The Great Albania 4×4 Adventure – 14th to 26th June 2027
Albania Overland 4×4 tour – 14th to 26th June 2027
The Albania Overland 4×4 tour is a unique trip for true adventurers as you will experience rugged routes and wild camping in some of the most remote parts of Europe.
Check out the Albania Overland 4×4 Tour Youtube Video.
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By driving your 4×4 through canyons, river beds and negotiating rocky mountain trails, you will experience breathtaking scenery in a unique country.
In addition to wild camping, you will be staying in authentic Albanian accommodation. The tour will be lead by a professional 4×4 guide and instructor who has explored The Balkans on numerous occasions, while an Albanian and English speaking local guide will be supporting the group so that we get the most out of the trip.
This is your chance to experience a ‘curious time-capsule’ as quoted by the Guardian – Read the article here>>
Multiple options are available:
- We will meet near Virpazar/Podgorica, Montenegro on the afternoon/evening of Sunday 13th June 2027. Please allow at least 3 days to travel from the UK to Montenegro. I recommend a Eurotunnel crossing to mainland Europe (not included).
- Fly drive – Take a direct flight from London Gatwick Airport to Tirana and we can assist in arranging a 4×4 hire vehicle and camping equipment for you. Please contact me for a quote.
If you require any advice regarding the journey to Montenegro please get in touch.
Albania Overland 4×4 tour 2025 Guided Tag Along Tour
Itinerary:
Day 00, Sunday 13th June – Meet near Virpazar, Montenegro
We meet at a local campsite in the afternoon/evening. A chance for introductions and a welcome chat. If you arrive early, there are some local bars and restaurants near the lake, and the opportunity to take a boat trip.
Day 01, Monday 14th June – Arrive Shkodër PM. Overnight Camping
After a 1.5 hour drive along to edge of Lake Shkoder, we meet out local guide at the Sukobin/Muriqan border crossing. We’ll make the 20-minute drive to Shkodër, where we’ll pay a quick visit to impressive Rozafa Castle. From here we’ll drive on rural backroads south to the village of Fishtë, where we’ll be camping at Mrizi i Zanave, Albania’s most famous restaurant. Brothers Altin and Altin Prenga have created something very special, and now provide employment to over 400 local families. Recently they have opened their own winery, so we’d suggest a tasting before we sit down to eat a feast of local products.
● Camping at Mrizi i Zanave
Day 02, Tuesday 15th June – Shkodër to Kruja (hotel)
We’ll push south on a rural backroad to the city of Lezhë – there is the possibility to make a detour here, to the
“Thrown Sand” beach of Shengjin, where we can take a dip in the Adriatic. We’ll leave the asphalt road behind at the “city” of Laç, and make a steep climb up into the mountains where we join a dirt trail that will eventually bring us to the historic hillside city of Kruja. Here we’ll be staying at a very comfortable hotel right by the bazaar (the best shopping opportunity of the trip; you can pick up detritus from the Communist and Ottoman eras, as well as hand-woven Albanian rugs etc).
- Hotel Panorama
Day 03, Wednesday 16th June – Kruja to Bizë (wild camping)
We head east this morning, to Qafstama National Park, where we say goodbye to asphalt and cut south on a dirt road with epic views of Lake Bovilla. Sooner or later we’ll join the new Rruga Arberit road, which we’ll drive for a short distance till taking another cut-through (tricky in the wet) skirting the edge of Mali me Gropa (the “Mountain With Holes”). We’ll emerge high above the village of Shengjergj, and hook east to end the day at the high plateau of Bizë used as a parachute drop zone by the British Special Operations Executive in World War II, and now a NATO special forces training site (we’ll take care not to camp in the shooting range). If anyone enjoys wild swimming, there is a lake to jump into.
- Wild Camping
Day 04, Thursday 17th June – Bizë to Lake Ohrid (campsite on waterfront)
We have a two-hour drive through truly wild territory, which will bring us to the village of Fushë-Studën. There happens to be an excellent village restaurant famed for its lamb, slow-cooked in milk churns, so we would recommend eating here… Then we descend back to asphalt, and join the twisting national highway which will bring us to Lake Ohrid, and a campsite right on the waterfront.
- Erlin Beach Camping
Day 05, Friday 18th June – Lake Ohrid (campsite on waterfront)
A day to relax! If you are full of beans you can cross into North Macedonia and circle around the lake, stopping at the UNESCO World Heritage City of Ohrid for a look-round (border insurance is €40 if you’re not already covered).
Otherwise you can just chill, swim and drink beer.
- Erlin Beach Camping
Day 06, Saturday 19th June – Lake Ohrid to Gramsh Region (wild camping)
This is probably the longest driving day of the tour, as we cut across the extremely isolated and unpopulated Mokra region. We have a campsite in mind, but no sweat if we’re running late and want to call it a day – there are numerous options with epic views.
