Theth Village And Blue Eye

A tour of 13 - 14 hours, rated 4.8 across 630 traveller reviews.

Overview

This is a long day, 13 to 14 hours door to door, built around a van ride from Tirana, Durrës or Shkodër into the Albanian Alps and back. Hotel pickup and drop-off are included, along with an English-speaking tour leader, a guided hike and all entrance fees. Lunch is not included.

The drive breaks at a coffee stop in Shkodër County, then climbs past Boga village and the Qafe Thore pass, with a stop for photos at the pass before descending into Theth. There, the group gets a guided walk through the village, taking in the Church of Theth and the 16th-century Reconciliation Tower, followed by lunch featuring traditional North Albanian cuisine. The afternoon is given to the Blue Eye of Theth, reached on foot along the river, with around three hours on site before the drive back.

It suits travellers who want mountains and a proper walk in one day and do not mind hours in a van to get them. The hike is rated easy to moderate, so reasonable fitness and sturdy shoes matter more than experience. Anyone with health concerns should think twice, as the listing advises against it for them.

What's Included

Itinerary

1. Hotel pickupPickup from Tirana, Durrës or Shkodër, with collection up to 45 minutes before the tour starts.
2. Van to Shkodër CountyA 1.5-hour transfer north, followed by a 20-minute coffee break in Shkodër County.
3. Drive into the AlpsAnother hour by van to the foothills, then a 20-minute stop at Qafe Thore for photos and sightseeing, passing Boga village along the way.
4. Theth villageA 45-minute guided walk covering the Church of Theth and the Reconciliation Tower, then a 1-hour lunch break. Lunch is not included in the price.
5. Blue Eye of ThethRoughly 3 hours for the hike and visit. The listing describes a 1.5-hour round-trip hike, with time at the cold spring for photos and a swim.
6. Return transferA 3-hour van ride back, ending at drop-off points in Durrës or Shkodër.

What To Expect From The Tour

A few practical points will shape whether this day works for you, from the rocky trail surface to the length of the transfers.

• Footwear. The trail to the Blue Eye runs on uneven stones, and one reviewer specifically called for hiking shoes with good grip. The listing puts footwear on its bring list too. Trainers with worn soles are a poor idea here.
• The hike. Expect an easy-to-moderate walk, with the listing describing a 1.5-hour round trip to the spring and around three hours total on the section. Reviewers found it manageable with decent shoes and willingness, though one noted the rocky surface makes it harder than the distance suggests. The listing advises against it for people with health concerns.
• Swimming. The Blue Eye has some of the coldest water in Albania, and the tour invites a dip. Bring a towel and something to swim in if you want to try it.
• Long transfers. Several hours of the day are spent in the van, and one reviewer says the long drive is worth it for what you get at the end. Some travellers have flagged tight legroom and weak air conditioning on the transfers. Pack water and something to pass the time.
• Lunch. Lunch in Theth is a stop on the itinerary but not in the price, so budget for it separately. One reviewer described good food at a restaurant the guide recommended, with card payment accepted.
• Guides. Reviews often praise the guides as friendly, attentive and good at pacing the day, and the review summary credits them with keeping the hike well paced. English is the tour language.

Common issues. The main trade-off is time: with 13 to 14 hours door to door and several hours of driving each way, the day is tiring, and some reviewers mention tight legroom and weak air conditioning in the vehicles. The hike, while short in distance, crosses uneven and rocky ground that one reviewer found challenging. The Blue Eye area can get crowded with tourists, according to another review. Lunch and personal expenses are not covered by the tour price, and the listing states the tour is not recommended for people with health concerns.

Common Questions