Rafting Day Trip from Gjirokastër: the Vjosa in Half a Day

Short answer: yes, and it is the easiest rafting day trip in Albania. Përmet is about 61 km from Gjirokastër — roughly an hour and fifteen minutes of driving along the Vjosa. Join the 10:00 or the 14:00 departure, spend around two hours on the water, and you are back in the stone city the same afternoon or evening.

How far is Përmet from Gjirokastër?

• Distance: about 61 km by road
• Tempo di guida: 1 hour 15 minutes to 1 hour 30 minutes
• Route: SH75 northwest through Këlcyrë, following the Vjosa gorge
• Road condition: paved the whole way, narrow with bends after Këlcyrë

The drive itself is one of the most scenic hours in southern Albania. You follow the river upstream through the Këlcyrë gorge, with rock walls rising directly out of the water on both sides.

Which departure should I book from Gjirokastër?

We run two trips a day, April to October.

• 10:00 departure — leave Gjirokastër by 08:30. Best if you want the afternoon free, and the light on the canyon is at its best in the morning.
• 14:00 departure — leave Gjirokastër by 12:30. Good if you want a slow morning in the old bazaar first, and it pairs well with a stop at the Bënja thermal baths on the way back.

How long does the whole day take?

Budget about six hours door to door from Gjirokastër:

• 1 hour 15 driving to our base in Përmet
• 30 minutes for check-in, wetsuit, and the safety briefing
• Around 2 hours on the water — the full 7.6 km run through Class II–III rapids
• 30 minutes for a hot shower and changing
• 1 hour 15 driving back

Getting there without a car

There is no direct tourist shuttle between Gjirokastër and Përmet, but there are two practical options:

• Furgon (minibus): departures run from Gjirokastër toward Përmet in the morning. They are cheap and frequent enough in summer, but the schedule is informal — ask at your guesthouse the night before.
• Taxi: a one-way taxi from Gjirokastër to Përmet is straightforward to arrange and worth it if there are three or four of you splitting the fare.

Tell us you are coming by bus when you book and we will pick you up from Përmet town centre and bring you to the meeting point.

What does it cost?

€35 per adult and €30 per child for the guided trip, with no deposit and nothing held on your card. Groups of 10 to 19 pay €32 each, and groups of 20 or more pay €28 each. Full details are on our prices page.

The price covers a certified guide in every raft, wetsuit, buoyancy aid, helmet and paddle, transport from our Përmet base to the put-in and back, the safety briefing, and a hot shower at the end. It does not cover lunch, your transport to Përmet, or photos of your trip, which are an optional extra.

Combining rafting with the rest of your day

Two stops sit almost exactly on the road between Përmet and Gjirokastër, so they cost you very little detour:

• Bënja thermal baths — natural hot springs under an Ottoman stone bridge, about 14 km from Përmet. After two hours of cold river water this is the single best thing you can do with your afternoon.
• Lengarica canyon — right next to the baths, a short walk into a genuine slot canyon.

Frequently asked questions

Can I raft the Vjosa as a day trip from Gjirokastër?

Yes. Përmet is 61 km from Gjirokastër, about 1 hour 15 minutes by car. With the 10:00 or 14:00 departure you are back in Gjirokastër the same day, having spent roughly six hours in total including the drive.

Devo prenotare in anticipo?

In July and August, yes — both departures fill. In spring and autumn you can often book a day ahead. Booking online takes a minute and you pay by card or PayPal, or in cash when you arrive.

What if my plans change?

Date changes and name transfers are free, and your booking stays valid for 365 days from your original trip date. See our terms for the full policy.

Is the road from Gjirokastër difficult to drive?

No. It is paved for the entire 61 km. The section through the Këlcyrë gorge is narrow with sharp bends, so take it slowly, but no four-wheel drive or special vehicle is needed.