Crisp riding weather
Horses in the snow
Winter riding
Through the ruins
Fascinating ancient sites
Winter Ride in Albania
Perfect day for riding
Fascinating Old Buildings
Building detail
Amphitheatre
Ancient bridges
Thermal Pools
Solitary sheep
On the trail
Taking a rest

A unique winter equestrian vacation offer from our partners in Albania. A week-long horseback riding trip for advanced riders, combining 3 days of horse-riding in changing landscapes of rolling hills, valleys, rivers and forests. The vacation features 3 days of local culture, thermal baths, archaeological sites, and the Ionian coast. Horseback riders get a true insight into the life of a shepherd in this rural, unspoiled region. The program offers a unique experiences to explore the remote regions of the South, one of Europe's final unexplored territories.
The itinerary is designed as a winter getaway with lots to offer for smaller groups. Experience the local culture, history, food, music and art. The group will have the chance to sample local wines and Raki. Interaction with the local community will give horseback riders a unique insight into this fascinating region.

Please Note: The opinions expressed in these reviews are the author's and do not necessarily reflect the views of Unicorn Trails Ltd. These reviews are "directly from the horses mouth" and unedited. Unicorn Trails may make additional comments for clarification clearly identified in red.

Review received from SA of Derby on 07/02/2025

Ride Summary
Fantastic
What was your overall impression of the holiday
Overall impression
Unicorn Trails sales staff

Riding tour leader

Additional Comments
Horses and Tack

Additional Comments
Meals

Accommodation

Miscellaneous

Was this trip accurately described to you beforehand?
YES
Please give more details to explain your response:
Was there anything you should have known and were not told? NO
Please give more details to explain your response:
What could we do to improve this ride?
How would you rate the difficulty of this ride out of 10 where 1 is very easy and 10 is very advanced?
7
Please explain why you scored it as you did:
Fast paced. Uneven ground but sturdy kind well trained horses
Would you recommend Unicorn Trails to your friends?
YES
Please give more details to explain your response:
Lovely helpful staff
May we use you as a reference for other people wishing to go on this ride?
YES
Any other comments:
Unicorn comments: Thank you for your feedback. Glad you had a great time! :)

2024 Sample Itinerary:

Day 1
Plan to arrive at Tirana airport ideally no later than 13:00 - this leaves time for the transfer and a chance to visit the town of Gjirokstra. The transfer from the airport of Tirana will take around 3-4 hours (250km). Check into a local a hotel in the heart of the historical Gjirokastra. Time permitting, visit the bazaar with its church and mosque, Gjirokastra castle and Skenduli house before meeting up with the guides to discuss the itinerary and any requirements of preferences that the riders may have. It is advisable to buy a map of the region to gain a better understanding of the itinerary. After the brief, settle down to a welcome dinner with your fellow riders

Day 2
Riding day: After breakfast at the hotel and allocation of horses, set off on a ride through the countryside towards the village of Labova of the Cross. This charming village is known for its beautiful landscapes and historical significance. The route to Labova of the Cross is moderately challenging, featuring hilly terrains, valleys, small water streams, and opportunities for enjoyable canters. On reaching Labova of the Cross, check into a comfortable local guest house before a visit to the church. In the evening, join in the various activities at the guest house, such as helping with farm chores or engaging in traditional cooking alongside the family, providing a rare hands-on experience of the village lifestyle. Overnight accommodation and dinner will be at the local guest house. 4 hours riding

Day 3
Riding day: After breakfast, the ride heads to the river Drino’s valley before climbing a steep hill to reach Antigonea National Park where the group stops for a rest and to explore the area. Antigonea was built by King Pyrrhus in 295 BC and named after his first wife Antigona After the break the route continues for another hour until reaching the stables where the horses will spend the rest of the day. Accommodation for the night is in the same hotel as the first night and there is a chance to visit the cold war tunnel in Gjirokastra. A visit to a local artist's studio gives a fascinating insight into local art, and special traditional techniques that can be seen in the paintings and installations, especially the Ideological art created during the communist regime. Dinner is at a small local restaurant in the historical area. Over dinner the riders will meet a well-known iso-polyphonic group who will give a fascinating presentation and explanation of this music, South Albanian Iso-polyphony is protected by UNESCO as an important world heritage. 3-4 hours riding

