Walking Tour to Bosnia and Herzegovina
Forest clad mountains punctuated by unspoilt wild flower meadows and deep valleys cut with crystal clear rivers in shades of blue and emerald green. These are not the images conjured up by many when they think of Bosnia & Herzegovina, but this under visited yet pristinely beautiful Balkan country offers so much more than the war legacy it became famous for in the 1990s.
This walking adventure will take you to see its little explored, beautiful countryside that is full of fantastic views and interesting wildlife. You will also get to know its culture, people and savoury cuisine which is a mixture of both Mediterranean and Middle Eastern flavours.
TOUR DATES: 10 - 21 September 2019
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Grade:
- Comfort: Mixed
- Start/Finish: Split, Croatia
- Distance: A few miles each day
- Duration: 11 Days
- Availability: Please call for details
- Altitude:
DAY ONE - Arrival
Fly in to Split, Croatia and meet at airport around mid day*
Have a couple of hours to look around Split, lunch and transfer to Sarajevo with en route stop at scenic Kravice waterfalls near Ljubuški in Bosnia & Herzegovina.
Break in Jablanica, site of one of the two most important World War II battles in Bosnia & Herzegovina. Arrival in Sarajevo, organised evening meal.
*If you are in Split beforehand please arrange with me about where your meeting/collection point will be-it is no problem to collect you from anywhere in the vicinity
DAY TWO - Visit to Mt Ozren
Visit Mt Ozren and see wild orchids and wildflower meadows. This easy to reach location from Sarajevo has stunning walking trails that are very extensive, going through both meadows and woodland areas. There are fantastic views in many places, and the walking is, for the most part, not too challenging.
A packed lunch will be provided on the mountain.
A special evening meal to sample some of the best of authentic Bosnian cuisine expertly prepared by a local chef! Stay the night in Sarajevo.
DAY THREE - Historical Sightseeing and Museum Trip
Morning visit to Tunnel Museum in the suburb of Butmir. This museum is described as “unmissable” by Lonely Planet, and tells the story of the 1992-95 Siege of Sarajevo and the underground tunnel which served as its lifeline.
This will be followed by sightseeing in the historical core of Sarajevo to see all the main sights. Highlights include Baščaršija, the 16th century Ottoman bazaar, the old Orthodox church dating to 1539 and Svrzo’s House, perhaps the best example of an upper class Ottoman family home in the city.
Lunch will be in a local pie shop, or specialist grill restaurant. Both serve typical street food of high quality.
Evening transfer to Fojnica, about an hour’s drive to the west of Sarajevo. We shall rest before reconvening for an organized evening meal.
DAY FOUR - Enjoy the spectacular Kozice waterfalls
We will drive to the spectacular Kozice waterfalls outside Fojnica. You may hike to the base of the falls if you so wish. Afterwards, we will start walking through the beautiful countryside and ancient villages back towards Fojnica. Packed lunch will once again be provided for us to maximize our time walking in nature. Among other things, we will see handmade charcoal kilns (people in local villages still make their own charcoal).
Upon our return to Fojnica we will rest before re-convening for dinner.
DAY FIVE - Explore Prokoško Lake
We will drive to Prokoško Lake, 1600 metres above sea level, in the morning and enjoy some strong local coffee (or an alternative beverage) by local pastoral farmers before heading off on our walks! Culinary as well as medicinal herbs are picked extensively around Prokoško Lake, and you will also have an opportunity to learn about these and sample some of the products.
Our walk will take us above Prokoško Lake, on winding trails that offer spectacular views. We will spend much of the day walking and exploring, with packed lunch again being provided. A hot dinner will be served back at the lake with one of the farming families that calls this amazing place their home. We will then go back to Fojnica for our final night there.
DAY SIX - Sightseeing around Fojnica
Sightseeing day in and around Fojnica, plus with some more nature and walks thrown in!
We will start with the Franciscan (Roman Catholic) monastery in Fojnica, which was founded in the early 14th century and explore its excellent museum and collections. Afterwards we will visit St. Jacob’s Water just outside Fojnica. Discovered by an eponymous 15th century Italian monk, this natural spring is reputed to have medicinal benefits and has become something of a local Catholic pilgrimage site.
On the way we will also make a quick stop at Bakovići village, which has a gold mine dating back to the 14th century and was British owned for part of the 20th century!
We will return to Fojnica to have lunch, followed sightseeing of the old town, including the 16th century Atik mosque.
Meal before departure for Sutjeska national park (approximately 2 hour drive), near Foča in eastern Bosnia. Our accommodation will be in a hotel within the national park
DAY SEVEN - Walking through Perućica
Sutjeska is characterized as being a pristine, largely untouched, wilderness. In addition, it is home to Perućica Forest, one of the last two remaining primeval forests in Europe! After breakfast we will begin our stay here by spending a day walking through Perućica, with a packed lunch being served half way through the walk. The ancient trees here are simply awe inspiring, with many being of a great size. Upon our return to our accommodation, we will have a short rest before enjoying dinner in a fantastic local restaurant within the boundaries of the national park.
