Amazing Horse Riding Experience at Vjosa National Park in Permet

Ride into Albania’s wild south. This four-hour horseback trip from Përmet takes you through the Fir of Hotova area and the Vjosa National Park region, with old village trails, stone bridges, mountain views, ruins, springs, and the dramatic Lengarica Canyon. I like the small-group format and the chance to see rural Albania at a slow, natural pace. I also like that fruit, cookies, water, and wine or soft drinks are included.

The main thing to consider is that this is a real mountain ride, not simply a gentle circuit in a field. Some riders describe steep trails, faster riding, and sore muscles afterward. The horses are well regarded and beginners receive help, but you should feel comfortable spending several hours in the saddle.

Five things to know before you book

• The route changes with your riding ability: Guides choose the trail based on the group’s experience, with Lengarica Canyon a favorite option.
• Leusë’s Saint Maria Church is a key stop: The old church, village lanes, stone homes, and painted interiors add culture to the outdoor adventure.
• The horses receive unusually strong praise: Riders describe them as healthy, calm, friendly, and free to roam when not working.
• You get more than a ride: Snacks, fruit, cookies, water, and wine or soft drinks are included, with an optional lunch for €15.
• The advertised group is small: The tour information gives both a maximum of seven and a cap of ten, so confirm the exact group size when booking.
• Hot springs can extend your day: After riding, the thermal pools near Bënjë are about 20 minutes from Përmet, though the supplied four-hour duration does not clearly say that bathing time is included.

Why horseback riding suits Përmet

Përmet is a good place to slow down. The town sits in southern Albania beside the Vjosa River, one of Europe’s last wild rivers, with old villages and mountain valleys spreading out nearby. A car can take you between sights, but a horse lets you use the old paths that once connected settlements.

That matters here because the route is not only about reaching a viewpoint. You pass through countryside where sheep and goats may be grazing, cross old trails, stop beside springs, and look across hills toward rocky valleys. The pace gives you time to notice small details that are easy to miss from a vehicle.

I also like the mix of scenery and local life. You may see stone houses, cobbled lanes, old churches, ruins, cold-water springs, and traditional villages such as Bënjë, Ogdunani, Leusë, and Badlonjë. It feels less like a staged riding show and more like a guided outing through the area around Përmet.

The ride operates on both sides of the Vjosa River. The exact route depends on the ability of the group, so you should not expect every departure to follow the same path or include every named sight.

Starting at Funky Guest House in Përmet

The meeting point is Funky Guest House & Adventures at Sheshi Abdyl Frashëri in Përmet. The activity begins and ends there, which keeps the logistics simple if you are staying in town or arriving by local transport. An air-conditioned vehicle is included, useful for transfers connected with the ride or nearby sights.

The tour lasts about four hours. That is long enough to make the outing feel substantial, but short enough to fit into a day of exploring Përmet. A half-day ride also gives you room to visit the thermal pools, eat lunch, or continue toward other parts of the Vjosa region afterward.

The group size needs a little clarification. One part of the tour details says numbers are capped at ten, while the additional information gives a maximum of seven. Either way, this is intended to be a small group, and you should confirm the expected number before paying if that point matters to you.

The provider operates in English. Guides named in the feedback include Avi, Avenir, Avenira, and Lilly. Their role is important for beginners because the outing involves more than sitting on a quiet horse. You receive instructions, help with the animals, and direction along the mountain trails.

Choosing a route beside Lengarica Canyon

The favorite route follows Lengarica Canyon, an old track once used to connect villages in the area. This gives the ride a useful sense of place. You are not simply following a modern road or a fenced trail. You are moving along routes tied to the region’s rural past.

The scenery changes as you ride. Expect hills, valley views, springs, old ruins, and rocky canyon walls. The word canyon is not just decoration here. Lengarica is one of the main natural features of the area, and riding near it gives the trip its strongest visual moments.

The group’s experience shapes the pace. Beginners can join, and the guides have helped nervous riders gain confidence. Families have also taken part, including groups where most people had never ridden before. At the same time, experienced riders may be offered faster movement, including trotting or cantering when conditions and ability allow.

That flexibility is a plus, but it also means the ride may feel more active than you expect. One rider described the final gallop as memorable but also found the trip physically painful. If you want a completely relaxed outing with no chance of faster riding, tell the guide clearly before setting out.

Saint Maria Church of Leusë

Saint Maria Church in Leusë is the named stop on the itinerary. Leusë is known for stone houses, cobbled paths, cold-water springs, and an old church with striking painted artwork. The stop gives the tour a cultural layer that many horseback outings lack.

The village setting also helps you understand how people once moved around this mountainous part of Albania. These communities were connected by foot and horse trails, not by broad paved roads. Seeing the church and village alongside the ride makes the route feel connected to local life.

The available details do not give a fixed length of time at the church, nor do they promise a guided interior visit on every departure. I would treat it as an important stop, but not plan your day around a precise church schedule.

Picnic stops with fruit, cookies, and local wine

Food is modest but thoughtful. The ride includes snacks, fruit, cookies, water, and wine or soft drinks. A stop beneath a tree, with fruit and nuts and a glass of wine, has been part of the experience for some groups.

This is not a full meal. If you tend to get hungry after several hours of riding, add the optional lunch, priced at €15 per person and including drinks. Since lunch is not part of the base price, ask when booking if you want it arranged.

I see the picnic as more than a free extra. A pause beside a spring or under a tree breaks up the time in the saddle and lets you enjoy the countryside without rushing. It also gives the guide a natural chance to check how everyone is doing before the next section.

Horses that are treated as animals, not equipment

The strongest feature of this experience is the care given to the horses. The animals are described as healthy, friendly, well behaved, and well cared for. They are also said to roam freely in the countryside when they are not working.

