Amazing Horse Riding Experience at Vjosa National Park in Permet

The best views come with four legs. This four-hour horse ride takes you through the hills and valleys around Permët, with old villages, stone bridges, ruins, springs, and the Lengarica Canyon along the way. I especially like the small group size and the chance to stop for fruit, cookies, water, and local wine instead of rushing from one viewpoint to the next.

I also like that the route is adjusted to suit the riding ability of the group. Beginners can receive calm instruction, while experienced riders may get chances to trot or canter. The main consideration is comfort: a four-hour ride through mountain country can be tiring, and the more adventurous sections are not ideal if you are nervous around horses or unsure in the saddle.

Key things to know before you ride

• The ride follows old routes near Lengarica Canyon: These paths once linked villages in the area and now offer a quiet way to see the countryside.
• The group is small: The advertised maximum is seven people, while the wider description mentions a cap of ten, so expect a personal outing rather than a large trail procession.
• Saint Maria Church of Leusë is the named stop: The church adds an important cultural layer to a day otherwise focused on nature and horses.
• Beginners are welcome: Guides provide instructions and support, and calm, well-cared-for horses are a major part of the experience.
• A picnic-style break is included: Fruit, cookies, snacks, water, and wine or soft drinks are provided during the ride.
• Thermal baths are nearby: After the ride, the hot springs at Bënjë are about 20 minutes from Permët, giving you the option to relax and explore the canyon.

Why this ride is special in southern Albania

Permët is one of the best places in southern Albania for a slower, outdoor-focused day. The Vjosa is known as Europe’s last wild river, and the surrounding national park area offers a mix of open hills, narrow valleys, old stone settlements, and mountain streams.

Horseback riding suits this setting. A vehicle can take you along roads and a walking tour can lead you through a village, but a horse lets you follow older paths across open ground. You get a better sense of how people once moved between settlements, churches, grazing areas, and springs.

The experience is operated by Funky Guest House and Adventures from its base in Permët. The meeting point is at Funky Guest House & Adventures on Sheshi Abdyl Frashëri. The tour returns there at the end, and an air-conditioned vehicle is included for the parts of the outing that require transport.

This is not a polished equestrian show. The appeal is the countryside, the animals, and the feeling of being out in the hills. You should come expecting a real trail ride, not a short photo session in a fenced arena.

Choosing a route around Lengarica Canyon

The exact trail depends on the ability of the people in your group. That flexibility matters because a confident rider and a complete beginner need different pacing and different terrain.

The favored route follows the Lengarica Canyon. This old track once connected several villages, so the ride has a useful sense of place rather than being an arbitrary loop. Along the way, you may pass hills, valleys, springs, old ruins, stone bridges, and traditional villages such as Bënjë, Ogdunani, Leusë, and Badlonjë.

The scenery is the main event. You will see broad views from the hills, then tighter passages near the canyon and greener spots around cold-water springs. Sheep and goats may appear along the route, which adds to the rural character of the outing.

The route is not described as a fixed sightseeing circuit, so you should allow some flexibility. The guide may change the path based on riding experience, weather, or trail conditions. That is helpful for safety, but it also means you should not expect every group to follow exactly the same ride.

Saint Maria Church of Leusë

Saint Maria Church of Leusë is the named stop on the itinerary. Leusë is known for stone houses, cobbled streets, old churches, and painted interiors, making it one of the most worthwhile cultural stops near Permët.

The church gives the day some balance. Without it, the outing would be almost entirely about open hills and horseback riding. Here, you get a glimpse of the religious art and village traditions that shaped the area.

Allow yourself time to take in the setting, not just the building. The old village atmosphere is part of the attraction. The route also gives you a chance to see how the church relates to the surrounding settlement, rather than treating it as an isolated monument.

The available information does not give a precise length of the stop. Your total experience lasts about four hours, so the church visit will be one part of a broader ride rather than a long guided museum visit.

What the horses and guides add

The strongest part of the experience is the care given to the horses. People who enjoyed the ride repeatedly focused on the animals being healthy, gentle, well behaved, and well looked after. The horses are described as having room to roam when they are not working, which is reassuring if animal welfare matters to you.

That does not remove every challenge. A horse can still feel large and unpredictable if you have never ridden before. You may also feel sore after several hours in the saddle, especially if you are not used to riding.

Instruction makes a big difference. Avenir is praised for giving clear guidance and building confidence, while Avi is singled out for good riding instructions. Lilly is also mentioned as helping nervous beginners feel comfortable. The team has experience working with both first-time riders and people who already ride.

The group may be able to use several riding speeds, including walking, trotting, and cantering. One particularly happy family group described moving from first-time nerves to trotting and cantering through the countryside. That sounds exciting, but you should not assume you will canter. The pace depends on the group, the route, and your confidence.

If you are nervous, say so early. The route is chosen according to the riders, and honest communication gives the guides a better chance to make the experience comfortable.

Snacks, local wine, and the pace of the day

A short food stop is included, with fruit, cookies, snacks, and water. Wine or soft drinks are also provided. This is a simple picnic rather than a full meal, but it is exactly the sort of pause that works well on a trail ride.

You may stop near a spring, beneath a tree, or at another scenic point along the route. The precise location is not fixed in the description, so treat it as a flexible break rather than a formal lunch stop.

