This active 5-day tour of Valbona and Theth in the heart of the Albanian Alps and the so-called ‘accursed mountains’ takes you to Lake Koman, Valbona Valley and Theth village, and is a great combination of stunning nature, warm Albanian hospitality, and the mystic traditions and folklore of this region.

   Andi & Cindi were great at communicating before we had even arrived and came to meet us outside. They were great hosts from start to finish.   The cooking... read more class was fun, informative, relaxed and just a brilliant way to spend the afternoon. The food and...More
TravellingGreg1
November 30, 2019 
   Great trip. Was able to bring along 2 friends from Tirana whom had never been to Montenegro. Was excited to see they also were happy with the tour. Great guides.... read more Nice stops along the way to break up the day. Great views and walks. Will use again on next visit to Tirana. Thanks for a great day.
BHeadley
May 11, 2021 
   I found GoAsLocal on the internet and communicated with Andi about a private 8 day tour of Albania, North Macedonia and Kosovo.  He set everything up for a private... read more tour at a reasonable price.  Over the course of the next 8 days, I enjoyed an interesting cultural and historical tour of this part of the lower 
 Balkans new to me. 
 
 I would call this a "survey" trip through Tirana, Durres, Berat, Apollonia, Gjirokaster, Pogradec, Ohrid, Sklopje, Pristina, Pritren and places in between.  You could easily spend a month in depth in this area.  Andi was my initial guide but Skerdi was the Man for most of the trip and educated me about all of the nuances and issues in the various locations.  All the accomodations were 4 star modern and conveniently located; Andi included a couple of guest houses with modern conveniences and the opportunity to speak with the hosts - and drink their raki.  The food was excellent; the prices for everything were extremely modest by Western Europe standards ( won't last ) and the people friendly.
 
 Thanks to Andi, Skerdi and the GoAsLocal crew, this trip turned out to be everything and more than I could have anticipated.  I will be back.   I recommend these folks without reservation.
TruthTraveler
October 22, 2022 

“

I think no place where human beings live has given me such an impression of majestic isolation from the entire world. It is a spot where the centuries shrivel; the river might be the world’s well-spring, its banks the fit home of elemental instincts–passions that are red and rapid.’

Edith DurhamEnglish traveler, and writer on the Balkans visited the area in 1908

Tour Details

With the magnificent mountain scenery as your backdrop, you’ll be kayaking on Lake Koman and do one of the most panoramic hikes in northern Albania on a historic trail from Valbona to Theth, a path that has been used for centuries for trade and exchanging goods.

To add to your authentic experience of Albania, you stay at traditional, family based guesthouses where you usually get welcomed not as a customer, but rather as a family guest.

Departure & Return Location

Hotel Pick Up in Tirana

Pick up in other cities upon request

Departure Time

05:10 am

Price Includes

4 Breakfasts, 4 Lunches, 4 Dinners for all overnights
4 nights of accommodation in guesthouses (Koman Lake, Valbona & Theth)
Professional Tour Guide
Ferry Tickets & Kayaking
All transportation

Price Excludes

Last lunch in Shkoder
Snacks and Drinks
Horse caravan of request - 50 euro / horse
Any Private Expenses

Complementaries

Hiking Shoes, Hat, Comfortable Clothes
Suitable Clothes for kayaking (swimsuit)
For a private double room there is a 10 euro / person /night extra charge
For a private single room there is a 20 euro / night extra charge

What to Expect

This 5 Day Tour of Koman Lake, Valbona, and Theth is an intensive tour, a program for participants with a good level of fitness.

The first day is mainly based on driving, sailing, and kayaking on the Koman Lake, exploring some of the most intriguing parts of the lake and its canyons.

The next day is dedicated to exploring the village of Valbona and the Valley. We will be surrounded by amazing nature and will be introduced to the local lifestyle.

The Big Hike of the third day has a maximum distance of 20 Km with a maximum elevation of 1000 meters. Several Stops in rural bars before and after the peak.

