What makes us 'Much Better'?

Find out more
View on Bobotov Kuk from trail to the Prutas peak, Montenegro. Photo: host, Wild Montenegro
Brand New!

The 3 Peaks Challenge in Montenegro

Summit three spectacular peaks in the UNESCO-listed Durmitor National Park, including a thrilling scramble up Bobotov Kuk

Duration

4 nights

Annual Leave

3 days off work

Group Size

Up to 14 people

Season

Jun-Oct

Location

Montenegro

Meeting Point

Podgorica Airport

Classic Accommodation

Chalet · Hotel

Customer Reviews

This trip is brand new

Difficulty

Challenging

From

From

Search for the ‘eyes of the mountain’ as you summit Crvena Greda (2117m) and brave a dip in the icy waters of Black Lake

Trek through wildly dramatic landscapes to the top of Prutaš (2393m), possibly the best viewpoint in the country

Bag the epic summit of Bobotov Kuk (2523m), the crowning peak of the Durmitor massif, on a challenging climb

Day 1

To Durmitor National Park

Black Lake, Montenegro. Photo: GettyImages-1448313277

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. As twilight descends, check in to your cosy lakeside chalets. Settle in and enjoy the serene beauty of Zminičko Lake and the surrounding forest from your doorstep, before joining your group and host for a welcome dinner. Get some rest, ready for your epic hiking adventures beginning tomorrow.

Day 2

Ascend Crvena Greda, AKA Red Rock Peak (2175m)

Approaching Crvena Greda, Montenegro. Photo: Customer/ Olga id 89225

Hiking

6-7hrs · 15km · 450m up · 900m down

After a restful night in Žabljak, fuel up with breakfast and drive to the base of the imposing Crvena Greda (2175m), also known as Red Rock Peak. Today's trek promises a variety of incredible natural landscapes – vibrant meadows, a panoramic summit and serene lakes – the perfect introduction to Montenegro's wild beauty. Begin your ascent at 1750m, threading through colourful flora. The trail leads steadily upward to the summit, where staggering views await of the park's highest peak (Bobotov Kuk), the entire Durmitor massif as well as dozens of glacial lakes in the valley below. Next, begin a panoramic descent via the picturesque Jablan Lake, a tranquil jewel nestled among the mountains, and finally reach the famous Black Lake, surrounded by dense forests and 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 to celebrate your first summit. Later, head back to the chalet and enjoy a tasty dinner with the rest of your team.

Day 3

Skyward to Prutaš (2393m): hiking among Durmitor's giants

View from Prutas to Bobotov Kuk and Skrka Lake, Montenegro. Photo: Host/Wild Montenegro

Hiking

5-6hrs · 10km · 700m up · 700m down

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 to the comfort of Žabljak, celebrating another fantastic hike over dinner, then rest up ready for your thrilling summit hike to Bobotov Kuk – the roof of Durmitor National Park – tomorrow.

Day 4

To the roof of Durmitor: summit Bobotov Kuk (2523m)

Bobotov Kuk summit, Montenegro. Photo: Customer/ Martina Madden

Hiking

7-8hrs · 10km · 850m up · 850m down

Wake at sunrise and get ready for an exciting climb up Bobotov Kuk (2523m), the crowning peak of the Durmitor massif. It's considered the highest peak solely in Montenegro (although Zla Kolata in the Albanian Alps is 11m higher, that mountain sits only partly within the Montenegrin border). Reach the trailhead by transfer at 1725m and set off on a relatively gentle ascent. As you gain elevation, the terrain becomes increasingly rugged, culminating in a thrilling push to the summit. Here, you'll tackle some exposed sections along bolted-down iron cables with a bit of scrambling, requiring sure feet and a head for heights. Reaching the top will reward your efforts, as you'll be greeted with staggering vistas stretching all the way across Montenegro and into Serbia, Bosnia and Herzegovina, and Albania. You will truly feel atop the roof of Montenegro! Once you're back down, hop on a 2.5 hr ride back to Podgorica where you'll check in at a comfortable city hotel and enjoy a hot shower. Tonight, join your group for a well-earned farewell dinner, sharing tales of the great trails and peaks you've traversed this week!