Lunch is optional and costs 15 euros per person, including drinks. If you need a substantial meal, this is worth arranging. The included snacks should keep you going for a half day, but they are not a replacement for lunch if you are hungry after riding in the hills.

The pace also helps make the outing feel personal. With a maximum group size of seven stated in the practical information, the guide has more room to answer questions, adjust the speed, and help with mounting or riding technique. The broader description gives a maximum of ten, so confirm the final group size when booking if this matters to you.

The thermal baths at Bënjë

The hot springs near Bënjë are one of the best additions to a day in Permët. They are about 20 minutes from town, and you can visit after the ride to relax in the pools and look into the canyon.

This is especially useful if the ride leaves you stiff. The warm water offers a natural way to wind down after time in the saddle. The canyon also gives you a second kind of scenery, with rock walls and water rather than open hills.

The thermal baths are described as an optional post-ride activity, not as part of the four-hour horse ride itself. Check the timing with the operator if you want to include them, especially if you have other plans that day.

You should also bring what you need for bathing if you intend to go. The supplied information does not state that swimwear or towels are provided, so do not count on them being included.

Price and overall value at $96.79

At $96.79 per person, this is not the cheapest way to spend a morning in Albania. The value depends on what you want from the outing.

You are paying for about four hours of riding, a small group, a guide, safety equipment, snacks, drinks, and transport in an air-conditioned vehicle. You also get access to countryside that would be difficult to cover on foot in the same amount of time.

The price looks stronger if you are a beginner who wants instruction and support. A short, inexpensive ride can leave you with little guidance, while this outing is built around a longer route and a more complete half-day experience.

It is also good value for experienced riders who care about the setting. The area around the Vjosa and Lengarica offers far more than a basic riding loop, with villages, churches, springs, ruins, and canyon views all part of the day.

The price is less attractive if you mainly want a quick horse ride or a guaranteed fast-paced experience. Four hours can feel long if you are uncertain in the saddle, and the route may move slowly when the group includes beginners.

The optional lunch costs 15 euros per person with drinks. That is a reasonable add-on if you want a proper meal without arranging one separately, but you can also rely on the included snacks.

Who should book this Permët horse ride?

I would recommend it most strongly to:

• First-time riders who want patient instruction
• Experienced riders looking for mountain scenery rather than an arena
• Couples seeking an unusual day outside Permët
• Families with older children who can manage a four-hour activity
• People interested in combining nature, village culture, and local food
• Visitors planning to add the Bënjë hot springs to their day

The ride may not suit you if you dislike animals, feel uncomfortable with heights or uneven ground, or want a tightly timed sightseeing tour. The description suggests real countryside riding, and one rider’s praise for the galloping section also hints that the outing can feel adventurous.

You should also think about weather. The experience requires good conditions, and a poor-weather cancellation may lead to another date or a full refund. That is sensible for a mountain ride, but it means you should avoid placing it on the only free morning of a tightly packed itinerary.

Practical details for meeting in Permët

The tour starts and ends at Funky Guest House & Adventures, Sheshi Abdyl Frashëri, Përmet, Albania. The activity is offered in English and uses a mobile ticket, with booking confirmation provided at the time of reservation.

The listed location is Gjirokaster, but the meeting point is in Permët. Pay attention to that distinction when planning transport, since the ride itself is based around Permët and the nearby Vjosa, Lengarica, Leusë, and Bënjë area.

A safety riding cap is included. Snacks, fruit, cookies, water, wine or soft drinks, and air-conditioned transport are also included. Insurance is not included, so check your own travel insurance before booking.

Most people can participate, but no special accessibility details are given. If you have mobility concerns or need a particular type of horse or mounting assistance, contact Funky Adventures before paying.

The experience is often booked about 31 days in advance. That suggests you should reserve ahead if your dates are fixed, especially if you want a small group.

Free cancellation is available up to 24 hours before the start time for a full refund. Changes or cancellations inside that window are not accepted for a refund, and the local cut-off time applies.

Should you book it?

Book this ride if you want a genuine half-day outing in the Permët countryside, with kind horses, personal guidance, and a route that mixes nature with old villages and churches. The combination of Lengarica Canyon, Saint Maria Church of Leusë, snacks in the hills, and optional hot springs makes the day feel much broader than a standard horseback ride.

I would be especially comfortable recommending it to beginners because the guides have helped nervous riders gain confidence, and the horses are widely praised for being calm and well cared for. Experienced riders should book it for the setting, while remembering that the final pace depends on the whole group.

Skip it if you want a short, predictable ride or if you are not prepared for several hours in the saddle. For the right person, though, this is one of the more memorable ways to see the wild river country around Permët.

FAQ

How long does the horse riding experience last?

The experience lasts approximately four hours.

Where does the tour start and end?

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

Is the ride suitable for beginners?

Yes. The route is selected according to the riding experience of the group, and guides provide instructions. The horses are described as well behaved and suitable for beginners.

What is included in the price?

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

Is lunch included?

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

Can I cancel for a full refund?

Yes, if you cancel at least 24 hours before the experience starts. Poor weather or failure to reach the minimum number of participants may also lead to a different date or a full refund.