Montenegro

Sole Occupancy Supplement

The sole occupancy supplement of £25 per night is already included in the cost of this holiday. – as shown at the top of the page.

You purchase your own flights for this holiday.

The price you pay to Secret Hills Walking Holidays is a land only price.

When you reserve your flight, our policy is to enable you to fly from your local airport, wherever possible.

This means that clients will arrive at the destination airport at different times and we will arrange the onward transfers to the hotel, and return you to the airport at the end of the holidays.

We walk for five days with one free day.

We take a minibus to our walks start and from the finish. Our local guides, supported by a UK tour guide will explain each walk at dinner daily. The walks we choose from are shown- there are others we may take dependent on walkers ability and weather.

Jill Pinkerton and Pete van der Mussele will be your company tour guides. The walks will take four, up till six hours walking time. Transfers used to start- and from finish points, will take from 10 up till 90 minutes. We use a local Montenegrin walking company to arrange and lead our walks and they have selected the following. Be aware that we may have to change the order of these walks due to weather conditions, or the ability of our guests.

Walk one -Vrmac ridge walk: 

 Old military road – Viewpoints – Fortress trail – Boat trip to Perast. (14 km/8.7 miles, +700m/2300ft , -480m/1575ft). 

Mount Vrmac is a peninsula situated like a barrier between the innermost part of the Bay of Kotor and the outer part, the bay of Tivat. The walk starts right outside of Kotor  and goes uphill following the military zig-zag trail named after the Austrian emperor Franz-Josef (locally known as Franjo Josip) to the Vrmac fortress ridge. Walking along this ridge we’ll reach the highest top of Vrmac called Sveti Ilija (765m/2500ft) 

After our lunch at the top we start the descent to the village of Lastva, where transfer takes us down to the coast near Stoliv. Here we embark onto a shuttle boat to be taken to the island of ‘Lady of the Rock’, where we disembark to visit the church. Once back on the boat we continue to the scenic village of Perast. Here there’s time to have a look around, before a transfer takes us back to Kotor.

Walk 2. Lovcen National Park – Mausoleum of King Petar the 2nd – Views over Kotor Bay – The Ladder of Kotor. (12km/7.5miles, – 1.300m/4.300ft).

A one hour transfer goes up along a serpentine road to the mausoleum of king- bishop Petar Njegos, which is situated in Lovcen National Park on the top of mount Jezerski Vrh (1657m/5435ft). From here we have magnificent views towards all directions. We’re able to see the snowy mountains on the border with Albania in the South, Durmitor National Park in the North and the Adriatic sea in the West. 

We start our walk 300m below the top and follow an ancient trade route which once connected the old capital of Cetinje with Kotor. (Even Billard tables were transported along this trail!)

From the Krstac pass this old logistics – caravan route starts its 900m descent in more than 70 zig-zags all the way down to the old town of Kotor. During the descent it offers countless magnificent views over the entire bay of Kotor and the peninsula of Vrmac on the other side of the bay. It’s a downhill walk, but it’s not steep because of the zig-zags.

Walk 3. Lustiča Peninsula – Views over Tivat and  Boka Bay – Adriatic coast – olive trees – view  on  Mamula Island. (11km/6.8miles, +350m/1150ft, -450m/1475ft.)

 A very attractive and mostly easy going walk, showing all natural attractions of the Lustiča Peninsula, which is located right at the entrance  of the Bay of Kotor. From the rural ambience of  the abandoned village of Babunci, to the beautiful  olive groves, where we sit to have our lunch and  the beautiful beach of Zanjice, this walk will  astonish you.

  The day starts just outside the village of Radovici, from where we follow a slightly inclined rocky path with amazing panoramic views over Tivat Bay. It  will lead us crossing the peninsula in a Westerly  direction, providing us a unique view towards  the entrance of Boka Bay with the island of  Mamula and the peninsula of Prevlaka, which is the most Southern tip of Croatia. Following  the shoreline we pass another beach to thE  fortress of Arza. A watchtower built to guard the entrance of the bay.

