Motorbiking through the Land of the Skipetars

DAY 1: ANCONA – DURRES (TUESDAY)

The ferry leaves Ancona at about 17.00 hours. Participants with their motorbike either travel to Ancona on their own or organize the motorbike transport to Ancona and arrive by train or flight. Travelers with the option of renting a motorbike arrive independently on the 1st day to Tirana.

DAY 2: DURRES – VELIPOJA

The ferry arrives in Durres around 11.00 am. From there we drive first to the beautiful sandy beach of Gjiri I Lalzit, where we have lunch. Then we drive to Cape of Rodoni and further north to Velipoja – situated at the sea. Overnight in Velipoja. 190 km / 4 h

DAY 3: VELIPOJA – VALBONA

From Velipoja we drive first in the direction of Shkodra, then on to Fierce. From there it is only a stone’s throw to the magnificent mountain world of the Valbona Valley in the national park of the same name. Overnight in Valbona. 200 km / 5 h

DAY 4: VALBONA – PESHKOPI

Today’s day takes us through the gorges and over the mountains in eastern Albania. Curves from beginning to end allow only leisurely progress. In addition, you always have to reckon with four-legged road users, who rarely follow the usual rules. We stop in Kukes to have a small lunch. Afterward, we pass the highest mountain of Albania (Korab with 2.700 m). The ride is up and down. Overnight in Peshkopi. 200 km / 5 h

DAY 5: PESHKOPI – KORCA

One of the many highlights of the round trip is the drive around Lake Ohrid and a detour to Lake Prespa. We will interrupt the trip in Ohrid and at Naum Monastery for a short break. Towards late afternoon we will roll over the Galicica National Park and pass of the same name (1,700 m above sea level) to Prespa and to Korca (TN). 263 km / 6 h

DAY 6: KORCA – GJIROKASTRA

We interrupt the drive to Gjirokaster for a lunch break and at the warm springs of Benje. At the end of the day, a walk through the old town of Gjirokaster is recommended before we end the day with a cozy dinner. Gjirokastra has produced two of the most famous Albanians – in the best and the worst sense. The dictator Enver Hoxha and the world-famous writer Ismail Kadare were both born here. Overnight in Gjirokastra. 250 km / 5 h

DAY 7: GJIROKASTRA – BUTRINT – VLORE / RADHIME

Before we drive the most beautiful coastal road along the Albanian Riviera (about 120 km and 2,500 meters of altitude difference) we visit one of the most important archaeological sites in Albania: Butrint. A “must” for every traveler. Before arriving in Radhime, we have to cross the Llogara Pass from 0 to 900 meters. If the weather is fine, you can see the way to Corfu from the viewpoint. Overnight in Radhime. 200 km / 4 h

DAY 8: VLORE / RADHIME – DURRES

On the way to Durres, we drive to Berat, where we have a lunch break in the fortress of the same name. Afterward, we drive to Durres, where we arrive at the ferry port at about 16.00 hrs. The group with rented motorcycles goes to Tirana. The departure of the ferry on Wednesday around 19.00 hrs. 200 km / 3 h

DAY 9: ANCONA – JOURNEY HOME

Arrival in Ancona around 11.00 am. Afterward, independent journey home or use options. For the group with rented motorcycles, we organize a transfer to the airport.