UNESCO Tour

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Welcome in the new millennium in the less traversed corner of Europe, south ex-Yugoslavia. This part of the world is hotter than hot right now, and we aint gonna lie, this trip's name says it all. 7 UNESCO sights are served up left right and centre, with a nature fix dotted in-between to keep every explorer tuned in. 6-days of life changing experiences are yours for the taking.

This diverse tour will lead you from the inviting beaches of Montenegro and one of the deepest river canyon the world, the picturesque mountains and sparkling rivers of Kosovo, to the tranquil beauty of Lake Ohrid via the Accursed mountain of Albania, providing a taste of all the countries have to offer. A relaxing route, providing a feast for the senses and plenty of opportunity to experience the hospitality of the friendly Balkan people.

5 UNESCO World Heritage cities visited
4 riding days
2 Contries : Albania, Macedonia
Total distance : 580 km | 100% tarmac

Tiranë-Vlorë

Day 1

Take your first bite of the sweet peach that is the Albanian countryside as you leave the city behind in a cloud of dust. You will find the world cracks open into a mirage of wrinkled mountains and winding paths. Here on out the roads become weightless and empty, as though carved for your pleasure – save for a sleeping donkey or two. Pass by jumbled villages where local homes groan beneath the weight of vines and pots of amber honey are sold at the side of the road. Follow the snow-capped peak of Mount Tomorri - hailed as the Albanian Olympus, marking the ancient Ottoman city of Beret on the map.

The UNESCO town of a thousand windows makes an idyllic lunch spot. A 15th century empire ensnared beside a river of green and meadows of a million wildflowers. After lunch head up into the crumbling golden citadel, also known as The Kala to wander the cobbled streets that once served as a defensive lookout, but now makes a picture-perfect window out across the mountains.

Continue, through prairies, colorful towns and salt silts that start to whisper of the end of land. As the golden rays of afternoon sizzle on the road, suddenly the siren song of the Ionian Sea is upon you. Check into a seafront hotel with views of blue and the curved silhouette of the mountains that make up the Llogora National Park. Slips of sand and gin-clear waters beckon for a sunset plunge before fish suppers beneath the stars.

Distance | 205km

Vlorë-Gjirokastër

Day 2

Soar above the morning cloud as you take the highroad that climbs from the sparkling coast to the rocky bluffs of the Llogora National Park. At the dizzying height of 1000 meters, it can be hard to untangle the sky from the sea. Follow the road that wraps around the shores of the Albanian Riviera. Slithers of sand and topaz blues mark out Homer’s footprints on the map – yet these coastal lands of crumbling Greek temples, tales of mythology, and sprawling olive groves remain far from the tourist radar. Take a lazy lunch in the summer town of Ksamil, where simmering shrimp fondue is served up with views of Corfu and crisp Debine wine.

Turn inland, tackling mountain passes that curl like smoke signals until you reach the hand drawn ferry. A local raft that pulls you across the river strait with views onto the prehistoric colony of Butrint. Even before the 6th century when the Greeks landed, Butrint had already been occupied. After the Greeks came the Romans; following their fall – the Byzantines. Layers of history unravel and beneath the veil of the forest you will find impressive amphitheaters, public baths, and dazzling mosaics all sitting under the shadow of the acropolis.

Take the final road that leads to the stone city of Gjirokaster. In this UNESCO gem, vertical cobbled streets showcase fluttering handmade lace, woven rugs of opium red, and chiseled stone paintings. Gjirokaster is one of the most famous towns in Albania, home of beloved author Ismail Kadare and birthplace of former dictator Enver Hoxha.

Distance | 200km

Gjirokasër-Ohrid

Day 3

After breakfast head to the tip of the cobbled town to wander the castle ramparts of Gjirokaster. A heady mix of soaring stone corridors, striking cannons and fallen fighter planes are housed in this fabled fortress. If walls could talk the castle would tell tales dating back to the 12th century; from Ottoman stronghold to rebel prison under the 20th century’s last ruler of romance - King Zog.

Leave the enchanting stone city behind as you make for the mountains of Nemercka and the pine forests where wild wolves roam. The alpine meadows blaze with red poppies like lipstick kisses in the grass. The road opens out into long straight stretches that pass beside milky waters and creaking bridges. Make a stop to swim in the hot springs of beautiful Benja. Hemmed in by snowy mountains and deep cut canyons where the locals say only god waits; the Sulphur rich waters soothe both the body and the soul.

