Hike, SUP and Kayak Montenegro's Coast
Explore the National Parks and World Heritage Sites of this beautiful Balkan coastline with a paddle in hand
What's Included?
Activities & Certified Guides
All itinerary activities with expert, local, English-speaking guidesHotel
5 nights in hotelsMeals
All breakfasts, 4 lunches and 1 dinnerTransfers
Airport transfers and everything in betweenEquipment
All SUP and kayaking equipmentSmall Like-minded Groups
Solo-friendly by design, join our small n’ sociable groups of up to 14 like-minded, active and outdoorsy people…
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What's it like?
Hike through the spectacular Lovcen National Park and tackle a trail high above the historical fortified town of Kotor
SUP into the lush wetlands of Skadar Lake and paddle the Bay of Kotor at sunset against a mountainous backdrop
Kayak along the rugged Adriatic coastline and into the mesmerising Blue Cave, snorkelling in clear waters by idyllic beaches
Key Information
Day 1
Welcome to Montenegro!
Hiking
Your host will pick you up from either Podgorica Airport or Tivat Airport – sit back and enjoy an hour's drive to your hotel, situated in the heart of Lovcen National Park. Part of the Dinaric Alps, you'll be greeted by a cool mountain climate and green surroundings. Get to know your guide and travel companions over lunch before heading out for a hike to the ancient village of Majstori and it's abandoned chapel.
Day 2
Hiking in Lovcen National Park and sunset SUP
Hiking
Stand Up Paddleboarding
Set off early from the hotel for a circular hike on the Wolf Trail. Tackle a spur to Babina Glava at 1,447m, taking in the wonderful scenery, local culture and diverse natural habitat of the spectacular Lovcen National Park region. You'll learn all about the significance of this mountain range to Montenegrins and how it gave the country its name, 'Black Mountain' before you make your way back to the hotel for lunch.
Admire magnificent views of Tivat and Kotor as you descend 1,100m in 12 minutes on the new Kotor Cable Car on your way to your first SUP spot. You'll have a basic lesson before a memorable sunset SUP in the beautiful Bay of Kotor.
Day 3
SUP in Skadar Lake National Park
Stand Up Paddleboarding
Embark on a water-borne exploration of the winding Crnojevica River by SUP. Paddle downstream amidst floating water lilies as the river snakes into the heart of Skadar Lake National Park. A protected wetlands environment, this is one of Europe's most important bird habitats. Enjoy the dramatic scenery - keeping your eyes peeled for the rare Dalmatian Pelican. A support boat will be on hand to pick up any paddlers who get tired along the way. After lunch at a restaurant by the river, you'll return by boat and then drive to the coastal town of Tivat (approx 1.5 hours), your base for the rest of the trip.
Day 4
Hike to Fort Vrmac from Muo
Hiking
Lace up your boots for an uphill hike from the city of Muo up through dense forest and some exposed sections to Fort Vrmac, one of the best preserved historical fortifications in the area. While you'll be making your way up the steep ridge for the majority of the hike, there are a series of long and winding switchbacks all the way to the top, which makes the ascent feel more gradual, and you will be rewarded with spectacular views over the Bay of Kotor.
Day 5
Kayaking in the Adriatic
Kayaking
Take to the Adriatic waters today to explore the many caves and coves along the rugged coastline of Lustica Peninsula by kayak, stopping for some sea swims and snorkelling along the way. Paddle into the Blue Cave, the largest of the Lustica Peninsula caves which gets its name from the reflections of blue light that bounce off the water. Enjoy a picnic lunch and relax on a quiet beach.
Day 6
Goodbye Montenegro
Your adventure comes to an end today, with a group transfer provided around lunchtime from the hotel to either Tivat Airport or Podgorica Airport.
The Area
Logistics
Starts
Podgorica Airpot or Tivat Airport
12:30 on Day 1
Ends
Podgorica Airport or Tivat Airport
Afternoon of Day 6
Transfers
Arrival and departure transfers are included in the trip price if you arrive on Day 1 and depart on Day 6. Your host will pick you up from either Podgorica Airport or Tivat Airport on the morning of Day 1 – you are advised to arrive before 12:30pm. The transfer from either airport to the start hotel in Lovcen National Park takes approximately one hour.
At the end of the trip there will be a group transfer to both airports, departing around lunchtime, therefore you are advised to book flights departing after 15:00. The transfer from Tivat to Podgorica Airport takes approximately 1 hour 45 minutes.
