Amazing Horse Riding Experience at Vjosa National Park in Permet

Ride into Albania’s wild south. This half-day outing pairs gentle horses with the hills, springs, ruins, stone bridges, and canyon trails around Permet. I like the small-group feel, with numbers capped at seven according to the practical details, and I like that the route changes to suit your riding ability. The horses are well cared for, the guides are patient, and fruit, cookies, water, and wine or soft drinks are included.

The main consideration is that this is not a flat trail ride. The route can climb into the hills, and some rides include faster paces such as trotting or cantering. If you are nervous, tell the guides at the start. A family with first-time riders found the instruction reassuring, but one experienced rider still described the mountain ride as demanding in places.

Key things to know before you book

• Lengarica Canyon is the favorite route: You follow an old trail once used to connect villages, with canyon walls, springs, ruins, and open hill views.
• The horses are a major strength: They are described as healthy, friendly, and well cared for, with time to roam the countryside when not working.
• Beginners can join: Guides give instructions and adjust the ride to the group, but you should be comfortable spending several hours in the saddle.
• Saint Maria Church of Leuse is the named stop: The church adds an important cultural layer to a day otherwise focused on countryside and riding.
• A picnic-style break is included: Expect fruit, cookies, water, and wine or soft drinks at a scenic stopping point.
• The price reflects more than the saddle time: At $96.79 per person, you also get a safety cap, an air-conditioned vehicle, guiding, and a very small group.

Why this Permet ride is worth your time

Permet is one of the best bases in southern Albania for seeing rural scenery without spending the day on a bus. The Vjosa River, known as the last wild river in Europe, runs through the region, while Fir of Hotova National Park spreads across the hills nearby. This ride gives you access to old paths and quiet countryside that would be awkward to cover on foot in a single afternoon.

I like the pace of the outing. Four hours is long enough to feel that you have gone somewhere, but short enough to fit into a wider Permet itinerary. You are not simply circling a paddock. The route may pass old villages, stone houses, cobbled lanes, churches, cold-water springs, valleys, and mountain slopes.

The area around Benja, Ogdunani, Leuse, and Badlonje is known for traditional village architecture and rural scenery. You might pass sheep and goats, see old ruins, and stop beneath a tree with a simple snack. That combination gives the ride a local feel that a standard riding-center outing often lacks.

The experience is arranged by Funky Adventures, based at Funky Guest House and Adventures on Sheshi Abdyl Frasheri in Permet. Although the location may appear under Gjirokaster in some booking details, the meeting point and activity base are in Permet. Check your transport plans carefully if you are staying elsewhere in the region.

Meeting the horses and choosing your route

Your ride begins at Funky Guest House and Adventures. The guides choose the trail according to the riding experience in the group. That matters because a first-time rider needs a different outing from someone comfortable at a faster pace.

The guides named in the experience and feedback include Avenir, Avi, and Avenira, along with Lilly. Their role is not just to lead the horses. They explain how to ride, help you gain confidence, and keep the group moving together. One family group included three people who had never ridden before, yet they progressed from basic instruction to trotting and cantering through the countryside.

That does not mean every group will canter. The pace depends on the route, the horses, the weather, and the ability of the riders. If you are a beginner, say so clearly before setting out. If you are experienced, explain what you are comfortable doing rather than assuming the fastest pace will be offered.

A safety riding cap is included. Insurance is not, so you should check your own cover before booking. The activity also needs good weather, and poor conditions can lead to a new date or a full refund.

Along the Lengarica Canyon trail

The favorite route follows the Lengarica Canyon, an old passage between villages. The trail brings together several different settings in a short ride: open hills, narrow canyon scenery, springs, stone structures, and old paths worn into the countryside.

I like this route because the horse changes how you see the area. You can cover more ground than on foot, but you still move slowly enough to notice the small details. A cold-water spring, a rough stone wall, or a herd of goats becomes part of the ride rather than something viewed through a vehicle window.

The canyon also gives the outing a stronger sense of place. You are not only looking at distant mountains. You are following a route shaped by people, animals, water, and village life. The trail once connected communities, so the ride links natural scenery with the practical history of the area.

The terrain is the main reason to think carefully about your fitness and confidence. The ride can head uphill, and the surface may feel rougher than a purpose-built riding path. One account described the mountain ride as not for the faint-hearted, while other accounts found the horses easy to handle. Both impressions can be true: the animals may be calm and well trained, while the route itself still asks more from your legs and balance.

Saint Maria Church of Leuse

Saint Maria Church of Leuse is the named stop on the route. It gives you a pause from the saddle and a chance to see one of the area’s older religious sites.

Leuse is known for stone houses, cobblestones, springs, and old churches with striking wall paintings. The church stop helps explain why this part of southern Albania feels different from a simple nature outing. Villages here are part of the scenery, not just places you pass through.

The stop is especially useful for riders who want more than a fast outdoor activity. You get a cultural point of interest without losing the main focus on horses and countryside. The supplied details do not give a precise visit length or describe the church interior in full, so treat it as a planned stop rather than a long guided museum visit.

Snacks, fruit, and local wine under the trees

The included food is modest but well chosen for a ride. You receive snacks, fruit, cookies, water, and wine or soft drinks. The break may take place beneath a tree or at another scenic point along the trail.

This is one of the details I value most. A small picnic makes the outing feel social and relaxed, and it gives your body a chance to recover before returning to the saddle. Fruit and water are particularly welcome after riding in the sun or climbing through the hills.

