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InAlb Signature Semi-guided self-drive

Active Adventure & Culture: Albania in 11 Days

This is an 11-day self-drive adventure and culture tour of Albania: zipline at Petrele, speedboat across Koman Lake to the Shala River, ATV the Cape of Rodon, raft Osum Canyon, scuba or paraglide in Vlora, kayak the wild Vjosa, plus UNESCO Berat and Gjirokaster, thermal baths and an eco-farm. You drive a fully insured ecological car at your own pace with local guides at the activities. From €1,850 per person, two sharing, private departure on your dates.

Planned and operated by InAlb, Tirana. Last updated .

11 days10 nights
Tiranastart and finish
AlbaniaPrivate & Self-Driving
Moderatesoft adventure
4.650 verified reviews
Active Adventure & Culture: Albania in 11 DaysAerial view of Koman Lake canyonZiplining over forest near TiranaATV trail on the Cape of RodonRafting in the Osum Canyon

What's included

  • 10 nights in carefully selected 4-star boutique hotels (one night at an eco-farm)
  • Daily breakfast
  • All activities mentioned in the itinerary
  • Guided tours with local licensed guides at all major destinations
  • Entrance fees to the museums, castles, archaeological sites and national parks in the itinerary
See everything included ↓

Highlights

  • Cycle to Petrele and ride one of the regions longest ziplines
  • Speedboat across Koman Lake to swim in the Shala River
  • Sunset at Rozafa Castle over Shkodra three rivers
  • ATV the pine cliffs of the Cape of Rodon
  • UNESCO Berat and a full adventure day in Osum Canyon

Active Adventure & Culture at a glance

Duration
11 days, 10 nights
Price
From €1,850 per person, two sharing, standard season. Price varies by season and room type
Countries
Albania
Start and finish
Tirana, Albania
Trip type
Adventure, Culture, Nature, UNESCO
Travel style
Semi-guided self-drive. You drive and local guides meet you in the main towns. Optional driver or driver-guide
Group
2 to 8 people, private departure on your dates
Fitness
Moderate. Expect cycling, hiking, and active water sports (zipline, ATV, rafting or tubing, kayaking), most with easier options
Hotels
10 nights, 4-star hotels and guesthouses
Driving
Self-drive in a new fully insured ecological car, with local guides at the activities and city stops
Activities included
2 boat trips, 1 walk or hike, guided visits, entrance tickets
Payment
30% deposit to book, balance 30 days before. Visa, Mastercard, Amex, Apple Pay, Google Pay, Klarna, Bank transfer
Availability
On request, any start date. Book at least 7 days before your start date
Best months
April to October
Languages
Guides in English
Support
InAlb local team on WhatsApp, 24/7 during the trip
Read the full overview

This is a self-drive adventure tour: you drive your own fully insured ecological car and a local guide meets you for the activities and city stops, so you get the adrenaline and the expertise without a fixed bus schedule. It mixes high-energy days (zipline, ATV, rafting, paragliding, kayaking) with culture and slow moments (UNESCO towns, thermal baths, an eco-farm). Everything can be customized: add experiences, extra nights, or a driver-guide if you would rather not drive. Booking is instant and any start date is open.

The route runs north first, then south through the mountains. You start gently in Tirana, then cycle to Petrelë for one of the region’s longest ziplines before driving to Shkodra. A speedboat crosses Koman Lake, often compared to the Norwegian fjords, to the crystal Shala River for swimming and optional kayaking, with sunset at Rozafa Castle.

The middle is coast and canyon: an ATV ride on the wild Cape of Rodon, UNESCO Berat, and a full day in Osum Canyon (rafting in spring, tubing in summer). Then the south, where Vlora offers scuba or paragliding, stone-built Gjirokastër its old town, and the wild Vjosa River a kayak before the Benja thermal baths and an outdoor yoga session.

The final stretch is the quiet, green east: hot springs near Leskovik, the eco-farm at Farma Sotira, a Gramoz mountain hike, elegant Korçë, and the dramatic Holta Canyon on the way back to Tirana. You drive between stops at your own pace, with guides handling the activities.

Your 11 days, day by day

Driving route

Tirana › Petrela › Shkodra › Koman Lake › Shala River › Berat › Osum Canyon › Vlora › Gjirokaster › Permet › Vjosa River › Benja › Sarandapor › Leskovik › Farma Sotira › Gramoz Mountains › Holta Canyon › Gjirokastra › Kepi i Rodonit › Korca

Day1 Welcome to Tirana Tirana
Welcome to Tirana

Arrive and transfer to your hotel. A relaxed first day to settle in, with an optional walk through Tirana’s squares, cafes and pedestrian streets.

