This 5-day tour provides a guided trip through northern Albania, including transportation, meals, and accommodation. Day 1 includes a boat ride on Lake Komani and overnight in Valbona Valley. Day 2 features hiking in Valbona Valley and overnight in traditional accommodations. Day 3 involves a mule ride and hike between Valbona and Theth. Day 4 includes time in Theth before traveling to Kruja. Day 5 consists of a morning in Kruja before departing. Prices range from 550€ to 250€ per person depending on group size. The tour offers the opportunity to experience Albanian culture and scenery through guided activities and local accommodations.

1. Five Days in the North: Guided
Tour to a Bit of Everything
This is a nice basic tour with an
English Speaking Guide provided
each day, as well as all transport,
meals & accommodation
included. Along the way, you
take in a bit of culture, quite a bit
of walking, some great
restaurants and experience the
best hotels in the area, as well as
one night in a traditional
mountain farmhouse.

2. Livadhet te Gjarperit Stans
Day 1: Tirana to Valbona, via Lake Komani
Day 2: Valbona Valley, Kukaj
Day 3: Valbona to Theth
Day 4: Theth to Kruja
Day 5: Departure (or onwards)
Pricing:
2-3 people: 550€ per person (to be honest, this was
planned for larger groups, so ask us for specific pricing as
some major costs may not be necessary – like a private
boat!)
4-6 people: 350€ per person
7-10 people: 300€ per person
10-14 people: 250€ per person

3. Komani ReflectionDay 1: Mire se Vini! Pick up from Rinas
airport in Tirana (or wherever) by your English speaking
Malësori (Highlander) guide. Transfer by taxi or minibus to
Koman. In Koman, board your private boat for “one of the
great boat trips of the world” (Bradt Guide) along the
Komani Hidroelectric Lake, in which you float along the
narrow Drin River Valley on a mirror of blue, past silent
mountain tops. Depending on start time in the morning, a
packed lunch or restaurant lunch can be provided. Pickup
in Fierze for Transport to Valbona Valley, with a quick stop
to visit the Kulla of Mic Sokoli, a lovingly restored 200 year
old Kuvendi (council) tower. Once in Valbona Valley you
have the option of leaving the bus in Dragobi for a 2 hour
hike along the Valbona River banks, to arrive at Rilindja in
Quku i Valbones in old style (on foot!). Dinner at Rilindja
(“the best restaurant in Valbona”) and accommodation in
the luxury guestrooms of Quku i Valbones’ Rezidenca
building.

4. Transport Times:
Bus from Rinas to Koman: 2 hours
Boat Trip from Koman to Fierze: 2.5 hours
Bus from Fierze to Valbona: 1 hour
Optional Hike: 2 hours
Meadows of Wildflowers
Day 2: Valbona Valley. After an early breakfast in the
family farmhouse next to Rezidenca, a quick transport (or
you can walk the half hour) to the Lugu i Persllopit
Trailhead. A beautiful hike (4 hours) takes you up towards
the pass to Montenegro at Qafa e Persllopit, and then cuts
west from Gropa e Shkrelit to descend to the small hamlet
of Kukaj (in fact 2 houses). Alternately, more adventurous
guests may choose to follow their bags directly to Kukaj
and then follow the marked path to any of the 3 passes to
look over into Montengro, with stunning views of an
ocean of mountain tops receding as far as the eye can see
(5 hours hiking). A packed lunch is provided. Dinner and
accommodation (basic, with all guests in one room) in the
traditional mountain home of Tahir Avdylit.

5. Times:
Bus to Lugu i Persllopit Trailhead: 10 minutes
or Bus to Kukaj: 40 minutes
Hiking Time: 4-5 hours
View from Qafa e Valbones
Day 3: Crossing to Theth. After breakfast, it’s into the
minibus for a 45 minute transfer to the Trailhead in Gjelaj
(Rrogam). Here you load your bags onto mules, for the 6
hour famous walk to Thethi village. There is the option for
a slight detour at the beginning of the hike, to visit the
waterfall source of Valbona River. With a 2.5 hour, 800m
rise at the start of the hike, the hard part is over by noon.
Don’t forget that chances are good that in mid-May there
may still be snow in the pass, so hikers should be
prepared. On the far side of the pass, it’s a gentle 3.5 hour
descent of 1000m. Packed Lunch is provided. Arrive in the
historic village of Theth where dinner and accommodation
are provided at Villa Gjecaj (best food in Theth!).

6. Times:
Bus to Gjelaj: 45 minutes
Hiking Time: 6 hours
Theth Houses
Day 4: Morning in Theth and transfer to historic Kruja.
You have plenty of time in the morning to enjoy a
leisurely breakfast, and walk to the old Catholic
church of Theth, visited by Edith Durham and Rose
Wilder Lane (yes, of Little House on the Prairie fame).
An additional 45 minutes takes you to the lovely
Grunas Waterfall. Return to the guesthouse for a
quick/late lunch, and then into the bus for transport
to historic Kruja. Along the way we stop for dinner in
the wine country around Kallmet, at the world class
restaurant Mrizi i Zaneve, one of the world’s great
slow-food restaurants (the name means “Fairy’s
Shade” and is taken from a line of Gjergj Fishta
poetry). Accommodation at the Hotel Panorama in
Kruja, home of Albanian national hero Skenderbeg .

7. Times:
Morning walks: up to 5 hours
Bus to Kallmet: 3.5 hours
Bus to Kruja: 1 hour
Kruja Thumbnail
Day 5: Morning in Kruja and Transfer to Tirana.
The town of Kruja is perched on a mountain top
and is home to the restored Castle and museum
of 15th century hero Skenderbeg. There is also a
very nice restored traditional Pazaar or street of
shops where you can buy traditional handicrafts,
antiques and a really odd assortment of flotsam
from Albania’s history (including for some reason
WWI dough boy helmets). Depending on
departure time, a lunch can be provided at the
aptly named Hotel Panorama, with its gorgeous
balcony views of the valley. Transport to the
airport, and fond farewells!

8. Times:
Morning walks: time permitting
Bus to Rinas: 1 hour
a Note on Accommodation: Accommodation is assumed
at referenced hotels, but can only be confirmed at time of
booking. If not available, accommodation will be provided
at the next best option, and any difference in price
refunded.
Worked by:Lorenc Manuka