Walking in Southern Albania vacation

Planet

Using no carbon transport such as walking not only gives you a slower paced experience, but also cuts environmental damage and tourist carbon footprint. We are committed to low-level tourism impact and we keep group sizes to a maximum of 12 to avoid huge tour bus loads of tourists, which increases environmental damage but also is less likely to be welcomed by locals. Slower travel also allows for more chances to interact with people from another culture.
We attempt to reduce plastic bottle use wherever possible by promoting use of reusable and filtered water bottles. Our partnership with Water-To-Go provides a discount on filtered water bottles to our clients. We do not provide water from plastic bottles to our clients in country but always ensure there is regular access to drinking water on our tours.
We are promoting the natural beauty and ancient heritage of Albania through visiting not only Llogara National Park and Butrint National Park, but also the UNESCO World Heritage Sites of Gjirokastër and Butrint ruins. UNESCO Sites are chosen by the UNESCO committee and must "bear a unique or at least exceptional testimony to a cultural tradition or to civilisation", "an important interchange of human values" or be outstanding examples of major stages of Earth's history or ecological and biological processes in evolution. Visiting such sites helps sustain the traditions and natural ecosystems of Albania through tourism.
Throughout most of the trip we will be traveling in minibuses. Traveling as a group in a small bus contributes less pollution than a multitude of vehicles. We will also be exploring many areas on foot, to not only soak up the amazing sights at a slower pace, but to reduce our environmental impact and footprint along our journey.

People

On Day 7 we will drive on to Tirana, stopping along the way to visit Hope Made, a locally run organisation which provides training for women from disadvantaged backgrounds to learn arts and craft skills which then lead to more employment opportunities.
The best way to share stories and meet new people is over a plate of great food and a glass of wine in hand. On Day 6 in the village of Dhoksat, we will be meeting with locals to hear their stories and share a traditional lunch. Supporting the local food industry in Albania not only maintains the cultural identity of Albania but connects cultures through the most ancient of pastimes, eating!
On each Group tour we use local ground handlers. This means that all operational costs go directly into the local economy and help improve employment opportunities in remote regions. Such support can also be seen in our incorporation of homestays, locally owned hotels, family run restaurants and the services of local guides and drivers into our itineraries, which ensures that the money you spend with us goes directly into the local economy and local community.