Itinerary

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• DAY 1 - Welcome to Montenegro

  • Arrival at Podgorica Airport. We transfer you to Žabljak, a small mountain town sitting at 1,450 m in the heart of Durmitor National Park – a UNESCO World Heritage Site known for its limestone peaks, deep canyons, and glacial lakes. After checking in, meet your guide and fellow travellers for a short welcome briefing. The rest of the day is free to relax and explore the town.

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    Accomodation Night in 4* hotel Žabljak in Žabljak town

    

    Meals Included: /

    

    Activity Transport

• DAY 2 - Glacial Lakes and Forest Paths of Durmitor

  • Our first hike introduces you to Durmitor’s alpine beauty. Starting from Black Lake, the most famous lake in the park, we follow forest paths to reach quieter spots like Snake Lake and Barno Lake. Black Lake is often called “the mirror of Durmitor” because of the perfect reflection of the surrounding peaks on its surface. These pristine mountain lakes are surrounded by spruce trees, wildflowers, and peaceful meadows. This is an ideal day to enjoy the freshness of the mountain air and the calm of untouched nature.

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    Accomodation Night in 4* hotel Žabljak in Žabljak town

    

    Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

    

    Activity Hiking 4h-5h, ascent +250m / descent – 250m.

• DAY 3 - The Bear summit circuit

  • Today’s hike takes us up to one of the most scenic viewpoints in the park. We follow a trail that climbs gradually through pine forest and then across rocky alpine terrain to reach the Previja Pass (2,160 m). From here, you get a sweeping view over the surrounding peaks and valleys. We pass by summer shepherd huts and return through a different path to Black Lake. Weather allowing, a refreshing dip in the lake is a perfect way to end the day.
    
    The trail runs just beneath Mount Međed (Bear Peak), named after the bears that once roamed these slopes.

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    Accomodation Night in 4* hotel Žabljak in Žabljak town

    

    Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch

    

    Activity Hiking 6h-7h, ascent +950m / descent – 950m.

• DAY 4 - Ostrog Monastery and Arrival to the Coast

  • We leave the highlands and drive south. En route, we visit the famous Ostrog Monastery, built directly into a vertical cliff at 900m altitude. It is one of the most important pilgrimage sites in the Balkans, visited by people of all religions. After exploring both the lower and upper parts of the monastery, we continue our journey to the coast.
    We arrive in Perast, a small baroque town in the Bay of Kotor, once a wealthy maritime centre. With its stone houses, palm trees, and quiet waterfront cafés, Perast offers a perfect setting for the coastal part of your journey.

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    Accomodation Night in 4* hotel Conte, Perast

    

    Meals Included: Breakfast, Dinner

    

    Activity Hiking 1h15, ascent +250m / descent – 250m.

• DAY 5 - Kotor Old Town and Island Church

  • This morning, we visit Kotor, a UNESCO-listed medieval town famous for its maze of cobbled streets and well-preserved fortifications. A hike up the old city walls brings us to St. Ivan Fortress, with one of the most iconic views of the bay. After free time to enjoy the town, we take a short boat ride to Our Lady of the Rocks, a man-made island and chapel built by local sailors.
    
    Kotor Bay is often called “Europe’s southernmost fjord” for its dramatic mountain backdrop and calm sea waters.

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    Accomodation Night in 4* hotel Conte, Perast

    

    Meals Included: Breakfast

    

    Activity Hiking 2,5 h, ascent +250m / descent – 250m, Sightseeing

• DAY 6 - Hiking the Budva Riviera: From Mountains to the Sea

  • We head southeast to the Budva Riviera, starting our hike at the ruins of Kosmač Fortress, with sweeping views over the coastline. The trail leads us through hills and forest, past remote chapels and old shepherd stations. We descend toward the coast, finishing near the world-famous Sveti Stefan, a photogenic islet turned luxury resort. Weather permitting, we relax and swim at one of the nearby beaches before returning to Perast.

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    Accomodation Night in 4* hotel Conte, Perast

    

    Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

    

    Activity Hiking 5 h, ascent +100m / descent – 550m.

