"We booked the 3 day tour from Shkodra to Valbona and Teth in September/October.
All in all it was an awesome experience, we would recommend it right away.

Organization:
The communication in advance was a bit scarce and we weren’t sure how our luggage would be taken care of until we were at the ferry.
There they took care of it and all was ok.
Organization during the tour was excellent because our guide Bessi was exceptionally committed and just as helpful.

Accommodation:
The arranged accommodations were convenient and as comfortable as it can be in the Albanian alps and its infrastructure. For one night each accommodation was very ok.

Provisions:
It was taken care of very thoroughly. Each day we were provided breakfast, lunch and dinner (all included!) .It was either provided by the accommodations (2 guesthouses) or by visiting a restaurant. On the last day we had a nice lunch in a very fancy restaurant.

The experience was exceptional. The price for all that was very fair especially compared to similar tours. We had a very good time and highly recommend the tour."

Thomas P.

"My husband and I deeply enjoyed a three day tour of Komani Lake, Valbona, and Theth. We’d never been hiking before and certainly felt that we were in good hands with our tour guides Luisa and Gjin.

We started the tour in Tirana bright and early and continued on to Komani Lake where we enjoyed some raki, which provided us the gumption for the zip line and kayaking. The views along the way in the ferry are really incredible.

Then we continued on to Valbona and enjoyed a nice evening stroll in the mountains and learned about the bunkers and some of the history of Albania.

After that we returned to the guesthouse where we enjoyed an incredible meal of bryek, chicken, salad, and pasta.

The accommodations were quaint but comfortable.

The next day we hiked the Valbona River Valley 8 km. Luisia paced the hike according to the needs of the group. There is a horse available to carry packs if one is unable. As a first time hiker in relatively good physical condition, I found it the appropriate challenge, but one should be aware of the steepness of the mountain and good hiking shoes are a must.

There are some pit stops along the way to enjoy some mountain tea with homemade honey or coffee, fli (a local dish with phyllo dough and can be made sweet or savory).

After the long hike there is some travel by mini bus and then a shorter hike to the Blue Eye (a beautiful waterfall and spring). Though the water is freezing, it’s worth a dip for the experience.

From there it’s another mini bus ride to the guesthouse in Theth. It’s breathtakingly scenic. There is a small church near the guesthouse and the mountains form the backdrop.

The guesthouse owner is very hospitable.

The final day is a shorter hike to a waterfall, a tower with a unique story of the former legal system in the mountains, and a lunch and return to Skoder.

All in all, our particular group of individuals from various countries approached the tour with positivity and good vibes, and it made everyone to have a great time. I encourage you to book this tour and approach with a similar open-mindedness.

The only thing I would offer as a suggestion based on my personal preferences would be for a bit more of the Albanian history to be told along the way in the ferry or mini bus rides. While of course it’s impossible to cover everything, I think a bit more about the customs and history could be included. I personally asked these questions which were readily answered but it’s nice to hear for everyone because it’s a story that is worth knowing for everyone.

The organization and behind the scenes work of coordinating the various pick ups and arrangements is totally seamless. I never felt rushed or pulled, nor did I feel waiting away. This is truly an art. I’ve been on various tours where the guides are bored or rushing or you feel the stress of the coordination of details. I never felt that. Our guides made us feel relaxed and set the group dynamics. 3 days may seem short but we all really bonded in a way that you have to experience to understand.

Take the trip! It’s affordable and worth it. Even if you are a solo traveler, you will have an excellent time.

If you are interested in a short intro guide to modern Albania history, and are an English reader, I would suggest reading Formation of the Albanian National Consciousness by A.K. Backrob before or after your trip. It’s a concise read and provides some context to the development of the modern state of Albania.

I hope to return to do this tour tour again and to see my friends Luisia and Gjin!"

Anne Hasa

"The Komani lake is utterly beautiful. Can't describe the views and scenery. Really peaceful and only a few boats, not very tourstic yet. The stories about waste are really getting to much attention. Yes there is some plastic in the lake but not extreme. It does not influence the experience at all, it is the country getting more touristic and the tourists being stupid to lose a bottle of water or chips due to the wind or an accident. But it is certainly not so bad as written in some reviews. The ferry boat was full of people and some cars but there is always a spot for you to sit. We went on a return trip with a 1 hour break at the 'other' side. The other side was pretty boring with only a small stop where you can buy some drinks or some food. In general this side is used a a hub to continue to Theth or Valbony. To get to the start of the trip we have used Bersha tours as well, which was good decision. Now we could enjoy the 1,5 hour car trip and enjoy the views while our driver took great care of us and drove the difficult roads very safely. Driving yourself is possible, the roads are not very busy however it is bumpy now and then so we were happy to have a van driving us ;)"

Patrick Nijs