Raft, Hike and Canyon in Montenegro
Explore Montenegro's crystal clear rivers, tackle Europe’s deepest, longest canyon and hike through its wildly beautiful mountains
What's Included?
Activities & Certified Guides
All itinerary activities with local, English-speaking tour leader and qualified activity guidesHotel & Chalet
3 nights in cosy lakeside chalets and 1 night in a hotelMeals
All breakfasts, 3 lunches and 4 dinnersTransfers
To and from the airport and everything in betweenEquipment
All your rafting and canyoning 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?
Splash, slide and jump your way along the Nevidio Canyon in the heart of one of Europe's least-visited wildernesses
Raft white water in the Tara River Canyon, the longest and deepest gorge in Europe and a UNESCO-protected biosphere
Hike the glacial Black Lake and ascend the peak of Prutaš for sweeping vistas of the wild Durmitor National Park
Key Information
Day 1
To the wilderness of Durmitor
Hiking
Touch down in Podgorica Airport and receive a warm greeting from your host, before embarking on a scenic 2.5hr drive to Žabljak, the gateway to Durmitor National Park. Arriving in Durmitor, immerse yourself in the serene beauty of the iconic Black Lake as you hike around it, following picturesque forest trails below the towering Mount Bear. Don’t let the name fool you: Black Lake is famous for its clear, turquoise waters and if you dare, you can brave a cold dip. As twilight descends, check in to your cosy lakeside chalets near Žabljak. Settle in, have a chat about the adventure ahead and join your group and host for a welcome dinner – then head to bed, ahead of the action tomorrow.
Day 2
Rafting down the 'Tear of Europe'
Rafting
Tuck into breakfast before heading to the banks of the mighty Tara River, under the shadow of iconic Tara Bridge. Prepare for a splash of excitement as you embark on a rafting adventure along the emerald currents of Europe's deepest ravine plunging 1,300 metres deep – second only to the Grand Canyon. (For those seeking heights as thrilling as the depths, an optional zipline experience can be booked after the rafting, offering a bird's-eye view of the canyon.) Back on land, tuck into a tasty Montenegrin lunch including local cheeses, fish, and fresh salads. This afternoon's drive back will go via the charming village of Njegovuđa, stopping en route by the tranquil Fish Lake and Devil’s Lake as well as the enigmatic stećci (fascinating medieval tombstones). End the epic day in the comfort of your lakeside lodging and enjoy a leisurely dinner with your new friends.
Day 3
Summit Prutaš (2393m) and hike among Durmitor's giants
Hiking
Rise early and brace yourself for the ascent to Prutaš (2393m) in the wild heart of Durmitor National Park. The climb starts from the Šarban pass, where each turn reveals a new layer of mountain grandeur. The trail soon meanders through lush meadows and above the serene Skrčka lakes, with the towering peak of Bobotov Kuk watching over you from afar. Upon reaching the summit, you'll be greeted by one of the best viewpoints in the whole of Montenegro. Make your way back down the mountain to the comfort of Žabljak, celebrating a fantastic hike with your group and guide over dinner, then get some rest ahead of your thrilling canyoning adventure tomorrow.
Day 4
Nevidio canyoning adventure
Canyoning
Hiking
Driving
Begin your final day of adventure with a transfer to the idyllic village of Pošćenje, surrounded by natural beauty in the form of two glacial lakes and the beautiful cascades of the Skakavica waterfall. Next, venture to the enigmatic Nevidio Canyon, a hidden gem that remains one of Montenegro's best-kept secrets, boasting narrow gorges and vivid blue-green pools. Leap into a thrilling canyoning experience, navigating through a natural obstacle course of rocks and water, sliding and jumping through Nevidio’s narrow passages. Emerging from the canyon, hike back to your vehicle and enjoy a well-deserved lunch in a local restaurant before transferring back to Podgorica for your final night. Tonight you may choose to join your guide and group for a farewell dinner in the lively city centre, before delving into the city's vibrant nightlife.
Day 5
Goodbye Montenegro!
Your adventure in Montenegro comes to an end after breakfast, when your host will drive you to Podgorica Airport in time for your inbound flight back home. Doviđenja!
The Area
Logistics
Starts
Podgorica Airport, Montenegro
12:00 on Day 1
Ends
Podgorica Airport, Montenegro
AM on Day 5
Transfers
You'll be picked up at Podgorica Airport at 12:00 on Day 1, so make sure you book a flight which arrives in plenty time for the meet up. If you are already in Podgorica prior to Day 1, pick up from the city can be arranged – just contact your host to request this.
Your trip ends in Podgorica and on Day 5 you'll be dropped off at Podgorica Airport on a group departure transfer in the morning in time for your flight. For those needing transportation to different locations (such as car rental pickup) or at other times/days, taxis between Podgorica city centre and the airport can easily be arranged locally at your own expense for a cost of approximately €10-12.
