Montenegro & HIKING DISCOVERY TOUR September 26 – October 6, 2021 AT# 2118 Trip rating = 3/4 https://www.outdoors.org/outdoor-activities/difficulty- ratings All photos (95) INTRODUCTION The Mountains of Montenegro lie in a series of epic landscapes so diverse, it doesn’t seem possible that they are all part of the same country. Snow-capped, jagged peaks morph into gentle, rolling alpine pas- tures and then plunge earthwards from glacial lakes into twisting, narrow gorges, hiding remote villages. The National Parks of Durmitor, Lovcen and Biogradska Gora, are three mountain locations Montenegro has to offer which we will visit. Legends and jaw-dropping vistas abound for those adventurous enough to journey into the very heart of the country that takes its name from its moody look – the Dark Mountains (Crna Gora). Come, and join us! ITINERARY Day 1 September 26 - Arrival in Podgornica Arrive in Podgornica. Transfer by private vehicle to hotel. Overnight in Podgornica (3 or 4 star hotel Hotel Alexander https://www.alexandarlux.com or Perla http://www.perlaresidence.me or similar) Meal: Welcome dinner in a restaurant Day 2 September 27 - Transfer from Pogornica to Kolasin On the way to Kolasin you will pass through the impressive Moraca Canyon where you can take a break and visit the 13th century Moraca Monastery. The Moraca Monastery is one of the best preserved Serbian medieval orthodox monasteries. Overnight: 3-star Hotel Cile http://www.hotelcile.me in Kolasin or similar Meals: Breakfast, lunch, and dinner Day 3 September 28 - Bjelasica Mountain This morning, after breakfast, you will start your walking. The path leads you to the heart of the Bjelasica Mountain. The hiking is mostly uphill and on pastures and grassland. At the end of your invigorating first hike, you’ll arrive at the Katuns or Shepherds’ huts, which are traditional mountain houses found all over Northern Montenegro. Traditionally, rural farming families close their village homes and move to these simple cottages during the summer months. Life in the katuns is rustic and simple and you will have a chance to feel the real ru- ral life of the Montenegrins. Elevation gain – 3117’ Elevation loss – 820’ Distance – 9.9 miles Hiking time -: 6-7 hours Overnight: traditional mountain hut Katun Vranjak http://jelka.me Meals: Breakfast, packed lunch, dinner Day 4 September 29 - Crna Glava Summit During this day’s walk, you will hike the gentle green slopes and summits of Bjelasica. This is a circular walk heading to Crna Glava, the peak of Bjelasica, passing by two lovely mountain lakes. There are ex- cellent views to the shepherds’ villages below your trail as well as to the surrounding mountains. On the way back you will have time to take a short break and taste the crystal clear water from the spring of the Biogradska river which is the main water supply for Biogradsko lake. Elevation gain – 2297’ Elevation loss – 2460’ Distance – 9.9 miles, Hiking time - 6-7 hours Overnight: Traditional mountain hut Katun Vranjak. Meals: Breakfast, packed lunch, dinner Day 5 September 30 - Biogradska Gora National Park and Biogradsko Lake The first part of today’s hike passes through the highlands of Lica mountain – heading to the hidden shepherd’s village of Goles Katun where you can stop for lunch or try a selection of home-made products. The forests are the most important natural feature of the park, as the 1,600-hectare woods are one of the last three primaeval forests in Europe so that you will be passing by 400 to 500 years old trees. On arrival to Biogradsko Lake, you will have plenty of time to relax and take a walk around the lake. We will then transfer you to Durmitor National Park by 1/2 day rafting through the canyon of the river Tara. Before you arrive in Zabljak, which is located in the heart of Durmitor National Park, you will be able to view one of the most beautiful bridges in this part of the world – Djurdjevica Tara Bridge. Elevation gain – 1148’ Elevation loss – 3117’ Distance – 7.5 miles Hiking time - 5 hours, Accommodation: Gorske Oci Hotel, Zabljak http://www.hotelgorskeoci.com Meals: Breakfast, lunch, dinner Day 6 October 1 – Medjed Peak Circuit The Bear Summit circuit. After breakfast you will take a trail that passes by the Black Lake and then up into the mountains, hiking through a changing landscape of fir forests and low alpine vegetation. Your destination is the Previja Pass (7037’), located beneath the heights of Medjed (Bear) peak (7503’), where you will enjoy a scenic lunch enjoying the majestic vistas below. While bear and wolf are rarely sighted in the park, there is a chance of spotting chamois on the high mountain slopes, as well as fox, weasels and badger. After your lunch break, you will head back down to Black Lake, following a trail that takes you via a shepherd’s camp at Lokvice, before