Reviews

Most Inspirational Moment

Difficult to pin down any particular moment - walking in the completely unspoilt, non touristy (difficult to find these days!) Albanian mountains was certainly inspirational.

Thoughts on Group Leader

Arvil was an extremely pleasant and well informed leader who spoke English fluently. However there are 2 points I would like to raise regarding his decisions 1. For reasons which were never made clear the already scheduled long drive from Valbona (Day 6) to Berat was extended to go via Dourros on the coast (his home town I believe). There appeared no good reason for this. This made it an extremely tiring day of almost 12 hours arriving at Berat at 1900 where we were, after checking into our hotel, taken off for a guided tour of 2 of the oldest mosques in the country (on the itinerary for the following day). Most of the group including myself were too tired to either challenge this or declined this tour. 2. On Day 5 the option to do the full length of the White Circle was not given. Although I was perfectly happy to walk only as far as the ridge and back down the valley, I know that at least 2 of the group was very disappointed not be able to be given this choice. Again no reason for this was presented by Arvil.

Advice for Potential Travellers

If you are not fit and a seasoned walker this trip will find you out!!! The Exodus rating of 3 Moderate is a little understated I would say. The mountain walking in this programme is really wonderful but if you are not already a regular walker and unfit think twice about this. Having said all of the above I would highly recommend this programme if you like unspoilt untouristy places - go now before its too late!

Suggestions

I hesitated to give the programme the "excellent" rating which in many ways it deserves - the wonderful walking, excellent food and accommodation, and good guiding (despite my above comments on Arvil's handling of the programme in a couple of instances - mainly because the cultural part of the programme, in my view, could be improved greatly by adding an extra night at Berat (which everybody loved) instead of just the one night. In that way participants would have time to really appreciate this really fascinating city and recover from the long trip from the mountains. Most of the group were of the same opinion.

Most Inspirational Moment

Theth to Volbona via Volbona Pass was fantastic, stunning mountain vistas and you felt could almost touch Montenegro we were that high and close. A close second though was the Lake Komeni boat trip, deep gorges and wildlife close by on the shore, so near yet too far.

Thoughts on Group Leader

Dorian was a great and personable tour leader deaing with the range of personalities in a large group with aplomb. He displayed considerable knowledge of his country and seemed to know practically everyone in Albania. A highlight was his sensitivity in frequent engagement with locals, who genuinely appeared to appreciate our group’s attention rather than rushing past.

Advice for Potential Travellers

Fitness is quite important as it is not a stroll in municipal parks. Several of the walks were quite challenging, as to be expected with 1,000 metre ascents /descents, although the rewards were equally spectacular. Some people found sections of the Volbona Pass walk vertiginous, although with the group travelling at a slowish pace there was no sense of rushing to catch up.

Most Inspirational Moment

We went for the walking more than the sight-seeing and the walk over the Valbona pass was, despite its challenges, the high point. The views up from Theth were very different from those on the way down to Rragam and Valbone. Everywhere we looked there were jaw-dropping views. The drive down to Berat was very long but the city is beautiful and well worth it once we got there.

Thoughts on Group Leader

It would have been great if the guide had been more knowledgable about the basics of the geology, flora and fauna of the mountain area.

Advice for Potential Travellers

Do assess your own level of physical fitness and do some preparation, even if a stiff climb up the South Downs is rather tame compared to 1000m ascent in the Albanian Alps. Don't be put off by any enduring reputation that Albania has for violence. There are probably still a great many guns in private hands but we didn't see any. The political situation described most eloquently by Robert Carver in 'The Accursed Mountains' no longer applies: the book is well worth reading but not as a guide to modern Albania. A lot has changed in 20 years!

Suggestions

We couldn't have found a better group holiday for our family holiday together. It was the sort of adventure we all like.

Most Inspirational Moment

Getting to the top of the mountain on the walk between Theth and Valone. I really didn't think I'd make it, but ti was worth it for the view. The wonderful Ethnographic museum in Berat - and the town itself. The veiw from the Hotel Panaroma on the last night - it lived up to its name.

Thoughts on Group Leader

Dorian always had interesting facts to tell us about the areas we were visiting and was very good at adapting plans to the needs of the group. We wouldn't have seen so many amazing places without his knowledge.

Advice for Potential Travellers

The walking can be quite tough, if like me, you are used to walking in less hilly/mountainous areas. Be prepared to pack a lot into each day.

