Sarande: Permet 4×4 Tour, Rafting and Thermal baths

The main attraction here is the change of pace: a rough-road 4×4 ride leads to two hours on the Vjosa, followed by a warm soak at Benja. I like the mix of real outdoor action and easy relaxation, and I like that your private group can keep the day flexible. The possible catch is the long drive, about 100 minutes each way, so this is a full day rather than a quick outing.

I also like that the rafting crew supplies the neoprene suit, thermal sweatshirt, life jacket and helmet. Lunch, water and photos are included, which makes the $234 price easier to judge. Still, rafting conditions vary with river level, and the activity is not suitable for children under six or people over 70.

Key points at a glance

• The Vjosa is the star: You spend about two hours rafting on one of Europe’s last wild rivers.
• Two scenic 4×4 transfers: The ride from the coast or Gjirokaster takes about 100 minutes each way.
• Rafting suits are supplied: Expect a neoprene suit, thermal layer, life jacket and helmet.
• Benja comes after lunch: The thermal waters offer a calm finish after the river run.
• Private groups help: You can discuss the timing and activity pace with your guide.
• The price covers quite a lot: Pickup, drop-off, transport, rafting, equipment, lunch and photos are included.

A long Albanian day with a good payoff

This is the kind of outing that makes sense if you want more than a beach day in Saranda or Ksamil. You get a taste of southern Albania’s back roads, a proper river activity, a meal in Permet and time at the Benja thermal waters, all in one nine-hour trip.

The day is active, but it is not nonstop exertion. The rafting is the energetic center. Lunch gives you a break, and the thermal baths provide a slow finish before the drive back. That balance is one of the tour’s strongest features.

You can start from Saranda, Ksamil or Gjirokaster, with pickup and drop-off at your hotel or a nearby location. The group is private, so you are not being folded into a large coach party. Guides speak English, Turkish or Albanian, and the trip is run by Trojan Travel.

The 4×4 ride from the coast to the river

The first drive takes about 100 minutes. From Saranda or Ksamil, that is a substantial part of the day, but it also gets you away from the coast and into the countryside around Gjirokaster District and Permet.

The vehicle is a 4×4 or SUV, and the drive is part of the attraction rather than a plain transfer. You can expect scenic views along the way, with a planned 15-minute break for photographs in Gjirokaster District. On the return, the guides may make additional stops at attractive viewpoints when time allows.

That flexibility matters. A private trip gives you more room to pause for a photograph or ask about the area than a fixed large-group coach tour usually would. At the same time, do not book this expecting a short hop to the river. The round-trip driving alone takes around 200 minutes.

The vehicles used for the trip have been described as comfortable, with music and bottled water available. That helps on a long day, especially after rafting. You may also appreciate being able to rest on the return journey. The final drive is intended to be calm enough for a nap before hotel drop-off.

Getting ready for two hours on the Vjosa

The rafting takes place on the Vjosa River, described here as Europe’s last wild river. The setting is the main reason to choose this trip over a standard rafting course. You are not simply following an artificial route with the same scenery at every turn. The river’s flow and appearance change with the season.

At the rafting base, you receive the necessary equipment:

• Neoprene suit
• Thermal sweatshirt
• Life jacket
• Helmet

You need to bring a towel and quick-dry clothing. That is important because you will move from the river to lunch and then on to the thermal baths. Pack your swimwear in a place you can reach easily, and avoid bringing anything you do not want to get wet.

The rafting lasts about two hours. Guides lead the group and explain how to handle the moving water. The activity has been described as safe and suitable for a range of family groups, but the river can feel different from one month to another. In June, the level was described as around two to three, with the difficulty changing according to water height.

That detail is worth keeping in mind. If you want the most powerful possible rapids, ask about current river conditions before booking. If you prefer a gentler run, water level is also worth checking. The activity is adventurous, but the exact feel of the rafting cannot be judged from the calendar alone.

The guides also add value by explaining the area as you go. Strong English communication was noted during one family outing, while the available tour languages are English, Turkish and Albanian. If language support matters to you, select your preferred language when arranging the tour.

Lunch in Permet after the river

After rafting, you return to the 4×4 and head into Permet for a one-hour lunch break. This is not merely a stop for refueling. It gives you a look at local life in a town known for its clean streets and welcoming local culture.

The included meal is a personal plate with steak and potatoes, side dishes and water. It is a straightforward, filling meal after physical activity. If you are hoping for a long tasting menu or a broad introduction to regional Albanian cooking, this lunch may feel limited. If you want a dependable meal without arranging another restaurant yourself, it does the job well.

The timing is also sensible. Eating after the river lets you warm up, dry off and settle down before the final sightseeing portion. Keep in mind that your clothing may still be damp, so quick-dry layers are more useful than a bulky change of clothes.

Permet adds a town stop to a day that could otherwise be only about vehicles and rafting. You get time to walk, look around and meet the local atmosphere before continuing to Benja.

