8D7N Best of Bosnia & Herzegovina (Culture + Outdoor)

Destination: Sarajevo, Bosnia & Herzegovina
Accommodation: Hotel Colors inn 4* or similar

>Sarajevo is great place to start your amazing Bosnian and Montenegrin adventure. Being very well connected via WizzAir with many European cities it is the most convenient place to start and end your Balkan journey.

Arrival Note: Depending on your arrival time and hotel check-in policy, you might not be able to check into your room immediately after arrival. Of course, you are welcome to store your luggage at the reception desk of your hotel, or if easier, at our Funky Tours office until check-in time. Your Funky Tours Host upon your airport arrival and pickup, will inform you about all check-in details and will brief you on the rest of the day activities.

Morning/Afternoon: As soon as you arrive in Sarajevo, your Funky Tours Host will welcome you at the airport holding a sign with your name. We will assist you with your 30min transfer to your conveniently and centrally located hotel in Sarajevo. Accommodation we use in Sarajevo are amazing hotels, which usually offer cafe or bar services, ideal for refreshment after your arrival. Among other perks, all rooms are air-conditioned and always equipped with private bathrooms, minibar, satellite TV and wireless internet.

After you settle in your room, your Funky Tours Host will brief you on suggested activities for the rest of the day. In the afternoon you can feel free to take a stroll through Sarajevo old town and city centre, while visiting popular squares, cafes, shops and local markets.

Dinner: On your own. Bosnian traditional cuisine is simply amazing. Your Funky Tours Host will happily give you all the necessary information on where to find some of the finest Bosnian food. Perhaps you should look for the restaurants serving traditional Bosnian cuisine and decide to try Klepe (a kind of Italian ravioli, but Bosnian style ones stuffed with cheese, meat or spinach) or Bosanski Lonac (slowly cooked in a clay made pot mix of meat and vegetables).
If needed, we are happy to arrange reservations at certain restaurants where needed.

Evening: This is time on your own. However, Funky Tours state of the art support is more than happy to suggest and organise interesting evening activities. Unless you decide to have an easy evening and adjust yourself to the time difference, your Funky Tours host will suggest interesting activities for an evening chill.

Destination: Sarajevo, Bosnia & Herzegovina
Accommodation: Hotel Colors inn 4* or similar
Meals Included: B

>Sarajevo War Tunnel – dug in 1993 during the Siege of Sarajevo, with purpose to supply city with arms during the 4 year siege.

Activity Note: Today’s itinerary includes walking on uneven terrain, while visiting some of the ruins during our Sarajevo Siege tour. Make sure to have some water with you, and always take attention to the present day weather forecast.

Breakfast: Our well chosen range of hotels in Sarajevo start serving buffet-style breakfast around 7 AM, featuring Bosnian and International options.

Morning: The morning part of the day will start at 10 AM when we plan to set out for the walking tour of the old part and city centre of Sarajevo. Our 2.5/3 hour tour will cover the stories of origins of Sarajevo and the medieval Bosnian Kingdom. We shall visit the Ottoman and Austria-Hungarian parts of Sarajevo, which both with its stunning markets, bazaars, mosques, churches and synagogues will reveal the true nature of the real European Jerusalem. We’ll make sure to visit the Latin Bridge and learn the story about how WWI was triggered right here, in the heart of Sarajevo. Sarajevo’s 1984 Winter Olympics and life during the Siege of Sarajevo will surely be part of our story today.

After the walking you will have some free time to further explore the centre of Sarajevo on your own. You might stay in the Ottoman part of Sarajevo delving into hidden cobblestone streets, discovering the breath of Sarajevo’s mystical past, or alternatively visit Austria-Hungarian part and understand why Sarajevo is a city located on the crossroad of cultures.

>Sarajevo old town – Bačšaršija coppersmith street, famously called Kazandžiluk is the oldest originally preserved street in Sarajevo.

Lunch: Get ready to try the most famous dish of the Balkans, at the most important stop of the Balkans – the glorious Sarajevo’s Ćevapi or Ćevapčići. In Sarajevo, Ćevapi are made of pure beef with basic spices and are hardly to be found of such a quality anywhere in the rest of the Balkans. For vegetarians we have alternatives available where we suggest trying traditional Bosnia “pita” (eng. pie) with cheese, spinach or potatoes. In the Balkans generally this food is referred to as “burek”, but in Sarajevo if you order burek, you will be served with meat pita.