Travel options
Direct flights are available from the UK to both Podgorica and Tivat airports.
You may also consider flying to Dubrovnik in neighbouring Croatia and making your own way independently to one of the pickup points in Montenegro - let the host know your arrival plans prior to travel.
Pre- and post-trip accommodation in Tivat can be booked - see Optional Extras for pricing.
Day 1
Breakfast
Lunch
Dinner
Day 2 – Day 5
Breakfast
Lunch
Dinner
Day 6
Breakfast
Lunch
Dinner
What is the food like?
Mediterranean dishes are prominent in coastal Montenegro – often fish and meat accompanied by pasta, rice and vegetables. In the mountains, the cooler climate and Turkish influence means hardier dishes like mutton, pork, and potatoes are staples of the average diet. Throughout the country, dairy products are constant at breakfast, where you'll also encounter priganice (fried dough balls, served savoury with cheese, or sweet with honey).
Vegetarians, vegans and other dietary requirements and allergies can be catered for - please just request this on your passenger info form.
What is the accommodation like?
Lovcen National Park
For two nights you'll stay at the Monte Rosa, a beautifully situated rural hotel in the heart of Lovcen National Park. Standing at an elevation of 1240m, the area enjoys a cooler climate and gives direct access to walking trails and the surrounding mountains – it's the ideal basecamp for an active adventure.
Tivat
In the picturesque coastal town of Tivat, you'll stay at the comfortable Palma Hotel, centrally located on Kotor Bay with its own small beach. Stroll along the shore to the marina and discover the local bars and restaurants serving up typical coastal cuisine.
Upgrades
For solo travellers looking for their own space, an optional private room can be booked for an extra charge, see Optional Extras for the price. Please request this at the time of booking (this is subject to availability).
This trip has been rated as Easy
No previous experience is required for participation in, and enjoyment of, the activities included in this trip. You should be reasonably fit, particularly for the hikes and sea kayaking, and should be a confident swimmer due to the water-based theme of the trip.
What will I need to carry?
You'll need to have a larger bag suitable for all your belongings which will be transported for you, and then a small daysack to carry personal items during each day.
Montenegro has a hot, dry climate, particularly during the mid-summer months of July and August when temperatures can reach over 30°C, so come prepared for warm weather. In the shoulder seasons of spring and autumn temperatures are slightly lower, typically in the upper teens to the upper twenties (degrees Celsius) during the daytime. Mountainous areas, even those close to the coast, are typically 3-6 degrees cooler compared to the coast, especially at night.
Awesome trip
Up there with one of the best trips I’ve done. Rafael our guide for the week was excellent- friendly, super organised, great communicator and did everything to make the trip amazing. Montenegro is beautiful and the itinerary allows you see and experience it in different ways ( hiking, cable car, paddling). Hotel was perfect and in a great location with the beach on the door!
Montenegro adventures
My first trip to Montenegro was fabulous thanks to my fellow travelers and our splendid hosts. The trip was very well organised by Rafael and the team and it was fantastic to spend a few days not having to think about anything other than what to wear for the next adventure. None of us knew each other before the trip and it was great to get to know the rest of the group. I would recommend this trip to anyone travelling solo, I really enjoyed the company of our group and our hosts. We had a laugh and Rafael did a great job at making us feel comfortable and adapting the schedule when necessary due to the weather.
A stunning trip which surpassed all expectations
I do not like organised group travel...or so I thought!...
I've been lucky enough to travel across this amazing planet extensively. However, I usually opt for the completely independent experience.
Montenegro was on my hit list for a while. I love hiking and anything to do with water so when this particular trip popped up on my socials it piqued my interest and I thought 'why not?'.
I'm so glad I took a chance as the entire trip was absolutely fantastic. Montenegro is a stunningly beautiful country and the combination of hiking, kayaking and SUPing the Montenegrin coastline was an idyllic way to spend five days. Our tour guides Rafa, Sam, Armondo (apologies if I spelt the name of the most friendly Mexican I have ever met incorrectly!) and Ollie were fantastic. They were informative, always had our safety and comfort at the forefront of their minds and struck the perfect balance of 'being there' but not 'being in your face'. I was also lucky enough to be in a group of the loveliest 8 people you could ever hope to meet. We were all different and spanned a good 20 years between us but we all got on brilliantly and had a damn good giggle!
