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The country was wonderful – everyone was very friendly, the views were stunning, and the new roads made it perfect for cycling around. Don’t be put off by preconceptions about Albania – we were all delighted to find it much more pleasant to be in than many other European countries, and will no doubt be full of tourists in the next 5-10 years. Definitely go before everyone else realises how good it is. It’s very cheap too, especially in the more rural parts.
My only complaint would be the repeated promises of ice cream, which mysteriously never materialised!
The long descent on the second day, speeding down a mountain with amazing views, a new road surface, and no cars!
Very sociable, organised, and clearly passionate about his country.
Withdrawing 30,000 LEK at the airport should be sufficient for the whole week.
Don’t let the fact that you almost certainly know nothing about Albania (and if you do, it’s probably wrong) put you off this trip. If you like cycling, embracing the unknown, don’t mind a few steep hills, and are prepared to take things as they come, then this is the holiday for you! So many positives about this holiday: fantastic fresh, local food and drink (and outstanding coffee), exploring new cultures, mountains, beaches, and above all a great adventure.
The Llogara Pass was definitely challenging (especially in April, when it got very very cold - though apparently it can be just as challenging in mid-summer when it's very very hot) but making it all the way to the top without walking or getting in the bus (even if at the pace of an injured snail) and the support from everyone else was fantastic. We didn't hang around long enough to enjoy the view at the top as it was so cold, but I'm sure it was lovely (the views on the way up were awesome, in between the rain).
Literally could not fault Junid - he was super organised, friendly, sociable, and always happy to try to find a solution to any problem.
Be prepared! Around Easter, the temperature can vary between factor 50 suncream and 4 layers of clothing in the course of a single day (and at night it can get quite chilly, since some of the hotels had no heating). be prepared for things to not work and roll with it (e.g. power cuts, dodgy showers etc.) If that's not your cup of tea, then you may want to reconsider. The trip isn't hard for the grading, but there are a couple of challenging hills in there, so have a practise on a few first, or hit the gym. Packing a few energy gels will help also. Also, get enough money for your trip at the airport, as there are few opportunities to use a cash machine along the way. On the other hand, there's almost no opportunity to buy anything, so you won't spend much.
This was our 5th cycling trip with Exodus and the most surprisingly fun. Despite an uncharacteristic heatwave in early July, which meant our first day took us up very challenging hills in 37 degree heat and forced some cyclists to abandon their bikes for the van, we all bonded as a group and had as much fun in the evenings as we did pedalling through the stunning scenery of Albania.
The sense of achievement on reaching the summit of the final day's epic climb towards Vlore.
Dhimo was delightful. Coped calmly with all the usual dramas of a cycling holiday despite his youth (26).
Make sure you're hill-fit as it's a very challenging trip, especially in the heat.
My first Exodus trip and already planning more. A well organised trip to a beautiful, unspoilt country. Yes, the cycling was tough at times with some long climbs but the roads were not busy, the Albanian drivers very considerate of cyclists and my travelling companions very supportive.
Seeing those mountains, villages and coastlines plus of course being able to complete all rides.
Dhimi was great, professional, caring and fun.
Be prepared for some tough climbs, enjoy the downhills but treat with caution, embrace the country and the lovely people
What a fantastic trip! Superb cycling on quiet, scenic roads in beautiful Albania. Three of the days are quite challenging, but none the worse for it.
The hotels and guest houses are all in great locations - waking up in the mountains in Benje and looking forward to another (easier) day of great cycling, good food and sunshine.
Dhimi was good fun with a great sense of humour. The whole trip was very well organised and well thought out. We all contributed towards a kitty at the start which worked really well. At every coffee stop Dhimi would organise drinks and snacks, which meant we could sit down straight away and still get served quickly, which can be challenging in a group.
Dhimi took us to a lovely restaurant in Tirana after meeting us at the airport, so don't worry about food on the flight or for the transfer. It's worth mentioning that you'll see a few goat herders on the trip and some of them have dogs that are fond of cyclists. If you go faster, they go faster - the trick is to stop pedalling and slow down and they soon lose interest.
This was a splendid trip, made all the better by the staggering beauty of the Albanian mountains and countryside and the excellent company of all on the tour. The cycling was immense, challenging all of us on the tour with the long and arduous climbs and then providing thrills and big smiles as we sped down the long, winding descents with endless views stretching ahead of us. The first half of the trip is in the mountains but then descends to the coast for a day or two before climbing once again for more mountain scenery and finishing with a long descent to the final hotel, once more on the coast. A good variety of scenery and culture that provides an excellent taster of life in present day Albania as the country moves from its communist past and trys to adapt to modern day capitalism and all the challenges that this poses.
Undoubtedly the accomplishment of tackling and overcoming the serious climbs on this trip. All of the tour were experienced cyclists, yet none found climbing in the heat anything but a challenge. However, the splendour of the Albanian mountains all around us as we climbed eased the task of reaching the summits on every occasion and the camerarderie of the group was much in evidence throughout. Probably most inspirational were two of our travelling companions, 78 and 79 years old respectively, who tackled the climbs without complaint and earned our utmost respect.