Day 5

Goodbye Montenegro!

View from Mt. Prutas, Montenegro. Photo: Host/Wild Montenegro

Your adventure in Montenegro comes to an end after breakfast, when your host will drive you to the airport in time for your inbound flight back home. Doviđenja!

Included

Guides

Expert, local, English-speaking guide

Accommodation

3 nights in lakeside chalets and 1 night in a hotel

Meals

All breakfasts, 3 lunches and 4 dinners

Transfers

To and from the airport and everything in between

Not Included

Flights to and from the meeting point

Travel insurance

Personal expenses

Tips for your guides

Visas where required

Day 1

Chalet · Twin share

Breakfast

Lunch

Dinner

Day 2 – Day 3

Chalet · Twin share

Breakfast

Lunch

Dinner

Day 4

Hotel · Twin share

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 hikes. Come lunchtime on the trail, your guide will arrange some picnics including a medley of fresh bread, meats, cheeses, tomatoes, and cucumber. 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 for the trail, especially if you have a sweet tooth, for that extra boost of energy during the hikes.

Whilst your host can easily cater for vegetarians, it may be more difficult to cater for special diets. The accommodation hosts are usually good at accommodating different dietary requirements but a vegan and gluten free diet 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?

Photo: host
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.

Hotel Aurel, Podgorica, Montenegro, Twin Room
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 can be booked for an extra charge, subject to availability – see Optional Extras for the price. Please request this with your host.

The Area

map

Logistics

Starts

Podgorica Airport, Montenegro

16:30 on Day 1

Ends

Podgorica Airport, Montenegro

Any time on Day 5

Transfers

You'll be picked up at Podgorica Airport 16:30 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 in time for your flight, usually departing in the morning. If you'd prefer to leave later, taxis between Podgorica city centre and the airport can easily be arranged locally, 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.

Enjoy 12.5% Off Outdoor Gear

In need of a few more items? All bookings receive a 12.5% discount to use at Cotswold Outdoor, Snow + Rock and Runner's Need.

What do I need to bring?

BAGS

  • Backpack or duffel bag for your main luggage
  • 25-35 litre daypack

CLOTHES

  • Hiking trousers
  • Hiking boots with good ankle support (broken in)
  • Rain/windproof jacket
  • Breathable wicking layers
  • A few pairs of hiking socks
  • Sandals/trainers
  • Sun hat
  • Buff or light neck scarf, for sun protection
  • Warm layers for evenings
  • Shorts
  • T-shirts
  • Swimwear and towel

OTHER

  • Universal travel plug adapter
  • Power bank or solar charger
  • Passports (and visas)
  • Travel insurance documents
  • Earplugs
  • Suncream
  • Sunglasses
  • Small flashlight or head torch
  • Personal first-aid kit (inc. blister treatment)
  • Personal items (biodegradable toiletries, sanitary wear etc)
  • Toilet kit (toilet paper, biodegradable bags to carry paper out to dispose of)
  • Quick-dry towel
  • Alcohol hand-gel
  • Reusable water bottle x1 litre
  • Energy bars and snacks
  • Walking poles (optional)
*Requests for optional extras can be made after booking on your “My Bookings” page

Additional Night in Podgorica Single Room

Payable Before Departure

Additional Night in Podgorica Single Room

Per Night

Additional Night in Podgorica Twin/Double Room

Payable Before Departure

Additional Night in Podgorica Twin/Double Room

Per Night

Additional Night in Zabljak Single Room

Payable Before Departure

Additional Night in Zabljak Single Room

Per Night

Additional Night in Zabljak Twin/Double Room

Payable Before Departure

Additional Night in Zabljak Twin/Double Room

Per Night

Optional Private Room Upgrade

Payable Before Departure

Optional Private Room Upgrade

This trip is brand new

We’re still waiting to collect any reviews from other travellers on this trip. However, all our hosts go through an extensive vetting process to ensure that your adventure is awesome.