Afternoon: Your afternoon session (starting at 2 PM) is fully reserved for the important story of Siege of Sarajevo, the story of the impossible survival and story of the worst Genocide in Europe since the WWII. Funky Tours Top Experiences aims to deliver a clear and unbiased understanding of the topics we consider important for better overall understanding of the Balkans.

Your host for the afternoon session will be local Sarajevan, an ex Bosnian army soldier who during the 1990ies was directly involved in the resistance organised by the local people of Sarajevo. When joint force of Yugoslavian National Army, Serbian Paramilitaries and local Bosnian Serbs initiated general attack on Bosnia and Herzegovina with goal of taking the control of Bosnian capital, only a few people “got their heads” together and started organising resistance. Resistance which later proved crucial for defending Bosnian independence and saving hundreds of thousands of lives.

Places in focus will be Sarajevo’s infamous Sniper Alley and Hotel Holiday Inn, Sarajevo War Tunnel, Sarajevo Olympic Bobsled and Olympic mountain of Trebević, Jewish cemetery and numerous other locations scattered throughout the Bosnian capital, today serving as the memory of the 1990ies bloody years.

>Sarajevo Olympic Bobsled Track at Trebević mountain built for Sarajevo Winter Olympics 1984. Unfortunately it was destroyed during the Siege of Sarajevo and today serves as great reminder of Sarajevo’s Olympic glory and perfect spot for graffiti art.

The story you will follow will be firsthand experiences of local Sarajevo Siege survivors, backed up with ICTY (International Criminal Tribunal for the former Yugoslavia) verdicts and official judgements. The Balkans today are place where wars have ended in military way, but wars of denial, especially denial of Genocide and wars of relativisation are still going on. Making sure that the unbiased facts of the 1990ies conflicts are well documented and shared is an imperative.

Dinner/Evening: Evening time is reserved for traditionalBosnian dinner. Try traditional Bosnian food while chatting about Bosnian culture of living and present day challenges of life. Traditional Bosnian brandy (Šljivovica) and tasty wines of Herzegovina (Žilavka and Blatina) are a must try. Keep in mind that Bosnian food is widely based on meat, but Funky Tours will make sure we have available options equally for vegetarians and vegans.

Destination: Lukomir, Bosnia & Herzegovina
Accommodation: Hotel Colors inn 4* or similar
Meals Included: B – L

Activity Note: The tour is adapted to all ages and is medium demanding. Due to the distance of the location, we use vehicles during the tour to reach the starting hiking point and the rest of the tour is on foot through breathtaking natural surroundings.

Morning:This tour will begin with 1.15 hours transfer from Sarajevo to Umoljani village, across Bjelašnica Olympic Mountain. Your guide is an adventurous and knowledgeable enthusiast who will introduce you to all of the Bjelašnica beauty. He will make sure no questions remain unanswered, even of personal nature, so don’t refrain from sharing your thoughts and opinions at any moment of time.

At Umoljani village we shall leave our car and explore the village most important sites such as: Studeni Potok (Cold Creek), Stoned Dragon – Ažbaha – the legend of birth of Umoljani. We will shortly visit Umoljani Mosque and learn story of Sarajevo Haggadah.

First part of the Umoljani to Lukomir village trail will be 3.30 hour long hike. Trail will take us from starting point of roughly 1275 meters (Umoljani) across peak of Obalj at around 1896 metres.

On the way we will pass by old Gradina settlement, believed to date from Illyrian period. During the ascent you will enjoy amazing scenery, especially the Studeni Potok (Cold Creek) panorama.

At the top of Obalj, Rakitnica Canyon and mountains of Treskavica, Visocica and peak of Bjelašnica mountain with numerous small villages in distance will be simply stunning.

After some rest and full time body and spirit enjoyment we are ready to hike down to Lukomir village at altitude of 1500 which will be “one of a kind” story as well.

Please note that depending on time of the year we can get lucky to have fields of blueberries, rose-hip, certain types of mushrooms, thyme or other plant species around us free to pick up.

Lunch Lukomir – on the language of locals “harbour of peace”, is the village which dates at least 600 years ago, and where most of the century old traditions have been kept alive until today.

