Bosnia & Herzegovina with Croatia

TOUR ITINERARY

Day 1:  Arrive Trebinje, in Bosnia & Herzegovina

The trip begins late afternoon in Trebinje in Bosnia & Herzegovina. After a main briefing with your leader, the group will enjoy a welcome dinner in a beautiful setting of a local winery set up in the hills above the town.* Hotel Leotar or similar*

Day 2: Transfer to Sutjeska N.P. Walk to Donje Bare Lake and Zelengora Peaks

In the morning we transfer to our hotel in Sutjeska National Park, before continuing to the tranquil lake of Donje Bare. After lunch, we walk through a beech forest and open mountainous terrain to the summit of Ugljesin Peak (1858m), for one of the best panoramic views of the Zelengora peaks and the rock face wall of Volujak. We continue on the stunning circuit back to Gornje Bare lake via the Tovamica Ridge (1.5 hours) with Bosnia's highest peaks a constant companion on the horizon. We then transfer back to the hotel in the Tjentiste Valley for a well deserved dinner.

*Hotel Mladost or similar*

Day 3: Maglic Mountain and walk over border to Trnovacko Lake in Montenegro

We transfer to Lokva Derneciste (approx. 1 hour) and head for Bosnia’s highest peak, Maglic Mountain (2,386m), through dense forest and open mountainous terrain. The ascent itself will take approximately 3-4 hours over fairly well-maintained mountain trails with steep cliffs, and is by far the most demanding part of today’s trek. Please note. this walk is not suitable for anyone suffering from vertigo. Each step takes us further above the surrounding peaks until we reach the summit. Here we have lunch and enjoy wonderful views over Montenegro and of our next stop, the emerald green waters of Trnovacko Lake. After descending to the lake in the afternoon, we head for Prijevor where we meet our transfer to the hotel in Tjentiste.

*Hotel Mladost or similar*

Day 4: Transfer to Sarajevo: City Tour

We transfer to the Bosnian capital of Sarajevo which is at the heart of the Balkan Peninsula. On arrival, we take a tour of the major historic cultural and war sites in the city that will help us to piece together its complex and intriguing history. The afternoon is then free to explore this varied and beautiful capital city.

*Hotel Hecco or similar*

Day 5: Walk to summit of Crepoljsko, Bukovik and Skakavac Waterfalls

Within half an hour's drive to Crepoljsko is a very well known local picnic place where we will start today's hike toward Bukovik peak (1,534m), the highest point north from Sarajevo. This is a peak that offers some of the best views of mountains to the south. After leaving our start point, a pleasant hike takes us through meadows and coniferous forests up to Bukovik hut, with wider and wider views of mountains in the distance and the city in the valley right below us. After a short break at Bukovik hut, we ascend the nearby Bukovik peak and continue from there through a beautiful pine forest to the Skakavac waterfall.

This waterfall is the largest continual flowing waterfall in Bosnia and Herzegovina and is 98m high. A soothing lunch break and some tea or coffee welcomes us here before we head down through thick forest to the base of the waterfall. Once we reach the base, a fantastic view of water, mist and forest awaits us. From here we wind through the forest to the small lodge, where we end our hike with an ice cold drink.

*Hotel Hecco or similar*

Day 6: Full day hike to Lukomir Highland Village, Bosnia's highest village and summit of Obalj

Today we have a full daywalk in the Bjelasnica Mountains, home of the 1984 Winter Olympics, ascending Obalj peak (1,896m) and visiting Lukomir, Bosnia and Herzegovina's highest village (1,469m). From the traditional style Bosnian Mosque in the village of Umoljani, we walk to the Gradina, a village which locals of this area used for centuries as their base for summer pastures. From here we will start ascending toward Obalj ridge and slowly we will rise above Studeni potok (Studeni stream). The views will start to open in front of us. With the mountains to the south, Treskavica and Visocica will offer us fantastic and breathtaking scenes. Once we reach the slopes of Obalj, we will slowly continue and progress to the summit itself. From the peak, we'll see Lukomir village below us where we will descend from the top.Lukomir is Bosnia's highest village at 1,469m, with its ancient stecci (mediaeval tombstones) where villagers still follow a traditional shepherd way of life. On the edge of the village, there is a fabulous view of Rakitnica canyon, Obalj and Visocica. After a simple but tasty homemade late lunch we transfer back to the hotel in Sarajevo.

*Hotel Hecco or similar*

Day 7: Half day walk through Rakitnica Canyon

Today we have the option to go rafting deep into the Neretva Canyon or walk a beautiful ridge overlooking the Neretva and Rakitnica Canyon.The Neretva River is the emerald of Herzegovina, flowing over 200 kilometres from its source into the Adriatic Sea. In the upper canyon is some of the most beautiful rafting in Europe. The water is usually calm from Spring to Autumn, and the trip provides ample opportunity to enjoy the canyon and its unique flora and fauna. Depending on the season, there will be class 2-4 rapids. The trip lasts for 3-4 hours and costs approximately EUR 45 per person (paid locally).For those who prefer to keep on trekking, we continue on to the isolated hills around Kasici village for a magical canyon walk above the Neretva River. After crossing a suspension bridge we descend to meet the spectacular river itself where the rapids rush into the mouth of the relatively unexplored Rakitnica Canyon. The scenery here is truly breathtaking. After crossing another bridge at the mouth of the canyon we can rest either in one of the caves or on the numerous beaches.

We return via Konjic to meet up with those who opted for the rafting. At the end of the day, we continue our journey to Mostar.

*Hotel Kapetanovina or similar*

Day 8: Mostar to Dubrovnik transfer: Visit Iconic Old Bridge

We spend the morning exploring Mostar, the former oriental trading centre of Herzegovina, situated on the Neretva River. This city was regularly in the news when it was split during the conflict in the early 1990s. We will still see the scars of war, but these days Mostar is once again a warm and bustling place, with a fascinating history and architecture.

We leave Mostar in the afternoon and head for Dubrovnik, arriving at approximately 5pm. On arrival, we have free time to explore. Dubrovnik is our final destination and a great way to end our week trekking. This magnificent walled town lies at the southernmost tip of Croatia. Formerly a prosperous trading centre, Dubrovnik is now a UNESCO World Heritage Site, and its perfectly preserved Old Town and rich cultural life draw many visitors each year.

*Hotel Zagreb or similar*

Day 9: Dubrovnik

Today after breakfast, trip ends in Dubrovnik. Check-out from your hotel, and transfer to Dubrovnik Airport for your flight back home.

Tour Ends!!