Drive
Arrival transfer
Meals
Breakfast
Tonight · Tirana 4-star boutique hotel
Day2 Cycling, the Petrele zipline and north to Shkodra Tirana, Petrela, Shkodra
Cycling, the Petrele zipline and north to Shkodra

A morning bike tour from Tirana to Petrele through villages and olive groves, then a thrilling zipline from Petrele Castle. Leave the bikes and drive north to Shkodra, one of Albania’s oldest cities.

Drive
About 2 hours to Shkodra
Meals
Breakfast
Tonight · Shkodra 4-star boutique hotel
Day3 Koman Lake and the Shala River Koman Lake, Shala River, Shkodra
Koman Lake and the Shala River

An early speedboat across Koman Lake through limestone gorges to the Shala River for swimming, riverbank time and optional kayaking. Return to Shkodra for sunset at Rozafa Castle.

Drive
Boat day, transfers to the ferry
Meals
Breakfast
Tonight · Shkodra 4-star boutique hotel
Day4 Cape of Rodon ATV and UNESCO Berat Cape of Rodon, Berat
Cape of Rodon ATV and UNESCO Berat

An ATV adventure on the pine trails and cliffs of the Cape of Rodon, then south to Berat, the City of a Thousand Windows. Evening in the castle, the Mangalem and Gorica quarters, with dinner at a local agritourism.

Drive
About 4 hours
Meals
Breakfast
Tonight · Berat 4-star boutique hotel
Day5 Osum Canyon Osum Canyon, Berat
Osum Canyon

A full day in Osum Canyon: rafting in higher-water months, river tubing in summer, among waterfalls and dramatic rock walls. Afternoon back in Berat, with an optional raki and gliko tasting in the evening.

Drive
About 1.5 hours each way
Meals
Breakfast
Tonight · Berat 4-star boutique hotel
Day6 Vlora coast and Gjirokaster Vlora, Gjirokaster
Vlora coast and Gjirokaster

On the Vlora coast, choose scuba diving or paragliding over the Riviera (weather permitting), then drive inland to stone-built Gjirokaster for a sunset walk through its Ottoman old town and castle.

Drive
About 4 hours
Meals
Breakfast
Tonight · Gjirokaster 4-star boutique hotel
Day7 The Vjosa River and Benja thermal baths Permet, Vjosa River, Benja
The Vjosa River and Benja thermal baths

Drive to Permet, the City of Roses. Kayak calm sections of the wild Vjosa, then soak at the Benja thermal baths beneath an Ottoman bridge, with a gentle outdoor yoga session at sunset and an optional gliko workshop.

Drive
About 1.5 hours
Meals
Breakfast
Tonight · Permet 4-star boutique hotel
Day8 Hot springs, forests and an eco-farm Sarandapor, Leskovik, Farma Sotira
Hot springs, forests and an eco-farm

Head east via the Sarandapor hot springs and a coffee stop in Leskovik to Farma Sotira, an eco-farm in the forest. Learn about beekeeping, enjoy organic farm-to-table food and a quiet night under the stars.

Drive
About 2.5 hours
Meals
Breakfast
Tonight
Farma Sotira eco-farm
Day9 Gramoz mountains and Korce Gramoz Mountains, Korce
Gramoz mountains and Korce

A morning hike in the Gramoz mountains through alpine meadows, then on to Korce, Albania’s most elegant city, for a sunset walk along its French-inspired boulevards and its cafe and music scene.

Drive
About 2 hours
Meals
Breakfast
Tonight · Korce 4-star boutique hotel
Day10 Holta Canyon and back to Tirana Holta Canyon, Tirana
Holta Canyon and back to Tirana

Drive back toward the capital, stopping to walk the narrow stone corridors of Holta Canyon. Arrive in Tirana in the evening for a farewell dinner.

Drive
About 3.5 hours
Meals
Breakfast
Tonight · Tirana 4-star boutique hotel
Day11 Departure Tirana
Departure

Breakfast, then your private transfer to Tirana airport.

Drive
Airport transfer
Meals
Breakfast

Practical information

How do you get there and back?

Starts
Tirana, Albania
Ends
Tirana, Albania
Flights
Not included
On the ground
Self-drive in a new fully insured ecological car, with local guides at the activities and city stops.

Who is this trip for? Graded moderate

Each scale runs 1 to 5, from very easy to demanding.

Difficulty
ModerateLevel 3 of 5. Moderate. Expect cycling, hiking, and active water sports (zipline, ATV, rafting or tubing, kayaking), most with easier options. A reasonable level of fitness helps; tell us your group level and we adjust.
Pace
BalancedLevel 3 of 5

Good for. Active couples and small groups who want a mix of adventure and culture and prefer doing over watching, value authentic boutique and eco stays, and like slow travel with depth.