Day 4
After breakfast the group are driven to Butrint, a UNESCO protected archaeological park. The off-road route offers exceptional views dotted with remote villages, churches, the ruins of old houses, winding roads and the occasional animal. Vist the church of Leshnica before a coffee stop at Cerkovica village and a talk about life in the area by one of the locals. Originally part of an area called Epirus, Butrint has been occupied by the Greeks, the Romans, the Byzantines and the Venetians over the centuries, resulting in a wealth of incredible archaeological structures, some pre-dating the 4th century. The drive continues to Saranda where the group have lunch at a seaside restaurant before a leisurely drive back to the Gjirokastra to spend the night and enjoy dinner at a restaurant in the Old Bazaar.
Driving hours: Total 5 hours

Day 5
After breakfast the group is drive back to the Drinos valley and follows the Vjosa river to reach the thermal baths of Benja in Pwrmet. The river has numerous man-made pools to enjoy a soak in the warm mineral water. The Kadiu bridge is over 250 years old and offers stunning views of the Langarica river. During the drive the group has a chance to explore the canyons and (weather permitting) a refreshing swim. Lunch is in the City of Roses, Pwrmet, and a chance to taste the local raki before driving to a remote farm, the accommodation for the night, where a wine tasting and hearty meal await. Driving hours: Total 3-4 hours

Day 6
Riding day: After breakfast the group heads back to Gjirokastra, and the stables for another riding day. Today's itinerary includes riding through magnificent scenery. The view of River Drino, (“Tree of Life”) is the most important water basin in the area. Pass the castle of Santa Triada which was a strategic point to control all the ancient caravan trade. Stop for a picnic lunch just near the village of Erind before reaching the village of Karjan for traditional dinner and accommodation is on a local farm. Riding Hours: 4-5

Day 7
Riding day: After breakfast, the route heads to Nokova village to visit the medieval churches before arriving at Lunxheria area and a picnic stop in the village, Dhoksat. A local expert will give a short but fascinating talk about the life, traditions, folklore, costumes and ethnography of the area. After lunch the ride heads through the countryside to Qestorati lake where the riders take a break to enjoy the view before returning to the stables via a beautiful route that offers a lot of chances for a good canter.
After saying goodbye to the horses, the riders are driven back to Gjirokastra to freshen up before a farewell supper and exploring the nightlife. Riding hours: 5 hours

Day 8
After breakfast at the hotel riders are transferred back to the airport of Tirana.

Single Supplement
It may be possible to pay for a single supplement on the first and last night of the trail, but riders must be prepared to share accommodation on the other nights. The single supplement is payable on-site.

Small Group Supplement
Please see 'Detailed Prices' for the small group supplement price. This is applicable if only 2 riders are booked onto the ride. If, at the time of departure, more than 2 riders are booked, the small group supplement will be refunded.

Please note: All itineraries are given for your guidance only and it may be altered on the ground and in accordance with the prevailing conditions by the organising team.

Horses & Riding

The horses are a mix of Arab and Tarpan crosses. These breeds were mentioned in the ancient chronicles from the time of the King Skerdilajd and stand up to 14hh tall (145cm) and can be ridden very easily by both English and Western riders. Although small, the horses are very strong and surefooted - they know their way round mountainous paths, this rocky landscape is their natural environment.

In a typical riding day there will be a minimum of 2 stops, one of them for lunch. The ride combines all paces of riding from walking, climbing steep hills and riding downhill to trotting over old stone routes and cantering and galloping in wide valleys. This trail is considered to be fairly fast and riders must be prepared for changing landscape and pace.

Every riding trail with more than 3 riders has two guides, one in front and the other at the back. The guide at the back is responsible for everything technical; saddle fixing, noticing riding problems, looking after the weakest riders etc. The front guide is responsible to lead, explain, translate and choose the pace. Guides are knowledgeable in horsemanship, First Aid, history, archaeology and biology. They also speak English, Italian and Greek.