Visit of the natural fountain, Blue Eye on a day trip from the guesthouse.

An exploration of Theth village on the fifth day, including also a brief visit to Shkodra.

The Bags / Luggage Situation

We highly recommend packing only the most necessary items on a backpack that you will need to carry and leaving the rest of the bags either with us or at the Hotel. We can safely store it for you and deliver it back in Tirana or Shkoder. Please inform us ahead if you will need to leave bags with us.

Itinerary

Day 1Tirana - Koman Lake

Be ready for an early start as we leave Tirana at 05:00 to drive toward Lake Koman to catch a ferry that departs at 09:00 to the other side of the lake, Fierza. After reaching Berisha village, our base for the night, we head out on Lake Koman on kayaks with a dramatic backdrop scenery of densely forested hills, vertical slopes, and deep gorges. We’ll be back at the guesthouse around 13:00 for lunch, after which you have free time for some more kayaking on this stunning lake. Dinner and overnight in Berisha.

Day 2Berishe - Valbone

Heading back the same way we came, we catch a bus and a ferry at 10:20 to the other dock of the lake. The drive from Fierza to Valbona takes around 45 min passing through the town of Bajram Curri, the gateway to Valbona Valley. After a lunch break in Valbona, we gear up for a little hiking trip in Kukaj. The hike to this very remote area in Valbona Valley where it’s still all about self-sufficient living takes about 1-2 hours and is a great warm-up for the big hike tomorrow. Dinner and overnight in Valbona.

Day 3Valbona - Theth

Today, on the so-called Big Day of the tour, we set off on the thrilling hike from Valbona to Theth following the ancient path that the locals have been using for years. Back then, it was only possible to travel from Valbona to Shkoder on foot taking two full days of walking! Walking on this path we will 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 20-km trek offers spectacular views of long rocky valleys and lush green forests. We stop for lunch at one of the traditional cafés along the way but do stock up on snacks just in case. After trekking for about 7-8 hours we arrive in Theth, which will for sure amaze us with its unique nature, history, and traditions including the village’s symbol, the Lock-In Tower.
Overnight and dinner at the guesthouse in Theth.

Day 4Theth – “Blue Eye”

Situated around 10 km from the center of Theth, this natural water pool is the main destination of the fourth day. With a depth of 5 m and icy waters (5°C) the Blue Eye is formed by the erosion of rock by the water that descends from the mountains. Picnic lunch at the Blue Eye and return to the guesthouse in Theth in the afternoon.

Day 5Theth - Tirana

After breakfast at the guesthouse, the beautiful Gurnas waterfall, located around a 45-min walk from the center of the village, is our last stop before leaving Theth behind. It’s about a 3-hour drive to Shkoder with a lunch stop on the way. You will have free time to explore Shkoder before hopping on our private and comfortable transport to journey onwards to Tirana where the tour ends in the evening.

Photos

The Water Situation

Along the trip, we will have access to fresh spring water. If you know from the past that you have a sensitive stomach we recommend bringing bottled water to avoid any Upset Stomach symptoms. If you have a history of that, bringing some medicine might come in handy.

Feel free to ask the guide where you can buy bottled water.

Accomodation in Valbona and Theth

Accomodation

Fancy, woden cabins with a fantastic view

Accommodation in Valbona

Located in the center of Valbona this complex of wooden cabins provides one of the most comfortable stays in Valbona. In addition, a restaurant on-site, specializing in Traditional Cuisine will make your stay unforgettable.

Comfortable stay in a Typical House of the North

Traditional Guesthouse in Theth

What started with the Old house of the family is now one of the best guesthouses in Theth. In addition, comfortable, clean rooms and delicious, local food cooked by the family will be the best combination with the epicness of the village.

Cancelation Policy

Tour of Koman Lake, Valbona and Theth in 5 Days

Why Book With Us?