The Peaks of the Balkans
Hike Albanian Alps (or Accursed Mountains- Montenegrin name) in undiscovered Balkans through Kosovo, Montenegro and Albania
8 days / 7 nights walking guided holiday in Kosovo, Montenegro and Albania from 1320 EUR
Breath-taking landscapes, remote trails, towering mountains, mountain creeks, crystal clear lakes, colourful flora, eclectic architecture, fascinating history, a melting pot of cultures and tasty food welcomes you at the Peak of the Balkans. Join the fantastic trip through time and space. Walking through some of the wildest parts of Europe and spectacular sceneries you will experience the simple life of local people, their warm welcome and have a unique experience in this remote area where time seems to stop.
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Hiking in the Albanian Alps (or Accursed Mountains how they are called in Montenegro) and crossing the borders of Kosovo- Montenegro- Albania via mountain peaks and passes
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You indulge in hiking and we organize all cross border procedures, luggage transfers, your transfers, lodgings, boarding
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Overnight in the heart of highland in local guesthouses and taste their traditional home cooking
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Meet Kosovo and Montenegro with us. The two among top five newest countries in the world
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Walk from the high mountains to the spectacular Adriatic coast
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Have a spectacular walk on the Ladder of Kotor or Ladder of Cattaro trail which connects coastal town of Kotor with Njegusi town for centuries
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Reward yourself with a comfort of 4* accommodation after days in Accursed Mountains
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Travel in a small group. The maximum group size is 15 persons.
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Have a safe and risk-free booking. We have adopted all our procedures to WTTC (World Travel & Tourism Council), UNWTO (World Tourism Organisation), and local protocols and standards. Our booking and cancellation policy is adapted to new conditions and maximally flexible so you can not lose your money
BLOG STORY
Read more on ACE Adventure blog
3 Things You Shouldn't Forget When Going on a Balkan Adventure Tour
Making the Most of Your Balkan Adventure Tour: 3 Key Tips to Keep in Mind
Walking grade:
Challenging
Four days of hiking from 5 hours to 8 hours with the accumulated ascent up to 1.150m Two days of three and a half hours of hiking
RECOMMENDATIONS FOR EXTENSION
An option to extend your holiday for additional days in Perast, Kotor, Dubrovnik or any other coastal town is possible. Please contact us for the conditions of this extension.
Please read and respect ACE Responsible Tourism Policy.
Book with confidence and risk-free. Please read our new booking and cancellation policy
Itinerary
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Transfer from Prisitna airport to the hotel in Peja (1h15). Meeting the tour leader and the group. After introductory briefing free time and dinner.
Optional excursion: It may be possible depending on the arrival of flights and traffic conditions to visit the UNESCO World Heritage Site of Decani Monastery after checking in at the hotel. Decani Monastery is a 30 minute drive away. It is described as one of the most beautiful churches in the whole of Europe. Built in the early 14th century by the Serbian King Stefan Decanski, Decani is situated in a beautiful spot below the mountains, surrounded by pine and chestnut trees. The price of this optional excursion depends on the group size. Please contact us for additional information. -
Accomodation Hotel Camp Karagaq
Meals Included: Dinner
Activity Free time on arrival at accomodation.
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Our week-long journey begins with a morning walk through the Bazar and narrow streets of the city of Peja. Peja is a small town with a long history. The atmosphere of the city is strongly connected with the orient and Ottomans who ruled the area from the 15th to the first part of the 20th century. On the other side, there is a mix of the rapid and modern development of recent years with traces of the communism era. Walking through Ottoman style architecture and impressive mosques we tumble into the seat of the Serbian Orthodox church- 13th century the Patriarchal Monastery of Peć. From Peja we hike through Rugova Mountain, the national park in the Accursed Mountains, to get to our first harbour in the form of a small guesthouse located in the village of Drelaj. There, we will enjoy a home-cooked meal before we fall asleep after a long and exciting day.
