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Trek and Raft the Via Dinarica Trail Through Bosnia and Montenegro
4.8
| 10 reviews

Trek and Raft the Via Dinarica Trail across Bosnia and Montenegro

Discover one of Europe’s hidden wonders as you hike through Bosnia and Montenegro and raft the huge Tara River Canyon

Duration

7 nights

Annual Leave

5 days off work

Group Size

Up to 15 people

Season

Jun—Sep

Location

Bosnia and Herzegovina

Meeting Point

Sarajevo

Classic Accommodation

Hotel · Mountain hut · Guesthouse

Customer Reviews

(10)

4.8

Difficulty

Challenging

From

From

What's it like?

4.8
| 10 reviews
A fantastic adventure, in unspoilt lands, w...
October 2022
Joanna
A fantastic adventure, in unspoilt lands, w...
October 2022
Joanna
A fantastic adventure, in unspoilt lands, w...
October 2022
Joanna
A fantastic adventure, in unspoilt lands, w...
October 2022
Joanna
A fantastic adventure, in unspoilt lands, w...
October 2022
Joanna
Samer and the rest of the host team did an...
September 2022
Jaz
Samer and the rest of the host team did an...
September 2022
Jaz
Samer and the rest of the host team did an...
September 2022
Jaz
Samer and the rest of the host team did an...
September 2022
Jaz
Samer and the rest of the host team did an...
September 2022
Jaz
An amazing week hiking through Bosnia and M...
September 2022
Lydia
An amazing week hiking through Bosnia and M...
September 2022
Lydia
An amazing week hiking through Bosnia and M...
September 2022
Lydia
An amazing week hiking through Bosnia and M...
September 2022
Lydia
An amazing week hiking through Bosnia and M...
September 2022
Lydia
The hiking / rafting trip in Bosnia & Monte...
September 2022
Tessa
The hiking / rafting trip in Bosnia & Monte...
September 2022
Tessa
The hiking / rafting trip in Bosnia & Monte...
September 2022
Tessa
Stunning views of varied landscapes everyda...
September 2022
Kevin
Stunning views of varied landscapes everyda...
September 2022
Kevin
Stunning views of varied landscapes everyda...
September 2022
Kevin
Stunning views of varied landscapes everyda...
September 2022
Kevin
Stunning views of varied landscapes everyda...
September 2022
Kevin
Marvelous experience, the guides were excel...
August 2022
Alizee
Marvelous experience, the guides were excel...
August 2022
Alizee
Marvelous experience, the guides were excel...
August 2022
Alizee
Our guides, services and schedules were gre...
November 2019
Siriporn
Our guides, services and schedules were gre...
November 2019
Siriporn
The guide and driver (who was like a second...
September 2019
Rob
Trek and Raft the Via Dinarica Trail Through Bosnia and Montenegro

Hike Europe’s wildest trails through Bosnia and Montenegro along the relatively unknown Via Dinarica

Visit UNESCO protected natural wonders, including the Tara River Canyon – the deepest gorge in Europe, and ascend Bosnia’s highest peak, Mt Maglić (2386m)

Explore limestone peaks, glacial lakes, ancient villages and an unforgettable landscape of untouched beauty that's teeming with wildlife

Day 1

Sarajevo

Trek the Via Dinarica trail from Croatia to Bosnia

Check into your hotel in the old, oriental trading quarter, settle in and then head our for a tour of historic Sarajevo alongside your guides.

Day 2

Sutjeska National Park

Trek and Raft the Via Dinarica Trail from Bosnia to Montenegro

Hiking

4-5hrs · 9km · 560m up · 635m down

Leave Sarajevo and hike to the beautiful Donje Bare Lake in the Sutjeska National Park. After lunch, cross the rugged and unspoilt terrain to the summit of Uglješin (1,858m) and enjoy the views across the Zelengora Peaks and the rocky cliff wall of Volujak. Hike to Gornje Bare lake via the Tovarnica ridge and then catch the bus to your hotel in the lovely Tjentište Valley.

Day 3

Maglić Mountain

Hiking

9hrs · 14km · 1350m up · 1300m down

Take on Bosnia and Herzegovina’s highest peak, Maglić Mountain (2,386m) and enjoy your lunch while staring across the valleys into Montenegro. Take a dip in Trnovačko Lake, descend into Prijevor and then back to your hotel in time for dinner.

Day 4

Raft Europe’s deepest canyon

Rafting

3-4hrs

Time to face-off against the Tara Canyon - the deepest gorge in Europe - as you white water raft the class II-IV rapids against a backdrop of untouched wilderness. The canyon marks the border between Bosnia and Montenegro, so you’ll spend the day traversing it and then stay in a wooden cabin on the river bank.

