Albania horse trekking holiday
Along the way he passed through a land that many at the time considered nothing more than an illiterate backwater of the Ottoman Empire, ruled by a despotic vizier and inhabited by savage mountain tribes. During the course of the 6 day horse trek we will take in the UNESCO splendour of the Ottoman town of Gjirokastër and the beautiful Byzantine church of Labovë e Kryqit, overnight in a Bektashi monastery on the outskirts of Melen and ride through the dramatic Këlcyra Gorge. We will then stand in Byron’s shadow and gaze down across the flowing waters of the River Vjosë from the citadel of Tepelenë, before completing our journey through the churches and villages of the Vjosë Valley.
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Day I
The tour starts in Albania’s capital with its grandiose 1930s design and Communist inspired urbanisation, enjoying the an interesting architectural mix of ideologies.
Day II
Today we travel south towards the UNESCO World Heritage town of Gjirokastër, stopping en route firstly to visit the important Roman archaeological site of Bylis and secondly to take a look at the castle of Tepelenë.
Day III
From Gjirokastër we will drive south to the Greek border where we will meet the horses, saddle up and head off on the old mountain trail, taking lunch at Bektashi Monastery and stopping for the night in Libohovë.
Day IV
Today’s ride takes us on through the hills to the ancient site of Antigonea, a city founded by King Pyrrhus of Epirus in 295 BC and one that, before its destruction during the Macedon Wars 150 years later, was an important trading centre.
Day V
Today we will continue on Byron’s trail to the village of Erind, on the eastern side of the Drinos Valley. Taking lunch on the way we will ride till mid-afternoon and visit the church of Labovë e Krygit.
Day VI – VII
For the next two days we will head northeast, high up over the mountains on a trail known only to drovers and ancient pilgrims. We will explore local monasteries and churches and camp for two nights before heading down to the spectacular Kelcyra Gorge.
Day VIII
Today we will ride down out of the high hills and into the Kelcyra Gorge, a place that witnessed one of the most famous and pivotal battles of antiquity, providing us with some of the most enchanting vistas of our journey. A fitting finale we feel.
Day IX
After an early breakfast we will drive back to Tirana (4-5hrs), heading directly to the airport for our onward flights.
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