Not for you if travellers wanting a pure beach-and-relax holiday, anyone who would rather not drive (add a driver or driver-guide), or those wanting five-star luxury throughout.

Book this tourContact the teamFrom €1,850 pp · 30% deposit · reply within 24 hours

What is included in the €1,850 price?

Included in the price

  • 10 nights in carefully selected 4-star boutique hotels (one night at an eco-farm)
  • Daily breakfast
  • All activities mentioned in the itinerary
  • Guided tours with local licensed guides at all major destinations
  • Entrance fees to the museums, castles, archaeological sites and national parks in the itinerary
  • New ecological rental vehicle, fully insured (CDW and Super CDW), no deposit
  • 24/7 local assistance and on-ground support
  • All local taxes, service charges and fees

Not included

  • International flights
  • Fuel, parking, tolls and traffic fines (self-drive; covered if you add a driver or driver-guide)
  • Meals other than daily breakfast
  • Personal travel insurance (strongly recommended)
  • Optional activities not listed
  • Single supplement (+470 euro for a private room throughout)

Entry fees. Entrance tickets are included where listed under inclusions in the itinerary.

Optional extras

Add them in the booking box, or tell us when you enquire.

Private driver (whole trip)All driving handled; local guides still meet you at the stops. Includes fuel, tolls and parking. Per booking for the 11 days.€1,100 per trip
English-speaking driver-guideA host who travels with you the whole journey: private transport, fuel, tolls, parking and commentary. Per booking for the 11 days.€2,200 per trip
Driver-guide in Spanish, French, German or other languageSame as the English driver-guide, in your chosen language, subject to availability. Per booking for the 11 days.€2,640 per trip
Superior hotel upgradeBetter rooms and locations where available. Per person, per day.€40 pp
Luxury hotel upgradePremium or boutique stays where available. Per person, per day. In remote areas, the best property available there.€150 pp
Half board (one extra meal a day)Breakfast plus one meal, usually dinner. Per person, per day.€22 pp
Full board (all meals)Breakfast, lunch and dinner. Per person, per day.€44 pp
Extra catalogue experiencesAdd experiences such as raki or wine tasting, a cooking class, boat tour or olive oil tasting at 20% off the regular per-person price.On request
Single room, all nightsYour own room for the whole trip.€470 pp

Price per person by travellers and rooms

TravellersRoomsPer person
1 traveller1 single€2,775
2 travellers1 double/twin€1,850
2 singles€2,320
3 travellers1 triple€1,480
1 double/twin + 1 single€1,575 double/twin · €2,045 single
4 travellers2 double/twin€1,480
1 triple + 1 single€1,385 triple · €1,950 single
1 double/twin + 2 singles€1,480 double/twin · €1,950 single
5 travellers1 triple + 1 double/twin€1,385 triple · €1,480 double/twin
2 double/twin + 1 single€1,480 double/twin · €1,950 single
1 triple + 2 singles€1,385 triple · €1,950 single
6 travellers2 triples€1,295
3 double/twin€1,390
1 triple + 1 double/twin + 1 single€1,295 triple · €1,390 double/twin · €1,860 single
2 double/twin + 2 singles€1,390 double/twin · €1,860 single
7 travellers1 triple + 2 double/twin€1,295 triple · €1,390 double/twin
2 triples + 1 single€1,295 triple · €1,860 single
3 double/twin + 1 single€1,390 double/twin · €1,860 single
1 triple + 1 double/twin + 2 singles€1,295 triple · €1,390 double/twin · €1,860 single
8 travellers2 triples + 1 double/twin€1,295 triple · €1,390 double/twin
4 double/twin€1,390
1 triple + 2 double/twin + 1 single€1,295 triple · €1,390 double/twin · €1,860 single
2 triples + 2 singles€1,295 triple · €1,860 single
3 double/twin + 2 singles€1,390 double/twin · €1,860 single

Prices per person, all nights included. Sharing a triple costs a little less per person; a room to yourself costs the single supplement more. Infants up to 2 travel free. For more than 8 people, talk to one of our local experts. Prices shown are for the standard season. The price depends on the season.

