The Grand Montenegro Tour (7 Days)

Destination:Kotor, Montenegro
Inclusions:4* Hotel | Airport Transfer | Tour briefing | Welcome Dinner
Driving Time:0.30h

Arrival Note: Depending on your arrival time (Tivat, Dubrovnik, or Podgorica) 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. If you are arriving through Tivat, your Funky Tours Host will inform you about all check-in details upon your airport arrival and pickup and will brief you on the rest of the day’s activities.

Morning/Afternoon: Accommodations we use in Kotor are amazing 4* 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 local Funky Tours guide will pick you up and take you for the afternoon walking tour of Kotor.  The tour will take us via hidden cobblestoned streets, giving us an opportunity for an in-depth understanding of Kotor’s history and cultural background.

In the present day, originating from the Venetian era but originally mentioned during the Roman era as a strategic position on the Adriatic sea, the Kotor, throughout its nearly 2 millennia-long history, has been through many ups and downs. Since Romans, followed by Illyirians, Slavs, Hungarians, Serbians, Venetians, French, Austrians, Yugoslavians, and today finally part of modern Montenegro, the Kotor has seen many empires passing by while leaving part of their history engraved within heavily fortified walls of Kotor.

Learning specifics about the past and presence of Kotor while admiring the narrow stone streets, stone churches, stone walls, high mountains above, small windows with drying laundry, a ton of cats, hidden bars and cafes, and so much more, is a great way to experience UNESCO heritage of Kotor town.

Dinner: Depending on your arrival time and rest, after the walking tour, followed by free time in Kotor, it will be time for dinner (included in the package price). Since we are on the beautiful Montenegro coastline, the best choice for your first evening is to try some local seafood with the best local Njeguši cheese and prosciutto. If you prefer vegetarian or vegan options, please let us know in advance, and we will gladly provide them.

Evening: On your own. Your Funky Tours Host will provide you with all the amazing recommendations on locations to chase for some good time during your evening free time in Kotor.

Destination:Kotor, Montenegro
Inclusions:4* Hotel with Breakfast
Driving Time:2.30h

Activity Note: Today’s itinerary includes walking on uneven terrain while visiting some of the remains of the Stari Bar. 

Breakfast: Our beautiful 4* hotel in Kotor will serve us a buffet breakfast from 7 to 10 AM featuring Montenegrin and International options.

Morning: After the morning starts at 9 AM, our first place of the visit will be the 2nd most famous spot in the Kotor Bay area, the beautiful Perast village. Only 15min driving away from Kotor, Perast is a baroque village in the municipality of Kotor with its two stunning islets: Sveti Djordje (St. George) as a natural one, and Gospa od Škrpjela (Our Lady of the Rocks) as an artificial one. Historically crucial for its naval history, Perast strategically stands opposite of the only water entrance to Kotor Bay.

After a pleasant short walk through Perast village, we are ready to take a short boat ride to the islet of Our Lady of the Rocks.

In the middle of the 15th century, on the 22nd of July 1453, when two brothers, one of whom was seriously ill, found an icon on rocks (“škrpjela”) in the water as a sign of gratitude for healing, the locals of Perast, built an islet, by increasing the surface of the islet by pouring stones and sinking old sailing ships.

In the 15th century, a chapel was erected in which the image of Our Lady was placed. By the beginning of the 17th century already, about a hundred ships had been sunk, including captured Turkish ships. The larger church was built in 1630 but was damaged in the earthquake of 1667. In addition to earthquakes, the shrine was also exposed to Turkish and pirate attacks.

Today, the islet with its church, beautiful frescoes, and a small museum is one of the biggest attractions of the Bay of Kotor.

This activity will take around 30-40 minutes, and once we are back in Perast, we will continue exploring other unique parts of the Montenegro coastline.

Afternoon: Just before midday, we are still exploring Montenegro’s coastline. We can’t miss out on Budva and the island of Sveti Stefan (eng. St. Stefan).

Budva is traditionally considered a Balkans summertime party capital. Long sandy beaches with open space clubs and bars bring young people from around the Balkans, eager to party and enjoy the Balkan style of music.

Initially founded by Phoenicians, 2500 years of turbulent history are woven into the walls of Budva’s old town, making it one of the oldest continuously inhabited places on the Adriatic coast. Walking around the narrow, cobble-stoned streets and enjoying the expansive panorama views from Budva’s old town fort while listening to the historical facts on this beautiful small town is a great way to peek into the glorious history of this small but charming town on Montenegro’s coastline.

