Montenegro's mountains make for the perfect European summer base for active families, and this holiday to Croatia's quieter neighbour packs in plenty of high-adrenaline action. We also spend time exploring the stunning Bay of Kotor, paddling sea kayaks to secluded islands and beaches and discovering the winding streets and city walls of Kotor's Old Town.
Breakfast: 7
Explore Tour Leader
Activity Guide(s)
Driver(s)
Bus
7 nights comfortable hotel
Moderate
12 - 18
Itineraries on some departure dates may differ, please select the itinerary that you wish to explore.
Our trip begins in the arrivals hall at Tivat Airport (airport code TIV) at 1.30pm. Look out for your tour leader who will be holding an Explore signboard. The latest time you should book a flight to arrive at is 1.00pm.
We'll travel together as a group to our hotel in the charming mountain resort of Zabljak. The 170km journey should take us around three-and-a-half hours with a comfort break along the way. Whilst it will no doubt be a long day of travelling for all, there are no activities planned today and you can relax at our hotel on arrival in the knowledge that you're already in situ to start the week's fun-filled activities tomorrow morning.
At an altitude of around 1,450 metres, the mountain village of Zabljak is surrounded by the stunning natural landscapes of the UNESCO-listed Durmitor Mountains National Park. A popular ski resort in the winter months, it also makes a great summer holiday base with its mild temperatures ideal for active pursuits.
Hotel Zlatni Bor (or similar)
Grade: Comfortable Hotel
Today we'll head out on E-bikes into the beautiful Durmitor National Park on a ride to Black Lake (Crno Jezero). Bikes are available in various sizes but are not suitable for anyone less than 140cm. Regarded by many as the jewel of the Durmitor National Park, this glacial lake is named because of the dark hue that its waters take on from the reflection of the surrounding pine forests. Despite its name, the tranquil waters of the lake actually take on a turquoise colour on bright days, so, depending on the weather when you visit, you could see the lake in a totally different light!
Our ride takes us through alpine forests and grasslands and past some of the park's other lakes, the small and deep Lake Zminje, known as the 'Eyes of Durmitor' because of its oval shape, and Lake Jablan, in the foothills of Crvena Greda Peak. We plan to spend some time at Black Lake before we return to Zabljak with the chance to enjoy a swim in its cool pristine waters and there are couple of restaurant options here for lunch.
There's an option this morning to head out after breakfast on a canyoning experience at the Nevidio Canyon, around 30 minutes south from Zabljak. Donning wetsuits, neoprene booties and helmets, tackle an exhilarating canyoning course through breathtaking scenery along part of the Mala Komarnica river.Navigating through narrow passages, jumping into crystal clear pools and sliding down natural rock formations, it's certainly an adrenaline-pumping trip! Full instruction will be given and the canyoning course is expected to take around two to three hours with a 45 minute hike at the end of the course back to the start point. Note that for May departures, Nevidio Canyon may not be an option due to very high water levels in which case a course in the nearby Grabovica Canyon may be offered instead.
Later this afternoon, we'll take a ride on one of the chair lifts close to Zabljak and take a short 40 minutes hike to the small peak of Savin Kuk (2,313m) for spectacular panoramic views of the forests and glacial lakes of the Durmitor Mountains. The region is home to a rich biodiversity including bears, wolves and 150 species of birds.
Today we'll head to the beautiful Tara River Canyon for some rafting. Tara Canyon is the deepest canyon in Europe, reaching depths of up to 1,300 metres in places and stretching for over 82 kilometres, the cascading waters cutting a deep path through the Durmitor Mountains. May departures of this trip are likely to enjoy the full whitewater rafting experience (grades II to III rapids) whilst, depending on recent rainfall levels, July and August trips will likely experience a smoother ride. Either way, the scenery along the deep canyon is magnificent and we plan to stop at a beautiful spot for some swimming along the way.
The trip ends at the Durdevica Bridge where two zip lines soar above the canyon providing panoramic views of the river and surrounding landscape - an optional extra for the daring! Red Rock offers an exhilarating 350 metre flight 170 metres above the canyon, whilst the Tara Zip line - Extreme Speed is not for the faint hearted; the fastest in Montenegro, you'll travel at speeds of over 80kmph along a course of over 1 kilometre.
This afternoon we'll drive (around an hour and a half) to our second mountain base, the resort town of Kolasin. At an altitude of around 950 metres in the Bjelasica mountain range and on the banks of the Moraca River, the town is close to the wilderness of the Biogradska Gora National Park, home to one of the last three large virgin forests in Europe.
Our modern and comfortable hotel features a garden, sauna and spa facilities.
Dream House Hotel (or similar)
This morning has been left free to enjoy the facilities at the hotel and take some time to explore the resort of Kolasin which has a small centre with a number of shops and cafes. There's an ethnographic museum where you can discover more about the local culture and history.
If you fancy something a little more active, the Adventure Park Kolasin, right next door to our hotel, offers a range of high ropes courses for different ages and skill levels.