If you decide to extend your trip in Žabljak and therefore need to transfer to/from there independently, you can opt to travel by bus (fares from €12 per person) or by taxi (approximately €120 per journey).
Travel options
There are regular direct flights to Podgorica from London and Manchester (with Wizzair and Ryanair) as well as from the rest of Europe.
Alternatively, you may choose to fly in and out to Tivat on the coast of Montenegro (Tivat offers direct connections with other regional airports in the UK, as well as the rest of Europe). If you use this airport, you can ask your host to provide you with the details of a trusted transfer company who can deliver you to either Podgorica or Durmitor National Park to join the rest of your group. A Tivat to Durmitor transfer costs €150 and takes three hours; the shorter Tivat to Podgorica transfer costs €50-60 and takes two hours.
Another option is to fly to Dubrovnik in Croatia, and make your own way to Podgorica. However, please be aware that during the summer season, significant queues can form at the Croatia–Montenegro border.
Whichever route you choose, please inform your host of your arrival plans well in advance in order to ensure a smooth start to your adventure.
Day 1
Breakfast
Lunch
Dinner
Day 2 – Day 3
Breakfast
Lunch
Dinner
Day 4
Breakfast
Lunch
Dinner
Day 5
Breakfast
Lunch
Dinner
What is the food like?
Start each day with a diverse continental breakfast, where cereals, bread, butter, jam, honey, cheese, eggs, bacon and a selection of teas and coffees will fuel you up for the activities. Come lunchtime, your guide will either arrange some picnics or you'll enjoy meals in local restaurants or by the activity centres. As the evening draws in, enjoy some tasty group dinners where the culinary traditions of Montenegro take the spotlight. Dishes will be hearty and served in large portions, including traditional soups, locally grown vegetables and regional dairy and meat dishes. Feel free to bring along any preferred snacks, especially if you have a sweet tooth, for that extra boost of energy during the activities. Please note that drinks consumed with included lunches and dinners are at your own expense.
Whilst your host can easily cater for vegetarians, please be aware that it may be more difficult to cater for special diets. The meals provided for those with vegan and gluten-free diets in rural Montenegro may lack variety. For this reason, we recommend supplementing your diet with food products and snacks from home. Please let us know prior to departure if you have any specific dietary requirements or allergies.
What is the accommodation like?
Žabljak
While in Durmitor National Park you'll spend three nights at a unique lakeside accommodation – Etno Selo Zminica. Nestled in the heart of the majestic northern Montenegro, the property offers a tranquil retreat just a stone's throw from Žabljak and the natural wonders of Durmitor National Park. You'll be accommodated in twin-share rooms, either in the main guesthouse or in separate chalets with lake or forest views. Occasionally (subject to availability), you may be accommodated in two-bedrooms chalets, sharing a bathroom between the two rooms.
Podgorica
Spend the final night of the trip at either Hotel Aurel or Hotel Lazaro, which are both modern 4-star hotels. You'll stay in bright, good-sized rooms on a twin-share basis.
Upgrades
For solo travellers looking for their own space, an optional private room in Podgorica 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 Moderate
No rafting or canyoning experience is needed, just a reasonable level of fitness and the ability to handle 3-4 hours of activity each day and up to 6 hrs of hiking. Please note, this tour requires participants to be able to swim confidently to ensure your safety during water-based segments of the tour. The tour is not suitable for individuals who have a fear of heights or claustrophobia, those with limited mobility, or individuals with heart or back problems. Additionally, the tour is not recommended for pregnant women or individuals with other serious medical conditions. Nevidio Canyon is 2.7km long and in some places squeezes down to just 1.5m wide. You'll be swimming through narrow sections, jumping into pools, wading and diving your way through – however, your guide will always be on hand to help you cross every obstacle. The water is chilly in the canyon, but wetsuits will be provided.
You'll raft a 15 km section of the Tara River, navigating through rapids of Grade 2 and 3. These rapids offer an exciting experience, providing enough thrill to satisfy the adventurous spirit while still being accessible and manageable for amateurs.
Montenegro’s coastline has a Mediterranean climate with hot dry summers and mild winters, whereas the more mountainous areas of Durmitor National Park have a sub-alpine climate with warm summers and cold winters with snowfall. In the mountains, rainfall tends to be more frequent than in the coastal aereas although the weather in summer between June and September is generally excellent - with hot days, clear skies and the occasional rain shower. Average temperatures from May to October are generally in the mid 20’s(in °C) but can reach into the 30’s(in °C) in July and August. Note that temperatures do drop in the evenings by several degrees. High up in the summits you may also encounter cooler conditions and stormy weather cannot be ruled out at any time of year. Although your host will do their very best to run the itinerart as scheduled, this will be always subject to safe weather conditions.
