Walking Tour In Montenegro

Join the tour at Virpazar hotel. If the group flight arrival time allows we will take an optional transfer to the village of Godinje where we can enjoy a walk around this historical village. We may also have the opportunity to do some local wine tasting.

Overnight Standard Hotel

Today we set out to explore the Skadar Lake National Park on a boat. The largest lake in the Balkan Peninsula, it is known for diverse flora and fauna. While sailing we pass by a number of establishments such as the old fishermen village, Grmozur island prison and Lesandro Turkish fortress among many monasteries, churches and scared monuments located here. If we are lucky enough we may spot migratory birds which occasionally flock to this region. This afternoon we will transfer to Zabljak. En route we come across the impressive Moraca Canyon where we visit the 13th Century Moraca monastery. Before we arrive in Zabljak which is located in the heart of Durmitor National Park, we will see one of the most beautiful bridges in this part of the world - Djurdjevica Tara. Built before the second world war its arches stand 100 metres above the Tara River leaning on the walls of the deepest European canyon.

Overnight Standard Hotel Included meals: Breakfast

Durmitor National Park is a UNESCO World Heritage Site that covers some 40,000 hectares, encompassing a rich landscape of towering peaks, alpine lakes and high pastureland, sandwiched between the Tara and Piva canyons. Today we will begin our exploration of this magnificent setting with a walk around the lakes, a journey that begins with a gentle hike through pine forests to the Crno Jezero (Black Lake). Of the 18 glacial lakes that pepper this spectacular landscape, Crno Jezero is probably the most famous and is certainly the largest, feeding the river basins of both the Tara and the Komarnica Rivers. We’ll take a walk around the lake, named after the dark pine landscapes that surround it, and then continue on towards the Zminje Jezero (Serpent Lake), where we can enjoy a picnic lunch before the imposing backdrop of the Durmitor Plateau. After lunch we head back towards Zabljak, passing by the serene waters of Lake Barno en route, continuing to enjoy the majestic setting of these karst ranges as we go. Aside from its glacial lakes, the park also features 27 peaks that exceed 2200m, five canyons, lush expanses of ancient forest and a labyrinthine system of caves and sinkholes that number in the hundreds. Total walking approx: 18km, 4-5 hours. Elevation gain 50m.

Overnight Standard Hotel Included meals: Breakfast

Heading out again after breakfast this morning we take a trail that snakes passed the Black Lake once more and then up into the mountains, heading through a changing landscape of fir forests and low alpine vegetation and onto the snow covered peaks. Our destination is the Previja Pass (2145m), located beneath the heights of Medjed (Bear) peak (2287m), where we will enjoy a quite spectacularly scenic lunch overlooking the majestic vistas below us. Whilst bear and wolf are rarely sighted in the park, there is a chance of spotting chamois on the high mountain slopes, as well as fox, weasels and badger. The area is also rich in birdlife, with 130 different species being recorded here, including grey mountain eagles, white-headed vultures and crossbills. From spring to mid summer the landscape becomes a blaze of colours, with the alpine meadows blanketed in a rainbow of hues from gentians, anemones, violets, soldanellas and wild strawberries. After our lunch stop we will head back down to Black Lake, following a trail that takes us via a shepherd’s camp at Lokvice, before returning to the hotel. Total walking approx: 15km, 6 hours. Elevation gain 685m.

Overnight Standard Hotel Included meals: Breakfast

Leaving the mountain landscapes of Durmitor behind this morning we head south, towards the warm waters of the Adriatic and the Bay of Boka. Our journey to the small town of Kotor Bay takes us via the monastery at Ostrog, built by St Vasilije (Basil) in the 17th century. Stopping to visit the lower monastery – the Church of the Holy Trinity – we then take a 30-minute climb along the pilgrim’s path to the higher one. Set before the imposing backdrop of sheer vertical walls the whitewashed walls of the upper monastery makes for an inspiring spectacle. The monastery contains the bones of St Basil, reverentially housed in a sepulchral sanctuary that is linked to another chapel by an atmospheric series of caves and passages. The walls are crammed with offerings and pleas from the faithful and the entire atmosphere of the monastery is one of reverential piety. Departing the monastery after lunch we then continue to Prcanj, stopping off en route to enjoy the views above the Budva Riviera, before descending to the town, where we should arrive later this afternoon. Once an important port, this engaging backwater is home to a church of quite staggering size, second only to the Cathedral in Dubrovnik. Taking some 120 years to build, it boasts an impressive collection of paintings and sculptures, as well as a silver cup that apparently once belonged to Lord Byron.

Overnight Standard Hotel Included meals: Breakfast

This morning we visit the old medieval city of Kotor, lying beneath the slopes of Mount Lovcen. An engaging mix of European and Byzantine influences, Kotor was once an independent city republic, until the threat of Ottoman attacks saw it throw its lot in with the Venetians. We’ll take a wander through the old city, walking its city walls to enjoy the views across the medieval rooftops and out across the fjord from the Ivan Tower at the top of the ramparts. Under the Venetians Kotor became one of the best fortified cities in the region, boasting walls twice the length of Dubrovnik, and these same walls provide us with a fascinating glimpse into its turbulent past. After lunch the afternoon is free to continue exploring at your leisure. We can recommend a boat trip out into the fjord, taking in some of the small islands that occupy the turquoise waters off the coast and visiting Gospa Skrpjela, Sv. Djodje and the historic town of Perast. Of course you may just wish to continue enjoying the delights of Kotor, perhaps taking in the Romanesque grandeur of St Tryphon’s Cathedral, or visiting the fascinating maritime museum.

Overnight Standard Hotel Included meals: Breakfast

Today we hike Vrmac Mountain which looms above Kotor town. The trail starts from Kotor town and starts to ascend immediately. It is an ancient path used for trading and the army (last time the Austro-Hungarian and Italian army in the Second World War). The panoramic views of Kotor and the Fjord become more and more spectacular as we climb. The zigzag trail takes us in and out of pine forest and once we reach the end, we take a dirt track which follows the ridge of Vrmac Mountain. At certain points we will have stunning sea views on both sides of the Fjord (Tivat and Kotor). Later, we descend to Markov Rt beach where you can cool off and enjoy a dip in the sea. From here we return to Kotor Bay for our final evening.

Overnight Standard Hotel Included meals: Breakfast

This morning we will transfer back to Podgorica airport where the tour ends.

Included meals: Breakfast