Cycle the Balkans - Croatia to Albania

Day 1 - Join Trip in Dubrovnik
Arrive at Dubrovnik Airport (DBV) and take a transfer to our hotel, located in the pleasant Lapad area. Look out for your driver who will be waiting for you, holding an Explore sign. Dubrovnik is a magnificent fortified city, fronted by the Adriatic and overlooked by the slopes of Mt Srd. Its limestone-paved main street, the Stradun, is bordered by Baroque palaces and churches, restored following the medieval city plan. The mighty stone ramparts are known the world over and, provide views of the terracotta rooftops, hidden courtyards, and the sea itself. For those arriving in Dubrovnik earlier in the day, consider exploring the historic Old Town. Luggage can be left at your hotel. From there, you can take a short bus ride to the Old Town. This evening, we'll meet our tour leader and fellow cyclists at 7pm in the hotel reception for a welcome briefing to prepare for the days ahead.

Day 2 - Croatia Coastline and Border Crossing to Montenegro
We begin with a short morning transfer (approximately 35 minutes) to avoid the city traffic and we'll start our cycle near Zvekovica. Our ride follows quiet, undulating country roads through the beautiful Konavle region, characterised by cypress trees, low Mediterranean forest, and rich farmland. We continue to the border crossing before descending to the coast and after a short while, we'll enter Montenegro and the town of Herceg Novi, known as the 'City of the Sun'. If we have time after crossing the border, we may have a chance to explore the town. During this time you might like to take a walk up to the Ottoman-built Kanli Kula (Bloody Tower) for panoramic views of the Bay of Kotor. In the late afternoon, we'll take a short transfer to our accommodation, including a ferry across the narrow Verige Strait, to the Kotor/Tivat area. Our total cycling distance today is approximately 40 kilometres/25 miles with 650 metres/2,130 feet of ascent and 750 metres/2,460 feet of descent. Please note, there may be delays at the border crossing today, which may result in some long waiting times. In the case our van is delayed at the border, make sure you pack a rucksack in the morning with some essentials for when you arrive at the hotel. This way you can freshen up before your luggage arrives.

Day 3 - Cycle The Lustica Peninsula
Our route today offers a beautiful loop of the rugged Lustica Peninsula - the coastal arm guarding the entrance to Kotor Bay. Our journey begins with a short transfer to the starting point. We'll cycle along scenic local roads through olive groves and coastal settlements like Radovici and Klinci. The route features rolling terrain with some notable climbs, including a 4.5 kilometre ascent. The gradient is however fairly consistent so we settle in to a comfortable pace as we climb. The effort is rewarded with spectacular views of the Adriatic and the opportunity to visit the popular Oblatno beach. We'll end our ride back near Kotor. Our total cycling distance today is approximately 40 kilometres/25 miles with 800 metres/2,624 feet of ascent and descent.

Day 4 - Gondola Ride Up Mt Lovcen, Descend to Cetinje
This morning, we'll start with a short 20-minute transfer to the gondola station. We'll skip the massive climb out of Kotor Bay with a magnificent gondola ride up to Kuk on Mount Lovcen. From the high plateau, we begin a scenic and mostly downhill ride through the unique karst terrain of Lovcen National Park. We'll stop in Njegusi, the historical birthplace of the Montenegrin royal family, where there is an optional visit and tasting of traditional local prosciutto and cheese. Our 27 kilometre ride includes one 4 kilometre-long gradual climb before a long, rewarding descent into Cetinje. Previously the royal capital of Montenegro, the city of Cetinje has a wonderful atmosphere, full of quirky restaurants and shops, with a rustic, cobbled main street. Founded in the 15th Century by Ivan Crnojevic at the height of the Ottoman Empire, it is now home to various museums, gardens, stately buildings and a monastery. Our total cycling distance today is approximately 25 kilometres/15 miles with 265 metres/869 feet of ascent and 960 metres/3149 feet of descent.

Day 5 - Cycle to Lake Skadar National Park
Today we cycle straight from the hotel, heading out of Cetinje towards Lake Skadar National Park. The route starts with a short climb before a spectacular 13 kilometre descent into the riverside town of Rijeka Crnojevica, famous for its iconic horseshoe bend. We continue on an undulating road that winds through the rugged karst landscape, finishing our day in Virpazar, a small fishing village nestled on the shores of Lake Skadar, the largest lake in southern Europe. Our total cycling distance today is approximately 40 kilometres/25 miles with 670 metres/2,198 feet of ascent and 1,300 metres/4,265 feet of descent. Our descent today is steep with some uneven and loose gravel sections; it will therefore require particular care and attention as you go along.

Day 6 - Skadar Lake’s Southern Shore and into Albania
Today is more challenging, but an incredibly rewarding cycling day. We begin with a short transfer (10 minutes) to the Marstjepovici Pass, giving us a head start. From here, we cycle along a small road winding along the northern slopes of Rumija Mountain, offering dramatic views over the southern shore of Lake Skadar. The day features a quick 5 kilometre descent followed by two longer climbs (5 kilometres and 7 kilometres) before finishing with a glorious 7 kilometre descent to the town of Vladimir. A short transfer (45 minutes/ 23 kilometres) takes us to the border crossing and then into the historic Albanian city of Shkoder. Our total cycling distance today is approximately 39 kilometres/24 miles with 720 metres/ 2,362 feet of ascent and 1,125 metres/3,690 feet of descent. Our descent today is steep with some uneven and loose gravel sections; it will therefore require particular care and attention as you go along.

Day 7 - Albanian Lowlands to Tirana
Our final cycling day is a slightly gentler ride as we cycle away from the mountains and through the Albanian lowlands. After a short transfer (15 minutes) to the start of the trail, we'll encounter undulating terrain, passing through small towns, villages, and farmland, a contrast to the steeper, Montenegrin mountains. We cycle towards Lezhe, where there may be an opportunity to visit the iconic mausoleum of Skanderbeg, Albania's national hero. After lunch, we transfer (a 90-minute journey) to Tirana, Albania's vibrant capital, where we celebrate our final night together. Our final ride is approximately 47 kilometres/29 miles with 330 metres/1082 feet of ascent and 330 metres/1082 feet of descent

Day 8 - Depart Tirana
Our tour ends this morning at our hotel in Tirana, there are no activities planned today, so you're free to depart at any time. If you'd like an airport transfer, you'll need to depart from Tirana Airport (TIA) which is a 30-minute drive from Tirana.