Gjirokastër · 13 hours · private
Europe's first Wild River National Park — and thermal pools at Benjë.
42,120 L the vehicle · from 9,984 L each
Photo: Lan Glad, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons
Why go
Përmet, the Wild Vjosa & Benjë Baths
One hundred ninety of the Vjosa's 270 km run through Albania with no dam. Declared Europe's first Wild River National Park on 15 March 2023. Ottoman bridge and thermal pools at Benjë.
One hundred ninety of the Vjosa's 270 kilometres run through Albania with no dam anywhere along them. The river was declared Europe's first Wild River National Park on 15 March 2023 — 12,727 hectares, more than 1,100 recorded species.
At Benjë an Ottoman bridge crosses the canyon above thermal pools that are free to enter. Përmet town sits upstream with a quiet stone centre.
On the ground
What the day holds
- Wild Vjosa National Park
- Benjë thermal pools and Ottoman bridge
- Përmet town
- No dam on the Albanian run
- Long day from Tirana
Itinerary
Door to door, at your pace.
07:00
Leave Tirana
Long drive south to the Vjosa corridor.
midday
Përmet
Town stop and lunch.
afternoon
Benjë
Bridge, canyon, thermal pools.
evening
Return
Late back to Tirana.
The price
Built from real costs. Check the arithmetic.
The price, in full
42,120 L
one vehicle · 21,112 L each · cash on the day
50,440 L by card online · retainer 12,480 L holds the date, 29,640 L cash to the driver
How many of you
One car seats four. Five guests means both cars go out — and both cars are paid for.
| People | Cars | Cash | Card | Retainer |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 1 | 41,600 L (41,600 L ea) | 49,920 L | 12,480 L |
| 2 | 1 | 42,120 L (21,112 L ea) | 50,440 L | 12,480 L |
| 3 | 1 | 42,120 L (14,040 L ea) | 50,440 L | 12,480 L |
| 4 | 1 | 42,120 L (10,504 L ea) | 50,440 L | 12,480 L |
| 5 | 2 | 79,560 L (15,912 L ea) | 95,680 L | 23,920 L |
| 6 | 2 | 79,560 L (13,312 L ea) | 95,680 L | 23,920 L |
| 7 | 2 | 79,560 L (11,336 L ea) | 95,680 L | 23,920 L |
| 8 | 2 | 79,560 L (9,984 L ea) | 95,680 L | 23,920 L |
The message writes itself with your dates and party size already in it.
Included
- Private 4x4 and driver for the whole trip
- Door-to-door pick-up and drop-off in Tirana
- All fuel, road and track access
- Bottled water and fruit in the cool box
- Waiting time at every stop — including lunch
Not included
- Your food and drinks
- Site entry fees where they apply
- Tips (never expected, always welcome)
Best months: May–October
Questions
Before you reserve
- Do I have to hike?
- No. Every stop on this route is reached by vehicle. If you want to walk, the driver waits — but nothing requires it.
- How do I pay?
- Cash on the day is cheapest. Card online includes a 20% charge for the processor and currency conversion — that is not our margin. A retainer of 25% of the card price (minimum €30) holds the vehicle; the balance is cash on the day.
- How many people can come?
- Up to eight. One vehicle seats four; five to eight guests means both cars go out, and both cars are paid for. That is the only honest way to price a two-car fleet.
- Are the baths free?
- Yes. Benjë thermal pools are free to enter.