Benja thermal waters at sunset

The last major stop is Benja, where you can swim and relax in the thermal waters. After two hours on the Vjosa and a long drive, this is a well-chosen ending.

The stop lasts about 75 minutes and includes time for bathing, views and sunset. The sunset is described as especially bold in color from the thermal-water area. Timing will affect what you see, but the schedule is built around reaching Benja late enough for the evening light.

Bring a towel. The tour provides rafting equipment, but the listed items do not include a personal towel. You should also bring quick-dry clothes for the trip back to your hotel.

The thermal baths are not a replacement for the rafting. They serve a different purpose. The river is active and demanding, while Benja is quiet and restorative. You can swim, sit in the water and take in the surroundings without another scheduled challenge immediately afterward.

The 75-minute stop is long enough to enjoy the water, but it is not an open-ended spa visit. If bathing is your main reason for booking, a dedicated thermal-bath outing would give you more time. If you want a warm, scenic finish to a day of adventure, this timing works well.

What the $234 price includes

At $234 per person, this is not a budget day trip. The value depends on whether you would otherwise pay separately for transport, rafting and a thermal-bath visit.

The price includes hotel pickup and drop-off, the 4×4 or SUV transport, the rafting trip, all listed rafting equipment, lunch, water with the meal and photos taken throughout the tour. You are also paying for a private group rather than a shared coach outing.

That package reduces the number of extras you need to arrange. You do not have to find your own way from Saranda, Ksamil or Gjirokaster to the river. You do not have to rent rafting equipment. You also receive a meal and tour photographs, which can be useful when you want to keep your phone safely packed away during the wet parts of the day.

The price makes the most sense for a small group that values convenience and privacy. A family or group of friends can split the attention of the guides and discuss where to pause. For a solo visitor, the cost is harder to justify unless private transport and the full combination of activities are especially important.

Safety, comfort and who should book

The guides provide safety equipment and lead the rafting, while trained drivers handle the road sections. The trip is designed to combine an adventurous river activity with a controlled transport setup, rather than asking you to manage the logistics yourself.

Still, rafting is a physical activity. You should be comfortable with getting wet, wearing a life jacket and following guide instructions in moving water. The tour is not suitable for children under six or people over 70, according to the stated restrictions.

This outing suits you best if you:

• Want a full day away from Saranda’s beaches
• Enjoy a mix of outdoor activity and quiet bathing
• Are comfortable spending several hours in a vehicle
• Prefer a private group to a large shared tour
• Want transport, equipment, lunch and photos handled together
• Are traveling with friends or family who have different energy levels

It may not suit you if you dislike long drives, want a slow day, or mainly want to visit Permet without rafting. The 4×4 ride is scenic, but it takes time. The rafting is the main event, so you should not book this simply as a transport option to the thermal baths.

Timing, pickup and practical planning

The advertised duration is nine hours. Pickup is available from hotels in Saranda, Ksamil, Gjirokaster or nearby areas, and you should wait in your hotel lobby from 10 minutes before the scheduled time.

The schedule is roughly arranged like this:

• About 100 minutes by Jeep or SUV
• A 15-minute photo and rest stop in Gjirokaster District
• Two hours of rafting on the Vjosa
• One hour for lunch in Permet
• About 75 minutes at Permet and Benja for sightseeing, swimming and sunset
• About 100 minutes back by Jeep or SUV

The schedule allows for a full day without making every minute feel programmed. The private format may also let you discuss small adjustments with the guide, though the main drive, river session and bath stop still shape the day.

You can cancel up to 24 hours ahead for a full refund, and you can reserve now and pay later. Those terms are useful if your southern Albania plans are still moving around, particularly when weather or river conditions may affect your decision.

Is this Permet tour worth booking?

I would book this tour if you want one busy, varied day that combines the Vjosa River with Permet and Benja. The strongest part is the sequence: scenic 4×4 ride, guided rafting, a proper lunch, then thermal water and sunset. You get both excitement and downtime without arranging separate transfers.

I would think twice if $234 feels high for a day with considerable driving, or if you want a long, quiet visit to the baths. The tour gives you a taste of several places rather than deep time in one of them.

For a private group of friends or family, the value is stronger. For a solo visitor, compare the price with the cost of arranging transport and rafting separately. If the river, the 4×4 journey and Benja all appeal to you, this is a practical way to connect them in one day.

FAQ

Where does the tour start and finish?

Pickup and drop-off are available from Saranda, Ksamil and Gjirokaster, including hotels in those areas or nearby locations.

How long does the tour last?

The tour lasts about nine hours, including the drives, rafting, lunch and time at the thermal waters.

What languages can the guides speak?

The available guide languages are English, Turkish and Albanian.

Is the tour private?

Yes. The activity is arranged for a private group.

What rafting equipment is included?

The tour provides a neoprene suit, thermal sweatshirt, life jacket and helmet.

What should I bring?

Bring a towel and quick-dry clothing. You should also be prepared to get wet during the rafting and bathing portions.

Who cannot take part?

The tour is not suitable for children under six or people over 70.