Day 5

The Sokolina Plateau

Hiking

6-7hrs · 18km · 1360m up · 580m down

Enter Montenegro and travel to the Mratinje Dam - at 220 metres, one of the highest in Europe. Hike into the beautiful Durmitor National Park and end the day at a guesthouse on the far side of the Tara Canyon.

Day 6

Škrćko Lakes

Hiking

5-6hrs · 12km · 950m up · 200m down

After a short transfer, continue hiking towards the Škrka Mountain Hut and lakes via Sušićko Lake and the Skakala waterfall. After a lunch break - and the opportunity to dip into the cool, glacial waters - continue via Škrka pass (2112m), all the way down to Dobri Do valley. Take in tremendous views of the stunning peaks surrounding the forested trails over rocky, mountain terrain.

Day 7

Bobotov Kuk

Hiking

6-7hrs · 14km · 650m up · 1200m down

The last day of hiking ends with a high point: the summit of Bobotov Kuk (2523m), Montenegro’s highest peak. Starting at 1900m, trek towards Zupci, a magnificent massif with 14 sharp rocky 'teeth' - a trademark of Durmitor. Reach Zeleni Vir, the highest of the glacial lakes in Durmitor, before beginning the steep ascent. With every step, the views expand, until you reach the top of Montenegro. On a clear day, you may be lucky to see all the way to the Adriatic Sea from this vantage point. After a lunch break, descend and return to Žabljak for a well-deserved rest.

Day 8

Head for home

Trek the Via Dinarica Trail from Bosnia to Montenegro

Say goodbye to your guides before heading back to the airport in time for your flight home.

Included

Guides

Qualified English speaking mountain guides

Accommodation

7 nights in guesthouses, hotels, and bungalows.

Meals

Munch on tasty food throughout

Transfers

To and from the airport and everything in-between

Equipment

All your rafting and safety equipment

Permits

All national park entrance fees and taxes

Luggage Transfers

So just hike with a daypack of essentials

Not Included

Flights to and from the meeting point

Travel insurance

Personal expenses

Visas where required

Day 1

Hotel · Twin share

Breakfast

Lunch

Dinner

Day 2 – Day 3

Hotel · Twin share

Breakfast

Lunch

Dinner

Day 4

Mountain hut

Breakfast

Lunch

Dinner

Day 5

Guesthouse · Twin share

Breakfast

Lunch

Dinner

Day 6 – Day 7

Hotel · Twin share

Breakfast

Lunch

Dinner

Day 8

Departure day

Breakfast

Lunch

Dinner

What is the food like?

Trek and raft the Via Dinarica trail from Bosnia to Montenegro

Lunches will consist of picnic-style treats, like bread, cheeses, meats and sausages, pate, salad, chocolate bars, cookies, trail mix and coffee/tea. Dinners meanwhile will mostly be taken in restaurants known for their tasty, local delicacies. Umoljani village especially will give you a chance to sample a variety of the region’s traditional dishes. When you’re in the mountain huts, your guides will prepare your food. Vegetarians, vegans and other dietary requirements and allergies can be catered for - please just request on your passenger info form and note that options are limited throughout Bosnia and Herzegovina.

What is the accommodation like?

Sarajevo

In Sarajevo, you’ll stay at a newly built, traditionally Bosnian family-run guesthouse called Pansion Kandilj. All rooms come with air-conditioning and private facilities.

Sutjeska National Park

In Sutjeska National Park, you’ll stay in a Hotel Mladost in Tjentiste Valley (Days 2 & 3).

Tara River

On Day 4 you'll stay at simple wooden bungalows next to the river, enjoying the sound of water and campfire.

Montenegro

On the first night in Montenegro (Day 5), you’ll stay in a rustic guest house called Sokolina that’s based in a converted old barn. Expect homecooked meals and stories told around a campfire with your charismatic host Dragan.

Žabljak

On Days 6 & 7, you’ll sleep in Žabljak's Hotel Zlatni Bor. It includes comfortable double, triple and quadruple rooms with en-suite bathrooms and has its own traditional restaurant.

Upgrades

For solo travellers looking for their own space, a 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 is available on days 1, 2, 3, 6 & 7 of the itinerary only and is subject to availability.

The Area

map

Logistics

Starts

Sarajevo International Airport (SJJ)

13.00 on Day 1

Ends

Podgorica Airport (TGD)

12:00 noon on Day 8

Transfers

You’ll be met in Sarajevo International Airport (SJJ) in Bosnia and Herzegovina by your guides. Please arrive by 13.00 on Day 1

The trip ends with a transfer to Podgorica (TGD) after breakfast on Day 8. The transfer itself takes around 2.5 hrs to Podgorica Airport (TGD). You will arrive there around noon so are free to book flights returning after 14:00.

