Sustainable Approach in a Protected Area: Land of the Lab – Vlora

Where nature and antiquity go hand in hand!

Discover the unique biodiversity and wild nature of Albania, with its history, cultural heritage and gastronomical patrimony. Walk through natural parks, live like a Lab (local inhabitant) and contribute to the preservation of protected area treasures along the Albanian Riviera. Make new friends and experience the love of Albania, the outstanding balcony on the border between the theatrical Ionian and Adriatic seas. See how the locals managed to survive ‘stormy’ centuries of invasions but also how they developed unique ways of dealing, with the nature and the circumstances surrounding them.

Day 1 Organized transfer to Vlora. Installation of the group in one of the beach hotels of the region of Radhima – Orikum. Welcome by the Group Leader and explanation of the whole package. Welcome dinner. Overnight at Picasso Hotel.
Day 2 Brief presentation of the Marine National Park Karaburun- Sazan in the Visitor Centre. Presentation of the sea turtle recuperation centre.Tour boat in the MPA. Visit abandoned ex-military facilities. Lunch in the bay of Saint Vasil.  Relaxing time, swimming and snorkeling in the bay or exploring the peninsula based on the weather conditions.Return to the pier and back to the hotel, early evening. Dinner in local fish restaurant.Overnight at Picasso Hotel
Day 3 Pesca-tourism with a passionate and educated group of local fishermen. Environmental impact will be as small as possible, while the most important thing will be the effort to discuss and value the best ways of organizing similar activities to have focus mainly on education of environmental issues.  Relaxing time – light lunch with the fresh catch of the day and then back to the coast again. Free time. Tour in the nearby Old Village of Tragjas (cultural monument). The visit will involve a hike, about 7 km.Dinner in a traditional small family restaurant Overnight at Picasso Hotel
Day 4 Hiking to the “Stan” of a local shepherd. (Around 30 min). Lunch in the Stan, fresh cheese, Kukureci (a speciality of intestines stuffed with liver and other internal organs of the lamb), roasted meat, etc. Transfer to the Llogara National Park and check in a small family hotel. A short break for showering and relaxing or simply exploring the surroundings of the hotel which is situated in the very heart of a dense pine forest. Dinner in a small and humble family restaurant with the presence of a few men and women from the region of Dukat. Apart from being famous for the high quality of their diary and meat products, this area is also famous for the Polyphonic singing and dancing.  During dinner we’ll introduce the participants with the local hosts. Overnight at Sofo Hotel
Day 5 Hiking in the Park and work in repairing the trail infrastructure together with the park Rangers. Guided check of the monitoring camera in the Park, checking for signs of the presence of the animals footprint, information about the flora of the Park etc.. Picnic lunch in the Park Free timeBrief presentation of the park in the Visitor Centre. Power point presentation of the information from the trap cameras in the park.Dinner.Overnight at Sofo Hotel
Day 6 Transfer along the coast, towards Butrinti National Park. Lunch with mussels (pride of the nearby lake with the same name of Butrint) and other local products. Visit to the National Park of Butrint, one of the prides of Albanian history but also nature. One of the three official UNESCO sites in Albanian territory, it’s eventually one of the most pleasant archeological sites in the Mediterranean, not only because of the long and beautifully preserved list of historical monuments but also because of the fauna and flora that enrich it with natural elements. Drive back to Llogara. Dinner in the hotel.Overnight at Sofo Hotel
Day 7 Drive to the airport but before check in, we will invite you for a goodbye meal in our Bunker Farm in the region of Marikaj (just a few kilometers from the airport). A former military garrison, hosting dynamite, rockets and light artillery transformed in an environmentally friendly oriented farm where a lot of love and passion are dedicated to the farming methods and where tradition is preserved when it comes to cooking and serving. Departure

All transfers, accommodations, activities, entrances are included

How Does Your Visit Support Conservation of The Protected Area?   Contribute in good collaboration between managers and local community. Experience & capacity building. Awareness & promotion for the sustainable use of natural resources.

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[1] For the best result and the best timing efficiency of this tour package, we highly recommend you get to Tirana one day before the tour starts. Please contact us for arrangements of accommodation and activities in case you will opt to do so.