Zagoria Valley Tour: Off-Road Villages & Waterfall

A day crossing hidden villages, mountain springs and an ancient bridge

A seven-hour guided tour from Gjirokaster in a 4WD vehicle through the Zagoria region, stopping at ex-communist villages, a shepherds' hut for breakfast, an 18th-century bridge, Holy Apostles church and Selcka waterfall. The tour includes pickup, a local guide and a shepherd's-style breakfast. Lunch is at Policani village with regional products. Minimum age is 12.

Step-by-step itinerary

Explore Zagoria region and nature

• Start at Cerciz Topulli Square
• Ride off-road vehicles to ex-communist villages
• Visit Valare, Shen Thodher, and Erind villages
• Climb to Cajupi field
• Stop at Brat spring
• Have shepherd-style breakfast at hut
• Enjoy scenic views and photos
• Visit abandoned 1777 bridge
• Drive to Holy Apostles church in Hoshteve
• See breathtaking church paintings
• Lunch at Policani village with local bio products
• Visit Selcka waterfall and natural swimming pool

The experience

The day starts at Cerciz Topulli Square in Gjirokaster, where you board a 4WD vehicle built for the rough terrain ahead. The route climbs through Valare, Shen Thodher and Erind, villages that emptied when communism fell, and rises to the Cajupi field. At the spring of Brat you stop to refill, then reach a shepherd's hut where breakfast waits: bread, cheese and whatever the herder has made that morning, eaten at altitude with views across the valleys below.

The second half pushes deeper into Zagoria. An abandoned bridge from 1777 stands alone in the landscape, its stone arches still holding after two and a half centuries. You rest here before the drive to Holy Apostles church in Hoshteve, where frescoes cover the interior walls. Lunch happens in Policani village, built on local produce (honey, vegetables, dairy) that tastes different from what you buy in town. The final stop is Selcka waterfall, where a natural pool sits below the cascade and the day ends in water instead of dust.

What’s included

• 4WD vehicle for the full route.
• local guide throughout the day.
• shepherd's-style breakfast at the hut in Cajupi.
• hotel pickup in Gjirokaster.

Before you book

Days and timesEvery dayDeparts at 08:30

AgesAdult (12 and older) · Under 12: can't be booked

GroupPrivate

Meeting point and pickupHotel pickup is optional; you can also go straight to the meeting point. Ends back at the starting point.You can choose from 23 pickup points.

Cancellation and refundsFree cancellation up to 24 h before the start. After that, no refund.It may be canceled due to bad weather. If that happens, you're offered another date or a refund.

Prices and times updated 4 days ago

Good to know

Low physical effortPublic transport nearby

Operated by Experience Gjirokastra

Is this one for you?This is a shared tour with a guide leading the group, so you ride rather than drive and follow the planned stops. It suits anyone who wants to see the villages and valleys without navigating rough terrain themselves, and who has seven hours to spend moving between sites with time to rest and swim at the end.

Top questions

What happens if it rains?

It may be canceled due to bad weather. If that happens, you're offered another date or a refund. Free cancellation up to 24 h before the start.

What's the road like on this tour from Gjirokaster?

The route uses off-road tracks through the Zagoria region, so a 4WD vehicle is necessary. The terrain is rough but passable for all fitness levels. The vehicle does the work, not your legs.

Do I need to bring my own food, or is breakfast and lunch provided?

Breakfast is included at the shepherd's hut in the morning. Lunch is served in Policani village with regional products. You choose what to eat from what's available there.

What's inside Holy Apostles church in Hoshteve?

The church holds frescoes painted on the interior walls: religious scenes and figures that have survived centuries in the mountain village. The guide will point out the details as you walk through.

Can I swim at Selcka waterfall?

Yes. Selcka has a natural pool below the waterfall where you can swim. It's the last stop of the day, so you have time to cool off before heading back to Gjirokaster.

What time does the tour start and end?

The tour runs for seven hours total, starting at Cerciz Topulli Square in Gjirokaster in the morning. Pickup from your hotel is included if you arrange it when you book.