Komani Lake, Valbona & Theth: 3-Day Tour, All Included
Overview
€364 per person · 3 days · departs from Shkodër or Tirana or Tirana Airport
Three days that cross the Albanian Alps the way they are meant to be crossed: by boat up Lake Koman, on foot from Valbona over the pass to Theth, and down to the Grunas waterfall before the road back to Shkodër or Tirana. Guide, transfers, two nights and meals are included in the price.
Tour facts
Highlights
- The boat on Lake Koman, a reservoir on the Drin between vertical canyon walls
- The Valbona Pass at 1,795 m, walked from Rragam down to Theth
- Theth National Park: a Catholic church and one of the last lock-in towers
- The Grunas waterfall on the last morning, about 45 minutes on foot
- A night at each end of the crossing, in Valbona and in Theth
Day one starts early, 5:30 am from Tirana or 7:00 from Shkodër, for the transfer to Koman and the boat up the lake, a reservoir on the Drin river between near-vertical canyon walls, until we reach Fierzë. Minibuses wait there for the drive to Valbona, where the first night is spent.
Day two is the crossing. An off-road vehicle shortens the start, about twenty minutes to Rragam, then the trail climbs to the Valbona Pass at 1,795 metres and drops into Theth, around six hours of walking with stops for photos, lunch and drinks. Theth sits at 750 metres, a village of stone houses with its church and one of the last lock-in towers; the Blue Eye of Theth is an optional extension for those with legs left. Day three is a 45-minute walk to the Grunas waterfall, then the minivan over the Thore Pass to Shkodër, where lunch is included, and on to Tirana for those who started there. Accommodation, meals, all transfers including the boat and the guide are in the price.
This guided tour includes the hike from Valbona to Theth with a professional guide, so travellers should be active and in good health. The hike is not technical and is manageable for active people in good health; the total distance is about 14 km, with 700 m of ascent and 1,000 m of descent.
Itinerary
5:30 am start from Tirana and 7:00 am start from Shkodër. Transfer to Koman and enjoy a scenic riverboat on Komani Lake until we reach Fierze. On arrival our minibuses will send us to Valbona, traditional dinner. Overnight in Valbona
Overnight in valbona
After a traditional breakfast we will take the off-road jeep/van until Rragam for around 20 minutes. Start the hike towards Valbona Pass and Theth, stop along the way for photos, lunch, drinks. Hiking time 6 hours. Arrival in Theth (Theth National Park), optional to continue toward Blue Eye. Overnight in Theth.
Overnight in theth
Breakfast, hike for around 45 minutes to Theth Waterfall, return to hotel and get ready to take the minivan to Shkoder or Tirana. Lunch in Shkoder included. End of tour.
What's included
- Accommodation for 2 nights in Twin Room
- 2 Breakfasts
- 3 Lunches
- 2 Dinners
- All Transfers including the boat trip on Komani Lake
- English speaking Guide
Not included
- Drinks
- Tips
Good to know
Photos from this tour
Questions travelers ask
How hard is the hike from Valbona to Theth?
About six hours on the trail, with the pass at 1,795 metres; an off-road transfer to Rragam removes the first stretch. Walked in this direction, from Valbona, it is the easier way round. It needs proper shoes and a reasonable level of fitness, not mountaineering experience.
What is included in the price?
The two nights in Valbona and Theth, the meals, every transfer including the Koman boat and the off-road vehicles, and the guide for all three days.
Where and when does it start?
At 5:30 from Tirana or 7:00 from Shkodër, early enough to reach the boat at Koman.
When does this tour run?
The boat season on Lake Koman is May to October; the ferry does not run in winter.
What is the Valbona Pass?
The saddle at 1,795 metres between the Valbona and Theth valleys, the only way to cross between the two villages on foot; by car the detour takes most of a day.
