Albanian Alps Adventure: Koman Lake, Valbona, Theth and Blue Eye

Difficulty

Moderate

Comfort

Basic+

Group size

4-12 tourists,
over 18 y.o.

A ferry cuts through Koman Lake like a narrow blue road between steep mountain walls, leading you deeper into the Albanian Alps. This tour is for travellers who want more than a pretty viewpoint: it takes you into Valbona and Theth, through remote valleys, old stone villages, cold mountain water, and trails once used by locals long before roads connected the region.

The journey starts early from Tirana with a drive to Koman Lake, followed by a ferry ride through Drini Canyon to Fierza. From there, you continue to Valbona, walk in the quiet area of Kukaj, and see a more traditional side of mountain life. The main adventure is the hike from Valbona to Theth, a 16 km trail through rocky valleys, forests, rural cafés, and villages where people still live in century-old stone houses. On the final day, you visit the Blue Eye near Theth, a clear natural pool with icy mountain water, before continuing to Shkoder and returning to Tirana.

You will travel by road and ferry, stay in family-run guesthouses, and enjoy simple local hospitality along the way. This is an active tour for travellers with good fitness and a love for wild landscapes. Join this journey into the Albanian Alps and experience one of the most memorable routes in northern Albania!

Family Tours

Andi M. is the provider of this trip

The provider speaks: English

I really believe I am lucky for being born and living in this attractive country, Albania. Passionate about the wild nature, fascinating history, and mindblowing traditions and local rules, I would be happy to welcome you to Albania and share all this beauty with you and show you around. In the 7 last year I have been exploring my country and working as a tour guide, hotel manager and welcoming service. From all my little experience so far have understood that tourism and promoting my country is something I love and enjoy so I believe I would never get tired of this. Despite my job position, I can not promise you will find me always in the office. I really enjoy guiding and highly participate in Hiking Guides around the Albanian Alps or Peaks of Balkans. Also, we travel quite a lot in cultural sites of Albania and UNESCO sites, so there is a good chance of seeing each other inside a museum, or somewhere in the evening for a Raki! Gezuar! 🙂

Tour highlights

Ferry Through the Mountains

Sail across Koman Lake and Drini Canyon, where steep cliffs, deep water, and remote stone houses shape the journey

The Valbona to Theth Trail

Hike an old mountain path once used by locals, passing rocky valleys, green forests, and wide alpine views

Kukaj Valley Walk

Explore a quiet area near Valbona and see how people live in one of the more remote parts of the valley

Route details

The day starts early with departure from Tirana at 5:30 am. You will drive towards Koman Lake in the Albanian Alps, where the ferry leaves at 9:00 am for Fierza, on the other side of the lake.

Koman Lake has been an important route for local people living in this remote area since 1985. For many of them, it has been the main way to stay connected with the outside world.

The first two hours of the drive are quite smooth, with the sunrise along the way. The last part of the road is more adventurous, with bumpy sections and old asphalt.

The ferry ride takes a little over two hours through Drini Canyon and Koman Lake. This is a quiet and remote area with beautiful mountain views, stone houses, old towers, and small local communities living their daily lives.

After arriving in Fierza, the drive to Valbona takes about 45 minutes, passing through Bajram Curri, the main town of the area.

There will be a lunch break in Valbona. After lunch, you will hike in Kukaj, a remote area near Valbona Valley, where you can see how local people live. Depending on the time and weather, the more adventurous guests may also have the chance to visit a clear natural water pool near the guesthouse for a short swim.

5 more photos

Difficulty

Moderate

Does not require physical training but involves moderate physical activity

Tour provider's comments

This is an intensive tour, a program for participants with a good level of fitness.

The first day is mainly based on driving, sailing, and a warm-up walking to explore the Valbona Valley.

The Big Hike of the second day has a maximum distance of 20 Km with a maximum elevation of 1000 meters.

Accommodation

Comfort

Basic+

Guest House

2 nights

Located in the heart of Valbona, this complex of wooden cabins offers one of the most comfortable stays in the area. There is also an on-site restaurant serving traditional cuisine, making the experience even more enjoyable and authentic.

Tickets to group meeting place

Group meeting place

Tirana

Calculate tour price with tickets from your city

Partnered with

Weather during the tour

Weather conditions along the route

You will get a weather forecast for this tour’s route based on

the forecasts for this season
the statistics from previous years’ trips

Conditions

Included

2 nights of accommodation in guesthouses in valbona and theth;
2 breakfasts, 2 lunches, and 2 dinners;
professional tour guide throughout the trip;
all transportation at the destination;
ferry tickets.

Extras

last lunch in Shkoder;
snacks and drinks;
any private expenses;
hiking poles available for rent for 10 euros;
private room available for 40 euros per person.

It's important to know

Comfortable light & dry-quick clothes
Rain coat depending on weather
Sunscreen and mosquito spray
Good hiking shoes

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.

All travelers will carry their backpacks during the hiking.