Go TourAlbaniaBook Now

Theth & Valbona 2-Day Tour

Want to walk from one valley to the other? See the 3-day trek over the Valbona Pass →

5.063 Google reviewsStarts and ends in Tirana or Shkodra

The three-day trek over the Valbona Pass is the classic way to see the Albanian Alps, and it asks for a long, hard mountain day in the middle. This version sees both valleys without it. You drive into Theth, walk there, sleep there, and reach Valbona the next day by road and ferry instead of on foot over the top.

Itinerary

For reference only. Itineraries are subject to change.

  1. Day 1

    Tirana or Shkodra → Theth

    Over the pass into Theth by late morning. Village walk, then the Blue Eye hike up the Nderlysa valley (about four hours return) or the shorter Grunas waterfall. Guesthouse dinner and night.

  2. Day 2

    Valbona → Komani ferry → home

    Early drive round to Valbona and a two-hour walk up the riverbed. Lunch in the valley, then down to Fierza for the afternoon Komani ferry. Back in Shkodra around 19:00, Tirana around 21:00.

Experience & Highlights

  • A night in a Theth guesthouse, dinner and breakfast included
  • The Blue Eye of Theth and the Grunas waterfall
  • The lock-in tower and Theth church
  • A morning walk in the Valbona valley
  • The Komani ferry home through the gorge

Full Description

Day one gives Theth the time a day trip cannot: the village, the church, the lock-in tower, and the walk up the Nderlysa valley to the Blue Eye of Theth, a cold turquoise pool under a small waterfall. Dinner and the night are in a family guesthouse, and the food is usually the best thing on the trip.

Day two goes round to the other side of the range and into Valbona, the wide pale valley with the highest peaks, for a morning walk up the riverbed. Then the Komani ferry through the gorge and back to Tirana or Shkodra in the evening.

What's included

  • All transport including the Komani ferry
  • 1 night in a family guesthouse (dinner and breakfast)
  • English-speaking mountain guide both days
  • Lunch in Valbona on day two

Not included

  • Lunch on day one (packed lunch from the guesthouse, about €5)
  • Travel insurance
  • Drinks with dinner

Good to know

  • Moderate fitness is enough. The longest walk is the Blue Eye option, about four hours on rough ground, and there is an easier alternative.
  • Guesthouses are simple and clean; some rooms share a bathroom. Tell us if you need a private one.
  • Runs mid-May to mid-October, when the Theth road and the ferry both operate.
  • Bring layers and a waterproof. Mountain weather changes fast even in August.

Good questions, honest answers

What is the difference from the 3-day Theth to Valbona trek?

The 3-day trip walks over the Valbona Pass, a hard six to eight hour mountain day. This one sees both valleys and connects them by road and ferry, so the walking stays moderate. If you want the pass, take the three days. If you want the valleys without the climb, take this.

Is one night in Theth enough?

For the village, the church, the lock-in tower and one good walk, yes. It is the difference between seeing Theth and rushing through it on a day trip. With more time, a second night lets you walk further up the valleys.

What are the guesthouses like?

Family houses, simple and clean, with home-cooked dinner and breakfast. Some rooms have their own bathroom and some share. The food is usually what people remember most.

Plan the rest of your trip

You might also like

Theth & Valbona: 3-Day Albanian Alps EscapeAdventure

Starts and ends in Tirana or Shkodra

Theth & Valbona: 3-Day Albanian Alps Escape

The classic Theth-to-Valbona crossing of the Accursed Mountains, with guesthouse nights, home-cooked dinners and the Komani Lake ferry, fully organised.

3 days
From€269
Komani Lake & Shala River Day TripNature

Day trip from Tirana, Durrës or Shkodra

Komani Lake & Shala River Day Trip

The ferry up the flooded Drin gorge, then a speedboat into the Shala, a river cold and clear enough to see the bed at three metres. A long, very good day.

Full day
From€39
Komani Lake & Shala River Trip from ShkodraNature

Day trip from Shkodra

Komani Lake & Shala River Trip from Shkodra

The same gorge ferry and the same cold green river, minus four hours of driving. The version to take if you are already in the north.

Full day
From€35

€189 / person

5.0 (63)

Check Availability
Chat with us