Lunch is not included. You can add it for €15 per person, including drinks. If you expect to be hungry after several hours on horseback, ask about the optional lunch when arranging the activity. Otherwise, the included snack stop should be treated as a refreshment break, not a full meal.

Some groups also receive photos and videos during the ride. That detail appears in the feedback from one participant, but it is not listed among the formal inclusions, so do not assume it is guaranteed on every departure.

Horses that are treated as working animals, not props

The care of the horses is one of the strongest reasons to consider this ride. The animals are described as healthy, friendly, and well behaved, and they reportedly roam the countryside when they are not working.

That matters. A scenic ride is only good value if the animals are treated properly and the guides understand their limits. The positive descriptions suggest that the horses are part of a small, hands-on operation rather than a large setup pushing animals through constant rotations.

You should still remember that horses have their own habits and energy levels. Listen closely to the safety instructions, keep a steady distance from other horses, and follow the guide’s direction when moving uphill, downhill, or changing pace. The ride is suitable for beginners according to the supplied information, but beginner-friendly does not mean risk-free.

How the $96.79 price compares

At $96.79 per person, this is not the cheapest way to spend four hours in Permet. It is also not simply the cost of renting a horse for a short loop. The price includes guiding, a cap, snacks, drinks, and an air-conditioned vehicle.

The small group adds real value. The practical information gives a maximum of seven people, while the highlights describe a cap of ten. Since those details differ, confirm the group size at booking. Either limit is far more personal than a large riding excursion, and a group of seven would make it easier for guides to adjust the pace.

The vehicle is useful if the trailhead or related sites are outside central Permet. The details do not specify every transfer distance, but the air-conditioned transport is included. That is a practical comfort in southern Albania, especially during warm weather.

You may find better value if you combine the ride with accommodation at Funky Guest House and Adventures. An upgrade package is available with lodging, letting you use the same base for more of Permet. This makes sense if you want time for the thermal baths, villages, and river area rather than squeezing the ride into a quick stop.

Thermal baths and the Lengarica Canyon

After the ride, you can visit the thermal baths, located about 20 minutes from Permet. The pools offer an easy way to relax after several hours in the saddle, and you can also explore more of the canyon.

The bath visit is a natural partner to the ride, but check exactly what your chosen package includes. The supplied details describe the option to enjoy the pools after the trip, but they do not clearly state that entry is included in the $96.79 price.

The thermal water and canyon also give you a second way to appreciate the area. On horseback, you see the hills and old routes from above and along the trail. At the baths, you get a calmer look at the water and canyon walls.

Who will enjoy this ride most

This outing suits you if you want active sightseeing, rural scenery, and a small group rather than a polished city attraction. It is a good choice for:

• First-time riders who are open to clear instruction and a real countryside route
• Experienced riders who want hills, changing scenery, and the possibility of faster paces
• Couples looking for a memorable half-day activity
• Families with older children who can manage several hours on horseback
• Anyone staying in Permet who wants to combine riding with the thermal baths

It may not suit you if you want a flat, gentle ride with no chance of rough ground or faster movement. It is also a poor match if you dislike being outdoors for several hours or are looking for a full meal as part of the price.

The activity is offered in English, and most people can participate. It is near public transportation, but the exact transport arrangements depend on your starting point. The meeting and return point is Funky Guest House and Adventures.

Booking, cancellation, and practical planning

You receive confirmation at the time of booking, and the ticket is mobile, so you do not need to print anything. Free cancellation is available up to 24 hours before the start time. A cancellation made less than 24 hours ahead is not refundable, and late changes are not accepted.

The weather rule is important. If conditions make the ride unsafe, you can receive a different date or a full refund. The activity also needs a minimum number of participants, so a departure can be changed or canceled if that minimum is not reached.

Wear clothing that allows you to move freely and expect to spend much of the outing outdoors. The supplied information does not set a weight limit, age limit, or detailed clothing list, so ask Funky Adventures directly if any of those points affect you.

Should you book the Permet horse ride?

I would book this if you want to see Permet through village paths, canyon trails, and open hills rather than from a car. The strongest points are the friendly guidance, careful horse handling, small group, scenic route, and the simple picnic with fruit and local wine.

The decision comes down to your comfort in the saddle. Beginners are welcome, but the ride is not limited to a flat beginner circuit. Ask for a gentle pace if you need one, and confirm the group size, lunch option, thermal-bath arrangements, and exact route before paying.

For riders who want an active half-day with genuine countryside character, $96.79 is a fair price. Add the accommodation option if you want to make Permet a longer stop, and leave time for the thermal baths after the ride.

FAQ

Where does the horse riding experience start?

It starts at Funky Guest House and Adventures, Sheshi Abdyl Frasheri, Permet 6401, Albania.

Where does the activity end?

The ride ends back at the meeting point.

How long does the experience last?

The horse riding experience lasts approximately four hours.

What is the price?

The listed price is $96.79 per person.

How many people can join the ride?

The practical details give a maximum of seven people, while the highlights describe groups capped at ten. Confirm the final group size when booking.

Is the ride suitable for beginners?

Yes. The route is adjusted according to rider experience, and the guides provide instructions. Some first-time riders progressed to trotting and cantering, but the route can include hills and more demanding terrain.

What is included?

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

Is lunch included?

No. Optional lunch is available for €15 per person, including drinks.

Can I visit the thermal baths after riding?

Yes. You can enjoy the thermal baths about 20 minutes from Permet after the ride and explore the Lengarica Canyon. Confirm whether bath entry is included in your selected package.

What is the cancellation policy?

You can cancel up to 24 hours before the start time for a full refund. Poor weather or failure to meet the minimum group size may result in a different date or a full refund.