Canyon i Stupes Aug 28, 2020 | Destinations, Destinations in Shala River Stupe River Explore new hidden corners around Shala River destination where you can have an easy walk, take private sunbaths, swim in deeper cristal clear waters, dive, or fish. Walking – Exploring – Diving The estuary of the Stupe River has become an attraction for those who visit the Shala River and the guesthouses at the Blin of Guri i Lekes area. To reach the estuary of the river Stupe, where it joins the Shala River, it takes up to 20 minutes to walk along the Shala river, entering and leaving the water several times. The distance from the guesthouses and boats stop is about 1 km. This place turned into an attraction for all those people who like to learn more about the area, explore the surroundings, and find hidden new corners to swim or dive. Also, in this area, the river forms terraces suitable for the sunbaths and the possibility of diving into deeper waters and walk on unbeaten paths. What is “Stupe” The Stupa River starts as a brook in the Shoshi mountains, above the village of Balza; it takes on the size of a river joining numerous other springs such as Kiri’s troughs, and has a length of about 5 km until it joins the Shales River at the point of Blin i Guri i Lekes area, and together they flow into Lake Koman. The Stupa River divides the Shoshi tribe in the middle, passing between mountains, ridges, and fjords that seem to descend from the sky; traversing numerous tourist attractions, starting from the “Gate of Shala” to the point where these two rivers flow into Lake Koman, at the root of the legendary Komlem. Book in advance to ensure the availability of a professional guide, primarily. For a more specific request please ask us a quote Call now for the best offer English Speaking Phone 00355 69 60 15 771 FollowFollowFollowFollowFollow Send us an email with your details Reserverations email info@thethi-guide.com
Leka’s Linden Stone Aug 28, 2020 | Destinations, Destinations in Shala River Leka’s Stone Hiking Trail One of the most interesting attractions with many stories, folklore, and nature exploration close to Shala River is the hiking trail to Leka’s Stone. Things to Do in Shala River A mountain trail that starts from the guesthouses in Shala River, in the area of ‘Blini i Gurit të Lekës’, where Shala river joins Komani Lake. For about one hour of hiking, you reach the place called by the locals as ‘Guri i Lekës’ – Leka’s Stone. Walking can be considered easy to moderate scale, passing through forests and meadows, springs and streams, and panoramic natural views. Leka’s Stone in Shala River This ‘stone’ mountain rock, is located in the lap of Komlem, opposite with the village Molla e Shoshit, full of history which is related to the prince of this province, Lekë Dukagjini. The location of this stone has a strategic observation position in the area, from which Leka could control a field of view of 300 degrees. From this stone, Leka could spot every movement of the enemy and anyone who has tried to approach. Lekë Dukagjini was the leader of the Dukagjini tribe, who followed the leadership of Skënderbeg for the other 10 years after his death. In the last years of his life, he is said to have retreated and settled in this area to protect himself from the persecution of the ottomans. In this place, he was protected by the rocky abysses that go steep down to the Drin River and from behind by the loyal protection of the inhabitants of Dukagjini. Leka’s Cave Not far from ‘Guri te Lekës’, a few hundred meters away, there is a cave with a not very large entrance, but after about 20 m it enlarges and continues vertically down to the river. This cave also got the name ‘Leka’s Cave’, because according to legends it is thought that Leka himself had left a will that after his death his body would be thrown into this cave so that it would not be found by the Ottoman invaders, given the fact what they did with the grave and remains of Gjergj Kastrioti-Skënderbeu hero. However, no document can be found to prove where Lekë Dukagjini spent the last years of his life, nor about his time or burial place. Book in advance to ensure the availability of a professional guide, primarily. For a more specific request please ask us a quote Call now for the best offer English Speaking Phone 00355 69 60 15 771 FollowFollowFollowFollowFollow Send us an email with your details Reserverations email info@thethi-guide.com