DAY EIGHT - Explore Sutjeska National Park
After breakfast, we will enjoy exploring more of Sutjeska National Park. This time, we will head to the alpine meadows, where we will come to the base of the highest mountain in Bosnia and Herzegovina, Mt. Maglić. We will then continue to the spectacular Trnovačko Lake, a glacial heart shaped lake that sits on the border between Bosnia and Montenegro. After plenty of time walking and exploring this magical location, we will slowly begin our hike back to the bus pick up point, where will be taken back for dinner. After dinner, we will make our transfer to the city of Mostar (about 2 hours’ drive).
DAY NINE - Day trip to Blidinje National Park
We will make a day trip to Blidinje Nature Park, about an hour’s drive of Mostar. This location is famed for its extensive forests of the rare Pinus heldreichii (Bosnian Pine), as well as stunning alpine meadows and scenery. There are also plenty of walking trails here, allowing us to take in the scenery and beauty of this place. We will enjoy lunch in a famed local restaurant within the nature park. Afterwards, we will carry on looking around before driving back to Mostar for dinner and rest.
DAY TEN - Sightseeing in Herzegovina
A day of sightseeing in the capital of Herzegovina! This will be a nice, easy day to unwind after all the walking of the holiday. Our itinerary will include the rebuilt 16th century Old Bridge as well as surrounding old town and a visit to an authentic Mostar home dating to the 17th century. We will have lunch and continue sightseeing.
Later, we will have one final dinner to say goodbye before resting.
DAY ELEVEN - Depart
(Early) transfer to Split for onward journey or direct flight back home.
Key details:
- This tour is a 10 night, 11 day walking tour.
- This tour is based in Croatia and will allow you to explore Bosnia and Herzegovina.
- This walking tour will be personalised and guided by a keen walker who is a history and botany specialist.
Dates:
This tour will be taking place from 10 - 21 September 2019.
During this walking tour you will be able to:
- Experience the best of the local gastronomy
- Explore the history and culture of the destination
- Take in some spectacular views during countryside walks
- Witness little explored, unspoilt destinations
Getting to Croatia:
By Plane:
Fly into Split, Croatia where you will be able to meet with the rest of the group at around midday.
For more information on flights and the Split Airport, please click here.
- Airport Transfers
- No charge for single room occupancy
- High quality accommodation
- Breakfast each morning at your accommodation
- Lunch and evening meals on most days (where specified)
- Mini-bis transport with air conditioning
- Guides, tours and admission fees to various attractions and historic sites
- Vegetarian meal options
- Return flights to Split
- Travel Insurance
- Spending Money
DAY ONE - Arrival
Fly in to Split, Croatia and meet at airport around mid day*
Have a couple of hours to look around Split, lunch and transfer to Sarajevo with en route stop at scenic Kravice waterfalls near Ljubuški in Bosnia & Herzegovina.
Break in Jablanica, site of one of the two most important World War II battles in Bosnia & Herzegovina. Arrival in Sarajevo, organised evening meal.
*If you are in Split beforehand please arrange with me about where your meeting/collection point will be-it is no problem to collect you from anywhere in the vicinity
DAY TWO - Visit to Mt Ozren
Visit Mt Ozren and see wild orchids and wildflower meadows. This easy to reach location from Sarajevo has stunning walking trails that are very extensive, going through both meadows and woodland areas. There are fantastic views in many places, and the walking is, for the most part, not too challenging.
A packed lunch will be provided on the mountain.
A special evening meal to sample some of the best of authentic Bosnian cuisine expertly prepared by a local chef! Stay the night in Sarajevo.
DAY THREE - Historical Sightseeing and Museum Trip
Morning visit to Tunnel Museum in the suburb of Butmir. This museum is described as “unmissable” by Lonely Planet, and tells the story of the 1992-95 Siege of Sarajevo and the underground tunnel which served as its lifeline.
This will be followed by sightseeing in the historical core of Sarajevo to see all the main sights. Highlights include Baščaršija, the 16th century Ottoman bazaar, the old Orthodox church dating to 1539 and Svrzo’s House, perhaps the best example of an upper class Ottoman family home in the city.
Lunch will be in a local pie shop, or specialist grill restaurant. Both serve typical street food of high quality.
Evening transfer to Fojnica, about an hour’s drive to the west of Sarajevo. We shall rest before reconvening for an organized evening meal.
DAY FOUR - Enjoy the spectacular Kozice waterfalls
We will drive to the spectacular Kozice waterfalls outside Fojnica. You may hike to the base of the falls if you so wish. Afterwards, we will start walking through the beautiful countryside and ancient villages back towards Fojnica. Packed lunch will once again be provided for us to maximize our time walking in nature. Among other things, we will see handmade charcoal kilns (people in local villages still make their own charcoal).
