Treasures and natural wonders where East and West meet

In a less tourist-trodden area of Eastern Europe, the poignant landscapes of Serbia and Bosnia and Herzegovina embody long, vexed histories, and the transition to peaceful times now makes it a fascinating place to visit. Medieval citadels and Turkish houses seem to cling effortlessly to green mountainsides, on the banks of rivers—even atop a series of waterfalls, as in the time-worn village of Jajce. We’ll experience all the cultural complexity of this land, where Muslim, Eastern Orthodox, and Roman Catholic communities coexist. Visit natural wonders like the shimmering river Neretva and Fruška Gora Park in Serbia, plus man-made masterpieces like the Mostar UNESCO Heritage Bridge and cosmopolitan Belgrade, high above the river Danube. We’ll catch the best views in Sarajevo and piece together its complex history on an extended tour of the city.

Activities

9 days of moderate hiking, easy walking, cultural tours, plus 1 day of optional river rafting

TRIP HIGHLIGHTS

• Experience an extended tour of the Sarajevo old town with historic perspective
• Explore Lukomir Highland village - Bosnia’s highest village, steeped in tradition
• See beautiful waterfalls in the old medieval city of Jajce (UNESCO)
• Visit man-made masterpiece Mostar UNESCO Heritage Bridge
• Cross the historic bridge over Drina River, immortalized by Nobel Prize writer Ivo Andric
• Tour Belgrade and its impressive fortress perched high above the Danube

Duration: 11 days Start Location: Sarajevo End Location: Belgrade

BRIEF Itinerary

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  Day 1 : Arrival in Sarajevo

  Transfer to the hotel in Sarajevo. After a refreshing rest, join us for dinner at one of Sarajevo’s best restaurants.

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  Day 2 : Sarajevo city tour

  Full day of touring Sarajevo and the surrounding area by foot and driving.

• Day 3 : Lukomir to Umoljani Village Walk

  Hike to see the waterfalls at Studeni Potok and Peruce. Visit the Bosnia's highest altitude village, Lukomir. Watch villagers collect their summer harvest at Gradina. Return to Sarajevo.

• Day 4 : Franciscan Monastery and Travnik

  Morning drive to the ancient village of Kraljeva Sutjeska for a tour through its famous Franciscan monastery. Lunch with a local family, then a visit to Travnik, an old Ottoman trading post in central Bosnia. Drive to Jajce, where we'll spend the night.

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  Day 5 : Jajce and Mostar city tours

  Explore the historic cities of Jajce and Mostar.

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  Day 6 : Blagaj, Ottoman Pocitelj, Kravice waterfall and Medjugorje

  Tour the village of Blagaj and visit Buna Spring. Visit quaint Pocitelj, a UNESCO heritage site, then marvel at Kravice waterfall before touring another town: Medjugorje. Transer back to Mostar.

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  Day 7 : Neretva rafting or canyon hike, transfer to Sarajevo

  Two activity options today: rafting or hiking along the Neretva River. Transfer to Sarajevo.

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  Day 8 : Visegrad, Mokra Gora & Staro Selo

  Visit Visegrad and its famous UNESCO World Heritage bridge. Take a train ride from Mokra Gora to the top of Sargan Mountain. End the day in Staro Selo, a traditional Serbian village with many cultural activites to take in.

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  Day 9 : Exploring the former Yugoslavia's largest city – Belgrade

  Full day touring Belgrade.

• Day 10 : Fruška Gora National Park and monasteries

  Visit the monasteries of picturesque Fruška Gora.

• Day 11 : Departure

  Transfer for your departure.

Properties shown are representative of the accommodations we use on this trip, may not be inclusive of all accommodations we use, and are subject to change.

• Samer Hajric

  Samer is originally from Sarajevo, Bosnia and Herzegovina; and lived through the Siege of Sarajevo. Sarajevo continues to be his home to this day. He is a Certified mountain guide by Mountaineering Union of Bosnia and Herzegovina and UIAA standards (Official International Mountaineering and Climbing Federation, partner of International Olympic Committee), and has a degree in Sociology. He has been guiding this trip for MTS since 2007. Samer says, “In year 2000 was my first touch with magical world of the mountains. My passion for the mountains and the rigours of the outdoors, combined with the warm-heartedness of the local people, left an indelible impression on me. It will be my great pleasure to show you this part of the world and area which takes special place in my heart – the Dinaric Alps."

• Lorenc Konaj

  Having jumped into the outdoors at the age of seven - and never gotten out of it, Lorenc became more than passionate about (and fell in love with) the natural environment and pristine wilderness in what was then known as Yugoslavia. He soon discovered his other joy in life, that of sharing the beauty of the region with all those visiting his little corner of the globe - a place rich in culture, history and gorgeous nature. Lorenc is a Certified Mountain Guide and Ranger for the BiH Mountain Association, and a member of a Mountain Rescue Team, and has been leading MTS trips for Bosnia and Herzegovina for since 2007. When not leading trips, Lorenc is responsible for the development of new outdoor adventure itineraries, and training tour leaders and mountain guides in Bosnia. His other interests include transcendental meditation, nutrition and the environment, and he received his degree from the Maharishi European Research University, Switzerland in the Science of Creative Intelligence.

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