Walk 4. Mountains of Budva – Riviera of Montenegro – Monasteries – Fortress of Kosmac.

(12km/7.5miles, +250m/800ft, – 1000m/3000ft).

This walk takes us further South to above the old historic town of Budva, where we start at an altitude of around 1000m above sea level at the fortress of Kosmac. After having enjoyed the stunning views, we continue along high altitude meadows with an abundance of numerous different orchids. Along an old military trail we start descending through a small forestry area to have lunch at a little mountain hamlet, with an incredible beautiful little chapel, still looked after and maintained by a small order of friendly nuns.

From here we further descent towards the Budva and Petrovac coast, visiting on our way down the monastery of Ogradnica. During the last few kilometres we have a wonderful view towards the island of Sveti Stefan.

Walk 5. Lake Skadar National Park – Boat excursion – Pelicans – Crnojeviča river – Rijeka.

(10.5km/6.4miles, +500m/1650ft, -350m/1150ft).

A scenic transfer takes us to the lovely village of Virpazar right at the border of Lake Skadar National Park. Here we embark onto a small boat taking us along the lake for about an hour to then disembark at the little hidden village of Posljedani. The last 15 minutes to get there you imagine yourself being in the mangrove forests swamps.

The village with its picturesque stone buildings, also features several old mills, fed by little waterfalls. The track ascents and at the highest point for the day and after lunch, we start our descent along a forestry path with, so now and again views on the Crnojevača river below. 

Once back at river level we cross an old stone bridge which takes us into the village of Rijeka -once an important market place and ‘port’ to Montenegro, but most well known for being the place where the first book was printed in

• simply stunning coast and  mountain scenery
• superb walking by the coast, in lovely gorges and river valleys, and in the local mountains above Kotor.
• mountain scenery to die for
• wild flower paradise
• the hospitality of the Montenegrin people
• terrific local hotel in a friendly, historic town by the bay
• lovely food both in the hotel. local restaurants  and mountain huts for lunch
• Local guides supported by our UK tour guide
• our relaxed social approach

Montenegro offers a wide variety of terrains and walking opportunities. We will describe each walk the night before and what it entails. We walk at a steady pace, we don’t rush – we want you to enjoy our lovely scenery. These mountains are a walker’s paradise with good, mainly well marked paths and an ever changing landscape.

 This is a land of ever changing vistas – on any walk we get four or five different landscapes to enjoy. Don’t forget your camera.

We walk between 9 and 10 miles per day. 

Paths on this Montenegro holiday can have rough and uneven parts with stony sections to them. The terrain and path types vary but many can be rocky and steep.

These we take carefully, bearing in mind your safety at all times.

You need good walking footwear, preferably waterproof walking boots with good soles for protection. You may find that walking poles will aid your enjoyment of this land.

The walks on this trip are rated as Moderate with strenuous sections, but each day involves a fair amount of ascent and descent. The trip requires a reasonable amount of fitness, ideally with previous hill walking experience.

Exclusions

Although our leaders are well trained and experienced in dealing with different capabilities of our walking clients, if they have any concerns about any clients ability or suitability to undertake safely any walking activity we plan or they feel that participation of an individual may affect the groups safety and cohesion, then they have full permission to exclude that client from an activity.

They will try at all times to provide an alternative suggested activity, though this may involve the client in additional local cost.

We rarely have to enforce this above recommendation, but it is a sensible and necessary protection for the individual client, the group and the leaders.

It’s all about meeting new friends. Each holiday is designed to be a friendly, relaxed and stress-free occasion. Talking is as important as walking on Secret Hills Walking Holidays. We don’t go in for discos, we may use an event that is taking place in the area we are in to boost the weekend’s activities – but it’s good, old fashioned chat that makes our short breaks successful.

“Make new friends that turn into old friends” – that’s our motto.

