Walking in Bosnia & Herzegovina

Start at Dubrovnik Airport, where we will be met by our leader. We then transfer (about 1 hour) by road to Trebinje in Bosnia & Herzegovina. Our trip begins with a welcome dinner in a beautiful setting of a local winery set up in the hills above the town. * Hotel Platani/Hotel Leotar or similar*

In the morning we transfer to our hotel in Sutjeska National Park, before continuing to the tranquil lake of Donje Bare. After lunch we walk through a beech forest and open mountainous terrain to the summit of Ugljesin Peak (1858m), for one of the best panoramic views of the Zelengora peaks and the rock face wall of Volujak. We continue the stunning circuit back to Gornje Bare lake via the Tovamica Ridge (1.5 hours) with Bosnia's highest peaks a constant companion on the horizon. We then transfer back to the hotel in the Tjentiste Valley,for a well deserved dinner. Walk Profile: Approximately 4- 5 hours walking, ascent- 560m/descent-623m, 8km. *Hotel Mladost*

We transfer to Lokva Derneciste (approx. 1 hour) and head for Bosnia’s highest peak, Maglic Mountain (2,386m), through forest and open mountainous terrain. The ascent itself will take approximately 3-4 hours over fairly well-maintained mountain trails with steep cliffs and is by far the most demanding part of today’s trek. Please note it is not recommended for anyone suffering from vertigo. Each step takes us further above the surrounding peaks until we reach the summit. Here we have lunch and enjoy wonderful views over Montenegro and of our next stop, the emerald green waters of Trnovacko Lake. After descending to the lake in the afternoon we head for Prijevor where we meet our transfer to the hotel in Tjentiste. Walk Profile: Approximately 8-9 hours walking, ascent- 1306m/descent- 1289m,15km. *Hotel Mladost*

Transfer to Sarajevo, at the heart of the Balkan Peninsula. After a tour of the major historical, cultural and war sites in the city that will help us to piece together its complex and fascinating history, the afternoon is free to explore the city. *Hotel Hecco or similar*

Within half an hour drive to Crepoljsko, there is a very well known local picnic place where we will start today's hike toward Bukovik peak (1,534m), the highest peak north from Sarajevo. This is a peak that offers some of the best views of mountains to the south. After leaving our start point, a pleasant hike takes us through meadows and coniferous forests up to Bukovik hut, with wider and wider views of mountains in a distance and the city in the valley right bellow us. After a short break at Bukovik hut we will ascend the nearby Bukovik peak and continue from there through beautiful a pine forest to the Skakavac waterfall. This waterfall is the largest continual flowing waterfall in Bosnia and Herzegovina and is 98m high. A soothing lunch break and some tea or coffee awaits us here before we head down through thick forest to the base of the waterfall. Here awaits us a fantastic view of water, mist and forest. From here we wind through the forest to the small lodge, where we end our hike with an ice cold drink. Walk Profile: Approximately 5-6 hours walking, ascent- 957m/descent- 1228m,11km. * Hotel Hecco or similar*

Today we have a full daywalk in the Bjelasnica Mountains, home of the 1984 Winter Olympics, ascending Obalj peak (1,896m) and visiting Lukomir, Bosnia and Herzegovina's highest village (1,469m). From the traditional style Bosnian Mosque in the village of Umoljani, we walk to the Gradina, summer village which locals of this area used for centuries as their base for summer pastures. From here we will start ascending toward Obalj ridge and slowly we will rise above Studeni potok (Studeni stream). The views will start to open in front of us. The mountains south of us, Treskavica and Visocica will offer us fantastic and breathtaking scenes. Once we reach the slopes of Obalj, we will slowly continue and progress to the summit itself. From the peak we'll see Lukomir village below us where we will descend from the top. Lukomir is Bosnia's highest village at 1,469m, with its ancient stecci (mediaeval tombstones) where villagers still follow a traditional shepherd way of life. On the edge of the village there is a fabulous view of Rakitnica canyon, Obalj and Visocica. After a simple but tasty homemade late lunch we transfer back to the hotel in Sarajevo. Walk Profile: Approximately 4-5 hours walking, ascent- 717m/descent-553m, 9km. *Hotel Hecco or similar*

Today we have the option to go rafting deep into the Neretva Canyon or walk a beautiful ridge overlooking the Neretva and Rakitnica Canyon. The Neretva Rriver is the emerald of Herzegovina, flowing over 200 kilometres from its source into the Adriatic Sea. In the upper canyon is some of the most beautiful rafting in Europe. The water is very calm during this time of the year, and the trip provides ample opportunity to enjoy the canyon and its unique flora and fauna. Depending on the season, there will be class 2-4 rapids. The trip lasts for 3-4 hours and costs approximately €45 per person (paid locally). For those who prefer to continue trekking, we continue on to the isolated hills around Kasici village for a magical canyon walk above the Neretva River. After crossing a suspension bridge we descent to meet the spectacular river itself where the rapids rush into the mouth of the relatively unexplored Rakitnica Canyon. The scenery here is truly breathtaking. After crossing another bridge at the mouth of the canyon we can rest either in one of the caves or on the numerous beaches. We return via Konjic to meet up with those who opted for the rafting. At the end of the day we continue our journey to Mostar. Walk Profile: Approximately 4-5 hours walking (or 4 hours rafting), ascent-507m/ descent-510m, 8.5km. *Hotel Almira/Hotel Kapetanovina or similar*

We spend the morning exploring Mostar, the former oriental trading centre of Herzegovina, situated on the Neretva River. This city was regularly in the news when it was split during the conflict in the early 1990s. We will still see the scars of war, but these days Mostar is once again a warm and bustling place, with a fascinating history and architecture.We leave Mostar just before noon, to be in Dubrovnik in the early afternoon. On arrival we have free time to explore. Dubrovnik is our final destination and a great way to end our week trekking. This magnificent walled city lies at the southernmost tip of Croatia. Formerly a prosperous trading centre, Dubrovnik is now a UNESCO World Heritage Site, and its perfectly preserved Old Town and rich cultural life draw many visitors each year. *Hotel Sumratin or similar*

Our tour ends in Dubrovnik. Should you wish to spend more time in this beautiful Croatian city please ask our sales team about post tour nights.