It is the only remaining semi-nomadic traditional mountain village in Bosnia and Herzegovina

As soon as we arrive to the village we will have locally prepared lunch, meet some of the local people, learn about their customs and enjoy the best Bosnian coffee.

Later we will visit the village mosque, see more Stećci tombstones, climb the Vijenac peak and admire the stunning 800 m deep Rakitnica canyon. Here, mother nature is at its best.

After Lukomir village explorations, it is time to start hike back.

Afternoon: After exploring Lukomir village, return hike will mainly be pleasant 2.30h hours flat hike to Umoljani village through Canyon of Rakitnica river.

Rakitnica canyon is the probably European most remote and unexplored canyon. With length of 26km it separates massif of Bjelašnica and Visočica, and without doubt it is longest canyon in Bosnia and Herzegovina. Firstly explored in 1956, until today very few people have walked the full length of it, as in some parts it can be over 800 meters high and only 1 meter wide, making it very hardly accessible.

The trail we will take will be on the upper edge of the canyon, so you can see and feel the “magnificence” of this place.

Return to Umoljani should be around 5 pm, and arrival to Sarajevo around 6.15 pm.

Destination: East Bosnia, Bosnia & Herzegovina & West Serbia, Serbia
Accommodation: Hotel Colors inn 4* or similar
Meals Included: B

Activity Note: The tour is adapted to all ages and is not physically demanding. Due to the distance of the locations, we use vehicles during the tour.

Breakfast: Our well chosen range of hotel in Sarajevo start serving buffet-style breakfast around 7 AM, featuring Bosnian and International options.

Morning: After departing Sarajevo in the morning at 7.45 AM we’ll take approx. 45min ride to reach Rogatica and the first stop of the day, Borak Stećci necropolis near the Burati village. This hidden gem deep in the misty forests of East Bosnia was just recently inscribed as UNESCO World heritage, so we will surely make a visit there. We will discover the unique history of the Medieval Bosnian Kingdom and figure out why these blocks of limestone are scattered all around Bosnia and Herzegovina. The necropolis is a bit hidden in the forest so a bit of hiking is required to find them.

Later, we ride for one more hour, through mountain parts of Bosnia before we meet up with the turquoise Drina river canyon, and arrive in Višegrad.

Višegrad is home to UNESCO heritage too, an Ottoman time bridge built in 1577. by the Grand Vizier Mehmed Pasa Sokolović. The UNESCO summary: “The unique elegance of proportion and monumental nobility of the property as a whole bear witness to the greatness of this style of architecture.” is definitely reason to visit such a beautiful place.

The book: “Bridge Over Drina” by Bosnian and Travnik born, World famous Nobel Prize winner, Yugoslav writer Ivo Andrić ,has given most of the glory to this amazing place and we surely recommend you to read this novel before coming to this region and for this tour. This way you can better understand historical importance of this area in regard to a local but as well to a global aspect.

As soon as we see the Bridge and take the river cruise through amazingly green Drina river, we’ll explore stone town of Andrićgrad (eng.Andrić town). Small, stone made town, recently built, named and dedicated after novelist Ivo Andrić. Site also interpreting story of once glorious and very successful Yugoslavian cinematography from perspective of one of the best local directors – Emir Kusturica.

As soon as we finish story of Višegrad, we’ll continue driving towards east Bosnian border and on the way will pay visit to one of the most important Serbian Orthodox monasteries, Dobrun Monastery. Originally built in 1343 with frescoes preserved until today is ideal stop to learn more about local history and enjoy the amazing nature surrounding it.

Lunch:Later on, time to cross the Bosnia to Serbia border and as soon as we do, we will enter amazing area of nature park of “Šargan-Mokra Gora”.

First stop (for lunch possibly) will be ethno village of Drvengrad (eng.Timber Town) also know as Küstendorf and Mećavnik. Village-town designed by the movie director Emir Kusturica for his movie “Life is Miracle” and the design which won the “Philippe Rotthier European Architecture Award” from the Brussels Foundation for Architecture.

Why the place looks out of this world? Why it won one of the most prestigious awards in world of the architecture? The best is to come with us and see it for yourself.

