Itinerary

Expand All

• DAY 1 - Arrival

  • Transfer from Podgorica airport to the hotel on Durmitor in the center of Žabljak town. Meeting the tour leader and the group. After the introductory briefing free time for relaxation and dinner.

  • 

    Accomodation Night in 4* hotel Žabljak in Žabljak town

    

    Meals Included: /

    

    Activity Transport

• DAY 2 - Into the deep green

  • Today we will get to know the soul and mystical spirituality of Mount Durmitor. Isn't it really necessary, when we meet someone new - to look him in the eyes first?
    So today, after breakfast, we will head deep into the woods, towards the lakes. The road first leads us to the most famous and most marked lake – Crno Jezero (Black Lake). Lake in the shape of digit 8 - two circles that are almost completely separated in the months of drought. With a depth of over 60m and emerald colour, the smaller circle of the lake gives you the privilege to look into the soul of this magical mountain.
    After we dive into the soul of the mountain and get acquainted with its secrets and charms, just like Hansel and Gretel, we will go deeper into the forest ... And what a mystical sorceress she is! Always green, deep, and dark - that's why Black Lake got its name! Because of her, because of the dark colour of the forest around the lake, mirrored in its surface. Her paths are sprinkled with mushrooms, moss, and fallen trees. From its rich soil, fir and spruce trees, some up to a hundred years old, tend to the sky. And the air! Fresh, fragrant ... gentle and sharp, at the same time. Created to seduce you farther and farther, all the way to “Zminje Jezero” (Snake Lake).
    Don't worry too much. Indeed, there are no snakes here, but there is a clear and pure spring just a few steps from the place for lunch and rest. A beautiful little lake on the edges overgrown with water lilies and rare water grasses ... and snakes? Again, the magic forest is responsible for this name. Namely, they say that the dense forest of fir and spruce is so reflected in the water here that it leaves a picture in the lake that resembles snakeskin.
    After lunch, rest, and enjoying the silence and pleasant freshness of this hidden lake, we will set off, slowly back. Not missing the opportunity to turn off the road and visit another in a row, this time “Barno Jezero” (Pond Lake). It is located on a larger glade, mostly overgrown with wild flowers, orchids, lilies, wild hyacinths, and further on, a rare reed marks the edge of the lake. The braver ones, can carefully, if the Tour Leader allows it, walk on the peat bog all the way to the water's edge. But beware! This will most likely mean that you will return to the hotel with wet feet!

  • 

    Accomodation Night in 4* hotel Žabljak in Žabljak town

    

    Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

    

    Activity Hiking 4h-5h, ascent +250m / descent – 250m.

• DAY 3 - Bare Bear Peak (Međed)

  • The peaks that dominate the landscape! Can't you hear their call? We will visit them today! We will pass by our friend from yesterday - Black Lake, just to send it a friendly greeting and wish it a good day, but also to express our respect and tell its that we are invited today to visit the peaks from which its waters are coming.
    Don't expect to see those waters after leaving the lake. In fact, we need to take enough water with us today because we will not find any on the surface. Water has its own paths to the lake, underground paths, hidden from our view, out of our reach.
    And after the forest belt, we go out to an area without shelter. Low vegetation and shrubs, grass, and stone. Rocky trails lead us towards the peaks, but what we see is not the one where we headed to, but only a tump that obscures the horizon on our climb ...
    View of the boulder of the neighbouring peak, over a deep ravine, joining the walls of mountain peaks that we call passes ... View of the green canopy of the forest we just left ... Today we climb to 2,160 m above sea level. Due to the unsafe section that leads to the very top, we walk around Međed (Bear Peak)to the “Previja” pass where we can enjoy rest and lunch.
    And then the descent. We are witnessing a time that inevitably affects this beautiful mountain. The old Bear is getting tired a little ... we see rocks and stones pouring down like waterfalls, flowing towards the plateau. There is no movement in our time dimension, but traces, wrinkles are there to talk about the real age of this Montenegrin giant and how it is slowly, imperceptibly decreasing ... collapsing. We move lower and lower, near the shepherd's huts where local shepherds keep sheep during the summer ... we return to the forest and finally, from the other side we come again to our wonderful friend - Black Lake.
    During the summer and autumn, when the weather is nice, the temperature of the lake water can be very pleasant. If that is the case - we will relax in the water of the Black Lake. After this, all the fatigue and tension in the muscles totally disappears. All that remains is pleasure.