• DAY 7 - Vrmac Ridge Hike and Coastal Villages

  • Our final hike starts from the coastal town of Muo. We follow an old Austro-Hungarian military path up to the Vrmac Ridge, which separates the Bay of Kotor from the Bay of Tivat. This panoramic trail offers stunning views in all directions and ends in the peaceful village of Stoliv, known for its elegant old buildings and quiet waterfront. Optional swim at Markov Rt beach before heading back.

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    Accomodation Night in 4* hotel Conte, Perast

    

    Meals Included: Breakfast

    

    Activity Hiking 5h, ascent +650m / descent – 650m

• DAY 8 - Time to say Goodbye

  • This Montenegrin hiking adventure ends today. After breakfast, we drive you to Podgorica airport and wish you a safe and pleasant journey, with the desire to see you again on another adventure, on another trip ...

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    Accomodation /

    

    Meals Included: Breakfast

    

    Activity Transport

ACE keeps rights to change daily itineraries.

Tour Information

• What Will You See

  Durmitor, Žabljak town, Tara Canyon

  DURMITOR described on the World Heritage List in 1980. It is a strikingly beautiful natural park, one of the highest (2523 m) and probably the most beautiful mountain in the Balkans. The most famous is Black Lake, covered with ice and crystals of frozen snowflakes in the winter. You can swim in it in the middle of the summer. Between the steep hillsides or hidden in the green, thick foliage, are the magic beauties: Zmijinje, Barno, Riblje, Vrazje, Modro and the other lakes. Because of its geographical location and range in altitude, the park is under the influence of both the Mediterranean and alpine microclimates.
  
  There are 17 glacier lakes called “mountain eyes” in the area of Durmitor.
  
  Vegetation zones, covering 17,000ha, include deciduous forest, coniferous forest, sub-alpine zones and Alpine meadows. The dominant species include Scots pine, Norway pine, silver fir, beech, occasional birch, mugo pine and juniper. The park supports a rich karstic flora with many rare and endemic species.
  
  Zabljak town is “moved up” to 1460 meters of the massive mountain of Durmitor. This small mountain town will be used as our base for exploring the mountain. Our hiking tours will start from the hotel.
  
  “The jewel of Europe”, violent, clear and wild River Tara is a huge water mass made of snow and rains. It rises from the mountain range in the northern part of Montenegro and flows 140km in length. It meets Piva river and together they make the river Drina, one of the longest and water-richest rivers in the Balkans. For centuries, with its strength, the Tara river has been hollowing out a soft limestone surface giving it a sculptural form full of gorges, large rocks or chasms.

  OSTROG Monastery

  The monastery of Ostrog is placed against an almost vertical background, high up in the large rock of Ostroska Greda, from which a superb view of the Bjelopavlici Plain explodes. Ostrog Monastery is the most popular pilgrimage place in Montenegro. The Monastery was founded by Vasilije, the Metropolitan Bishop of Herzegovina in the 17th century. He died there in 1671 and some years later he was sainted and proclaimed a wonderworker. His body is enshrined in a reliquary kept in the cave-church dedicated to the Presentation of the Mother of God to the Temple. The present-day look was given to the Monastery in 1923 -1926, after a fire that had destroyed the major part of the complex. Fortunately, the two little cave churches were spared and they make the essential value of the whole monument. The frescoes in the Church of the Presentation were done towards the end of the 17th century. The other church, dedicated to the Holy Cross, is placed within a cave on the upper level of the monastery and was painted by Master Radul, who successfully coped with the natural shapes of the cave and laid the frescoes immediately on the surface of the rock and the south wall. Around the church are the monastic residences, which together with the church building and the beautiful scenery make this monument an agreeable place to stay in.
  
  The orthodox Monastery of Ostrog is the most frequently visited one in the Balkans. It is visited by believers from all parts of the world, either individually or in groups.
  
  It represents the meeting place of all three confessions: the Orthodox, the Catholics and the Muslims because it is believed that the enshrined body of Saint Vasilije Ostroski makes miracles work. According to the stories of pilgrims, by praying by his body, many have been cured and helped in lessening the difficulties in their lives.

