Valbona

Tours

Enjoy a three-day trip through the Albanian Alps and visit Komani Lake, Valbona, and Thethi. Explore beautiful valleys, see local waterfalls, sail to Komani Lake, and visit Thethi National Park. Start your journey from Tirana to Komani Lake on the first day of the tour. Set sail at the lake and sail for 2 hours through an outstanding dramatic mountain view of Komani Lake. Continue on your way and take your private transfer heading to Valbona Valley. Chill time and relaxing View. Begin the second day early in the morning and hike from Valbona Valley National Park to Thethi Valley National Park. Enjoy the hike, which is moderate and approximately 6 hours long. Admire the surroundings and during these 6 hours enjoy plenty of time to rest and the most important thing, to enjoy one of the best parts of Albania, the heart of the Alps. Continue the day and by the afternoon arrive in Thethi National Park. Carry on with the tour on day three by visiting the most interesting parts of Thethi as The Church, Grunas Waterfall, and the Blue Eye. Make your way back to Tirana in the afternoon with a short visit to Shkodra City and arrive in Tirana around the evening to end our tour.

Take a scenic ferry ride from Koman to Fierza and enjoy the beautiful landscapes of the Albanian Alps. Travel in a comfortable minivan with air conditioning and enjoy a short break for breakfast or coffee at the Lugina e Komanit Hotel. Depart from the meeting point near the Rozafa Hotel and enjoy a pick-up from your hotel. Sit back and relax as you journey through the wonderful landscapes of the Albanian Alps. Stop for a short break at the Lugina e Komanit Hotel where you can have breakfast or a coffee. After this stop, continue towards the port of Koman where you will board the ferry. Board the ferry and enjoy a 2-hour and 10-minute ride. Take in the wonderful landscapes of the Koman valley, and take videos and photos as you wish. Arrive at the port of Fierza and rest for 15 minutes. After you are accommodated in the minivan, depart from the port of Fierze towards Valbon. Make a short stop in the town of Bajram Curr to withdraw money from the ATM, as there are no ATMs in Valbon. Arrive in Valbone and be accommodated in the hotel of your choice.

This active multi-day tour of Valbona and Theth in the heart of the Albanian Alps takes you to Lake Koman, Valbona Valley, and the quaint village of Theth. Enjoy scenic nature and Albanian hospitality alongside a personal guide. Your private trip includes lodging, meals, and all transportation. Day 1: Tirana – Koman Lake – ValbonaLeave Tirana early to drive toward Koman Lake in time for the ferry that departs to Fierza at the other side of the lake. Since 1985, this manmade lake is the only way locals who live in the area can get in touch with the modern world. Driving from Fierza to Valbona, travel for approximately 45 minutes, passing through Bajram Curri, the municipally of the area. Enjoy a lunch break in Valbona and hiking in Kukaj, a very remote area in Valbona Valley, where you’ll get to see how locals do their living. At the end of the day, stay overnight at the guesthouse. Day 2: Hiking from Valbona – ThethAlso considered the big day of the tour, set off on a thrilling hike from Valbona to Theth following the ancient path that the locals have been using for years. Back in the day, it was only possible to travel from Valbona to Shkoder on foot, taking two full days of walking. Walking on this path, you’ll pass through the oldest part of the village where people are still living in their more than 100-year-old stone houses that are remarkable remnants of the past. The 18-km trek offers spectacular views of long rocky valleys and lush green forests. Stop for lunch at one of the traditional cafés along the way and choose to stock up on snacks. After trekking for about 7-8 hours, you’ll arrive in Theth. Spend time admiring Theth’s unique nature, history, and traditions, including the village’s symbol, the Lock-In Tower. Stay overnight and have dinner at the guesthouse. Day 3: Theth – Shkoder – TiranaAfter breakfast at the guesthouse, the Grunas Waterfall is the next attraction. Take an about 45-minute walk from the center of the village, passing through most of the village and into soft hilly terrain. Leaving Theth behind and driving for around 3 hours, reach Shkoder, the biggest city of the Albanian North. Enjoy free time in Shkoder before returning to Tirana in the evening to conclude the tour.

