War Trail

After breakfast at the hotel we drive to the stables where we meet our horses and guides. Today’s ride will take us around 6 hours. The trail runs initially through a valley, along the Drino river, where we will test our horses during longer canters. Next we will ride into hilly area, with streams cutting through the valley surrounded by pine tress. Step by step the terrain will become a bit more steep until we reach the Cepo monastery where we will have lunch break. After a bit of rest we ride out along the Kardhiq river. We will encounter several natural monuments, 3-4 meter high rocky columents and pillars, called the God of Light. In the afternoon we will reach Fushbardha village where we have dinner and spend the night with a local family, at their house.

This will be a long day, riders should expect an 8-9 hours trail, including about 1,5 hours on foot, leading their horses. The trail follows the path taken by King Skerdilajd’s soldiers 2300 years ago. The views are breathtaking: green forests mix with rocky slopes while ancient ruins hide between them. We will pass a number of interesting spots and places, including Basha Stones, the Dhespina cave, the Rock of Kaze, The Valley of Cherries, the Crooked Brook and the Shameti Brook. Riders will stop for a break in a mountain valley, in the shade of a small grove. In the evening we will reach friendly shepherds, who will host us for the night.

This day will be a bit more easy. We wil ride for about 4 hours in a pleasant landscape. First we will visit a stone castle in Borsh, historically called the Castle of Sopot, that dates back to 4^th-3^rd BCE. Sopot is mentioned in 1148 book of Anna Komnenes, daughter of the Byzantine Emperor Alexios I Komnenos. The region was controlled by several powers throughout history: France – under Charles I of Azhuin, then German jurisdiction and the Republic of Venice for a considerable period of time. In the Middle Ages Sopot became a military garrison and took full view of the fortification later on, under Ali Pasha’s reign. The mosque at the castle was built by Haxhi Bendo, one of the supporters of Ali Pasha. After the visit we will saddle up and ride along the coast, between olive, orange, lemon and grapefruit trees. Riders can spend the afternoon at the beach. We will stay for the night with a local family of fishermen, so fish and sea food will be served for dinner.

The group will have the chance of tasting the traditional seaside byrek (cheese pie) for breakfast, accompanied by cookies, milk and honey. Next we will ride out to the beach nearby Bunect and to the village of Lukove. We will stop at the beach in Shpella, where riders can enjoy a swim in the sea. In the afternoon we will visit an old village of Shen Vasil, that has been there since the Middle Ages. During the communist dictatorship in Albania a camp for political prisoners was located here, with hundreds of intellectuals imprisoned and killed there. We stay for the night at a house with typical coastal architecture.

After breakfast the grup will ride to Kalasa river valley and then towards Prapanica. There is a nice spot for gallops over there. Next we will go back to the King Skerdilajd’s war trail and ride down close to the Foinike Hill, where Skerdilajd’s army fought the Epirus’ forces in 229 BCE. We will stop for a break next to the Skerfica mountain ridge and then ride down to Fushbardha village. We will stay with the family we have already met a couple of days ago and have dinner together in the garden.

After breakfast we will ride back towards Gjirokastra. The landscape is quite varied and pleasant to ride through. After crossin the Kardhiq river valley we will stand in our own tracks. Pine forests, mountains, streams, fresh air and flowers will accompany us along the way. At mid-day we will arrive at the stables, take them to pastures and say goodbyes. We will have lunch in a nearby village and return to Gjirokastra, there is still time for sightseeing. In the evening the group will have the last dinner together. Night at the hotel.

Riders leave Albania that day. Transfer to Tirana or Saranda available.