Raft, Hike and Canyon in Montenegro
Explore Montenegro's crystal clear rivers, tackle Europe’s deepest, longest canyon and hike through its wildly beautiful mountains
What's Included?
Activities & Certified Guides
All itinerary activities with local, English-speaking tour leader and qualified activity guidesHotel & Chalet
3 nights in cosy lakeside chalets and 1 night in a hotelMeals
All breakfasts, 3 lunches and 4 dinnersTransfers
To and from the airport and everything in betweenEquipment
All your rafting and canyoning equipmentSmall Like-minded Groups
Solo-friendly by design, join our small n’ sociable groups of up to 14 like-minded, active and outdoorsy people…
What's it like?
Splash, slide and jump your way along the Nevidio Canyon in the heart of one of Europe's least-visited wildernesses
Raft white water in the Tara River Canyon, the longest and deepest gorge in Europe and a UNESCO-protected biosphere
Hike the glacial Black Lake and ascend the peak of Prutaš for sweeping vistas of the wild Durmitor National Park
Key Information
Day 1
To the wilderness of Durmitor
Hiking
Touch down in Podgorica Airport and receive a warm greeting from your host, before embarking on a scenic 2.5hr drive to Žabljak, the gateway to Durmitor National Park. Arriving in Durmitor, immerse yourself in the serene beauty of the iconic Black Lake as you hike around it, following picturesque forest trails below the towering Mount Bear. Don’t let the name fool you: Black Lake is famous for its clear, turquoise waters and if you dare, you can brave a cold dip. As twilight descends, check in to your cosy lakeside chalets near Žabljak. Settle in, have a chat about the adventure ahead and join your group and host for a welcome dinner – then head to bed, ahead of the action tomorrow.
Day 2
Rafting down the 'Tear of Europe'
Rafting
Tuck into breakfast before heading to the banks of the mighty Tara River, under the shadow of iconic Tara Bridge. Prepare for a splash of excitement as you embark on a rafting adventure along the
emerald currents of Europe's deepest ravine plunging 1,300 metres deep – second only to the Grand Canyon.
(For those seeking heights as thrilling as the depths, an optional zipline experience can be booked after the rafting, offering a bird's-eye view of the canyon.) Back on land, tuck into a tasty Montenegrin lunch including local cheeses, fish, and fresh salads. This afternoon's drive back will go via the charming village of Njegovuđa, stopping en route by the tranquil Fish Lake and Devil’s Lake as well as the enigmatic stećci (fascinating medieval tombstones). End the epic day in the comfort of your lakeside lodging and enjoy a leisurely dinner with your new friends.
Day 3
Summit Prutaš (2393m) and hike among Durmitor's giants
Hiking
Rise early and brace yourself for the ascent to Prutaš (2393m) in the wild heart of Durmitor National Park. The climb starts from the Šarban pass, where each turn reveals a new layer of mountain grandeur. The trail soon meanders through lush meadows and above the serene Skrčka lakes, with the towering peak of Bobotov Kuk watching over you from afar. Upon reaching the summit, you'll be greeted by one of the best viewpoints in the whole of Montenegro. Make your way back down the mountain to the comfort of Žabljak, celebrating a fantastic hike with your group and guide over dinner, then get some rest ahead of your thrilling canyoning adventure tomorrow.
Day 4
Nevidio canyoning adventure
Canyoning
Hiking
Driving
Begin your final day of adventure with a transfer to the idyllic village of Pošćenje, surrounded by natural beauty in the form of two glacial lakes and the beautiful cascades of the Skakavica waterfall. Next, venture to the enigmatic Nevidio Canyon, a hidden gem that remains one of Montenegro's best-kept secrets, boasting narrow gorges and vivid blue-green pools. Leap into a thrilling canyoning experience, navigating through a natural obstacle course of rocks and water, sliding and jumping through Nevidio’s narrow passages. Emerging from the canyon, hike back to your vehicle and enjoy a well-deserved lunch in a local restaurant before transferring back to Podgorica for your final night. Tonight you may choose to join your guide and group for a farewell dinner in the lively city centre, before delving into the city's vibrant nightlife.
Day 5
Goodbye Montenegro!
Your adventure in Montenegro comes to an end after breakfast, when your host will drive you to Podgorica Airport in time for your inbound flight back home. Doviđenja!
