Walking in Montenegro
Group Tour
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Overview
Montenegro may be one of the world’s smallest countries and yet it is undoubtedly also one of its most beautiful. Only two-thirds the size of Wales, the country’s diversity is absolutely striking. From Europe’s deepest canyon to some of its wildest mountains, Montenegro also claims a dramatic coastline to rival anything you will have seen before.
Proud to have been the only country in the region to have successfully defended itself against the might of the Ottoman Empire, Montenegro has ...
Montenegro may be one of the world’s smallest countries and yet it is undoubtedly also one of its most beautiful. Only two-thirds the size of Wales, the country’s diversity is absolutely striking. From Europe’s deepest canyon to some of its wildest mountains, Montenegro also claims a dramatic coastline to rival anything you will have seen before.
Proud to have been the only country in the region to have successfully defended itself against the might of the Ottoman Empire, Montenegro has a truly unique culture. From its mountain-top fortresses and medieval walled cities to its remote villages and varied cuisine, Montenegro is an exciting destination that offers not only some magnificent walking but also an insight into a lifestyle most of Europe abandoned centuries ago.
Things will be sure to change, but for now, Montenegro’s multi-faceted charms still largely remain a secret.
HIGHLIGHTS
At a glance
MEALS
TRANSPORT
On this tour we will use a minibus, a train, a boat and your own two feet.
GROUP SIZE
EXPERT TEAM
ACCOMMODATION
ENTRANCE FEES
FITNESS RATING
WILD MILES
ACCOMMODATION
As an overall ethos, wherever possible we aim to use characterful accommodation that enhances the overall travel experience, not just offers a bed for the night. This can obviously vary dramatically from country to country and from trip to trip.
On this trip we will stay in a combination of small well-located local hotels, as well as traditional mountain cabins and bungalows.
Please note: In Katun Goles and the Ethno Village couples and singles may be required to share with more than one other person. This is due to the limited number of huts available where you’ll also need to share facilities.
Please note: If you opt to pay for a single supplement it will cover you for all nights of the tour except Katun Goles and the Ethno Village.
Please note that the accommodation mentioned in the itinerary is intended as a guide only and is always subject to availability.
FITNESS RATING
LOW: You should be comfortable walking around towns and cultural sites. May include some optional walks (typically 1-2hrs).LOW/MODERATE: May be of a long duration and/or involve numerous border-crossings. May include easy/moderate day walks (up to 2-3hrs/day). You should be relatively fit and lead a generally active lifestyle.
MODERATE: May include several easy/moderate day walks (up to 2-5hrs/day) possibly at altitude. You should be relatively fit and lead a generally active lifestyle. Previous experience of similar trips helpful.
MODERATE/HIGH: May involve several days of moderate hiking (up to 3-6 hrs/day) possibly at altitude. You must be a fit and active traveller with appropriate trekking experience.
HIGH: May involve several days of moderate/strenuous trekking (up to 4-7 hrs/day) possibly at altitude. You must be a very fit and active traveller with appropriate trekking experience.
Wild Miles Club
When you book a trip with Wild Frontiers you are awarded points, which are based on the return distance from London to the arrival city of your trip. Points are awarded for all our holidays, including both our escorted group tours and tailor-made trips. When you accrue points, you will qualify for the following discounts on all future bookings:
| Blue | More than 10,000 points | 2.5% discount |
| Bronze | More than 30,000 points | 5% discount |
| Silver | More than 45,000 points | 7.5% discount |
| Gold | More than 60,000 points | 10% discount |
Map & Itinerary
Individual departures may vary so please refer to the information in the tour specific links in the Dates and Prices section below
Day 1 Tour Starts In Budva
Day 1 Tour Starts In Budva
The tour starts this afternoon in the lively walled town of Budva, those on the suggested group tour flights will be transferred from Dubrovnik across the border. Lying along Montenegro’s glittering Budva Riviera, the town is one of the oldest settlements on the Adriatic coast and sat upon the original boundary between the Holy Roman & the Byzantine Empires. We will be staying in one of Budva’s hotels, located close to the old city walls and within easy reach of the town’s lovely Venetian architecture
Day 2 Budva – Virparzar
Day 2 Budva – Virparzar
This morning there will be time to explore Budva’s city walls and narrow medieval streets before heading up into the country’s mountainous interior. After a brief stop to see one of the country’s most iconic sights – the traditional fishing village of Sveti Stefan which has now been transformed in its entirety into a hotel – we’ll ascend a mountain road and take a short walk to an abandoned Austro-Hungarian fortress with superb views out over the dramatic coastline. Continuing on to Rijeka Crnojevica, we’ll enter Lake Skadar National Park and walk down to a beautiful lakeside village for a traditional ‘Old Montenegrin’ lunch. We’ll then take to small boats and following meandering waterways, there’ll be opportunities for an afternoon swim before finally arriving at the 15th century remains of the citadel of Zabljak Crnojevica close to our overnight stop in the small settlement of Virparzar, on the shores of the lake.
