plateau and on through a forest of fir until you reach views across the rocky north face of Mount Nemerçka. From here the route descends from Lekovik into the green valley of Vjosa, known as Europe’s last wide river despite threats of the construction of hydropower dams. The day’s cycling ends on reaching the thermal springs of Benja located next to an ancient Ottoman stone bridge. There may be time to relax and take in the springs. After lunch, you’ll transfer by bus to the historic town of Gjirokaster with time to visit the Argjiro fortress on top of the hill and enjoy the sunset over the Lunxheria mountains. (B,L,D)
Accommodation: Hotel
A short transfer by bus this morning takes you to the Muzina Pass where the bikes will be waiting for the cycle downhill towards the coast. The vegetation changes as you get closer to the Mediterranean Sea and after cycling along the vast Butrinti Lagoon, you’ll get the first views over the Ionic coast and to Corfu. On reaching the Vivari Channel you will stop for lunch and to visit the UNESCO archaeological park of Butrint. After this cultural stop, you’ll continue to the town of Saranda, where you stop for the night. (B,L,D)
Accommodation: Hotel
Your day starts with a short but steep climb out of Saranda and, as you head inland, the road winds through olive groves and on to the village of St Vasil. From here the next section of your journey goes along the spectacular stretch of coast known as the Albanian Riviera. The road stays high above the sea, passing a succession of small villages, olive and citrus terraces until you reach the Bay of Palermo. From here, the final section of the ride takes you to Himara by the sea, your overnight stop. (B,L,D)
Accommodation: Hotel
Leaving Himara behind, the first test of the day is the climb of the Visha Pass, followed by another panoramic section above the coast. After passing through Dhermi, the long and regular switchbacks of the Llogora Pass above the Ionian coast and besides the Cika Mountains make for a spectacular and challenging ride. After a well-deserved rest and lunch, the reward for a tough morning is a long downhill ride towards the bay of Vlora marking the end of your challenge. You’ll leave your bikes behind and a bus transfer takes you to the old UNESCO city of Berat to celebrate the end of the day. (B,L,D)
Accommodation: Hotel
Expect to feel proud of your achievements and emotional as you transfer to the airport for your international flight back to London. (B)
BELIEVE >> ACHIEVE >> INSPIRE
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