Afternoon: After lunch at Drvengrad we are about to take a train ride, but not just any train ride, we will do the famous “Šargan Eight”.

The Šargan Eight is a narrow gauge (760mm) steam railway originally built in 1925., famously called Ćira (Chira). Once it used to connect Sarajevo and Belgrade, and the name “eight” origins from the pure shape of the track which if looked at from the sky look like the number 8.

It was made famous for its impressive engineering which enabled it to rapidly climb the height of 300m over the short distance 3.500m where total length is of the railway today is 15.440m. Stunningly, all of that was achieved by passing through 22 tunnels and 5 bridges. Quite amazing stuff even on the global scale of rail and train engineering at the time, but the most amazing for us is that we are going to experience this story. Today the train, after it was closed in 1974, is again reopen for primarily tourist reasons, but as well for true lovers of old school steam train engineering. Simply interesting and stunning.

Read more about Bosnian Gauge also known “Bosnaspur” or “Bosnische Spurweite”.

As soon as we end amazing train ride we’ll continue, and on the way we will stop to explore amazing region of one of the most beautiful National Parks in Serbia – National Park Tara.

National Park Tara (declared in 1981.) with its biological diversity is one of the most amazing areas in whole of Serbia, offering great nature experiences, stunning views, hiking and trekking opportunities, unique Picea Omorica, vast animal diversity, and many other ways to fully enjoy life.

One of the most important stops will be stunning viewpoint of “Banjska Stena” which offers an amazing panorama of Perućac Lake on Drina river, which naturally borders Bosnia and Herzegovina and Serbia.

Evening:Return to Sarajevo is planned in the very late evening, around 8-9 PM.

Destination: Sutjeska National Park, Bosnia and Herzegovina
Accommodation: Hotel Colors inn 4* or similar
Meals Included: B – L

Activity Note: The tour is adapted to all ages and is not physically demanding. Due to the distance of the  locations, we use vehicles during the tour to get to the starting hiking point, but the rest of the tour is done on foot through beautiful wilderness of Sutjeska National Park.

Breakfast: Our well chosen range of hotels in Sarajevo start serving buffet-style breakfast around 7 AM, featuring Bosnian and International options.

Morning:As soon as we depart from Sarajevo ride will take us toward eastern, beautiful and very mountainous parts of Bosnia and Herzegovina, towards regions of Foča and Tjentište. After roughly 2 hours ride we shall arrive to Tjentište which is our first entrance point to the National Park Sutjeska.

Tjentište is famous WW2 Sutjeska Battle memorial, very meaningful for the general story of Yugoslavia, which is surely unmissable topic to anyone travelling Balkans, and the topic we’ll be discussing a lot during this two days program. The last 45 min of the ride will take us up the gravel road (cca 17 km) through the heart of Sutjeska’s National Park untouched nature regions, where we will reach start point of our hiking trail, spot called Prijevor at 1668 m.a.s.l. From there we shall have stunning views over the three mountains of Maglić, Zelengora and Volujak.

On the way to Prijevor, we will make short stop at one of the amazing viewpoints to observe Skakavac waterfall at Perućica primeval forest (one of the last ones preserved in Europe).

At Prijevor, we shall leave our transportation and start 2.30 hour medium hike, which will take us through very beautiful regions of the national park and its amazing nature, where finally around lunch time.

Trnovačko lake is nested underneath the mountain Maglić which is Bosnian highest mountain peak, bordering Bosnia and Montenegro. Trnovačko lake is actually located in Montenegro, but is only accessible as a hiking trail from Bosnian side, through Sutjeska National Park.

Lunch:Once at the lake, you will be given free time to explore the lake, while your guides will take time to prepare lunch. During the hot summer months the lake is perfect for swimming too.

After the delicious lunch and free time on your own to explore the region, we shall start our hike back. Again after some three hours we shall arrive in Prijevor, and then will take a ride back to Tjentište.

Afternoon: The last stop before return to Sarajevo would be “Battle of Sutjeska” WW2 memorial at Tjentište. It commemorates the fighters and fallen soldiers of the Battle of the Sutjeska, which took place from May 15th to June 16th, 1943.

We shall learn some glorious WW2 stories and admire to Tito’s partisans efforts to keep these regions of Yugoslavia and Bosnia free from Nazi-Ustase-Chetniks occupation.

