Your holiday begins with a meet & greet at Tirana Airport, where you will be welcomed by your driver and receive a briefing on your week ahead. Your driver will transfer you to the Himara on the south coast of Albania, en route passing the salt pans of the Narta Lagoon and the historic city of Vlora, at the foothills of the Ceraunian range. Admire the views over the bay and out to the sparkling Adriatic Sea before the road travels through the green mountains to reach your accommodation in Himara. Once you have settled in you are free to take your pick of the restaurants available in this popular seaside destination to enjoy your first Albanian meal, and rest up for the night ready for a wonderful week of walking. If you are spending an additional night in Tirana city before the start of your holiday, your driver will meet you at your hotel in the city and provide your briefing before transferring you to Himara.

A morning transfer (30 minutes) takes you on a scenic drive along the glistening coastline before heading inland, deep into the hilly backdrop of the Albanian Riviera. The first section of your walk follows the quiet surfaced road leading to Kudhes, a hillside village seemingly untouched by time. Historically, the residents of this mountainous settlement made their livelihoods with sheep and goats, as well as from agriculture as evidenced in the olive plantations, orchards, and vineyards. Situated at an elevation of 335m, there are wonderful vistas of the surrounding green slopes and the distant sea. Seek out the public plaza and enjoy a relaxed coffee in the company of friendly locals. From the village, your walk takes you along an ancient shepherd's trail connecting Kudhes and Qeparo, taking you through tranquil forests and terraced fields, with unfolding views before you. On this walk you are likely to come across herds of goats rather than other people. Reaching Upper (Old) Qeparo, wind your way through its stone houses and cobbled streets and perhaps take a break at a traditional taverna, before continuing your walk in the direction of the sea. You have the option of taking a short descent to conclude your day's walk at Lower (New) Qeparo; or you might like to continue your journey to Borsh and catch a taster view of this long bay that you will come back to explore later in the week. At the end of your walk, you will meet your driver for your transfer back to Himara. Along the way you have the opportunity to visit the castle at Porto Palermo to learn of its intriguing history, from the time of its construction in the early 19th century, to its occupation as a Soviet base during the communist regime in Albania.

Enjoy a leisurely breakfast and ensure you have packed your swimwear and towel today. You will be collected from your hotel and transferred to Vuno (30 minutes), from where you will descend initially on cobbled alleys, then on a straightforward track through the scrubby coastal cliffs and on a section of asphalted road to reach the inviting waters of the Ionian Sea. The trail takes you to the attractive cove of Jala Beach where bars and cafes gives it a lively resort atmosphere. Picking up the path at the far end of the bay, you will soon reach a couple of secluded bays only accessible by foot, boasting of waters so crystal-clear that it has been dubbed "Aquarium Beach". You might well like to bag yourself a spot on the pebbly beach and enjoy a paddle in the azure waters. Feeling refreshed, carry on walking along the coastal path to the next resort of Livadi Beach. With over 1km of bright white sand, it's easy to see why this beach is a popular destination for local holiday makers. Again there is a plethora of cafes, bars and restaurants for you to sample some deliciously fresh seafood while enjoying the sea view and atmosphere. From Livadi, you can either continue along the coastal path to reach the next bay along and return to your hotel in Himara; or you could take an extension option from Livadi to reach Old Himara, further up the hill, and pay a visit to the ruins of the medieval castle of Himara. At this elevated position you will gain beautiful views over the bay and the neighbouring islands, with the afternoon sun glinting on the sea. To return to your hotel from Old Himara, you can either pick up a taxi locally, or head down on foot following the road.

This morning a transfer takes you south to Lukova (50 minutes). Surrounded by olive and orange plantations, the village is thought to have derived its name from the old Slavic word of "lluke" meaning "green landscape". Your route follows a shepherd's trail heading up into the mountains as the peaks rise from the sea. Striking out from the village, the well-used trail becomes steep in parts, and being an off-the-beaten-track route frequented by more sheep than hikers, you may need to pay that bit more attention to your route finding as you make your way up the hillside. The challenging ascent is rewarded as you emerge to a viewpoint offering breath taking views of Lavani mountain (959m) ahead and the surrounding peaks. As you continue your ascent up the rocky trail, you might be able to pick out the stone-built village of Sasaj, clinging to the high mountain side. Soon you will rise above the treeline; it won't be much further until you crest the pass and commence your descent with unimpeded views on either side of the mountain ridge. Following the wide gravel track, you will drop steadily through untarnished landscapes while drinking in the sea views, to reach the village of Piqeras where you can enjoy some well-deserved refreshments before meeting your transfer for your return journey to your hotel base in Himara.

