Cycle the Balkans

The tour is 15 days long with 12 days cycling.

This trip is classified Road and Activity Level 4 (Moderate/Challenging).

    Average daily distance: 37mi (60km)
    Number of days cycling: 12
    There will be a support vehicle available at all times. Limited seats available
    Terrain and route: 90 percent paved, 10 percent poor condition

On the route, there are some potholed sections and some unsurfaced areas. The terrain is undulating with some long, tough climbs. When cycling through Montenegro, there are several long, dark tunnels. Bike lights are provided locally but if you have powerful bike lights at home, it is recommended that you bring them with you.

Remember, e-bikes are possible to rent on this tour if you are worried about the distance or elevation.

The standard bikes for this trip are Giant Roam (men) and Giant Rove (women) hybrid bikes with front suspension.  E-bikes are available for an extra cost.

Alternatively, you can bring your own bike (BYO) but this is on a request basis and additional charges may apply to cover the transportation of your bike during the tour.

Conditions

1. The equipment remains the property of the supplier and you may not sell, hire out or part possession with the equipment.

2. You must not misuse the equipment and must return it in the same condition as when received (ordinary wear and tear excepted). The supplier is entitled to charge for any damage caused to the equipment during the period of hire.

3. You must ensure that the equipment is adequately secured when not in use. In the event of the equipment being lost or stolen, you may be liable for the replacement value of the equipment

4. You must not use the equipment whilst under the influence of drink or drugs and should immediately notify the Supplier in the event of breakdown or loss.

Extra Bike Bits

You may like to bring your own pedals and saddle (excluding the seat post) or gel saddle cover to fit to the hire bikes. The tour operator encourages this, if it is your preference. However, please note that you are responsible for your own equipment, and removing your saddle/pedals at the end of the trip. They cannot guarantee the return of any bike parts left behind.

Wearing a helmet is mandatory for anyone taking part in this cycling holiday. Group members must bring their own helmets, as they are not available for hire.

Cycling of all kinds has its dangers and accidents can happen from time to time. Please ensure that you are properly prepared for the riding you are going to undertake.

Recommended Cycling Clothing

Padded cycling shorts (with loose 'over-shorts' where recommended), breathable clothing, and a lightweight waterproof/windproof top. Shoes with relatively stiff soles are better for biking but are not essential unless you are cycling long distances. Most people want to carry certain items with them during the day while cycling, for this we recommend a large bum-bag or small close-fitting daysack.

Yes. It is a condition of joining this holiday that you must be fully insured against medical and personal accident risks (to include repatriation costs and air ambulance or helicopter rescue services where appropriate). On arrival in destination for your trip, you will be asked to present details to your leader or local representative of your policy.

A single supplement is applicable if you are travelling alone or wish to have your own room.

Albania

Travellers from the UK, US and EU normally do not need a visa to enter Albania. Please note, visa requirements often change and it is your responsibility to obtain any required visas for this trip. Therefore, we recommend that you check with the nearest embassy or consulate of your chosen destination(s), including any countries you may be transiting or transferring through.

Some local governments provide guidance on what visas their citizens need. To help, we’ve gathered a selection of useful links below.

    Australia:  www.smartraveller.gov.au/destinations/europe/albania
    Canada:  www.travel.gc.ca/destinations/albania
    United Kingdom:  www.gov.uk/foreign-travel-advice/albania/entry-requirements
    USA:  www.travel.state.gov/content/travel/en/international-travel/International-Travel-Country-Information-Pages/Albania.html

Kosovo

Travellers from the UK, US and EU normally do not need a visa to enter Kosovo. Please note, visa requirements often change and it is your responsibility to obtain any required visas for this trip. Therefore, we recommend that you check with the nearest embassy or consulate of your chosen destination(s), including any countries you may be transiting or transferring through.   

Some local governments provide guidance on what visas their citizens need. To help, we’ve gathered a selection of useful links below.

