Original
Walking & trekking
Hiking the Balkans: Via Dinarica
4.6
Excellent
37 reviews
11 days
Start
Split, Croatia
Finish
Tirana, Albania
Trip Code
ZMXH
Min Age
15
Trip Size
1 - 12
Physical Rating
Meals
10 breakfasts, 2 lunches, 1 dinner
Transport
Private vehicle, Ferry
Accommodation
Hotel (8 nights), Guesthouse (1 night), Pension (1 night)
From £2,409(11 days)
Trip Informations
Why you’ll love this trip
Hike one of the world’s most beautiful mountain ranges and discover the history, culture and landscapes of not one, not two, but four southern European countries – Croatia, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Montenegro and Albania.
Embark on a scenic trail to the highest and most remote village in Bosnia – Lukomir. Here, you’ll meet the locals, learn about their way of life and share lunch, laughs, local cheese and, of course, Bosnian coffee.
Stay overnight in the fairytale-like Theth – one of the wonders in the Albanian Alps, declared a Protected Historic Center by the Albanian Government. Maybe swim in the Blue Eye of Theth or Grunasi Waterfall and cool off in your scenic surrounds.
Explore UNESCO World Heritage-listed Durmitor National Park and take in the panoramic views across glacial lakes and pine forests as you hike.
Take a ferry across Komani Lake. Cruise across the turquoise waters, framed by towering mountains and look for wild birds like kingfishers and grey herons.
Is this trip right for you?
This is a hiking trip, so a good level of fitness is essential. Expect long days (up to 9 hours) and hikes of up to 20 km a day, with over 1000 m of elevation gain. Be prepared for remote mountain regions and unpredictable weather.
You’ll be covering four countries, so there will be quite a bit of driving. Make sure you’re comfortable with up to 4 hours in the seat each day.
Some hikes are point-to-point with no shortcuts or possible turn-backs. Review the descriptions carefully to ensure you’re comfortable with the time, distance and terrain.
Pack lightly as you’ll need to carry your own bag. Although you won’t walk long distances with your luggage (max 30 minutes), aim to keep it under 15 kg. Bringing a soft duffel bag or backpack is essential, as on certain hikes we will use mules to transport it to our next overnight stop. You’ll also need a daypack/small bag for water and personal items during daytrips.
Pack lightly as you’ll need to carry your own bag. Although you won’t walk long distances with your luggage (max 30 minutes), aim to keep it under 15 kg / 33 lb. Bringing soft duffel bag or a backpack is essential as on certain hikes we will use mules to transport it to our next overnight stop. You’ll also need a daypack/small bag for water and personal items during daytrips.
This is a hiking trip, so a good level of fitness is essential. Expect long days (up to 9 hours) and hikes of up to 20 km a day, with over 1000 m of elevation gain. Be prepared for remote mountain regions and unpredictable weather.
You’ll be covering four countries, so there will be quite a bit of driving. Make sure you’re comfortable with up to 4 hours in the seat each day.
Some hikes are point-to-point with no shortcuts or possible turn-backs. Review the descriptions carefully to ensure you’re comfortable with the time, distance and terrain.
Pack lightly as you’ll need to carry your own bag. Although you won’t walk long distances with your luggage (max 30 minutes), aim to keep it under 15 kg. Bringing a soft duffel bag or backpack is essential, as on certain hikes we will use mules to transport it to our next overnight stop. You’ll also need a daypack/small bag for water and personal items during daytrips.
Pack lightly as you’ll need to carry your own bag. Although you won’t walk long distances with your luggage (max 30 minutes), aim to keep it under 15 kg / 33 lb. Bringing soft duffel bag or a backpack is essential as on certain hikes we will use mules to transport it to our next overnight stop. You’ll also need a daypack/small bag for water and personal items during daytrips.
Itinerary
Explore four countries on this hiking adventure across the Dinaric Alps
Get your heart racing on an active trip across four countries, showcasing some of the best of the Western Balkans. Hike through the Dinaric Alps from Italy through Slovenia, Croatia, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Serbia, Montenegro and Albania. Watch the sunset on an evening hike in Blidinje Nature Park and spend a day exploring Sarajevo at your own pace. Take a scenic ferry trip to Koman, follow the Valbona-Theth trail and see glacial lakes as you wander through Durmitor National Park in Montenegro. With history, culture, nature and adventure combined, this is a journey you won’t want to miss.
Inclusions
Meals
10 breakfasts, 2 lunches, 1 dinner
Transport
Private vehicle, Ferry
Accommodation
Hotel (8 nights), Guesthouse (1 night), Pension (1 night)
Included activities
Blidinje Nature Park: Hajducka Vrata guided night hike
Blidinje Nature Park: guided stargazing on Cvrsnica Mountain
Bjelasnica mountains guided hike
Lukomir village visit
Durmitor National Park - Lake Trail guided hike
Prokletije Mountains guided hike: Karanfili peaks
Albanian Alps: Theth to Valbona guided hike
Fierza to Koman picturesque private boat trip
Optional activities
Split - Fish Market - Free
Split - Ivan Mestrovic Gallery - EUR12
Split - Ethnographic Museum - EUR3
Split - St Domnius Cathedral and Tower - EUR10
Split - City Museum - EUR4
Split - Gallery of Fine Arts - EUR5
Split - Archaeological Museum - EUR8
Split - Marjan Hill Hike - Free
Sarajevo - Despica House - BAM3
Sarajevo - Brusa Bezistan - BAM3
Sarajevo - War Tunnel - BAM10
Sarajevo - Ilidza Park and Springs - BAM15
Sarajevo - Sarajevo Museum - BAM5
Sarajevo - City Hall & Old National Library - BAM10
Sarajevo - National Museum of Bosnia and Herzegovina - BAM8
Sarajevo - Jewish Museum - BAM5
Sarajevo - Gazi Husrev-beg Mosque - BAM3
Durmitor National Park - Tara Canyon sunset hike - Free
Tirana - National Art Gallery - ALL200
Tirana - National History Museum - ALL700
Tirana - Sky Tower - ALL400
Tirana - Bunk'Art Gallery - ALL500
Tirana - Dajti Mountain Cable Car - ALL1000
Kruja - Ethnographic Museum - ALL300
Tirana Local Guide- half day - EUR60
Apollonia Roman Ruins Archaeological Site - ALL600
Et'hem Bey Mosque - Free
Kruja Castle - ALL500
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Important notes
1. This trip starts with a welcome meeting at 6pm on Day 01 in Split.
2. This trip ends on Day 11 after breakfast in Tirana, and you are free to leave at any time.
3. A single supplement is available if you’d prefer not to share a room on this trip. The single supplement is subject to availability. Please speak to your booking agent for further information.
Reviews (1)
4 stars
1
Heidi
Aug 04, 2024
Magnificient mountain hikes. Really enjoyed our guide Ivan’s expertise and the local guide Miroslav and his stories. As feedback, it would be better to start the hikes in the mornings instead of just having a heavy lunch. Would be find to just bring your own sandwich as lunch instead of eating out which takes a lot of time in a group setting.
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