Suggestions

The town of Berat was amazing, as was the hotel there. I'd have loved to have stayed another night so I could have explored the local area more.

Most Inspirational Moment

Walking the Valbone pass, looking down one way to Thethi and the other to Valbone, under clear skies and rugged, handsome mountains in every direction.

Thoughts on Group Leader

Dorien has the unique mix of skills that make for a great guide, able to move from mountain guide to city seamlessly he makes the whole experience run like clockwork, no small feat and to be appreciated no end by travellers.

Advice for Potential Travellers

In the heat of high summer the walks may be a little tougher than you might expect, consider those days the high end of moderate, but this is balanced by the other days and short walk options.

Suggestions

With the tide of tourists spreading south from Croatia, go before it gets huge.

Most Inspirational Moment

My highlight`s are many but the view you get from standing high on of the Albanian alps taking in the magnificent scenery is breathtaking.

Thoughts on Group Leader

Dorien. Well what a man he is not only well learned in the history of Albania, he is also funny, he also was able to relate to all the group, whatever age or gender.He was just lovely.

Advice for Potential Travellers

Go with an open mind and just enjoy this wonderful country

Most Inspirational Moment

Two things - the sense of achievement on reaching the summit of the mountain pass, which provided a rewarding view for the considerable effort involved to get there, and connecting with the locals. Dorian, our guide, seemed to know someone wherever we went, and these contacts were free with their thoughts and feelings and didn't mind how many questions we asked them. They were also extremely free with the raki! These were experiences I seriously doubt I'd have got if solo travelling.

Thoughts on Group Leader

Dorien is a great guide, very eager to please, maybe even too eager. He could afford to relax more, maybe eat with the group, but he is always thinking about how to make the trip better. This a laudable aim, but for now let's enjoy it as it is!

Advice for Potential Travellers

Definitely pack good walking boots and wet weather gear. Otherwise, no need to overdo it (as I did). Also, make sure you are relatively fit or you won't get the most out of the trip. Finally, to reiterate if you want to do 10 miles every day, this may not be the trip for you. If you want a mix, it is.

Suggestions

Albania feels very safe, and although one of our group had a camera stolen, it's entirely possible the culprit was another traveller when we stopped at a guest house (not from our group I hasten to add). The accommodation was also of a pretty good standard - aircon and wifi was freely available (not everywhere, but mostly), although there were no safes in any of the rooms.

Most Inspirational Moment

The moment I stepped foot on the top of the Valbone Pass - a real achievement for me to have conquered the climb!

Thoughts on Group Leader

Dorian is an inspirational guide who is passionate about his country. He is knowledgeable, encouraging and supportive. We all learned so much about Albania and its history, as well as experiencing a fantastic, if challenging holiday.

Advice for Potential Travellers

Ensure your own fitness level. The early days of this holiday are challenging. I found them really difficult - primarily because I was inadequately prepared.

Suggestions

Accommodation throughout was very good. In the main it was better than I had anticipated. Most hotels were located in beautiful picturesque surroundings and offered comfortable rooms. I'm looking for my next Exodus adventure!

Most Inspirational Moment

The folklore evening was probably the best evening I've ever spent on an Exodus trip.

Thoughts on Group Leader

Dorian was an enthusiastic and energetic walk leader, thinking on his feet and doing his best to cater for the interests of each member of the group.

Advice for Potential Travellers

Be prepared to enjoy copious amounts of local feta cheese! Food generally is not greatly inspiring, especially for vegetarians.

Most Inspirational Moment

Walking in the vicinity of Thethi -particularly the walk from Thethi to Valbona. The contrast between the two sides of the pass is quite striking. Both are beautiful -but very different scenically. It was a tough walk but well worth it for the views.

Thoughts on Group Leader

I thought Juri was a very good leader. She was kind and caring throughout and looked after us well. There were eight in our party and we were all very different temperamentally- but I think we all agreed that Juri was a good leader-and will get even better with more experience.

Suggestions

I think it might be better if the group went to pre selected restaurants where we could be sure of getting seats, getting a menu ( preferably in English) and getting served in a reasonable time. On a couple of occasions we went to restaurants on spec. One could not take us because there was a wedding party taking place and the other took over one hour to serve lunch. I would also have liked a little bit more free time to explore places on my own -particularly Berat -which is an interesting city to visit