fbpx

Peregrine Travel Centre

Cycle the Balkans

Cycle the Balkans

From $ 3,420 AUD

Book Now Request a callback
Email Us Print
,

Description

Get your legs moving on a Balkan cycling adventure from Dubrovnik to Sarajevo. Ride along the Ciro Trail – a new rail trail that follows the now defunct Austro-Hungarian railway line, visit the Ostrog Monastery and take in the coastal views as you follow the shoreline of the Bay of Kotor. Explore Kostar – the 5th-century UNESCO World Heritage-listed city – and Mostar to see the bridge divers hurl themselves off the Old Bridge into the Neretva River. As you ride, pass abandoned hamlets, local shepherds, scenic flats and rolling country and spend free evenings soaking up the local culture.

Trip Name
Cycle the Balkans
Last Updated
1970-01-01
Days
8
Capacity
15
Highlights
  • See Mostar's famous bridge divers hurl themselves from the stones of Stari Most (Old Bridge), which has spanned the Neretva River for centuries.
  • Cycle along two sections of the Ciro Trail – this new rail trail follows the now defunct Austro-Hungarian railway line.
  • Ride the shoreline of the stunning Bay of Kotor – the winding bay of the Adriatic Sea.
  • Visit the incredible Ostrog Monastery –the Serbian Orthodox Church carved directly into the cliffs, high up in the large rock of Ostroska Greda.
  • Explore small villages, historical cities, abandoned hamlets, shorelines and rolling country hills on two wheels.

Itinerary

ITINERARY CHANGES Our itineraries are updated regularly throughout the year based on customer feedback and to reflect the current situation in each destination. The information included in this Essential Trip Information may therefore differ from when you first booked your trip. It's important that you review this information prior to travel so that you have the latest updates. Due to weather, local conditions, transport schedules, public holidays, political unrest or other factors, further changes may be necessary to your itinerary once in-country. Your group leader or local representative will keep you up to date with any such changes once your trip is underway and has the authority to amend or cancel any part of the trip itinerary if deemed necessary due to safety concerns. , OPTIONAL ACTIVITIES A selection of optional activities that have been popular with past travellers are listed in the day-to-day itinerary. This isn't an exhaustive list and should be used as a guide only for some of what might be available. Prices are approximate, are for entrance fees only, and don’t include transport to and from the sites or local guides unless indicated. All activities are subject to availability, and maybe on a join-in basis. It may not be possible to do all the activities listed in the time available at each destination, so some pre-planning for what you are most interested in is advised. When it's recommended that travellers pre-book these activities, look for a note in the Special Information section of the day-to-day itinerary. For most, they can either be organised independently on the day, or let your group leader or local representative know you are interested at the Welcome Meeting and they can assist. Where activities are considered medium or high risk, we work with operators whose safety and credentials we have sighted and assessed. Although it is possible that you may find the same activity cheaper with another operator on the ground, we cannot vouch for the safety or quality of that operator. Medium and high-risk activities not listed above have not been assessed by us and as such our staff and group leader or local representative are unable to assist you with organising these activities. Activities that contravene our Responsible Travel policies are also not listed. Please remember that the decision to partake in any activity not listed is at your own discretion and risk., MUSEUM VISITS & OPENING TIMES Many sites, attractions and museums are closed on Mondays (and sometimes Tuesdays). We recommend checking the opening times of anywhere you're interested to visit and making reservations where required/possible.

