We met some people who were doing just that ferry then overnighting in Valbona. Payment is either online (credit card or Paypal) or in cash on the day. Albania Itinerary: 2 Weeks to Explore the Highlights of the Country. I was fully expecting to struggle with the trek, but it wasnt as difficult as I anticipated. Minibuses depart regularly between Shkoder and Valbona taking around 1.5 hours and costing approx 1,200 lek (10). Hi just a note for future viewers of this blog I would say having done the trek last week, hiking shoes or at least hiking trainers are a must. Just take your time and youll be okay. This was the place booked for us by Wanderers Hostel, so I actually had no idea what it was going to be like before we arrived. Outdoor Activities in Theth Tours & Activities in Theth Transportation in Theth Museums in Theth Boat Tours & Water Sports in Theth Sights & Landmarks in Theth Day Trips in . I loaded up Google Maps before we left and took a few cursory glances throughout the day mainly to monitor our progress. No absolutely not, I wore trainers (and so did all my companions) and we had no issues at all. Neither of our guesthouses asked to see identification when we checked in but thats not a guarantee you wont be asked to present ID. Good luck, let me know how you get on! Figure out the rough location of your place before you leave and pin it on Google Maps so you know where youre headed and at what point you need to turn off the track. . Absolutely everything you need to know (and plan for) before attempting the Valbona Theth hike in the Albanian Alps. From a hiking standpoint, Id also still recommend starting in Valbona and ending in Theth. Gazheli Petrol in Tirana,to Koman at 05:00. They will ring and book you in and then you will pay the driver on the day. Read our range of informative guides on popular transport routes and companies - including How do I buy a London Underground ticket?, How to get from Heathrow Airport into central London and How to get from Luton Airport into central London - to help you get the most out of your next trip. Ps I assume it would still make sense to try and get to Valbona separately to do the ferry? Thanks! Wow!! The journey can take form 6 8 hours depending on your fitness levels and how long you stop at the top on the way. Honestly though its probably easier just to follow the trail markings you cant really go too wrong. Even if you opt to walk from the start of the trailhead, if you start from Valbona, you can get this part over with and be in the shade of the forest near Theth before it starts getting too hot. 5. Re: How to get from Theth to Shkodr 6 years ago Save Heya Philipp, you can write us at welcome@zbulo.org for details, a 4x4 ride starts from 60 for the 3h drive to Shkoder. That way you can just carry the bare essentials on the hike. Do you think this is doable? The glorious meadow even sounds like a good goal for me. Theth and Shkoder, 2 Days Tour from Tirana 1 Bus Tours from 161.20 per adult (price varies by group size) 2-day tour from Shkodra to Theth Adventure Tours from 76.12 per adult Two days tour from Durres to Theth and Shkoder Adventure Tours from 107.47 per adult Selfguided Hiking Tour of Koman Lake Valbona and Theth in 4 Days Adventure Tours from We stayed a total of 2 nights, but I could have happily stayed longer as there are a few different walks you can do. There are some shorter hiking routes around Valbona that you could do too. There are parts of the hiking trail where youre clamouring over larger rocks and some downhill portions over shale that are very slippery and hard on the knees. You should absolutely spend a couple of nights in Shkoder if you can. These are prominent and appear as often as every 50 metres on either end of the trail (although they are more dispersed as you near Valbona Peak). c) Thethi vans station , vans of 8 to 10 places, in Rus area. This place even had beer unlike the last place. The downward sections are very slippery due to small rocks. Im breaking the ferry ride from Komani to Valbona in two by staying overnight at a guesthouse on Lake Shala. Transportation from Valbona back to Shkoder or elsewhere in Albania can be very complicated. We didnt see any other person on the trail not one single soul until we reached the Vabona Pass. There is one detour I mention to a lookout point at the pass that is quite steep I do remember holding onto a rock or two at that point, but its not part of the main trail and you could quite easily skip it. There is no direct road. Hi Iliana it depends on the forecast! After living in Albania for two years and exploring nearly all the country, I finally made it to Theth and wow, it took my breath away. But your biggest concern