Evening: Return to Sarajevo is planned around 8.30 PM, after which you will have a free time to rest and get ready for new adventure.

Destination: Mostar, Bosnia and Herzegovina
Accommodation: Hotel Colors inn 4* or similar
Meals Included: B

Breakfast: Our beautiful hotel in Sarajevo will serve us a buffet breakfast from 7 to 10 AM featuring Bosnian and International options.

Morning:

As soon as we finish our delicious breakfast we leave Sarajevo at 8 AM. The road will take us south-west towards Konjic, where we plan to visit the Konjic old town and the famous Tito’s Bunker.

The old town of Konjic is dominated by the beautiful turquoise Neretva river and Konjic old bridge, dating from the period of the Ottoman era. At the very vicinity of the Konjic, there is probably the best-kept and one of the most expensive Yugoslavian secrets – the famous Tito’s Bunker. Built during the period of 26 years (1953 – 1979), at the peak of the Cold War, Tito’s Bunker cost $4,7bln, and was meant to hide top Yugoslavian leadership in case of nuclear invasion. Since the Bunker was never used and was protected from destruction intended by escaping Yugoslavian Army soldiers in 1992, today it is perfectly preserved as originally built, and offers great insight into the Yugoslavian past. At the same time, by hosting permanent modern art displays, it serves as a modern art space of global importance.

After we leave Konjic, we shall take an amazingly scenic road passing by the Jablanica lake and via the Neretva river canyon, we’ll arrive at Jablanica town.

Jablanica town is home to the famous WWII story of the Neretva battle, tasty roasted lamb and stunningly beautiful natural surroundings. At a location called “Bridge over Neretva”, we shall give insight into one of Tito’s most famous military maneuvers during WWII.

During the winter of 1943, under a combined attack by Axis powers’ enemies, Tito’s brilliant strategic maneuvers made partisans “win” the battle, which in the upcoming years, proved Tito worthy the title of Marshall. Nationwide, the battle was referred to as the “World’s most humane battle”, according to which, the Oscar nominated movie was filmed in 1969.

>Konjic Old Bridge – Crossroad between Bosnia and Herzegovina

Then we continue through some really amazing parts of Neretva river canyon, telling the unique stories of Herzegovina, before we arrive at our second stop – Počitelj.

Stunningly nested above Neretva river, visit to Počitelj (“Počivati” – Bos.”to rest in peace”), easy uphill, one hour long walking activity, accompanied with a stories of town’s development and strategic importance during its 600+ year long written history and visit to most important sites such as Hajji Alija Mosque, Clock Tower and Gavrankapetanovic tower, IS A MUST, for anyone passing through or near Herzegovina region.

Unique, medieval, Ottoman era glorified, present day Ottoman-Mediterranean style designed fortress – town Počitelj, is one of the very few urban ensembles in Bosnia and Herzegovina preserved in their integrity to the present times.

In the end of the walk we take some time for locally grown fresh lemonade or Bosnian coffee if you prefer 🙂

>Pocitelj town overlooking Neretva river – Herzegovina

Afternoon:After Počitelj, we keep going, and after short ride arrive to Blagaj.

Blagaj town is home to Buna river spring – Europe’s most beautiful, most powerful, clean and drinkable karst river spring, settled beneath few hundred meters high rock. Water comes out of quite large but stunningly deep cave, which springs amazing 43 cubic meters of water per second. Can you imagine this?

Just next to the spring, under the rock, is home to Blagaj Tekke – Dervish house, dating most likely pre or early Ottoman era from early 16th century, as unique sacral-residential example of Islamic architecture in Bosnia and Herzegovina.

Visiting this complex and learning more about Dervish life in Herzegovina as important part of our history is, MUST DO.

For Muslim travellers “Tekija” is place where prayers are hosted 5 times a day and can be attended if wanted.

As we finish visit to “Blagajska Tekija” and “Izvor rijeke Bune” we stay there for bit longer. It is time for lunch. Due to famousness and cleanliness of Buna river the most important thing to taste in Blagaj today is local trout. That is why we don’t leave the place before we offer our guests to try locally prepared trout on “Blagaj Way”, enjoying amazing scenery of Buna river spring and Dervish house next to it. Vegetarians don’t worry, we have solutions for you as well 🙂

>Blagaj River Spring and Dervish House

Later only, 15 minute further it is time for Mostar experience which is the most important jewel on our “Herzegovina Necklace” day trip.

