"The jewel of Europe", violent, clear and wild River Tara is a huge water mass made of snow and rains. It rises from the mountain range in the northern part of Montenegro and it flows 140km in length. It meets Piva river and together they make the river Drina, one of the longest and water-richest rivers in the Balkans. For centuries, with its strength the Tara river has been hollowing out a soft limestone surface giving it a sculptural form full of gorges, large rocks or chasms.

The old town of KOTOR is one of the best-preserved medieval towns in this part of the Mediterranean. It was succeeded in preserving its original form, so typical of towns between the XII and the XIV century. The asymmetric structure of the narrow streets and squares, combined with the numerous valuable monuments of medieval architecture, contributed to Kotor being placed on UNESCO’s “The world natural and cultural inheritance” list. The cultural inheritance of this town is enriched by the unique architectural styles and the ambient atmosphere. The fortification system of Kotor, which protects it from the sea, is actually a wall 4.5 km long, 20 m high and 15 m wide, and is preserved as one of the world’s historic values.

Budva is the metropolis of Montenegrin tourism thanks to the great number of beaches that make this a most desirable tourist destination. Apart from its natural beauty, such as its bay islands and beaches, Budva is rich in historic monuments. Old town lies on a small peninsula and represents a treasure chest of culture heritage. Crossed with narrow streets and squares are famous buildings, the Church Sv. Trojica, housing the tomb of the exquisite writer Stjepan Mitrov Ljubisa, the Churches of Sv. Ivan, Sv. Bogorodica and Sv. Sava. During the summer months it turns into a City Theatre with numerous local performances and shows from abroad. In the Stari Grad (old town) you can also visit many shops, cafés, restaurants and galleries. Monasteries Stanjevici, Podostrog, Rezevici i Gradiste are important historic and religious monuments of Budva.

 

The old town was completed in the 13th century and remains virtually unchanged to the present day. Tall ramparts surround it and there are only two entrances to the old town which lead to the Stradun, the city's promenade. One of the greatest pleasures for many visitors is to have a drink in one of the nearby cafes and watch the world go by, whilst they themselves are being watched by the city patron, St. Blaise, or Sveti Vlaho as the locals call him.

But whatever we say, our words do not give justice to this dazzling place. So come soon and see it with your own eyes!
 

ACCOMMODATION

We will be settled in three-star family run hotels both on Durmitor and Prcanj town in Boka Kotorska fjord.  All rooms are with private facilities. All hotels have restaurants with great choices of local specialties. If you have some dietary restrictions we will be happy to adapt our menu to you. All breakfasts and dinners included in tour package will be served in the hotels restaurants.

Please read and respect ACE Responsible Tourism Policy.

Tour cost is  690 Euros and includes:

- seven lodgings
- seven breakfasts and two dinners in two star hotels
- three picnic lunches
- guiding service of two ACE guides
- full van support
- use of ACE  walking poles
- snacks and refreshing drinks during the hiking tour
- photos from this tour burned on CD (we will mail you after the tour). The tour is available from April to November

We could organize car or van transportation to/ from  the tour starting point what is not included in the tour price.

The price is based on double room occupancy.
Single room supplement 105 Euros. High season supplement (from 1st of July to 31st of  August)- 140 Euros.

Longer or shorter options are available

Tour price for self-guided option is 620 Euros per person based on double room occupancy. The surcharges for high season and single room accommodation apply as noted above. We provide the maps, detailed route instructions and logistical back-up, leaving you to walk the hiking trails in freedom.

Tour Schedule

DAY 1 Arrival and Lake tour Arrival in Zabljak at 2pm and meet your trip leader. Walking to Crno Jezero (the Black Lake)-terrain is flat and path leads through fir/ pine forest. Going around the lake and continue towards the Zminje Jezero (the Serpent Lake). Picnic lunch (including) on the bank of Zminje Jezero- there are wood tables and benches, drinking water source. From the Black to Zminje lake there is a small climb- we will gain 50m elevation, terrain is mostly flat. From Zminje Lake we go back to Zabljak passing by the third lake- Barno. Return to hotel. The tour lasts about 4-5 hours- gentle pace with lot of stops. Dinner in town (not included).

Durmitor- The Bear Circuit

The Black Lake

DAY 2 The Bear circuit Breakfast at 8:30. The path follows the shore of Black lake and after 200 meters turn into the mountain. We start to climb from 1.460 meters above sea level (elevation of Black Lake). Whilst we climb and gain altitude, scenery is changing. A fir forest changes into the low alpine bushes and soon we will be among mountain peaks and pass snow covered slopes. Some snow stay there through whole year. Our goal is Previja pass (saddle) 2.145 meters. Picnic lunch (including) at Previja saddle and return to Black lake via Lokvice (the shepherd’s camp). Total hike lasts about 6 hours. Dinner in hotel (included).

The Bear Circuit

DAY 3 The Tara Canyon View Point Breakfast at 8:30. Today we will have again easier day to rest the group after a day-before hike. So, we will stay at the plateau and passing through farms, forest and vast meadows come to summit of Curevac- a view point above the Tara Canyon. Picnic lunch (included) at Curevac. Going back different way. Mostly flat terrain with some small rolling hills. Start from Zabljak- 1.460 meters and highest point is Curevac 1.625 meters. Dinner in town (not included)

Tara Canyon from Curevac

DAY 4 Ostrog Monastery Breakfast at 8:00. Departure after breakfast-9:00. Arrival to Ostrog Monastery at 11:30. Visit lower monastery and walk to the higher one. It is 30 minutes walk uphill on walking path with stone build stairs. It is about 250m elevation difference from the lower monastery to the higher one. Visit Monastery. Lunch (not inlcuded). Departure at 14:30. With one stop at the view point above Budva Riviera we will arrive in Prcanj town which is located in the Boka bay, 3 km from Kotor town at 17:30. Setting into rooms. Dinner (included)

Kotor Town

DAY 5 Kotor Town Breakfast at 8:30. Visit Kotor town and 2,5 hours walk tour on cities ramparts. There is magnificent view on town and fjord from Ivan Tower standing on the top of ramparts. There is 290 meters to climb from town to Ivan Tower. Going down is different way via small church of Sv. Jovan. Lunch in Kotor (not included). Free afternoon. We advice clients to take boat tour of the Kotor Fjord with stops on small islands Gospa od Skrpjela (Lady of the Rocks) and Sv. Djordje (St. George) as well as town of Perast. Dinner (not included)

Boka Bay- Sv. Djordje Island

DAY 6 Sv. Pastrovacka Gora Hiking
Transfer to Budva (30 min long ride) and free time to explore the town. Transfer to Brajici village where our hike starts. Passing by the Kosmac Fortress trail reaches Ogradjenica Katun (Shepard's place) and St Spiridon mountain church. Descend to Monastery Praskavica and famous St Stephan island- hotel. Possible swimming at St Stephan's beach. Return to Kotor Fjord. Night in hotel. Hike approx 4h30 with denivelation of +100m and -550m.

ACE keeps rights to change daily itineraries.