Durmitor National Park 3 Day Tour from Kotor Bay or Podgorica (Dubrovnik or Sarajevo)

Destination: Žabljak, Montenegro
Accommodation: Private Accommodation with breakfast
Meals Included: L

Morning:Our start is early morning, as the Montenegro coastline is some 2.30 hours away from Durmitor. The beautiful journey will take us via Nikšić into the highlands and mighty lands of Durmitor National Park.

When we left the Adriatic Sea coastline, we immediately started gaining altitude, and noticeably, the bare and dry lands of the Mediterranean climate changed into beech, oak, and pine forests, mainly residing in the Continental parts of Montenegro. 

Originally named by the Celtic people “Dru Mi Tore,” literally meaning “Mountain full of water,” Durmitor National Park was founded in 1952. As a part of the Dinaric Alps, the Durmitor massif was shaped by glaciers, with the highest peak at 2523m, called “Bobotov Kuk. With nearly 50 peaks more than 2000m high, surrounded by rivers Tara, Draga, Sušica, and Komarnica, Durmitor National Park is a UNESCO World Heritage Site and probably Montenegro’s most impressive national park.

Canyon Nevidio:When the first Durmitor’s mighty mountain peaks appear ahead of us, it will be time to take a break at the stunning Nevidio canyon (Nevidio – eng. Unseen). Located in the southern parts of the Durmitor region, as a part of the Mala Komarnica River, Nevidio Canyon is Europe’s last explored canyon. This fantastic 1700m long canyon of unbelievable beauty was first fully explored in 1965 when the World first discovered the true nature of this Montenegrin gem.

Our stop will include exploring the starting entrance of the canyon, located at an altitude of 935m. Just feeling the cold water of the Mala Komarnica River and admiring the area surrounding the Nevidio Canyon will leave you breathless.

Of course, for the adrenalin junkies, Funky Tours offers an addition to the package – three to four hours of in-depth canyoning experience of Nevidio Canyon. Fully equipped with a professional guide, on a medium demanding activity, enter the depths of Nevidio Canyon and experience the adventure of a lifetime. The standard add-on price for this experience is 120 EUR per person and is paid locally to our Montenegrin canyoning partner company.

Durmitor Lakes: As we leave Nevidio Canyon behind, the road will take us towards Žabljak. Depending on the time of arrival (if you opted for Nevidio canyoning or not), we can check into our Žabljak accommodation, or if we are a bit early, continue towards Djurdjevica Tara bridge to experience another fantastic canyon of Durmitor National Park region, the Tara river canyon.

Before we reach Tara Bridge, we shall stop at Vražije and Riblje lakes and admire the turquoise color of these two stunning glacier lakes. A few legends on how the Vražije (eng. devils) lake got its name must be heard.

Djurdjevica Tara Bridge:When initially constructed in 1940, during the era of the Kingdom of Yugoslavia, with a length of 365m and a maximum height of 172m, looming over the 150m deep river Tara canyon, Đurđevića Tara bridge was the highest in the World. Once there, we have several options for exploring one of humanity’s most outstanding achievements in the sphere of architecture. Aside from walking the bridge and admiring the beautiful surroundings of Tara Canyon, the best way to experience this scenery is by one of Europe’s longest ziplines. If you opt for this stunning experience, 20 EUR per person for 1200m of rope will be a fantastic upgrade to this amazing day.

For those not really into zip-line, some excellent time exploring the bridge and Tara Canyon will be provided. Of course, Tara Canyon, which is much more accessible than Nevidio Canyon, offers several ways and opportunities to explore; the best is rafting through Tara Canyon, an experience we plan to have on Day 3.

Žabljak:The lunch is planned at Žabljak region. Once we are finished exploring Đurđevića Tara Bridge and Tara Canyon, we shall return to Žabljak to check into our accommodation and have a well-deserved lunch. The best way to introduce Durmitor cuisine is to try the food made by the local organic producers, and Funky Tours brings you the best.

Trying Montenegrin mountainside dishes such as “cicvara” (a traditional dish made from milk, cheese, cream (kajmak) and flour), “kačamak” (or polenta, a famous dish prepared usually from corn flour, served with yogurt, cheese, and kajmak) and variety of “japraci” (ground beef meat with spices rolled and boiled into vine leaves or layers of an onion), is always a good choice.

