Bosnia & Herzegovina Adventure

Trip Type: Explorer
Bosnia And Herzegovina | 8 Days | 1 - 12 People
Starts From:

NZD 2,845.00 /Person

Nature, history and culture collide across Bosnia and Herzegovina on this round-trip eight-day exploration from Sarajevo. Though so recently touche...

Bosnia & Herzegovina Adventure

Nature, history and culture collide across Bosnia and Herzegovina on this round-trip eight-day exploration from Sarajevo. Though so recently touched by upheaval, the people of Bosnia and Herzegovina are eager to share their history and customs with you – through good food, gripping stories and thrilling adventures. Spot wild horses in the mountains, step inside a preserved bunker that remained a national secret for decades, go hiking in the mountains and get a taste of the Balkans’ special brand of perseverance and hospitality.

Dobrodosli! Get acquainted with your trip leader and fellow expeditioners at a welcome meeting at the hotel at 6 pm, and then head out together into the surrounding hills of Sarajevo for a cooking demonstration and welcome dinner with local hosts Mersiha and Mustafa in their home overlooking the city (with the best views of Sarajevo, they say!). Learn how to make burek (Bosnian pita), and then enjoy a hearty, home-made meal of dolma (stuffed vegetables) while Mersiha and Mustafa share stories about their lives, Bosnian cuisine and the city they call home.

Hop aboard the public bus to Jajce, arriving about midday with time for an optional lunch and a walking tour with a local guide. Jajce is the birthplace of Yugoslavia, so be sure to visit the AVNOJ Museum to learn about Jajce and Bosnia in the 20th century. We’ll stop by the 22 m Pliva Waterfall in the centre of town on the way. This small town dates back to ancient times and maintains a captivating mix of cultures and religions to this day. The evening is yours to explore. Don’t miss the incredible views atop the town’s 14th-century fortress.

Head south via private transfer towards Mostar – but first, a stop in Livno to head up to the base of Cincar Mountain, and there’s no better way to ride than by 4WD! Take in the view of the Dinaric Alps before venturing off-road in search of a unique sight in Europe – some of the 400 wild horses that call these foothills home (our expert guides always find some). Afterward, carry on to the town of Mostar, famed for its iconic Stari Most, which stands as a symbol of reconciliation and international cooperation, and hosts a breathtaking diving competition in the summer months. Learn all about this historic city on a guided walking tour before settling into your hotel for the night.

Spend the day exploring the nature, history and treats of the Herzegovina region, the southern portion of the country. Start with a stop at Blagaj Tekke, a dervish monastery perched above the Buna River at the base of a towering cliff. Entry into the sacred site, now also a museum, is included. Admire Ottoman architecture and tour the colourful rooms. On to Stolac, you’ll pop into Mehmedbasica Kuca (a historic house) for a slice of smokvara (traditional fig cake) before proceeding on for a short hike and a dip at Kravica waterfall. Back in Mostar around 6 pm, you’ll have a free evening to explore at your leisure.

Fuel up for the day with a Bosnian coffee demonstration in a local, traditional coffeehouse using beans freshly roasted on-site. Travel to the nearby picturesque town of Konjic, known for its military history. Tour the Armijska Ratna Komanda ARK D-0, a.k.a. Tito’s Bunker – an impressive nuclear shelter and command centre built in 1953 to house the head of the Yugoslavian army and up to 350 military staff. The nearly 7000-square-metre, 100-room underground facility went largely unscathed during the Yugoslav Wars and today stands as a unique monument to the former Yugoslavia. Your knowledgeable local guide will share stories and insights into life in the Yugoslav era. From there, settle into your countryside accommodation. Get a sense of remote life by taking a stroll along a riverside path before enjoying a home-cooked, organic dinner back at the guesthouse.

