Unique experience Shala river & Komani lake

This tour is a day trip to Komani Lake where you will have the chance to sail along an artificial lake built in the 70s by Chinese engineers and to eat lunch at one of the guesthouse in the aria. Komani connects two of the biggest dams in Albania, Komani & Fierza, which provide Albania with much of their energy. This trip is quickly becoming one of the most sought after tours of Northern Albania, so spoiler alert, you won’t be alone in your admiration of the endlessly beautiful canyons, cliffs, and greenery. Even still the combination of intense natural color and lapping of water against the boat provides for a truly soothing experience.

How to rich Shala river!

The easiest way to rich the river is through Komani lake by little boats and for that you will need to spend a night in Shkoder. All the tours that involve Shala river & Komani lake depart from Shkoder very early in the morning. Shkodra is ideal place to start several daily trips. Shala river is a very isolated place and despite the long time to rich the river the journey is worth doing it. An alternative start could be from Fierza river by little boats. You can rich Fierza from Valbona or from Prizren in Kosovo.

Because the rivers levels are low, only small boats can get in. The ferry boats run only on Komani lake (an artificial lake).

When is the best time to visit?

The season for this destination is open from middle of May to the middle of October if the weather permit it. The water can be a little cold for swimming in may but by middle of June is perfect. By the end of July and August given the little rain the river levels will drop and sometimes the little boats can’t complete the full journey to rich the guesthouses & restaurants there so sometimes the visitors will have to walk for 50 miters. We consider that the best time to visit Shala are the months of June, July, August & September. We do not do tour there during the fall or winter season.

What to expect once there!

The voyage itself is a great experience, once there you will see some restaurants that are open only for the summer season and will offer lunch. You definitely will be swimming in the crystal cold water of the river. The river is located in between mountains and will end into the Komani lake. The source of the river is further north into the albanian alps. One of the benches of the river originate from the Blue Eye in Theth.