  • 

    Accomodation Night in 4* hotel Žabljak in Žabljak town

    

    Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch

    

    Activity Hiking 6h-7h, ascent +950m / descent – 950m.

• DAY 4 - The power of creation

  • Today you leave the Durmitor National park and head to the Adriatic coast. After 2h of driving you arrive at the Ostrog Monastery built by St Vasilije (Basil) in the 17th century. Stopping to visit the lower monastery – the Church of the Holy Trinity – you then take a 30-minute climb along the pilgrim’s path to the higher one. Set before the imposing backdrop of sheer vertical walls, the whitewashed walls of the upper monastery makes an inspiring sight. The relics of St Basil lie in the monastery, reverentially housed in a sepulchral sanctuary that is linked to another chapel by series of caves and passages. The walls are crammed with gifts and pleas from the pilgrims and the entire atmosphere of the monastery is exceptionally piety. Afternoon we drive to Kotor bay where we will settle down for the next four days in our waterfront hotel in Perast town.

  • 

    Accomodation Night in 4* hotel Conte, Perast

    

    Meals Included: Breakfast, Dinner

    

    Activity Hiking 1h15, ascent +250m / descent – 250m.

• DAY 5 - The irresistible charm of Kotor town

  • In the shadow of the Lovćen Mountain, surrounded by an equally protective wreath of the Orjen and Vrmac Mountains, at the bottom of the most beautiful bay in Adriatic, lies the quiet and sleepy town of Kotor. Moving through the labyrinth of streets, additionally protected by defensive stone ramparts, we start the wheels of a special clock in each heart, which will continue to count only the hours until the next return in Kotor.
    We walk the walls of Kotor to St. Ivan Fortress, 250m above sea level. The mountain massif above us make a pleasant shade until noon, and the walk lasts just as long. We climb the stone steps, above the stone city. Cypresses, a small church with a bell tower, the red roofs of Kotor covering stone houses, streets that meander and flow into squares, the blue of the sea and mountains of blue-green tones - are just some images remaining in our memories. Seen from the opposite shore, in the evening, Kotor with its illuminated walls and reflection on the calm surface of the sea form the shape of a heart. As everyone in the world knows, it is a sign of love.
    After the walk, you have free time to wander the explore the town at your own pace. Enjoy lunch in some of the many restaurants, visit some museum, gallery, or shops. We drive you back to Perast where you take a small boat to the Our Lady of the Rocks - a man-made island and a church on it. This island was made by numerous sailors from this region, as a pledge for good luck and a happy return after overseas voyages. Return to Perast for a supper on the waterfront.

  • 

    Accomodation Night in 4* hotel Conte, Perast

    

    Meals Included: Breakfast

    

    Activity Hiking 2,5 h, ascent +250m / descent – 250m, Sightseeing

• DAY 6 - Hiking over the Budva Riviera

  • Today, we will set off outside the Bay of Kotor to the southeast, more precisely to the Budva Riviera. Budva coast is the most developed tourist resort in Montenegro. Despite the excessive and uncontrolled tourist development of this region, which has completely changed the landscape, one of the things still worth to be seen is certainly the old town of Budva.
    We start a hike from the Austro-Hungarian fortress (Kosmač fortress). There we will witness another advantage of our passion for hiking. From this height and distance, the Budva Riviera still looks enchanting. A series of bays, islands, and islets, the blue sea and the sky merging on the horizon, all make a miraculous sight for admiring during our hike. Montenegro is a mountainous country. The Adriatic Sea is the only "plain" there. Earlier, this "plain" was mostly used by fishermen. Now they are almost gone, and small fishing boats are being replaced by cruisers, yachts, motorboats...
    Following the mountain trail, we reach the remote Katun Ograđenica (shepherd's hut) and St. Spiridon Church. Here we can take a short break in the isolated peace of the forest church.
    From there we start a long descent to the monastery Praskvica and the world-famous Sveti Stefan island-hotel. We can refresh ourselves in the sea on one of these exclusive beaches.

  • 

    Accomodation Night in 4* hotel Conte, Perast

    

    Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

    

    Activity Hiking 5 h, ascent +100m / descent – 550m.