You might be surprised by what fun you’ll have with people who are older or younger than you during a holiday with us, and that’s exactly the sort of atmosphere we encourage; people find it very rewarding. It doesn’t matter what your reasons for travelling with us are, we’ve had people who are single, divorced or widowed, people who have partners that are unable to travel, and people who can’t holiday with their friends anymore as they’ve all got married themselves. There are people who want to make friends, see sights, and experience something completely new. Whatever your reason, we’ll welcome you with open arms and our friendly hosts will help you to get the most out of your holiday.

Don’t worry if this is the first time you have ventured to join a group holiday – its always a bit daunting – but we will look after you and ensure that you get used to being amongst friends again. Trust us to to get you back into the swing of things.

Oh – by the way – it’s not a dating agency – over the years we have had people meet and fall in love – but that’s just chance. Our aim is that you make like-minded friends – just relax and enjoy.

Just arrive and enjoy.

There are other walking holiday companies that cover Europe but we believe we offer the best value for many reasons….

• We specialise in organising guided walking holidays for single and solos travellers
• We are a small friendly company
• We have a loyal customer base who return again and again (so we must be doing something right) – read our testimonials page on the website
• We offer a lot of flexibility – you can stay extra nights which we are happy to organise for you. We are also very flexible on the walks we provide, adapting to suit walkers and weather conditions
• Our walk leading is second to none. Unlike some other large Walking Companies, we use LOCAL leaders who live in the area and who love their surroundings. They have expert knowledge of everything you need to know to make an area come alive.
• You are safe in our hands – our guides are experts, fully qualified in first aid. Also, because of their local knowledge of the hills, they can respond to any situation that might for example demand cutting short a route. They don’t need to consult maps – they know the hills intimately.
• Our leaders are all easy-going, genuinely sociable people who want to ensure that you have the best time you can with the rest of the group. They make the weekend fun by engaging with all members of a group, and ensuring that everyone feels part of the group experience.
• We give great value for money. Because we recognise that lots of walkers holiday on their own, we have negotiated no single supplement deals with all our hotels to ensure the best possible deal.
• We always use good hotels, selected and constantly reviewed.
• We have smaller groups than some of the larger walking companies because we believe the social experience is much better in a smaller group. People can talk to everyone, especially at dinner where you can all sit at one table in a small group. Our numbers vary from holiday to holiday but an average group size would be 8-12.

Dubrovnik – such an iconic visit- and as you are flying into Dubrovnik airport- why not add extra days on to your Montenegro trip.

We can organise these for you. Either before or after the trip

Too good to miss the opportunity.

You may book online.

Payment is in two parts – you pay a deposit of 25%, payable when reserving your holiday place. You will receive an invoice for the holiday showing the deposit paid, and full amount to pay for the holiday. This acts as your confirmation.

The balance is due 8 weeks prior to the holiday start date. You will be sent a reminder.

About three weeks prior to departure, we will send you holiday joining details, and details of the transfer from the airport to the appointed hotel we have arranged for you.

Once you arrive at your holiday destination

Secret Hills Walking Holidays organise all aspects of your holiday– including guiding, transport to walks start and provide you with an experienced tour guide. You make your own arrangements to get to the airport in the UK, we meet you at the airport you are flying to, and help you with your transfer to the appointed hotel.

It is important to read Secret Hills Walking Holidays Terms and Conditions – click on the tab on our web site – before you complete the booking form.

Insurance – you need to be fully covered

It is a condition of joining any of our holidays that you must be fully insured against travel, medical and personal accident risks (to include repatriation costs and air ambulance or helicopter rescue services where appropriate).

We will ask you to provide us with the details of your insurance prior to the holidays start date and it is a condition of reserving a place.

If you are a UK citizen and travelling in Europe you should obtain the UK Global Health Insurance Card (GHIC) which is available only online from the UK Government website. This gives you medical care at a reduced cost, and some cases for free, in many European countries, but should not be considered a substitute for adequate travel insurance.