GLACIER LAKES: Biograd, Pešića, Ursulovačko and Šiško; CANYONS: Mrtvica; KATUNS: Vranjak, Dolovi Lalevića; MOUNTAIN PEAKS: Zekova Glava (2117m), Crna Glava (2139m); DESTINATIONS: Kolašin; TOP EXPERIENCES: Mrtvica canyon hike, Zekova Glava and Crna Glava hike, Visit to Pešića and Biograd Lake, Hike the Biograd rainforest, 4×4 Jeep Safari via Bjelasica mountain, Stargazing at Katun Vranjak, Explore Morača canyon and Morača monastery, Horseback riding, Cooking classes, Local Montenegrin food;
COUNTRIES: 1 | NATIONAL PARKS: 1 | EXPERIENCES: 10+ | TRIP EXTENSIONS: Jewels of the Balkans: Bosnia & Herzegovina and Montenegro (8 Days) – from €950 | Durmitor National Park 3 Day Tour | Grand Montenegro 8 Day Tour
In a three-day tour you get to explore the most beautiful and historically very important parts of the central-mountainous regions of Montenegro. Visit locations such as: Mrtvica Canyon, Morača Canyon and the wider region of Biogradska Gora National Park.
Sleep in Katun at 1800m above sea level and watch the stars during the crystal clear sky. Hike to the two most beautiful peaks of Bjelasica, Zekova and Crna Glava, and visit some of the most beautiful glacial lakes of the Bjelasica mountain, such as Biogradsko, Pešića and Uruslovačko lake.
Conclude the three-day tour with one of the best off-road experiences, over the Bjelasica mountain and walk the trails around Lake Biograd, while enjoying the scent of one of the last three European rainforests.
What Do I Need to Bring?
Itinerary Note: This tour is planned as an in-depth experience of exploring the wider region of the Biogradska Gora National Park with a very high level of flexibility. Itinerary is originally adapted for people of normal physical fitness, but the same program can be adapted for people with low physical fitness or small children.
Destination: Kolašin
Accommodation: Katun Vranjak
Meals Included: D
>Morača canyon
Morning: This tour is planned to start at Podgorica, but alternatively it can start from the region of Kotor bay and Budva. If you are departing on this first day from Podgorica, the pickup is planned at 8 AM, or 7 AM if you are planning to start this tour from Kotor Bay or Budva.
The morning ride will take us through some of the most beautiful parts of the Morača canyon.
The second largest canyon in Montenegro (after the Tara canyon), the Morača canyon, about 30 kilometers long, is characterized by steep edges, which in some parts exceed a height of 1000m.
Our careful drive through the canyon itself will provide us with some of the most beautiful panoramas and stops at the most important points for great photography.
Our highlight of the day will be explorations of the Mrtvica canyon.
The Mrtvica river is one of the largest tributaries of the Morača river, which with its vertical cliffs is a paradise for lovers of exploring deep canyons. Near the small town of Međurječje, Mrtvica river flows into the Morača river, where our canyoning adventure begins.
During today’s canyoning tour, in the period from 3 to 4 hours, we will take an easy walk around the entire Mrtvica canyon, visiting its most important attractions and admiring the beauty of the turquoise Mrtvica river .
We will walk across the stone bridge from the 19th century built by the Montenegrin prince Danilo II in honor of his mother and visit the “Gate of wishes”, a place where, according to legend, the villa from Maganik fulfills wishes.
>Prince Danilo’s Bridge at Mrtvica canyon
Along the way we shall enjoy the views of “White Nerins”, i.e. locations on the banks of the Mrtvica canyon, where in the stone cliffs from the shaft in the rock emerge large amounts of water which, with a roar, descend into the riverbed.
The most impressive part of the tour is high in the rocks, hand-carved trail, made by the Yugoslavian National Army in the 1970s.
All in all, the experience of passing through the Mrtvica canyon will be one of the best experiences you can have in Montenegro.
Afternoon: As soon as we are out of Mrtvica canyon, we continue our journey towards Kolašin, while stopping at one more site within the Morača canyon.
Morača Canyon is home to one of the most important Serbian Orthodox monasteries in Montenegro, the Morača Monastery. It was originally built by Stefan Vukanovic from the Nemanjić dynasty in 1252, but throughout history it has experienced a couple of destructions, the most significant of which is that of 1505 by the Ottomans. In its present form it was reconstructed in 1580.
