Our north tour is designed for all nature and adventure lovers, made to combine all the places that make Montenegro wild and wonderful – beginning from the beautiful Kotor Bay, driving up to the high elevations of the Durmitor National Park, admiring the deepest canyon in Europe – the river Tara; hiking around Black Lake and visiting the most famous and mysterious spiritual spot in the Balkans – the Ostrog Monastery. An overall unforgettable travel experience and our guests’ top recommendation!
7:10 – 07:30 AM – From Kotor to Perast
You’ll begin your day trip from Kotor from our meeting point. After 20 minutes, we will take our first photo stop at the outskirts of the baroque town of Perast. A short distance from the shoreline, you can capture perspectives of two famous islands – Our Lady of the Rocks (artificial) and Saint George (natural).
7:50 AM – Photo stop above Risan
After our brief stop in Perast, we’ll continue your North Montenegro tour at the higher elevations of Montenegro. As we begin the drive into the surrounding mountains, a reflective panorama of the Bay of Kotor will reveal itself below. Instead of deep blue water, we often see morning fog filling the bay, offering a more mysterious impression. We won’t miss an opportunity to stop for a photo to capture this fantastic scenery.
09:00 AM – Third photo stop and breakfast in Nikšić
Our day trip continues towards Nikšić, the second biggest city in Montenegro. Driving through the slopes of Orijen Mountain, you will pass the small picturesque village of Grahovo, surrounded by the classic mountainous countryside of Montenegro.
Just before we arrive in Nikšić (where the best Montenegrin beer is made), you’ll make another photo stop at the beautiful Salty Lake (Slano Jezero), one of two significant lakes surrounding this historical city. Along the way, you’ll also glimpse the second one, Lake Krupac.
After two hours of astounding natural landscapes, we will take a much-needed breakfast break and enjoy tasty local food and drink.
From Nikšić, we continue towards Durmitor, where dramatic rocky peaks rise high into the sky. Along your route, you’ll pass dense pine and colorful deciduous forest.
11:30 AM – Tara River Bridge: the first highlight of the day!
Our next stop is the Đurđevića Tara Bridge (which was), the highest in Europe when built in 1940 and spans the renowned Tara River. You can cross the 365-meter-long bridge 172 meters above the canyon floor if inclined.
During this 30-minute break, don’t miss your chance to try out one of the most extended zip lines in the region!
Tara is the longest river in Montenegro (144 km) and created the deepest canyon in Europe (1,300 meters).
This turquoise wonder is often called “The Tear of Europe “because it is pure and completely drinkable.
02:00 PM – Žabljak and visit to the Black Lake – the second highlight of the day!
Our next destination is Žabljak, the highest town in the Balkans, located 1450 meters above sea level.
This popular tourist winter and ski center hasn’t lost its traditional countryside spirit. It consists of many mountain houses with steeply angled roofs extending to ground level, handwritten boards advertising domestic products, small wooden restaurants and bars, and sheep and cows wandering about.
We go straight to the hidden jewel of Durmitor National Park – the majestic Black Lake.
Since the lake consists of two combined lakes (depending on the time of the year and the amount of water), from above, it appears like a pair of clear blue eyes, giving the impression that the mountain is looking back at you. This lake is among 18 glacial lakes above 1,500 meters of Durmitor Mountain. Together, they are called “Mountain Eyes.”
For a whole experience of this pristine and wild environment, we’ll take a one-hour break to hike around the 4 km trail around the lake, go swimming (only in summer months), or relax and breathe in the fresh mountain air while enjoying the view of Bear’s Peak, rising majestically above the thick pine forest.
03:00 PM – Lunch Break!
It’s time for a well-deserved lunch break at Žabljak! Do not miss to try our local specialties.
It is time to travel to Montenegro’s most visited spiritual and mysterious place: Ostrog Monastery.
05:00 PM – Visiting Ostrog Monastery – the third highlight of the day!
Nearing sunset, we’ll begin our ascent up the narrow and winding road, enjoying spectacular views of the highly-perched monastery in the effects of the setting sun.
If you are lucky, you may have an opportunity to observe barefooted pilgrims climbing up the three km-long road to reach this holy place and sleep over in the monastery yard.
Ostrog was built in 1667 by the monk Vasilije Ostroški, who lived and died there. His relics are now preserved and considered miraculous. This place gives a good insight into the history of Montenegro’s conservative Orthodox tradition.
People from many countries come to venerate the saint’s holy relics and ask for help and healing. There is much-documented evidence of miraculous healing after visiting the sacred relics.
08:30 PM – Return to Kotor
It’ll be time to sum up our impressions around 6 pm, amidst the surreal influences of the setting sun, and return to our beloved seaside base – Kotor, where we’ll arrive around 8.30 pm.
Book your North Montenegro Tour and check why it’s our guests’ top recommendation!
See you on the tour.