As soon as we arrive to Mostar we start our walking tour which will cover most important sites and locations in Mostar.

We focus at Mostar’s Old Bridge, Old Bazaar and Old Town, but offer stories of Mostar’s uniqueness, in regard to historical and cultural diversity.

Story of Mostar will be about the Bridge, it’s rise and fall, and how it had risen again. You will learn about Siege of Mostar, about why it is called Mostar, about “Mostarians”. We recreate Mostar for you and with you.

In Mostar, if preferred, we give our guests free time to explore on their own as we simply do not like to “hold a candle all the way”.

Sunsets are amazing time in Mostar, so we’ll have drink at place overlooking the bridge panorama and discuss more about everything we did today.

When Mostar is done, it is time to go back to Sarajevo, and it will take us around two hours ride before we are “home”.

The reason why, during this day tour, we prefer to arrive to Mostar around 3 or 4 pm and then explore Mostar, is because in the afternoon most of the day tours and big groups passing through Mostar are already gone, so we get to have Mostar for ourselves for maximised experience.

>Mostar old bridge during the sunset

Evening: On the way back we can make another break for those desiring to try famous roasted lamb at Jablanica. We expect to be in Sarajevo around 7 pm, so better don’t plan too many things that evening as days can be quite long sometime.

Destination: Konjic, Bosnia and Herzegovina
Accommodation: Hotel Colors inn 4* or similar
Meals Included: B – L

Activity Note: In the morning visit one of the most expensive Yugoslavian military projects ($4.7bln), Tito’s Nuclear Bunker followed with the amazing, relaxing Neretva white water rafting.

Breakfast: Our beautiful hotel in Sarajevo will serve us buffet breakfast from 7 to 10 AM featuring Bosnian and International options.

Morning: This morning we start at 8 AM and visit Tito’s bunker which is located in Konjic.

It took 26 years to build this 6500 m2 miracle of construction with the purpose of withstanding a possible nuclear war and providing shelter to over 350 Yugoslav leaders and army generals.

We will wander around this amazing structure and venue for a biennial of contemporary art while discovering the labyrinth of Yugoslavia mysteries, cold war fanaticism, and communist paranoia while discussing the possible reasons for the fall of Yugoslavia and its rigid consequences.

As a third most expensive JNA military project with spendings of cca. 4.6 billion USD, facility D-0, Tito’s atomic war command (ARK), was built to accept, accommodate and protect 350 people and enable successful management and command over the armed forces in case of nuclear warfare.

>Titos Bunker – Konjic, Bosnia and Herzegovina

Afternoon: Later we take the full rafting equipment, and we head it towards the rafting starting point, located around 45 min uphill drive. On the way, views over Boračko Lake and the upper flow of Neretva river and canyon are simply outstanding.

After we touch the water, everything that follows is pure enjoyment. Neretva will bring us astonishing slopes, canyons, clean and fresh drinkable water, untouched nature, great beaches, fish, birds, and even more. Diving from some of the low, medium to high rocks, and jumping solo into some amazing rapids will be the highlight of your rafting experience.

Neretva river canyon in approximately 20km long and offers breathtaking and amazingly preserved nature.

Somewhere in the middle, it will be time for lunch break. Enjoy locally prepared bbq food with plenty of vegetarian options (please make advance notice), and doing some swimming, sun-bathing, diving or other activities.

Be sure not to miss stunning Raktinica – tributary to Neretva river with its amazing delta. We continue, still for whole lots of slopes, rock divings (for brave ones), canyons, purely clean water, turnarounds, etc.

At the end of the day we will take showers, change and hit the road back to Sarajevo, where we should arrive 19:00.

Dinner & Evening:On your own, you will have time to enjoy Sarajevo and try some of traditional Bosnian food that you haven’t tried yet.

Destination: Sarajevo (alternatively Dubrovnik – Split – Zagreb)
Accommodation: Not included in package price
Meals Included: B

Activity Note: Free time in Sarajevo until airport transfer for your departure.

In case your transfer is in the later afternoon, we can combine it with some half day tours in Sarajevo and explore a little bit more.