The journey itself is almost indescribable; the alpine landscape is dramatic and the turquoise water is hard to believe. Now and again you can spot tiny cottages and farms, which serve as a stark reminder of just how many different ways of life still exist in forgotten corners of Europe like this. The Lake Koman ferry is the epitome of slow travel – you can simply let the scenery change before you as you sail along the lake. It really is pretty magical.
With its dramatic, barren summits and forested vales, glacial springs, and waterfalls, it’s a heavenly place for both humans and animals. In addition to floral diversity, Valbonë Valley is also home to lots of wildlife. This includes brown bears, lynx, chamois, grey wolves, wild goats, and countless bird species.
One of the most famous and beautiful national parks in Albania, Theth National Park, lies in the heart of the Albanian Alps, a veritable outdoor lover’s paradise. It lies in northern Albania, encompassing much of the wonderful Shala Valley, and also features waterfalls, dense woodlands, jagged mountain peaks, rivers, and fascinating rock formations. The park is known for its mythology as the base of 'Kanun' (the laws of the highlands).
Starting in Shkodra at 8:00 in the morning, you will embark on a two-hour vehicle ride up the mountains to Komani. At 10:00, the boat tour begins, giving you the chance to observe wild alpine scenery and relax at the end of the day in a peaceful wooden house by the Shala River. An added bonus is a visit to “Albanian Paradise” Park Blini for food and fun. This is an excellent opportunity to explore Albania’s natural beauty and learn about its rich cultural heritage. Don’t miss out on this amazing experience!
After breakfast served at the guesthouse we take the boat to Firez harbour through Albanian fjords.
Upon arrival, a bus will take you to Valbona Valley, where local folks at the guesthouse will await you with lunch ready. In the afternoon, the nearby mountain river is perfect for swimming, jumping, relaxing, and taking pictures. Following this, traditional foods will be served for dinner, including wine, rakia, and other local drinks.
Day 3
breakfast will be served at the guest house early for a good start to 6 hours of hiking from valbona to theth. But don’t worry, after 3 hours we will reach the peak and have lunch there (which we have to carry up ourselves, but which is prepared by the guesthouse). After the lunch, the hike goes down to theth for 3 hours. Finally arriving in Theth, a local guesthouse awaits you with traditional food after a tired day
Day 4
The nearby waterfall, the ‘blue eye’ canyon, an old church, and the local museum (placed directly on a rock) are interesting spots which we will spend our 4th day with. At the guesthouse we will have dinner, and after dinner gaze into the sky to see falling stars and the milky way (which is amazingly bright given the lack of ‘light pollution’ by cities).
DAY 5 IN THE MORNING WE TAKE THE JEEP BACK TO SHKODER, WE WILL RETURN TO SHKODRA BY NOON
-transport to komani.
-boat tour,
-accommodation in shala river
-food in shala river
-bus to valbona
-lunch at the guesthouse,
-guide around the valley
-dinner, bed, breakfast and picnic lunch in valbona,
-accommodation in theth national Park
-jeep tour to shkoder
5 DAYS
This itinerary outlines a fantastic five-day journey through the stunning landscapes of Albania. On the first day, you’ll have the opportunity to experience Komani Lake and Shala River by taking part in kayaking and boat tours. This trip is perfect for those who want to relax and enjoy the stunning natural views at a leisurely pace, with a difficulty level of just 2 out of 10. Highlights of the trip include Alpine Lake & Views, swimming & fishing, and traditional food.
The second day of the journey takes you to the Valbona Valley National Park, where you’ll go sightseeing and experience some small hikes. This is a perfect opportunity to get up-close and personal with the stunning alpine sceneries & views. You’ll also have the chance to enjoy traditional food and breathtaking mountain views, with a difficulty level of 4 out of 10.
The third day of the journey involves exploring the beauty of the Valbona Valley & Theth National Park through trekking. While the difficulty level is 6-7 out of 10, the highlights of this trip more than make up for the challenge, including stunning alpine sceneries & views, traditional food, and the chance to experience an unforgettable adventure.
On the fourth day, you’ll explore the beauty of Theth National Park through village attractions touring. This tour has a difficulty level of 5 out of 10, and highlights include breathtaking views of the Alpine scenery, traditional food, and the chance to immerse yourself in the local culture.
Finally, on the fifth day of the journey, you’ll transfer from Theth to Shkoder by vehicle, taking in the surrounding scenery one more time before departing. This itinerary provides a perfect opportunity to explore the natural beauty of Albania, relax, and immerse yourself in local culture at leisurely pace.