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my first cycling holiday and i loved it. so simple – get up, eat breakfast, hand over your room key and suitcase, cycle until you get handed a coffee and then lunch, then cycle until you are handed a room key and your luggage. eat dinner, drink wine, sleep and repeat. albania has some stunning scenery and the route was a good mix of challenging and easier.
the climb on the last day - the sections before the main climb are brutal, but once you are at the top it is all worth it. proper type 2 fun.
pack light as you will have to repack every morning, so the less you have the easier it is. Plus, you won't have to lift a heavy suitcase to the van!
Being honest, I knew very little about Albania, I only selected the trip to spend a week cycling after finishing work and entering a “between jobs” phase and this trip seemed very good value for money. However, this trip exceeded my expectations on every aspect. I have come away with information about the Albanian people and some of their countries difficult history, respect for the Albanian hills, magical memories of the stunning scenery, a happy stomach after a week of Albanian food and drink (including the local Raki spirit!) and stronger legs 🙂 This was my second Exodus trip and I’m not sure if I have simply been lucky but the group dynamics on both trips have been wonderful with everyone getting along just great. I definitely recommend this trip to others.
We were quite lucky with the weather. It was very good most days made the most of the stunning scenery. Snow capped mountains, gorges, rivers, towns and cities always look better in the sun and Albaina was no exception. A visual treat for the eyes. Food and accommodation was brilliant. Some accommodation a bit basic but I didn't mind that at all. I liked that fact that we cycled from the hotel door to the next hotel door on all but one day. Seeing the Unesco world heritage site of Gjirokaster was a particular highlight.
Erlis and Tanni were both brilliant. Everything was explained and no queries went unanswered with a full and comprehensive response. Erlis' breadth of knowledge of Albania was impressive. I could cycle up beside him and ask a question and we'd discuss for a few minutes - fantastic. His arrangement of the hotels, food and coffee stops was spot on. I felt really spoilt for the week. All I had to do was get on and cycle and I really did feel safe throughout out the whole trip!
Go ahead and book it. If you like cycling and seeing places you will not be disappointed. I got hold of a local SIM card at Tirana airport for about £15 (lasted for three weeks) which worked well for staying in touch and backing up photos to the cloud. Be prepared for hills - both up and down. The ascents on day 6 were pretty tough going but had been well advertised in advance. Some of the Albanian roads were a bit rough. Lots of very large Albanian shepherd/guard /stray dogs throughout but no untoward encounters.
This trip did not disappoint! I had wanted to visit Albania for some time and seeing it on two wheels was the obvious way to enjoy the scenery and surroundings. The people were friendly, the scenery varied and stunning from the mountains to the coast and the added visits to the UNESCO World Heritage site of Butrint and the National Parks added to the enjoyment. The accommodation was lovely and better than we had had on previous Exodus trips and ranged from hotels on the sea front to rustic homestays. Our guide Arjan was helpful and informative and picked some great places where we could eat luch and dinner with confidence.
We found the cycling quite challenging in parts, especially day 2 when we were just warming up and then day 7 which was a killer but to be honest there wasn’t really an easy day. However, the ups mean that you also get the downs which were hugely enjoyable and worth the climb! We were all encouraged to both the big climbs on the last day. The first one was great once you managed to get out of the town, which was demanding, but then transformed into steep undulations and pretty villages with great views and an excellent long downhill. But the second climb between coffee and lunch up the switchback was quite frankly brutal, especially after the first climb of the day! It was very hot, offered no shade and little in the way of things to see on the way, although the view towards the coast was stunning. I confess to riding some of the way in the bus on that climb and I still got to enjoy the views!! The challenge was rewarding!
However, whatever your cycling ability, it is very doable as a few opted for E-bikes which seemed very sensible on reflection, the better cyclists enjoyed the challenge of completing all the climbs and there is always back up from the bus if you feel tired.
Cycling along the quiet roads and watching the nomadic farmers lead their flocks of sheep, goats and cows across the terrain whilst enjoying the snow capped mountains on each side. Also enjoyed the visit in Gjirokastra to the 18th century Ottoman house followed by dinner in the restaurant at the top of the city with the self closing roof and stunning views!
Arjan was very helpful and kept us all safe by talking us through each step of the journey ahead of the ride and by leading us safely together along the busier roads as we approached our hotels. He organised everything and told us about the history of the country.
Know your own ability, opt for e-bikes if you are unsure, don't be afraid to get a ride in the bus if needed and try to get in some practice rides ahead of the trip. Go before it changes too much as it still feels rustic.
Just returned from my first Exodus trip and I thoroughly enjoyed it. We were a small group of 7, plus Arjan as guide and Rimi our driver, who were both very helpful and good fun. All Arjan’s eatery recommendations were great and the food overall was excellent. You also get a lot for your money in Albania – I spent less than £200 in total the whole week. I enjoyed the variety of natural scenery on the tour.. mountains, lakes, rivers, coast.. as well as the beautiful city of Gijrokastra. I’m a reasonably fit 55 year old, cycle a couple of times per week and the level of cycling was just about right for me – a real challenge on some of the days, especially the last day, plus it was very hot!! – but the group was well supported with water and you can always take a break or even jump in the minibus if you’re flagging feeling below par. Albania is a beautiful country with incredibly friendly and humble people. I would definitely recommend this trip.
Completing the final day. The morning climbs are tough, but we all made it!
Arjan is a great guy. Funny, calm, informative, helpful, great on the bike and he had everything in hand at every point. His food recommendations were all spot on.
Pick a bit of local currency up in the airport on arrival.
