UK adventure operator EverTrek has added an eight-day Albania trip mixing hiking and mountain biking with river rafting, taking it to 23 destinations, a company press release said.
The launch takes a company built on high-altitude treks into a shorter-haul market that is climbing the rankings. Albania posted the biggest gain in the World Economic Forum’s 2026 Travel & Tourism Development Index, and UK arrivals rose 32% year-on-year in May, according to Tourism Minister Blendi Gonxhe.
“While our roots are in high-altitude trekking, we wanted to broaden our offering with a destination that’s easier to reach and combines hiking with experiences such as rafting and mountain biking,” said CEO Rhys David, who joined the first departure.
David said market research and customer feedback showed demand for more accessible trips combining several activities. He added that EverTrek used technology to identify emerging destinations, and that Albania is opening up to international tourism after decades of isolation.
The itinerary starts in Tirana and the hilltop town of Kruje before moving to Unesco-listed Berat, known for its Ottoman houses and castle walls.
Around Permet, groups walk village trails and mountain bike through rural valleys. They then raft the Vjosa, one of Europe’s last free-flowing rivers, and stop at the Benja thermal springs.
The final leg heads south to the Ionian coast, taking in Sarande, the ancient site of Butrint, the Blue Eye spring and the Albanian Riviera.
No previous mountain biking or rafting experience is required. “It sits at the easier end of our adventure range, so while you’ll want a reasonable level of fitness, you don’t need to be an endurance athlete,” David said.
Fellow adventure operator Intrepid Travel posted a record September last month, with Morocco leading demand.
EverTrek is a UK-based adventure travel company specialising in guided treks and expeditions, with trips to Everest Base Camp, Mount Kilimanjaro, Machu Picchu and Toubkal. It sells them to first-time adventurers as well as experienced hikers.
