Accommodation

Accommodation for 5 nights in traditional and simple homestay/guesthouse/ with basic bathroom amenities

Meals

Breakfast included for all overnights

Transport

Local transport provided by the company from Tirana or Shkoder to Theth (making your way to a specified pick up point) Local transport for bumpy road from Valbona to Fierza Boat ticket Fierza Dam to Komani Lake Boat ticket from Komani Lake to Shala river and back Local transport for bumpy road from Komani Lake to Vau i Dejes or Shkoder Transport provided by the company from Vau i Dejes to Tirana

Not included:

Others

Lunches, Dinners, Drinks & Snacks One meal cost about 12 -15 Euros Souvenirs Personal spending Everything that is not mentioned in the included

Optional

Mule or horse caravan, to carry heavy luggage from Theth to Valbona, is available on request with an extra charge of 100 Euros per horse/mule. A horse can carry between 30 – 35 kg. Choose Balkans reserves the rights to add other participants in and during the tour program. If you are interested in a private tour, please contact us for a quotation Tour’s schedule or itinerary may be affected/adopted due to; weather, Acts of God, labour strikes, bank holidays, site temporary closure/renovation or other external forces outside the Company’s control.

Guide

Flights

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Day 1 Tirana / Shkodra – Theth – Blue Eye – Theth.
12:00 am - 11:59 pm

Tirana / Shkodra – Theth – Blue Eye – Theth.

This tour departs very early in the morning from Tirana or Shkodra. As you drive along the way towards Northern Albania, you will be amazed by beautiful landscapes; wild fields, rivers, Shkodra Lake and rugged untouched mountains. From Shkoder we will experience local transport riding at around 7:30 am. As you take the turn from the main road to Theth the area becomes more rural, with fewer cars but more wild nature and amazing landscapes. Due to its favorable position this area is famous for cultivating medicinal herbs, and if you are lucky to travel in May – June you would be amazed by the pretty and aromatic fields of lavender, making you feel like you are in Provence (France). On the way to the top, you will pass through a steep sneaky hillside reaching up to 1700 meters above sea level at Qafa e Thores. They say this is the spot with the best picture – perfect view of the Albanian Alps.

Have a short break for refreshment and start your hiking journey towards the Blue Eye at around mid-day. Blue Eye was formed by the erosion of the water from the melting snow of the Albanian Alps. The hike is about 3 hours one way, with a hiking distance of 6.2 km both ways and about 700 m of elevation. This trail is considered easy to moderate, requiring some experience in hiking. You will not be able to take your eyes off this stunning scene of nature with its bright blue and green colours, it’s like being inside a postcard. Also, fun fact, the temperature of the Blue Eye is just around 5 degrees Celsius. Would you dare to dive in the blue but very cold water? After the hike go back to the village center and visit the Old Church and the “Lock in” Tower (symbol of Theth). The stories behind these buildings take up centuries full of history. Overnight in a Traditional Guest House in Theth

Blue eye: elevation up to 789 m, hiking 3-4 hours one way.
Day 2 Theth – Grunas Waterfall – Theth
12:00 am - 11:59 pm

Theth – Grunas Waterfall – Theth

After breakfast get ready to hike from Theth to Grunas Waterfall. It takes approximately an hour to get the waterfall from the center of Theth Village. The hike takes you along local villagers daily lives and Kullas (stone houses typical of the Albanian Alps).

Once you reach the waterfall you will be amazed by the curtain of white water coming over the grey rocks as if it were being poured from a bucket that never empties. The water tumbles down the hillside in a series of mini-waterfalls. Grunasi waterfall was declared a natural monument since 2002. Take some time to soak in the picturesque landscape of the Albanian Alps. At around midday get back to Theth. Free afternoon to explore the National Park on your own. Overnight in Theth.