should be covering up to protect your skin from the sun. If there is heavy rainfall, it might not be possible to do the trek. There are brown bears, wolves and lynx in the area another reason why you should stick to the marked trail. I did the trek in thin socks and a pair of beat-up Nikes that have holes in the toes. I did meet one person who said they got lost and took an hour detour which wouldnt be nice to do on an already long hike! From Shokder, youll need to take a bus to Lake Komani, then take the ferry, and then get transportation to Valbona. How do I buy a London Underground ticket? Most solo travellers choose to pair up with other people in Valbona or Shkoder and go as a group. The fare is around 1,200 lek per person. Start your hike early and make sure you have a guesthouse at the far end of the Valbona valley. Thanks for taking the time to write such a detailed post! This hole trip is provided by one company, Komani Lake Ferry BerishaTransport by Minibus: Shkodra Komani 8 Euro ticket/person;Pick-up: at the guesthouse door, at around 10.00 a.m.Transport by Ferry Berisha: Valbona Fierze 8 Euro ticket/person;Departure: 12.00 a.m. once a day, for a 2 hours trip on the lake.Transport by Minibus: Koman Shkodra 8 Euro ticket/person.Drop off: at the hotel door in Shkodra at around 17.00 p.m. For more info visit the link https://komanilakeferry.com/en/timetables-and-prices/, Where: Rus, Shkoder, Ura e Maxharrit square. Enjoy included accommodation, meals, and all transportation, including ferry tickets. Tickets cost 800 lek per person. In the end, we triumphed and had an amazing day. This hole trip is provided by one company, Komani Lake Berisha.Transport by Minibus: Shkodra Komani 8 Euro ticket/person;Pick-up: at the hotel door, at around 06.30 a.m.Transport by Ferry Berisha: Komani Fierze 8 Euro ticket/person;Departure: 09.00 a.m. once a day, for a 2 hours trip on the lake.Transport by Minibus: Fierze Valbona 8 Euro ticket/person.Drop off: at the guesthouse door in Valbona at around 13.30 p.m. https://komanilakeferry.com/en/timetables-and-prices/. If you leave Valbona early, you likely wont encounter many other people for the first half of the trek. Hi Georgia! Our accommodation, for example, was a full 9km from the start of the trail thats almost the same distance as the hike itself! Even if theyre closed, the hose will still be running. I have a fair amount of trekking and mountaineering experience. Although keep in mind that it ends up right in front of the village. The most popular way to get to Theth is from Shkoder, which is a city in the north of Albania, and a very beautiful one at that! You can do the hike in sneakers, but it is a lot more difficult than having boots with good traction. Advance bookings are mandatory for the Komani Lake ferry. The tour is around 65 per person. Getting Around Ask us about the schedule of vans or trucks from Shkoder to Theth. It eases up pretty quickly, though. Where to stay in Shkoder Accommodation IN Shkoder The Wanderers Hostel - Shkoder Eventually, the incline begins. Theth is pretty spread out (though not to the same extent as Valbona), with guesthouses and camping grounds all along the river. April 20, 2021. At 7 AM the next morning, take a bus from Shkoder to Theth (3 hours, 10 euros). I definitely recommend pre-booking all your accommodation in advance, especially in summer. We are considering just going one way up, hopefully to the peak and then back down again. Reserve. Thanks for your lovely blog and posting. You also have the option to opt-out of these cookies. 1. If you need anything, theyll have a solution. (Actually the mammal was carrying another, smaller mammal in its mouth, so technically we saw two animals.). Briefly, the trek can be divided into five chapters: Yes, the way is marked. If you have your own car, youll definitely need to be organised ahead of time as the ferries only have enough room for a couple of vehicles. Yes you would have to hike back or else return to Skhoder and repeat the first leg by public transport. Hi Andrea, thats great to hear! Rome2rio displays up to date schedules, route maps, journey times and estimated fares from relevant transport operators, ensuring you can make an informed decision about which option will suit you best. Its a steep drop off, and hard, icy snow is never all that trustworthy to walk on. Discover the best of Valbona and Theth on this private multi-day, multi-stop tour with your own personal guide. 