This afternoon we'll head to Biogradska Gora National Park, a UNESCO World Heritage site. We plan to spend an afternoon immersed in the great outdoors at Lake Biogradsko, the best known of the many glacial lakes here. You can take a refreshing swim in the lake and in July and August kayaks and boats are available to rent. If you fancy an easy hike, a 3.5 kilometre marked nature trail makes its way around the lake.
It's a busy day today as we head for the coast and Bay of Kotor. We'll break the journey with a short stop in the historic town of Cetinje which was the capital of Montenegro until 1946 when it was moved to Podgorica. Our next stop is in Lovcen National Park which covers a mountainous region at altitudes between 939 metres and the high peak of Stirovnik (1,749m). It's a popular spot for hiking, biking and picnics. The panoramic views down to the coast from here are spectacular and we'll enjoy them on the move from a gondola aboard the Kotor Cable Car. A ride of just under 4 kilometres, we'll descend 1,316 metres in 11 minutes.
From the lower station of the cable car its just a short ride to Kotor. Dating back to Roman times, Kotor's Old Town is a UNESCO World Heritage Site, renowned for its well-preserved medieval architecture, winding streets and historic buildings, a complete contrast to the small mountain resorts we've stayed in up until now. Our tour leader will take us on a orientation walk and the rest of the afternoon is left free to explore further. You might like to take a walk on part of the ancient city walls which reach a height of 20 metres in places. Stretching for around 4.5 kilometres, they loop around the town and if you're feeling energetic you can hike the 1,350 steps to the San Giovanni Fortress at the top of the walls for superb views across the Bay. Kotor is a also a great place to just sit back, relax and watch the world go by from one of the many cafes or browse in its inviting shops. Look out for cat themed souvenirs - the cats of Kotor are famous and can be seen lounging around everywhere! Originally brought here by sailors, they've become symbols of good luck and prosperity and are considered by the locals as the guardians of Kotor.
Late afternoon we head to our final base of the week - Tivat. Just around the peninsula from Kotor and also on Kotor Bay, the large marina is a key feature of the town which has a chic Mediterranean vibe. Our hotel is right in the centre of town , 300 metres from the small pebbly Gradska Beach and a short walk from the marina.
Hotel Magnolia Place (or similar)
This morning we'll take to the waters of Kotor Bay in sea kayaks, one of the best ways to experience this beautiful place. After a briefing and practice session with our local guide we plan to paddle round to Sveti Marko, one of the islands in the bay. Our plan to is spend some time here enjoying the beach and sea before returning to Tivat by motor boat.
The rest of the day is free. You may choose to head down for more swimming from one of the small beach areas around town, stroll down to the marina or if you'd like to return to Kotor its a journey of around 20 minutes by taxi.
The trip ends after breakfast at our hotel in Tivat. There are no activities planned today, so you are free to depart from Tivat at any time.
If your flight is departing later in the day luggage storage facilities are available at our hotel. If you would like an airport transfer today, you need to depart from Tivat Airport (TIV), which is about 10 minutes drive from our hotel.
Montenegro's coastline has a Mediterranean climate with hot dry summers and mild winters, whereas the more mountainous inland areas have a sub-alpine climate with warm summers and very cold winters with frequent snowfall. There is a chance of sporadic rain in spring and autumn in the coastal areas, though generally this is in the form of short showers. In the mountains rainfall tends to be more frequent including around the Bay of Kotor. Temperatures from May to October are generally in the low to mid 20's (in °C), but can reach into the 30's (in °C) in July and August.
+1
2 Pin Round
Christian (mainly Serbian Orthodox)
Montenegrin
Canyoning at Nevidio - €110 pp includes transport from Zabljak, instruction, all equipment and lunch Ziplines at Durdevica Bridge - Red Rock - €20 pp, Montenegro - €30 pp, Tara Zipline (Extreme) - €40 pp Alpine Coaster Lovcen National Park - €8.00 pp
July and August are Montenegro's hottest months, bring light and comfortable clothing suitable for outdoor activities with warmer layers such as a fleece and long trousers for cooler evenings in the mountains. If travelling in May half term go prepared with clothing to suit cooler temperatures. Rainwear may be needed at any time of year. You'll need your swimming gear.
We recommend taking lightweight walking/trail shoes for hiking and trainers for cycling and general sightseeing. Bring some water shoes or sports sandals for the rafting, lake swimming and pebbly beaches.
20Kg
One main piece of baggage and a daypack. Remember you are expected to carry your own luggage so don't overload yourself. Please bear in mind porterage isn't normally available in the hotels.
All equipment for the activities is provided locally. Take a water bottle, insect repellent, sun hat, sun glasses and sun cream. A beach/travel towel will be handy for wild swimming. A torch may be useful for the evenings as some areas are not well lit.
In the mountain resort of Zabljak we stay at a cosy mountain lodge hotel with a characterful restaurant that serves up a wide selection of national dishes and local specialties using mainly local produce. In Kolasin our modern and comfortable hotel features a garden, sauna and spa facilities. Our hotel in Tivat is right in the centre of town , 300 metres from the small pebbly Gradska Beach and a short walk from the marina.