An excellent trip…
A great break away from day to day life with rafting, hiking and canyoning. Brilliant company and our guide Momir was fab! Highly recommend. As others have said, the rafting can be a bit more sedate than expected depending on the time of year and the water levels in the river but the canyoning provided an adequate adrenaline level for myself. Was very impressed by the quality of the accommodation.
Great few days
This was a great trip, Momir is a brilliant guide and host, you visit some really beautiful places and the accomodation alone is fantastic.
A great short trip to
A great short trip to Montenegro. A beautiful country with stunning national parks and welcoming countrymen.
Fantastic treat
I fell in love with Montenegro on this trip. A great way to see some of the top spots in this beautiful country. A special thank you to our guide Momir who ensured we were all looked after and made the most of our time. All our hundreds of questions were answered and he really showed his knowledge and passion for what he does and his country. Hvala Momir!
Top organisation from start to finish. The accommodation in both Durmitor Park and Podgorica was ideal. Meals and lunches were good, breakfast selection was excellent.
The rafting was quite tame due to low water levels at this time of the season, but it was still fun and very enjoyable to see the Tara River. Guides were again great. The hike up Prutaš was simple enough but requires care and a decent fitness level. The zip line was a great way to finish the day. Canyoning was great - don't underestimate the cold and the very steep walk out of the canyon.
Overall I loved the trip. I was apprehensive about being in a group before the trip but everyone was great. The banter was great and we learned tons about Montenegro along the way.
Would highly recommend to anyone looking for an active way to explore Montenegro.
Great way to discover beautiful Montenegro
Our Montenegro adventure with Much Better Adventures was fantastic, and a big part of that was thanks to our guide. From the start, Momir’s care and attention made everything easy and enjoyable. He kept us all informed and organized through a WhatsApp group, and paid particular attention to ensure everyone was comfortable, especially during the activities, which were all excellent.
Momir’s warmth and genuine passion for his country made us all feel welcome and added a lot to the trip. I’d highly recommend this tour to anyone looking for a great adventure in Montenegro. Thanks, Momir, for an unforgettable experience!
Amazing active adventure
I joined 13 others to explore the Durmitor National Park as a solo traveller, having been particularly enticed by the option of canyoning. I was a little nervous about who else would be on the trip but found it was other likeminded people and we all got on great - it was a great first experience on a group trip which I'd love to repeat. Our guide, Ozzy, was fantastic throughout - super friendly, with a great sense of humour, and always happy to help. He shared his experiences of local life in Montenegro and his other experiences adventuring around the National Park, leaving many of us wanting to go back and explore further. He was also great at keeping us on schedule. It was definitely a packed trip, but so varied with lots to see which was great. It was so convenient to have all the itineraries, travel and meals planned out for us. No stress whatsoever. The accommodation was beyond my expectations and I particularly loved the chalets. Food was also good, some repetitive basics but they were well done and nourishing for the activities. There's a lack of fruit though so we did purchase some at the supermarket one day. I booked the trip when it was brand new to Much Better Adventures so they had a bit of an intro offer on (plus a sale!) - I feel I got a bargain for what I paid (although it appears the price has increased significantly since).
Great experience
The trip was well organised, the accommodation was in a great location to relax after the activities. Momir, the host done a fantastic job. He planned everything professionally and assisted each individual where and if it was needed.
Amazing Adventure
Definitely an adventure of a lifetime! Ozzy was an amazing guide- he managed everyone’s needs and made sure everyone was safe throughout the entire trip. Durmitor national park is absolutely gorgeous and the accommodations were so comfortable and cute! I felt like I really got to relax in nature and see the beauty of Montenegro. Highly recommend to anyone!!! Thanks again Ozzy for making it such a memorable experience!
A fantastic jampacked trip
This trip packs a lot into very little time so probably isn't one for people who want a lot of downtime on their holidays, but if you want to see and do a lot whilst using as little annual leave, it is a great choice. The hike and canyoning are not to be missed activities and the rafting whilst not adrenaline fuelled when travelling later in the season is still a fun and beautiful excursion. Our guide Ozren was fantastic and took very good care of us across the trip. Food choice is limited if you are vegan or veggie which is worth noting but if you eat fish you will be very happy. My only suggestion would be that the rafting should be a whole day activity rather than a half day but that is a pretty nitpicky suggestion. Definitely worth checking out.
Magic Montenegro!
We had an absolutely amazing trip in Montenegro with our guide, Ozren. 4 days packed full of wonderful activities with the most beautiful scenery and fantastic people. Hiking, rafting and canyoning made for an eventful, energy fueled, ecstatic week. Thank you to Ozzy for guiding us with expertise, knowled