  Boka Kotorska Bay

  The old town of KOTOR is one of the best-preserved medieval towns in this part of the Mediterranean. It was succeeded in preserving its original form, so typical of towns between the XII and the XIV century. The asymmetric structure of the narrow streets and squares, combined with the numerous valuable monuments of medieval architecture, contributed to Kotor being placed on UNESCO’s “The world natural and cultural inheritance” list. The cultural inheritance of this town is enriched by the unique architectural styles and the ambient atmosphere. The fortification system of Kotor, which protects it from the sea, is actually a wall 4.5 km long, 20 m high and 15 m wide, and is preserved as one of the world’s historic values.

  Sveti Stefan

  Sveti Stefan, a town – hotel, is located on an island connected to the mainland by a narrow strip that has two red colored sandy beaches. Originally built by traders and fishermen in the 15th century, it became town – hotel in 1960 thanks to famous painters Lubarda and Milunovic, who recognized this old place as a potential tourist attraction.
  
  Milocer, located close to Sveti Stefan, was once famous as a summer residence of the Karadjordjevic Royal Family. The place is famous for a great number of rare plants, beautiful beaches and top service hotels and villas.

  Budva

  Budva is the metropolis of Montenegrin tourism thanks to the great number of beaches that make this a most desirable tourist destination. Apart from its natural beauty, such as its bay islands and beaches, Budva is rich in historic monuments. Old town lies on a small peninsula and represents a treasure chest of culture heritage. Crossed with narrow streets and squares are famous buildings, the Church Sv. Trojica, housing the tomb of the exquisite writer Stjepan Mitrov Ljubisa, the Churches of Sv. Ivan, Sv. Bogorodica and Sv. Sava. During the summer months it turns into a City Theatre with numerous local performances and shows from abroad. In the Stari Grad (old town) you can also visit many shops, cafés, restaurants and galleries. Monasteries Stanjevici, Podostrog, Rezevici i Gradiste are important historic and religious monuments of Budva.

• Accommodation & Meals

  You will be accommodated in four-star family-run hotels both on Durmitor and Perast. The hotels have a very good location. The first one in the centre of the Zabljak town, and the second one on the waterfront of Perast. Both hotels have restaurants with great choices of local specialities. If you have some dietary restrictions we will be happy to adapt our menu to you. All breakfasts and dinners included in the tour package will be served in the hotel's restaurants. Lunches included in the tour package are either lunch packets or picnic lunches.

• What is Included

  The following services are included in the price:

  • Transfer from Podgorica airport to the hotel in Žabljak. Regardless of your arrival time, a private transfer will be organized for you.

  • seven lodgings in 4* hotels

  • seven breakfasts, four dinners in four-star hotels

  • three lunches

  • guiding service of English, French, or German speaking ACE tour leader

  • The following entry fees and services: entry fee for National Park Durmitor, tickets to Kotor Ramparts, boat Perast-Gospa od Škrpjela- Perast.

  • transfer service for all programs listed in the tour description

  • snacks and refreshing drinks during the hiking tour

  • Transfer from the hotel in Perast to Podgorica airport. Regardless of your flight time, a private transfer will be organized for you

  The price is based on double room occupancy.

  Single room supplement 290 Euros.

  The tour is available from April to November

• General Info

  • Travel Information

    For stay up to 90 days in the Republic of Montenegro, EU, American, Australian, Canadian tourists no longer require a visa. All distances in Montenegro are given in kilometers. 1 mi=1,61 km, 1km =0.62mi, 1ft=0.3m/ 1inch=2.54cm

    Weather Information

    Weather is difficult to forecast but, normally, you can expect nice weather in Montenegro from April to November.
    
    Montenegro has a Mediterranean climate, hot dry summers and autumns and relatively cold winters with heavy snowfall inland. There is a chance of sporadic rain in spring and autumn, though generally this is in the form of short showers. You can expect cool nights in the Durmitor Mountain and on higher altitudes it is possible to have light snowing in April, May, October, November.

