Cycle the Balkans
Price- $2,115
8 Days | Explore three fascinating countries by bike on this Balkan cycling adventure.
Get your legs moving on a Balkan cycling adventure from Dubrovnik to Sarajevo. Taking in stunning scenery on the coast and inland, this trip will take you riding through three fascinating countries – Croatia, Bosnia and Herzegovina, and Montenegro. Tackle challenging climbs, scenic flats and a new rail trail following the now defunct Austro-Hungarian railway line, finishing in the intriguing, yet sobering, city of Sarajevo, with visits to Mostar and other picturesque towns on the way.
Trip overview
StartDubrovnik, Croatia
EndSarajevo, Bosnia and Herzegovina
DestinationsMontenegro, Croatia, Bosnia and Herzegovina
StyleOriginal
AgesMin 14
Group SizeMin 1 - Max 15
ThemeCycling
Trip CodeZMXY
Itinerary
Welcome to Croatia and Dubrovnik, a traveller's favourite that has exploded in popularity since Game of Thrones took over the world. The group doesn't spend a lot of time here, so we recommend arriving early to experience this incredibly beautiful city. Meet your group at 6 pm then perhaps go out for an optional dinner together (hot tip: Old Town's gelato is phenomenal).
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This morning you'll transport by vehicle from Dubrovnik into Montenegro to avoid the hectic traffic outside the city. Continue over the border to Herceg Novi where you’ll have your bike fitted before you'll start cycling.
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Depart Kotor this morning by vehicle, heading north to scenic Slano Lake . Start riding near the dam wall of the lake along the old road (mixed asphalt and gravel surface) via the tiny hamlet of Kunak. Montenegro is naturally hilly and this section of road is no exception, with a steep climb in store. However the steep and windy descent, with spectacular views along the way definitely make the climb worthwhile.
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Today you'll cycle approximately 40 kilometres from Niksic to Pluzine, a small town on the shore of the man-made Lake Piva. It's a hilly ride today, starting with a long but gradual climb then hitting undulating terrain. Ride through rolling, tree-lined hills with the support vehicle nearby in case you'd prefer to avoid the long climb. Visit the 16th-century Piva Monastery and its museum that contains, among other things, a psalm from the Crnojevici printing press, the first printing press in the Balkans (circa 15th century). Enjoy a picnic by Lake Piva then take the short drive (approx. 1 hour) back to Niksic and enjoy a second evening in this cosmopolitan city.
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Today is a longer ride than yesterday and you'll be cycling through Bosnia and Herzegovina for the first time. Depart Niksic and drive approximately 2 hours to small Bosnian village of Zavala and then start riding along an old, long forgotten country road through half-abandoned hamlets past shepherds tending herds of sheep, this is the Europe beyond tourism, where everything done the old traditional way. From here join the Ciro Trail, a new ‘traffic-free’ rail trail that follows an old Austro-Hungarian railway track running from Dubrovnik to Mostar. Stretching more than 140 kilometres, this well-maintained track traverses some truly wild, spectacular landscapes while winding through long-abandoned villages. It's touted as an 'open-air museum', and was partly funded by the EU in the hope of injecting some tourist dollars into the local economy.
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Prepare for a real treat riding another spectacular section of the Ciro Trail, a as you depart Mostar and ride south along the restored rail trail.
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Start the day with an approximately 120 kilometre drive north towards Sarajevo, the intriguing capital of Bosnia and Herzegovina. Sarajevo hosted the 1984 Winter Olympics and you'll begin cycling from Jahorina, the site for several events including the female slalom. More importantly, Jahorina and Trebević were the only lifelines into Sarajevo during its thousand-day blockade during the Bosnian War in the early 1990s. The views are phenomenal on a clear day.
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Your Balkan cycling adventure comes to an end today. There are no planned activities or rides, so you're free to depart anytime before noon.
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Inclusions
Meals
Meals 6 breakfastsTransport
Transport Bicycle, Support vehicle (e-bike option available, subject to availability)Accommodation
Accommodation Hotel (6 nights), Guesthouse (1 night)
Activities
- Bay of Kotor Guided & Vehicle Supported Cycling
- Niksic region Guided & Vehicle Supported Cycling
- Ramparts of Onogost Fortress
- Pluzine region Guided & Vehicle Supported Cycling
- Mostar region/Ciro Trail Guided & Vehicle Supported Cycling
- Ciro Trail Guided Cycling
- Sarajevo Region Guided & Vehicle Supported Cycling
Add On Activities
- Dubrovnik - Church of St. Blaise - Free
- Dubrovnik - Mt Srd Cable Car - EUR27
- Dubrovnik - Discover Game of Thrones Filming Locations Urban Adventure - EUR99
- Dubrovnik - Hike up Mt Srd - Free
- Dubrovnik - Lokrum Island Boat Trip - HRK150
- Dubrovnik - Mt Srd Museum of Croatian War of Independence - HRK30
- Kotor - St. Tryphon’s Cathedral - EUR4
- Kotor - Maritime Museum - EUR5
- Kotor - Fortress - EUR3
- Ostrog Monastery - Free
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