Highlights of Montenegro Walk

Arrive in the high Balkan mountain town of Zabljak (1450m) and your 4-star
hotel.

Swimming in the glacial Crno Jezero (Black Lake), walking through deciduous
forest - keep your eyes peeled for various eagles in the skies above - and a
picnic in the shadow of the Medjed Peak are just some of today's highlights
as we explore the heart of the Durmitor National Park. Formed by glaciers,
and traversed by a multitude of rivers, lakes and underground streams, the
park is also home to one of the last virgin black pine forests in Europe with
fauna including brown bear, wild cat, chamois and capercaillie.

A feast for the eyes of both keen and novice photographers this morning as we
stroll the woods and meadows up to the spectacular Tara River Canyon, the
deepest in Europe (1300m) and arguably the most beautiful river canyon in the
world. Part of the Durmitor National Park and a protected UNESCO Biosphere
Reserve, it boasts 40+ tumbling waterfalls, 80+ large caves, rapids, lakes
and dense forest harbouring an abundance of plant and wildlife. Enjoy a
picnic at Curevac, then we transfer you to Kolasin where you spend the night
with dinner included

A scenic serpentine road takes us up (45 mins) to the Lovcen National Park
with over 6,000 hectares of natural contrasts: imposing snow-capped peaks,
stunning coastal views, 2000+ plants, 85 species of butterfly and over 200
bird types including many regal birds of prey. Besides its natural beauties,
the park protects a rich, cultural and architectural heritage too, including
authentic katuns - summer cottages for cattle breeders. We walk up to the
mausoleum of Prince- Bishop Petar II Petrovic-Njegos - the ruler, poet and
philosopher credited with having modernised Montenegro. We then continue to
his birthplace - the picturesque mountain 'food' village of Njegusi, famous
for its cheeses, honey and dried smoked hams, before a transfer to Perast and
the Hotel Conte, your home for the next 4 nights. Dinner at the hotel is
included tonight.

Wedged between brooding mountains and the gorgeous bay, the historic city of
Kotor is a UNESCO listed Natural and Culturo-Historical Region. Within the
ancient walls its labyrinthine streets reveal some of the finest examples of
medieval architecture: Romanesque churches, Venetian piazzas, San Giovanni
castle and other cultural monuments. In the afternoon we take a scenic drive
south west to the coast. En route, we'll stop in Niksic, home to Montenegro's
most popular (and only homegrown) brewery. This is followed by a relaxed
afternoon on the water exploring the gorgeous sheltered Bay of Kotor and its
postcard-pretty medieval villages, ancient coastal settlements and tiny
man-made island of 'Our Lady of the Rocks' whose famous church is steeped in
maritime history.

A 90-minute drive this morning takes us past pretty coastal villages and
wonderful mountain scenery, then on to the warm waters of Lake Skadar on the
Albania-Montenegro border. Flanked by small orchards and vineyards, this is
the largest lake in the Balkan Peninsula, and is one of the most important
reserves for wetland birds in Europe. After a circular walk up to the wine
village of Godinje - we'll take a boat tour on the lake to view the area's
wild beauty from the water. Think verdant hills rising from the lake, old
world villages peppering the shores, an abandoned 14th century monastery on
its own tiny island and whiskered terns building their nests on floating
water lilies. Choose your restaurant for tonight's evening meal, pay locally

Start the day with a 50 minute transfer to Trojica to begin today's hike to
the top of Vrmac Mountain where we can enjoy views of Kotor Bay. We transfer
you back to your hotel in Perast in time for dinner (included).

Today you have a morning transfer to Dubrovnik allowing you time to enjoy
lunch and exploring the Old Town before an evening transfer to Dubrovnik
airport.