Dhimo was a good leader, calm and amusing, and he soon joined in with the generally humourous and irreverent conversation of the group. He organised snacks, group lunches and dinners every day which made everything very convenient and easy. Together with our driver it was a good team and added greatly to our overall enjoyment of the trip.
Don't rely on credit cards - we did not find any hotel or restaurant that would take them. Exchange a small amount of money in the airport (the exchange rate was 155 Leke to the Pound) to last a few days in the mountains and then use an ATM in one of the larger towns. In practice, our leader paid for everything food related and we reimbursed him at the end of the week, but this may not be the same for every trip or tour leader in Albania. Note that the cycling really does have some challenging climbs and you will definitely benefit if you are cycle fit before arrival. There are three days of very serious climbing (the first day and the final two days - approx 5000, 5200 and 6750 feet respectively) but the views are spectacular and the downhills immense. Very enjoyable but tough. The panniers provided are excellent and our tour (all experienced cyclists) made good use of them, so a rucksack is not needed when cycling.
Cycling in Albania is not easy, but is rewarding. The views commanded from some of the many climbs were spectacular. We enjoyed staying in some of the more remote parts of the country and then on to the slightly more commercialised coast. The evenings were great fun, with superb food, and an interesting group of cyclists. Despite the mixed ability almost everyone completed every ride including the final climb over Llogara pass.
Undoubtedly the climb up the Llogara pass felt like quite an achievement.
Dhimo (Group Leader) and Juli (Driver/Support) were fantastic. A great couple of guys. Attentive to all our needs, sociable and informative.
We travelled late Sept and it was a cooler than expected early morning and in the evenings. Definitely pay attention to the grading and daily ascents in the trip notes. It's not an easy trip. The notes describe it being chilly at the top of the Llogara pass. You soon cool down and then it feels pretty cold. We were all very pleased to take refuge in the bar at the top and glad to be served soup for lunch in the bar a few minutes into the descent. The lunches everywhere are huge and delicious. You won't go hungry.
Beautiful scenery, interesting country, real contrast between the mountainous interior and scenic coastline, lovely food, great weather and lovely friendly people – both locals and in our group. This was definitely a trip worth taking.
Cycling was good and like many other reviewers,we thought this was more challenging than its current grading.
We couldn’t believe how little we spent over the week – though to be honest there wasn’t much to buy, other than the essentials.
I wouldn't say inspirational but waking up on day 1 to find we'd arrived at a stunning lakeside location the night before was a great start to a week that just got better. The guest house stay was a lovely setting at the end of a beautiful but challenging ride on day 1. The final ride over the Llogara pass in temperatures of 33 degrees was - er character building.....
Very good, well organized, calm and friendly - looked after us well.
Prepare for the challenges of the riding - I don't remember any days that didn't include climbing ( though not particularly steep), but some had more than others - much more enjoyable if you're prepared for that. If you struggle with high temperatures, then earlier or later in the season might be better - June was very hot.
Had read the reviews before going and it lived up to expectations!
Fab scenery, food and great cycles!
Staying on the bike and not taking the van!!! Was not always on the bike ( especially on the last day)
Arian ( ? Correct spelling) cycled with us every day. He was initially quiet and reserved but as the trip progressed he was more relaxed and really looked after us very well. Just a lovely guy! Armaund was very organised and everything went smoothly!
I have done about 7 to 8 moderate trips!! In my opinion this was a Challenging trip. Doing 2 cycles (what I did) is not enough preparation for this trip!! PLEASE do HILLS before you go!!!
Started off fraught…but ended up being amazing…!!
So this is how the story goes… One wet and rainy Tuesday morning is was chucking it down in the South East.. so all of the Motorways were bent as usual on the way to Gatwick, I finally got there at 1445 with the flight due to leave at 1615 I thought great I had made it, so queued up with the rest of the passengers to check the Bike and the rest of the Baggage in…and then I checked my Passport and guess what?? – yes it was the wrong one, I had picked my Wife’s up by mistake, there was me the biggest pl!”$ker of the day… It was a pretty bad feeling having arrived to suddenly find out that the Holiday was over even before it started… So decisions had to be made so I rang the Exodus office to see what we could do… I spoke to Marcus Fisher (what an amazing guy), he came up with all of the various options of how I could still join the trip even though it was on day 2, I ended up going back to Derby to fetch the Passport, flew to Istanbul and then Tirana, staying overnight and then a 4 hour Cab ride to join the group…and Exodus sorted it all out for me – so the customer service here was amazing – Thanks to Marcus and the team on the ground in Albania!! – I am in your debt
So to the holiday itself…everything was absolutely spot on…Unit the leader was one of the best I have ever come across and I have been on a lot of adventures over the years!! The group was great, the scenery amazing and the food was lovely…this was my first cycling holiday with Exodus and will be back for another one next year, I fancy Iceland Albania is a great place and I could not recommend it enough, Exodus have thought of everything so you will love it
One word of warning, please do some training for the climbs…you will be glad you did!!