Valbona Pass Aug 28, 2020 | Destinations, Destinations in Valbona Valley Valbona Pass Valbona – Theth Trail One of the main attractions of Valbona remains its connection with Thethi valley through the pass with the same name, Valbona Pass. An epic trail through the entire Albanian Alps, the most trafficked and traversed by many Albanian and foreign travelers every season. Valbona – Theth Trail climbing Albania One of the main attractions of Valbona remains its connection with Thethi valley through the pass with the same name, Valbona Pass. An epic trail through the entire Albanian Alps, the most trafficked and traversed by many Albanian and foreign travelers every season. The mountain pass that connects Theth with Valbona takes the name from this last one “Valbona’s Pass” located at an altitude of 1759 mt above sea level and surrounded by other higher peaks such as the peak of Alia, the peak of Hekurave, etc. The hiking trail starts exactly in the Gjelaj neighborhood, in the village Rragam of Shala, in the upper part of Valbona valley and consists of a 9.5 km trail to Theth (end of the path marked with white and red signs in Gjelaj of Theth). The trail may start from both sides, Valbona – Theth or Theth – Valbona. The trail from Valbona to Theth is more convenient because it is easier. The difference to cross is about 630 mt., while if it starts from Thethi is about 850 mt. The walk towards the Valbona Pass can start from the guesthouse door down in the valley or from the beginning of the trail in Gjelaj of Valbona to Gjelaj of Thethi. To save time a local transfer from any guesthouse to the start of the marked path can be provided. Valbona Pass can be reached in 2.5 – 3 hours, along with stops, from whichever side you start your walk. In total, this trail takes 6-7 hours of walking in total. Level of difficulty: Moderate Source of Valbona During the hike to the Valbona Pass, after about an hour of moderate level of difficulty walk, you will meet another important attraction for Valbona valley, its source, the main source of the Valbona River. This source is a natural spring, located at an altitude of 1528 mt, who never runs out of water, winter or summer. It supplies the Valbona Waterfall, in Rragam only a few meters below on another trail. This is at the same time the first stop during this hike, near Simoni Caffe. This place serves as a resting place during this mountain hike toward Valbona Pass and to refill water as well. On the other side of Thethi National Park, another spring also serves as a resting place and water refill. This facilitates the weight of the water quantity that each person should have with him during this mountain hike. Book in advance to ensure your service availability. For a more specific request please ask us a quote Call now for the best offer English Speaking Phone 00355 69 60 15 771 FollowFollowFollowFollowFollow Send us an email with your details Reserverations email info@thethi-guide.com
Xhema’s Lake in Valbona Valley Aug 28, 2020 | Destinations, Destinations in Valbona Valley Xhema’s Lake in Valbona Valley Xhema’s Lake is a natural lake placed within Valbona National Park Xhema’s Lake is a natural lake placed within Valbona National Park, in the village inhabited entrance area. This is an attraction for all the family, for any age, easy walking, suitable for an exploring walk with the children, or an easy lazy walk before dinner. On the drive toward the valley of Valbona, as soon as you reach the first guesthouses of the village, in this area, you will notice the Sign-table to the lake. You can follow the signs for an easy walk of 30 minutes even without a local guide. The trail goes between the woods and the gold yellow hashes. Xhema’s Lake is a spring-fed who creates a magic blue lake in the springtime. During summer, especially in August, it gets dried, losing the magic and being transformed mostly in a puddle. Anyway, the walk to this place is a nice experience exploring the surroundings in every season. Reachable from any guesthouse in a timetable between 15-45 min maximum. Challenge: Easy Age: from 2-90 Guide: on your choice Time: 30-60 min walk total round trip. Contact us Would you like to visit this destination? We will find the perfect tour or create a custom tour so you can visit and enjoy this destination and more. Call now for the best offer English Speaking Phone 00355 69 60 15 771 Send us an email with your details Reserverations email info@thethi-guide.com FollowFollowFollowFollowFollow
Shala River at Leka’s linden stone! Jul 27, 2020 | Albanian AlpsShala River at Leka’s linden stone! The destination which is attracting hundreds of tourists Shala River at Leka’s linden stone stems in the magnificent Thethi National Park and flows along Shala valley, collecting a lot of other water sources from Shala and Shoshi’s villages. Along this river extends one of the most beautiful valleys and some of the unexplored spots of Albania like Shoshi’s Apple peak and Leka’s Linden Stone, aside from the river at his estuary point to Komani Lake. Shala River at Leka’s linden stone has become one of the most required attractions of this area, isolated between the peaks of the mountains, with beach spots next to the river and reachable only by a boat trip through Komani Lake, make it a real adventurous trip and wild exploring. Within the same trip, you can enjoy a boat trip at Komani Lake, admiring the fantastic views that this trip by boat offers you. Also, you can spend time relaxing and swimming in the Shala River next to any of the two guesthouses placed there, which gives you a few facilities to make this trip possible, like accommodation, meals and even sunbeds. If you want a spent more days in the area, an alternative activity is hiking to Shoshi’s apple peak in the middle of a chestnuts forest and back.
