Nova tura

Summary

Experience the ultimate Balkan adventure with our 5-day, 100 km packraft & kayak expedition through Vjosa river national park in Albania.
Discover incredible landscapes, history, and vibrant culture, meet locals & feel their hospitality as you paddle down the magnificent Vjosa, ending at the Adriatic Sea. Camp in surreal locations, surrounded by the majestic mountain ranges and beautiful villages.

Don’t miss out on this chance and be one of very few people that followed Vjosa from mountains to-sea.

Book your spot now and immerse yourself in inspiring landscapes and local hospitality and simplicity that will leave you breathless.

Itinerary

On all the paddling days will set off after breakfast,. Lunch will be on the go and will consist mainly of high energy snacks to sustain you during the paddling. We always select accommodation/camp sites in the logistically most convenient locations depending of our fittnes, water level and other factors.. However, if the bookings are made for high season or at short notice, the preferred accommodation/campsite, from our itinerary may not be available. In this instance we find the best alternative of a similar standard.

Highlights

Extraordinary paddling adventure at the firts river national park in the world,
Explore remote areas & villages, enjoy the local food, and experience wild camping at the riverside
Suitable for adventurous, nature and history enthusiasts seeking a unique Balkan experience
Once-in-a-lifetime journey combining outdoor adventure, cultural immersion, and stunning scenery

What's included?

What's not included

What to bring

What's included?

What's not included

What to bring

Day 1: Arrival

The meeting point for this adventure is Tepelene town down south towards to the border with Greece . Aproximetly 2 hours drive from Tirana airport. During the afternoon you’ll have time to get your gear packed and get ready for our expedition to the sea. Also we will hopefully use the chance to jump in the hot spring in Permet village and walk in the afternoon. On the first night with us we will have a group dinner and you will stay in a one of the guesthouses in Tepelene.

Day 2: Memaliaj - Leshnje

After breakfast, we will get the gear ready and there is a short drive to our departure point, Memaliaj village on the eponymous Vjosa RIver. From our departure point, we will meander along Vjosa, paddling all the way down towards to the remote areas ahead. We will set up our camp on the bank of the river , next to Leshnje were will spend the night under the sairy sky . On the first paddle day, we will paddle approximately 16 km

Day 3: Lesnje - Kute

From Leshnje , we will cross the small canyon and the place where there was a hydro power project started , but luckily baned by locals and different ngo, heading towards to our maybe even favourite spot in an old and picturesque village, Kute where we will meet our local friends, make a camping fire and enjoy another beautifull night in the national park. On the second paddling day, we will kayak approximately 16 km

Day 4: Kute - Mesarak

After a morning swim, we will continue our expedition, along the widest section of the river valley. This is the day where we have the biggest chance of seeing some of the birds. We will paddle trough many small channels that are cutting the valley . We will make a pit stops to speak with the fisherman’s and shepherds next to the river and maybe even try to fish and get ourselves dinner from the river. We will find another nice camping spot next to the river. On the third paddling day, we will kayak approximately 20 – 25 km.

Day 5: Mesarak - Ada

In the fifth morning of our remarkable journey , we will complete the final stretch of the “wild & wide” Vjosa valley coming closer to the sea where river gets bigger and closer to civilization but still beautiful like up to here. Here we will set up the camp on the border between Fier and Vlore county at the shepards land, hoping to here them singing some traditional Albanian folk songs while keeping the sheeps on going back home after all day fiesta. On the fourth paddling day, we will kayak approximately 15 km.

Day 6: Ada - Adriatic Sea

On our final and longest paddling day, we will at first place swap packrafts to kayaks and head downriver back towards Adriatic sea. We will reach the mouth of the River Vjosa, which is 60 m wide with wonderfully fresh and clean watert. After all, this destination has been the whole aim of our trip, but it also means that our adventure is almost over! Our final destination is long sandy beach . Here we will soak up the sun, swim and relax in the Adriatic Sea. On our final night, we will stay by the beach in one of the nearby huest houses scattered along the estuary. On the fifth paddling day, we will kayak approximately 37 km.

Day 7: Departure

Breakfast on the beach and the morning swim on the last day of our extraordinary expedition before returning back home we will pay a visit to Berat town (UNESCO World Heritage site for lunch and a short walk . If you’d prefer to If you are staying longer in Albania you can always join us us on another adventure 😊