The Highest Peaks Of The Three Mountain Groups Of The Balkans: Durmitor, Cursed Mountains/Prokletije, Sar Planina

Arrival to Podgorica by van or plane, arrangement with participants. We’ll gather in the evening and start with a meeting at the selected hotel. There is also an option of organized transfer from a nearby airport.

We will start our journey in Podgorica, the capital of Montenegro. First, we’ll have transportation along the Zeta River to Niksic, an industrial town. Along the Piva River we’ll continue our drive to the medieval Piva Monastery/Pivski samostan, which was moved to a higher place due to the construction of the hydroelectric power station. Then a spectacular ride to the Piva Plateau/Pivska Planota and the Durmitor Mountains awaits us. The whole area is within the national park area. Along the winding mountain road we will cross Sedlo (1908 m) and arrive at the important tourist center Zabljak (1450 m) with an informative tour.

After breakfast, ride to Sedlo and then short ascend to past Lake Zeleni Vir. From there we’ll come across the Previa saddle (2351 m) below the peak pyramid of Bobotov Kuk (2522 m). The key place is now well secured so that we can top it easily. It will offer an extensive view of mountains of Bosnia and Cursed mountains in fine weather, and in particular to the nearby Lake Skrcko, Lake Crno Jezero and the high plateau around Zabljak. Descent partly in other way. After arriving at Sedlo we’ll drive again to Zabljak, from where we’ll walk to Lake Crno Jezero.

First drive to the Tara Bridge in Djurdjevica Tara bridge. After a walk across the bridge, the possibility of zip-lining or rafting on the Tara River. The scenic ride along the Tara will soon pass, so the next sightseeing in National Park Biogradska Gora.The next stop will be in Kolasin, followed by a turn on the winding road to the Tresnjevik saddle (1573 m), which is the starting point for the Komovi mountain group. After descending into the valley of Lim River, we’ll enjoy the views of the Cursed mountains and Lake Plav. We’ll end this day at Gusinje.

Drive into the glacial valley of Ropojana to Vusanje (1020 m), the last hamlet, then we’ll have a tiring tour to the highest Montenegrin peak of Zla Kolata / Kollata e Keqe (2534 m), which is also the border peak. Many swear that the highest peak is Bobotov Kuk in Durmitor, which is only fourth in height. However, it is more easily accessible. The normal approach will be via the two abandoned Zarunica and Grlata pastures and the Preslopit saddle (2039 m).

From there, the final ascent to the summit Zla Kolata awaits us, which means a bad or evil meadow. Not far away is the highest peak of the Cursed mountain, Maja Jezerce, Karanfili, and deep below us the Plav Valley. Descent along the same path, at the end of the 12-hour tour, a stop at Alipasa’s springs, altitude difference of 1500 m.

Drive under the Cursed mountains to Lake Plav/Plavsko jezero and Plav, the center of an Albanian-populated province with an oriental flair. We’ll take a look at the defense tower of the Redzepagic tower and the mosque. Then continue along with the Lim to the town of Berane, which has a rich history, and to the mountain town of Rozaje, from where the road rises to the pass below the Hajla Mountains, where we’ll enter the youngest European country of Kosovo. From there it is no longer far to Pejë, which is an important local center and, as far as Serbs are concerned, also a religious center. Not far away is the Patriarchate’s Pec, built by king Dusan Silni and long considered the seat of an independent Serbian church, founded by St. Sava. We’ll also visit the important natural landmark of the Rugova Gorge / Rugovska Klisura, as well as the place itself is worth a visit.

In the late afternoon, we’ll drive to the Visoki Decani Monastery, which is tied to Serbian medieval history with perfectly preserved frescoes. The monastery is also under UNESCO protection. Driving to Gjakovë / Djakovica.

We’ll take a look at the old part of town around the market and the Hadun Mosque, which gives the city an oriental, Muslim feel. The next stop will be in Prizren, which was considered the cultural capital of Kosovo. From the Roman city of Theranda, it had a significant role and bloodshed between people and religions. We’ll take a tour of the city center with mosques and the famous 14th-century Orthodox Church of Our Lady Ljeviska, with several Serbian kings ruling the fort above the town. After sightseeing, we leave Prizren and Kosovo, as we take the border crossing with Northern Macedonia and then to the other side of the border to Tetovo. After a short stop, we continue to the winter sports center of Popova Sapka (1780 m), accommodation in the hotel or in the mountain hut.

Early morning departure for a mountain tour to the highest peak of Sar Planina, at 2748 meters high Tito’s peak. The tour is not technically demanding, the trail runs in long, gentle slopes, requiring a good 8 hours of trekking. Return to Popova Sapka and continue with the drive through Gostivar to Mavrovo, which has both summer and winter tourist season.

Shorter exploration of the surroundings of the National Park, then drive to Debar, where we’ll pass border.

In lesser-known eastern Albania, rich in chromium ore, we traveled through the picturesque countryside to Tirana, the Albanian capital you could also see. We’ll start with the main square, controlled by the statue of Albanian national hero Gjergj Kastrioti Skenderbeg, who excelled in fighting the Turks for a time creating an independent Albania. Opposite is the National Museum with its rich history from the Illyrians to the present day and the mosque. Not far away is the mountain town of Kruje, which is located in the famous fortress in the Skenderbeg museum, and it will be interesting to visit the markets. Check in to the hotel at the evening.

Drive to Shkodër, the second-largest city, where we visit the fortress of Rozafa, which is connected to the legendary Illyrian Queen Teuta, offering a beautiful view of Lake Shkodër, rivers Drim, and Bojana. It is time for the market and we’ll move to Montenegro, where we’ll have a ride along Lake Skadar to Virpazar. There we’ll board the boat and take a ride on the lake that is shared between Albania and Montenegro. Late arrival to Podgorica.

On the last day, after breakfast, the tour ends and we say our farewells.