Just outside of Budva’s old town is Mogren beach, offering amazing opportunities for summertime swim and chill, as it is the best beach in close vicinity of Budva’s old town.

Once an island, today connected with the mainland by a narrow isthmus, Sveti Stefan is now a 5-star franchise hotel of the international group of Aman Resorts. Entrance to Sveti Stefan is usually prohibited unless you have booked accommodation or lunch there. However, observing the beautiful Sveti Stefan islet from a short distance and taking selfies during our visit is a must-do.

Lunch: Trying Adriatic seafood delicacies is of course, the first choice. If you are more into continental cuisine, Montenegro specialties like Njeguši village cheese and prosciutto as appetizers are perfectly combined with mutton and lamb chops, served with roasted potatoes, onion, and a mix of veggies. Food like this tastes best if the meat is roasted under the bell (“Ispod sača”) on a hot coal or, sometimes, in a milk marinade with fresh spices.

Of course, during lunch, your guide will recommend the best local and authentic Montenegro wines. Globally, Balkan wines are still an unknown phenomenon, but knowing the European single largest vineyard, sized at 2000 acres, is located in southern Montenegro will make you rethink your wine choices when traveling the Balkans. The most popular Montenegro wine is called “Vranac” (eng. Black stallion), and is excellently combined with red meat.

Afternoon: After a delicious lunch, our journey of exploring the historic coastal Montenegro continues. The next stop is the historic town of Stari Bar. Stari Bar has seen its fair share of exciting events through its history of being controlled by Venetians, Hungarians, Serbs, and Ottomans. Finally, in 1877, when the locals bombed the aqueduct and cut off the water supply, the town was finally reclaimed by Montenegro from the Ottoman rulers.

Today, we shall visit the old town fort, the aqueduct, Stara Maslina – the olive tree said to be over 2000 years old.

Stari Bar town is the perfect place for afternoon coffee or drinks overlooking the panorama of the Adriatic Sea. In the late afternoon, we are heading back to Kotor.

Dinner: On your own. Your Funky Tours Host will provide you with all the amazing recommendations on where to dine and have a good time during your evening free time in Kotor.

Destination:Kotor, Montenegro
Inclusions:4* Hotel with breakfast | Lunch | Wine Tasting
Driving Time:4.30h

Activity Note: Today, we plan to visit Njegoš mausoleum at Lovćen National Park, and to reach all the way up, we will have 461 stairs. Make sure to have some water along the way, and during the summer, take sun cream. Additionally, our Skadar Lake cruise will give us a fantastic opportunity for a great swim and chill. The morning 1-hour ride that will take us from Kotor to Lovćen has 25 sharp hairpin turns, so make sure you don’t overeat yourself during the morning breakfast. We are visiting the beautiful Lipa cave, and the temperature inside is around 10 degrees Celsius, so make sure to have something warm to wear if needed.

Breakfast: Our beautiful 4* hotel in Kotor will serve us a buffet breakfast from 7 to 10 AM featuring Montenegrin and international options.

Morning: This morning we start at 8 AM. As the day is quite long, a bit earlier start is recommended. The first part of the tour will be a stunning experience of driving via an Austrians-made road (1879) that originally connected Kotor and Cetinje, the old royal capital of Montenegro. The road is enriched with 25 hairpin turns, and several panorama stops give us an amazing view over the Kotor bay. Once at the top, we have arrived at Lovćen National Park, the core and heart of Montenegro, its most valuable cultural, historical, and religious heritage site.

The Lovćen National Park was founded in 1952, with an area of 6220 acres. The heart of Lovćen is considered to be Jezerski vrh (1657m), on which the mausoleum of Petar II Petrović Njegoš, the most famous poet, bishop, and ruler of Montenegro from 1830 to 1851, was built.

Having climbed 461 steps, carved into the sheer rocks, we get the opportunity to explore the Mausoleum and to enjoy the 360 views of the stunning Montenegro landscapes. On one side, we can see Skadar Lake and the majestic Montenegro mountains, and on the other, we can see stunning Kotor Bay, and if the day is clear, possibly even the coast of Italy.