Can you drink the water? The water quality is poor and therefore it is recommended to avoid drinking tap water during your trip.
We strongly recommend that you check your government's travel advisory for up-to-date information and advice about your destination: safety and security, entry requirements, health, local laws and customs. For UK citizens, check the latest Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office advice. Please refer to our COVID-19 entry requirements page for any country-specific conditions of entry. Whilst we strive to update this on a regular basis we recommend you also check the FCDO website for the latest advice on entry requirements. Information can change at any time.
Please note that some countries require proof of parental consent when travelling overseas with under 18s. Please check requirements with the relevant embassy or consular office well in advance of travel if this applies to your party.
Once your booking has been confirmed we guarantee the price will not increase, whatever the circumstances. However, please note that if you voluntarily make any changes to your booking including changing your trip or departure date, any additional costs or charges incurred will not be covered. Before booking please ensure you have read our important tour pricing information.Booking Conditions
Montenegro visas are not required by UK, Australian, New Zealand, US and Canadian citizens. Other nationalities should consult their local embassy or consular office.
If you do require assistance in obtaining a visa then you may be able to apply through Explore's recommended visa service in the UK, Travcour. See www.travcour.com to download the relevant visa application for your trip, if applicable (UK citizens only), along with details of how to apply for your visa through Travcour. The Team at Travcour will be happy to answer specific questions relating to visa applications, please call them directly on 0208 5431846. It is your responsibility to ensure that you are in possession of a full passport, with the correct validity for your chosen destination.
Before booking your Explore trip, please ensure that you read both our Essential Information and Booking Conditions.
Customers who have chosen to book on the ‘Land Only’ arrangements of our tour, please ensure that you have checked your tour specific ‘Joining Instructions’ prior to booking your own travel arrangements. Your joining instructions can be found below in the dates and prices information. You may also be eligible for the Free Explore Transfer.
Customers booked on the ‘Land Only’ arrangements will receive a Free Transfer, provided you arrive and depart on the tour only itinerary start and end dates. The complimentary transfers will be arranged from the Explore designated airport or train station to your trips joining point, and then back from the ending point to the designated airport or train station. Generally the airport or station that Explore have selected will be the one that is closest to the town or city where the trip starts, or the one nearest to the joining point. It will be either an airport or train station but not both. The exception to this rule is customers who are booked on a tour where the joining and ending point is at the designated airport or train station.
Free transfers are not available for Polar customers.
If you are not eligible for the Free Transfer then you will need to make your own way through to the joining and ending point. On a majority of our tours Explore will be able to provide a private transfer at an additional cost. Please ask for a quote at the time of booking. For more information regarding the Explore Free Transfer click here
It is a condition of booking with Explore that you have adequate valid travel insurance. It is your responsibility to arrange appropriate travel insurance and ensure you have read and understood the full terms and conditions of your travel insurance policy to ensure that you are covered for all activities you intend to undertake whilst on the tour, including all optional activities. Your Insurance Policy must fully cover you for medical expenses and emergency repatriation to your home country. Please ensure your policy includes medical emergency helicopter evacuation in the event of illness or injury and covers the entire duration of your holiday. If you are trekking at altitude please ensure that there is no upper altitude limit which may limit or exclude cover for your trip. The cost of many of our Polar Voyages will exceed the capped amount covered by standard insurance premiums and you will be required to pay an additional premium to cover the full value of your trip. Please ensure that you are covered for the full amount of your holiday cost, as insufficient cover could invalidate a claim under the policy. Medical and repatriation insurance cover is not mandatory for UK residents who are travelling on trips within the United Kingdom. Read more information about what travel insurance is required.
Explore can arrange your flights for you, to make joining and leaving our trips easy. Read more about them here.
You are able to book this tour on a 'land only' basis or as a ‘flight inclusive’ package. Your flight inclusive package will be fully protected by the Civil Aviation Authority (CAA) ATOL protection scheme.
We have a good selection of flights not only from London but from many regional airports around the UK allowing us to compare fares between scheduled carriers as well as low cost and charter airlines. Our dedicated flights team will match the best flight options to your arrival and departure airport.
On our website we display the price of the tour only. Please call us or select the flight option during the online checkout to receive a quote for a flight inclusive package. To avoid paying supplements or to secure your preferred flight option, we recommend booking as early as possible, especially for peak travel dates.
Nothing compulsory, but we recommend being up-to-date with your routine vaccination courses and boosters as recommended in the UK including protection against measles, mumps, rubella, tetanus, diphtheria, hepatitis A, typhoid and polio. Tick-borne encephalitis protection is recommended by some medical sources at certain times of the year. Ticks are most active between spring and late autumn. Please check the latest requirements with your travel clinic or doctor prior to departure. The above is not an exhaustive list. Further information regarding vaccinations and travel health advice can be found by following the NHS and NaTHNaC links at Explore Travel Health and from your local healthcare provider. Visa and vaccination requirements are subject to change and should be confirmed by you before travelling.