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Osumi Canyon

Southern Albania Adventure: 6-Day Rafting, Kayaking & SUP Tour

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Duration of Trip

Explore Southern Albania in 6 days with rafting, kayaking, packrafting, SUP, hiking and sea kayaking, plus Berat, Vjosa, Osumi Canyon, Porto Palermo and authentic Albanian food.

About This Tour

5 Nights / 6 Days
Adventure • Water Sports • Nature • Culture • Gastronomy

Discover Southern Albania from the River to the Sea

Experience Southern Albania through water, mountains, culture and authentic local cuisine on a unique 6-day multi-adventure tour designed for travelers who love water sports and active travel.

Paddle through the spectacular Osumi Canyon by packraft, explore a mountain lake on Mount Tomor by SUP and kayak, experience white-water rafting or kayaking on the Vjosa River, paddle through the Vjosa region near Tepelena, and sea kayak along the spectacular Ionian Coast beneath Porto Palermo Castle.

Between the adventures, discover UNESCO-listed Berat, traditional Albanian villages, historic sites, thermal springs and the dramatic landscapes of Southern Albania.

Your accommodation combines boutique hotels and safari glamping, while traditional Albanian food and local experiences complete the journey.

  • Small backpack with rain cover
  • Suitable walking shoes for hiking
  • An additional pair of trainers that can get wet (for use when rafting, kayaking and if doing the river hike)
  • Breathable, light-weight, waterproof clothing
  • Swimwear
  • Plenty of spare underwear and clothes for getting wet
  • Quick drying travel towel
  • Wind-stopper jacket
  • Sun hat
  • Sunglasses
  • Suncream
  • Refillable water bottle

DAY 1 – Arrival in Albania: Tirana & Berat

Welcome to Albania!

Your adventure begins when our team meets you at Tirana International Airport.

Before heading south, we explore Tirana, Albania's vibrant capital, where history, culture and modern life come together.

Tirana highlights

  • Skanderbeg Square
  • Ethem Bey Mosque
  • Bunk'Art Museum
  • Government and National Opera buildings
  • Italian-influenced architecture and historic city areas

This introduction gives you an insight into Albania's fascinating journey from the Ottoman period and communist era to modern-day Albania.

After approximately three hours in Tirana, we continue to Berat, one of Albania's most beautiful historic cities and a UNESCO World Heritage Site.

The journey takes approximately 1 hour and 40 minutes.

Explore Berat

In the afternoon, discover:

  • Mangalem Quarter
  • Gorica Quarter
  • Medieval streets
  • Traditional Ottoman houses
  • Historic architecture

In the evening, enjoy a traditional dinner prepared with local ingredients and Albanian recipes at Hotel Castle Park, home of the Slow Food Community of Berat.

Accommodation: Hotel Castle Park, Berat
Meals: Dinner

DAY 2 – Packrafting in Osumi Canyon

After a traditional Albanian breakfast featuring homemade and local products, we travel approximately 60 km from Berat to the Osumi Canyon.

The journey includes several stops at spectacular viewpoints overlooking the canyon.

Osumi Canyon

More than three million years old, the canyon is famous for its:

  • Dramatic vertical cliffs
  • Waterfalls, depending on the season
  • Caves and rock formations
  • Clear mountain water
  • Spectacular natural landscapes

At our Albania Adventure Base, our professional guides provide all the necessary equipment and a full safety briefing.

Packrafting Adventure

Enjoy approximately 2.5 hours of packrafting inside the Osumi Canyon, combining paddling, exploration and an intimate experience of one of Southern Albania's most spectacular natural environments.

After the adventure, return to our base for showers and enjoy a freshly prepared local lunch.

Depending on the schedule, you may have free time in the afternoon to relax or visit Berat Castle.

Accommodation: Hotel Castle Park, Berat
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner

DAY 3 – Mount Tomor: 4x4 Adventure, Hiking, SUP & Kayaking

Today we head into the mountains for one of the most unique experiences of the journey.

We travel by 4x4 vehicle into Mount Tomor, one of Albania's most distinctive and culturally significant mountains.

Mountain Adventure

  • Approximately 1 hour off-road by 4x4
  • Approximately 2 hours of hiking
  • Approximately 3 hours of SUP and kayaking
  • Picnic lunch surrounded by mountain scenery

This is a full day in nature, combining off-road exploration, hiking and water sports in a remote mountain environment.

After the mountain adventure, we continue south toward Përmet.

Benja Thermal Baths

In the afternoon, visit the famous Benja Thermal Baths, where you can relax in naturally warm mineral-rich waters beneath the historic Ottoman stone bridge.

From Benja, we continue to our accommodation near Përmet and the Vjosa River.