One of the most famous specialties of the Durmitor region is lamb meat. The taste will blow you away if you opt for meat that is slowly cooked and then baked or slowly cooked in milk.

Black Lake:After a delicious lunch, a short but well-deserved rest at your convenient accommodation at Žabljak, we shall pay a visit to the Black Lake. 

The largest and most famous of all 18 lakes on Durmitor, the absolute most beautiful is Black Lake. It is located only 3km from Žabljak and is an ideal place for an afternoon visit.

It consists of two water surfaces, the so-called Small and Large Lake, separated by a narrow surface of land called “struga”. Located at an altitude of 1418m, with the Small lake much deeper (49 vs. 24m), both lakes, during the hot summer months, reach temperatures of 22°C, creating a natural paradise for swimmers. Once at the lake, you will have free time to explore the beautiful nature surrounding it. You can swim, relax, and chill by the lake or take a lovely walk around the lake, with the total circle of hiking around the whole lake being around 4 kilometers.

Dinner:On your own. Your Funky Tours Trip Leader will happily provide dinner suggestions, depending on your preferred food ideas.

Žabljak has about 2000 inhabitants and is considered the city at the highest altitude in the Balkans. Being quite well populated, Žabljak is a vibrant and trendy tourist destination throughout the year. Whether you visit it in summer or winter, Žabljak and Durmitor National Park have much to offer.

Special Note:In case you don’t opt for Nevidio canyoning or Zip Line at Đurđevića Tara bridge, it might leave us some spare time, so we are happy to include a visit to Ostrog Orthodox Monastery as an additional bonus. As one of the most amazing Serbian Orthodox monasteries, it will be a short but worthy detour on our journey from the Montenegro coastline (Kotor, Budva, Herceg Novi, or Perast) to Durmitor National Park.

Destination: Žabljak, Montenegro
Accommodation: Private Accommodation with breakfast
Meals Included: B – L

Itinerary Note: Use the Funky Tours benefits of your optional day and decide what kind of activity you would like to engage with on Day 2, where one activity is included in the tour price.

Of course, our preferred activity is hiking, and we recommend considering a hike to Prutaš (easy). However, if you don’t prefer to hike, alternatively, you can opt for more relaxing explorations of some of the most beautiful and hidden spots of the Durmitor region. Via the famous “Durmitor Ring”, an 85 km long off-the-beaten path photo safari tour, you can experience the most hidden and beautiful parts of Durmitor National Park.

OPTION 1: Hike to Prutaš peak (2398m) – Recommended by Funky Tours

Breakfast: Our stunning accommodation will start serving buffet-style breakfast around 7 AM, featuring Montenegrin and International options.

Morning: After delicious breakfast we are ready to go. The first part of the morning will be a short, 18.5km ride from Žabljak via “prijevoj Sedlo” (pass Saddle) to Šarban (Dobri Do) which is our starting point for the Prutaš hike.

Hiking to Bobotov Kuk is considered a “hard” hiking activity since it includes steep ascents and some “ferrata” elements. Additionally, since Bobotov Kuk is quite a popular place, which many hikers visit, our medium demanding, indeed the most beautiful and warmly recommended hiking adventure, is hiking to Prutaš.

Adorned with unique rock shapes (wands or rods), the name “Prutaš” (eng. mountain of branches) ideally reflects the natural beauty of this peak. With easy ascent along the deep, green slopes, fantastic views over the glacial “Škrčka lakes”, “SOA Nebeska” (eng. Altar of the Sky) including peaks of “Đevojka” (2440m), “Bezimeni Vrh” (2487m) and “Bobotov Kuk” (2525m), the Prutaš hiking trail is by far the most beautiful trail on Durmitor massif.

Our usual start is from Šarban, and during the next 2-3 hours, with a total ascent of 650m over the 4km trail, we shall reach this magnificent, grass-covered peak. This access is from the southern side via “Škrčko ždrijelo” (2114m) and is considered the best and easiest access to Prutaš.

At the top, well-deserved time for rest while soaking up the beauty surrounding you will be the highlight of your Montenegro and Durmitor National Park adventure.