Austro-Hungarian fortress walk: Total distance 2km, 50m ascent, 50m descent. Lake Skadar walk: Total distance 3km, 100m descent. Fortress Zabljak Crnojevica walk: Total Distance 700m, ascent 150m. Approx 1-2 hrs walking.
Day 3 Virparzar – Biogradska Gora N.P
Day 3 Virparzar – Biogradska Gora N.P
An early start and we’ll take a ride on one of the most spectacular train journeys in Europe (please note that depending on train times it may be required to travel by minibus), crossing the highest railway bridge on the continent to take in the breath-taking views down into the Moraca Gorge. Arriving in the town of Kolasin, we then enter Montenegro’s central mountainous region, sandwiched between the Tara and Lim Rivers. Here we find the unspoilt landscapes of the Biogradska Gora National Park, an area of ancient forests, high mountains and glacial lakes that cover some 54 square kilometres. Home to a rich diversity of flora and fauna, the park provides us with a glorious backdrop for today’s walk, as we follow a ridge trail up to the beautiful alpine katun (summer pasture) where we will spend the night with a local family, who make traditional cheeses and will be sure to feed us very well tonight.
Total distance 8km, 400m ascent, 250m descent. Approx 3-4 hrs walking.
Day 4 Biogradska Gora N.P - Poscenje
Day 4 Biogradska Gora N.P - Poscenje
An early morning walk today takes us from the alpine pastureland down a steep 600m descent to the unspoilt tranquilly of Biogradska Gora’s primeval forest and lake. Transferring to a minibus we’ll then head up into the wild open landscapes that make up the Sinjajevina highlands before descending to Durmitor National Park, home to the Tara canyon, Europe’s deepest at 1,300m. After stopping off at the famous Tara Bridge – where those that wish can have a go on one of Europe’s longest zip-wires (not included in the trip price!) – we’ll have lunch outdoors at a small agro-tourism restaurant. We’ll visit the flat valley floor which contains many medieval stecci, engraved tombstones unique to the Balkans. From here we’ll make for the small village of Poscenje which will be our base for the next two nights.
Total distance 5km, 90m ascent, 600m descent. Approx 2-3 hrs walking.
Day 5 Walk to Durmitor National Park
Day 5 Walk to Durmitor National Park
A short drive takes us to the village of Kozarica from where we’ll follow a beautiful valley northwards into the UNESCO World Heritage site of Durmitor National Park, a stunning land of craggy granite peaks as well as small villages and traditional farms. This is a wild part of the country and with few roads holds the country’s best walking opportunities. Today’s walk is wild and magical, across open plains and through primal forests, but also a little more challenging; we ascend around 700m and in places the path is narrow - for those of you that like a hike in the great outdoors, today will be your highlight of the tour. For those not feeling up to it there are great local walks near to the accommodation, which in its self is a lovely place to unwind and relax.
Total distance 13km, 900m ascent, 10m descent. Approx 5-6 hrs walking.
Day 6 Durmitor N.P – Cetinje - Kotor
Day 6 Durmitor N.P – Cetinje - Kotor
Driving south via narrow but spectacular mountain roads we arrive at the old royal capital of Cetinje. Of immense importance historically, Cetinje’s rich heritage dates back to the 15th century when it lay at the centre of both the cultural and religious development of a fledging Montenegro and its Eastern Orthodox religion. We’ll take a short stroll through the atmospheric town before transferring by road to the neighbouring Lovcen National Park, home to the stunning mausoleum of Petar II Petovic-Njegoš, a revered 19th century poet and leader who transformed Montenegro from a theocracy into a secular state. The largest and most important monument in the park, the mausoleum is located at the summit of Jezerski vrh (1,657m) and from its lofty heights it offers some fantastic views out over the entire country. From near here we’ll take an amazing historic walk down an old military road known as the Ladder of Cattaro. This walk offers stunning views down to the old Dalmatian town of Kotor (now a UNESCO World Heritage Site), as well as some spectacular views over the Bay of Kotor and the surrounding landscapes.