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 120kg 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 average hiking time per day is 5-8 hours, with average distances of 10-15km on rolling or mountainous terrain. There are some steep ascents and descents you'll be tackling in order to reach your summits at altitudes of up to 2500m, but all days can be easily managed if you have previous hiking experience and a good level of fitness. The first two summits (Crvena Greda/Red Rock Peak and Prutas) are usually considered of moderate difficulty, with no particular challenges other than some steep sections typical of mountainous terrain. The final hike up Bobotov Kuk will be more challenging: it includes some parts that will really get your heart pounding, with some short areas which require holding onto a bolted cables, and a bit of scrambling towards the top. As long as you are sure-footed and are not afraid of heights, it will be safe to join. If you decide not to attempt the final exposed section to the summit, there is always the option to wait for the group (up to one hour) to return while soaking in some beautiful mountain views.

Sure can! Over 70% of our travellers travel solo, it’s a great way to meet like-minded people.

Montenegro’s coastline has a Mediterranean climate with hot dry summers and mild winters, whereas the more mountainous area of Durmitor National Park has a sub-alpine climate with warm summers and cold winters. In the mountains, rainfall tends to be more frequent than in the coastal areas, 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-20s (°C) but can reach into the 30s (°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 itinerary as scheduled, this will always be subject to safe weather conditions.

Any excess luggage can be safely left in your mountain chalet accommodation while out on the hikes. You'll only need to take and a 25-35 litre backpack with to carry what you need for the day – which may include a rain jacket, fleece, t-shirts, camera, sun cream, water and picnic lunch. On hot days you will carry fewer clothes, but more drinking water.

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

In the event of poor weather such as unmelted snow, heavy rain, strong winds and/or storms, it is possible that conditions may become unsafe to summit the mountains on this trip. This is particularly relevant for the final summit hike to Bobotov Kuk, where trails can easily become unsafe due to slippery conditions. Your guide will assess the weather for summit days with your safety in mind. If it becomes necessary to make a change to the planned itinerary, you'll either hike as far as is safe to do so, or be offered an alternative hike (such as Savin Kuk (2313m), which is less challenging but safer in adverse conditions).

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

June 2024

Saturday • 22nd June 2024

to Wednesday • 26th June 2024
Guaranteed to run

Saturday • 29th June 2024

to Wednesday • 3rd July 2024
Guaranteed to run

Saturday • 6th July 2024

to Wednesday • 10th July 2024
Guaranteed to run
Only 1 spot left at 10% off

Saturday • 20th July 2024

to Wednesday • 24th July 2024
Guaranteed to run

Saturday • 7th September 2024

to Wednesday • 11th September 2024
Guaranteed to run

Saturday • 21st September 2024

to Wednesday • 25th September 2024
Guaranteed to run

Saturday • 5th October 2024

to Wednesday • 9th October 2024
Guaranteed to run
Only 2 spots left at 10% off

Saturday • 21st June 2025

to Wednesday • 25th June 2025
Guaranteed to run

Saturday • 28th June 2025

to Wednesday • 2nd July 2025
Guaranteed to run

Saturday • 5th July 2025

to Wednesday • 9th July 2025
Guaranteed to run

Saturday • 19th July 2025

to Wednesday • 23rd July 2025
Guaranteed to run

Saturday • 26th July 2025

to Wednesday • 30th July 2025
Guaranteed to run

Saturday • 9th August 2025

to Wednesday • 13th August 2025
Guaranteed to run

Saturday • 16th August 2025

to Wednesday • 20th August 2025
Guaranteed to run

Saturday • 23rd August 2025

to Wednesday • 27th August 2025
Guaranteed to run

Saturday • 30th August 2025

to Wednesday • 3rd September 2025
Guaranteed to run

Saturday • 6th September 2025

to Wednesday • 10th September 2025
Guaranteed to run

Saturday • 13th September 2025

to Wednesday • 17th September 2025
Guaranteed to run

Saturday • 20th September 2025

to Wednesday • 24th September 2025
Guaranteed to run
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.

Still Undecided?

A few other trips to tickle your fancy

From