Afternoon: The return from Prutaš can be along the same route we came, with some 2hrs of easy descent, or can be extended for an additional 3 hours with a visit to Škrčka lakes. Depending on your desire and fitness level, this extension can be decided on the spot.

Lunch: Since we shall have a rather late lunch, it is recommended that during the day, you have several carbohydrate-rich, high-quality snacks and at least 2l of water. Once back in Žabljak, prepare for the most delicious lunch of your lifetime. A beautiful mix of traditional Montenegrin and organic food will be served. The food will be recommended and served according to our guest’s needs and choices.

Evening: On your own. The rest of the day is on your own, where you can choose to have a well-deserved rest from a demanding day or explore the Žabljak region alone. However, if preferred at some later evening hours, rakija (local brandy), wine, or beer night out can be organized to “taste” and experience the real lifestyle of Durmitor highlanders.

OPTION 2: Durmitor Ring Photo Safari Tour

Breakfast: Our stunning 4* accommodation will start serving buffet-style breakfast around 7 AM, featuring Montenegrin and International options.

Morning: After a delicious breakfast we are ready to go. The “Durmitor Ring ” is an 85km long circular trail completely off the beaten path around the Durmitor mountain. Requiring a low level of physical activity, this experience is a great way to meet the local people, try and buy their homemade products, learn about their way of life, and explore the Durmitor National Park’s vast natural and cultural diversity.

The first stop of the day will be “Momčilov Grad”. The slopes, high above Tara Canyon, are home to the fortified town of Prlitor. The city founded by Bosnian duke Sandalj Hranič Kosača in the XIV century is today better known for the epic hero Duke Momčilo, who died of treason by his wife. Momčilov Grad is home to one of the most famous restaurants in the region of Durmitor.

As we continue, the magnificent views over the canyon of Tara River will prove that it is the World’s 2nd highest canyon after the Grand Canyon in the USA. The saddle of Veliki Štuoc, our highest point of the day, is the location of Tara’s deepest canyon point, reaching over 1300m.

As we continue our Durmitor Ring adventure, we visit one of the most attractive villages in Montenegro and the Balkans region – the famous village of “Mala Crna Gora” (Little Montenegro). It is located at an altitude of 1700m, at the edge of the stunning Sušica canyon; the village is snow-blocked from November to May, as the road is mostly inaccessible in winter. At the village, get ready to meet a few remaining locals, possibly be invited for a rakija, and admire the lifestyle of true Durmitor nomads.

At the bottom of the Sušica canyon, there is a fantastic Sušica lake. The lake is periodical, especially being beautiful during the early spring days. Usually, in the summertime, when large underground streams drop, the lake disappears underground until the following winter.

After passing the beautiful Sušica Canyon viewpoint and enjoying the beautiful scenery, we will arrive at the picturesque village of Nedajno. Located at 1463m, this village is unusually vibrant and full of life. Views of Sušica Canyon are breathtaking. Stopping at a local cafe bar, trying the homemade juice, and listening to legendary stories about how “Nedajno” (eng. not to allow) got the name will surely be one of the highlights of our stunning Durmitor day.

Afternoon: After Nedajno, another village on our Durmitor tour itinerary is Trsa. The village is located on Piva mountain at an altitude of 1470m. Being situated near the canyons of Piva, Tara, and Sušica and below the slopes of the gigantic Durmitor, Trsa village is a great starting point for a variety of outdoor adventures such as camping, biking, horseback riding, hiking, rafting, and many more.

Lunch (Top Experience): Home-hosted lunch with a local family from Trsa village will be the best part of the day. Trying local cuisine specialties such as steamed lamb, roasted veal, homemade bread, kačamak, and cicvara is a true gourmet’s dream. The Funky Tour Trip Leader will know your food choices and fully accommodate all your requests. During our home-hosted lunch, you will have an opportunity to meet the locals and learn about their life today and over the past centuries. Understanding that the great majority of people living in the rural Durmitor region are entirely self-sufficient when producing their organic food will additionally “boost” the taste and make you fully appreciate your meal today. After lunch, you can stroll through the village and explore the life of locals in the Durmitor region.

Secret Add-on: At the village, we will do a short secret 20-minute hike to one of the most beautiful peaks of Piva Nature Park—great activity before we continue our Durmitor ring journey.

