We were concerned about trying to coordinate a hiking trip from Valbona to Theth after trying to secure guest house reservations unsuccessfully on our own and also reading many disaster... read more stories of people unable to get tickets for the Berisha Ferry. Eventually, we decided it made sense to turn to professionals to coordinate and guide us on this adventure. After some research, we settled on Choose Balkans. Our coordinator was Sirma. She organized: Tirana airport pickup, stay at a Choose Balkans apartment in Tirana, pickup the following morning with travel to the Komani Lake Berisha Ferry, Ferry tickets, pickup at end of ferry ride with transfer to Valbona guest house, guest house accommodations in Valbona and Theth, transport from Theth to Durres rather than Tirana and a guide. Sirma organized everything perfectly and the entire adventure went off without a hitch.
Our driver from Tirana to Valbona and from Theth to Durres was Berti. He was fantastic. Even though we don’t speak Albanian and he didn’t speak English, he was eager to tell us about Albania and his life and family and learn about us. Driving in some parts of Albania can be a challenge (traffic in the cities) and Berti was an expert.
Our guide was Gerion (“Geri”). Geri was a joy to be with. He translated our discussions with Berti, was eager to tell us about his own life in Albania, Albanian culture and history. We learned so much about Albania and the Balkans in general. His breadth of knowledge was phenomenal. He was also very patient and accommodating as my husband was much slower than he normally would have been on the hike due to a knee injury he has had for about a year. We completed the hike from Valbona to Theth successfully and without incident——and it was a highlight of our trip to Albania. We also did a short hike to the lock in tower and waterfall in Theth and a short hike in Valbona the evening before the big hike. He simply couldn’t do enough to make our journey enjoyable and comfortable. He introduced me to mountain tea—-my favorite beverage in Albania, next to the delicious wine! Also, all along our journey, we would occasionally run into people having some difficulty (hiking the wrong way, not sure which way to go, unable to communicate with someone, understand something, etc.)—-and Geri was so kind and stepped in to help them.
The guest house accommodations in Valbona and Theth were perfect and beautiful. The stops for food and drink during the car rides and along the hike were excellent.
All along our adventure, Sirma was checking in to make sure we were satisfied and things were going well. We’ve traveled all around the world and have not had a tour operator as professional and organized and communicative as Choose Balkans and Sirma. Most tour companies are happy to take your money and hope you enjoy the journey, but Choose Balkans is interested in making absolutely sure that every step of your journey meets your expectations and that you are enjoying your time in Albania (or any or the other Balkan countries where they operate).
Thank you, Choose Balkans!
Jen and John B.
