Track the roots Mediterranean 8 day hiking tour This tour passes the Coastal Mountaineering Transversal Route from western to south eastern border of Crna Gora ( Montenegro ) with mountains in order: Orjen, Lovćen and Rumija. It starts at 1894 meters altitude and ends on sea level at the Adriatic coast. On forgotten paths we will hike through abandoned villages, old fortresses, enjoy magic views of the Adriatic sea, passing through UNESCO site of Boka Kotorska bay and two National parks: Skadar Lake and Lovćen. This tour takes you to the ancient town of Perast, the Old Capital of Cetinje, historic Rijeka Crnojevića site, on a boat trip on Skadar Lake and ends with a swim in the Adriatic sea. Average daily walking time: 6 hours
Services included: 1 night accommodation in private house 2 nights accommodation in mountain huts 2 nights accommodation in bungalows 1 night accommodation in tents 1 night accommodation in apartments english speaking guide all transports within Montenegro incl. transfers from/to airport in Dubrovnik 2 boat trips 2 meals a day with the exceptions on 2 restaurant meals ( day second, day seventh ) degustations of traditional specialities all entrance fees At your own: insurance travel to and from Montenegro (airfare) two meals in restaurants tips and personal expenses for drinks or souvenirs Hikers should bring the following equipment: Hiking boots, gaiters ( if hike is in May ), light rainwear, sun-cream, hat, sun glasses, 25 to 40 liters backpack, 2 litres water gear, towels, swimsuit (optionaly) and sleeping bag. Accommodation (especially at the mountain huts) is quite basic and simple, please come with adequate expectations, respect and enjoy the local circumstances. Visitors are expected to respect the wildlife, leave what they find, dispose their waste properly and to be considerate with locals.
Itinerary: Day first: * transfer from Dubrovnik airport to the mountaineering hut at the Orjen mountain * resting from the trip and having a light repast * hiking to the summit of Orjen massif, Zubački Kabao ( 1894 m ). This summit is the highest peak on east Adriatic and it is considered as the begining of our journey. If group arrives to late, depending on flights, this hike will be cancelled. * return to the hut and having relax time with chating about the upcoming tour * dinner and sleep in the hut ( sleeping bags needed ) Effective walking: 2h 30min / 3h 30min ( depending on snow conditions ) ascending: 300m ; descending 300m Orjen
Day second: * hiking from the hut to village of Ledenice following an excellent walking path made by austro-hungarian lapidaries in 19th century * transfer from Ledenice to the baroque town of Perast in Boka Kotorska bay * settling in an Perast`s house made in 17th century * sceaning the site with visiting the Our Lady of the Rocks church-museum on nearby island * dinner in a restaurant * sleep in the Perast`s house Effective walking: 7 h ; ascending: 200 m ; descending: 1000 m Perast
Day third: * transfer from Perast to the village of Ubalac ( 650m ) by an old asphalt/tarmac road with the stunning views on the Bay * hiking from Ubalac on mountain edges above the Bay at average altitudes about 800-1000 m with finish in Mali Zalazi abandoned village ( 850 m ) * settling in a very traditional stone house in Mali Zalazi, cooking tea and food on heartstone. Looking the sunset from a clif 900 m above the Bay * sleep in a straw bed ( no toilet / no running water ) Effective walking: 7-8 h ( on karst terrain ) ; ascending: 800 m ; descending: 400 m cooking in Mali Zalazi
Day fourth: * hiking: Mali Zalazi Velji Zalazi Pestingrad cliff Knež Do Krstac pass Njeguši * Njeguši is a historic village from where the last montenegrin dynasty belongs * dinner * overnight in bungalows Effective walking: 6 h ; ascending: 400 m ; descending: 350 m view at Boka Kotorska bay
Day fifth: * hiking: Njeguši Jezerski vrh Ivanova Korita * Jezerski vrh ( 1657m ) at Lovćen mountain is the main spiritual point for Montenegrins. Remains of the greatest montenegrin poet and ruler Njegoš lies there * settling in hotel at Ivanova Korita resort * dinner with the local family * overnight Effective walking: 5h ; ascending: 750 m ; descending: 450 m Jezerski Vrh
Day sixth: * transfer to Rijeka Crnojevića site on Skadar lake, with passing through Cetinje ( the Old Capital ) * half day boating on the Skadar lake with swimming and having fish lunch in a restaurant by water * finish with boating in Virpazar, the central site on Skadar Lake * transfer from Virpazar to the south side of Sutorman mountain by an local road and having a dinner in an inn settled on a beautiful viewpoint * continuing the transfer to the foot of the summit on Rumija mountain * settling the camp in the evening and sleeping in tents in Dobri Do valley ( 1000m ) ( no toilet / no shower ) Skadar lake
Day seventh: * hiking to the summit of Rumija ( 1595m ) with views at Adriatic sea, Skadar Lake and Albania * continuing the hike down to the village of Gornja Briska ( 450 m ) * home-made lunch in the village with the local farming family * transfer by an local road above the Lake, entering into the Štoj valley and sandy Long Beach by Bojana river. Bojana is the natural border between Montenegro and Albania * having a fish dinner on the mouth of river Bojana with the Adriatic sea * overnight in a family guest-house close to the river Effective walking: 5 h ; ascending: 600 m ; descending: 1150 m Rumija summit
Day eight: * walking in the sand, sun bathing, swimming... chill out * transport to airport ( Dubrovnik ) passing the whole montenegrin coast Long Beach with Rumija mountain in it`s background