Reviews

4.6out of 5

50 travellers rated this trip

✓ Every review from a confirmed booking
We loved the trip and Albania There were a lot of highlights but here are a few that really stand out Seeing our lunch at a trout farm netted fresh Having the Illyrian ruins…
Neil A · 3 September 2026
Albanien ist ein großartiges Land, landschaftlich sehr vielfältig und wunderschön, die Menschen sehr herzlich und gastfreundlich. Vor allem die Küste hat wunderschöne Buchten und kristallklares Wasser, das Hinterland ist toll zum Wandern, Rafting auf…
Janine · 8 August 2024
Read all 50 reviews

Before you travel

What to pack

Comfortable shoes for hiking and cobbled old towns, swimwear and a quick-dry towel for rivers, springs and the sea, a light layer and a rain layer for mountain days, sun protection: hat, sunglasses and sunscreen, your driving licence, plus an International Driving Permit if you are non-EU, some cash in euro or lek for fuel, meals and small stops.

FAQs

What does self-drive mean here?

You drive your own fully insured ecological car between stops, and local guides meet you for the activities and city tours. You keep the freedom to set your own pace while still getting expert guidance and the adventure logistics handled.

How fit do I need to be?

A moderate level of fitness helps. The hikes, cycling and water sports are accessible to active beginners, and most have easier options. Tell us your group level and we adjust.

Rafting or tubing in Osum, and is it safe?

It depends on the season: rafting in higher-water months, gentler tubing in summer. All water activities run with qualified local operators and equipment, and your guide reads conditions on the day.

Is fuel included?

No. In the self-drive version you pay fuel, parking and tolls directly. Add a private driver or driver-guide and those are covered.

Are meals included?

Daily breakfast is included. Other meals are left free so you can eat where you like, with farm and agritourism meals available along the route.

Is there a single supplement?

The price is for two sharing. A solo traveller wanting a private room throughout pays a 470 euro single supplement.

Can it be customized?

Yes. Add experiences or extra nights, swap activities, add a driver-guide, or change the pace. We build your version before you arrive.

How much does the Active Adventure & Culture tour cost?

The tour costs from €1,850 per person, two sharing, with a 30% deposit to book and the balance due 30 days before the trip. It runs as a private tour from a minimum of 2 travellers, on dates you choose. Accommodation, transport, guiding and the listed activities are included; international flights and travel insurance are extra.

Cancellation and refunds

A 30% deposit secures your booking. The remaining balance is due 1 month (30 days) before departure. The 30% deposit is non-refundable. If you cancel, the remaining balance paid is refunded in full 30 days or more before departure, 70% is refunded 15–29 days before departure, 50% is refunded 1–14 days before departure, and no refund is given on the departure day or for a no-show. For a valid reason, you may request to reschedule your multi-day tour at least one month before departure. Rescheduling is free of charge, subject to availability and approval by InAlb. We strongly recommend travel insurance.

Full booking and sustainability policies →

Ask us anything about this trip

A local expert replies within 24 hours, in English, Spanish or Albanian.

Or WhatsApp us.

Every review

4.650 reviews

We loved the trip and Albania There were a lot of highlights but here are a few that really stand out Seeing our lunch at a trout farm netted fresh Having the Illyrian ruins of Byllis to ourselves Seeing my daughter drive a 4x4 up a dry river bed Sitting in the garden of my hotel in Berat, looking down on the old town, listening to the pigeons in the owners prized coop Having fresh baked Albanian 'doughnuts' and home made honey in a dirt track side 'cafe' Walking 800m up a deserted canyon, repeatedly crossing the river barefoot, to find a hot spring pool with noone else within sight or earshot

✓ Neil A

Die Kommunikation mit unserem Organisator vor Ort war super! Er war immer sofort per WhatsApp erreichbar und die Unterkünfte sowie die Transpoteure ( Bus, Fähre) wussten immer über uns Bescheid. Es lief richtig gut!

✓ Jutta

Mucha profesionalidad y conocimiento del país a la hora de recomendar itinerarios Precios muy ajustados, Los hoteles elegidos correctos ,pero por debajo de lo que debe corresponder a esa categoría

✓ Javier

schönes Angebot, toller Eindruck von Albanien

✓ Jens

Wir haben uns vor drei Jahren mit einem deutschen Reiseführerbuch auf die Reise vorbereitet. Elvira ist auf unsere Vorschläge eingegangen (z.B. an einem Ort auch mehrere Tage bleiben) und hat uns beraten. Durch Corona mussten wir die Reise verschieben und alles, was vereinbart war, wurde auch gemacht. Können wir mit 5 Sterne weiterempfehlen!!!

✓ Birgit und Michael

Inalb ci ha aiutati ad organizzare il viaggio a partire dalle nostre esigenze. ci ha seguiti durante tutto il viaggio

✓ Cristina

Planned and operated by InAlb, Tirana. Last updated 5 October 2026.

€1,850pp · 11 days