I would 100% recommend this trip to anyone who enjoys being on the water. It's 5 stars from me and, dare I say it, I'm browsing more Much Better Adventure trips 😉
Thank you to all who worked so hard to make this trip a truly memorable experience.
What a blast!
A fabulous week led by Rafa and Sam, with some input from Ollie and Ormondo. They were all brilliant!
We had a really fun week with lots of activities. The original itinerary was altered appropriately to deal with weather conditions - in our case sweltering heat!
The hotels were lovely, and the food was delicious. Montenegro is a stunningly beautiful country, and I would happily visit it again.
This trip is advertised as easy, but I would say that it is moderate. I would highly recommend it though :-)
Magnificent Montenegro
This was my first trip with MBA and I can’t fault them. The booking process was simple and my queries were answered promptly. Any comms were also really clear and helpful.
The trip itself was great fun. The activities provided a great way to see and explore the country with the cable car ride and time spent on the water being real highlights. View upon views!
Our group leader, Rafa, supported by Sam and Oli did an amazing job. They were brilliant company for the week and their guidance, support and ability to answer all our questions was hugely appreciated. They also managed to adapt our plans to ensure we all survived in the heat and also solved the case of the missing rudder with aplomb! Thanks guys!
I’d highly recommend this trip!
Fantastic experiences with brilliant company
Rafa & Sam were the best guides we could have asked for. It was so lovely to have them offer their skills and advice throughout the trip and make it special for each of us. Ollie joined us for some water activities and having experienced SUPers was a great confidence boost for those who hadn't tried it before. Rafa made a few activity changes due to the weather and suitability of the activity but we all loved them. Sunset from the top of the cable car was a definite highlight. We had a great mixed group and enjoyed a fun week together in a beautiful country.
A Beautiful and Amazing week
Had a fantastic time, the country is beautiful and the trip was amazing. The guides, Rafael, Sam, Oli and Armando were really great and looks after us all super well, they even changed one of the activities to another water sport instead of hiking as the weather was boiling. They also took us to some great restaurants and we watched the sun set in the bay. Was an amazing trip and would definitely recommed, is a good trip for beginners but definitely need a little baseline fitness as we’re paddle boarding/kayaking for a few hours
Brilliant trip - don't hesitate
We had a brilliant trip with Rafa and MBA. Montenegro is stunning, and it was so nice to see the landscape via hiking, paddle boarding and kayaking. Rafa looked after us really well and made sure that we were all comfortable with every activity. The difficulty level for this trip is probably more ‘moderate’ than easy, but as long as you have a decent level of fitness you’ll be absolutely fine. Thanks so much to Rafa and the MBA team for a fantastic week 😊.
A Montenegro Adventure to Remember!
I recently embarked on a 5-night adventure with Much Better Adventures in the stunning country of Montenegro. It was an experience that left me utterly in awe of my surroundings, rejuvenated, and grateful.
Highlights of My Montenegro Adventure: From Hiking the trails of Lovcen National Park, SUP in crystal clear waters of Kotor Bay or down the river in Skadar National Park, and Sea Kayaking to the Blue Cave every moment felt like a highlight!
The Local Touch: The success of this adventure was thanks to the knowledge, meticulous planning and care provided by MBA’s local partners and our guide: Jefferey, Igor, and Rafael. They always had a backup plan ready, ensuring our itinerary flowed seamlessly. When winds threatened our sea kayaking, they rescheduled to an earlier day to avoid challenging conditions.
Perfect Accommodation: Our stay in Tivat was nothing short of perfection. With a private beach and easy access to restaurants and Porto Montenegro, it was an ideal base for our explorations.
New Friends, Lasting Memories: Our small group of five like-minded travellers and Rafael quickly became friends. The activities were superb, striking a balance between adventure and relaxation. Whether exploring, socialising, or simply enjoying the sea breeze with a good book, Montenegro captured my heart.
In summary, Much Better Adventures delivered an unforgettable Montenegro experience. Highly recommended—I’m already eyeing my next flight back!!
Incredible
It was my very first time doing this kind of trip and it was incredible. Big thank you to Rafael and Igor for taking us everywhere every day and for planning this whole trip. Montenegro is absolutely gorgeous and would recommend everyone to visit. The trip was perfect mix of mountains, lakes & beach. The food was delicious... I met an incredible group of women and look forward to my next trip!!