Afternoon: After exploring the powerful story of Petar II Petrović Njegoš, we head down and take a short ride to Njeguši, the birthplace village of the Njegoš dynasty, which ruled Montenegro from 1696 to 1918. Njeguši village, aside from being the cultural and historical core of Montenegro, at the same time, is the birthplace of Montenegrin national cuisine.

The idyllic village, with just several tens of inhabitants, is homeplace to the globally famous Njeguši prosciutto and Njeguši cheese. Since the region of Njeguši village ideally combines Mediterranean and Continental climate effects, the local products of prosciutto and cheese together with honey, rakija (eng. brandy), a variety of herbs, local organic veggies and fruits, taste the best, and add up to the overall experience of this beautiful village.

Njeguši prosciutto is a dark-colored pork meat of intensive taste. Salted, beech smoked, and dried at the specially made dryers of 1m thick stone walls, combined with centuries-old traditions and the art of making, this unique product of Montenegro is a must-try. When you taste the Njeguši prosciutto, it feels like you have just tried the pure hormone of happiness, serotonin, which tastes like the mysticism of the distant past.

At Funky Tours, we are devoted to the best of spiritual and material worlds, so tasting the best Njeguši prosciutto, combined with yellow Njeguši cheese (if preferred, wine and local brandy), is simply a bit of both worlds.

After the historic and tasty visit to Njeguši village, our journey continues towards Cetinje – the former center of the state and today the cultural, historical, and spiritual capital of Montenegro.

In the 2nd half of the 15th century, the Ottoman conquests forced the then master of Zeta, Ivan Crnojević, to move the seat of the state from the fortified town of Žabljak to a more inaccessible climate, deep into the mountains, to the foothills of Lovćen mountain. In 1482, Ivan Crnojević built a court and monastery, the first establishments of the new capital, Cetinje. Later, when Ivan Crnojević transferred the Zeta Metropolitanate to the newly built monastery, Cetinje and the secular became a spiritual center. In the mid-19th century, when already mentioned, the glorious Petar Petrović II Njegoš managed to unite Montenegrin tribes and create the foundations of a modern state, Cetinje until today became the mythical place of Montenegrin nationalism and statehood.

During our walking tour of Cetinje, we will learn historical facts about Montenegrin’s old capital, hear about the first printing house of the South Slavs (just 4 decades after the Guttenbergs), visit famous Cetinje spots such as Cetinje Monastery, historic center with its famous foreign embassies, museums, royal theatre, Biljarda (the new royal residence) and so much more.

Free time in Cetinje to explore the historic town on your own will be arranged if required.

Just 5 kilometers from Cetinje, we will make a short detour and break away from socio-cultural stories to peek into speleology and visit Montenegro’s most famous speleological wonder, the Lipa cave. About 2.5km in length, a mix of beautiful passages and halls, enriched with stunning stalactites and stalagmites, some up to 5m tall, and with annual temperature ranging from 8 to 12 degrees Celsius, Lipa cave is a must-see for anyone visiting the region of Cetinje.

Our 1-hour visit to Lipa cave is a professionally guided tour with the local guide, whose speleological knowledge and expertise will additionally enhance our cave exploring experience.

Lunch: The lunch time is planned at Rijeka Crnojevića, famously called Montenegrin Venice. When Ivan Crnojevic in 15the century founded Cetinje, in centuries to follow, Rijeka Crnojevića (eng. Crnojević river – named after the Crnojević dynasty), as one of the most famous Skadar Lake tributaries, became the largest Montenegrin port and the leading trade center. With the Danilo bridge, built in 1853, several old buildings, a friendly pedestrian zone, and a few beautifully located traditional restaurants, Crnojevića Rijeka is the perfect place for lunchtime chill.

The especially appreciated product of this region is dry bleak (dried fish), and due to its uniqueness and exceptional taste, it is traditionally very much in demand on the Italian market.

Usually, aside from locally appreciated fish, other Montenegrin continental and seafood dishes can be easily found here. Your Funky Tours Host job is to, according to your taste, recommend the best food from the offer.

Afternoon: After a delicious lunch, it is time for the most inspiring moment of the day—the beautiful and fulfilling Skadar Lake boat cruise.

Lake Skadar is a natural wonder—a protected National Park of Montenegro and Albania and a wildlife paradise. Being home to more than 260 bird species, islet monasteries, old and traditionally built stone villages, and stunning beaches, Skadar Lake is Montenegro’s true heart and soul.