Accommodation: Safari Glamping, Përmet
Meals: Breakfast & Lunch

Dinner is not included, giving you the opportunity to explore Përmet's restaurants and enjoy local cuisine independently.

 

DAY 4 – Vjosa National Park: Rafting & Kayaking

Today we enter the spectacular Vjosa National Park, home to one of Europe's most remarkable free-flowing rivers.

Vjosa River Adventure

Depending on river conditions, today's main activity will be:

White-water rafting or kayaking on the Vjosa River.

Our professional guides lead the activity and provide all necessary safety equipment.

After the river adventure, enjoy lunch at our Albania Rafting Group Glamping Base.

Kayaking near Tepelena

After lunch, we continue toward Tepelena, enjoying a scenic drive through the dramatic landscapes of Southern Albania before another paddling experience in the Vjosa region.

This combination gives you the chance to experience the river from a different perspective and discover some of the less-explored landscapes of Southern Albania.

In the evening, return to our glamping accommodation and enjoy a traditional dinner.

Accommodation: Safari Glamping, Përmet
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner

 

DAY 5 – The Albanian Riviera: Sea Kayaking at Porto Palermo

Today we leave the mountains behind and travel toward the spectacular Ionian Coast of Albania.

The journey takes us through dramatic mountain landscapes toward the Albanian Riviera, with a stop at Peshtura Waterfall for a short walk and photographs.

Sea Kayaking from Porto Palermo to Qeparo

Our final major adventure takes place on the turquoise waters of the Ionian Sea.

Sea kayaking: Porto Palermo Castle → Qeparo
Duration: approximately 2.5 hours

During the kayaking experience, paddle through:

  • Crystal-clear turquoise water
  • Hidden coves
  • Sea caves
  • Dramatic coastal cliffs
  • Beautiful Mediterranean landscapes

One of the highlights is paddling beneath Porto Palermo Castle, one of Albania's most impressive historic coastal fortresses.

After kayaking, enjoy a free afternoon on the Albanian Riviera.

Lunch and dinner are not included, allowing you to choose from the excellent local restaurants along the coast and enjoy the atmosphere of the Riviera.

Accommodation: Hotel in Qeparo
Meals: Breakfast

 

DAY 6 – Departure

After breakfast, we begin our journey back toward Tirana International Airport.

Enjoy your final views of Albania's mountains, countryside and coastline as we travel north.

Your Southern Albania adventure comes to an end at the airport, where we say goodbye after six days of paddling, hiking, exploration, culture and local experiences.

We hope you leave Albania not only with unforgettable memories of its rivers, mountains and coastline, but also with a deeper connection to its people, traditions, food and adventurous spirit.

 

TOUR INCLUDES

✓ 5 nights accommodation

  • 2 nights at Hotel Castle Park, Berat
  • 2 nights at Safari Glamping, Përmet
  • 1 night at a hotel in Qeparo

✓ Airport transfers
✓ Transportation throughout the tour
✓ Professional English-speaking guide
✓ All adventure activities listed in the itinerary
✓ Professional adventure and safety equipment
✓ Cultural visits and sightseeing
✓ Breakfasts
✓ Selected lunches
✓ Selected dinners
✓ Entrance fees where applicable

Water Sports Included

✓ Packrafting in Osumi Canyon
✓ SUP on Mount Tomor
✓ Kayaking on Mount Tomor
✓ Rafting or kayaking on the Vjosa River, depending on conditions
✓ Kayaking in the Vjosa region near Tepelena
✓ Sea kayaking from Porto Palermo to Qeparo

 

✓ 5 nights accommodation

  • 2 nights at Hotel Castle Park, Berat
  • 2 nights at Safari Glamping, Përmet
  • 1 night at a hotel in Qeparo

TOUR INCLUDES

✓ 5 nights accommodation

  • 2 nights at Hotel Castle Park, Berat
  • 2 nights at Safari Glamping, Përmet
  • 1 night at a hotel in Qeparo

✓ Airport transfers
✓ Transportation throughout the tour
✓ Professional English-speaking guide
✓ All adventure activities listed in the itinerary
✓ Professional adventure and safety equipment
✓ Cultural visits and sightseeing
✓ Breakfasts
✓ Selected lunches
✓ Selected dinners
✓ Entrance fees where applicable

Water Sports Included

✓ Packrafting in Osumi Canyon
✓ SUP on Mount Tomor
✓ Kayaking on Mount Tomor
✓ Rafting or kayaking on the Vjosa River, depending on conditions
✓ Kayaking in the Vjosa region near Tepelena
✓ Sea kayaking from Porto Palermo to Qeparo

Flights are not included.

Airport arrival and departure transfers are included and need to be coordinated with the group's scheduled airport arrival and departure times.

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