Winter horse



Tack awaiting


Rider requirements

Riders must be able to walk, trot and canter and be competent riding over steep and hilly terrain. Help to mount or dismount can be provided by the guide if necessary. There is no age limit but there is a strict weight limit of 90 kg. On difficult paths every rider should be able to walk beside their horse but for no longer than 20 minutes on riding days. Riders will be encouraged to help with feeding and care of the horses on riding days. This trail is not suitable for people suffering from vertigo.
There is a weight limit of 90 kg for participants in our activities, with considerations for height-to-weight proportions. This is because the weight distribution directly impacts the safety and comfort of participants horses and equipment. Therefore, we reserve the right to refuse participation to individuals whose weight-to-height proportions significantly deviate, ensuring the safety and enjoyment of everyone involved.

Weight Limit

The weight limit for this ride is 198 lb/90 kg, please enquire if you are an experienced rider exceeding this weight.

Accommodation is in twin bedded rooms with shared bathrooms in different family houses in the villages you pass through. This is a unique chance to meet the local families and experience their culture. This trail also includes one night in a traditional shepherds hut. Please note that on some nights you might be asked to share a room with 3 beds.

Meals: You can expect a home-cooked breakfast with pies, cookies, butter, jam, eggs, milk, mountain tea and coffee. Lunch is usually a picnic lunch which can be packed by riders themselves in the family houses (bread, cheese, vegetables, eggs, pies, water). Dinner: Traditional dishes of different meats (calf, pig, chicken, goat and fish), vegetables, pies, cheese, salads, wine and raki.

Wine or raki (a traditional alcoholic drink) is included during dinners with the food. Tea, coffee or milk are also available with breakfast and dinner.

Picnic lunches are prepared by the hosting families and packed by the riders themselves each morning. Most of the dishes are homemade while fruits, vegetables and meat come from local gardens and farms. There is an opportunity to try traditional mountain food and fresh seafood. You can taste the local homemade and unique olive oil extracted in a traditional way.



winter trail verandah


Vegetarian or other dietary requirements within reason can be accommodated with advance notice. Please contact Unicorn Trails with requests before booking.

Documents - Visa and Consulate Info

Please note that it is your responsibility to ensure you have the correct documentation in place for your trip. NB: Be sure to check the COVID status of the country you plan to visit including entry procedures and requirements while travelling. Visa requirements can change from year to year depending on diplomatic relations. Please request information from the appropriate Consulate in your home country. Unicorn Trails will assist with any questions you have or supply any necessary supporting documents as required by the consulate should you need a visa. All travellers will need a passport valid for at least 90 days following your departure date from Albania. In the UK the British Foreign Office gives advice: https://www.gov.uk/foreign-travel-advice/albania In the US: https://travel.state.gov/content/travel/en/international-travel/International-Travel-Country-Information-Pages/Albania.html In Canada: https://travel.gc.ca/destinations/albania

Another useful resource is Sherpa - this summarises any travel and vaccination requirements based on when you are travelling simply by entering your home country followed by your destination country: https://apply.joinsherpa.com/travel-restrictions


Climate Summary

The best months to visit Albania are from April to September. Although precipitation is quite high in Albania there is less rain during these months and because of the continental air mass, most precipitation is over the central highlands. Albania has a high number of climatic regions relative to its landmass - the coastal lowlands have a typically Mediterranean climate; the highlands have a Mediterranean continental climate. This ride takes place in southern Albania which is around 5 degrees warmer than the rest of the country. You will experience different types of weather on the trail; from cooler mountainous air to a warmer climate down on the coast.

Climate Chart

Health

We still strongly advise consulting with your General Practitioner regarding any necessary immunizations or health precautions based on your individual medical history. Recommendations for travel health and safety can vary depending on various factors, such as destination, current health conditions, and other potential risks.

It is recommended that you drink only bottled water as the tap water is not always potable. If you drink milk, make sure it is UHT (pasteurised). Please refer to your country’s latest health guideline for travel in Albania and contact your own GP for up to date advice on vaccinations and prophylaxis prior to travel.


Health (ride specific)

Please take along sun cream and anti-allergy medicine for possible insect bites.