Our afternoon boat cruise will take us via Crnojevića River and Skadar Lake to the small village of Žabljak at a confluence of the Morača River. With an optional short uphill hike and visit to the medieval fortress, which, under the Crnojević dynasty, was the capital of Zeta, the views from the top will be simply amazing and worth every effort.
For ornithology lovers, Skadar Lake is a true paradise. Unlimited offers of cormorants, herons, gulls, terns, ducks, and sometimes a giant Dalmatian pelican make this magnificent natural setting a must-see.

Additionally, carpets of water lilies, snakes, frogs, bugs and insects, fish, toads, dragonflies, etc., add even more to a fantastic Skadar Lake experience.

For true adventurers, during the summer, some swimming and chill at crystal-clear Skadar Lake are must-dos.

In the late afternoon, after stopping at the stunning Pavlova strana viewpoint and admiring the beauty of Skadar Lake and Crnojevića Rijeka, we are back to Kotor.

Dinner: On your own. Since this is your last night in Kotor, you might wanna have an easy and relaxing evening. By now, you already know the Kotor Bay region very well and can easily plan your Kotor evening.

Destination:Zabljak, Montenegro
Inclusions:4* Hotel with breakfast | Lunch | Wine Tasting
Driving Time:4.30h

Activity Note: On the first day of explorations of Durmitor National Park, we shall check out from our Kotor accommodation, and the next two nights we shall spend at Žabljak.

Breakfast: Our beautiful hotel 4* hotel in Kotor will serve us a buffet breakfast from 7  AM featuring Montenegrin and international options. Make sure to have a good breakfast, as lunch will be a well-deserved one.

Morning: Our start is early morning at 8 AM, as Montenegro’s 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”, 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 over 2000m high, surrounded by rivers Tara, Piva, Sušica, and Komarnica, Durmitor National Park is a UNESCO World Heritage Site and probably Montenegro’s most amazing national park.

When the first Durmitor’s mighty mountain peaks appear ahead, it will be time to take a break at the stunning Nevidio canyon (Nevidio – eng. Unseen). Located in the southern parts of 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 100 EUR per person and is paid locally to our Montenegrin canyoning partner company.

Afternoon: 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.

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 mankind’s greatest architectural achievements. 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.

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 of it.

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 onion), are 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 cook and then bake or slowly cook in milk.

Later Afternoon: After delicious lunch, hotel check-in at Žabljak, and short but well-deserved rest, 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 real 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 beautiful walk around the lake, with the total circle of hiking around the whole lake being around 4 kilometers.

Evening/Dinner: On your own. Žabljak has about 2000 inhabitants and is considered the city at the highest altitude in the Balkans. Being quite well populated, Žabljak is a very lively place as it is a popular tourist destination throughout the year. Whether you visit it in summer or winter, Žabljak and Durmitor National Park have much to offer.

Destination:Zabljak, Montenegro
Inclusions:4* Hotel with breakfast | Home-hosted lunch
Driving Time:3.30h

Activity Note: Today, we are exploring Kotor Bay, meaning we will have quite a lot of opportunities to swim. If you visit the Montenegro coast during the summer, a swimsuit, towels, and sun cream should be on your must-have list.

Breakfast: Our beautiful hotel, 4* Hotel Astoria (or similar) in Kotor, will serve as a buffet breakfast from 7 to 10 AM featuring Montenegrin and International options.

Morning: Use the Funky Tours benefits of your optional day and decide what kind of activity you would like to engage with on Day 5. Depending on your fitness capacity, we have several options for in-depth explorations of the Durmitor National Park.

Of course, our preferred activity is hiking, and you can choose which trail fits you the best: Prutaš (easy) or Bobotov Kuk (hard). 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: Hiking to Bobotov Kuk peak (2525m) 

Breakfast: Our stunning 4* 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 morning’s first part will be a 14km ride from Žabljak to the “prijevoj Sedlo” (pass Saddle). Sedlo is located at an altitude of 1900m and is the start of the hiking trail to Bobotov Kuk. The highest point of Montenegro, Bobotov Kuk, can be reached from various sides, but the most convenient, easiest, and our choice of the day will be access from the southern side.

When we leave our vehicle and gear up, we are ready to start the hike. At an average pace, the morning ascent will be 3.30 hours long, with a trail taking us via beautiful plains and mighty peaks of Durmitor to the glorious Bobotov Kuk peak. Once at the top, we have gained a bit over 700m in altitude difference. This kind of altitude gain, on the average inclination of 24% during a bit over 5.5km hike, is considered a high-moderate to hard demanding activity and is doable by anyone of average fitness level.