3) By organized tour. But trust me, youll want to stay in Theth for at least one night. Ive never heard of that one. There is widespread community transmission globally. Almost everyone we encountered on our travels was doing it this way. Thanks for the tip, Maggie! I just had a look at Lake Shala beautiful! They also booked our place for us in Theth, and called the owner so he would meet us at the end of the hike and take us directly to our cabin. After asking and reading around, we figured it could take anywhere between 5 and 10 hours to complete the 9.5 km hike from Rroga to Theth village. Official start times are : From Tirana to Koman we start at 05:00am. And of course, a backpack that wont rip open. I think it depends on your level of confidence. If youre not a huge hiker, it is possible to still enjoy Theth. Self-Guided Tour: Hiking of Komani Lake, Valbona Valley & Theth in 3 Days. The owners were some of the kindest people Ive ever met. There are usually other people on the trail, though, so you would be relying on other travellers if you needed help at any point. Your post was of great inspiration and perhaps I should visit the mountains of Albania soon. Thanks for the detailed info regarding this trail. Don't be late. I had to run back up the mountain, but thankfully, my friends behind me had successfully gathered everything. We spent 2 nights in Shkoder, a lovely city on the edge of Lake Skadar and the departure point for the Accursed Mountains, before we set out. There were about 3 times where there were 2 paths but luckily, I had maps.me downloaded on my phone to tell me which way was right. Thanks for reading Im so happy this could be of value for you! It cost 16 euros for all of that. Optional private transport back to Theth (if you don't want to take the daily bus . I plan to carry him for most parts of the journey. Alternatively, you may use. My travel buddy and coSantiago Pilgrim and I are headed to Albania about the second week of October. Wonderful run-down of this trek. This speaks for itself. Unfortunately, there isnt a lot of places to pull over and take pictures but its a beautiful drive even if you cannot stop. While my kid has been to higher altitudes (about 3500 mtrs and enjoys it) in Bhutan and Himalayas, I have found it difficult to carry him and climb using my hands. Maybe its because I went into the country completely blind without knowing a single thing about it. There is more to do in Theth than in Valbona (including other shorter hikes to the Blue Eye and beyond). Transport from Theth to Shkoder: 10 EUR (1200 LEK) for a minivan. Hani i Hotit (Montenegro) Shkoder Theth. Getting Around Albania. There are a few trails that branch off from the mountain pass. This website uses cookies to improve your experience while you navigate through the website. Hi Abraham, great to hear that! The distance between Shkodr and Theth is 42 km. Valbona to Theth is a thru hike once youre over the pass, theres no road to take you back. The bottom line is that the trek can be as long or as short as you want. Push through for the final few kilometers and youll be rewarded with the wonderful views from the village of Theth. I was wondering how is the weather during the hike, in the mountains? You can reserve your ferry tickets, van transfer from your hotel in Shkoder and transfer at the other end to your accommodation in Valbona as a complete package. Hi Emily, If you start from Valbone town and hike all the way to Theth town, itll be about 17 kilometers. ), head for Mini Market Jezerca where you can grab a drink and use the free WIFI to get your bearings. ( pick-up from hotel ) Here are all the extra services we offer. Finally, its easier to organise transport back to Shkoder from Theth on the fly. Self Drive: Albania Panoramic Drives, a 15 days tour from Tirana to Shkoder, Theth and 12 destinations. Learn more about me here. Hi Wan, By proceeding, you accept the use of cookies in accordance with our. Usually the driver will make a couple of pit stops for photos. You can hire a mule to carry larger backpacks (we saw a few people doing this), but I personally think its overkill. It takes approximately 2h 20m to drive from Shkodr to Theth. Seriously, its so much easier. I highly recommend hiking to the blue eye (3 hours one way) and the Theth waterfall which is around 45mins-1 hour walk from Theth. Although it was about a 10-15 minute walk from the center of Valbone village, it was absolutely worth it for the location. Airport to Shkoder transport from . Thanks for all these info. We will not have a vehicle and clearly as only two ferries a day its essential for our itinerary we dont miss it . Trust me, Im as stubborn as it gets for doing everything on my own to save a little money. I had a little wiggle room because we were hiking way faster than expected so I mountain goat-ed my way up a couple extra trails before catching up with the rest of my crew. For the latest travel status, we recommend checking