Day 1
Breakfast
Lunch
Dinner
Day 2 – Day 3
Breakfast
Lunch
Dinner
Day 4
Breakfast
Lunch
Dinner
Day 5
Breakfast
Lunch
Dinner
What is the food like?
Start each day with a diverse continental breakfast, where cereals, bread, butter, jam, honey, cheese, eggs, bacon and a selection of teas and coffees will fuel you up for the activities. Come lunchtime, your guide will either arrange some picnics or you'll enjoy meals in local restaurants or by the activity centres. As the evening draws in, enjoy some tasty group dinners where the culinary traditions of Montenegro take the spotlight. Dishes will be hearty and served in large portions, including traditional soups, locally grown vegetables and regional dairy and meat dishes. Feel free to bring along any preferred snacks, especially if you have a sweet tooth, for that extra boost of energy during the activities. Please note that drinks consumed with included lunches and dinners are at your own expense.
Whilst your host can easily cater for vegetarians, please be aware that it may be more difficult to cater for special diets. The meals provided for those with vegan and gluten-free diets in rural Montenegro may lack variety. For this reason, we recommend supplementing your diet with food products and snacks from home. Please let us know prior to departure if you have any specific dietary requirements or allergies.
What is the accommodation like?
Žabljak
While in Durmitor National Park you'll spend three nights at a unique lakeside accommodation – Etno Selo Zminica. Nestled in the heart of the majestic northern Montenegro, the property offers a tranquil retreat just a stone's throw from Žabljak and the natural wonders of Durmitor National Park. You'll be accommodated in twin-share rooms, either in the main guesthouse or in separate chalets with lake or forest views. Occasionally (subject to availability), you may be accommodated in two-bedrooms chalets, sharing a bathroom between the two rooms.
Podgorica
Spend the final night of the trip at either Hotel Aurel or Hotel Lazaro, which are both modern 4-star hotels. You'll stay in bright, good-sized rooms on a twin-share basis.
Upgrades
For solo travellers looking for their own space, an optional private room in Podgorica can be booked for an extra charge – see Optional Extras for the price. Please request this at the time of booking (this is subject to availability).
This trip has been rated as Moderate
No rafting or canyoning experience is needed, just a reasonable level of fitness and the ability to handle 3-4 hours of activity each day and up to 6 hrs of hiking. Please note, this tour requires participants to be able to swim confidently to ensure your safety during water-based segments of the tour. The tour is not suitable for individuals who have a fear of heights or claustrophobia, those with limited mobility, or individuals with heart or back problems. Additionally, the tour is not recommended for pregnant women or individuals with other serious medical conditions. Nevidio Canyon is 2.7km long and in some places squeezes down to just 1.5m wide. You'll be swimming through narrow sections, jumping into pools, wading and diving your way through – however, your guide will always be on hand to help you cross every obstacle. The water is chilly in the canyon, but wetsuits will be provided.
You'll raft a 15 km section of the Tara River, navigating through rapids of Grade 2 and 3. These rapids offer an exciting experience, providing enough thrill to satisfy the adventurous spirit while still being accessible and manageable for amateurs.
Montenegro’s coastline has a Mediterranean climate with hot dry summers and mild winters, whereas the more mountainous areas of Durmitor National Park have a sub-alpine climate with warm summers and cold winters with snowfall. In the mountains, rainfall tends to be more frequent than in the coastal aereas although the weather in summer between June and September is generally excellent - with hot days, clear skies and the occasional rain shower. Average temperatures from May to October are generally in the mid 20’s(in °C) but can reach into the 30’s(in °C) in July and August. Note that temperatures do drop in the evenings by several degrees. High up in the summits you may also encounter cooler conditions and stormy weather cannot be ruled out at any time of year. Although your host will do their very best to run the itinerart as scheduled, this will be always subject to safe weather conditions.
The Area
Logistics
Starts
Podgorica Airport, Montenegro
12:00 on Day 1
Ends
Podgorica Airport, Montenegro
AM on Day 5
Transfers
You'll be picked up at Podgorica Airport at 12:00 on Day 1, so make sure you book a flight which arrives in plenty time for the meet up. If you are already in Podgorica prior to Day 1, pick up from the city can be arranged – just contact your host to request this.
