Off Road Albania Tours Osumi Canyon to Vjosa River, Përmet (ARG)

We had a great time on a 5 day Trip with Off Road/Rafting Albania Tours. The Guides were amazing, and offered good knowledge about the areas, nature, history, herbs, (Sami with legend stories, Henry with rafting experience, Reno the 5 Star offroad Driver who had great mechanical skills when one of the cars broke down :)) Rafting, kajaking, hiking and packraft, natural thermal baths, we had the full package. We had a great adventure, and saw so much of this beautiful country. The Hotels along the way were all great, the food was amazing, and it was no problem to cater for Vegans too. Thanks for a great time, I will be back for sure!

We were 8 friends deciding to get to know to Albania before having a conference in Tirana. We wanted to have an adventurous tour where kayaking and rafting was the main focus. The communication with Alma, who is the owner of ARG, was always good and in timely matter. I understand that cultural differences can be in the way sometimes and I also made a few little mistakes which happen to result into a few last minutes changes. The tour itself had all elements which I personally was hoping for. Off-road experiences over some mountain dirt roads, hiking with donkeys, kayaking, rafting (both in a group boat and in an individual rafting boat), and local food experiences which left us maximal happy and satisfied. Due to the season the water in the rivers was quite low already, something to consider when you go in the summer months such as we did. For more adventurous water rafting experiences our guides recommended us to have it either in spring or autumn. Also, you need to understand that things are sometimes quite flexible in Albania and our different tour guides, especially Enri and Rimu (hope I have the names right), did their very best to make everything happen. And yes, you will have things happening along the way that weren't planned, lean back and enjoy. The accommodations we had were always to a very good standard and every time we got more great food served than we could have eaten, even with all the activities that left us behind super hungry. That said, I can absolutely recommend this tour operator and I am more than pumped to have another tour in Albania.

Fantastic experience. Group - 2 families. Tour - Berat (2 nights), Osumi canyon (1 night) + river hike, 4x4 tour to Permet (1 night) Benja baths, rafting Vjose (then on to Gjirocaster). First, a BIG thank you to Alma who steered us into the above itinerary, answered my (many!) questions, pieced together and organised such a great trip. Second, thanks to all of the Albanian rafting group team who looked after us along the way with good humour and professionalism. Third, thanks to the hotels along the way - Alma's Castle Park hotel in Berat, Barcaj guesthouse in Corovoda, Alvero hotel in Permet - all very good. If you're looking for a European destination which offers culture, adventure, spectacular scenery and good value Albania and definitely this trip should be seriously considered. The kids were mixed ages ranging from 8 to 20 but the activities suited all. The rafting was fun enough for the older kids but fine to have the 8 year old involved too. With the jumping/diving for both rafting and the spectacular osumi hike you can choose how high or not at all. The 4x4 drive from osumi to Permet was more exciting than expected and great views. Food was great and very generous on the whole trip. Alma and castle park hotel served up a lovely meal on the first night after arriving late from the UK. The courses just kept coming! Another reason to choose Albania rafting group is that they are focused on improving the environment, having been key recently in the protection and designation of the Vjose river. Definitely recommend. The Cooke's and the Garwood's.