Afternoon: Passing by the small village of Pišće and enjoying one of the beautiful viewpoints over the Piva lakes, we will arrive at Prutaš (2393m) and Todorov Do (Todor’s valley) viewpoint.

With its peak at 2393m and beautifully adorned with gentle ridge lines, green mountainsides, and miraculous oblique layers called “prove” (eng. wands or rods), after which it was named, Prutaš is one of the most beautiful massifs in the whole region of Durmitor National Park. Prutaš Massif and Todor’s Valley are the perfect places for stunning photography.

Finally, our Durmitor Ring journey will take us via Sedlo pass (1907m, famously called the “saddle of gods”), below the striking peak of Stožina, back to Žabljak. The total length of the tour is around 7-8 hours, during which we have traveled 85km of the stunning scenery of the unique Durmitor National Park.

Evening: On your own. The rest of the day is on your own, where you can choose to have a well-deserved rest from a demanding day or explore the Žabljak region alone. However, if preferred at some later evening hours, rakija (local brandy), wine, or beer night out can be organized to “taste” and experience the real lifestyle of Durmitor highlanders.

Destination: Kotor | Podgorica | Sarajevo | Dubrovnik
Meals Included: B – L

Itinerary Note: The River Tara, famously called – the tear of Europe, is one of the most beautiful and exciting rivers in Europe! Visiting Durmitor National Park without experiencing the white water river rafting via the most attractive part of the Tara Canyon is a miss. The Tara River is navigable for raft boats in almost a hundred kilometers. Still, the most attractive part of the rafting is at the lower end of the canyon, with the starting point from the Brštanovica region.

Breakfast: Our stunning accommodation will start serving buffet-style breakfast around 7 AM, featuring Montenegrin and International options.

Morning:We shall leave our accommodation at 8 AM, and in the next two hours ride via the beautiful scenery of Durmitor National Park, we shall arrive at our beautiful Tara river rafting park. Once at the rafting camp, we shall have a coffee break and some snacks before we pick up our rafting gear and get ready for the adventure of a lifetime.

Tara River Canyon is one of the most impressive wonders of the World. With a height of 1300m, the Tara Canyon is considered the deepest in Europe and 2nd deepest in the World (after the Grand Canyon in the USA). It is no wonder that UNESCO inscribed Tara River into its program “The Man and Biosphere” due to its vast natural diversity and richness of life. Indeed, the best way to experience this natural phenomenon is along the Tara River white water rafting route. So if you visit Durmitor National Park and don’t experience Tara, you are missing a lot. The credibility of the Tara River was proven in 2009 when the World Rafting Championship was held on the slopes of the Tara River.

Our rafting gear comprises a neoprene suit and special rafting boots, helmet, vest, and paddle. Water temperature during the summer season never goes above 11-12°C, meaning we will provide you with the best rafting gear available on the market to make sure everything goes smoothly. Funky Tours always collaborates with the best rafting companies, providing professional English-speaking skippers and the best equipment.

Afternoon:Usually, we hit rapids around noon, and depending on the month of the summer season, rafting lasts between 3 and 4 hours. The later the summer months are, the lesser the water levels are, meaning the more extended the rafting is. The length of the most attractive part of the Tara rafting, from Brštanovica to Šćepan Polje, is around 20km.

We are having so much fun on the rapids during the Tara river rafting. Aside from admiring the natural wonders of this beautiful turquoise river, its rapids, its cleanliness, and its high peaks, we are also learning about the biological diversity of the canyon itself and what it means to the local community. Diving, swimming, chilling, cold drinks, and an adrenalin rush are all the beauties on our “menu” today.

Lunch:At the end of our rafting adventure, once we are back at our rafting camp, we shall have a well-deserved lunch. Lunch will be a combination of local Durmitor specialties with available vegetarian options. After lunch, having local coffee or cold beer, sitting at the banks of the beautiful Tara River, and remembering all the unforgettable moments on your three-day adventure will make you appreciate life even more. We guarantee it!

Late Afternoon:The last part of the trip is your transfer to your desired destination. The itinerary is adjusted to start and end in Kotor Bay (Kotor, Budva, Perast, Herceg Novi) or Podgorica. At the same time, you can additionally opt to start or end in Sarajevo, Dubrovnik, Tirana, or even Belgrade.

Evening: On your own. Tour ends.