Shala River – Shosh – Theth

Shala River – Shosh – Theth

Shala River – Shosh – Theth

Newest Hiking Trail

The hiking trail from Shala River to Theth is the newest trail on a centuries-old path in Albania, which goes through the Shosh tribe peaks and other attractions like Leka’s Linden Stone to Lotaj, in one of the most panoramic mountain trails in Albania, in the region and beyond.

Things to do around Shala River

The hiking trail from Shala River to Theth is the newest trail on a centuries-old path in Albania, ready to be crossed by any tourist group starting from this July 2020.

In July 2020 was marked the path that connects the Shala River, Leka’s Linden Stone with Theth, the path that traverses the two most emblematic Albanian tribes, Shala and Shoshi.

For more than 12 km, six hours of moderate hiking from Leka’s Linden Stone to Lotaj near Binoshaj Guesthouse, one of the most panoramic mountain trails in Albania, in the region and beyond. From Lotaj village to Thethi valley the journey continues with a local transfer by 4WD or other local vehicles that have to pass on the old road that connects Theth with Shkodra, by the river Kir and is an unpaved road for about an hour.

Nature and the landscapes

Centuries-old towers, chestnut groves from wherever you aim, fruit and non-fruit trees are so high that they seem to capture the sky, endless vegetation, and flowers, calm slopes, gorges, caves and ravines, incomparable biodiversity, from wild goats, mountain eagle up to feathers.

This trail passes between two unimaginable canyons that you can see only in “nature explorer”. Ranges, ridges, and fjords that seem to descend from the sky, the peak of the Shala River, and the “Stupe” Shoshi River, which flows all through Shoshi valley and divides it in the middle.

Numerous tourist attractions, starting from the “Gate of Shala” to the place where these two rivers flow into Lake Koman, at the root of the legendary Komlem.

This trail was marked voluntarily by Prof. Zef Gjeta, Master-Chef Sokol Prenga, an expert connoisseur of the Alps Mr. Ndoc Mulaj, and some representatives of local guesthouses from these destinations, who worked tirelessly for three days in a row, in the opening and marking of this centuries-old path that connected Blin e Guri i Lekës with Shoshi and Shala.

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Road to Theth is going to be blocked for a restrict time from 10.00 to 16.00h for the touristic season 2014.

Road to Theth is going to be blocked for a restrict time from 10.00 to 16.00h for the touristic season 2014.

The road to Theth was first constructed on 1936 and is known as the first rural road with mainly touristic purpose. In the last 20 year no reconstructions was made and only last year 2013 was approved and started a reconstruction project for just a segment, Boge – Qate e Thores, that don’t give a definitive solution to the problem. Reconstruction works started in 2013 financed by Albanian Development Fund. The works started again this summer after the interruption of the last winter till to the works conclusion  that will be probably by the end of this touristic season, in November when the roads get closed again from the snow. The road gets closed every day from 10.00h to 16.00h ad this will go on for all the season.

The road Shkodra – Theth is 72 km long, done in a three hours trip, where the last 14km are the most difficult ones are still non asphalted and this part is not covered by the reconstruction project. Till now the road from Boga toward Thethi was asphalted in its first 5 km and the works are on progress for the other 7 km. Last 10 km are not going to be asphalted but for this touristic season they were reconstructed from Albanian Development Fund and actually Thethi is reachable by normal cars till to its village center.

2 days tour to Shala River and Komani Lake

2 days tour to Shala River and Komani Lake

STARTING FROM €90/PERSON

2 Days Private-tour to Shala River and Komani Lake from Tirana

Overview

Life happens on the banks of the Shala river.

A branch on Komani lake, Shala river flows from the up valley of Theth along Shalla valley until meets Komani Lake. Just 60 min driving on Komani Lake and Shala river branch, you will reach this unexpected shore in the middle of nowhere.

This destination is a unique and isolated place, a small paradise hidden in a branch of Komani lake. Tourist has called it Albanian Tajland. This place is the last discovery yet to be discovered.

The exploring by boat gives you an up-close look at its untouched nature, wildlife, and local traditions.

In just two days, you will enjoy the trip by boat on Komani lake and get amazed by the landscape around the lake; swim in the cold waters of the Shala river; have a cold drink relaxing on the shores of the river with great music in the air.

For the most passionates who want to discover the nature can walk along the river, or hike on the trail of Leka’s linden stone, or Shoshi’s Apple village.

The accommodation is in one of the three guesthouses in this area. Eagles land has 11 rooms with a capacity of 35 people with four shared bathrooms in total. All meals are on a fix-menu base and usually on a fish-based menu.

Shala River is a destination for the most adventurous ones, where the commodities and comfort are a missing luxury.

Inclusions

  • Breakfast x1
  • Dinner x 1
  • Lunch x 2
  • Accommodation included: x 1
  • Private Transportation A/C
  • Boat transfer on a round trip.