During the hike, panoramic views, valleys, mighty peaks of Durmitor and its glacial lakes, light adrenaline, beautiful storytelling, legends, and everything this adventure brings will be one of life’s best experiences.

At the top, all the efforts will be highly rewarding. Stunning 360 panorama views from Bobotov Kuk, with special emphasis on peak Prutaš, Škrčka lakes, and stunning Šareni pasovi (colorful layers), will surely make all the pain go away.

Special Note: The last part of the ascent (20min) to Bobotov Kuk peak is quite steep and requires the use of hands. At points, part of the trail is secured with cables, which come in handy when climbing. If you have vertigo, this trail should not be climbed.

Afternoon: The returning hike will take us all the way to Žabljak with a visit to a beautiful “Ledena Pećina” (ice cave), located at an altitude of 2164m. As the name suggests, with an annual temperature of 0°C, the cave retains snow and ice all year round, creating unusual ice shapes of various stalactites and stalagmites. A short stop at the cave to admire the beauty of its ice creations is a must.

The returning hike from Bobotov Kuk to the Black Lake and to Žabljak will take us an additional 4 to 5 hours, depending on how many photos and rest we take.

The total hike will be around 14.5km and 6-7 hours of active walking. We should be back to Žabljak around 5, or at the latest 6 pm.

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 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, with the aim to “taste” and experience the real lifestyle of Durmitor highlanders.

OPTION 2: Hike to Prutaš peak (2398m) – Recommended by Funky Tours 

Breakfast: Our stunning 4* 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 is visited by many hikers, our medium demanding, surely 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 real 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 it 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 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 well-deserved rest from a quite demanding day or explore the Žabljak region on your own. However, if preferred at some later evening hours, rakija (local brandy), wine, or beer night out can be organized, with the aim to “taste” and experience the real lifestyle of Durmitor highlanders.

OPTION 3: 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, completely off the beaten path trail 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, is home to the fortified town of Prlitor. The town, 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, not only in Montenegro but in the whole region of the Balkans – the famous village of “Mala Crna Gora” (Little Montenegro). It is located at 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 itself is actually located on Piva mountain at an altitude of 1470m. Being located 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 so much 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 lives today and over the past centuries. Understanding that the great majority of people living in the rural Durmitor region is entirely self-sufficient when producing their organic food will additionally “boost” the taste and make you fully appreciate your meal today. After lunch, you will have an opportunity to stroll through the village and explore the life of locals at 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 “prutovi” (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 traveled 85km through 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, with the aim to “taste” and experience the real lifestyle of Durmitor highlanders.

Destination:Kolašin, Montenegro
Inclusions:4* Hotel with breakfast | Lunch
Driving Time:3.30h

Activity 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.

Breakfast: Our beautiful hotel 4* hotel at Žabljak will serve us a buffet breakfast from 7 AM featuring Montenegrin and international options.

Morning: Just after 30min driving away from Žabljak, passing by Đurđevića Tara bridge, via the beautiful scenery of Durmitor National Park, we shall arrive at our Tara River rafting park. Once at the rafting camp, we shall have a coffee break, pick up our rafting gear, and prepare 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. Truly 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 Tara River was proven in 2009 when the World Rafting Championship was held on the slopes of 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.

Usually, we hit rapids around 10 AM, and depending on the month of the summer season, rafting lasts between 2 and 3 hours. The later the summer months are, the lesser the water levels are, meaning the longer the rafting is.

We have 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 natural 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 to our rafting camp, we shall have a well-deserved lunch. Lunch will be a combination of local Durmitor specialties with available vegetarian options.

Afternoon: After a fantastic rafting experience, our journey continues towards Biogradska Gora National Park. Our 4th National Park of Montenegro, as part of the UNESCO World Network of Biosphere Reserves, is one of the last three large rainforests in Europe. Today we plan to visit the beautiful Biograd glacial lake and enjoy the natural beauty of the forest surrounding the lake.

In 1878, when local fraternities and tribes donated this area of the present-day National Park Biogradska Gora to the then master of Montenegro – Prince Nikola, who declared this pearl of nature a “princes ban”, it marked the beginning of the state protection of this region. Known for its wide biodiversity, with 7 glacial lakes, the most famous of which is Lake Biograd, archaeological sites, rich flora and fauna, and cultural heritage, Biogradska Gora National Park is one of the most beautiful locations in Montenegro.

