Albania · KOMAN LAKE & SHALA RIVER

The 15 Best Koman Lake & Shala River Trips

35 tours  ·  ★★★★★★★★★★ 4.5 average  ·  from $20

A car ferry through a flooded gorge, then a small boat up a river cold enough to hurt. The 15 below start anywhere from Shkodra to Tirana, which decides your alarm clock more than your price. Durations, transfers and where lunch happens.

From Tirana/Shkodra: Komani Lake and Shala River Day Trip - The van ride from Tirana and Shkodra, and why the breaks matter
1-Day Tours, Koman Lake & Shala River, Koman Lake Trips in Shkodra, Shkodra Day Trips, Shkodra Tours, Tour Reviews

From Tirana/Shkodra: Komani Lake and Shala River Day Trip

1.Komani Lake and Shala River Day Trip

★★★★★★★★★★4.8 · 1,520 reviews · 9 hours - 870 minutes · from $60Our pick

Komani Lake boat cruise plus Shala River swimming, lunch time, and a balcony hike, all wrapped in Albania’s dramatic canyon scenery.

“What a fantastic tour from start to finish! Our guide Bledi made it an amazing experience. He had fantastic knowledge and made us all laugh from the second we got onto the coach. Amazing guide, amazing tour, could not recommend enough! Thank you Bledi!”

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Tirana/Durres/Shkodra: Shala River and Koman Lake Boat Trip - Price and value: what $59 buys you (and what you should budget)
Cruises & Boat Tours, Durres Tours, Koman Lake & Shala River, Shkodra Day Trips, Tour Reviews

Tirana/Durres/Shkodra: Shala River and Koman Lake Boat Trip

2.Shala River and Koman Lake Boat Trip

★★★★★★★★★★4.5 · 409 reviews · 9 - 14 hours · from $59

Day trip from Tirana, Durres, or Shkodra to Koman Lake by boat, then Shala River for swim and views, with English guide.

“Jeffrey was our guide, he was THE SWEETEST human being from beginning to end. We were a group of 20-25 people and he managed to give all of us attention. He is funny, attentive and VERY kind! The tour was enlightening and we learned much about Albanian history, the views were stunning. The whole team treated us SO WELL!! The food recommendations were amazing. The only regret was me not bringing enough cash - we wanted to tip well and so will you after you experience a tour with them. 100 stars for them. The driver was top notch! The guide Jeff was very knowledgeable! Every person on the boat…”

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Shala river & Komani lake -Day trip departure from Tirana/Shkodra - The long ride from Tirana, Lezha, or Shkodra (and how to make it easier)
1-Day Tours, Koman Lake & Shala River, Koman Lake Trips in Tirana, Shkodra Day Trips, Shkodra Day Trips in Tirana, Tirana Tours, Tour Reviews

Shala river & Komani lake -Day trip departure from Tirana/Shkodra

Boat Trips in Shkodra, Cruises & Boat Tours, Koman Lake & Shala River, Koman Lake Trips in Shkodra, Shkodra Tours, Tour Reviews, Tours

Koman: Shala River Boat Tour & Komani Lake

Komani Lake & Shala River Day Trip - Getting from Hotel Rozafa, and the bumpy road reality
1-Day Tours, Koman Lake & Shala River, Koman Lake Trips in Shkodra, Shkodra Tours, Tour Reviews

Komani Lake & Shala River Day Trip

5.Komani Lake & Shala River Day Trip

★★★★★★★★★★4.3 · 218 reviews · 10 hours · from $58

A full day from Shkoder to Komani Lake and the Shala River, with boat rides, swimming, mountain views, and optional ziplining.

“Really well planned! We had a great day out! A long day yet amazing! Plenty of time to spend at the river swimming for hours then the boat back.”

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Albanian Alps: 3-Days Komani Lake, Valbona and Thethi Tour - Valbona Pass to Thethi: moderate hike, big payoffs, and one smart packing tip
Koman Lake & Shala River, Koman Lake Trips in Tirana, Theth & Valbona Valley, Theth and Valbona Trips in Tirana, Tirana Tours, Tour Reviews, Tours

Albanian Alps: 3-Days Komani Lake, Valbona and Thethi Tour

7.Albanian Alps: 3-Days Komani Lake, Valbona and Thethi Tour

★★★★★★★★★★4.6 · 57 reviews · 3 days · from $492

Hike Valbona to Thethi, sail Komani Lake, then hit Grunas Waterfall and the Blue Eye, with hotel pickup and breakfast included.

