Albania River Cruises: the 7 to Book First

1.From Tirana/Shkodra: Komani Lake and Shala River Day Trip

★★★★★★★★★★4.8 · 1,520 reviews · 9 hours - 870 minutes · from $60Our pick

Travel from Tirana, Shkodra, or Lezha to Komani Lake and Shala River by van and boat. You get mountain views, swimming time, lunch options, and an optional viewpoint hike. Guides such as Bledi, Arber, and Noel add stories and help keep the long day organized.

“It was a very nice trip. The bus pick up us from the hotel, it was comfortable. The guide was very kind and polite. On the way we go by mountains, and the views were really beautiful. We walk in tunnel about 15 minutes and then take a boat. On the boat it was just amazing, mountains around, water, we make a lot of nice photos. When we arrive, there is hotel and restaurant close. But if you walk a little more, behind the restaurant and cafe, you see the place is really untouched. Nature is pure, clean, not destroyed by people. It was very interesting to walk there. If…”

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2.Çorovoda: Osumi Canyon Rafting/River Tubing Tour

★★★★★★★★★★4.6 · 438 reviews · 150 minutes - 3 hours · from $61

Meet your English-speaking guide at Hotel Guri in Çorovoda at 10:30. Depending on the season and water level, you will raft or float by tube through Osumi Canyon, stopping at the Cathedral, Waterfall of Love, and Sugar Waterfall. Guides such as Kristian, Julio, and Rati are known for careful instruction and fun group hosting.

“Amazing experience. Guides took care of us very well and made it an enjoyable day. The drive up to the meeting point is very long and on tight bendy roads with lots of potholes, just something for people to be aware of”

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3.Tirana/Durres/Shkodra: Shala River and Koman Lake Boat Trip

★★★★★★★★★★4.5 · 409 reviews · 9 - 14 hours · from $59

Travel from Tirana, Durrës, Golem, or Shkodra to Koman Lake, then ride a boat through mountain scenery to Shala River, known as the Thailand of Albania. Guides such as Jeffrey, Lavdërim, Armand, and Mandy add local stories, while you get time to swim, eat, walk, or relax.

“This activity was amazing we loved every second of it, there was so many beautiful views and things to do once we got to Lumi shales. Our tour guide Lavdërim was amazing, he helped us with anything he could, he made sure the journey there was fun and was telling us about the beautiful history of Albania, we had 2-3 hours to do whatever we wanted at the Shala river which was more than enough to get the full experience. Definitely recommend!!!”

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4.Berat Rafting, Kayaking & River Tubing – Osumi Canyons

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 336 reviews · 4 hours (approx.) · from $54Top rated

From Berat, you travel to the Osumi Canyons for roughly two hours on the river, passing waterfalls, cathedral-like rock walls, and narrow bends. Guides such as Bledi, Enver, and Renato have been praised for safety and good humor. Low summer water may mean canyon walking and swimming instead of rafting.

“My daughter (12) and me decided to do this rafting adventure. And it was absolutely worth it! The adventure was perfectly organized. Every question we had beforehand, was directly answered. Everyone was so nice and helpful. And the rafting itself was real fun!!! The guides were great- you can feel that they really like what they're doing. We had such a good time! The rafting was exciting and the landscape absolutely breathtaking! Seeing the Canyoning from this perspective reminded me of the pictures in Lord of the Rings. We loved it! I highly recommend this rafting tour!”

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5.Shala river & Komani lake -Day trip departure from Tirana/Shkodra

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 309 reviews · 13 to 15 hours (approx.) · from $62

Travel from Tirana, Shkodra, or Lezha to Komani Lake, then take a boat through steep mountain gorges to Shala River. You get about three hours for swimming, lunch, and an optional 45-minute hike. Guides such as Arber, Bledi, and Edi are praised for clear communication and local insight.

“Absolutely amazing experience. Beautiful place, easy and comfortable ride. Perfect guide. Truly an unforgettable experience and well recommended.”

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6.Permet: Vjosa River National Park Guided Rafting Tour

★★★★★★★★★★4.9 · 291 reviews · 150 minutes - 3 hours · from $49

Join GoRaft Vjosa Albania for a 150-minute to three-hour rafting trip on the Vjosa River. Guides such as Emil, Mikkel, Orges, and Genny lead small groups through rapids, calm swimming spots, and mountain scenery, with equipment, snacks, drinks, photos, and showers included.

“It was such a good und fun experience 🤩 very funny tour guide”

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7.Përmet: Vjosa River Rafting from Permet or Berat city

★★★★★★★★★★4.8 · 239 reviews · 4 - 9 hours · from $44Best value

Join Albania Rafting Group for a Class III Vjosa River trip from Përmet or a day outing from Berat. Expect about two hours on the water, trained guides such as Aldo, Ali, Kev, or Daniel, calm pools, playful rapids, swimming, and an optional 10-meter rock jump.

“We liked literally everything 🤩 It was an amazing experience. We had the best guide with Kevin, who told interesting stories about the area and was cracking good jokes #verynice😂😉 All in all, we can highly recommend this experience and you won’t regret it. It was lots of fun! Thank you again, Kevin!☺️”

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