Meeting point Tirana/Shkoder Start Time 05:30 From Tirana or 6:45 from Shkoder Day 1 Transfer from Tirana to Komani tunnel. For the next hours we enjoy our boat trip to Shala River, after arriving free time for kayaking or to swim in the turquoise waters, it is very cold though.. Traditional lunch at an agritourism in Komani Lake and take the boat towards Fierze, transfer to Valbona with a stop at the Old Mill for photos and to learn some local culture. Accommodation in Valbona in a typical Alpine Hotel/Guesthouse. Day 2 Valbona - Theth Hiking Day Traditional Breakfast Offroad for 20 minutes to go to the start of the hiking trail, unique experience to begin the day. Valbona - Theth hiking, with stops on eco coffee shops along the way, photos at the Valbona Pass with panoramic views of the valleys. The trail goes through the wild nature of Valbona and Theth National Parks, it offers mesmerizing views of the Albanian Alps. Arrival in Theth, transfer to Blue Eye, moderate hike for 40 minutes, free time for photos or a quick jump into Blue Eye. Arrival at Hotel , Traditional Dinner, Overnight in Theth in a typical Alpine Hotel/Guesthouse. Day 3 Grunasi Waterfall - Isolation Tower -Shkoder Buffet breakfast, moderate hike for 30 minutes to go and visit Grunas Waterfall, transfer to Shkoder , lunch in Shkoder near the Old City. End of tour (Dropp off in Tirana is also possible, contact guide).

Travel from Durres, Tirana, or Tirana Airport to Valbona on a bus and ferry tour. Admire the views of the Drini River and the Albanian Alps as you travel. Start your trip from Durres at 5:00 AM and reach Tirana at 5:30 AM. Continue to Tirana Airport at 5:50 AM and arrive in Shkoder at 7:00 AM. Continue to the Komani Lake Terminal at 8:30 AM. Board the ferry through Komani Lake and arrive in Fierza around 11:30 AM. The last part of the trip is from Fierza to Valbona. Arrive in Valbona around 1:00 PM.

Embark on an unforgettable journey from the picturesque village of Valbona, nestled amidst the breathtaking scenery of the Albanian Alps, to the vibrant capital city of Tirana, with a bus and ferry tour that promises unparalleled views and memorable experiences. Setting off from Valbona at 10:30 in the morning, you'll immediately find yourself immersed in the stunning landscapes that define the region. As the bus winds its way along the rugged mountain roads, you'll be treated to panoramic vistas of the towering peaks of the Albanian Alps, their majestic beauty enhanced by the play of light and shadow cast by the sun. The journey continues as you traverse alongside the meandering Drini River, its crystalline waters cutting through the rugged terrain, offering glimpses of pristine wilderness and untouched beauty. Along the way, keep your camera ready to capture the awe-inspiring sights that unfold before you, from verdant valleys to rocky cliffs that seem to touch the sky. As the bus approaches Komani Lake, prepare to be enchanted by one of Albania's most stunning natural wonders. Known for its tranquil turquoise waters and dramatic surroundings, Komani Lake is a sight to behold, offering endless opportunities for reflection and appreciation of nature's splendor. Then comes the highlight of the journey: the ferry ride across Komani Lake. Step aboard and feel the gentle sway of the boat as it glides across the serene waters, surrounded by towering cliffs and lush greenery. Take in the tranquility of the surroundings, breathing in the fresh mountain air and feeling a sense of peace wash over you. As you disembark from the ferry and continue your journey by bus, the landscapes gradually change, giving way to the bustling streets and urban energy of Tirana. Arriving in the capital city at 18:30, you'll have ample time to explore its vibrant culture, historical landmarks, and bustling markets, reflecting on the unforgettable journey you've just undertaken from the tranquil beauty of Valbona to the lively heart of Albania.

Day one, from Shkoder to Valbona Departure at 06:30 from Shkoder to Koman You will arrive in Koman and board the ferry which, after a wonderful navigation on Lake Koman, will take you to Fierze. Our minibus will be ready to welcome you and take you directly to our guesthouse where, after handing over your room you will be served lunch. Free time to visit the Valbona national park. Traditional dinner from the Valbona Valley Day two, from Valbona to Theth Breakfast and the guesthouse will provide you with a pleasant picnic for your trek. Arrival in Theth, room delivery, free time to visit Theth national park Traditional dinner Day three, from Theth to Shkoder Breakfast, free time to continue the visit of Theth 11am, meeting with our minibus at the starting point for the return to Shkoder 01:30pm arrival in Shkoder.