If you would prefer to be collected/dropped off in the town centres please let your host know.

Travel options

There are regular flights to Sarajevo from airports across the UK and Europe.

Enjoy 12.5% Off Outdoor Gear

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What do I need to bring?

Bags

  • Daypack (30-40 litres)

Clothes

  • Hiking boots
  • Waterproofs

Other

  • Refillable water bottle
  • Sun protection including sunglasses, sun hat (or cap) and sunscreen
  • Flashlight and small pocket knife
  • Toiletries
*Requests for optional extras can be made after booking on your “My Bookings” page

Single Room in Sarajevo

Payable Before Departure

Single Room in Sarajevo

Per Night

Twin/Double Room in Sarajevo

Payable Before Departure

Twin/Double Room in Sarajevo

Per Night

Single Room in Zabljak

Payable Before Departure

Single Room in Zabljak

Twin/Double Room in Zabljak

Payable Before Departure

Twin/Double Room in Zabljak

Optional Private Room Upgrade

Payable Before Departure

Optional Private Room Upgrade

Airport Transfer Sarajevo airport to start

Payable Before Departure

Airport Transfer Sarajevo airport to start

Airport Transfer (Zabljak - Podgorica)

Payable Before Departure

Airport Transfer (Zabljak - Podgorica)

Joanna(October 2022)

A fantastic adventure, in unspoilt lands, with a terrific guide. Highly recommended. Will definitely go back to Sutjeska and Durmitor national parks if I get the chance. Highlight was a rustic stay in a mountain hut with a very hospitable local host. Loved it!

Jaz(September 2022)

Samer and the rest of the host team did an incredible job taking us on a journey of an unspoilt and truly beautiful part of the world. All of the walks were carefully planned and extremely enjoyable with amazing views and a good level of challenge. The rafting made for a really fun break in the isle of the trip, and is an unforgettable experience. The food was amazing throughout, despite me being vegan, the team helped me to find solutions and I never went even close to hungry! The group was brilliant to spend time with, social and talkative, a great bunch of people to spend the week with. Finally, I cannot say enough about how excellent the team were, they really made this trip special, and it certainly had me wanting more, to come back and experience these stunning countries again and again. You will not regret booking this trip!

Lydia(September 2022)

An amazing week hiking through Bosnia and Montenegro. Incredible views, varied trails, friendly group and excellent tour guide. Evelin went above and beyond to make sure we were all happy and enjoying the week / he was a fountain of knowledge too and great fun along the way. A mix of hikes with some more challenging than others - each day we would assess weather and take the best route possible for safety and to ensure we had the best possible experience. I loved the white water rafting day midweek / it made a good rest after the intense hiking the day. I would thoroughly recommend. Take kit for all weather conditions - don’t underestimate how quickly it can change. Accommodation was varies, all quite basic but clean.

Tessa(September 2022)

The hiking / rafting trip in Bosnia & Montenegro was absolutely fantastic. We did an 8 day tour that started in Sarajevo and ended in Podgorica. The scenery was stunning, the trip was really well organized and the guides (Evelin & Samer) were great (positive, knowledgeable, enthusiastic, honest, motivational and careful). We travelled with a group of 15 and had so much fun. The hikes were definitely challenging at some points but everybody was able to do it. I enjoyed learning about Bosnia and Montenegro, admiring the landscape and the diverse itinerary of the trip. The guides made us feel safe and taken care of, while also preparing us well for what was to come, with honest and reliable descriptions.

I would highly recommend this to anyone who enjoys hiking. It was a great trip to do as a solo traveler because the group was very mixed, with couple / friends / solo travelers (most people in my group were between 23-35 yrs old).

Jess(September 2022)

A great trip all round to discover the wild beauty of Bosnia and Herzegovina and Montenegro. A rewarding and challenging experience, made very enjoyable with a great group and host. The difficulty rating is fairly spot on. Do take note that if the weather conditions are not ideal as it was on my trip, you would not be able to ascend the summits for Maglic and Bobotov Kuk.

Kevin(September 2022)

Stunning views of varied landscapes everyday

Alizee(August 2022)

Marvelous experience, the guides were excellent and the landscapes fabulous. I felt very at ease as a solo traveler and the group was very diversified in terms of background and ages. I found some of the hikes challenging but we were under excellent guidance and safety was always first. Accommodations were clean and food was great too.

Richard(August 2022)

The local team were professional, caring, knowledgeable and friendly. The trip itself was beautiful, sufficiently challenging and very rewarding. Our group was brilliant.

Siriporn(November 2019)

Our guides, services and schedules were great.

Rob(September 2019)

The guide and driver (who was like a second guide) were great!

We partner with the World Land Trust to ensure this trip achieves Net-Zero emissions. We also support their Buy an Acre programme, helping local communities to buy and protect natural habitats in perpetuity.

