E-Biking the Balkans with Surah al-Kahf
May 17 - May 25, 2025
Trip Price: $2400
Description
With the mountains, rivers, valleys, caves, and ancient lakes of Albania and North Macedonia as the backdrop, this first-of-its-kind program includes e-biking, hiking, and reflecting upon the stories of Surah al-Kahf among some of Europe’s last pockets of traditional culture.
Electric bicycles provide participants with the unique opportunity to cover distances and elevation gains that would prove to be difficult without the pedal power offered by an e-bike! Additionally, our trip support vehicle stores and transports all luggage throughout the program so that participants can focus on soaking up the stunning scenery as we reflect upon Surah al-Kahf.
Activity Level: Advanced Beginner / Intermediate (see below for additional info)
Highlights Include
Electric-biking alongside Lake Prespa and Lake Ohrid—Europe’s oldest lake (2 millions years)
Exploring Shebenik, Galicica, Prespa, and Fir of Drenove National Parks in Albania & North Macedonia
Learning from a local farmer, and participating in a service project to help conserve a healthy and balanced ecosystem.
Shadowing an Albanian shephard
Enjoying an Albanian farm to table meal
Learning to make traditional Burek at an Albanian cooking class
Praying at restored 15th-century mosques in Albania and North Macedonia
Recounting the stories of Surah al-Kahf in outdoors settings via facilitated reflections throughout the program
Digitally disconnecting and reengaging the fitrah
Meet the Team!
The E-Biking the Balkans with Surah al-Kahf program is stewarded by three Muslim Fitrah Outdoors Co-Guides with a unique combination of Albanian heritage and language skills, multi-day bicycle trip expertise, and Qur’an-centered outdoors reflection facilitation.
Kiti Shabanaj - Co-Guide
A native of Tirane, Albania, Kiti's love for the outdoors as a child inspired her to continue her adventures in nature and in the courtroom as a lawyer. In addition to her occasional solo excursions in the woods--sometimes spending over 24 hours alone in the mountains of Albania without supplies or gear! Kiti also led one of the most important environmental legal wins in Albanian history, representing the Albanian Government in protecting the Vjosa River and declaring it a National Park. Learn more about how the Vjosa River was protected through this incredible documentary film. Kiti leads the group's Albanian language and culture interpretation throughout the program.
Ryan Strom (Abu Huraira)- Co-Guide
Currently living in Washington, D.C. and a native of Flint, Michigan, Ryan, AKA Abu Huraira, or the father of cats, is known in social circles for his prolific group bicycle trip planning skills (having organized over twenty trips since 2010!), and his love for feeding and petting cats, around the block and around the world. Ryan serves as the program route group lead to ensure that all participants have an exciting and safe E-Bike experience. This will be Ryan's third trip to Albania.
Colin Christopher (Triple C)- Co-Guide
Currently living in Rabat, Morocco and a native of Madison, Wisconsin, Colin’s passion for gathering friends together to remember the Divine in natural settings inspired him to launch Fitrah Outdoors in 2022. Colin’s Albanian ancestry, longing for homemade Burek, and love for multi-day bicycling trips made this program an obvious choice for him to co-guide. This will be his third trip to Albania since 2005. Colin leads the group’s facilitated reflections on the stories of Surah al-Kahf at various natural sites throughout the program.
Azreen Ali (Energizer Bunny)- Program Support
Currently living in Rabat, Morocco and a native of Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, Azreen is known among her friends as being consistently "MIA," traveling the world to admire the diversity of Allah's beauty. Azreen serves as the program's support vehicle manager.
FAQs
What’s Included?
Zabiha/Halal breakfasts, lunches, and dinners
Accommodations (hotels, guesthouses, or similar)
Internal transportation (support vehicles for luggage and equipment)
Guided activities, excursions, and equipment rentals
Tips for local guides
What’s Not Included?
Visas (if required)
Travel insurance (highly recommended)
Personal expenses and additional meals/snacks outside of provided meals
International airfare
1. Do I need prior experience to join this trip?
No prior experience is required, but a moderate level of physical fitness is recommended. This program includes e-bicycling and hiking. Most days we will e-bicycle between approximately 20 and 30 miles (Note: 30 miles of e-bicycling is equivalent to ~20 miles on a traditional bicycle). Our support van will carry all luggage and necessary equipment. While e-bicycling, participants are encouraged to bring a small backpack (or a bicycle pannier that attaches to the e-bicycle) to store a jacket, water, snacks, sunblock etc.
