Itinerary

1. Day 1: Explore Osumi Canyons and Communist Town

   • Start early in the morning from Berat. You will be picked up from the hotel, followed by a drive to the south of Berat. The views during the drive will be spectacular as it is a mosaic of mountains, hills, valleys, old villages, vineyard, bunkers, and old guns factory.

   • Stop for a break in Bogova, a village famous for nature with a hidden waterfall. 

   • After stopping at a good café, start walking to reach the waterfall. This area is full of herbs, freshwater, and different trees that dot the region.

   • Start driving to Polican, a city founded to project and produce guns during Communist time. It was the most secure town of all Albania during that era. These days, one can find all the gun factories are still working, not to produce guns but to destroy the ones produced.

   • Take a short walk in the town and stop in front of tunnels, built to protect communist leaders in case of a strike from the Western army.

   • Move onto Skrapar, aka Corovoda. Explore some of the rock formations in the canyon. These have fancy names, such as the Cathedral, the Eye, and the Demon’s Door. The canyons are 26 km (16 miles) long, at an altitude of 450 m. They are believed to have been formed 2-3 million years ago by water erosion.

   • Socialise with the local inhabitants who tell many interesting legends, such as those of Mulliri i Babait, Vrima e Nuses, and Saint Abaz Ali.

   • Grab the chance to swim and hike around some nice places in the canyon. The water is not so cold and there are some perfect places to swim.

   • Spend about 2 hours in this great canyon, and eat lunch comprised of authentic traditional food.

   • After lunch, journey towards Permet - the City of Flowers.

   • Check into your hotel to relax a little bit, and later, try their special dessert, called Gliko.

   • Walk inside the small town of Permet.

   • Enjoy dinner at a popular restaurant.

2. Day 2: Adventure and Trekking around Permet

   • Start early in the morning, going for a short walk to Bredhi I Hotoves, one of the biggest national parks in Albania, with high biodiversity. Discover the park's biodiversity, which is rich in endemic, sub-endemic, Balkan, and Mediterranean plants. Meet mammals like the wolf, bear, deer, wild boar.

   • Take a short walk and swim in this natural spa pool.

   • Explore the natural spa thermal waters of Banja.

   • Enjoy a traditional picnic in thermal waters.

   • Spend time here enjoying and relaxing in nature. Swim, hike or explore around. 

   • Visit Langarica Canyons, one of the most beautiful attractions of Permet 

   • In the late afternoon, return to Permet. Taste some Gliko in one of the small family-run workshops.

   • Enjoy traditional dinner in a small restaurant.

   • Walk into the city and climb on the top of Permet Rock, a big rock located in the heart of the city from where you can enjoy city views at night.

3. Day 3: Explore Gjirokastra

   • Visit the historic city of Gjirokaster. The main characteristic of Gjirokaster is the intensive use of stone in building its houses, which look like small fortresses, and the streets of cobblestone, which all lead to the bazaar. It is also famous for being the birthplace of Communist Dictator Enver Hoxha, and Nobel Prize candidate for Literature, Ismail Kadare.

   • Take a stop at Labova Church. The foundation of the church dates back to the 6th century, during the reign of Byzantine Emperor Justinian (527–565 AD). 

   • Check-in at the hotel for a short break or continue with the tour.

   • Stroll through the Gjirokaster Bazaar.

   • Visit Zekati House, one of the most magnificent and characteristic buildings of Gjirokaster. Built in 1811-1812, it is a three-floor building and has two twin towers. A special feature of the house is the wooden carved ceilings and the guest room. From the wooden balcony on the third floor, one can enjoy an impressive view of the city.

   • Marvel the Castle of Argjiro, the most important structure of the city. The origin of Gjirokaster starts with this castle, which was built in the IV century when the city was named Argyrokastro.

   • Dinner at a traditional restaurant. The town of Gjirokastra is also known for its culinary art; try special dishes like pasha qofte, shapkat, and oshaf with dried figs (a dessert with sheep's milk, sugar, and dried figs).

   • Enjoy free time to explore the town during the night.

4. Day 4: Tirane via Apollonia

   • Enjoy your breakfast and begin your drive to Tirane.

   • On the way, visit Tepelene - a short visit to the castle; and Uji i ftohte - one of the best in Albania.

   • Take a recess at a cafe or have some snacks.

   • Stop to see one of the most historical sites of Albania, Apollonia.

   • Visit Apollonia, an old Illyrian settlement founded during 6 century BC. Historians believe that it was the biggest antiquity town of its time.  Here, visit the Byzantine Church build by Emperor Peleologu and the Archaeological Museum of Apollonia.

   • Proceed to Tirane.