That detail matters. A scenic ride is not good value if the animals look tired or poorly handled. Here, the horses appear to be a central part of the operation rather than a disposable way to carry people uphill.

You still need to remember that horses are animals with their own reactions. Follow the guide’s instructions, keep a respectful distance from other horses, and do not assume that being suitable for beginners means the ride is effortless.

Riders with different experience levels can join the same outing, but your comfort may depend on the group around you. A nervous beginner and an experienced rider may need different pacing. The guides’ job is to balance those needs, and the small group helps.

What the ride feels like for beginners

You do not need to be an expert rider to book this trip. The guides give instructions and help people get comfortable, and several first-time riders eventually managed trotting or cantering through the countryside.

That said, the descriptions point to a genuine trail ride, not a ten-minute introduction. You may travel over hills and uneven ground, and the group can encounter faster riding. A first-time rider should tell the guide about their experience before the horses leave the starting point.

Wear clothing that lets you move easily and shoes suitable for outdoor conditions. A safety riding cap is included, so you do not need to bring your own helmet. The supplied information does not state a weight limit, age limit, or specific footwear rule, so ask the provider about those points if they affect your booking.

For experienced riders, the trip offers more than a beginner lesson. The countryside, changing trail, and chance to ride at different speeds give the outing a stronger sense of freedom. Still, this is a guided group experience, not an independent horseback expedition.

The thermal baths near Bënjë

The thermal baths are about 20 minutes from Përmet and sit near the canyon. After the ride, you can relax in the pools and spend time exploring the area around the springs.

This is an excellent way to add a slower finish to an active morning or afternoon. Horseback riding uses muscles you may not often notice, so a warm pool can be welcome after several hours on the trail.

Pay attention to the schedule. The stated tour duration is approximately four hours, and the information describes the thermal baths as something you can enjoy after the trip. It does not clearly confirm that transport, entrance, or a fixed bathing period is included in the $96.79 price.

If the baths are a priority, ask Funky Adventures whether you need to arrange extra time or transport. Do not assume that the four-hour experience includes an extended visit there.

Is $96.79 good value?

At $96.79 per person, this is not Albania’s cheapest half-day activity. The value comes from what is wrapped into the outing: a guide, a horse, a safety cap, transport by air-conditioned vehicle, snacks, fruit, cookies, water, and wine or soft drinks.

You are also paying for access to countryside that can be awkward to see without local help. The route may include old village paths, hills, springs, ruins, and Lengarica Canyon, rather than simply circling a riding stable.

The small group improves the value. With no more than seven according to the additional tour details, or possibly up to ten according to the main description, the guide can offer more attention than on a large organized ride. Confirm the exact number first, since that affects how personal the experience feels.

Lunch costs €15 extra. Insurance is not included, so check your own travel cover before you go. If you add lunch and other expenses, the final cost rises, but the basic package still includes several useful extras.

The price makes the most sense for you if you want a full outdoor outing with scenery and local culture, not simply time on a horse. If your only goal is a short beginner ride, you may find it expensive.

Who should book this ride?

I would choose this trip if you want to see the Përmet area slowly and do not mind a little physical effort. It suits couples, families, first-time riders with a sense of adventure, and experienced riders who want mountain scenery rather than an enclosed arena.

It is also a good fit for people who care about animal welfare. The horses’ condition and freedom outside working hours are unusually encouraging details.

Think twice if you dislike uneven routes, faster riding, or spending several hours seated on a horse. The experience is described as fun and well organized, but not entirely gentle. Sore legs are a realistic possibility.

The trip works especially well as part of a longer stay in Përmet. You can combine the ride with Leusë, the Vjosa River area, the thermal baths near Bënjë, and local food. An accommodation package is also available, which may suit you if you want the operator to arrange more of your time in the region.

Booking, cancellation, and weather notes

You receive confirmation when booking, and the activity is offered in English. Free cancellation is available up to 24 hours before the start time for a full refund. Changes or cancellations inside that 24-hour window are not accepted for a refund.

Good weather is required. If conditions force a cancellation, you are offered another date or a full refund. The same choice applies if the minimum number of participants is not reached.

Since the route depends on riding ability and conditions, confirm the start time, group size, lunch, thermal bath arrangements, and any physical requirements before you arrive. Those questions take only a minute and can prevent surprises.

My verdict: book it for the setting, not just the horse

I recommend this ride if you want an active half-day that connects horses, village life, canyon scenery, and local hospitality. The well-cared-for horses, patient guides, small groups, and included picnic make the $96.79 price easier to justify.

I would not book it expecting a predictable beginner loop or a guaranteed full visit to every place named in the description. Routes vary, the ride can be demanding, and the group-size information should be confirmed.

For an authentic taste of the Përmet countryside, this is a strong choice. Tell the guides your experience level, ask about the day’s route, and leave enough time for the thermal baths if they are part of your plan.

FAQ

Where does the horse ride begin and end?

It begins and ends at Funky Guest House & Adventures, Sheshi Abdyl Frashëri, Përmet, Albania.

How long does the experience last?

The horseback outing lasts approximately four hours.

Is the experience offered in English?

Yes. The experience is offered in English.

What is included in the price?

The price includes snacks, fruit, cookies, water, wine or soft drinks, a safety riding cap, and an air-conditioned vehicle.

Is lunch included?

No. Lunch is optional and costs €15 per person, including drinks.

Can beginners join the ride?

Yes. The guides provide instructions, and the horses are described as suitable for beginners as well as more experienced riders.

What happens if the weather is poor?

The experience requires good weather. If it is canceled because of poor weather, you are offered another date or a full refund.