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Accomodation Simple guesthouse (double and twin rooms with shared facilities)
Meals Included: Breakfast, picnic lunch, dinner
Activity Walking 5h, ascent 500m, descent 900m
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We dive deeper into the Accursed Mountains. After a short transfer to the village of Liquenat, we hike through forests and meadows, the lakes Kucisko and Dreljsko to reach the Jelenak pass at the elevation of 2.250 meters and descent to Montenegro. There, in Babino polje (Grandma’s field) a vehicle will wait for us and take us to the Grebaja valley (1h long drive) and our charming accommodation. The bungalows Maja Karanfil where we dine and overnight are located in the amazing Grebaja valley. The valley is surrounded by grandiose mountain peaks that reach a height of over 2.000 meters. Only a small road takes us through the valley. In late autumn and early spring, if lucky, one can spot a brown bear rambling on the meadows of the surrounded mountain slopes.
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Accomodation Bungalows Maja Karanfil
Meals Included: Breakfast, picnic lunch, Dinner
Activity Walking 8h, ascent 1.150m, descent 1.000m
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Another spectacular day of hiking. Directly from our accommodation, we start to walk and follow a pretty steep trail through the forest until we exit the wooded area and step into the shrubs, meadows and rocks. Shortly we will find ourselves on the Talijanka summit (2.056m), above the valley where we spent the night, and a dramatic view will open to the peaks of the Albanian Alps in Montenegro and Albania. We keep hiking crossing Montenegro- Albania border until we reach the remote village of Lepushe. We will spend the night in this sleepy village where people still live traditionally and modern trends have a hard time finding their way to it.
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Accomodation Simple guesthouse
Meals Included: Breakfast, picnic lunch, dinner
Activity Walking 6h, ascent 930m, descent 730m
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It is the last day in the Albanian Alps, we hike from Lepushe to Nikç village. One more day of long-distance walk through pristine mountain scenery. The lack of roads in this part of Albania made this area rarely visited by most of the Albanian and Montenegrins. The only inhabitants of these vast slopes during the summer months are shepherds who graze their flocks.
From Nikç we take 3h long mini-bus transfer to Montenegro and the National Park Skadar Lake. Our destination is the tiny town Virpazar located at the lakeshore. -
Accomodation 3* hotel Pelikan
Meals Included: Breakfast, picnic lunch, dinner
Activity Walking 6h, ascent 600m, descent 1.300m
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The previous days we were waking up in mountain guesthouses surrounded by forest and mountain peaks. In contrast, the mountain scenery is changed with scenes of a tiny sleepy town lying on the shores of Lake Skadar. But we will not miss the mountains here. The lake is surrounded by limestone mountains that rise steeply from the lakeshores and make a fairytale scenery, especially in the morning when all is wrapped in a mystery of the haze. Skadar Lake is one of the largest bird reserves in Europe and is home to the Dalmatian pelican. Straight from the town centre waterways bordered by reed and water lily meadows lead through the lake. We leave the lake and drive to the dark forests of Lovcen mountain, the same ones that gave this small country the name, Montenegro- the Black Mountain. We hike to the most famous Lovcen Mountain summit- Jezerski. At the summit the mausoleum of Montenegrin prince, from the 19th century, Petar II Petrovic Njegos is erected. Njegos was a very skilled politician but also a philosopher and a poet and has a special place in Montenegrin and Serbian history and culture. We walk down to Ivanova Korita where we check in the hotel where overnight.
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Accomodation 4* hotel Monte Rosa
Meals Included: Breakfast, dinner
Activity walking 3h30, ascent 350m, descent 450m
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A relaxing but amazing day before returning home. After a short transfer to Krstac above the Kotor town we start a long descent on the famous Ladder of Kotor trail. The trail used to be the main connection for the coastal town of Kotor to the mainland. The zig-zag trail was used for centuries as a trading road where goods from the Kotor port were transported by mulls. Kotor bay is one of the most beautiful bays in Europe. The colour game of blue water, limestone mountain and red roofs of terracotta tiles, is spectacular and nobody can stay indifferent in front of such a picture. We will have some free time in Kotor to relax, have lunch and explore the gem of Montenegrin coast at our own pace before we take 30min to drive to the picturesque coastal town of Perast where we spend the last night of this amazing journey. Could be anything better than dinner next to the sea on the promenade of the medieval town after spending a week in the high and wild mountains of the Balkan peninsula?