• DAY 7 - Hiking Vrmac – Another little walk along the sea shore

  • Starting from a tiny town of Muo, we hike on the Old Austro-Hungarian road, built with the stone technique of "dry masonry". The smell of the sea and pine trees ... And at the very end of the zig-zag climb - the path through the fern field to the backyard of grandmother-Radojka's house. From there we take a gravel road that follows the mountain ridge. The mountain divides the bay into the Bay of Kotor and the Bay of Tivat. The sound of crickets is following us along the way. On a gravel road, we are surrounded by low Mediterranean vegetation and exposed to the sun until we start a descent through the enchanted forest back to the shore. Uneven stone steps, a stone bridge, through a forest of miniature curved dark trees, all these lead us to the conclusion that this is a path of dwarves.
    And here we are, back to the first houses, densely packed along the sea. A town of Prčanj. Another small beautiful town, sandwiched between the sea and the mountains. The town is nestled in such a narrow space that only several rows of houses and one small road leading to Kotor could be built.
    There, on the pebble beach of Markov Rt, we can dip into the sea. A perfect finish of wonderful hiking.

  • 

    Accomodation Night in 4* hotel Conte, Perast

    

    Meals Included: Breakfast

    

    Activity Hiking 5h, ascent +650m / descent – 650m

• DAY 8 - Time to say Goodbye

  • This Montenegrin hiking adventure ends today. After breakfast, we drive you to Podgorica airport and wish you a safe and pleasant journey, with the desire to see you again on another adventure, on another trip ...

  • 

    Accomodation /

    

    Meals Included: Breakfast

    

    Activity Transport

ACE keeps rights to change daily itineraries.

Tour Information

• What Will You See

  Durmitor, Žabljak town, Tara Canyon

  DURMITOR described on the World Heritage List in 1980. It is a strikingly beautiful natural park, one of the highest (2523 m) and probably the most beautiful mountain in the Balkans. The most famous is Black Lake, covered with ice and crystals of frozen snowflakes in the winter. You can swim in it in the middle of the summer. Between the steep hillsides or hidden in the green, thick foliage, are the magic beauties: Zmijinje, Barno, Riblje, Vrazje, Modro and the other lakes. Because of its geographical location and range in altitude, the park is under the influence of both the Mediterranean and alpine microclimates.
  
  There are 17 glacier lakes called “mountain eyes” in the area of Durmitor.
  
  Vegetation zones, covering 17,000ha, include deciduous forest, coniferous forest, sub-alpine zones and Alpine meadows. The dominant species include Scots pine, Norway pine, silver fir, beech, occasional birch, mugo pine and juniper. The park supports a rich karstic flora with many rare and endemic species.
  
  Zabljak town is “moved up” to 1460 meters of the massive mountain of Durmitor. This small mountain town will be used as our base for exploring the mountain. Our hiking tours will start from the hotel.
  
  “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 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.

  OSTROG Monastery

  The monastery of Ostrog is placed against an almost vertical background, high up in the large rock of Ostroska Greda, from which a superb view of the Bjelopavlici Plain explodes. Ostrog Monastery is the most popular pilgrimage place in Montenegro. The Monastery was founded by Vasilije, the Metropolitan Bishop of Herzegovina in the 17th century. He died there in 1671 and some years later he was sainted and proclaimed a wonderworker. His body is enshrined in a reliquary kept in the cave-church dedicated to the Presentation of the Mother of God to the Temple. The present-day look was given to the Monastery in 1923 -1926, after a fire that had destroyed the major part of the complex. Fortunately, the two little cave churches were spared and they make the essential value of the whole monument. The frescoes in the Church of the Presentation were done towards the end of the 17th century. The other church, dedicated to the Holy Cross, is placed within a cave on the upper level of the monastery and was painted by Master Radul, who successfully coped with the natural shapes of the cave and laid the frescoes immediately on the surface of the rock and the south wall. Around the church are the monastic residences, which together with the church building and the beautiful scenery make this monument an agreeable place to stay in.
  
  The orthodox Monastery of Ostrog is the most frequently visited one in the Balkans. It is visited by believers from all parts of the world, either individually or in groups.
  
  It represents the meeting place of all three confessions: the Orthodox, the Catholics and the Muslims because it is believed that the enshrined body of Saint Vasilije Ostroski makes miracles work. According to the stories of pilgrims, by praying by his body, many have been cured and helped in lessening the difficulties in their lives.

  Boka Kotorska Bay

  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.