“This 3-day hiking trip was exceptional. Our tour guide, Bledi, a local, was extremely knowledgeable about the area and knew the best stops. He was engaging, easy to talk to, and well-versed in the history of Albania. Although our taxi driver, Bertie, didn’t speak English, he was very passionate about Albania and dedicated to ensuring I had a great time. The hike from Valbona to Thethi wasn’t too difficult. I packed lightly, bringing just the essentials, which made the experience manageable. However, the gravel can be slippery at times, so good hiking shoes are a must. The peak of the hike was stunning, with an astounding view of the valley.…”

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Koman Lake & Shala River, Koman Lake Trips in Shkodra, Shkodra Tours, Tour Reviews, Tours

From Tirana/Durres: Shala River and Komani Lake Day Tour

Shala River and Komani lake: Boat Tour - The 6-hour plan in plain terms, from Terminali i Komanit to Shala River
Boat Trips in Shkodra, Cruises & Boat Tours, Koman Lake & Shala River, Koman Lake Trips in Shkodra, Shkodra Tours, Tour Reviews, Tours

Shala River and Komani lake: Boat Tour

9.Shala River and Komani lake: Boat Tour

★★★★★★★★★★4.2 · 32 reviews · 6 hours · from $30

A 6-hour Shala River boat tour from Koman with wild alpine scenery, onboard drinks, and time at Blini Park for swimming and more.

“We werden ‘s ochtends op tijd opgehaald met een busje door een vriendelijke chauffeur (enkel de ophaallocatie was niet heel duidelijk). De busrit verliep vlot, maar het laatste stukje was de weg in zeer slechte staat. De boottocht was heel mooi en fijn. Eens aangekomen, kregen we ongeveer 3 uur de tijd om rond te lopen. Je kan er op verschillende plekken iets eten en drinken. Ook kan je er zwemmen en kajakken (wel in heel koud water). In september zijn er niet al te veel toeristen dus dat was ook fijn. We waren om 18u weer terug in Shkodër. Echt een aanrader om te doen!”

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Semi-Private Hiking Tour; Theth, Valbona & Koman Lake in 3 Days - Theth’s Blue Eye hike: time it right and expect icy water
3-Day Experiences, Hikes in Tirana, Hiking & Trekking, Koman Lake & Shala River, Koman Lake Trips in Tirana, Private, Theth & Valbona Valley, Theth and Valbona Trips in Tirana, Tirana Tours, Tour Reviews, Tours

Semi-Private Hiking Tour; Theth, Valbona & Koman Lake in 3 Days

Self-Guided Hiking Tour: Theth, Valbona & Koman Lake in 3 Days - Your 5:00 am start from Tirana or Shkodra
3-Day Experiences, Guided, Hikes in Tirana, Hiking & Trekking, Koman Lake & Shala River, Koman Lake Trips in Tirana, Self-Guided Tours, Theth & Valbona Valley, Theth and Valbona Trips in Tirana, Tirana Tours, Tour Reviews, Tours

Self-Guided Hiking Tour: Theth, Valbona & Koman Lake in 3 Days

Shkoder: Transfers to Valbona/Theth/Shala River. Both ways. - The minivan ride: comfortable start, early wake-up
Koman Lake & Shala River, Koman Lake Trips in Shkodra, Shkodra Day Trips, Shkodra Tours, Theth & Valbona Valley, Theth and Valbona Trips in Shkodra, Tour Reviews

Shkoder: Transfers to Valbona/Theth/Shala River. Both ways.

Self-Guided Hiking Tour: Theth, Valbona & Koman Lake in 5 days - Day 3: Valbona Pass, a Long One-Way Climb, and Carry-It-All Reality
5-Day Experiences, Guided, Hikes in Tirana, Hiking & Trekking, Koman Lake & Shala River, Koman Lake Trips in Tirana, Self-Guided Tours, Theth & Valbona Valley, Theth and Valbona Trips in Tirana, Tirana Tours, Tour Reviews, Tours

Self-Guided Hiking Tour: Theth, Valbona & Koman Lake in 5 days

13.Self-Guided Hiking Tour: Theth, Valbona & Koman Lake in 5 days

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 23 reviews · 5 days (approx.) · from $818

5-day self-guided trek through Albania’s Theth, Valbona, and Komani Lake, with guesthouse stays, major passes, and mostly moderate trails.

“Brilliant trip, can’t recommend it enough. The hikes are beautiful with stunning mountain landscapes. Blue eye was a great swim! The hike over the pass is a trip highlight! Also the last day hike in Valbona as there were very few people on the trail compared with the first 3 days. The homestays were lovely and the hosts so friendly and kind. The food they prepared was delicious and filling! Brikena organised everything so well we always knew what we needed to do and kept in touch with us. We felt well looked after. Thank you!”

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Koman Lake & Shala River, Koman Lake Trips in Tirana, Shkodra Day Trips, Shkodra Day Trips in Tirana, Tirana Tours, Tour Reviews

From Tirana/ Shkodra: Shala River and Komani Lake Daily Trip

15.Shala River and Komani Lake Daily Trip

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 19 reviews · 13 to 14 hours (approx.) · from $60

Full-day Shala River and Komani Lake boat trip from Tirana, with pickup, a tunnel to the dock, swimming time, and mountain views.

“Very good experience, worth scrolling! Our guide Arber was very friendly, told us a lot about the history of Albania, very interesting. Enjoying the views on the boat and bathing in the freezing water of the Shala River was the perfect way to connect with nature.Auto-translated”

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