A 45 min stop to explore this pearl of the Orthodox world is planned.
>Morača Serbian Orthodox monastery
Lunch: The best local dishes of traditional Montenegrin cuisine are waiting for us. In Kolašin we will organize lunch in one of the best local restaurants and taste some of the most famous local dishes.
We definitely suggest you try some of the following dishes: “kolašinski kačamak” (eng. Kolasin porridge), “cicvara” (eng. corn porridge), “jagnjetina ispod sača” (eng. lamb baked under the bell), “jagnjetina na pari i na varenici” (eng. steamed or milk boiled lamb), jagnje na ražnju (eng. spit roasted lamb), “krompir ispod sača” (eng. potato baked under the bell), “kuhani krompir u kotlu na verigama” (eng. boiled potatoes in a cauldron on chains), “domaći hljeb ispod sača” (eng.homemade bread baked under the bell), “domaća roštiljska kobasica” (eng.homemade barbecue sausage), “sir” (eng.cheese), “kajmak” (eng.cheese cream), “kisjelo mlijeko” (eng.sour milk), etc.
>Traditional Montenegrin food is often prepared under the bell
Afternoon: After lunch we will organize a simple walking tour of the town of Kolašin.
Kolasin is a city founded by the Ottomans in the 17th century, and is located at 954m above sea level, and as such represents an exceptional base for exploring this part of Montenegro.
Short walking tour will cover the most important parts of Kolašin, including Upper and Lower Town Squares, Partisan memorial, and other locations of interest within the main part of Kolašin.
After Kolašin we continue our way towards the slopes of the mountain Bjelasica, and at an altitude of 1800m above sea level, we arrive at a place that will be our home for the next two nights, the beautiful Katun Vranjak.
>Summer pastures, or known by the local people as “katuni” are an excellent window into the past, and offer a great opportunity to easily understand local traditions and culture of Bjelasica mountain and Biograd National Park.
Katun was created and is based on the tradition and life of Montenegrin highlanders centuries ago and all the way to the present day. In these places, centuries-old techniques of survival and coexistence with nature have given contours to modern life today.
Today, traditional katuns genuinely farm and produce exclusively organic food that they serve to visitors, who have the opportunity not only to try this food, but also to get directly involved in the method of preparation.
After checking in, you will have free time to explore the beautiful setting and the surroundings of the Katun Vranjak.
Dinner: The local hosts are very accommodating and always willing to participate in pleasant conversations. On site we will organize a local dinner tasting some of the best traditional dishes of Montenegrin highlanders.
Evening: Since the mountain Bjelasica and thus Biogradska Gora National Park does not “suffer” from excessive light pollution, this region is an ideal destination for an amazing stargazing adventure.
With the first darkness in the crystal clear sky, millions of stars and infinite galaxies will appear, a sight that will blow us away, and make us think about the origins of the world and the universe as we know it today.
Surely an overnight in Katun Vranjak with an evening experience of observing the crystal clear sky and countless stars is one of the most beautiful experiences you can have in the Balkans.
Destination: Kolašin, Montenegro
Accommodation: Katun Vranjak
Meals Included: B – D
>View of Zekova Glava peak from Pešića lake
Itinerary Note: Since the Bjelasica mountain has almost limitless hiking potential, we created this day as an optional mix of activities to choose from. On the very day you are able to choose the option of an easy or challenging hiking experience, or no hiking at all, by opting for a relaxed panoramic off-road ride to the peak of Zekova Glava.
Breakfast: Of course, the mornings on the mountain Bjelasica are not proper ones, if we are not having a traditional mountain Montenegrin breakfast.
In the mountains, a hearty, strong breakfast has been prepared since ancient times. To survive, the man engaged in hard work that extracted the most and consumed large amounts of energy.
That is why today at Katun Vranjak, domestic, organic and home-prepared food is on our menu. Food that will allow us to climb the highest and farthest peaks of the mountain Bjelasica.
The Hike: After breakfast we set off on a hike to Bjelasica. Depending on the wishes of the guests, we can adapt this day to every age and every level of physical fitness.
If you decide to go for easier hiking, we will do 2 to 3 hours of hiking to the top of Zekova Glava at an altitude of 2117m, with possible extension of another 1.30 hours and visit to the Pešića lake.