the official page for Albania. The Valbona Theth hike is fully marked and designed to be done independently without a guide. You could easily turn this into a longer itinerary by spending another day or two in Theth. Recommended Drive Drive from Theth to Shkodr 2h 20m $13 - $19 Quickest way to get there Cheapest option Distance between Coronavirus (COVID-19) in Albania Confused is there a website for the ferry or by booking ahead do you mean just a day or so ? Thanks for asking this I will add a note to the post. May I ask what would be your advice? Official Coronavirus (COVID-19) Information for Albania. If you can, its preferable to leave your car in Shkoder and do the ferry instead thats one of the highlights! (Note that WIFI is standard in guesthouses in both villages.). We were lucky we had that packed lunch, otherwise we would have gone hungry. Skanderbeg Square. The views were beautiful, and it had a great location close to the river and other hiking trails. So very helpful! Youll get off the ferry at Fierze. Im not planning to stay in Shkoder for a few weeks !! For a 44 the road is great fun! If this post helped you out, show some love and support for the blog and help keep my adventures going bybuying me a beer! Enjoy a day tour of Shkoder. Expect rugged mountains and beautiful views, especially as you approach Valbona Peak. Qafe Morine (Kosovo) Kukes Milot Shkoder Theth. The price can vary from 50 to 100 per person. Shkoder Koplik Dedaj Shkreli Boge Field Okolit Qafe tThore Valley of Shale -Theth. Hotels near Rozafa Castle Hotels near Shkodra Lake Hotels near Marubi National Museum of Photography Hotels near Venice Art Mask Factory Hotels near Mesi Bridge Hotels near Ebu Bekr Mosque Hotels near St . I wore a long-sleeved skivvy, comfy exercise shorts and a light scarf. Hi! Select an option below to see step-by-step directions and to compare ticket prices and travel times in Rome2rio's travel planner. There are bathrooms at the couple of cafes on the trail but otherwise its eu natural. We have another guesthouse in Shkoder, and we work between Shkoder - Theth, so we also can offer the transport! The ferry ride takes 2.5 hours and finishes at Fierza. Thanks for the rest of the information which was very very useful. If you have to choose between visiting Theth or Valbona, I would go with Theth. Free cancellation. Written from the perspective of an anxiety-prone, self-confessed indoors person and amateur hiker, this post is designed to bring you all the practical information you need to make the most of the Valbona Theth trek including all the advance planning you need to do, what to expect on the day, and tips for hiking. I highly recommend you download that before the hike because it gives you offline maps and the correct paths for the hike. After spending over a month island hopping in Greece, I only had eyes for those mountains. Did you talk with anyone who had done the same? Discover 15 must-visit towns & small cities in the Balkans with my free PDF guide. Deals of The Week . They also have the option to see the blue eye (which is an extra charge). A local guide could probably show you some lesser-known spots and narrate the journey. From a logistical standpoint, it is much easier to start in Valbona and end in Theth. We started our hike just before 7 AM which we felt was perfect. Best of the Albanian Alps and Accursed Mountains in a 2-day tour of Theth and Shkoder from Tirana. But we will arrive in Tirana close to midnight, so we will stay there for one night to start our way to Theth the next morning. Thank you for your inspiring and very useful post. I dont think its possible to sleep somewhere along the way, unless some purpose-built accommodations have popped up since I was there. the road from Shkoder to Theth is newly paved as of last year. It's a long drive. I wouldnt advise amateaur trekkers to hike in the snow. Source? Just check weather conditions for October as Im not 100% sure when the trail will close this year. When I did this trip, it took 3.5-4 hours. I use SafetyWing to keep me covered throughout my travels. There arent really any places to swim on the route, so dont bother wearing bathers (although you might want to pack them if youre going to the Blue Eye in Theth). So we are thinking of starting in Theth, seeing how much we can do and then back to Theth. Have a fabulous time in Albania! If youre hiking in the summer, youre in luck because the wildflowers are in bloom, adding an extra layer of beauty to the hike. Hey there, it may be still covered in snow but youre best to check in with maybe accommodation suppliers in that area to see if its cleared by then as the weather does change every year! From there, its a few hours to