Get a taste of rural Albania on a private 4-day hiking trip from Tirana with a professional guide. Visit Koman Lake, Valbona, Theth, the "Blue Eye," Gurnas Waterfall, and Shkoder. Enjoy included guesthouse accommodation and meals. On Day 1, leave Tirana early after pickup at your accommodation and drive toward Koman Lake. There, take a ferry to Fierza on the other side of this manmade lake, the only connection locals have to get in touch with the modern world. Next, drive on from Fierza to Valbona, passing through Bajram Curri. Stop for a lunch break in Valbona, then go hiking in Kukaj, a remote area in the Valbona Valley. See how local people go about their life before checking into your guesthouse for the night. On Day 2, hike for approximately 20 kilometers from Valbona to Theth, following the ancient path that was once the only way to travel between Valbona and Shkoder. Pass through old villages where people still live in their more than 100-year-old stone towers. Enjoy a spectacular view of the long rocky valley mixed with quiet, relaxing forest, and take your pick from some traditional cafes for a lunch break. Arrive in Theth and prepare to be amazed by its unique nature, history, and tradition. Admire the Lock-in Tower of Theth, and hear about its interesting past. Stay overnight in Theth. On Day 3, hike to the "Blue Eye," a natural water pool located around 10 kilometers from the center of Theth. With a depth of 5 meters and icy waters (5°C), the Blue Eye is formed by rock erosion caused by water descending from the mountains. Savor a picnic lunch at the Blue Eye and return to the guesthouse by the afternoon. On Day 4, have breakfast at the guesthouse, then head to Gurnas Waterfall, around 45 minutes on foot from the center of the village. After, leave Theth behind and drive for around 3 hours to reach Shkoder, the biggest city in northern Albania. Enjoy some free time in Shkoder before returning to Tirana in the evening.

Day 1 The tour starts from Shkodra with transportation around 06:30am, and take the road to Komani Lake. At 9:00am we board ferry Berisha (or boat Dragobia) towards Fierze. This part of the river tour will introduce breathtaking views of Komani Lake, Albanian Alps By11:30am, we reach Fierza where the van will take us to Valbona, passing by Bajram Curri. We arrive in Valbone at 12:45pm, where we accomodate in the Inn(Guesthouse) followed by lunch with traditional and fresh food and drinks, and get a feel of the characteristic hospitality of the area. In the afternoon we are free to explore the area, the river bed and possibly the waterfall. 20:30 we will join again at the guesthouse where a dinner with other meals is served. End of day one with comfortable sleep. Day 2 In the morning, after a comfortable sleep, breakfast with fresh local produce is served in the presence of a wonderful panorama and fresh air. 11:00am is time to return to Fierze where we board the Ferry towards Koman. Around 18:00 we arrive in Shkoder marking this way the end of this tour and of this wonderful experience. We will visit the Komani Lake, Valbona River, the town of Bajram Curri. The accommodation will be at guesthouse in Valbona.

Itinerary Day 1 – Shkodra to Valbona 06:45 AM – Departure from Shkodra Meet at the Tourist Information Center in Shkodra, located near Hotel Rozafa in the city center. Your journey begins with a scenic drive toward Koman Lake. 08:30 AM – Arrival at Koman Lake & Ferry Boarding Arrive at the Komani ferry terminal and board the passenger ferry for an unforgettable journey through one of Albania’s most beautiful natural wonders. 09:00 AM – 11:30 AM – Komani Lake Ferry Ride Enjoy a peaceful 2-hour boat ride through Komani Lake, surrounded by steep cliffs and lush green landscapes — often compared to the fjords of Norway. 12:00 PM – Fierza Arrival & Minibus Transfer Once the ferry docks in Fierza, a shared minibus transfer takes you deeper into the mountains, directly to Valbona village. 13:00 PM – Arrival in Valbona You’ll arrive in Valbona National Park, where you can check into your guesthouse (not included). The afternoon is free to explore the valley, relax, or prepare for the next day’s hike. We recommend an early dinner and rest. Day 2 – Self-Guided Hike from Valbona to Theth Early Morning – Start Your Hike Begin your self-guided hike from Valbona to Theth. You'll use the digital GPS hiking map we send you by WhatsApp or email the day before, which includes waypoints, altitude info, and all key trail directions. Distance: ~17 km Time: 6–8 hours (depending on fitness level and pace) Elevation Gain: ~1000m, crossing Valbona Pass Trail Conditions: Well-marked mountain trail with multiple photo stops and resting areas Important: The hike is physically demanding and requires proper footwear, 2–3 liters of water, snacks, sun protection, and layers for changing weather. Arrival in Theth (Afternoon) You’ll reach Theth village by late afternoon. From here, you have two options: Option 1: Stay overnight in Theth Enjoy dinner and rest in a guesthouse (not included). We’ll arrange your return transport to Shkodra the next day at 11:00 AM. Option 2: Return to Shkodra the same day If you arrive in Theth before 17:00, we can organize your same-day return to Shkodra. Return to Shkodra (Day 2 or Day 3) Pick-up Location: Theth village center (you’ll receive the exact pick-up location with your travel info) Departure Time: 5:00 PM (same day) or 11:00 AM (next day, if staying overnight) Drive Duration: 2 hours (depending on road and weather conditions) Drop-off Location: Shkodra city center Trip Info Delivery One day before your departure, you will receive: All transport tickets (PDF) A detailed digital hiking map with live GPS tracking Full itinerary with pickup times, meeting points, and contacts Sent via WhatsApp or email