Trip Length: 8 days/7 nights/ Days 1 & 8 are transit days/ tour starts at 4 PM on Day 1 and ends early on Day 8
Arrival/Departure Point: Dubrovnik
Accommodations: Lopud Island & Dubrovnik: guesthouse rooms with attached bathroom and A/C; Montenegro: Private double or triple log cabin rooms with attached bathroom or log cabin bunkhouse bungalows with private deck and detached bathroom facilities.
2023 Tour Price*: / €1855 / US$1860 / £1610 / 14000Kn
Includes: 7 nights accommodation, 6 breakfasts*, 6 lunches, & 6 dinners*, kayak and rafting gear, guiding, car & ferry transfers, Croatia-Montenegro transport (3.5 hr drive)
*does not include dinner day 7 & breakfast day 8 in Dubrovnik
Single Supplement: additional €245 / US$245 / £210 / 1845Kn
2023 Departure Dates: May: 13, 27 / Jun: 19, 27 / Jul: 26 / Aug: 7
*Tours are priced in Euros. US$, GBP, and HRK prices are subject to exchange rate fluctuations. Posted prices reflect FX rates November 7, 2022.
Our two-country Best of Balkans Tour brings together the best kayaking in the Adriatic Sea and the best of the region’s mountains and rivers. Although Croatia and Montenegro share a common Adriatic coastline, the islands end at Croatia’s southern border with Montenegro. Croatia’s 4000 km. of spectacular coastline are littered with roughly 1185 islands, a sea kayaker’s dream. What tiny Montenegro lacks in Adriatic coast and islands, it makes up for in spectacular mountain scenery, deep river-cut canyons, and the
Tara River Camp Ground:
Experience the best of both worlds- Croatia’s sea and Montenegro’s mountains. Paddle sea kayaks in Croatia’s deep blue sea, hopping from island to island. Sleep in a stone guesthouse on a quaint island without roads or cars. Feast on local seafood and rich Mediterranean cuisine. Jump into the warm sea without regard for the water temperature. A leisurely transition to Montenegro includes a visit to the UNESCO walled city of Kotor and a mountain hike for panoramic views of the Bay of Kotor. White water raft the cold, green waters of the spectacular Tara River Canyon, second in scope in the world to the USA’s Grand Canyon. Sleep in wooden cabins at a rustic riverside camp. Enjoy hardy mountain meals around a roaring bonfire. Take in the star-studded night sky and crisp alpine air.
Day 1: Transit day
Arrive in Dubrovnik/airport transfer/explore Old City on your own. 4 PM: ferry to Lopud Island/ swim/ explore Lopud town/ orientation dinner at an island restaurant
Day 2: 7 km, 15 km with St. Andrew's extension
Equipment issue & basic paddling and rescue instruction in Lopud Bay/ paddle the outer side of Lopud along limestone cliffs to Šunj beach/ lunch at a beach bar. Optional paddle to St. Andrew's Island or hike to the Byzantine hilltop fort/ leave kayaks overnight at Šunj/ walk back to town
Day 3: 15 km
Morning hike to kayaks/ paddle from Šunj beach to Koločep Island. Circumnavigate Koločep/ paddle along towering cliffs and into caves/ snorkel into Blue cave/ lunch at a wonderful seaside restaurant on Koločep/ return to Šunj on Lopud
Day 4: 12 km
Kayak from Šunj to Trsteno on the mainland coast/ explore Trstenoʼs well preserved 15th-century arboretum and Versailles-like gardens (also a film site for Game of Thrones) / picnic lunch in Trsteno's small harbor/ return paddle to Lopud
Day 5: Transit day
Early ferry to Dubrovnik/ car transfer to Montenegro. Hike Kotor's mountain climbing walls for panoramic views of the Bay of Kotor/ lunch on the bay. Scenic drive north to the Tara River Canyon. Check into log cabin bungalows/ hardy riverside dinner and bonfire
Day 6: 18 km white water raft
Raft the final 18 km. stretch of the Tara River before it enters into Bosnia, featuring 23 rapids/ swim in waterfalls. Free afternoon: lounge in a riverside hammock or optional activities offered by the camp*/ riverside dinner and bonfire
Day 7: Scenic drive/ optional 10-15 km hike
Depart camp after breakfast for Durmitor National Park/ option to hike. Afternoon return car drive to Dubrovnik through Bosnia. Sightsee and dinner on your own in Dubrovnik
Day 8: Transit day
Transfer to airport for departure flights**
*guided hike, river canoe, hydro speed, jeep safari, canyoning (July & August) are not included in the tour price but may be arranged by your guide
**you may make a departure flight at any time