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Accomodation 4* hotel Conte
Meals Included: Breakfast, dinner
Activity Walking 3h30, ascent 0m, descent 930m
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A transfer to Dubrovnik airport (1h30) where the trip ends.
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Accomodation /
Meals Included: Breakfast
Activity Transfer
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Tour Information
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Peja (Peć)
Peja (Peć in Serbian) is Kosovo's third-largest city. It is located at the foot of the impressive Accursed mountain and surrounded by sacred sites of the Serbian Orthodox Church. Under the Ottoman rule, Peja/Peć took on a more oriental character with the construction of narrow streets, old-style Turkish houses, mosques, and a Turkish-style bazaar at its heart. The Orthodox influence has resulted in the construction of impressive religious sites and monasteries.
Patriarchate of Peć
The Monastery of the Patriarchate of Peć is located at the very entrance of the Rugova gorge. It is one of the most important monuments of the Serbian past. The entire complex dates from between the 1230s and the 1330s. From its origin in the 13th century the Patriarchate attracted learned divines, reputed writers and gifted artists, and all of them have left traces of their work in it. It is therefore not only the centre of the Serbian Church, but also an important repository of its cultural heritage.
The Patriarchate of Peć was the centre of the Serbian church for centuries. The archbishops and patriarchs of Pec were buried in the churches of the Patriarchate from the 13th to the 15th centuries, and sometimes even later, until the 17th century.
Today, the monastery is still one of the most important Serbian Orthodox centers in the Region with the sisterhood of 24 nuns.Accursed Mountains
Prokletije (in Montenegrin) is also known as the Albanian Alps as well as the Accursed Mountains (Bjeshkët e Nemuna in Albanian). Prokletije was, according to local folklore, created by the devil himself, unleashed from hell for a single day of mischief. Scoured by glaciers during the last ice age, the landscape shows all the hallmarks of a region shaped by ice: glaciated cirques and broad, U-shaped valleys. The legacy of the last ice age glaciers combined with unique geological structure made Prokletije extremely reach in dramatic forms of karst landscape: glacier valleys, rugged cliffs, huge vertical walls.
Accursed Mountains are the most dramatic hiking destination in Montenegro and Albania. Vertical peaks pierce the sky, wild chamois sprint between jagged cliffs and, herds of goats roam freely.
The peaks and heights of Prokletije envelop the Montenegrin-Albanian and Montenegrin – Kosovo border. Since the rocks of Prokletije are impermeable, there are a lot of water flows, and snow that stays till late summer feeding water springs and rivers throughout hot months. The highest peak of Prokletije, Maja jezerce (in Albania), with its 2,694 m is the highest peak of the Dinarides.Skadar Lake
With an area ranging from 370 to 530 square kilometres, Skadar Lake is the biggest lake in the Balkans. Due to its geographic position and sub-Mediterranean climate, it is one of the most important habitats of swamp birds in Europe, right after the river Danube delta. There are around 280 bird species on the lake, including the rare curly pelican, which became a trademark of the National Park. The southern hinterland of the lake (Crmnica) is famous for the best vine in Montenegro. Together with the lake carp, this will satisfy even the most demanding gourmands. The lake has numerous extraordinary beaches, particularly those in the village Murići, not less attractive than beaches on the coast…
Lovcen National Park
Directly behind Kotor bay rises Mountain Lovćen, the black mountain that gave Crna Gora (Montenegro) its name; crna/negro means ‘black’, and gora/monte means ‘mountain’ in Montenegrin and Italian respectively.
A relatively small area offers numerous and various forms of relief, emphasized in the central part of the mountain, where most of Lovćen summits rose. Its slopes are rocky, with numerous holes, pits and deep depressions, giving the landscape a distinctive look. View from Lovćen peaks leaves an unrepeatable and unforgettable visual impression.
