Booking a rafting trip in Albania is simpler than you might expect. No complicated forms, no long waits for confirmation. Here is everything you need to know — or just kliko këtu për të rezervuar and we will handle the rest.
Book Now in 3 Easy StepsThe first decision is which river you want to raft. We operate on two rivers — the Vjosa near Permet and the Osumi Canyon near Berat — and they are genuinely different experiences. Taking a few minutes to understand the difference will help you choose the one that matches what you are looking for.
The Vjosa River is Europe's last major undammed wild river, now protected within the Vjosa National Park. Rafting the Vjosa is an open, expansive experience — wide water, mountain views, a sense of vast and unhurried nature. The Vjosa is ideal for families, first-time rafters, guests who want a mix of paddling and swimming, and anyone drawn to the idea of floating down a river that has never been managed or altered by human infrastructure. The rapids in summer are Class II, approachable for all ages and abilities. In spring the water rises to Class III and the character shifts to something more dynamic and thrilling.
The Osumi Canyon is a more enclosed, dramatic experience. The canyon walls rise up to 80 metres on either side, the river runs through a series of drops and pools within the gorge, and the overall effect is one of extraordinary geological spectacle. The Osumi is suitable for all levels — we run family trips and beginner groups through the canyon regularly — but the enclosed environment and slightly more powerful rapids make it feel more intense than the Vjosa. If you are choosing between the two and you have a taste for drama and photography, the Osumi is your river. If you are prioritising warmth, open views, and a relaxed family day, choose the Vjosa.
If you genuinely cannot decide, or if you have several days available, we recommend doing both. Many guests who come to Albania for a week do the Vjosa on one day and the Osumi on another, and report that the contrast between the two makes each experience richer. Contact us and we will help you plan the sequence based on your dates and base location.
Our season runs from late March to early November. The right date for you depends on what kind of experience you are after, and we are always honest with guests about what different months deliver. Rather than repeat the full seasonal breakdown here — you can read that in detail in our seasonal guide — here is the condensed version for booking purposes.
April and May give you the best whitewater. The rivers are high from snowmelt, the rapids are at their most powerful, and the canyons are in full spring bloom. If you want the most thrilling version of the experience, come in these months. Book at least three weeks ahead for May, which fills up reliably. June is a transition month — still excellent water on the Vjosa, warm air, the first real summer energy without the August crowds. July and August are high season: warm water, brilliant for swimming, best for families and first-timers, but book early because weekends fill quickly. September is our quietest gem — summer conditions without summer crowds, beautiful light for photography, and the rivers still running well. October narrows in frequency but can be strikingly beautiful on the Vjosa particularly.
When choosing a date, consider your base location. If you are staying in Tirana, both rivers are accessible as day trips — the Osumi is around two hours from Tirana, the Vjosa around three. If you are already based in Berat, the Osumi is on your doorstep. If you are staying in Permet, the Vjosa runs through town. Tell us where you are based when you enquire and we will advise on logistics accordingly.
Our trips accommodate groups from 1 to 60 people. Solo travellers join a shared group trip and consistently report that the social dynamic this creates is one of the unexpected pleasures of the day. Small groups of two to four people also join shared trips unless they prefer to book the raft privately. Groups of eight or more can book exclusive use of a raft or multiple rafts, which gives more flexibility on timing and pace.
The size of your group affects some practical aspects of booking. Groups larger than sixteen people (two full rafts) require advance notice so we can allocate guides and equipment appropriately. Corporate groups, school groups, and large social gatherings should contact us at least three to four weeks ahead with an approximate headcount. We are experienced at managing large groups efficiently — the briefing and equipment process for thirty people is well-practised and does not take dramatically longer than for a single raft.
For mixed groups — families with children, groups with a wide age range, groups where some members have physical limitations — let us know the details when you enquire. We can assign the most suitable guide for your group profile, choose the most appropriate river section, and make sure anyone with specific needs is accommodated without any guest feeling singled out. We have hosted guests with a wide range of physical situations and we handle these requests matter-of-factly and without fuss.
Once we have confirmed availability for your preferred date, river, and group size, we will send you booking details via WhatsApp. Our price is €40 per person, covering all equipment, your certified guide, and full on-river support. There are no booking fees, no equipment hire surcharges, and no surprise additions at checkout. The price we quote is the price you pay.
We accept payment by bank transfer or card. For individual and small group bookings, we often take payment on the day, particularly for guests booking at short notice. For larger groups and corporate bookings, we ask for a deposit to secure the date and balance payment ahead of the trip. The exact payment terms are confirmed in your booking confirmation message, which we send via WhatsApp.
Our cancellation policy is straightforward: we ask for as much notice as possible if you need to cancel or reschedule, so we can offer your slot to another guest. If conditions on the river make it unsafe to run your trip — which happens occasionally in spring after heavy rain, or in autumn when temperatures drop suddenly — we will contact you as early as possible and offer you a rebooking at no charge or a full refund. We never run trips in conditions we would not be personally comfortable guiding, and we never keep a booking fee when the cancellation is on our side.
On the day of your trip, we will have confirmed your meeting point via WhatsApp. For Vjosa trips this is typically a designated location in or near Permet. For Osumi Canyon trips it is near Berat or at the canyon access point, depending on the route. We send directions and a location pin the day before to make sure there is no ambiguity about where to go.
Arrive a few minutes before the scheduled start time if possible. The equipment fitting and safety briefing take around twenty to twenty-five minutes, and starting on time means you get the most out of your time on the water. When you arrive you will be met by your guide, who will help you select and fit your equipment — buoyancy aid, helmet, wetsuit if appropriate for the season — and run through the safety briefing. The briefing covers the paddle commands you will use, the safety position if you end up in the water, how to re-enter the raft, and what to do at each type of rapid. It is thorough, practical, and delivered with enough good humour that nervous guests usually relax by the end of it.
From the put-in point the guide leads you to the water and the trip begins. Your phone should be in a dry bag or waterproof case — we recommend bringing one, and we have cases available to borrow if you do not have one. Cameras and action cameras are very welcome on the river; some of the best photographs we have seen of our routes were taken by guests. After the trip the guide will bring the group to the take-out point, equipment is collected, and you are free to spend the rest of the day in the local area. We always recommend eating locally before making the drive back to Tirana or wherever you are based — the food near both our rivers is excellent and genuinely local. See our packages page for a full overview, our FAQ for more detailed answers, and our contact page for all the ways to reach us.
Message us on WhatsApp at +355 69 123 4567. Tell us your preferred dates, group size, and which river — Vjosa or Osumi Canyon. We respond within an hour and can confirm your booking in a single conversation. No complicated forms, no waiting for email replies.
For summer weekends in July and August, two to three weeks ahead. For spring dates in April and May, three weeks minimum. Autumn and weekday bookings often have more flexibility — we can sometimes arrange trips at 24 to 48 hours' notice outside peak season.
€40 per person, all equipment included — certified guide, buoyancy aid, helmet, paddle, and wetsuit if required. No hidden charges, no booking fees, no multi-tier packages. One clear price for everyone in the raft.
Often yes, especially on weekdays and in spring or autumn. Message us on WhatsApp with your dates and we will tell you honestly whether we can accommodate you. We prefer to give you a straight answer quickly rather than keep you waiting.
Please let us know as soon as possible so we can offer your slot to another guest. If we cancel due to unsafe river conditions, we rebook you at no cost or issue a full refund. Our cancellation policy is straightforward and fair — we treat guests the way we would want to be treated.
Message us on WhatsApp with your dates, river choice, and group size. We confirm within an hour. €40 per person, all equipment included, no hidden fees.
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