Këlcyra Rafting Team

Këlcyra Rafting Team is a business that offers services in the field of tourism, created on June 27, 2023. Since its establishment until today, Këlcyra Rafting Team operates mainly in the territory of the upper valley of the Vjosë river, focusing on the realization and outdoor tourism products and services. So they are services and products for local and foreign visitors/tourists who visit the upper valley of the Vjosë river. In particular, we offer:

Rafting on the Vjoses river, exploring the area with 4x4 cars, trekking, hiking.

The goal of my short-term idea is to introduce the service of rafting tours, hiking tours, 1-day or several-day tours, which is requested not only by local and foreign visitors but also by family businesses operating in the area. The long-term goal is to increase and consolidate this activity, becoming the main operator in the area of providing these tourist services. In this area, I am the only one who offers these services full-time and together with my staff we know the area very well as all our activity is currently based on the opportunities and attractions of this area to offer outdoor activities that are also in high demand. from tourists.

Brief history of the Kalcyra Rafting Team

Our team is made up of three people. All three of us graduated from high school.

The administrator, Julian Elezi, 45 years old, graduated from the Faculty of Civil Engineering and has 10 years of experience in the field of tourism. He has been certified by the Ministry of Tourism for cultural guides for 6 years and a rafting guide from both the International Rafting Federation (I.R.F) and Word Rafting Federation (W.R.F). There are certificates for guide rafting and hiking. It is also part of the Aplini Albanian Federation and Mountain Tourism, where it has also received certificates of appreciation. He speaks Italian very well.

Marineo Cato, 33 years old, graduated from the Faculty of Economics. Received a 1-year certificate from the Ministry of Tourism for a Rafting guide from the W.R.F. Federation. He knows the upper Vjosa river valley very well and speaks English very well.

Jorgo Nano, 23 years old, graduated from the Faculty of Economics. Received a 1-year certificate from the Ministry of Tourism for a Rafting guide from the W.R.F. Federation. He knows the area very well, is attached to nature and has participated in several awareness campaigns for its conservation and cleaning. He also speaks English and Italian very well.

This team has experience in the field of tourism and team work for 6 months where we have received only positive feedback in marketing channels, as well as the education and certifications necessary to provide a quality service influencing the improvement of the quality of life in this area. .

We are the only ones who offer these services full time and we know the area very well as all our activity is currently based on the opportunities and attractions of this area to offer outdoor activities that are also highly demanded by tourists. The desire to stay in the homeland, the passion for outdoor activities, the experience and certification of our staff, the quality of the equipment and service makes our work stable and long-term. This is a very good moment because the number of tourists is increasing year by year and the demand for these services is increasing. We are trying to increase our capacities by equipping new guides with the necessary certificates and increasing the range of services and adding tourist packages.

In these 6 months of teamwork, we have received positive feedback from our customers regarding the products/services we have offered.

General Description of the Product/Service

KELCYRA RAFTING TEAM offers local tour packages in the upper Vjosa river valley. Its staff has the appropriate training and certifications in this rafting, biking, trekking, etc. as well as know several foreign languages such as Albanian, English, Italian. The activity takes place mainly in the Municipality of Këlcyrë and relies on the high diversity of natural, historical and cultural assets, the Vjosa River National Park, the Zagoria Natural Park, as well as the rich tradition of production and preparation of dishes and typical products of the area.

•         Tour with 4x4 cars

•         Rafting on the river Vjosa

•         Trekking

•         Camping

•        Visits to various characteristic villages of the area

•         Bike Tour

•         Cultural Tour

•         Gastronomic Tour

•         Personalized Tour (according to requirements)

Outdoor tourist packages will be the main packages of our enterprise. These packages are requested by tourists who want to explore our area. The main package where they have been returning to the main outdoor activity for three years is Rafting. Also this year, we saw an interest in kayak packages, also from the announcement of the Vjosa River, a National Park where the adrenaline and the picturesque landscape offered by the Këlcyra gorge, as it is called the place of 1001 springs. The upper valley of the Vjosa river has a variety of places and attractions where you can do activities such as hiking in the mountain range Trebeshine-Dhembel-Nermerckë or even in the region of Deshnica and Maleshova with their characteristic villages. 4x4 tours that we make in cooperation with local businesses or even picnics or camping while enjoying the beautiful nature.  

Specific Description of the Product/Service

Rafting on the Vjosa River

The Vjosa River is one of the last wild rivers in Europe. Its upper valley is already one of the main tourist attractions in Albania. This part of the river offers excellent opportunities for rafting and other forms of water sports. The Vjosa Valley is characterized by numerous natural features such as rapids, canyons, water sources, islands and bends that create wonderful windings, unique panoramic landscapes, characteristic villages, etc. All these particularities that intertwine in complete harmony with each other put the tourist in direct contact with the untouched nature of the valley, with people, history, traditions and without a doubt with the rich and varied cuisine of the area.

Rafting trip is offered to all those people who are passionate about wild nature and who like adventure, adrenaline and outdoor sports.

Technical Trip Sheet - Rafting on the Vjosa river

Location: Gryka e Këlcyra, Location google maps - Kelcyra Rafting Team

Itinerary: Qelove - Zagori river mouth (0.303678, 20.209118 - 40.299198, 20.131290)

Hours: 09.30 - 12.30 / 14.00 - 17.00

Type: Rafting with 6 or 8 seater rafts, accompanied by a certified professional guide (guides speak Albanian, English, Italian).

Difficulty level: Medium

Price: 35 Euro/person

The price includes: Personal equipment for rafting, rafting guide,

The price does not include: Transportation to the meeting point, drinks and snacks

Period: April-October (we also accept off-season requests)

Duration: 3 hours

Duration of staying in the water: 2 hours

Permitted age: 10 years + (minors must be accompanied) Gryka e Këlcyra (near Trebešinë Water Factory), according to the customer's wish.

Note: Participants, group of at least 4 people

 Package:

-        Transportation from the meeting point to the drop-off point;

-        Preparation of the dinghy, putting on the equipment and training by the professional guide Regarding the basic rules of sailing by dinghy;

- Rafting for about 8.7 km on the Vjosa river;

- Stopping at designated places to cool off in the river, jumping off rocks, group photos, videos, etc.;

-        Arrival at the river exit point;

-        Transportation to the meeting point.

Necessary information

Level of difficulty: The Vjosa river is categorized for level II-III rafting (fast flow with small waves) presenting no significant risks or marked difficulties in navigation.

Experience: No previous rafting experience is required; before starting the trip, the professional guide will explain the basic rules of rafting.

Instructions for participants: Participants must know how to swim and be in good health. People with heart, breathing and other health problems that are incompatible with sports activities are not recommended to participate in rafting. In case of known pathologies, the declaration of responsibility form is signed.

What you should have with you:

- Bathing suits;
  
- Sports clothing;

- Sandals or quality sneakers for walking and to use during rafting if necessary;

- towels;

- Sunscreen;

- Dry clothes to change after the journey;

- Sunglasses and a hat (optional).

 

"Kelcyra Rafting Team" provides personal equipment for rafting, as follows:

- Neoprene suit;

- Waterproof Socks;

- Safety vest;

- Helmets;

- Waterproof jackets;

- First Aid Kit;

- Extra materials as required.

 

River Rafting Package Vjosa*

 

*Packages are flexible according to schedules and customer requirements; it is also possible to create personalized packages according to requirements and extra services such as extra transport, accommodation in tents or in structures that we have cooperation with, traditional lunch in a village house, tastings, live music with a folklore orchestra, etc.

 

** Minimum of 4 persons