Learn to ride program 2026

Participants will familiarize themselves with horses and receive lessons in ground handling, including exercises on maintaining safe distances, grooming, harnessing, feeding, and understanding equine behavior.

Lunch will be served in a village restaurant.

Afternoon Session: The afternoon session will focus on basic riding positions, balance exercises in the arena, and overall skill reinforcement.

Evening: Participants can opt for a rural village experience or spend time with family on the veranda. Friends are welcome to join cooking sessions and assist with other tasks. In the evening, dinner will be served at the guesthouse, offering a delicious local meal. An optional visit to the horse stables is available if willing to walk 15 minutes one way to the stables.

Begin with independent horse preparation followed by a nature ride test to assess skills acquired during the morning session.

Lunch will be served at a local village restaurant.

Afternoon: The afternoon session will include basic knowledge tests on the track and guided horseback riding in nature, focusing on safety measures, risk management, and using reins in outdoor settings.

Dinner will be served at the guesthouse, where you’ll enjoy a traditional meal prepared by the hosts.

Revisit all lessons learned so far and prepare for trotting on the track. Morning concentration will be paramount as participants practice trotting techniques in the arena and apply them briefly in outdoor settings.

Lunch will be served at a local village restaurant.

Afternoon: After lunch, there will be further trotting practice on the track, horse leading downhill followed by a session on uphill riding positions.

You will have dinner at the guesthouse, where you can enjoy a comforting meal to end the day.

It’s a day you’ve been eagerly awaiting, a chance to put your skills to the test in the rugged beauty of Albania’s countryside. The day kicks off with the familiar routine of preparing the horses. Now, it’s time for the real challenge—a trek to Cini Lake.

With the horses saddled and ready, riders take a moment to mentally review the lessons of the past days. Mounting your steeds, you set off for the morning session—a series of advanced trotting exercises designed to push your limits. Throughout the ride in nature through hills, valleys and pastoral life the instructors provide guidance and feedback, fine-tuning techniques and addressing any lingering questions. Riding in pairs fosters camaraderie and teamwork, reinforcing the bond between rider and horse.

It’s a journey that will test your mettle, but also a chance to forge memories that will last for long. After accommodating the horses back in stable lunch will continue and also free afternoon and evening for different activities. Dinner again with the host family.

Round 4-5 hours

The morning will focus on intensive trotting sessions on the track, as well as engaging in various horse games. Participants will practice riding in pairs, maintaining safe distances, and applying technical elements of trail discipline. Lunch will be served at a local village restaurant.

Afternoon: Participants will continue with trotting and horse games in the afternoon, with additional testing of trotting and short canter fragments for balance assessment. The afternoon the session will be out in nature going through the very diverse landscape of Gjinofshat hills possible to test all the lessons so far. The guesthouse will serve dinner, where you can relax and enjoy a meal after your day’s ride.

Optional activities during break times may include relaxation, stable work, or village exploration.

This last day is the culmination of a week-long journey, a day awaited with equal parts excitement and trepidation. The morning unfolds with purpose as riders gather in the arena, their steeds poised and ready for the ultimate challenge. You embark on a comprehensive skills test—a culmination of all you’ve learned throughout your equestrian odyssey. Under the guidance of experienced instructors, participants navigate through a series of exercises, each one designed to assess their proficiency in the saddle. From precision maneuvers to fluid transitions, every aspect of your riding ability is put to the test. You will mount your trusty companions once more, ready to embark on the final leg of the journey—a scenic trek to Qestorati Lake. Along the way, you’ll pass by the imposing castle of Santa Triada, its ancient walls standing as a silent testament to the region’s storied past.

The journey will also take you through the charming village of Dhoksat, where time seems to stand still amidst cobblestone streets and rustic buildings. And so, as you set off into the unknown, guided by the gentle rhythm of hoofbeats and the whisper of the wind, you carry with you the memories of a week filled with laughter, learning, and the timeless bond between horse and rider the foundation of a new passion.

Round 4-5 hours

Lunch will be served at a local village restaurant. In the afternoon, you will be returned to your accommodation in the Old Town of Gjirokastra. The rest of the afternoon is free for you to explore Gjirokastra, a UNESCO World Heritage site known for its cobbled streets, Ottoman-era architecture, and stunning views over the surrounding hills. Take this time to visit the castle, wander through the charming town, or relax at a local café. The day concludes with a group dinner at a local restaurant in the historic city center, offering the perfect opportunity to reflect on the week’s experiences and celebrate your achievements. You will also be presented with a certificate of participation.

After a rural breakfast at the guest house, being also the last moments of this equestrian experience, you will be transferred to the airport.