Cycle the Balkans

8 Days | Explore three fascinating countries by bike on this Balkan cycling adventure.

4.9 out of 5 based on 23 reviews submitted.
Cycling
From
CHF  1,885
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Get your legs moving on a Balkan cycling adventure from Dubrovnik to Sarajevo. Taking in stunning scenery on the coast and inland, this trip will take you riding through three fascinating countries – Croatia, Bosnia and Herzegovina, and Montenegro. Tackle challenging climbs, scenic flats and a new rail trail following the now defunct Austro-Hungarian railway line, finishing in the intriguing, yet sobering, city of Sarajevo, with visits to Mostar and other picturesque towns on the way.

Trip overview

Map of Cycle The Balkans including Bosnia And Herzegovina, Croatia and Montenegro
Start
Dubrovnik, Croatia
Finish
Sarajevo, Bosnia and Herzegovina
Theme
Cycling
Destinations
Montenegro, Croatia, Bosnia and Herzegovina
Physical rating
Indicates how physically exerting a trip is, and how fit you will need to be to enjoy it. More info on physical ratings
Style
Original
Ages
Min 14
Group size
Min 1 - Max 15
Trip code
ZMXY
This trip generates 18.97 kg of CO2-e per person per day.
We offset these emissions on your behalf. But we know that is not enough, so we also have a carbon reduction target.

Why you'll love this trip
  • Most inspiring natural landscapes in Europe, from stunning beaches to towering mountains.
  • Explore three fascinating countries by bike
  • Witness Mostar's famous bridge divers hurl themselves from the stones of a bridge that has spanned the river here for centuries
  • Cycle the Ciro Trail, new rail trail following the now defunct Austro-Hungarian railway line.
  • By travelling on this trip, you’ll directly support our Intrepid Foundation partner, World Bicycle Relief. Donations provide school kids, health workers, and farmers in far-out areas with bicycles that provide access to education, healthcare, and income.

Is this trip right for you?
  • To complete this trip it is important that you are both confident and competent in riding a bicycle.
  • On this trip we have a single leader that rides with the group, and another that drives the support vehicle (acting as a back marker where needed). Where the vehicle cannot travel directly with the cyclists (e.g. a cyclists-only path) your leader will assign a person from the group to act as a back marker.
  • While the cycling distances on this trip are relatively short (the longest ride is only 60 kilometres) the terrain of the Balkans is naturally hilly and the climate often warm. You’ll need a reasonable level of fitness to enjoy the trip, but remember we will always have the support vehicle on hand if you need to take a break for an hour or a day.
  • As our riding is done mostly on sealed roads with the occasional gravel cycle path there are no technical cycling skills required. Given there will be hills, we do suggest practicing riding downhill so you are comfortable with this once the trips begins.
  • As there are cobblestones and many stairs in most European towns, and space in our support van is limited, it's strongly recommended that you leave any wheelie bags/cases at home and bring a backpack instead.
  • You'll be spending your nights in hotels at each step on this tour, ranging from comfortable to basic levels, but always authentic and a great opportunity to interact with the locals and fellow travellers alike. Hotels in Europe often don't have double beds, but rather two single beds that can be pushed together.

Itinerary

Map of Cycle The Balkans including Bosnia And Herzegovina, Croatia and Montenegro

Inclusions

Meals

6 breakfasts

Transport

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

Accommodation

Hotel (6 nights), Guesthouse (1 night)

Activities
  • Bay of Kotor Guided & Vehicle Supported Cycling
  • Niksic region Guided & Vehicle Supported Cycling
  • Ramparts of Onogost Fortress
  • Pluzine region Guided & Vehicle Supported Cycling
  • Mostar region/Ciro Trail Guided & Vehicle Supported Cycling
  • Ciro Trail Guided Cycling
  • Sarajevo Region Guided & Vehicle Supported Cycling
Add on activities
  • Dubrovnik - Church of St. Blaise - Free
  • Dubrovnik - Mt Srd Cable Car - EUR27
  • Dubrovnik - Discover Game of Thrones Filming Locations Urban Adventure - EUR99
  • Dubrovnik - Hike up Mt Srd - Free
  • Kotor - St. Tryphon’s Cathedral - EUR4
  • Kotor - Maritime Museum - EUR5
  • Kotor - Fortress - EUR3
  • Ostrog Monastery - Free

Dates and availability

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Important notes

1. A single supplement is available if you’d prefer not to share a room on this trip. Please speak to your booking agent for further information.
2. Bicycle hire is included in your trip price. Please advise your height at time of booking so as we can organize a suitable sized bike.
3. Bike helmets are compulsory on this trip. We are unable to hire bike helmets locally so please ensure you bring your own bike helmet from home.
4. On this trip we have a single leader that rides with the group, and another that drives the support vehicle (acting as a back marker where needed). Where the vehicle cannot travel directly with the cyclists (e.g. a cyclists-only path) your leader will assign a person from the group to act as a back marker.
5. An e-bike option (at additional cost) may be available on this trip. We have limited numbers of these bikes available and they are an 'on request' basis only. A request does not guarantee an e-bike, only a confirmed booking. Please ask your agent for more details at the time of booking.
6. Due to health and safety concerns around the traffic we take local taxis rather than cycle up to/down from the Ostrog Monastery on Day 3.

Essential Trip Information

Want an in-depth insight into this trip? Essential Trip Information provides a detailed itinerary, visa info, how to get to your hotel, what's included - pretty much everything you need to know about this adventure and more.

Read Essential Trip Information

Reviews

4.9 out of 5 based on 23 reviews submitted.
Reviews are from travellers who have completed their trip and want to share their experience. We show all reviews, but may remove any that include profanity or inappropriate content, are unrelated to the trip or reveal personal details.

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Des · Traveled September 2023
The Balkans Cycle trip was sensational, it very interesting cycling in Montenegro and Bosnia, although the distances were not long there was a lot of physical climbing! but the reward of seeing all those beautiful alps regions was worth it. Kotor, Mostar and Sarajevo are fantastic to visit. Would recommend an extra day in Sarajevo after trip to learn the history of the 90's. We had a great group of travelers, tour leader and driver/mechanic in Tony and Sasha who made the trip special.
Review submitted 02 Oct 2023

Zoe · Traveled September 2023
Tony and Sasa were fantastic. The trip itself involved far too much sitting on a bus travelling and not enough time cycling
Review submitted 04 Oct 2023

Stephanie · Traveled August 2023
This was my first Intrepid tour and I couldn't have asked for a more memorable experience. Our guides (Tony & Davor!) were enthusiastic, knowledgeable, and supportive, and created such a positive group dynamic. Cycling is such a fun and unique way to explore the diversity of landscapes the Balkans offer. I would highly recommend this trip!
Review submitted 28 Aug 2023

Ronn · Traveled August 2023
I had a slight hesitancy because who knows about these countries. But they were wonderful. Montenegro is an undiscovered gem - Kotor and Durmitor National Park have incredible cycling. Mostar is beautiful. It's a great value trip.
Review submitted 06 Sep 2023

Lei · Traveled July 2023
Review submitted 30 Jul 2023
Cycle the Balkans
From
CHF  1,885