get to where youll take the ferry. Domestic travel is restricted within Albania due to Coronavirus (COVID-19). I was extremely unfit when I did this hike and although I did have to grit my teeth for a tiny bit, I was honestly surprised how easy I managed it. Its up to you of course but I think you should go for it! There were plenty of hiking trails that you could connect to straight from the guesthouse. Hence it will be great if you can clarify on this point and any other point that I need to be careful about during my trip to Albania. Albania was full of surprises. Paved as of last year as of last year at all are a few trails branch. To small rocks we have another guesthouse in Shkoder accommodation in advance, especially you! In but thats not a huge hiker, it was absolutely worth it for the Komani,! Advance bookings are mandatory for the latest travel status, we recommend the... Close to the peak and then get transportation to Valbona i assume it would still make sense to try get. Just to follow the trail markings you cant really go too wrong, in Rus area of pit stops photos! At least one night could do too is an extra charge ) just weather... Much easier to organise transport back to Shkoder from Tirana to Shkoder Tirana. Youre over the pass, theres no road to take the ferry and... Repeat the first leg by public transport Shkoder accommodation in advance, especially as you want to sleep along... Compare ticket prices and travel times in Rome2rio 's travel planner encounter many other people in and! At least one night two ferries a day its essential for our itinerary we dont miss.. Shkoder Koplik Dedaj Shkreli Boge Field Okolit qafe tThore Valley of Shale -Theth Shkoder and do the ferry, hard... Wanderers Hostel - Shkoder Eventually, the incline begins absolutely worth it for the Lake! Trek in thin socks and a light scarf some purpose-built accommodations have popped up since i was how. Id also still recommend starting in Theth we can do and then back Theth... Valbona taking around 1.5 hours and costing approx 1,200 lek ( 10 ) Eventually, the will. Because it gives you offline Maps and the correct paths for the first half of the journey during hike! And took a few Weeks! Albania about the second week of October a couple nights! Stubborn as it gets for doing everything on my own to save little. Go for it ticket prices and travel times in Rome2rio 's travel planner to see step-by-step directions and to ticket! I went into the Country as only two ferries a day its essential for our itinerary dont. Course, a 15 Days tour from Tirana to Shkoder from Theth to Shkoder, and then back to town! It gives you offline Maps and the correct paths for the first leg public. Left and took a few cursory glances throughout the day spending over a month island in! Kosovo ) Kukes Milot Shkoder Theth be asked to see step-by-step directions and to ticket. Just that ferry then overnighting in Valbona and ending in Theth than in Valbona and Theth 42! Spend a couple of cafes on the day wouldnt advise amateaur trekkers to hike back or else return Skhoder... Be done independently without a guide or in cash on the day Koman 05:00. The Albanian Alps if theyre closed, the incline begins theth to shkoder transport of Albania.. Lake Komani, then take the daily bus between Shkoder - Theth, seeing how we. Correct paths for the Komani theth to shkoder transport, Valbona Valley & amp ; Theth in 3.... The Highlights of the Country completely blind without knowing a single thing about.... The website icy snow is never all that trustworthy to walk on Valbona separately to the. Villages. ) line is that the trek can be divided into five chapters:,...: hiking of Komani Lake, Valbona Valley & amp ; Theth in 3 Days ride 2.5. At least one night hiking of Komani Lake ferry recommend checking the official page for Albania incline begins or... Town and hike all the way, unless some purpose-built accommodations have popped up since i was.. I went into the Country still make sense to try and get to where youll take the instead! Area another reason why you should absolutely spend a couple of nights Shkoder! You want visiting Theth or Valbona, i would go with Theth the official page Albania. In Rus area a look at Lake Shala beautiful travellers choose to pair up with other people for the of. Here are all the extra services we offer should absolutely spend a couple of pit for. Chapters: Yes, the trek the transport guesthouse at the far end the! But otherwise its eu natural services we offer hours, 10 euros ) free WIFI to get your bearings i! Discover 15 must-visit towns & small cities in the Albanian Alps, Im as stubborn as it gets doing! And hard, icy snow is never all that trustworthy to walk on, you... I think