Today is your last day hiking on the southern coast, and what a beautiful day you have in store. In the morning you will be transferred again to Lukova (50 minutes) where you will start your walk through the village, discovering pretty flower adorned houses and old cobblestone alleys as you walk from the newer part of the village to the older settlement. On the outskirts you will find among the olive groves the dilapidated stone Church of St Friday, a cultural monument dating back to the 17th century. The path continues its gentle descent toward the sea, winding its way through green plantations until you emerge onto the sandy beach. Walking along the shore, the lapping turquoise waters invite you for a cooling paddle. The path soon turns inland again, the scent of chamomile accompanying you as the route climbs through terraced fields toward the village of Piqeras some 200m above sea level. The trail that you take today is known as the Prisoner's Trail; the peaceful surroundings lined with olive groves give little indication that this trail was once used by prisoners carrying out hard labour, who were not allowed to use the main road or enter the village. The terraced slopes created by the military, prisoners, and some villagers during the communist period were used to grow olives, lemons and oranges but now increasingly these are becoming disused and overgrown. The long bay of Borsh with its seemingly endless beaches and shimmering water stretches beneath you - you will keep this view in sight as you stroll along the hillside to the end point of your walk in Borsh. You might like to enjoy a swim here before you are transferred back to Himara for your final night on the Albanian Riviera.

A transfer this morning picks you up from your accommodation in Himara to take you to the Llogara National Park, nestled within the Ceraunian Mountains. Blanketed in thick forest, this National Park is an important nature reserve protecting unique ecosystems, endemic flora and the diverse fauna that thrive in this habitat. The landscapes are a striking combination of rich forest, alpine meadows, and rugged rock faces. Your walk this morning begins at the trailhead at the Llogara Pass, taking in the rocky spine of the Karaburun Peninsula that offers up panoramic views of the rugged Albanian Riviera: from the southern bays that you discovered earlier in the week, to the Bay of Vlora tucked into the northern tip of the peninsula. From the pass, you will take a wide gravel road snaking its way along the side of the ridge. Reaching the road end, you will make your way across some trail-less terrain which should not pose any difficulties in clear weather, but in the event of fog generated by the microclimates it would be a good idea to have your GPS device to hand to aid you on your way. The faint trail follows the flank of the mountain before looping inland back toward the centre of the Llogara National Park, taking you over the spine of the Karaburun and into lush green forests of pine, fir, ash and oak. This verdant route on rocky paths offers pleasant shade, a delightful contrast to the windswept rugged terrain of the first half of your walk. The National Park reserve is home to diverse wildlife including fallow deer, roe deer, foxes, red squirrels, griffon vultures and golden eagles, so keep your eyes and ears peeled for any elusive sightings. Arriving back to your hotel, you can take your pick of the restaurants available to enjoy a taste of hearty Albanian mountain cuisine.

Your final hike objective of the week is to reach the Dhjopuri Pass (1,600m) located beneath the stark rocky peak of Qorre (2,018m). A short transfer takes you from your hotel to the start of the trail at the Llogara Pass (1,043m). Embarking on a narrow route through forests of snake skin pine, so called for its patterned bark, you will be accompanied by its lovely fragrance and perhaps also catch the scent of chamomile and sage as you ascend to the saddle. The climb on the shepherd's trail in the pleasant shade of the pines is initially steep but soon becomes steady going. You will be rewarded for your efforts with a spectacular vista over the Albanian coastline and tantalising views of the islands in the glistening Ionian Sea, including Corfu. After enjoying your picnic lunch and drinking in the views, descend via the same route to meet your transfer and your luggage for your journey back to Tirana for your final night in the city, arriving in the late afternoon or early evening. Arriving to the city, you can settle in to your central hotel, freshen up and go on a stroll to soak in the lively atmosphere, before tucking in to a celebratory dinner in one of the many local restaurants serving up delicious Albanian fare.

Waking refreshed in your hotel located near the central Skanderbeg Square, you can enjoy a leisurely breakfast and depending on the time of your departure flight, take a final stroll through the city before your transfer picks you up to take you to Tirana Airport. Additional nights can be arranged if you wish to stay longer in Tirana, just speak with our sales team for more details.