This morning, enjoy a homemade breakfast featuring regional specialties (how do homemade prosciutto or cream-filled donuts sound?). Then, drive to Umoljani. When you arrive you'll embark on a circular hike to the mountain village of Lukomir, near the Bjelasnica mountain. Home to some incredible hiking trails and myths of dragons, Lukomir is the highest and most remote village in the country, with a population of only 15! Today's hike is along the most beautiful route in the area, along a path that winds up and down the rolling mountains, green and otherwordly. When you arrive in the village, you'll be treated to some homemade cheese tastings in one of the village households, followed by some freshly baked meat pies. Mingle with the locals, explore the tiny village and then make your way back to Umoljani for the night.

This morning you'll drive to Sarajevo, the heart of the country. After checking in to the hotel, set out into the city for a guided walking tour. You’ll visit the shop of Bosnia’s sole female coppersmith, Nermina Alic, who learned the trade from her father and continues the family business today, using traditional methods to handcraft coffeepots, candleholders and plates. Wander among the shops and stalls of Bascarscija, the historic bazaar in the city’s cultural centre. Join the optional farewell dinner tonight and top it off with a slice of Sarajevska baklava.

The expedition comes to an end after breakfast today in Sarajevo. If you'd like to extend your adventure, just get in touch with your booking agent ahead of time.

Meals
7 Breakfast(s), 1 Lunch(s), 3 Dinner(s)

Transport
Public bus , Private vehicle , 4X4 Jeep

Accommodation
Hotel (5 nights), Guesthouse ( 2 nights)

Included Activities
  • Sarajevo - Bosnian cooking demonstration & dinner
  • Jajce - Guided walking tour & Pliva waterfall
  • Jajce - Museum of the 2nd AVNOJ Session visit
  • Livno – Wild horse safari
  • Mostar - Guided walking tour & craft workshop visit
  • Blagaj – Blagaj Tekke monastery
  • Stolac - Coffee & cake at Mehmedbašića Kuća
  • Trebižat River - Kravica Waterfall
  • Konjic - Armijska Ratna Komanda ARK D-0 (Tito’s Bunker) tour
  • Konjic - Herzogovian Home-cooked Meal
  • Konjic - Bosnian coffee demonstration
  • Lukomir - Home-cooked lunch
  • Umoljani – Bjelašnica Mountains hike
  • Sarajevo – Guided City Tour
  • Sarajevo - Coppersmith visit
  • Ease into your adventure with a meal hosted by locals Mustafa and Mersiha in their kitchen overlooking the city of Sarajevo.
  • Go off-road in search of wild horses in the foothills of Mount Cincar – our expert local leaders and guides know all the best spots to look.
  • Explore the historic and off-the-beaten-path town of Jajce, the birthplace of Yugoslavia and home to centuries-old architecture and a fairytale waterfall.
  • Step inside Josip Tito’s bunker – a massive and impeccably preserved underground nuclear shelter from the Yugoslav era that just recently opened to visitors.
  • Meet Sarajevo’s only female coppersmith while wandering the cobblestone walkways of the city’s historic cultural centre.
  • This itinerary requires a good level of fitness due to exploring towns on foot and hiking. You'll occasionally use public transport on this trip, providing for a truly authentic travel experience. You will need to manage your own luggage on and off vehicles, so we recommend that you pack light. Most of the accommodation on this trip is in hotels, however, we also spend two nights at a countryside guesthouse where accommodation is also in twin-share rooms. Many travellers find this experience offers a rewarding, authentic slice of rural hospitality.

Departing

Finishing

Availability

Price: NZD 2,985.00

Price: NZD 2,985.00

Price: NZD 2,985.00

Price: NZD 2,985.00

Price: NZD 2,985.00

Price: NZD 2,985.00

Price: NZD 2,845.00

Price: NZD 2,960.00

Price: NZD 2,960.00

Price: NZD 3,070.00

Price: NZD 3,070.00

Price: NZD 2,880.00
Provided by
Intrepid Travel
Reference Code:
WBSE
Trip Location
Trip Starts:
Sarajevo, Bosnia And Herzegovina
Trip Finishes:
Sarajevo, Bosnia And Herzegovina
Countries Visited:
Bosnia And Herzegovina
map

Booking Enquiry

Destination Details
Bosnia And Herzegovina | 8 Days | 1 - 12 People

More Experiences From Bosnia And Herzegovina