Most of the sacral objects and interesting ethnographic material in Lovćen is concentrated in the area of Ivanova korita and village Njeguši, famous for fantastic ham and cheese. Climbing up to the mausoleum of the greatest Montenegrin poet, Bishop, and prince Petar Petrović Njegoš (1813. -1851), represents a highlight of the visit to the National Park. The mausoleum is the most important work of the great Croatian sculptor Ivan Meštrović. The chapel is the most impressive part of Njegoš mausoleum. It is nine meters high with the arch covered in mosaic with 200.000 gold-plated tiles.Kotor
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.
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The first and the fifth night we stay in a comfortable 3* hotel in Peja and Virpazar. Two nights, we will be accommodated in simple homestay /guesthouse/lodge-style accommodation with simple bathroom facilities. During these 2 nights, we are staying in remote places which have very little tourism infrastructure, which is all part of the cultural experience. Whilst staying in the guesthouses, it's good to keep in mind these are people's homes and although they are basic, they are selected for their friendliness and location. Rooms are likely to accommodate between 2 and 5 people per room and it may be necessary for male and female group members to share depending on the group.
For the last two nights in Lovcen and Kotor Bay, we stay in comfortable 4* hotels. On Lovcen, the hotel is located in the heart of the National Park, and in Kotor Bay on the waterfront of the charming small town of Perast.
We pay special attention to the choice of food so you can enjoy great choices of local specialities. With a mix of Balkan, Turkish and European influences, the food in this part of the world is fantastic. If you have some dietary restrictions we will be happy to adapt our menu to you. -
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Transfer from Pristina airport to the hotel. Regardless of your arrival time, a private transfer will be organized for you.
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Seven nights: two nights in 4* hotels, one night 3* hotel, and four nights in simple guesthouses on Accursed Mountains (the Albanian Alps)
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Seven breakfasts, seven dinners, four lunches
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Guiding service of English, French or German -speaking ACE tour leader
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All transfers during the trip as described in the itinerary
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Border crossing fees for crossing the borders over the mountain passes
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Entry tickets for: Peć Patriarchate, National Park Prokletije, National Park Lovćen, the Walls of Kotor,
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Snacks and refreshing drinks during the hiking tour
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Transfer from the hotel in Perast to Dubrovnik airport. Regardless of your flight time, a private transfer will be organized for you
The following services are included in the price:
The price is based on double/ twin room occupancy.
Single room supplement 120 Euros and guarantees the single room accommodation during the whole trip except on the 2nd and 4th night in the guest houses
The tour is available from June to the end of October
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Travel Information
During this holiday we trek across the mountain borders of Albania, Kosovo and Montenegro. We apply for your border crossing permits from the local authorities. Therefore, we kindly ask you to send us a copy of your passport after you have been confirmed on the holiday.
All distances in Kosovo, Montenegro and Albania are given in kilometers. 1 mi=1,61 km, 1km =0.62mi, 1ft=0.3m/ 1inch=2.54cmWeather Information
Weather is difficult to forecast but, normally, at the times of year we operate this trip, the weather is nice with hot days, clear skies and little rain. Note that temperatures do drop in the evenings in the mountains by several degrees. Daily temperature vary between 5ºC and 30ºC and in the evenings the temperatures drop by several degrees. At the coastal reagion the temperatures will be higher, in July and August about 35C.
Packing suggestions
Casual seasonal clothing is recommended for most occasions. You may wish to bring a sweater and some jacket even in summer, comfortable hiking shoes, rain jacket, plus trainers or sandals for relaxing. You should also bring some water bottles, sun protection cream (high protection factor 30 and above), insect repellent, sunglasses, sun hat, and a lip salve with sun protection. Also bring a swimsuit for swimming opportunities on the trip (the Gostoljublje has a open air swimming pool).
General Information
Currency and Exchange
Kosovo and Montenegro use the Euro as a de facto domestic currency. Lek is Albanian national currency. For 1 Euro you can get 120 Lek (ALL)(current exchange rate). In all cities and towns, you can find change offices. Most of them have a good exchange rate and do not charge commission. Most of the change offices are open from 8am to 8pm. ATMs are available in all towns such as Peja, Virpazar, and Kotor and they require a PIN number. For arriving by plane, there is an ATM at the arrivals hall (downstairs) of Pristina Airport. Some of the restaurants and shops accept credit cards (Visa, MasterCard, American Express, Diners). The most widely excepted credit cards are VISA, closely followed by MasterCard. Traveller’s cheques are a little harder to change. Neither personal nor travellers’ cheques can normally be exchanged for goods in shops, so credit cards make far more sense.