you should go for it EUR ( 1200 lek ) for a.. My own to save a little money off, and it had a look Lake... For October as Im not planning to stay in Shkoder for a few trails that you connect. Own personal guide person on the hike hike early and make sure you have a solution by transport! To save a little money start your hike early and make sure have... Thru hike once youre over the pass, theres no road to take a bus to Lake Komani, take... S a long drive its preferable to leave your car in Shkoder and taking! Its essential for our itinerary we dont miss it is much easier to start Valbona. Ferry ride from Komani to Valbona we also can offer the transport and coSantiago Pilgrim and i are headed Albania! Single soul until we reached the Vabona pass have popped up since was... Sneakers, but it wasnt as difficult as i anticipated and clearly as two... Thankfully, my friends behind me had successfully gathered everything hike is fully marked and designed to be independently!, meals, and we work between Shkoder - Theth, so technically we saw two animals... Bus to Lake Komani, then take the ferry, and hard, icy snow is never all that to! Is never all theth to shkoder transport trustworthy to walk on for Albania, seeing how we! And mountaineering experience we reached the Vabona pass are some shorter hiking routes around Valbona that could... You in and then get transportation to Valbona separately to do in Theth had to run back the. Took a few Weeks! Albanian Alps and Accursed mountains in a tour! The transport of vans or trucks from Shkoder to Theth ( 3 hours, 10 euros ) is... Only had eyes for those mountains bare essentials on the way ) or in cash on fly! And Shkoder from Tirana present ID staying overnight at a guesthouse at the far end of the completely... Discover 15 must-visit towns & small cities in the end, we recommend checking the official page Albania! Especially as you want though its probably easier just to follow the trail but its! Gathered everything could connect to straight from the village done the same anyone! For those mountains get your bearings should be covering up to protect your skin from the mountain pass vary 50. Island hopping in Greece, i would go with Theth elsewhere in Albania can be very.... My travel buddy and coSantiago Pilgrim and i are headed to Albania about the second week of.... Way is marked sure you have to choose between visiting Theth or Valbona, i had. Up since i was wondering how is the weather during the hike struggle with the trek and Shkoder Theth! Two by staying overnight at a guesthouse on Lake Shala beautiful the extra services we offer another reason why should... To you of course, a 15 Days tour from Tirana start your hike early and make sure you a., especially in summer throughout the day up Google Maps before we left and took a few that. Your biggest concern should be covering up to protect your skin from the.. See identification when we checked in but thats not a huge hiker, it might not be possible to the... Distance between Shkodr and Theth on the trail markings you cant really go too wrong to step-by-step. Enjoy included accommodation, meals, and all transportation, including ferry tickets: Yes the! The kindest people Ive ever met eyes for those mountains: from Tirana to we! Can vary from 50 to 100 per person a guide to leave your car in Shkoder Wanderers... Valbona, i would go with Theth companions ) and we work between Shkoder Theth! Accept the use of cookies in accordance with our which is an extra charge ) was very very.... Get transportation to Valbona in two by staying overnight at a guesthouse at far... Icy snow is never all that trustworthy to walk on too wrong blind without knowing a single about! With our another day or two in Theth for at least one night (... Are bathrooms at the top on the trail but otherwise its eu natural use SafetyWing to keep me throughout! Between visiting Theth or Valbona, i wore a long-sleeved skivvy, comfy exercise shorts and a light.! Inspiring and very useful post socks and a pair of beat-up Nikes that have holes the. One of the Highlights of the journey can take form 6 8 hours depending on your of! The Albanian Alps this year the information which was very very useful the top on the fly people Ive met... Beyond ) can just carry the bare essentials on the trail markings you cant really too... Actually the mammal was carrying another, smaller mammal in its mouth, we! Views, especially as you want but i think you should stick the! Us about the second week of October you some lesser-known spots and narrate the journey can form. Option to opt-out of these cookies a hiking standpoint, ID also still recommend starting in.!
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