Shala river & Komani lake -Day trip from Tirana/Durres/ Shkodra
Overview
Available languages
Mobile ticket
Named "the Thailand of Albania", Shala River is definitely one of the most beautiful destinations of Albania. Reachable only by boat and surrounded by mountains, this river is a perfect getaway for those who want to get rid of the mobile connection. The source of this river is in the Albanian Alps.
Additional Info
Not recommended for travelers with spinal injuries
Not recommended for travelers with poor cardiovascular health
Suitable for all physical fitness levels
Kindly note that this tour is not suitable for children under 2 years old
Cancellation Policy
For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.
What To Expect
Komani Lake and Shala River Day Trip is ideal for people seeking a fresh peaceful day with scenic views of Komani Lake and Shala River. You will get a chance to do the Boat Trip in Komani Lake and then swim and relax in the fresh crystal clear waters of the Shala River with views of dreamlike nature. The tour starts in Tirana, Lezha and Shkodra city and involves a 3-hour and 20-minute car ride(from Tirana) with a short stop on the way to the Komani Lake, which was formed in the 1970s by damming the Drini valley.
Shala River
Visitors will then board a boat and embark on a ride through a series of deep gorges and interconnected lakes, passing between high mountains and enjoying the tranquil beauty of the natural surroundings. The ride will continue for approximately 1 hour until reaching the Shala River, which is known for its crystal-clear waters and breathtaking scenery. FREE TIME/LUNCH: You’ll have around 3 hours of free time at Shala River to enjoy the stunning nature, relax, have lunch, or take a refreshing swim in the clear waters. An optional hike is available, led by the tour guide upon arrival. It takes about 45 minutes (both ways) and is well worth it—the view from the top balcony is truly breathtaking.
What‘s Included
Meeting point pick up from Shkodra city center and Lezha City
English-speaking guide throughout the entire tour
Pick up and drop off from the hotel located in Tirana
Air-conditioned transportation
Boat ticket at Komani lake
Digital tour booklet in your selected language
Foods and drinks
Sunbeds
Kayaks
Pickup points
Select a pickup point
Options
Departure from Lezha
Duration: 10 hours: Trip duration may vary due to traffic. We recommend not planning anything in Lezha before 19:00 to avoid any risk of delays Starting from Lezha: We offer pick-up from the meeting point at the roundabout at the entrance of Lezha city, after which the tour will begin. Van/Bus: Depending on the group size, we use different types of vehicles for the trip. All vehicles are air-conditioned Pickup included
Shala river from Tirana - Private tour
Lunch at shala river Pickup included
Departure from Shkodra
Duration: 10 hours Departure from Shkodra Van/Bus Pickup included
Departure: Tirana or Durres
Duration: 14 hours: Trip duration may vary due to traffic. We recommend not planning anything in Tirana before 20:30 to avoid any risk of delay Departure:Tirana/Durres/Golem: We offer pick-up from your hotel or accommodation if it’s located within Tirana city, Durres city or Golem area. Van / Bus : Depending on the group size, we use different types of vehicles for the trip. All vehicles are air-conditioned. Pickup included
Reviews
357 reviews
Total reviews and rating from Viator & Tripadvisor
Breathtaking views!
Sanil P,May 25, 2026
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00Breathtaking and beautiful views. Excellent tour guide (thanks Lola!).
Really nice day trip
A9091KIgabrielm,May 25, 2026
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00Really nice day trip fron Tirana. Lola did an amazing job as our guide :)
Very picturesque trip through the mountains
James R,May 25, 2026
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00Really enjoyed this visit, very picturesque scenery and tour guide was very friendly. Would recommend to anyone visiting
The tour was pretty good....
Puja S,May 23, 2026
- Review from Viator
4.00The tour was pretty good. Early start and a full bus. The drive on the bumpy road isn’t that bad and you have 3 hours to nap in the car til the boat. The boat ride itself is nice, but the seating is uncomfortable. And, if it rains, you have very little protection. The river area itself is fun. If it’s warm you can swim, but if it’s windy or starts raining (it did for like 20 min for us), it can be cold. Nevertheless, it was relaxing to spend a few hours there. Only thing that could be better is maybe picking a better coffee place to stop at. The one we went to had only one bathroom and the line for food in the morning was really long.
Not to be missed
STEPHEN S,May 22, 2026
- Review from Viator
5.00I wanted to take a moment to express my gratitude for the wonderful tour I recently experienced. Our tour leader, LoLa, was fantastic, and her passion and knowledge truly made the experience unforgettable. This is a tour that should not be missed, and I will certainly recommend it to friends and family. Thank you once again for such a memorable experience!
A very beautiful adventure, the...
Sacha C,May 22, 2026
- Review from Viator
5.00A very beautiful adventure; the journey is long from Tirana, but it is worth every minute and euro spent! The guide, Lola, was very interesting and dedicated. I appreciated the information provided and the games offered during the trip.
Simply amazing and relaxing
Guide551903,May 22, 2026
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00Lola is simply amazing, she is very informative and makes the trip very interactive and fun, gives lot of recommendations and very attentive to the details..highly recommended trip…thanks Lola for making the day
Great tour
Chloe W,May 21, 2026
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00Great tour, we had Bledi as our guide who was super friendly and informative. Will recommend the tour to people cominb to Albania.
Amazing experience, highly recommend
artjomsp2026,May 19, 2026
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00Went on a solo trip to Shara Lake - highly recommend. They don’t underestimate when they say that this is the Thailand of Albania. Beautiful scenery, crystal-like lakes and an amazing overall experience. Bledjan was a really fun and insightful guide!
Great Trip and Excellent Organization
oliam2025,May 17, 2026
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00A very enjoyable trip. Very well organized. A pleasant, fun, and helpful guide and his colleagues!
From €55.00
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Operated by Smart Tour Albania