Banks are generally open from 08:00 to 19:00 on weekdays and from 08:00 to 15:00 on Saturdays.
Most of the shops are open from 9am to 9 pm and remain open through lunch.
Restaurants: The main meal is taken at lunch from 1pm to 3pm. Restaurants serve dinner in the evening from 8pm till 11pm.Electric Current
In Kosovo, Montenegro, and Albania electric current is 220 volts, 50 HZ. To use American or British electrical appliances a plug adapter is necessary. Electric plug used in these countries is type C (the same one is in use in Croatia, Belgium, Egypt, Italy, Hungary, Luxemburg, Netherlands, Norway, Bulgaria, Romania, Switzerland, Turkey, Vietnam, etc.
Telephone
Telephone plug used in Kosovo, Montenegro, Albania, is US RJ-11 phone plug
Telephoning Home
Most of the telephone cards (AT&T…) do not work here. You can telephone from Post Office and pay after the call. The most convenient way for telephoning home is to use your mobile phone. Note that telephoning from Kosovo, Montenegro and Albania will involve roaming rates, so please double-check with your mobile provider at home about the rates and conditions.
ACE Emergency phone (24h available) +381 (0)64 24 76 311.
Language
Official language in Kosovo and Albania is Albanian and in Montenegro- the Montenegrin. English is widely spoken especially in bigger towns. In small mountain villages, most of the people do not speak any foreign language. A Latin Alphabet is in used in all three countries.
INSURANCE
Travel insurance is highly recommended for all clients whilst on a tour organized by ACE. Clients together with their personal property including baggage are at all times solely at their own risk. Clients are wholly responsible for arranging their own insurance. Clients are responsible for ensuring that they are in possession of private Travel Insurance with protection for the full duration of the tour in respect of at least medical expenses, injury, death, repatriation, cancellation and curtailment, with adequate cover. Clients making their own arrangements should ensure that there is no exclusion clauses limiting protection for the type of activities included in their tour. Clients should satisfy themselves that any travel insurance is what they require and should arrange supplementary insurance if need be.
Responsible Travel
Before you come on the tour please read and respect ACE Responsible Tourism Policy
Personal Expenses
MEAL PLAN
Meals other than those included in the itinerary are paid for separately by traveler. Examples of some costs are provided below:
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Coffee/ Tea - 1 Euro
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Soft drink - 1- 1.5 Euro
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Bottle of beer - 1-3 Euro
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Bottle of wine - 5-15 Euro
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Two course meal - 8-10 Euro
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Three course meal - 12-15 Euro
Local fares in small towns
Tipping
Although entirely voluntary, tipping is a recognized part of life in this part of the world. Gratuities for the staff of the ACE Adventure is discretionally but always appreciated by the staff and we will be happy to provide guidelines.
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Photos
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PROKLETIJE
Talijanka ascent
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Saddle between Talijanka and Popadija
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Babino polje
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View from Talijanka summit
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Hiking Lepushe - Nikç
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Hiking Lepushe - Nikç
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Dreljsko lake
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PROKLETIJE
Hiking Lepushe - Nikç
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View on Talijanka
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Descent to Lepushe from Talijanka
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Descent to Lepushe from Talijanka
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PROKLETIJE
Descent to Lepushe from Talijanka
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Descent to Lepushe from Talijanka
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PROKLETIJE
Path towards Nikç
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PROKLETIJE
View on Nikç
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SKADAR LAKE
Grmožur fortified islet
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PRŠUT
Njeguški prosciutto
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LOVĆEN
Lovćen plateau
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BOKA BAY
Road to Lovćen
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KOTOR
Old town
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BOKA BAY
View from Krstac
Dates & Prices
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