Tour of Komani Lake, Valbona Valley and Theth

Route

Day 1: Tirana – Komani Lake – Rural village

At 9:00, we get on a local boat (this destination is only reachable by boat) that will take us through Komani Lake. It is considered by many as an exotic experience combined with the unmatched hospitality of the locals. We arrive at a rural village at about 10:30 (somewhere in middle of the Lake). After settling ourselves in this small village, we will explore the homestay and learn more about local life. At around 12:30, we will have a chance to enjoy a delicious traditional lunch on all of the days of the tour. Here is where we begin our kayaking exploration of the area along the lake. Overnight in a traditional guesthouse by Komani Lake in a small village.

Day 2: Rural Village – Valbona Valley 

Waking up with such a magnificent view of Komani Lake and the Albanian Alps will make you want to stay longer, but after breakfast we will have to continue our journey to other astonishing wonders. Our next destination will be Valbona Valley National Park. After a delicious traditional lunch, we explore the area and admire the so-called Crown of the Albanian Alps. Overnight in a guesthouse in Valbona.

Day 3: Valbona - Rosi Peak - Valbona

The hiking tour of the Albanian Alps gets more intense during the third day. Our hiking objective is "Maja e Rosit", one of the Balkan Peaks. On the way to the Rosi Peak, we will pass through Kukaj. The trekking takes about 3 to 4 hours on the way up and about 3 on the way back to Valbona Valley. Maja e Rosit offers a spectacular view of Valbona Valley and the Accursed Mountains. We will enjoy a picnic lunch from this breath-taking corner of the world. Overnight in a guesthouse in Valbona.

Day 4: Valbona – Valbona Pass - Theth

Trekking to Theth from Valbona would be an intense day as the walk takes about 6 to 8 hours (about 1050m elevation) in a remote terrain, nevertheless unquestionably worthy! The Valbona pass to Theth offers a spectacular view of the Balkan Peaks and “Bjeshket e Nemuna”. When reaching on the top of the Valbona Pass, you will experience a serious shot of adrenaline. On our descent to Theth we will pass through some beautiful landscapes and wild forests. Overnight in a guesthouse in Theth. 

Day 5: Theth – Blue Eye – Theth 

Another hiking tour of 3 to 4 hours (one way) will bring us to the next natural wonder, the so-called “Blue Eye of Theth”. The Blue Eye was formed by the erosion of the water from the melting snow of the Albanian Alps. You will not be able to take your eyes off this stunning scene of nature with its bright blue and green colours. Also, fun fact, the temperature of the Blue Eye is just around 5 degrees Celsius. Do you dare to dive in the blue but very cold water? After another exciting day, we will have our overnight in Theth. 

Day 6: Theth – Grunas Waterfall – Theth – Tirana 

We will enjoy our last traditional breakfast in the heart of the Albanian Alps. We hike from Theth to Grunas Waterfall (about 1-hour hike).  On our way back, we will visit the old Church and the “Lock in” Tower (symbol of Theth). The stories behind these buildings take up centuries full of history. Our next adventure is a bumpy ride, with local transport, to Qafa e Thores on a steep hillside reaching a height of 1700m above sea level. This road is known for being the best place to take a picture, because there is a perfect view of the Albanian Alps! Riding over the zigzag roads through the rough mountainous terrain, the road will eventually become smoother once we get closer to Shkodra Lake. The driver will be waiting for us in Shkodra and will take us back to the capital of Albania, where we will arrive in the late afternoon. Overnight in Tirana. 

Day 7: Tirana – Bovilla Lake – Tirana 

We start our hiking adventure towards the beautiful area of Bovilla Lake near Tirana at 9:00 am. This destination offers an amazing view of wild mountains mixed with the green colour of the lake, creating a spectacular hiking and (a little bit of) rock climbing experience to the rock on top of the Bovilla track. We will enjoy a picnic lunch with the great view. Don’t forget to wear your comfortable walking shoes! We will be back in Tirana in the afternoon.

What's Included

Included:

√ Transport
At the beginning of the trek, the trekking company will pick you up from your hotel in Tirana. All local transfers during the trek are also included in the price: from Tirana to Vau I Dejes, from Vau I Dejes to Komani Lake, from Fierza to Valbona, from Theth to Shkoder, from Shkoder to Tirana, and from Tirana to Bovilla Lake and back. At the end of the trek, we will take you back to your hotel in Tirana.

Note: On request, this tour may also depart from other cities of Albania or neighboring countries such as Kosovo, Montenegro or Macedonia. Please contact us for more information on the extra costs.

√ Guide
During the whole trip, you will be accompanied by a professional, English speaking tour guide.

√ Ferry ticket
The ferry Ticket for Komani Lake to Fierza Dam is included in the price of the trek.

√ Accommodation
During this 7-day trek you will spend 1 overnight in a guesthouse in a rural village, 2 nights in a guesthouse in Valbona, 2 nights in a guesthouse in Theth and one last night in Tirana. Prices are calculated on triple or quadruples room occupancy. Double or single room occupancy is possible on extra charge. The Triple/Quadruple room occupancy means you might share the room with other travelers and/or the tour guide (who could be males or females).

√ Kayaking Equipment
On the first day of the trek, you will go kayaking on Komani Lake to explore the area. The trekking company will provide all the equipment necessary for this adventure.