    Packing suggestions

    Casual summer/ autumn clothing is recommended for most occasions. You may wish to bring a sweater and some jacket for the mountain, comfortable hiking shoes, (walking poles optional but could be helpful for some hikes like the Bear Summit circuit), rain jacket, plus trainers or sandals for relaxing.
    
    You should also bring some water bottles, sun protection cream (high protection factor 30 and above), insect repellent, sunglasses, sun hat, and a lip salve with sun protection. Also bring a swimsuit for swimming opportunities on the trip.

    General Information

    Currency and Exchange

    Local Currency: Montenegro use Euro as a local currency.
    
    Where to Exchange: Banks or ‘forex’ offices in main towns/cities. Most of change offices are open from 8am to 8pm
    
    ATM Availability: Generally widespread but limited in more rural areas. You will find ATM in Kotor and Zabljak.
    
    Credit Card Acceptance: Accepted in major restaurants and hotels. The most widely excepted credit cards are VISA, closely followed by MasterCard.
    
    Travellers Cheques: Travellers cheques can be exchanged for the local currency but only in some banks.
    
    Banks are generally open from 08:00 to 19:00 on weekdays and from 08:00 to 15:00 on Saturdays.
    
    In smaller towns it is useful to have enough cash.
    
    Most of the shops are open from 9am to 9 pm and remain open through lunch.

    
    Restaurants: The main meal is taken at lunch from 1pm to 3pm. Restaurants serve dinner in the evening from 8pm till 11pm.

    Electric Current

    In Montenegro electric current is 220 volts, 50 HZ. To use American or British electrical appliances a plug adapter is necessary. Electric plug used in Montenegro is type C (the same one is in use in, Croatia, Belgium, Egypt, Italy, Hungary, Luxemburg, Netherlands, Norway, Bulgaria, Romania, Switzerland, Turkey, Vietnam, etc.)

    Telephone

    Telephone plug used in Montenegro, Croatia, is US RJ-11 phone plug

    Telephoning Home

    Most of the telephone cards (AT&T…) do not work here. You can telephone from Post Office and pay after the call.

    To make a direct international call, first dial 00 or + (code to access international line) then the country code, the area code and local number. The country code for Austria is 43, Australia is 61, Norway 47, Great Britain is 44, USA and Canada 1, France 33, Germany 49…. To make a national call just dial area code and local telephone number.

    
    ACE Emergency phone (24h available) +381 (0)64 24 76 311.
    

    Language

    Official language in Montenegro is Montenegrin but English is widely spoken specially in a bigger towns. Latin Alphabet is in used but in some areas you can find also Cyrillic.

    INSURANCE

    Travel insurance is highly recommended for all clients whilst on a tour organized by ACE. Clients together with their personal property including baggage are at all times solely at their own risk. Clients are wholly responsible for arranging their own insurance. Clients are responsible for ensuring that they are in possession of private Travel Insurance with protection for the full duration of the tour in respect of at least medical expenses, injury, death, repatriation, cancellation and curtailment, with adequate cover. Clients making their own arrangements should ensure that there is no exclusion clauses limiting protection for the type of activities included in their tour. Clients should satisfy themselves that any travel insurance is what they require and should arrange supplementary insurance if need be.

    Responsible Travel

    Before you come on the tour please read and respect ACE Responsible Tourism Policy

    Personal Expenses

    MEAL PLAN

    Meals other than those included in the itinerary are paid for separately by traveler. Examples of some costs are provided below:

    • Coffee / Tea- 0.8 – 1.5 Euro

    • Soft drink - 1-2 Euro

    • Bottle of beer - 1-2 Euro

    • Bottle of wine - 5-15 Euro

    • Two course meal - 8-10 Euro

    • Three course meal - 12-15 Euro

    Local fares in small towns

    Tipping

    Although entirely voluntary, tipping is a recognized part of life in this part of the world. Gratuities for the staff of the ACE Adventure is discretionally but always appreciated by the staff and we will be happy to provide guidelines.