returning to the hotel. Elevation gain – 2624’ Elevation loss – 2624’ Distance – 7 miles Hiking time 6-7 hours Accommodation: Gorske Oci Hotel, Zabljak http://www.hotelgorskeoci.com Meals: Breakfast, packed lunch, dinner Day 7 October 2 - Jablan Lake One of the most charming lakes of Durmitor National Park, Jablansko lake is also the highest one in Dur- mitor (5876’). The trail to this lake is well-marked, but it is one of the paths least used by hikers. You will enjoy the calm and quiet as you pass through woods and pastures and can even take some time for a refreshing swim in Jablan lake. You will also enjoy excellent views from the trail to the most prominent lake in Durmitor – the Crno (Black) lake. Elevation gain – 1476’ Elevation loss – 1476’ Distance – 8.7 miles Hiking time - 5-6 hours Accommodation: Gorske Oci Hotel, Zabljak http://www.hotelgorskeoci.com Meals: Breakfast, packed lunch, dinner Day 8 October 3 – Transfer to Lovcen, Walk to Cetinje Transfer (3.5 hours) to Ivanova Korita resort, positioned in the heart of the Lovcen mountain. It is another of the five National Parks of Montenegro. Accommodation in a hand-picked 4 star hotel where you will spend next three overnights. After accommodation/lunch in Lovcen, walk down the Lovcen slopes towards Cetinje. The focus of the day is Cetinje, the lovely old town which was the Capital of Montenegro from the 15th century until 1918. This city is known as the Old Capital or the ‘Museum Town of Montenegro.’ This is the best place to learn all about the turbulent Montenegrin history and familiarize oneself with its culture. In the late afternoon, a prearranged transfer car will transport you back to the hotel in Ivanova Korita (25 min). Elevation gain – 164’ elevation loss – 2297’ Distance – 6.2 miles Hiking time - 3-4 hours Accommodation: Hotel Ivanov, Konak. www.ivanovakorita.com/en/hotel-ivanov-konak/ Meals: Breakfast, lunch (sit in, not packed), dinner Day 9 October 4 – Jezerski Summit A circular walk from your hotel to the Jezerski Vrh summit (1,657m); ‘Njegos tomb’ is positioned at its top. You can visit the tomb then take an optional rest and have time for lunch in a lovely restaurant nearby. Views from the top are just stunning and give you a chance to admire all the summits of Montenegro, Skadar lake, (the largest lake in the Balkans) with the Albanian Alps in the background as well as Cetinje, the Adriatic coast and Boka Kotorska Bay. Elevation gain – 1640’ Elevation loss – 1640’ Distance – 6.2 miles Hiking time -: 4-5 hours Accommodation: Hotel Ivanov, Konak. www.ivanovakorita.com/en/hotel-ivanov-konak/ Meals: Breakfast, packed lunch, dinner Day 10 October 5 - Kotor Bay You arrive in Boka Kotorska Bay and the old town of Kotor by walking down from Lovcen. You are free to choose between three alternative walks (similar route but different distances) for this part of the itinerary. Either choice will offer breathtaking views of the Boka Kotorska Bay and the surrounding mountains Walking for the day – depending on the chosen route: • Optional route 1: Elevation gain - 984’ Elevation loss – 4921’ Distance 9.3 miles Hiking time - 6 hours • Optional route 2: Elevation gain – 164’ Elevation loss – 4265’ Distance 5.6 miles Hiking time - 5 hours • Optional route 3: Elevation gain – 164’ Elevation loss - 2952’ Distance 4.3 miles Hiking time - 3 hours Overnight: In Perast – Pirasta Guethouse, Dragutinovic Guesthouse http://guest-house- dragutinovic.perast.hotels-kotor.com/en/ or similar Meals: Breakfast, packed lunch, dinner Day 11 October 6 - Transfer to Podgorica Overnight: 3 or 4 star hotel in Podgorica to be determined Meals: Breakfast, Farewell dinner Day 12 October 7 - Departure to USA Transfer to airport Meal: Breakfast ABOUT YOUR TOUR: Lodgings – We provide 11 (in country) nights. Nine in high quality hotels located in specially selected regions an two in huts. The huts offer private double/twin rooms (cabins) but facilities are shared. Rooms are based on double sharing with limited single supplements available. Guesthouses/hotels in larger cities such as Zabljak often (but not always) have WIFI available. Meals – Meals are generally taken within your hotel with packed lunches provided. Meals in Montenegrin guesthouses are usually prepared with fresh, local produce. Vegetarian needs can be met however spe- cialist’s diets such as gluten free, vegan, etc. may sometimes be difficult to manage as this is still devel- oping country. Transport – We will be transferred between different locations as noted in the itinerary. Our luggage will transferred between hotels/guesthouses as needed. Personal Money - Outside of the meals not included in your tour price (see itinerary), you may wish to have some Euros for other purposes such as purchasing extras like wine/beer/gin, local souvenirs and miscellaneous items.