Walking the Balkans: Bosnia, Serbia & Montenegro – 9 Days
Hike Lukomir, Tara, Uvac and Durmitor's glacial lakes, and climb to Ostrog Monastery, with a small group.
Tour overview
This 9-day small-group walking holiday crosses the mountains of Bosnia and Herzegovina, Serbia and Montenegro, linking remote villages, river canyons, glacial lakes and monasteries far from the crowds. Travellers are aged 16 and over, with a tour leader throughout. You travel between trailheads by private vehicle and stay eight nights in hotels and guesthouses, from Sarajevo to a guesthouse in Serbia's Tara National Park and a traditional old house near Ostrog Monastery. Breakfast is included daily, with one dinner.
The trip begins in Sarajevo, the Bosnian capital set among forested mountains, where East and West meet in the old bazaar and coffee houses. Your first hike starts in Lukomir, one of the highest and most isolated villages in Bosnia, and climbs to the summit of Obalj, with views across the Rakitnica canyon. Next day you hike on Mount Trebević, site of the 1984 Winter Olympics, from the top of the cable car before driving into Serbia.
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In Tara National Park you walk to Banjska Stena, a viewpoint high above the emerald Drina River canyon, one of the most astonishing panoramas in the Balkans. The Uvac Nature Reserve is famous for its dramatic river meanders, and a hike to the Molitva viewpoint gives the best view of them, with griffon vultures soaring overhead.
Crossing into Montenegro, you spend two nights in Žabljak in Durmitor National Park, a UNESCO World Heritage Site of limestone peaks and glacial lakes. You hike to Lake Jablan and, on a longer day, to the iconic Black Lake and the smaller Zminje and Barno lakes. Finally you climb from the Lower to the Upper Ostrog Monastery, built into a sheer cliff face, before driving to the sunny town of Trebinje in Herzegovina for the last night.
The physical rating is medium, with daily hikes on mountain trails. This trip suits regular walkers who want to discover the wild landscapes and warm hospitality of the Balkans. Your leader knows the trails and the local hosts, and the small group makes it easy to share the experience. Departures run through the summer and early autumn, when the mountain paths are clear of snow.
Trip highlights
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Lukomir village and the Obalj summit (Day 2)
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Mount Trebević above Sarajevo (Day 3)
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Banjska Stena in Tara National Park (Day 4)
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The Uvac meanders from Molitva (Day 5)
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Durmitor's glacial lakes (Days 6–7)
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Ostrog Monastery in the cliff face (Day 8)
Your route
11 stops from Sarajevo to Dubrovnik
- Sarajevo Days 1–2
- Lukomir Day 2
- Mitrovac (Tara NP) Day 3
- Banjska Stena Day 4
- Sjenica Day 4
- Uvac Nature Reserve Day 5
- Zabljak Days 5–6
- Crno Lake Day 7
- Ostrog Monastery Day 7
- Trebinje Day 8
- Dubrovnik Day 9
Why choose this tour
Three countries' wildest mountain landscapes on foot. Remote villages and monasteries, with vehicle transfers between hikes.
Best suited to
- Regular walkers and hikers
- Travellers looking for somewhere different
- Nature lovers
- Solo travellers looking for an active group
Day-by-day itinerary
9 days from Sarajevo, Bosnia and Herzegovina to Dubrovnik Airport, Croatia
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Day 1 · Sarajevo Arrive in Sarajevo
Meet the group in Sarajevo.
- Hotel
- Hotel Hecco or similar
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Day 2 · Lukomir, Obalj Lukomir and Obalj
Hike from a highland village to the Obalj summit.
- Hotel
- Hotel Hecco or similar
- Meals
- Breakfast
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Day 3 · Mount Trebević, Mitrovac Trebević to Serbia
Hike on Mount Trebević, then drive into Serbia.
- Hotel
- Mitrovački Konak Guesthouse or similar
- Meals
- Breakfast
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Day 4 · Banjska Stena, Sjenica Tara National Park
Hike to the Banjska Stena viewpoint.
- Hotel
- Hotel Lane or similar
- Meals
- Breakfast
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Day 5 · Uvac Nature Reserve, Žabljak Uvac to Žabljak
Hike to Molitva, then cross into Montenegro.