√ Entry Tickets
Entry tickets are included for the following sites: Vau i Dejes Lake, Komani Lake, Komani Dam, Valbona Valley National Park, Rosi Peak, Theth National Park, Blue Eye of Theth, the old Church in Theth, “Lock in” Tower, the Waterfall of Theth, Qafa e Thores, Boge Village, and Bovilla Lake.

√ Breakfast
Breakfasts are included in the price of the trek. They will be provided at the accommodation where you spent the night before.

√ Taxes
Tourist taxes, road taxes, and petrol are included in the price of the trek.

Excluded:

× Airfare and Visa
You have to make your way to Tirana. The total amount is exclusive of flights to Albania. 

× Accommodation before and after the trek
Before and after the trek you have to take care of your own accommodation.

× Single and double supplement
Accommodation is based on Triple/Quadruple room occupancy. If you want to stay in a single or double room, you will have to pay an additional fee. Double room occupancy is possible on 10 Euros extra charge per night per person. Single room occupancy is available for 20 Euros extra per night per person.

× Travel Insurance
Your international travel insurance is your own responsibility. Discuss your itinerary with the insurance company before your trek.

× Meals, drinks, and snacks
The meals during the trek are not included in the final price, except for breakfast.

× Personal expenses
Personal expenses such as souvenirs, drinks at the bar and other similar expenses are for your own account.

× Mule
Mule or horse caravan, to carry heavy luggage from Valbona to Theth, is available on request with an extra charge of 95 Euros per horse/mule.

× Tipping
Tips are not a must in Albania or the Balkans, however, our recommendation is to tip the tour guide/driver 5 - 6 Euros per day/person as an international practice to tip good service.

Accommodation

FAQ

FAQ

Best season
The best season to visit Albania is during Spring, April to June, and Autumn, September to December. During these seasons temperatures range between 10 °C and 25°C, which allows you to enjoy the mountain trails without suffering the summer heat or the colder winters. Also, during Spring and Autumn, you avoid the peak season for tourists, which is from July to August.

Training
The fitter you are, the more you will enjoy the trek. No doubt about that. If you are in good shape, this trek shouldn't be a problem for you. Remember that during these treks in Albania you will be walking many hours in the mountains for several days. If you are worried that it might be too much, you can always train in advance, walking a few hours a day and climbing some stairs. Your guide will be with you at all times and help you if needed, to complete your adventure securely and safely.

Tipping
Tipping is not a must in Albania or the Balkans. However, if you got a good service from your guide and you want to thank him, it will always be much appreciated. How much to tip your guide is up to you. Our recommendation is to tip the tour guide/driver 5 – 6 Euros per day/person as it is an international practice to tip good service.

If you want to get more in-depth information you can check out the following blog posts from Bookatrekking.com about hiking in the Balkans: 

Hiking Albania
Hiking in Croatia
Climb Triglav
Hiking in Montenegro

Packing List

Packing List

For your trek in northern Albania, we recommend you to pack light as you would have to hike for several hours a day. We suggest you take comfortable clothes for the hikes and just enough clothes for the days you are in the Alps. 

Suggested packing list:
- Boots or shoes suited to the terrain
- Rainwear (jacket and pants in case of bad weather)
- Lightweight fleece or jacket for the summer, warm clothes during the winter
- Water container or proper bottle
- Sun protection: sunglasses, sun-protective clothes and sunscreen
- Personal Shampoo (for specific hair type)
- Pain Killer (headache or stomach ache)
- Personal Care Objects
- Camera for the beautiful memories :)

Suitcases/Luggage 
We suggest packing light for the tour. The extra luggage can be stored for free in our office in Tirana, which you can collect on the day you finish the tour. 

Safety

Safety

Safety is of the utmost importance to us. That is why this is an area in which we simply do not compromise when it comes to keeping the cost of our trekkings low. Our guides have been selected on the basis of their technical competence, proven safety performance, impeccable judgment, friendly attitude and ability to provide useful and expert instructions. They are also very professional and well trained in first aid and personal protection equipment.

Choose Balkans

Choose Balkans

“Choose Balkans” is a tourism project specialized in the incoming tourism toward the Western Balkans. Our aim is to support and promote adventure and geo-tourism attractions that characterize the Balkan region.

Since 2009 we have been offering to our western clients (mostly travelers coming from Central and Western Europe) the best flavors of a Balkan experience in cultural, historical and geo-tourism. To achieve our goals we operate with traditional standards and values of the region, including direct customer contact and a high level of personalized customer service.

How to Book

How does it work?

On Bookatrekking.com you can find and compare the adventures of your dreams. Is this trekking adventure your match? In that case you can proceed to booking. At Bookatrekking.com you make a deposit of 15% of the total amount. You pay the remaining amount on location prior to the trek directly to the trekking company.

Bookatrekking.com uses only the safest payment methods. Once your booking has been received, your place is reserved, your place is safe and you can look forward to your chosen trekking.

After you have made your booking, you will receive an e-mail confirmation with all necessary information and the contact details of the trekking company. If you have any questions or if you want to clarify something, you can obtain information directly from the right person. Of course, you can also always ask us your question. Send us an e-mail on support@bookatrekking.com

The trekking company will also receive your details and can therefore always contact you and provide you with extra information.

Cancellation Policy

You wish you didn’t have to, but there is no other way: You find yourself having to cancel your plans. In this case, you lose your deposit, but since you haven’t paid the large sum yet, you at least save that. Please do let us know if you cannot make it. A no-show can be a small disaster for your trekking provider, who did its best to block your dates. View our complete cancellation policy here.