3-Day Hiking Tour: Theth, Valbona & Koman Lake from Tirana

Trek the Valbona Pass and boat through Koman Lake in three days of remote mountain hiking

A 3-day semi-private hiking tour from Tirana combining trekking in Theth National Park, a high-altitude crossing of Valbona Pass, and a boat journey through Koman Lake in the Albanian Alps. You hike to the Blue Eye spring, trek between valleys at elevation, and travel by water through gorges and past waterfalls, staying in traditional guesthouses and guided throughout by an English-speaking leader.

Step-by-step itinerary

Day 1: Tirana/Shkoder to Theth and Blue Eye

• Pick up from hotel in Tirana or Shkoder
• Drive towards Albanian Alps through scenic landscapes
• Pass rural area with medicinal herbs and lavender fields
• Stop at Qafa e Thores viewpoint
• Hike to Blue Eye natural spring
• Return to Theth village center
• Visit Old Church and Lock-in Tower
• Overnight in traditional guesthouse in Theth

Day 2: Theth to Valbona Pass and Valley

• Trek from Theth to Valbona Pass
• Enjoy views from Valbona Pass
• Descend to Valbona Valley village
• Walk to traditional guesthouse
• Overnight in guesthouse in Valbona

Day 3: Valbona to Komani Lake and Return

• Boat ride through Komani Lake
• Experience local transport over bumpy roads
• Drive back to Shkoder or Tirana

The experience

The tour starts at 6 am with pickup from your hotel in Tirana or Shkoder, then drives north through wild fields and past Shkodra Lake toward Theth. Once the road turns rural, the landscape shifts to steep mountains and (if you travel in May or June), lavender fields that stretch across the hillside. The drive climbs to Qafa e Thores at 1,700 meters, a viewpoint locals say offers the best photograph of the Albanian Alps, before you reach Theth village for the night.

Day two is the physical centerpiece: a trek from Theth to Valbona Pass that takes 6 to 8 hours and climbs 1,050 meters through remote terrain. The hike crosses into Valbona Valley, a village ringed by high peaks, where you sleep in a traditional guesthouse. On the first day, you also have the option to hike to the Blue Eye, a spring formed by snowmelt from the Alps: a 6-hour loop of 18 kilometers with 700 meters of elevation gain, or a shorter 1-hour version if you arrange local transport from the village.

The final day puts you on a boat through Koman Lake, a journey Bradt Travel Guides describes as one of the world's greatest boat trips. The water winds through gorges and past waterfalls, with views of the Alps, rural villages and wild forest on both sides. After the boat reaches Komani Dam, you travel by local transport over rough roads to Vau i Dejes Lake, then return to Shkoder or Tirana by evening. Throughout the three days, a professional English-speaking guide leads the group, and all transport, accommodation with breakfast, and boat tickets are included in the price.

What’s included

• Hotel pickup and drop-off in Shkoder or Tirana.
• professional English-speaking tour leader.
• all transport from Tirana or Shkoder to Theth, between Valbona and Fierza, and from Komani Lake back to the city.
• boat ticket through Koman Lake.
• accommodation and breakfast in traditional guesthouses for three nights.
• road taxes, tourist taxes and petrol.

Options for this experience

2 options

Small Group TourGuide in English · Available from 1 Jun 2027Pickup is included in the small group tour

Private TourGuide in English · Available from 1 Jun 2027Private tour, pickup is included

You'll see the exact price of each option when you check availability.See dates and prices

Before you book

Days and timesNext departure: 1 Jun 2027

Book up to2d before

AgesAdult (12 to 90 years) · Under 12: can't be booked

GroupUp to 10

Live guideEnglish

Meeting point and pickupHotel pickup is optional; you can also go straight to the meeting point. Ends back at the starting point.

Cancellation and refundsNo refund if you cancel.

Prices and times updated yesterday

Good to know

Moderate physical effort

Operated by Choose Balkans

Is this one for you?Choose the private tour option if you want to set your own pace and travel with only your group. The small group tour suits travelers who prefer to share costs and meet other hikers. Either way, the 6- to 8-hour trek on day two is the physical core of the trip, so come with moderate fitness and some hiking experience to get the most from the Valbona Pass crossing.

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Top questions

How difficult is the hike from Theth to Valbona Pass?

The trek takes 6 to 8 hours and climbs 1,050 meters through remote, steep terrain, so it requires moderate to good physical fitness and some hiking experience. The operator recommends a minimum age of 12 and advises packing light since you carry your belongings the entire way.

What is the Blue Eye and do I have to hike to it?

The Blue Eye is a spring formed by snowmelt from the Albanian Alps, known for its bright blue and green water and a temperature around 5 degrees Celsius. The hike from Theth village is about 3 hours one way (18 kilometers round trip with 700 meters of elevation gain), but you can arrange local transport to shorten it to roughly 1 hour each way for a small extra fee.

What does the Koman Lake boat journey include?

The boat travels through a lake surrounded by gorges, waterfalls, rural villages and wild forest in the heart of the Albanian Alps. The journey is included in the tour price and ends at Komani Dam, where you then travel by local transport over rough roads before returning to Shkoder or Tirana.

Are meals included in the tour price?

Breakfast and accommodation in traditional guesthouses are included for all three nights, but lunches and dinners are not. You'll need to budget for meals in the villages and bring snacks for the hiking days.

Can I book this as a private tour or do I have to join a group?

You can choose between a private tour for your party or a small group tour with other travelers. Both options follow the same itinerary and include the same guide, transport and accommodation.