Skirt past the Greek border as you climb high into the Pindus Mountains. Stop at Sotire Farm for lunch where fire-baked trout, homegrown salads, pillowy bread and the families signature red wine are always on the menu. As the Pindus Mountains sweeps down you catch your first sight of Lake Ohrid – as wide as the sea and as tranquil as heaven. Ride along the promenade dotted with waterslides, laughing children and fishing boats that skim the surface. Collapse in revelry beside the water’s edge and dine on Koran, the famed fish that the Queen of England once declared the Queen of the Lake.

Rumbling towards the shores of Ohrid, take the scenic route that passes through the majesty of the Prespa Lakes - set against a backdrop of mirrored mountains. High in the hills, and torn between Macedonia, Greece and Albania; these cool calm waters flood with over two hundred species of water birds who come for their summer fling. Stop for a moment to watch the red beaked pelicans, swooping black ravens, and leggy herons fish for their breakfast. As Prespa sits at an altitude of 855m, her glacial waters seep through underground channels and streams, on a journey to fill Lake Ohrid.

Distance | 235km

Ohrid-Tiranë

Day 4

After a leisurely breakfast, its time to test your prowess on the cobbled streets and coastal roads that curve around the mesmerizing coastline. Quick cross into Albania again and continue through more amazing roads and scenery to Tirana.

Distance | 200km

Solo Rider

750

Pillion

60

Bike Upgrade

100

Single Supplement

120

What's included

4 Nights Accommodation
All breakfasts
Motorcycle F700GS / F800GS
Hard case panniers
Motorcycle Insurance BLUE

What's not included

Single supplement
Motorcycle upgrade
Lunch & Dinner
Riding gear or helmet
Travel insurance

In the event that your flight has lost you luggage please give the following information to the lost and found office that unless there will be another flight the same with your luggage on it, you will be traveling the next day and the destination for your luggage to be delivered should be determined by calling Motorcycle Albania at +355673080000. Motorcycle Albania and Lost & Found will make further arrangements to bring the luggage to you as soon as possible.

It is important to layer your clothing for different climates, as our tour may go through cool high mountain passes on one day and warm valley lowlands on the next. Rain in the mountains can occur unexpectedly, so you should bring a rain suit. Helmet is a must unless you have made further arrangements with us. In the event of lost luggage we will provide you with a helmet and riding gear until the arrival of yours.

You will need money only for meals and drinks. A typical dinner cost between 5-10 € and a litter of house red wine from 3-7€. Coffee is 50cent and beer 1€. Although ATM machines are common in most cities and towns there will be days where finding on could be challenging. But more challenging is trying paying with a credit card. Cash in the most easy form of payment and luckily, because of the prices in Albania, you don’t need much of it.

Because of the remoteness this tour will take us, is quite neccessary that you let Motorcycle Albania know in advance of possible medical conditions of food allergies that you might have. All our guides are competent first aid responders and will do everything to sort out the situation in the most professional manner.

We have updated our motorcycles by providing 2017 model for all our tours. On top of that, all our models now have motorcycles with lowered chassis for shorter riders. After you make you booking make sure to talk to us about the most appropriate size for you.

Crossing borders is easy and straight forward. Everyone must have their passports and driving license on them at all time. Because of our agremenst with Border Custom Controle, you can cross any border independent from the rest of the group and don't need to do any customs paperwork.

Because of limited accesabilito to most mountainous vilages this is the only way in or out for a lot of people and because of tourism and water level of the lake loading/unloading of the bikes on the ferries can be challenging. Therefore your guide might have to do that job for you.

All the roads exept for big citys are free of trafic and very well maintained. The drivers are quiet patience and forgiving.

Organic food is still the standart in the Albanain cousine. All the farmers grow their own heirloom varieties and because of the cost of chemicals used in developed countries they have followed more natural methods of agriculture. Combine the good flavor with the rich variety of traditional dishes and low prices and you landed on food paradise.

Because of the cheep prices of meals we decided that everyone should have the abundant option of choosing their own dish. Nonetheless your guide will suggest the best places and dishes and make reservations beforehand. If it is favorable to you, you can let the guide choose and order the best at each destination.

Every group is different but the most common style of riding is where the guide leads and you all make the same stops and rests to which we came to know from our long experience. All the helmets will be equipped with an intercom, where you can listen the guide telling stories and histories of the traveled area or interact in private conversations with other riders from the group. There is usually two coffee stops, one before and one after lunch stop as well as common regroups in attractions sites and beautiful view points.

Nonetheless with our GPS and and easy to follow route, you are free to ride at you own pace and enjoy the ride from your own prospective.