Total distance 9km, 900m descent. Approx 3-4hrs walking
Day 7 In & around Bay of Kotor
Day 7 In & around Bay of Kotor
You may want to spend the day just exploring the labyrinthine streets of Kotor, swimming in the warm waters of the beautiful bay or perhaps exploring some of the incredibly picturesque villages that dot the bay such as Perast and Dobrota. For those who want to undertake a more substantial walk (with stunning coastal views at every turn), we plan to leave Kotor’s medieval walls on foot and ascend the Vrmac peninsular on another of Montenegro’s stunning old military roads built by the Austro-Hungarians. From the ridge-top trail there are mesmerising views out over the inner and outer bays and as we pass by yet another fortress we’ll descend back down to the waters of the Adriatic before returning to Kotor. It’s a truly stunning walk which will remain with you long after the suntan has faded.
Total distance 15km, 720m ascent, 720m descent. Approx 5-6 hrs walking.
Day 8 Tour Ends in Kotor
Day 8 Tour Ends in Kotor
The tour finishes after breakfast. Those booked on the suggested group flights will transfer back across the border to Dubrovnik in time for the flight home.
ACCOMMODATION USED ON THIS TOUR
Slovenska Plaza Resort, Budva Riviera
The Slovenska Plaza Resort is one of the oldest properties in Budva and as such still claims one of the best locations in the city, set right on the Adriatic coast and just a 15-minute walk from the Old Town. This is a large resort and so does lack the intimate character of some smaller properties, however it offers a comfortable stay with a large range of facilities to enjoy. Styled like a Mediterranean village, rooms are spacious and the extensive gardens are a welcome sight after a busy day exploring.
Katun Goles, Biogradska Gora National Park
Katun Goles is a wonderful working farm located on the edge of the Biogradska Gora National Park. Here you can experience true rural hospitality mixed with some of the country's most beautiful landscape. With a strong focus on preserving this farming land and encouraging a sustainable form of eco-tourism, the farm offers a selection of simple bungalows and cabins all with shared facilities. Although the farm has some solar panels, electricity is limited and most of the area is lit up at night with candles, emphasising the peaceful nature of this area. Enjoy freshly cooked dishes prepared by your hosts, and an array of stunning walks in and around this alpine hideaway.
Hotel Marija, Kotor
Located in the heart of the historic old town of Kotor, the Hotel Marija offers 17 comfortable rooms with en suite facilities and all your usual amenities. There is an on site restaurant and bar where you can enjoy some downtime, however make sure to take advantage of the great location and explore the surrounding area. This intimate hotel is a good mid-range option in the heart of this wonderful UNESCO town.
Hotel Rating
Hotel Rating
Hotel Rating
Accommodation displayed here should be taken as a guide only. *Please refer to the Detailed Itinerary of your individual departure for more information.
PRIVATE HOLIDAYS: DATES DON’T FIT?
All group tours can be taken on a private basis.
Additional Details
Responsible Travel
With local people, culture and eco-systems in mind, responsible travel and sustainable tourism are at the core of Wild Frontiers. We believe that a successful trip not only delivers a unique and unsurpassable journey for our travellers but also benefits the people and places we visit.
When designing our tours, we actively seek out experiences that have a positive impact on the communities and precious environments we visit - from supporting social enterprises; resting our heads in rural homestays; and eating at locally owned restaurants; to helping fund conservation projects that protect wildlife and their habitats.
Visit the Responsible Travel area of our website to read more, including the work of the Wild Frontiers Foundation through which we fundraise to aid community empowerment and education projects.