Exclusions

  • Drinks/Coffees
  • Local Guide
  • Courtesies;

Departure & Return

  • Departure & Return

Hotel Pick-up and Drop off

Departure Time

6:00 AM

Return Time

19:00-20:00 AM

Itinerary

Day 1: Tirana – Komani Lake – Shala River

Stop At: Komani Lake, Koman, Shkoder County

This destination is a unique and isolated place, a small paradise hidden in a branch of Komani lake.

Transport by private car or minivan (depending on the group size) from Tirana to Komani ferry stop, 2.5h;

Transport by boat through Komani lake to Shala river, 1.5h.

Accommodation at the guesthouse. Relax on the sunbeds, enjoy the sound of the river and nature.

Meals included:

  • Lunch
  • Dinner:

Fix menu of three main courses; Fish-based menu or grilled/oven backed meat, appetizers, soup, etc. Traditional Albanian food.

Accommodation included: Overnight at Guesthouse ‘Eagle’s Land’ with a total capacity of 40 beds and four shared bathrooms. All food, bar, and restaurant are indoor.

Day 2: Relaxing and exploring Shala river and return back to Tirana

During the second day, you may enjoy a relaxing time at this fairyland, relaxing on the sun deck next to the river, swimming, and playing in the water in groups or with kids, from the morning to afternoon;

Optional hiking in the surroundings for 1 to 3 hours on your choice. A local guide on the arrangement (extra cost) will show you other hidden natural spots along the river to Stupe or up the mountain toward Leka’s linden stone. Lunch.

Departure time: 15:00 AM (fix time) transfer by boat to Komani ferry stop, 1h trip.

Transfer to Tirana by car.

Optional stop for a Coffee’ break on the way to Tirana, at Dea Bar/Restaurant next to the Komani lake.

Duration: 12 hours

Meals included:

  • Breakfast
  • Lunch

Additional Info

  • No hot water for shower;
  • Missing electricity during the night; this place works on self-providing power with the generator.
  • Don’t forget to take sun cream; swimming ware; water shoes.
  • Not wheelchair accessible
  • This experience requires good weather. If it’s canceled due to poor weather, you’ll be offered a different date or a full refund.
  • This is a private tour/activity. Only your group will participate.

Cancellation Policy

If it’s canceled due to poor weather, you’ll be offered a different date or a full refund.

For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours in advance of the start date of the experience.

Price

Prices from  1 – 1 persons = 230 Euro / personi

Prices from  2 – 2 persons = 145 Euro / personi

Prices from  3 – 4 persons = 120 Euro / personi

Prices from  5 – 8 persons  = 110 Euro / personi

Prices from  9 – 13 persons = 90 Euro / personi

We are sorry but cant accept new tour bookings for the moment!
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

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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

Send us an email with your details
Reserverations email
info@thethi-guide.com

Shutting Tower Theth

Shutting Tower Theth

Shutting Tower Theth

It is the tower where are reconciled more than 300 conflicts, from all of the areas of Shale. This tower was built four centuries ago and was used to reconcile the two conflicting parties.

Theth Isolation TowerWhen a person committed murder, he had the right to get one old man to evaluate the case. The old men played the role of the advocate for the party that elected him. The accused men were allowed to stay closed in the tower for 15 days, where within these days he had enough time to find the advocate and to explain the main circumstances of the murder. This tower was not the same as the tower of Mirdite where the murder authors stayed closet for the whole life but this was a tower where the meeting to reconcile the conflicts was held. This place was kept alive form three twins reasons:

  1. The canon of Leke Dukagjini that had influence in the whole area.
  2. Then trust that parties would give to one and another, must be respected at any condition
  3. The Catholic belief and religion that belonged to, the whole inhabitants of the area of Dukagjini have also influenced the unity of the inhabitants because all of them were only catholic.

This tower was build from our ancestors to protect the village of Thethi and it is a relic for this area. So the tower of Zef Kol Koceku it is kept and protected with great respect from his nephew Sokol Koceku because it is a symbol of his ancestors. This tower has not been used since a century ago for meetings, because this tradition has been left behind and the tower is kept as a relic. Also, the friend of the Inhabitant of Thethi and the British journalist Edith Durham visited this

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Balkan Peace Park Project

Balkan Peace Park Project

Balkan-peace-park-project

Balkan-peace-park-project

A Balkans Peace Park Project is working towards the creation of a park extending across the borders of Albania, Montenegro and Kosovo and has taken a lead in recent years in encouraging sustainable and ecologically sensitive tourism in and around Theth (for example by funding the marking of footpaths). The Balkan Peace Project is an international charity which aims to connect the adjoining areas of Kosovo, Montenegro and Albania which all lie on the single mountain range of Bjeshkët e Nemuna, the Accursed Mountains. The Balkan Peace Project works with local population to revitalize the village life in the Shala Valley through promoting the environmental and biodiversity conservation, stimulating local employment and supporting sustainable visitor activities including hiking, biking, climbing and caving.