- Hotel
- Hotel Gorske Oči or similar
- Meals
- Breakfast
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Day 6 · Durmitor National Park, Lake Jablan Lake Jablan
Hike from the hotel to Lake Jablan.
- Hotel
- Hotel Gorske Oči or similar
- Meals
- Breakfast
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Day 7 · Black Lake, Ostrog Glacial lakes
Hike to Durmitor's glacial lakes, then drive towards Ostrog.
- Hotel
- Old House Kontić or similar
- Meals
- Breakfast, Dinner
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Day 8 · Ostrog Monastery, Trebinje Ostrog Monastery
Climb to the Upper Monastery, then drive to Trebinje.
- Hotel
- Hotel Leotar or similar
- Meals
- Breakfast
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Day 9 · Dubrovnik Airport Trip ends
Drive to Dubrovnik Airport, where the trip ends.
- Meals
- Breakfast
Where you stay
- Sarajevo (2 nights) Hotel Hecco or similar
- Tara National Park (1 night) Mitrovački Konak Guesthouse or similar
- Sjenica (1 night) Hotel Lane or similar
- Žabljak (2 nights) Hotel Gorske Oči or similar
- Ostrog (1 night) Old House Kontić or similar
- Trebinje (1 night) Hotel Leotar or similar
Hotel names are indicative and may be replaced with a property of similar standard and location.
What's included
Included
- Accommodation 8 nights in hotels and guesthouses
- Meals 8 breakfasts and 1 dinner
- Private transport between hikes
- Guided hikes in Lukomir, Trebević, Tara, Uvac and Durmitor
- Hike to the Upper Ostrog Monastery
- Transfer to Dubrovnik Airport at the end
- Tour leader throughout
Not included
- Flights to Sarajevo and from Dubrovnik
- Meals not included 7 lunches and 7 dinners
- Tips, travel insurance and personal spending
This trip might not be for you if…
Honest disclaimer — please read
- You want a sightseeing tour — most days are spent hiking
- You want luxury — some nights are in simple guesthouses
- You want many meals included — mostly breakfasts
- You want flights included — they are not
Good to know
In pictures
Departures & prices
From £1,495 per person, twin share, tour only. 5 upcoming departures. Single travellers from £1,820 (single supplement from £325).
Frequently asked questions
How do I book this tour?
Tap any "Enquire" button on the page and one of our travel specialists will be in touch within 24 hours (often same day). We'll confirm availability on your preferred date, run through anything you need to know, and only ask for the deposit once you've decided.
What financial protection do I get?
Every Travelisto booking is 100% financially protected. Your money is held in a ring-fenced Trust account until you return from your trip, and we are members of the Protected Trust Services scheme (PTS 6035). Most tours also include ATOL protection where flights are part of the package.
How hard are the hikes?
Moderate mountain hikes on most days, on trails that can be rocky and steep in places.
Which countries do we visit?
Bosnia and Herzegovina, Serbia and Montenegro, ending at Dubrovnik Airport in Croatia.
What footwear do I need?
Broken-in walking boots with good ankle support.
Is a transfer included at the end?
Yes, to Dubrovnik Airport on Day 9.
Do I need visas?
UK visitors do not need a visa for these countries for a short holiday stay.
What is the minimum age?
The minimum age is 16.
Can you tailor the trip?
Yes — every escorted tour can be modified into a private tailor-made version with your own dates, adjusted pace, upgraded hotels and add-on extensions. Tell us what you'd like changed when you enquire and we'll quote it both ways so you can compare.
What if my flight is delayed or cancelled?
If your international flight is part of your booking through us, we re-book at no cost. If you've booked flights separately, the tour's local team holds your transfer slot until you arrive. We strongly recommend a comprehensive travel insurance policy that includes delay and cancellation cover.
Not quite the right fit? Make it tailor-made.
If this group tour doesn't match your ideal trip, our specialists will turn it into a private tailor-made journey — your own dates, your own pace, upgraded hotels where you want them, and the parts you don't love swapped out. Same destinations, just rebuilt around you.
Contact us for a tailor-made version of this itinerary