Reducing Single Use Plastic
We recognise the environmental issues and challenges around single-use plastic in many countries we visit and are actively working with our partners on the ground to reduce plastic waste on our tours and within the hotels and restaurants we visit. You can help to reduce your personal plastic waste by taking a refillable, filtered water bottle with you on your trip. Filtered water bottles can be refilled from water sources including your hotel room and restaurant taps, drinking fountains and refill stations. Every time you refill your bottle without the use of single-use plastic, you will be helping to reduce waste and protect the environment. Filtered Water Bottles | Wild Frontiers (wildfrontierstravel.com)
Getting There
If you would like us to send you a quote for the suggested tour flights or on any alternative flight that may suit you better, please let us know, noting that for our US clients, we will most likely refer you to one of our preferred partners. For this trip our suggested flights from the UK (subject to change) are shown below.
If you wish to arrange your own flights you are completely free to do so and in this case we can arrange any transfers or supplementary accommodation that you may require. However please note that if you are planning on making your own flight arrangements, we recommend that you first check with us to see if the trip is guaranteed. We then suggest that you purchase flights that are flexible and ideally refundable as due to the nature of adventure travel, itineraries and destination accessibility can change at any time. For more information, please refer to our booking conditions.
Please note that if staying in Dubrovnik ahead of the tour, you will need to make your own way back to the airport to meet the group for the start of the tour.
| Flight Code | Departing | Arriving |
|---|---|---|
| BA 2720 | London Gatwick (LGW) 06:40 | Dubrovnik Airport (DBV) 10:35 |
| BA 2721 | Dubrovnik Airport (DBV) 11:25 | London Gatwick (LGW) 13:15 |
Visas & Vaccinations
VISAS
Visas are necessary for many of the destinations we travel to and while we aim to provide you with the most up-to-date information, requirements frequently change and as such for the latest advice we advise that you check with the relevant embassies or contact a reputable visa agency. More details can be found here - https://www.wildfrontierstravel.com/visa
For this tour UK passport holders currently do not require a visa for Montenegro (or Croatia).
Passports must have been issued less than 10 years before the date you enter the country and be valid for at least 3 months after the day you plan to leave. Check your passport meets these requirements before you travel. If your passport was issued before 1 October 2018, extra months may have been added to its expiry date. Please visit the FCDO website for more information.
Non-UK passport holders or non-UK residents should contact the relevant embassies for individual requirements.
VACCINATIONS & ADDITIONAL TRAVEL REQUIREMENTS
There are no mandatory vaccination requirements for travellers to Montenegro (or Croatia).
For all destinations, please make sure you are up-to-date with any standard vaccinations (e.g. MMR, Hepatitis A, Tetanus) as recommended by your local health care provider.
For the most up-to-date information on all vaccination requirements and the most suitable anti-malarial tablets, we strongly suggest that you seek advice from your local travel centre or consult an official travel health website such as www.fitfortravel.nhs.uk or www.travelhealthpro.org.uk
Covid Testing: No mandatory testing is currently required for vaccinated or unvaccinated travellers.
If necessary further details will be sent out to you upon booking, however ensuring that correct and valid visas & vaccinations are obtained remains the sole responsibility of the client.
Extensions
If you have more time available, why not arrive early to adjust to a new time zone or just to get a feel for the country before your tour starts? Alternatively, you might choose to allow a few extra days after the tour to relax or to undertake some further exploration.
The choice is completely yours and we can usually arrange anything from simply additional accommodation and transfers to full tailor-made itineraries*. Please contact the office for more details and to discuss your requirements.
*Please note bespoke, tailor-made itineraries need to be a minimum of 7 days and we can only offer them in countries where we have a tailor-made expert
Governmental Travel Advice
Many governments issue advice which highlights potential hazards their citizens might experience when travelling abroad. We strongly suggest you refer to your country’s particular advisory site before booking and contact us if you have any queries or concerns. Click to follow links to the advice of the British Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office (FCDO) or the US State Department.
Non-UK citizens should consult the travel advice of their respective governments.
Key Information
CLIMATE
Days should be warm to hot (around 25 to 30C) during the day and relatively cool (around 15C) at night. Altitudes during the walk vary from about 500m to 1,800m. Please note that if rain occurs at this time of year it is generally short showers, though please remember you will be in the mountains where there weather can be unpredictable!
IS THIS TRIP FOR ME?