Day 1 - Dubrovnik
Dobro Dosli! Welcome to Croatia. Your adventure begins in Dubrovnik with a welcome meeting at 6 pm. If you arrive early, maybe take a walking tour of the Game of Thrones filming locations or find a hole-in-the-wall restaurant and tuck into some fresh seafood. After, why not head out for dinner with your fellow travellers and try some local dishes like pasticada (braised beef in red wine) and peka (meat and vegetables).
Day 2 - Kotor
This morning, take a private vehicle over the border to Herceg Novi. When you arrive, set off on your first ride of the trip. Cycle along the Bay of Kotor, passing rolling hills to the whitewashed port town of Kamenari. Then, take a short ferry ride across the azure waters between the headlands to Lepetane. Take in the coastal views before jumping back on your bike and continuing onto Kotor – a UNESCO World Heritage-listed city on the shores of the Adriatic. The rest of the day is free for you to explore Kotor at your own pace. Maybe walk through the medieval Old Town and discover the historic buildings and buzzing nightlife.
Day 3 - Zabljak
Say goodbye to Kotor this morning as you drive north to Slano Lake. Today’s ride will start near the dam wall and take you along the old road (mixed asphalt and gravel surface) via the tiny hamlet of Kunak. Park the bikes on the main road and take a short taxi ride to Ostrog Monastery – a white-washed building built into a cliff. Then, jump back on the bikes and continue along the quiet roads to the tiny village of Stubica, before dropping back down to the Zeta River all the way to Niksic, the country's second-largest city. Here you have a couple of free hours to explore before continuing the drive to the small town of Zabljak, gateway to the stunning Durmitor National Park.
Day 4 - Zabljak
Sitting at 1,456 meters above sea level, Žabljak is the highest town in the Balkans and surrounded by 23 glacial lakes and over 50 mountain peaks above 2,000 meters, it’s a true haven for nature lovers. Set within the UNESCO-listed Durmitor National Park and overlooking Europe’s deepest canyon carved by the Tara River, Žabljak blends wild beauty with mountain-town charm. It's also a great place to ride a bike! Starting from Žabljak, the route climbs steadily to the Sedlo Pass, surrounded by stunning limestone peaks and vast alpine meadows. Along the way, you’ll pass through beautiful beech and fir forests, with countless wildflowers and mountain plants adding color and life. At the Sedlo Pass the view opens to crystal-clear alpine lakes nestled in the valley, framed by towering rocky cliffs. Continuing deeper into Durmitor the road leads through diverse mountain terrain with flowing streams, rugged cliffs, and expansive landscapes. Finish your ride in Milogora village and perhaps grab some lunch before driving back to Žabljak. You'll have free time to explore the area — perhaps a walk around Black Lake or a relaxed evening in one of the cozy mountain cafés.
Day 5 - Mostar
This morning, travel to Zavala, where you’ll start your ride on an old, country road through half-abandoned hamlets. Join the Ciro Trail – a new traffic-free trail that follows an old Austro-Hungarian railway track running from Dubrovnik to Mostar. You’ll ride on the trail to the city of Capljina, passing old train stations that have been refurbished into guesthouses and the picturesque lake of Nature Park Hutovo Blato. There will be plenty of stops at viewpoints along the way like at the famous Vjetrenica Cave. Then, drive to Mostar – known for its iconic Stari Most (Old Bridge), a UNESCO World Heritage Site, where locals dive into the River Neretva. This long-standing tradition, dating back to the 17th century, serves as a rite of passage for the young men of Mostar — a symbolic act of courage and skill. For some, it’s also a romantic gesture, a way to impress loved ones and prove their bravery. It’s a beautiful spot to relax by the river, sip a Bosnian coffee, and watch the divers gracefully leap from the bridge.
Day 6 - Mostar
Today you’ll ride along another section of the Ciro Trail. The trail follows the valley of the Neretva River downstream, surrounded on both sides by towering hills. You'll pass through farmland, small villages and ancient remains like Mogorjelo. After a quick coffee while the bikes are loaded onto the trailer, drive back to Mostar for the night, where you have free time to maybe explore the alleys, bars and restaurants.
Day 7 - Sarajevo
This morning, drive north towards Sarajevo – the capital of Bosnia and Herzegovina and host of the 1984 Winter Olympics. You'll begin cycling from Jahorina and ride to Trebevic– the site for several Olympic events including the female slalom. If the weather is clear, you’ll be treated to amazing views along your ride. After, load the bikes and drive into Sarajevo’s centre. The city often draws comparisons with Istanbul as a city that mixes east and west – dotted with minarets, mosques, bazaars and the aroma of coffee. The afternoon is free for you to explore. Sarajevo is one of the few cities in the world that features an Orthodox church, a Catholic church and a mosque all within proximity. Tonight, maybe head out for an optional farewell dinner with your group and cheers to a trip well-travelled.
Day 8 - Sarajevo
With no further activities planned, your cycling adventure comes to an end today. If you’d like to extend your stay in Sarajevo, just speak to your booking agent ahead of time.

Trip Dates

StartEndPrice FromRoom Type
23-05-202630-05-2026AUD $ 3,560-
13-06-202620-06-2026AUD $ 3,990-
27-06-202604-07-2026AUD $ 3,830-
25-07-202601-08-2026AUD $ 3,420-
22-08-202629-08-2026AUD $ 3,420-
12-09-202619-09-2026AUD $ 3,890-
26-09-202603-10-2026AUD $ 3,860-
03-10-202610-10-2026AUD $ 3,590-
08-05-202715-05-2027AUD $ 3,820-
22-05-202729-05-2027AUD $ 3,820-
05-06-202712-06-2027AUD $ 3,640-
19-06-202726-06-2027AUD $ 3,640-
10-07-202717-07-2027AUD $ 3,820-
24-07-202731-07-2027AUD $ 3,820-
14-08-202721-08-2027AUD $ 3,640-
28-08-202704-09-2027AUD $ 3,820-
11-09-202718-09-2027AUD $ 3,820-
18-09-202725-09-2027AUD $ 3,820-
25-09-202702-10-2027AUD $ 3,820-
02-10-202709-10-2027AUD $ 3,820-

Accommodation

Hotel (6 nights), Guesthouse (1 night)

Transport

Bicycle, Support vehicle (e-bike option available, subject to availability)

Map

Related products

Recent Blog Posts

Browse Trips in

Bosnia Intrepid
More of activity:
Cycling