Paddle independently on faster moving sections of the Vjosa River with professional guide support on the water, for kayakers who already have prior paddling experience. You'll meet at our riverside base in Përmet in southern Albania on one of Europe's last wild rivers inside the national park.
You'll start at the riverside base in Përmet where staff fit life jackets, helmets and wetsuits and confirm your paddling background before the safety briefing. A short transfer then takes you to a section with faster moving water and technical lines suited to experienced kayakers rather than first time paddlers.
On the river you paddle your own kayak independently while guides stay on the water for safety support and route guidance. Expect clear water, dramatic mountain scenery and a livelier route than our guided sit-on-top kayak tour, with room to read the river at your own pace within the guided corridor.
After the paddle you'll return to base to dry off, enjoy drinking water and seasonal fruit, and collect free photos and videos from the river. Staff help you change and are happy to suggest things to explore in Përmet after you're off the water.
The Vjosa is one of Europe's last wild rivers, flowing freely through wide valleys and crystal clear pools below mountain ridges near Përmet. This route uses faster sections than our guided sit-on-top kayak tour, giving confident paddlers a more technical line through the national park landscape.
Përmet sits in southern Albania between Gjirokastër and the Albanian Riviera, making a half day on the river easy to combine with heritage towns and mountain drives in the region. The riverside base offers free parking, changing rooms and secure storage for kit and dry clothes.
Prior kayak experience on moving water is essential and guides confirm your background during the briefing before you reach the put in. You should be comfortable paddling independently, reading basic river lines and responding quickly to guide signals on faster sections.
Participants must be aged 18 or above and fit the life jackets provided on site. If you are new to kayaking on moving water, our guided sit-on-top kayak tour is a better place to start.
This format suits confident paddlers who want independence on a wild river while guides remain close for safety on a stretch the team has run since 2012. Full equipment, base facilities and river transport are all included so you can focus on the paddle rather than logistics.
Operating on the Vjosa for more than a decade, the team pairs thorough safety briefings with free photo and video coverage so you leave with memories as well as stories from the rapids. Routes are chosen daily to match water levels while still offering a rewarding line for experienced kayakers.
Arrive at the riverside base in Përmet where staff fit life jackets, helmets and wetsuits and confirm your paddling background before the safety briefing. Changing rooms, showers and secure storage for kit and dry clothes are available on site.
Your guides brief you on the faster section and support plan for conditions on the day once they have confirmed your prior kayak experience on moving water.
Launch your own kayak and paddle independently through faster moving water and technical lines while guides remain on the river for safety support and route guidance. Expect clear water, dramatic mountain scenery and a livelier route than our guided sit-on-top kayak tour.
You read the river at your own pace within the guided corridor, responding to guide signals on the faster sections as you move downstream through the national park landscape.
Finish downstream where guides help you exit your kayak safely before the return transfer to base. Change into dry clothes, enjoy drinking water and seasonal fruit, and collect free photos and videos captured on the river.
Staff help you change and are happy to suggest things to explore in Përmet after you're off the water.
Meet at our riverside activity base in Përmet at your confirmed start time. Free parking is available on site alongside changing rooms, showers and secure storage for belongings.
Find us on Google Maps: https://maps.app.goo.gl/JKygEmGuUtmRzMfQA. Allow a few extra minutes to change into swimwear and attend the safety briefing before transport to the river.
We run this for adults with prior kayak experience on moving water. Participants must be aged 18 or above on the day of the session.
Every participant wears a provided life jacket and follows guide instructions on the river throughout the paddle.
You'll spend around 2.5 hours in total, including kit up, briefing, transport to the river, paddling and return to base.
Exact timing can shift slightly with group size, water levels and how long you pause on faster moving sections.
Meet at our riverside base in Përmet at your confirmed start time. Free parking, changing rooms and secure storage for bags are available on site.
Find us on Google Maps: https://maps.app.goo.gl/JKygEmGuUtmRzMfQA. Arrive early enough to change and listen to the safety talk before the transfer to the put in.
Prior kayak experience is required. You should be comfortable paddling independently on moving water, reading basic river lines and responding to guide signals on faster sections.
If you are new to kayaking, our guided sit-on-top kayak tour is a better place to start.
Certified life jackets, helmets, neoprene wetsuits, kayak, paddles and transport between base and river are included. Professional local guides on the river, a safety briefing, drinking water, seasonal fruit, and free photos and videos are also covered.
We fit life jackets and wetsuits to each person when you arrive.
Transport to the meeting point in Përmet, meals, towels and dry clothes after the river are not included.
Bring swimwear, a towel and shoes that can get wet. Secure lockers are available at base for valuables.
Yes. Expect splashes on faster sections and wet clothing by the end. Quick drying layers work well in summer.
Pack a full change of clothes for after the paddle and leave non waterproof items at the base when possible.
River trips depend on safe water levels and weather. If conditions are not suitable on the day, your guides may take a gentler section of the river or offer another date.
Your guide crew makes the final call on the day based on water levels and weather.
Small groups of experienced paddlers are welcome up to a maximum of 15 participants. Guides remain on the river for safety support while you paddle independently.
Get in touch before you book if your group is larger than 15.
Wear swimwear or quick drying clothing under the wetsuit provided on site. Bring water shoes or secure sandals that can get wet, a towel and a full change of clothes for after the river.
Sun protection such as a hat and sunscreen is recommended, along with a reusable water bottle. Leave valuables in secure storage at the base.
We partner with Rewilding Britain to help protect our natural spaces for future adventures.
All centres are vetted for safety and quality. Your adventure is in good hands with adventuro.
About the centre
Përmet
Operated by Rafting Vjosa Albania Center, a partner of adventuro.
Surrey, East and West Sussex, United Kingdom
From £30