    Australia: smartraveller.gov.au/destinations/europe/kosovo
    Canada: travel.gc.ca/destinations/kosovo
    United Kingdom: gov.uk/foreign-travel-advice/kosovo/entry-requirements
    USA: travel.state.gov/content/travel/en/international-travel/International-Travel-Country-Information-Pages/Kosovo.html

Montenegro

Travellers from the UK, US and EU normally do not need a visa to enter Montenegro. Please note, visa requirements often change and it is your responsibility to obtain any required visas for this trip. Therefore, we recommend that you check with the nearest embassy or consulate of your chosen destination(s), including any countries you may be transiting or transferring through.

Some local governments provide guidance on what visas their citizens need. To help, we’ve gathered a selection of useful links below.

    Australia: www.smartraveller.gov.au/destinations/europe/montenegro
    Canada: www.travel.gc.ca/destinations/montenegro
    United Kingdom: www.gov.uk/foreign-travel-advice/montenegro/entry-requirements
    USA: www.travel.state.gov/content/travel/en/international-travel/International-Travel-Country-Information-Pages/Montenegro.html

North Macedonia

Travellers from the UK, US and EU normally do not need a visa to enter North Macedonia. Please note, visa requirements often change and it is your responsibility to obtain any required visas for this trip. Therefore, we recommend that you check with the nearest embassy or consulate of your chosen destination(s), including any countries you may be transiting or transferring through.

Some local governments provide guidance on what visas their citizens need. To help, we’ve gathered a selection of useful links below.

    Australia: www.smartraveller.gov.au/destinations/europe/north-macedonia
    Canada: www.travel.gc.ca/destinations/north-macedonia
    United Kingdom: www.gov.uk/foreign-travel-advice/north-macedonia/entry-requirements
    USA: www.travel.state.gov/content/travel/en/international-travel/International-Travel-Country-Information-Pages/Macedonia.html

Albania

There are no required vaccinations. However, you may want to consider vaccinations for hepatitis A, hepatitis B, tetanus, rabies and tick-borne encephalitis. Please confirm with your doctor or travel clinic.

You will, however, require a yellow fever vaccination certificate if arriving from a country with risk of yellow fever transmission.

Kosovo

There are no required vaccinations. However, you may want to consider vaccinations for tetanus, hepatitis A, hepatitis B, rabies and tuberculosis. Please confirm with your doctor or travel clinic.

Montenegro

There are no required vaccinations. However, you may want to consider vaccinations for tetanus, hepatitis A, hepatitis B, rabies and tick-borne encephalitis (TBE). Please confirm with your doctor or travel clinic.

North Macedonia

There are no required vaccinations. However, you may want to consider vaccinations for tetanus, hepatitis A, hepatitis B and rabies. Please confirm with your doctor or travel clinic.

The Travel Health Pro website recommends to have a rabies vaccination on this trip, as cycling is considered a higher risk activity.

Money

Albania's currency: Albanian lek (ALL)

Kosovo's currency: Euro (EUR)

Montenegro's currency: Euro (EUR)

North Macedonia's currency: Macedonian denar (MKD)

ATM Availability

Cash machines are available in Tirana Airport and all major towns visited. Major credit cards are accepted in shops for larger purchases as well as restaurants, but cash is usually easier. It is best to use a mixture of British pounds, euros and ATMs.

Extra Expenses & Spending Money

Please budget at least €10 per meal. Depending on what you choose to eat and drink, this could come to more. Please budget around €10 for entry into some of the local attractions.

Tipping

Local staff are paid well and fairly for their work. Tipping is at your discretion but many clients wish to tip their leaders and driver at the end of the trip, we suggest €3-€5 per day for the guide and €2-€3 per day for the driver. Most groups prefer to present the money to the leader at the end of the week with two separate envelopes (one for the leader and one for the driver). This is completely at your own discretion and to be used as a guideline only.