What's the number?
It works out on average at 298kg of CO2 emissions per person, including all local transport, accommodation, food, activities, guides, staff and office operations.

The only thing it doesn’t include right now is flights and travel to the destination. We do make an overall estimate across all our customers separately, but as we don’t book flights, have customers from all corners of the world, and no way of reliably knowing their travel plans, we simply can’t include an individual number in the figure on display here. We’ve got a goal to fix that, so that when you book, there is a way to measure and mitigate the carbon emitted by your flight too.

But what does the number mean?
Yep, hard to picture eh? To give you an idea:

  • Driving 1000miles/1609km would be approx. 281kg of CO2 in an average car (or 140.5kg per person if there was 2 of you in it).
  • A return economy class flight London - New York would be approx. 1,619kg (1.66 tonnes) per person.
  • 10 trees in a temperate forest are estimated to remove approx. 250kg of CO2 from the air in a period of 5-10 years.

What are we doing about it?
Our trips are relatively low-carbon by design, and we're working with all our hosts to develop long term carbon reduction plans. We partner with the World Land Trust to ensure this trip achieves Net-Zero emissions. We also support their Buy an Acre programme, helping local communities to buy and protect natural habitats in perpetuity, ensuring the protection of the reserve and its wildlife.

Want to know more?
Amazingly, no international travel company has ever publicly published their carbon measurements before, as far as we know. We believe that must change, quickly. So we’re openly sharing the method we used in the hope that other companies will be able to more easily follow suit and build on what we've done so far. You'll find it all here.

The rafting is entry level, so no previous experience is needed, however, expect to get wet and up close and personal with the enormous Tara Canyon.

You'll need a good level of physical fitness with some previous hiking experience and the ability to walk for six to seven hours a day. Your bags will be transported for you each night so you will just need to carry a daypack with the essentials.

Sure can! Over 50% of our travellers travel solo, it’s a great way to meet like-minded people.

Bosnia and Montenegro have similar climates to most of central Europe. Expect warm temperatures, but pack for mountain weather (layer up) as you never know when a thunderstorm may appear on the horizon.

Unfortunately no. As you start and end in different countries you'll need to have everything with you, however, you do not need to carry all your luggage during the hike.

We recommend checking out the country specific information here and also talking to a travel nurse.

For current advice about travelling in Bosnia and Montenegro, have a read of the UK Foreign Office pages here.

Our recommended travel insurance provider is Campbell Irvine.

Travel insurance is compulsory for all of our adventures and you are required to provide your policy information before departing.

Your insurance should include adequate protection for overseas medical treatment, evacuation/repatriation, your baggage and equipment and the specific activities involved on your adventure. We also strongly recommend it includes cancellation and curtailment insurance, should you be unable to join your trip for specific reasons such as illness.

We fully endorse Campbell Irvine as their insurance offers all of the above, so get in touch with them or call on 020 7938 1734 to get your insurance sorted. We suggest that you book travel insurance as soon as you book your adventure, just to cover you for any last-minute life changes. We know you’re an active lot and injuries do happen!

We automatically convert prices from the local currency that a host receives to your chosen currency. We update our exchange rates on a daily basis so this does mean that prices displayed on the site are subject to currency fluctuations, which is why you may see them change over time.

If you wish to change the currency you pay in, head to the bottom of the page.

All of our group adventures are specially designed for adults to enjoy (18+) as we want these adventures to bring together outdoorsy people who are truly like-minded. Children can be accommodated on some private departures.

You're always in good company on one of our adventures.

Our trips are typically made up of a mixture of solo travellers and small groups of 2 or 3 friends, with most in their 30s-50s.

Our sociable adventures are solo-friendly by design and naturally attract outdoorsy people with a shared mindset; a love for adventure, a desire to push themselves and meet awesome, like-minded people along the way.

It’s this camaraderie that has so often turned a great adventure into a life-changing one.

Don't just take our word for it:

  • 95% of people rate the group dynamics on our trips 5/5
  • 90% of people recommend joining a trip to make new friends
  • 75% of people have met people on our trips that they would now consider friends

See here for more info about the Much Better Adventures tribe.

Interested in a more exclusive experience? Opt for a 'Private Group' through the dates and prices tab to book this adventure for just you and your chosen companions.

Our team of Adventure Hunters create exclusive adventures with highly vetted, specialist hosts. We only work with independent, local in-destination experts who know the very best places to explore and how to stay safe. See here for more info about the local teams we partner with.

TRIP DEPARTURE DATES

Private trip

Go private and split the bill with ease.

Forget complex logistics, we've taken care of all the details to ensure a hassle-free get together. All of the adventure, none of the faff.

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