It may sound obvious but Wild Frontiers tours are not always for everyone and it is important to us that the tour you choose is the most suitable. All our tours have a fitness rating as a guideline but you should check the day-by-day itinerary carefully. In certain instances we may ask you to complete a travel questionnaire before confirming your booking in order to ensure your suitability. Should you have any concerns about your ability to partake in any aspect of the tour then please contact the office.
KEY ASPECTS TO CONSIDER
Anyone in a good state of health who enjoys walking in the hills should be perfectly able to cope with this trip. It should be noted that while this trip has been designed to appeal to those who prefer to experience a country on two feet rather than just from a bus window, all walks can be opted out of and alternative arrangements can be accommodated.
Please note that some of the walks will include quite steep descents down through woodland and may be tough on the knees, but the scenery and views will more than make up for this.
Walking times and distances have been given in the itinerary, please note that times are averages and dependent on other factors, such as the pace of the group and weather. They also do not include breaks for picnics, photos and the like.
This tour has a couple of short/medium driving days, these will be no longer than approx. 4 hours driving time (around 210km), regular breaks will be provided.
THE NATURE OF ADVENTURE TRAVEL
We feel that it’s worth pointing out that while we will always strive to stick as close to the stated itinerary as possible, it may be necessary from time to time to make changes to our itineraries or services (due to weather, political and religious influences etc.) and this can happen with little or no notice. This unpredictability can be one of the most exciting aspects of adventure travel and for many of our clients often leads to unexpected highlights as the tour-leader necessarily adapts the tour to the changing conditions. However we are aware that this lack of assuredness may not suit everyone. As such, with the greatest respect, if you are someone who needs to know that everything will happen exactly as planned, we would kindly suggest that perhaps our tours are not for you. Adventure travel can be infectious and once you’ve caught the bug, it is likely to never leave you, but especially if this is your first such tour we would strongly urge you to give us a call if you have any concerns whatsoever about your suitability for this trip.
TRAVELLING SOLO AND SINGLE SUPPLEMENTS
As a company approximately 70% of our clients are solo travelers, so it’s very unlikely you’ll be alone!
Our prices are typically based on twin-share accommodation but single supplements are not compulsory for any Wild Frontiers tour. If you prefer not to pay a single supplement we’ll pair you with someone else of the same sex for you to share with throughout the trip.
On this trip, if you do opt to pay for a single supplement then please note that it will cover you for all nights of the tour except Katun Goles and the Ethno Village. This is due to the limited number of huts available where you’ll also need to share facilities. Due to the nature of the mountain accommodation you may share facilities with more than one other person.
Please note that paying a single supplement entitles you to lone occupancy of a single room. In many cases these rooms will be of the same size as a double/twin room, but in some cases they may be smaller.
INSURANCE
Insurance that provides cover for emergency repatriation in case of a medical emergency is compulsory for all tours. You should be aware that due to some of the geographical areas visited and some of the activities included on certain of our trips some standard insurance policies may not always provide adequate cover. As such we strongly recommend that you purchase a policy that adequately covers your trip. Please see the Insurance section for more details.
General Information
TOUR PRICE
All our tours are priced on a land-only basis, giving you maximum flexibility when deciding how to get to and from your tour.
DEPOSIT
A 10% deposit is required to confirm your booking.
PROTECTION FOR YOUR MONEY
For further details please see our travelling with peace of mind page
WILD MILES
This tour will earn you 2190 Wild Miles
WHAT'S NOT INCLUDED
We believe in a completely transparent approach to pricing with no hidden extras. As such, please note that the following are not included in the cost of the tour.
Visas & Travel Insurance: Visas will always be tour/nationality dependent but travel insurance is mandatory
Tips: Always optional but some guidance will be given in the pre-departure information documents
International Flights: Please ask us for an obligation-free quote for flights which originate in the UK
Airport Transfers: We include complimentary transfers if arriving/departing on the suggested group flights
Beverages & any costs of a personal nature: This will include items such as laundry and souvenirs
WILD FRONTIERS COMMUNITY
If you’re still not sure if this trip is right or just want to see get some different perspectives, then why not have a look at the wide variety of resources we have on our website? Browse our community section to read our blogs, watch videos and find out about our events.
WHY WILD FRONTIERS?
We are frequently asked what makes Wild Frontiers different from other tour operators. Visit our Why Wild Frontiers page to find out.