Grunas Waterfall: elevation up to 270m, hiking 1 hour one way.
Day 3 Theth National Park – Valbona Pass – Valbona Valley National Park
12:00 am - 11:59 pm

Theth National Park – Valbona Pass – Valbona Valley National Park

Get ready for the highlight of this trip. Trekking from Theth to Valbona will 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 offers a spectacular view of the Peaks of the Balkans and “Accursed Mountains”. When reaching the top of the Valbona Pass, you will experience a serious shot of adrenaline. From here you will be able to see at both sides of the valleys. This top viewpoint is perfect for a short break and the possibility to capture amazing pictures of the Albanian Alps.

From Valbona Pass, star your decent to the next destination, Valbona Valley, another picturesque village surrounded by high mountains. After reaching the village, we will walk towards the traditional guesthouse. Overnight in Valbona.

Valbona Pass: elevation up to 1050m, hiking 6 to 8 hours.
Day 4 Valbona Valley – “Piramida 18” – Valbona Valley
12:00 am - 11:59 pm

Valbona Valley – “Piramida 18” – Valbona Valley

The hiking tour of the Albanian Alps gets more intense during this day, however filled with exciting challenges and breathtaking scenery. The hiking objective is "Piramida 18", offering one of the most beautiful views and is located on the Montenegrin–Albanian border.

“Piramida 18” stands 2000m above sea level, with a total of 15 km hike both ways. To reach the pass takes around 4h from Vabona Valley National Park and we pass through Kukaj. The view offers a 360° spectacular panorama of the wild nature of Accursed Mountains. Enjoy a picnic lunch from this breath-taking corner of the world. Take some time to rest and recharge on the middle of the Alps before starting your descent back to Valbona Valley. Overnight in a guesthouse in Valbona.

Piramida 18: Elevation up to 1176 m, hiking 4 hours one way.
Day 5 Valbona Valley – Komani Lake – Shala River – Rural Village
12:00 am - 11:59 pm

Valbona Valley – Komani Lake – Shala River – Rural Village

Waking up with such a magnificent view of the Albanian Alps will make you want to stay longer, however, you will get on the boat that will take us through Komani Lake offering spectacular views of the Albanian Alps, waterfalls, rural villages and wild forests. It is considered by many as an exotic experience combined with the unmatched hospitality of the locals. Once arriving in the Komani dam you will get on a local boat (this destination is only reachable by boat) that will take us to Shala River. A place this spectacular can’t stay a secret for long. Shala River has its springs from melting snow of the Albanian Alps. This explains the clarity of its waters that create a vivid palette of colors while running through the wild mountains. Last but not least, if you are brave enough, don’t forget to bring your swimsuits as some of us will dare to swim in this paradise so-called the Albanian Thailand. Overnight in a traditional guesthouse by Komani Lake in a small rural village.
Day 6 Komani Lake – Shkoder / Tirana
12:00 am - 11:59 pm

Komani Lake – Shkoder / Tirana

Waking up by the shore of the lake and enjoy a tasty breakfast. Later during the day, you get back on the boat to Komani Dam, following the same adventures root through the Albanian Alps.

Once arriving in the Komani dam you will experience local transport over bumpy roads, however offering spectacular views of Vau i Dejes Lake. Returning back to the modern and dynamic city of Shkoder or Tirana after an unforgettable experience marks the end of this self-guided tour. You will return home full of the wonders of Albania, with a new sense of self-excitement to share with those around you.

6 days tour

Self-Guided: Hiking Tour Of Theth, Valbona Valley & Koman La

This tour includes:

Not included:

Start planning your experience

Itinerary of your trip Self-Guided: Hiking Tour Of Theth, Valbona Valley & Koman La

Tirana / Shkodra – Theth – Blue Eye – Theth.

Theth – Grunas Waterfall – Theth

Theth National Park – Valbona Pass – Valbona Valley National Park

Valbona Valley – “Piramida 18” – Valbona Valley

Valbona Valley – Komani Lake – Shala River – Rural Village

Komani Lake – Shkoder / Tirana

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