- Wild Camping
Day 07, Sunday 20th June – Gramsh Region to Berat (hotel)
A shorter drive than yesterday but packed with incredible views. We’re cutting directly west through south-central Albania, beneath the Tomorr mountain range. We’ll rejoin the asphalt road south of the UNESCO city of Berat, where we’ll stay the night in a very comfortable hotel within the walls of the ancient Citadel. Close by is the infamous Koço’s – the great man himself is usually drunk, but his long-suffering daughter Cristina is the brains of the operation, and the food is excellent… Just don’t be surprised if you find yourself dancing to Albanian folk music, with a glass of raki balanced on your head.
- Berati Castle Hotel
Day 08, Monday 21st June – Berat to Ballaban (wild camping)
We continue south today, travelling along a little-used trail in the direction of Përmet (if it’s wet, we might use a different route…). The final part of the day is a sometimes tricky climb up to a high grazing area with incredible views down to the Vjosa river valley, and the mountains of Greece beyond. Here we’ll wild camp (and yes, there’s a small lake).
- Wild Camping
Day 09, Tuesday 22nd June – Ballaban to Gjirokastra (hotel)
After packing up the camp, we’ve a nice descent which will bring us to Osumi Canyon, which we’ll cross on a
reasonably solid Bailey Bridge. We then have a short run on asphalt along the edge of the canyon, before joining one of our favourite dirt road to take us south through the mountains of Skrapar to the Vjosa river. It’s possible to detour east to the famous sulphur springs of Benjë, or you might prefer just to push on through Këlcyrë Pass to our next stop, the UNESCO World Heritage City of Gjirokastra. Tonight, we’d suggest eating together at restaurant Kujtimi, which is a local institution.
- Hotel Kalemi
Day 10, Wednesday 23rd June – Gjirokastra (hotel)
A day to relax in and around Gjirokastra. There is a folk festival happening during our stay, so there’ll be plenty of life. There is also the option to make a relatively gentle hike (requires an 08.00 start), or make a day trip to Përmet and the river Vjosa for rafting. In the evening anyone with an interest in food might like to take a (vegetarian) cookery class with the lovely Marjeta, who’ll share some local recipes including qifqi (rice-and-herb balls).
- Hotel Kalemi
- Breakfast
Day 11, Thursday 24th June – Gjirokastra to Zagoria (wild camping)
Today we’re going to head into the little-visited Zagoria valley, climbing up on asphalt to a plateau just below the peak of Mt Çajupi, where we join a dirt trail that will bring us on a loop through this beautiful region. The day will end very close to the Greek border, close to a seemingly forgotten Orthodox church. Here we’ll set up camp and call it a day.
- Wild Camping
Day 12, Friday 25th June – Zagoria to Riviera (wild camping on beach)
We’ve a bit of a drive to bring us to asphalt this morning. When we do reach the highway, we’ll push south for about
20 minutes, then cut west towards the Ionian Sea using a sometimes challenging dirt track that’s prone to wash-outs and should see some severe axle articulation… After rejoining the asphalt there’s the option to continue direct towards our campsite, or if you’re gluttons for punishment there’s a short and fun off-road stretch that can be incorporated. Either way, the day ends in an olive grove right by a beach, which can be reached only by travelling a bumpy dirt road. Hopefully we’ll have it to ourselves, but at this time of year we can’t guarantee it! Here we can cook around the campfire, and enjoy a classic Mediterranean sunset.
● Wild Camping
Day 13, Saturday 26th June – Tour Concludes
For anyone flying home from Corfu, we’re just an hour or so from Saranda. Otherwise you can push on north, either on the new road via Kuç or if you’re not pushed for time, via Llogora Pass. Both routes bring you to Vlorë, where the “fast” highway to Durrës and then Montenegro begins..
Our routes will include river crossings, mountains passes and canyons. Also included are some hotels with the opportunity to sample local life, lake side and beach camping. We will explore the North and South of Albania with its varied terrain and amazing scenery.
Safety and Communication
In order for us to communicate whilst on our adventures, I will supply a Radio for each vehicle and the lead support vehicle will carry a Garmin inReach GPS tracker.
inReach® Satellite Communication
With inReach satellite technology from Garmin and a satellite subscription, you can stay in touch globally. You can send and receive messages, navigate your route, track and share your journey and, if necessary, trigger an SOS to get help from a 24/7 global emergency response coordination centre via the 100% global Iridium® satellite network.
If paying by deposit option (£995 non refundable) is required to secure your booking, the balance must be paid before the 31st March 2027. Failure to do so will mean your booking will be cancelled without notification and you will forfeit your deposit. Please ensure you take out travel insurance to include cancellation or curtailment at the time of booking.
Eurotunnel crossings can be booked on the Eutotunnel website click here>>
If you have any questions, please contact me via the form below or call 07444 595812
Albania Overland 4×4 Tour