Upon our return to Fojnica we will rest before re-convening for dinner.
DAY FIVE - Explore Prokoško Lake
We will drive to Prokoško Lake, 1600 metres above sea level, in the morning and enjoy some strong local coffee (or an alternative beverage) by local pastoral farmers before heading off on our walks! Culinary as well as medicinal herbs are picked extensively around Prokoško Lake, and you will also have an opportunity to learn about these and sample some of the products.
Our walk will take us above Prokoško Lake, on winding trails that offer spectacular views. We will spend much of the day walking and exploring, with packed lunch again being provided. A hot dinner will be served back at the lake with one of the farming families that calls this amazing place their home. We will then go back to Fojnica for our final night there.
DAY SIX - Sightseeing around Fojnica
Sightseeing day in and around Fojnica, plus with some more nature and walks thrown in!
We will start with the Franciscan (Roman Catholic) monastery in Fojnica, which was founded in the early 14th century and explore its excellent museum and collections. Afterwards we will visit St. Jacob’s Water just outside Fojnica. Discovered by an eponymous 15th century Italian monk, this natural spring is reputed to have medicinal benefits and has become something of a local Catholic pilgrimage site.
On the way we will also make a quick stop at Bakovići village, which has a gold mine dating back to the 14th century and was British owned for part of the 20th century!
We will return to Fojnica to have lunch, followed sightseeing of the old town, including the 16th century Atik mosque.
Meal before departure for Sutjeska national park (approximately 2 hour drive), near Foča in eastern Bosnia. Our accommodation will be in a hotel within the national park
DAY SEVEN - Walking through Perućica
Sutjeska is characterized as being a pristine, largely untouched, wilderness. In addition, it is home to Perućica Forest, one of the last two remaining primeval forests in Europe! After breakfast we will begin our stay here by spending a day walking through Perućica, with a packed lunch being served half way through the walk. The ancient trees here are simply awe inspiring, with many being of a great size. Upon our return to our accommodation, we will have a short rest before enjoying dinner in a fantastic local restaurant within the boundaries of the national park.
DAY EIGHT - Explore Sutjeska National Park
After breakfast, we will enjoy exploring more of Sutjeska National Park. This time, we will head to the alpine meadows, where we will come to the base of the highest mountain in Bosnia and Herzegovina, Mt. Maglić. We will then continue to the spectacular Trnovačko Lake, a glacial heart shaped lake that sits on the border between Bosnia and Montenegro. After plenty of time walking and exploring this magical location, we will slowly begin our hike back to the bus pick up point, where will be taken back for dinner. After dinner, we will make our transfer to the city of Mostar (about 2 hours’ drive).
DAY NINE - Day trip to Blidinje National Park
We will make a day trip to Blidinje Nature Park, about an hour’s drive of Mostar. This location is famed for its extensive forests of the rare Pinus heldreichii (Bosnian Pine), as well as stunning alpine meadows and scenery. There are also plenty of walking trails here, allowing us to take in the scenery and beauty of this place. We will enjoy lunch in a famed local restaurant within the nature park. Afterwards, we will carry on looking around before driving back to Mostar for dinner and rest.
DAY TEN - Sightseeing in Herzegovina
A day of sightseeing in the capital of Herzegovina! This will be a nice, easy day to unwind after all the walking of the holiday. Our itinerary will include the rebuilt 16th century Old Bridge as well as surrounding old town and a visit to an authentic Mostar home dating to the 17th century. We will have lunch and continue sightseeing.
Later, we will have one final dinner to say goodbye before resting.
DAY ELEVEN - Depart
(Early) transfer to Split for onward journey or direct flight back home.
Key details:
- This tour is a 10 night, 11 day walking tour.
- This tour is based in Croatia and will allow you to explore Bosnia and Herzegovina.
- This walking tour will be personalised and guided by a keen walker who is a history and botany specialist.
Dates:
This tour will be taking place from 10 - 21 September 2019.
During this walking tour you will be able to:
- Experience the best of the local gastronomy
- Explore the history and culture of the destination
- Take in some spectacular views during countryside walks
- Witness little explored, unspoilt destinations
Getting to Croatia:
By Plane:
Fly into Split, Croatia where you will be able to meet with the rest of the group at around midday.
For more information on flights and the Split Airport, please click here.
- Airport Transfers
- No charge for single room occupancy
- High quality accommodation
- Breakfast each morning at your accommodation
- Lunch and evening meals on most days (where specified)
- Mini-bis transport with air conditioning
- Guides, tours and admission fees to various attractions and historic sites
- Vegetarian meal options
- Return flights to Split
- Travel Insurance
- Spending Money