2. What should I pack?
A detailed packing list will be provided, but essentials include comfortable / modest / quick dry activewear, appropriate footwear, a small backpack, sunblock, and personal medications. Please note that laundry facilities will likely not be easily available.
3. Is travel insurance required?
Travel insurance is not mandatory but is strongly recommended to cover unforeseen circumstances.
4. Will meals be provided?
Yes, all meals (Zabiha/Halal) will be provided, including breakfast, lunch, and dinner. Any additional meals or snacks are the responsibility of the attendee. Dietary restrictions should be communicated in advance via the form provided once registration is confirmed.
5. What kind of accommodations will be provided?
Accommodations will range from hotels to local guesthouses. Double occupancy accommodations, each with a single private bath and segregated by gender, will be provided to participants. Spouses traveling together or others with room-sharing preferences and other related requests can indicate their needs in the Accommodation Preferences section of the registration form that will be sent upon receipt of your $500 deposit.
6. What if I need to cancel my trip?
The initial $500 deposit required to secure your program spot, is refundable through March 15.
7. How will transportation be arranged?
All internal transportation, including airport transfers and support vehicles for luggage and equipment, will be arranged by the organizers.
8. Who are the guides and what is their experience?
Experienced, adventurous, and CPR-certified guides will accompany the group throughout the trip to ensure your safety and provide background information and facilitation throughout the program. To read more about this trip’s Co-Guides, please see their bios above. Additional specialized, local guides in Albania will enrich the program experience throughout the trip.
9. Do I need a visa?
U.S., Canadian, and U.K. passport holders do not require Visas to enter Albania or North Macedonia. For other passport holders, please check with your country’s embassy to confirm whether you need a visa for Albania and North Macedonia.
10. Will we have any free time to explore?
There will be designated down time during the day at rest stops and a few evenings with 1-2 hour windows of free time for exploration following group dinners.
11. What do you mean by “digitally disconnecting”?
Digital Disconnect & Fitrah Reconnect Policy: The first and final evening of the program, participants are free to utilize any and all electronic devices they choose to bring on the program. From Day 2 through the afternoon of Day 8, Fitrah Outdoors staff will store all electronic devices in a secure and weather-proof location. Fitrah Outdoors program staff will have access to mobile phones at all times and at least one staff member will be reachable in the event of an emergency. *please note that accommodations can be made for extenuating circumstance such as medical emergencies and other requirements (e.g. blood sugar monitoring etc).
Fitrah Outdoors’ Digital Disconnect & Fitrah Reconnect Policy applies to all programs, and is offered as a unique opportunity to build connection, both inwardly and outwardly, with other people, other creations, and to regenerate one’s own fitrah. Throughout the trip, Fitrah Outdoors program staff will be taking a plethora of high quality individual, group, and scenery photos (and a few short videos), and will share with the group. This allows participants to center their attention on each moment.
We understand that this can seem strange or even scary for participants. In our experience, it is often those who are initially the most skeptical of the Digital Disconnect & Fitrah Reconnect policy who end up being the most appreciative for their experience at the end of the program. Nisa, a participant from the Fitrah Farm Stay Program in Pescadero, California, recently commented: "Fitrah Outdoors’ carefully curated experience allowed us to unplug from the noise of daily life and truly connect to our primordial self. We were fueled by nutrient dense meals, mindful practices, and the reset to my system was felt for months afterwards."
12. What happens in case of a medical emergency?
In case of a medical emergency, Fitrah Outdoors staff, all of whom are CPR-certified, will provide immediate assistance and coordinate with local medical services and family, if necessary. Participants are responsible for any medical expenses incurred, which is why travel insurance is highly recommended.
13. Will there be language barriers?
Co-Guide Kiti Shabanaj, a native of Albania, and bilingual in Albanian and English, will serve as the language and culture program lead. We also encourage participants to learn 3-5 common words / short phrases in Albanian and Macedonian to create a more full experience and greater opportunities to connect with local people throughout the program.
14. Can I extend my stay before or after the trip?
Yes! If you wish to extend your stay, you are responsible for making your own arrangements. Please let us know if you have any questions or would like recommendations.