Koman Lake and Shala River: Albania's Hidden Gems

Discover the ‘Thailand of Albania’ with a day trip to Shala River and Koman Lake. Enjoy boat trips, crystal waters, and breathtaking nature.

Duration: 14 hours
Cancellation: 24 hours
Highlights
  • Koman - - Departure from Tirana at 05:30 to Koman.
  • Quick coffee break during the journey.
  • Arrival at Koman Lake after approximately 3.5 hours.
  • Shala River - - Upon reaching the Komani Dam, passengers will disembark from the bus and board waiting boats for an enchanting 50-60 minute cruise across the serene waters of Komani Lake.
  • Upon…
What's Included
  • Cruise Ticket
  • English Speaking Guide
  • All Fees and Taxes
  • In-vehicle air conditioning
What's Not Included
  • Hotel Pick Up - Drop Off
  • Lunch
Additional Information

Places To Be Visited: Koman Lake, Shala River.
Shala River, often referred to as the ‘’Thailand of Albania,’’ flows through the Albanian Alps near the village of Theth. This tour promises unforgettable experiences, beginning with a boat trip on Koman Lake, which provides stunning views. You’ll visit Shala River, have free time to relax in its…

Location
Unaza
Bulevardi Gjergj Fishta
Cancellation Policy

For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.

Customer Ratings
4.2
(13 Ratings)
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Louis_h
Jun 25, 2025
It was a great... - It was a great experience accompanied by a very nice and helpful guide. The day went very well, I recommend.
Review provided by Viator
Orenay
Jan 20, 2025
A perfect day trip to Shala River and Koman Lake - Our day trip to Koman Lake was unforgettable! The stunning turquoise waters and mountains were breathtaking. Our guide was amazing! He made our experience even better with his knowledge, friendliness and always making sure we didn’t miss any gems. It was the perfect mix of adventure, relaxation, and fun with friends on a summer day!
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Chrisjd4124ap
Jan 19, 2025
Amazing - This trip was such a fun and memorable experience—definitely time well spent. I’d highly recommend it to anyone visiting Albania for the first time. The landscapes were breathtaking, and our guide made it even better. He was wonderful—experienced, knowledgeable, and truly passionate about what he does. He explained everything along the way, kept us engaged, and made sure we were comfortable throughout the trip. We had an amazing time and left with great memories!
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Kirstenf752
Aug 10, 2024
Shala River is unmissable! - This trip was the highlight of my holiday. It’s very well organised, you receive WhatsApp messages the day before agreeing a time and location for your pick up. The mini coach for 30 people arrived on time and was clean and cool. Our guide, Armand, was very knowledgable and pointed out landmarks along the way. The boat ride to the shala river was gorgeous and when we arrived we had time to explore the area before meeting again for an optional lunch. Armand recommended a place for lunch, the local fish was delicious and came with traditional sides. Shala river is beautiful and well worth a visit, the river is fresh and clear and there are lots of places to relax as well as kayaking or exploring the area. I recommend you bring plenty of water and snacks as there was a lot of traffic on the way back. I only wish there was an option to stay longer at shala river, or even overnight!
Review provided by Tripadvisor
S3856ttlucieb
Aug 22, 2025
Breathtaking views - It was a nice trip. The lake and the mountains are beautiful ☺️ I was amazed by the color of the water. Also the river is very clear at the small village base, but cold 😅 You can buy food and ice cream by the river. Tour guide was very friendly and shared interesting info. We had some stops on the way for coffee and toilet break. It was a long trip from Durres due to traffic, I think it took around 4 hours. Also if you fear heights then you should prepare yourself mentally for the bus ride through the mountains where sometimes the bus is very close to the edge of the road and steep hill down 😅 But it was worth it 😁 Also don’t panic when they contact you with pick up info late evening the day before and make sure you have the correct pick up coordinates. They communicate well through Whatsapp.
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Winnerd2021
Jun 21, 2025
Amazing place to visit - The views were amazing, we took so many photos and had a very good time. It felt like I was on a private island somewhere 🤭🙂‍↔️
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Mariajosecw5204ci
Jun 4, 2025
I liked it, it was worth it! - Trip of 3 hours, from Golem to Lake Komani, on an awful road, of land, narrow, dangerous, hollowed...crossing on foot, from a tunnel of land, narrow, with about 1 km, to catch a railboat, of small dimensions, which took us through Lake Komani for 2 hours. The lake is beautiful, huge, very extensive, surrounded by high mountains covered with green vegetation that contrast with the turquoise blue of its waters. From Lake Komani, you navigate through narrow gorges that give access to the Shala River beach, a magical, isolated, beautiful place that reminds, for moments, of a Thai beach.
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Dulce_b
Jul 15, 2025
Resilient experience - I waited for an hour for them to arrive. Then we had to take a bus without air conditioning because it was broken. The road was exhausting, and it took ages to get there due to heavy traffic. The guide didn’t say a word the entire way. He didn’t explain anything, neither about Albania nor about the place we were going to visit.
Review provided by Viator
Dreamer02188668360
Aug 8, 2024
Anticlimax with a nice edge - The communication about pickup was good. The drive there took a long time, but the view was very nice. With a good bus driver into the mountains shows a different side of Albania. The boat trip also takes quite a long time, but with very nice views. Since we are in the middle of the summer season, the boat was packed, which made it slightly uncomfortable. Eventually arrived it felt a bit like an anticlimax. It was very busy on the beach. Everything is relatively expensive and you even have to pay for the toilet. There are many wasps, so you can not enjoy your drink properly on your paid beach bed. Also a tip: bring water shoes! It is a stone beach and the stones are sharp. We are glad we have been there because of the beautiful nature, but for the beach experience you certainly do not have to go there.
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Caryl7777
Jul 11, 2025
Lamentable - Although my listing was visible on TripAdvisor, no guide contacted me. I am at the meeting point and there no bus corresponding to my travelling tour. You're a total scumbag. Don't go through TripAdvisor, they're not serious
Review provided by Tripadvisor
From $63
up to 15 guests
1 - Adult
Cancellation: Free cancellation up to 24 hours before the start of your experience (local time).