We travelled to Albania at the end of April 2022 and had a brilliant experience. Three days in the mountains followed by three days by the coast. Scenery was stunning so we ran out of superlatives to describe it. We were met by our local tour leader – Erlis- at the airport who competently organised everything. Food on the trip was very good. Mediterranean in style, lots of vegetables, fresh fish and many plates of chips. We were very well fed. Cycling was challenging particularly on the first and last days with some long ascents however the bikes supplied were pretty good and gearing coped well. All the effort was definitely worth it.
We have travelled to a few remote places around the world but Albania was completely different and well worth going to. Erlis gave us a good briefing on some of the recent history of the country opening our eyes to this part of the world.
Definitely a place to visit.
Starting to get an understanding of this little known country.
Excellent. Organised everything.
Go
This was a really great cycling holiday. The moutain scenery was amazing and hardly anyone around except the odd cattle and motorist here and there. Food and accommodation were all excellent and guides were very professional, friendly and helpful. Great bikes with front suspension. Road a little bit bumpy in places but on the whole fine for cycling. Great tour leader, trainee tour leader and driver.
Cycling upto the trout farm. A long steep climb but all in the shade and amazing smell of the pine cones. The exhilarating downhills on the bike. We had a great group and we all got on really well. Scenery every day was amazing and very tranquil. Thermal spring visit was great - water was lovely and warm. The coffee on some of our stops was amazing. Lovely food including fish, grilled vegetables, greek yoghurt, sea food risotto, seafood linguine and chips. Wine very nice in some places and very cheap too.
Brillant - organised everything and gave us maps, told us what was coming up next on each cycling day. Took care of all the coffee stops and restaurant ordering and everything else. Really friendly and gave us history lesson. Our leader Erlis was really well supported by Ouni (trainee leader) and Tani (driver) so we were really lucky. They also both did a great job.
Have a bit of fitness behind you as the climbs are steep and long in places. Take some aqua shoes as beaches and theral spring have a fair amout of pebbles. Take care on the downhills as they are very steep and windy in places.
I did enjoy the cycling in those desolated monutain regions, with practically no traffic in company of our joung enthusiastic guides, as well as the way along the coast, with lot of ondulation. The hotels at the coast were nice, although concerning the meals there was room for improvement. It would have been nice to dine a couple of time in a restaurant instead of staying always at the hotel.
I did enjoy the cycling in those desolated monutain regions, with practically no traffic in company of our joung enthusiastic guides.
Very helpful enthusiastic young guides.
This tour of Albania was incredible from the contrast in scenery between mountains and coast and our expert organisation from our guides, Erlis and Oni.
On day 7 the ride towards Vlorë and the spectacular climb over the breathtaking Llogara Pass.
Erlis and Oni were both amazing. Great personalities, well organised, courteous and always smiling. Their history knowledge of Albania during its troubled times was also top notch.
Don’t hesitate just book the trip. Albania is such a beautiful country, away from over commercialisation. Great friendly people, lovely, healthy and wholesome food (all locally sourced). Don’t be off put by the climbs in the mountains as the bikes have a high gear ratio and there is always the minibus as an alternative option. The age group of our trip varied between 35 to 71 years. You must book this trip before the big tour companies get into Albania
This is our 10th Exodus cycling trip and because we were both very busy in the summer, we didn’t have a lot of time preparing and read up about the trip. We knew next to nothing about Albania and just managed to read the trip notes once so that we know how many days to pack for and that was it. The trip turns out to be a great pleasant surprise. We thought Albania will have poor infrastructure with lots of pot holes (like Cuba or Romania) but the back roads that we rode on were great. Most of the cars are Mercedes (surprisingly) and the hotels were great European standard (most have good fast WiFI except in the mountains).
The food and drinks are cheap (even with the £ being so low because of Brexit) and the old city of Gjirokaster and Butrint were amazing.
The quality of cycling is also very good. There are quite a few climbs (especially the one on the last day) but we are never in a rush and with our keen leader encouragement, we managed most of them.
We had mountains / lakes / coastal scenery; great cycling with nice climbs and descents; UNESCO sites; swim in the Med. or a modern pool and even natural thermos pools + fresh cheap food and beer. Just about perfect!
Erlis was our leader and since he did the trip more than 40 times, he knows everything there is to know. The organisation is amazing and we never have to wait for anything (coffee stop, water, food, sites, hotel check in....). Everything is time to perfection and he explains the routes (with the best maps including the profiles) everyday so that we know exactly what to expect before hand. He always brief us and ensure that we are safe. The whole group felt that we were being extremely well looked after and the food was always fresh local produce which is great (and the prices are very reasonable compare to UK!).
I didn't prepare for the trip but it would be more enjoyable if I did a bit more cycling before hand. A nice saddle is a good idea as the climbs can be long. Also, do try to spend (or exchange) your LEK before the airport since the banks/money exchange at the airport may be closed (may be it is open at the arrival hall but we were too lazy to go and find it). We had 6000 LEK left and had to buy a few bottles of expensive wines at the duty free (not a bad thing :) ) to spent it all!!
The journey, the country, the route, the accommodation, the food and drink – all faultless.
However, one relies very much on the tour leader to provide insights, explanations and observations of their native country, in order to bring that country to life and bring greater richness to the experience than mere observation, as a visiting stranger, can rovide.
Cycling amidst spectacular scenery redolent of Middle Earth in a time of innocence.
Poor. He did what he had to and no more. He kept a distance from the group, erecting an impenetrable wall comprising his mobile phone and an attitude that clearly communicated that it would be best for us if we didn't trouble him by talking to him more than absolutely necessary. He had no contact with me throughout the trip, and I felt too intimidated to dare to ask him any of the many questions I had about his wonderful country. I have been on many other Exodus trips on which the leader become a friend, adviser, support and encouragement - and all-around hero.
Ensure that they get an Albania guide who truly loves their job - most of the Exodus guides I've encountered have given their hearts and souls to the execution of their duties.