An educational and easy 3km (cca 1h) hiking trail around the lake, with a coffee break at one of the local cafes, is the best way to explore this gem of Central Montenegro.

Evening: Early evening arrival to Kolašin will be followed by 4* hotel check-in, dinner, and free time to relax and rest for the next day.

Kolašin is the most famous ski resort in Montenegro and, during the spring-summer-autumn season is an ideal place for hiking, biking, or Jeep safari explorations. Bjelasica mountain, with its stunning glacial lakes and variety of mountain peaks, offers a great outdoor experience for anyone of any fitness level.

Dinner/Evening: Kolašin is a town of cca 10.000 inhabitants and offers great opportunities for great cuisine and relaxed dinner. Trying local specialties of central Montenegrin regions can be quite a different experience than those on the coastline or in the north.

Destination: Podgorica | Kotor | Sarajevo
Inclusions:Breakfast | Transfer to your final destination
Driving Time:3.30h

Activity Note: Last day of the Grand Montenegro Tour is highly flexible. The main attraction for the first part of the day is Bjelasica Mountain. On this day, we can opt for hiking to the 2nd highest peak of Bjelasica mountain called Zekova Glava, a stunning mountain biking adventure, or a jeep safari via the most hidden and beautiful parts of Bjelasica mountain.

At the end of the day, this itinerary package is planned to end in Kotor, so it becomes a 7-day round trip from Kotor. However, the package can end in Podgorica, Tivat Dubrovnik, or even Sarajevo, depending on what is most convenient for your further plans of Balkan explorations.

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

Morning: After a delicious breakfast, we are ready to leave Kolašin and head towards Bjelasica Mountain. Passing by the famous Kolašin ski resorts, we will easily reach the ” Troglava ” point. From Troglava, we can decide to chase the 2nd highest peak of Bjelasica mountain, called “Zekova Glava” (2117m), by car via a very good gravel road or opt for an easy hike. At the peak, we shall have an incredible 360 panorama view, with beautiful Pešića glacier lake some 20-minute walking distance away. Generally, the volcanic origin of the Bjelasica mountain is responsible for the milder relief forms.

Since it is our last day of Montenegro explorations, decisions for hiking difficulty can be made on the spot, as Bjelasica mountain is a highly accessible, well-road-covered mountain. It offers hiking options from just a few hours of glorious hiking.

For those with higher hiking capacity, we can easily connect the two highest peaks of Bjelasica (Zekova Glava and Crna Glava) and make it a full-day hiking adventure.

Additionally, biking or Jeep safari adventure, connecting Zekova Glava (2117m) and Crna Glava (2139m) to Biograd Lake, is worth considering. These options are available for special requests.

Lunch: After a thorough exploration of beautiful Bjelasica mountain, the lunch, depending on the itinerary choice, will take place in a wider region of Kolasin or at one of Katuns at Bjelasica mountain. Since this day is very flexible, food options are also very flexible.

Afternoon: After thorough explorations of Bjelasica mountain, our journey will continue towards Podgorica and/or Kotor Bay, where this tour is planned to end. However, the Morača monastery and Morača river canyon will be an unmissable stop.

The Morača monastery was initially built in 1252 by the early ruling era of the Nemanjići dynasty. The monastery is built on the left bank of the Morača River, after which it was named. With a very turbulent past, historical and cultural value, and being one of the most important Serbian Orthodox monasteries in the Balkans, it is a must-see place when passing through this region of Montenegro.

A short, 45-minute to 1-hour visit, with a detailed explanation of the site’s historical background, is planned at the Morača monastery.

After we finish exploring the beautiful Morača monastery, a few kilometers further along the beautiful Morača river canyon, we shall arrive at one more stop worth seeing, the beautiful Mrtvica canyon.

Mrtvica river springs at the foot of the mountain Sinjajevina, and during the next 10 kilometers of the course, the whole eight-kilometer flows through a beautiful canyon, as its largest tributary flows into the river Morača.

Evening: The last part of the day will be a transfer to Podgorica or Kotor, depending on the preferred choice of your final destination. In the early evening of day seven, the tour officially ends.

Dinner: On your own. Tour ends.