Highlights
The stunning natural beauty of Northern Albania, including the Albanian Alps, Lumi i Shales (Shales River), Theth Valley, and surrounding mountain ranges.
Enjoy an extraordinary boat tour with crystal clear waters and mountain peaks by your side.
Sit back and relax with jaw-dropping views around a campfire with good conversation and company.
Learn about the local history and culture through visits to churches, towers, and villages.
Challenge yourself with some outdoor activities, including an optional 6-hour trek along the Theth Valley to visit Grunasi Falls, Ndelyse Village, and the Blue Eye.
Enjoy traditional Albanian food and hospitality from locals who have called this region home for centuries.
Description
An incredibly beautiful three-day retreat in the Albanian Alps and the city of Shkoder, offers a combination of history, culture, adventure, boat tour, and hiking. The tour starts in Tirana and takes participants on a journey to explore Lumi i Shales (Shales River) via boat, the Theth Valley including Grunasi Falls, and the Blue Eye. Participants will also have an opportunity to enjoy a guided tour of Shkoder on the way back from the Alps.
Who This Experience Is Good For
Adventure seekers, nature lovers, hikers, and those interested in exploring the cultural and historical aspects of Albania. This trip pulls you into the lives and families of the most undiscovered mountainous range in all of Europe.
Meet Our Local Host
This retreat is curated and organized by Wanderlust Albania, a team of passionate hospitality professionals with a love for showing the best of Albania. With half a decade of experience operating tours in and around Albania, they curate experiences with extra care and attention to detail. A guide will be provided in Shkoder to offer a detailed tour of the city and its history as well.
Itinerary
Day 1:
6:00 am: Departure from Tirana behind the Ballet & Opera House.
9:00 am: Arrive at Komani Dam and set off on a half-day boat adventure at 9:30 am through Lake Komani and Shalas River with free time to swim, rent kayaks, lounge, sunbathe, or explore and take in the breathtaking views. The boat ride is roughly 70 minutes each way.
3:30 pm: Depart from Komani and head to Theth Valley.
6:30 pm: Check in to our guesthouse and settle into your rooms.
Enjoy an included traditional and organic dinner at the guesthouse.
Free time in the evening to stargaze and share stories around the campfire with the fresh mountain air.
Day 2:
7:00 am Enjoy an included continental breakfast with fresh produce and ingredients.
8:00 am: Start a trek with Ardit down into the beautiful Theth Valley to visit Grunasi Falls, Ndelyse Village, and the Blue Eye of the North (6-hour return trip).
Included dinner at the guesthouse in the evening and quality time around the campfire.
Day 3:
Breakfast around 9 am.
Checkout from the guesthouse and make our way to the city of Shkoder.
Meet our guide and start a tour of Shkoder including, a visit Rozafa Castle, the oldest in Albania where the Illyrian Kings reigned.
Visit the city center filled with classical Venetian architecture, churches, and cobblestone streets.
Enjoy an included meal in Shkoder before returning to Tirana.
8:00-09:00 pm: Arrival in Tirana.
What’s Included
Transportation to Theth and back with a stop in Shkoder on Sunday evening.
Accommodation: 2 nights with either shared rooms (2/3 people) or private rooms with double beds.
All rooms have private bathrooms.
Breakfast and Dinner throughout the entire trip at the guesthouse in Theth as well as an included late lunch/early dinner in Shkoder.
A knowledgeable tour guide through the city of Shkoder.
What’s Not Included
Transportation to and from your meeting point in Tirana.
Alcoholic beverages and personal expenses such as souvenirs.
Meals: Meals and drinks not mentioned in the itinerary are not included in the package.
Tips for the Shkoder guide and driver and any other staff members (although tips are appreciated if the service is exceptional).
Any activities not included in the itinerary or any optional activities that travelers may choose to participate in at their own expense.
Anything else that is not explicitly mentioned in the "inclusions" section of the trip.
Lumi i Shales will have paddleboards and kayaks available for rent at an additional cost.
Know Before You Go
Minimum needed: 3 people
Maximum capacity: 8 people
Booking deadline: 5 days before the event
Weather dependent: The experience is subject to weather conditions, and if it is not safe to proceed, the tour may be rescheduled or canceled.
Difficulty level: Light to moderate, with some trekking and light hiking.
Special Clothing Required: Hiking shoes or a solid pair of sneakers are recommended. Swimwear is also recommended. A suitable sweater/windbreaker is recommended as well. Temperatures in Theth in May sit around 20 Celsius or 68 Fahrenheit during the daytime.
Special Dietary Restrictions: Includes organic traditional Albanian food, if you have dietary restrictions or food allergies, please inform the city team.
Extra Cash: It is recommended to bring extra cash for personal expenses, snacks and lunch, and optional activities.
Ground Transportation: Ground transportation is provided throughout the experience.
Additional Information: Multiday adventure travel is inherently prone to complications and alterations. In some circumstances, it may be necessary to change the itinerary, accommodations, transportation, activities, or other services, sometimes with little or no notice. In such cases, the vendor will make reasonable efforts to provide comparable substitutions wherever possible.
Liabilities: The liability for any injury, loss, or damage incurred by participants is not assumed by Remote Year or its affiliates.