  Sveti Stefan

  Sveti Stefan, a town – hotel, is located on an island connected to the mainland by a narrow strip that has two red colored sandy beaches. Originally built by traders and fishermen in the 15th century, it became town – hotel in 1960 thanks to famous painters Lubarda and Milunovic, who recognized this old place as a potential tourist attraction.
  
  Milocer, located close to Sveti Stefan, was once famous as a summer residence of the Karadjordjevic Royal Family. The place is famous for a great number of rare plants, beautiful beaches and top service hotels and villas.

  Budva

  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.

• Accommodation & Meals

  You will be accommodated in four-star family-run hotels both on Durmitor and Perast. The hotels have a very good location. The first one in the centre of the Zabljak town, and the second one on the waterfront of Perast. Both hotels have restaurants with great choices of local specialities. If you have some dietary restrictions we will be happy to adapt our menu to you. All breakfasts and dinners included in the tour package will be served in the hotel's restaurants. Lunches included in the tour package are either lunch packets or picnic lunches.

• What is Included

  The following services are included in the price:

  • Transfer from Podgorica airport to the hotel in Žabljak. Regardless of your arrival time, a private transfer will be organized for you.

  • seven lodgings in 4* hotels

  • seven breakfasts, four dinners in four-star hotels

  • three lunches

  • guiding service of English, French, or German speaking ACE tour leader

  • The following entry fees and services: entry fee for National Park Durmitor, tickets to Kotor Ramparts, boat Perast-Gospa od Škrpjela- Perast.

  • transfer service for all programs listed in the tour description

  • snacks and refreshing drinks during the hiking tour

  • Transfer from the hotel in Perast to Podgorica airport. Regardless of your flight time, a private transfer will be organized for you

  The price is based on double room occupancy.

  Single room supplement 290 Euros.

  The tour is available from April to November

• General Info

  • Travel Information

    For stay up to 90 days in the Republic of Montenegro, EU, American, Australian, Canadian tourists no longer require a visa. All distances in Montenegro are given in kilometers. 1 mi=1,61 km, 1km =0.62mi, 1ft=0.3m/ 1inch=2.54cm

    Weather Information

    Weather is difficult to forecast but, normally, you can expect nice weather in Montenegro from April to November.
    
    Montenegro has a Mediterranean climate, hot dry summers and autumns and relatively cold winters with heavy snowfall inland. There is a chance of sporadic rain in spring and autumn, though generally this is in the form of short showers. You can expect cool nights in the Durmitor Mountain and on higher altitudes it is possible to have light snowing in April, May, October, November.

    Packing suggestions

    Casual summer/ autumn clothing is recommended for most occasions. You may wish to bring a sweater and some jacket for the mountain, comfortable hiking shoes, (walking poles optional but could be helpful for some hikes like the Bear Summit circuit), 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.

    General Information

    Currency and Exchange

    Local Currency: Montenegro use Euro as a local currency.
    
    Where to Exchange: Banks or ‘forex’ offices in main towns/cities. Most of change offices are open from 8am to 8pm
    
    ATM Availability: Generally widespread but limited in more rural areas. You will find ATM in Kotor and Zabljak.
    
    Credit Card Acceptance: Accepted in major restaurants and hotels. The most widely excepted credit cards are VISA, closely followed by MasterCard.
    
    Travellers Cheques: Travellers cheques can be exchanged for the local currency but only in some banks.
    
    Banks are generally open from 08:00 to 19:00 on weekdays and from 08:00 to 15:00 on Saturdays.
    
    In smaller towns it is useful to have enough cash.
    
    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 Montenegro electric current is 220 volts, 50 HZ. To use American or British electrical appliances a plug adapter is necessary. Electric plug used in Montenegro 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 Montenegro, Croatia, 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.

    To make a direct international call, first dial 00 or + (code to access international line) then the country code, the area code and local number. The country code for Austria is 43, Australia is 61, Norway 47, Great Britain is 44, USA and Canada 1, France 33, Germany 49…. To make a national call just dial area code and local telephone number.

    
    ACE Emergency phone (24h available) +381 (0)64 24 76 311.
    

    Language

    Official language in Montenegro is Montenegrin but English is widely spoken specially in a bigger towns. Latin Alphabet is in used but in some areas you can find also Cyrillic.

    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:

    • Coffee / Tea- 0.8 – 1.5 Euro

    • Soft drink - 1-2 Euro

    • Bottle of beer - 1-2 Euro

    • Bottle of wine - 5-15 Euro

    • Two course meal - 8-10 Euro

    • 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.