If you decide for a little more demanding hiking adventure, in addition to conquering the peak of Zekova Glava and Pešića lake, we will also hike the highest peak of the mountain Bjelasica, the famous peak Crna Glava at an altitude of 2139m.
Surely the longer hiking tour and combination of two peaks is our recommended itinerary.
And finally, if you don’t want to hike a lot at all but still want to explore the beautiful regions of the Bjelasica mountain, we have the option of conquering the peak of Zekova Glava by the macadam road, via off-road SUV safari experience.
From the top of Zekova Glava there are fantastic views of all 4 parts of the world.
Whatever you decide, we can put it into practice, because Bjelasica Mountain is so beautiful and offers various explorer opportunities for everyone.
>Ursulovačko lake view from the peak of Crna Glava at 2139m
Afternoon: In the later afternoon, upon returning to Katun, after a beautiful day, we will organize a local dinner. For the rest of the afternoon/evening you have free time.
In case we go for a shorter hiking option and we are back to Katun earlier you will have a chance to decide for some of the very interesting optional activities offered by the Katun staff.
OPTIONAL ACTIVITES AT KATUN VRANJAK?
Due to its huge green areas, Bjelasica Mountain has long been known as a place where horseback riding is a beautiful experience. Whether you are a beginner or an experienced rider, Bjelasica mountain and our hosts at Katun Vranjak, will offer you a top experience.
If you like Montenegrin food and would like to learn how to prepare it, the locals on Bjelasica Mountain will be happy to provide you with that experience.
Domestic cows and domestic cow’s milk is an unavoidable attraction of the Bjelasica mountain. If so far you have not had the opportunity to milk a cow or try the fresh or boiled homemade milk, now is the right time for that joy.
In abundance of milk, milk products on the mountain Bjelasica are on every table at all times. If you are wondering how to make delicious young cheese, butter or cream, the locals from Bjelasica will be overjoyed to teach you these old techniques.
Destination: Kotor | Podgorica
Meals Included: B – L
>Off-road SUV-Jeep safari across the Bjelasica mountain is wonderful experience
Itinerary Note: Exploring the most hidden parts of Bjelasica Mountain in an adrenaline-filled off-road experience. Visiting hidden villages, and enjoying the beautiful panoramas of Bjelasica mountain and Biogradska Gora National Park is an experience worth every effort.
Our unique, off-road-4×4 safari panorama tour which passes through the most remote parts of Bjelasica mountain and Biograd National Park, covering the most beautiful peaks of Bjelasica with its green glades and glacial lakes, and which connects Kolašin and Biogradsko lake is the best thing you can experience on this mountain.
Morning: After another delicious breakfast at Katun Vranjak we are ready to check out. The morning part of the journey will take us via amazingly beautiful high regions of Bjelasica mountain. We shall visit the source of Biogradska Rijeka and pass under the peak of Crna Glava.
During the morning we will have the opportunity to stop several times and with short sections of easy hiking we will enjoy the stunning panoramas of the mountain Bjelasica.
Midday: Around midday we shall visit regions famously called “Svatovsko Groblje”, “Bendovac” viewpoint until we reach the region of “Dolovi Lalovića”.
One of the most beautiful lookouts of the day is Bendovac. Bendovac is located at an altitude of 1775m, from which you can see the largest glacial lake of the Bjelasica mountain, Biograd Lake and the Biogradska rainforest that surrounds it. This is a place and experience that one must not miss.
Lunch: Lunch, light snack or just coffee-tea-juice-rakija stop is planned in Dolovi Lalovića. It is a katun which shepherds use during the summer season, but also a place where you can have tasty traditional, local, high mountain, Montenegrin food.
After a pleasant rest, we continue further and descend by serpentines towards Lake Biograd.
Afternoon: Once we have successfully crossed the entire Bjelasica mountain and descended to Lake Biograd located in the middle of the rainforest, it is time to hike the trails around lake or optionally ride wooden boats across the lake.
The length of the shore of Lake Biograd is about 3.5 kilometers, where we need about an hour of easy walking for a full circle.
For those who decide to walk around the lake, they will have the opportunity to clearly understand the beauty of the lake itself and the rainforest that surrounds it.
>Beautiful Biograd lake in the middle of the Biograd rainforest
Late Afternoon: Last part of the day is reserved for the transfer to Podgorica or Montenegro coastline towns of Budva or Kotor.
Evening: On your own. Tour ends.
