Kings Trail

8 Days  |  From £1165pp

Albania ( Best airport: Tirana)

Experience true Albania on this challenging trail where you’ll begin the week riding in remote and wild mountains with steep downhill sections all the way to the Ionian sea and back.  Wind your way through a variety of landscapes combining mountain climbing, river crossings, woods and the beach. This trail is for confiedent intermediate riders and you must have a head for heights! Some fast gallops in the valleys are a treat when the terrain allows.

The Riding

This is a mountainous trail ride with around 5-6 hours riding and some walking every day. You should be confident at all paces in open spaces.

Beach Riding
Please note that although this trail includes some beach riding, any fast riding takes place along an old path 100m from the beach. The sand is rocky and therefore is only suitable for walking on. The mountain horses are also not too keen on the water, so they will not tend to want to paddle.

Level of Riding and Fitness

This trail is suitable for intermediate and experienced riders with a good, balanced seat. You will be riding over challenging mountainous terrain and enjoying long trots, canters and gallops in the valleys and where the terrain allows faster riding. Good riding fitness is required as you’ll be spending 4-6 hours in the saddle each day. The weight limit is 90kg.

Guides and Group Size

The guides are professionals with many years of experience in guiding trails through the Albanian mountains. They are adventurous, knowledgeable about the history and nature, and most of all, passionate about their horses.

The group size is 3- 10 riders. A departure date will confirm for 2 riders for a supplement.

The Horses

The horses are small but very robust and surefooted Arab and Tarpan crosses. They are strong and perfectly suited for the challenging, rocky terrain being sure footed and accustomed to trekking over long mountainous trails. The tack is English style with small saddlebags provided for items such as water bottles, packed lunches and cameras. Tacking up is optional. Riders are expected to help with feeding and watering the horses during the trail.

Horse Riding Holidays Albania

Accommodation and Dining

You will be accommodated in local or family guesthouses every night where your host families will provide a delicious local meal and conversation is enjoyed by all over dinner. Most of the dishes are homemade while fruits, vegetables and meat come from local gardens and farms.

Get a free Kings Trail mini-brochure in PDF format.

Itinerary

Kings Trail

8 days / 7 nights / 6 riding days
£1165pp

Single supplement is €25 per night paid locally
Small group supplement for 2 riders is £159.

Travel Summary

Meeting points:
Tirana airport (TIA) or Saranda Port – fly to Corfu and take the boat to Saranda (CFU).

Transfer: Tirana airport to Gjirokastra (round trip): €90 per person (€45 one way), 225 km, 3 hours.

Saranda port to Gjirokastra (round trip): €50 per person, 64 km, 1 hour 15 minutes.

Note: We can organize transfers based on the ferry’s timetable for 2024, normally one in the morning and one in the afternoon.

Do not book flights until you have received the Booking confirmation email from saddletravel.com.

Price Includes
  • Accommodation
  • Meals from dinner on day 1 to breakfast on day 8
  • English speaking guide
  • Water and drinks during the meals
  • Luggage transport by car during the trail
Price Excludes
  • Flights
  • Entrance tickets to monuments and parks
  • Extra drinks
  • Other services or expenses during free time.