Your trip ends in Podgorica and on Day 5 you'll be dropped off at Podgorica Airport on a group departure transfer in the morning in time for your flight. For those needing transportation to different locations (such as car rental pickup) or at other times/days, taxis between Podgorica city centre and the airport can easily be arranged locally at your own expense for a cost of approximately €10-12.
If you decide to extend your trip in Žabljak and therefore need to transfer to/from there independently, you can opt to travel by bus (fares from €12 per person) or by taxi (approximately €120 per journey).
Travel options
There are regular direct flights to Podgorica from London and Manchester (with Wizzair and Ryanair) as well as from the rest of Europe.
Alternatively, you may choose to fly in and out to Tivat on the coast of Montenegro (Tivat offers direct connections with other regional airports in the UK, as well as the rest of Europe). If you use this airport, you can ask your host to provide you with the details of a trusted transfer company who can deliver you to either Podgorica or Durmitor National Park to join the rest of your group. A Tivat to Durmitor transfer costs €150 and takes three hours; the shorter Tivat to Podgorica transfer costs €50-60 and takes two hours.
Another option is to fly to Dubrovnik in Croatia, and make your own way to Podgorica. However, please be aware that during the summer season, significant queues can form at the Croatia–Montenegro border.
Whichever route you choose, please inform your host of your arrival plans well in advance in order to ensure a smooth start to your adventure.
Enjoy 12.5% Off Outdoor Gear
In need of a few more items? All bookings receive a 12.5% discount to use at Cotswold Outdoor, Snow + Rock and Runner's Need.
What's included?
- Your rafting adventure includes all necessary equipment: a safety helmet, vest, paddle, long or short neoprene suits, boots and waterproof jackets for comfort and protection
- Canyoning equipment provided includes wet suits, neoprene socks, helmets, safety harnesses, and specialized footwear to ensure safety and comfort during your adventure
What do I need to bring?
BAGS
- Main backpack or duffel bag
- 25-35 litre daypack
CLOTHES
- Hiking trousers
- Hiking boots with good ankle support (broken in)
- Rain/windproof jacket
- Breathable wicking layers
- A few pairs of hiking socks
- Sandals/trainers
- Sun hat
- Buff or light neck scarf, for sun protection
- Warm layers for evenings
- Shorts
- T-shirts
- Swimwear and towel
OTHER
- Universal travel plug adapter
- Power bank or solar charger
- Passports (and visas)
- Travel insurance documents
- Earplugs
- Suncream
- Sunglasses
- Small flashlight or head torch
- Personal first-aid kit (inc. blister treatment)
- Personal items (biodegradable toiletries, sanitary wear etc)
- Toilet kit (toilet paper, biodegradable bags to carry paper out to dispose of)
- Quick-dry towel
- Alcohol hand-gel
- Reusable water bottle x1 litre
- Energy bars and snacks
- Walking poles (optional)
Additional Night in Podgorica Single Room
Payable Before Departure
Additional Night in Podgorica Single Room
… Per Night
Additional Night in Podgorica Twin/Double Room
Payable Before Departure
Additional Night in Podgorica Twin/Double Room
… Per Night
Additional Night in Zabljak Single Room
Payable Before Departure
Additional Night in Zabljak Single Room
… Per Night
Additional Night in Zabljak Twin/Double Room
Payable Before Departure
Additional Night in Zabljak Twin/Double Room
… Per Night
Optional Private Room Upgrade
Payable Before Departure
Optional Private Room Upgrade
…
Amazing adventure with stunning scenery
Had an absolutely fantastic trip. Good selection of activities and great guides to take us through them. The food at the accommodation was basic and lacked variety and the whitewater rafting was pretty tame (though still a fun experience). Otherwise I would give this a full 5 stars.
Great experience
Overall a great experience, the Canyoning being the highlight of the trip - massively exhilarating and a physical challenge. The hike was also an enjoyable challenge. The rafting was unexpectedly easy however, with little paddling required. Apparently this was due to low water levels. Prior warning too about the tipping culture would have been nice (tipping the driver, the skipper for the rafting etc). The guides were accommodating with letting us go to towns to get extra supplies/withdraw cash. Make sure to pack/buy lots of water bottles as they don’t provide you with water during the activities.
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