Electricity

In Albania the standard voltage is 230 V and the frequency is 50 Hz. You can use your electric appliances if the standard voltage in your country is in between 220 - 240 V.

Mobile, WiFi and charging

Internet access will be difficult during the ride. Riders can buy an Albanian sim card/phone number for around €13 (2024/5) and have free internet access and around 30 minutes of free calls with most European countries, including England. Access to electricity is possible every evening and the whole area is covered very well with signal. If using a GoPro ensure you have permission from the group to be fimed.

Packing List

Pack as you usually would for a holiday, for e.g. sunglasses, toiletries, casual clothes, and then these are your Horse Riding holiday essentials. If you are unsure, please speak with your Travel Consultant:

ESSENTIALS FOR ALL RIDING HOLIDAYS:
Riding helmet – complying with current EU & British standards (some locations can provide them but if possible bring your own for comfort and correct fit)
Riding boots designed for riding and walking
Riding gloves
Chaps
At least 2 pairs of riding trousers – jodhpur’s/breeches are best
Long sleeved shirts
Lightweight waterproof
Water bottle
Mobile phone

Specific to the ride:
- Torch (flashlight) for walking to feed the horses in the evening.

Provided by the hosts:
Small saddlebags for food and water

Programmes

8d / 7n programme with 4 riding days available on set dates.

Departure Dates

2025: 11, 25 Jan; 8, 22 (Full) Feb; 6, 20* Dec
*Christmas Trail

Pricing
No single rooms available (on some or all nights). Riders must be prepared to share with someone of the same sex.

A single supplement of €25 per night is only available on, and is charged for the first, third, sixth, and last night of the trail. The single supplement fee can be paid on-site.

No of   
days/nights
Riding days Product item description £
20258d/7n4double pp1,009
20258d/7n4supplement for group of 2-3125
No of   
days/nights
Riding days Product item description
20258d/7n4double pp1,189
20258d/7n4supplement for group of 2-3149
No of   
days/nights
Riding days Product item description US $
20258d/7n4double pp1,299
20258d/7n4supplement for group of 2-3155
No of   
days/nights
Riding days Product item description SEK
20258d/7n4double pp14,175
20258d/7n4supplement for group of 2-31,725
Recommended Reading

Chronicle in Stone - Iamael Kadare

I Humburi - Fatos Kongoli

Biograhi: A Traveler's Tale - Lloyd Jones

Women who Become Men - Antonia Young

Palace of Dreams - Ismael Kadare

For the equestrian traveller who would like to see what is possible on horseback visit www.thelongridersguild.com 

Also a fantastic place to acquire your equestrian travel books is www.horsetravelbooks.com


Wildlife

The riding area of this trail is also the natural habitat of wild goat, wild pig, deer and mountain bears (it is very rare to see a bear on the trail). You might also spot foxes, rabbits, eagles, turtles, lizards, snakes and a variety of birds.

Flora and Fauna: If we refer to the Albanian species, of which are 3250, 13% belong to Gjirokastra´s territory. There are lots of medicinal and curative plants. The number reaches up to 50 kinds of such plants. The most widely spread animals are hares, deer, wild boars, martens, bears, wild cats etc. Different kinds of fish like trout, eels and many more lurk in the rivers.

Other Information

The trail is not suitable for non-riding companions.
Since Albania lacks equestrian shops, procuring necessary horse equipment from the local market becomes a significant challenge for us. If it's feasible for you, we kindly request your assistance in bringing along any spare or unused items such as old pads, halters, ropes, girths, bridles, or any other equipment that you no longer use. Your contribution would be greatly appreciated by our centre.

Travel Summary

Meeting-point (getting there):
Tirana airport (TIA) or Saranda Port - fly to Corfu (CFU).
Transfer:
2025: Tirana airport to Gjirokastra €90 return per person 3-4 hours. Saranda Port to Gjirokastra: €50 return per person 1 hour. Transfers payable on site (subject to change)
Flight Guide:
2025: London to Tirana (TIA) return from £115 pp (season dependent)
2025: London to Corfu (CFU) return from £165 pp (season dependent)
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