from 400.00€
Book Now

Self-Guided Hiking Tour: Theth, Valbona & Koman Lake in 5 days

Not Rated

Duration

5 DAYS

Tour Type

Daily Tour

Group Size

8 people

Languages

___

Overview

Number of PersonsPrice / Person
Group 8+ pax400 €
Group 2-7 pax500€
Solo Traveler700 €

This self-guided tour program is specially designed for travellers who wish to explore Albania independently however in a professionally organized way. By choosing this tour you will save money, time and enjoy the freedom of traveling on your own. Choose Balkans Team will apply its professionalism and knowhow in assisting you prior, during and after the tour. Once you book the tour our team will provide you all the details you need to know for this self-guided tour.

Important Information

* All participants are responsible for having their own health/travel insurance.

* This tour requires some hiking experience and good physical condition.

* This tour departs early in the morning; thus, we would recommend you to eat breakfast before the tour departure or to take some food with you.

* Blue eye: elevation up to 789 m, hiking 3-4 hours one way.

* Grunas Waterfall: elevation up to 270m, hiking 1 hour one way.

* Valbona Pass: elevation up to 1050m, hiking 6 to 8 hours.

* Piramida 18: Elevation up to 1706 m, hiking 4 hours one way.

* The accommodation is based in traditional and simple homestay/guesthouse/lodge- style with basic bathroom amenities. Each room typically accommodates two to five travelers, and it might be necessary for male and female groups to share a room, unless you book a private room. Private rooms are possible on 40 Euros extra charge per night per room based on availability.

* Each accommodation offers a selection of limited food options available to pack before embarking on the next hike. These options include bread, cheese, yogurt, meat, vegetables, and honey. For each meal you can pay in cash at the guest house directly (please make sure to have cash with you as the credit/debit card payments are not possible in the Alps). One meal cost about 12 -15 euros

* Suitable age 12+.

* The company reserves the right to run this tour under the same conditions with the inverse itinerary.

* 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.

* 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.

* 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.

* 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.

* On request this tour may also depart from other cities of Albania or neighbouring countries such as Kosovo, Montenegro or N. Macedonia. Please contact us for more information on the extra costs.

* Please note that Choose Balkans needs to receive the net (full) quoted amount. Transaction and payment fees are on the sender (you in this case). We will notify you with a print screen of the amount received at our account as soon as we receive your down payment.

* Please note that Credit/Debit card payments are possible at our office in Tirana and apply a 5% bank commission.

* If you confirm to book this tour or any other service offered by Choose Balkans, via Choose Balkans official channels; email/facebook/whatsapp/phonecall or any other form of communication it means that you have read and agreed to the terms &conditions.

https://choosebalkans.com/terms-conditions-tours/

View More

HIGHLIGHTS

  • Boge Village
  • Qafa e Thores
  • Theth National Park
  • Blue Eye of Theth
  • The Old Church in Theth
  • “Lock in” Tower in Theth
  • Grunasi Waterfall of Theth
  • Valbona Valley National Park
  • Piramida 18
  • Komani Lake
  • Komani Dam
  • Vau i Dejes Lake

Itinerary

Day 1 Tirana / Shkodra – Theth – Blue Eye – Theth
Day 1 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.

Day 2 Theth – Grunas Waterfall – Theth
Day 2 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.

Day 3 Theth National Park – Valbona Pass – Valbona Valley National Park
Day 3 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.

Day 4 Valbona Valley – “Primaida 18” – Valbona Valley
Day 4 Valbona Valley – “Primaida 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.

Day 5 Valbona Valley - Komani Lake – Shkoder or Tirana
Day 5 Valbona Valley - Komani Lake – Shkoder or Tirana

Waking up with such a magnificent view of the Albanian Alps will make you want to stay longer, however, you will get on a 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 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.

Included/Excluded

  • Breakfast included for all overnights
  • Accommodation for 4 nights in traditional and simple homestay/guesthouse/ with basic bathroom amenities
  • Local transport provided by the company from Tirana or Shkoder to Theth
  • Local transport for bumpy road from Valbona to Fierza
  • Boat ticket Fierza Dam to Komani Lake
  • 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
  • Choose Balkans Assistance
  • All needed instructions and coordination about this tour
  • Tourist taxes
  • Lunches, Dinners, Drinks & Snacks
  • One meal cost about 12 -15 Euros
  • Tour Leader
  • Souvenirs
  • Personal spending
  • Everything that is not mentioned in the included

Epic journeys

BB for all overnights
Choose Balkans Assistance
Tourists taxes

Tour's Location

from 400.00€

Inquiry

Organized by

Choose Balkans

Member Since 2020

Information Contact

Email

[email protected]

Website

https://choosebalkans.com

Phone

+355684400400

You might also like

× How can I help you?