Todd Walters & Antonia Young

Todd Walters & Antonia Young

Antonia Young, a British citizen and President of The BPPP and Walter Todd, an American citizen are two people to thank for this project. These two foreign nationals have taken an interest in the nature of the village, the culture, and the architectural values of the houses in Theth more than any ministers of Culture and Tourism of Albania since 1990. They have arranged for the children of Theth to learn English through summer schools that are organized every year in Theth. Through these projects the residents are presented in domestic and global tourism. Antonia Young has visited Theth, spending the whole month of July there in 2005. There she visited every family to explain the tourist opportunities to them. There are many organized tourist guides and university students studying nature. Todd has been to Theth as representative of the Peace Park Project. In the first year Theth Summer School has run some very important projects. With the support of foreign donors he has led and invested in the construction of the bridge over the Grunas canyon, and the wooden roof of Kolajve mill. Todd has led the project during his year in Theth and has visited all the families of the village, offering a big help to the workers and residents. Supporting the development of a truly international cross border peace park on the borders of Albania, Kosovo and Montenegro GTZ hopes the Balkan Peace Park will act as a symbol of peace and cooperation, will promote environmental conservation, will stimulate sustainable development, will promote eco-tourism. Personal contacts over a period of more than 15 years have been set with individuals, civil society, NGOs and local authorities, government officials, international bodies.

2014 Balkans Expedition

2014 Balkans Expedition

The fantastic nature and landscapes offer great potential for people who want to explore pristine and undiscovered regions. To raise the attractiveness of the village and the accessibility of the surrounding nature GTZ supports the identification and labeling of walking tracks and climbing routes. Just recently several walking tracks and trails were identified and partly marked. A new map covering the region of Theth and Kelmend (Tamara, Vermosh) gives information about 18 hiking tracks or trails (eight in Theth, eight in Kelmend and two cross-regional tracks). A new walking guide provides detailed information including GPS data. BPPP aim is the development of mountain tourism in the border triangle of Albania Kosovo and Montenegro based on the experience of the increasing of mountain tourism in Theth. The project will develop the basic infrastructure of tourism in these three countries. The population in mountain areas is the poorest of the three countries. Mountain tourism destinations of the Bjeshkët e Namuna, The Accursed Mountains, offer great touristic potential. Pristine nature, massive mountains that reach up to 2692 m of altitude, biological diversity, the traditional living style of residents still represent a treasure box waiting to be opened and explored. Because of the lacks in the infrastructure the promotion of specific countries as warm and cozy destinations has a limited potential. The promotion of the entire region will attract more tourists. The objective of BPPP is to improve the conditions for the development of the border triangle between Albania, Kosovo and Montenegro as a single tourist destination. This will result in an increased income for local population and the prevention of rural depopulation.

Era & BPP

Era & BPP

The product of the relationship between border areas will be a central cross-border road for excursions, which is being created jointly. There are only two official border crossing points in the project area: a border point in the mountainous area between Montenegro and Kosovo and another between Montenegro and Albania. An official route between neighboring villages in the three countries in many cases runs 5 to 10 hours by car. The project will guarantee several crossing points for hiking in addition to the existing official border crossing points. This will increase the opportunities for crossing the borders along the mountains. Historical routes are possible links between communities. An example of these historical routes is the track Pec-Milesevski-Plav-Gusinje-Vusanje-Theth-Ragram-Valbona-Cerem-Doberdol-Koznar-Peja. The track can be traversed in 10 days, which fits with the average travel time of an international tourist. Some sites offer the possibility to rest, exploiting the opportunity for cultural tourism. It is possible to shorten or extend the route. In total it is 130 km, but with a difference of 650 m in altitude. A high level of physical condition of the excursionist is required. Another objective of the project is the introduction of European standards in tourism SMEs, improving the quality of tourism SMEs in the area, thus increasing competitive capacity. This change will be realized putting together the minimum European standards accessible and feasible for local participating actors. For the inclusion of the best practices and the implementation of the standards established, voluntary training seminars will follow. Creating a security concept in the mountains is another objective of the project. Ensuring the safety of hiking at the base of medical care and opportunities for mountain rescue teams are currently at a very initial phase. Accidents due to insufficient safety and the lack of rescue teams could damage significantly the image of the park. The security criteria can be implemented by experienced medical assistants. Local medical staff specialized in hiking and mountain accidents initially must be supported by experts from other mountainous areas of Europe in facing the emergencies.

wandern-albanische-alpen-146

wandern-albanische-alpen-146

The BPPP aims to the promotion of the area as a tourist destination, creating a brand and introducing it to the international market. Theth already has become a magnet for European tourists. GTZ is considering how to develop the Albanian mountain adventure, financing home repairs and the construction of tourist infrastructure in Valbona, at the other side of the Alps, enabling tourists to travel across the Alps to the Adriatic sea or in Kukës and in Kosovo. But the goal seems more to contemplate the development of winter sports. The area can turn into a tourist destination for skiing and other sports, but such plans must wait for some other time due to their costs.