Bosnia & Herzegovina Expedition

Dobrodošli! Get acquainted with your trip leader and fellow expeditioners at a welcome meeting at the hotel at 6 pm, and then head out together into the surrounding hills of Sarajevo for a cooking demonstration and welcome dinner with local hosts Mersiha and Mustafa in their home overlooking the city (with the best views of Sarajevo, they say!). Learn how to make burek (Bosnian pita), and then enjoy a hearty, home-made meal of dolma (stuffed vegetables) while Mersiha and Mustafa share stories about their lives, Bosnian cuisine and the city they call home.

Hop aboard the public bus to Jajce, arriving about midday with time for an optional lunch and a walking tour with a local guide. Jajce is the birthplace of Yugoslavia, so be sure to visit the AVNOJ Museum to learn about Jajce and Bosnia in the 20th century. We’ll stop by the 22-metre Pliva Waterfall in the centre of town on the way. This small town dates back to ancient times and maintains a captivating mix of cultures and religions to this day. The evening is yours to explore. Don’t miss the incredible views atop the town’s 14th-century fortress.

Head south via private transfer towards Mostar – but first, a stop in Livno to head up to the base of Cincar Mountain, and there’s no better way to ride than by 4WD! Take in the view of the Dinaric Alps before venturing off-road in search of a unique sight in Europe – some of the 400 wild horses that call these foothills home (our expert guides always find some). Afterward, carry on to the town of Mostar, famed for its iconic Stari Most, which stands as a symbol of reconciliation and international cooperation, and hosts a breathtaking diving competition in the summer months. Learn all about this historic city on a guided walking tour before settling into your hotel for the night.

We’ll spend the day exploring the nature, history and treats of the Herzegovina region, the southern portion of the country. Start with a stop at Blagaj Tekke, a dervish monastery perched above the Buna River at the base of a towering cliff. Entry into the sacred site, now also a museum, is included in your trip. Admire Ottoman architecture and tour the colourful rooms. Onwards to Stolca, we’ll pop into Mehmedbašića Kuća (a historic house) for a slice of smokvara (traditional fig cake) before proceeding on for a short hike and a dip at Kravica waterfall. Back in Mostar around 6 pm, you’ll have a free evening to explore at your leisure.

Fuel up for the day with a Bosnian coffee demonstration in a local, traditional coffeehouse using beans freshly roasted on-site. Travel to the nearby picturesque town of Konjic, known for its military history. Tour the Armijska Ratna Komanda ARK D-0, a.k.a. Tito’s Bunker – an impressive nuclear shelter and command centre built in 1953 to house the head of the Yugoslavian army and up to 350 military staff. The nearly 7,000-square-metre, 100-room underground facility went largely unscathed during the Yugoslav Wars and today stands as a unique monument to the former Yugoslavia. Your knowledgeable local guide will share stories and insights into life in the Yugoslav era. From there, settle into your countryside accommodation. Get a sense of remote life by taking a stroll along a riverside path before enjoying a home-cooked, organic dinner back at the guesthouse.

Get out on the water and into nature! Today you’ll spend your morning white-water rafting in the Neretva River canyon and your afternoon on a 4WD tour through the mountains. First, enjoy a homemade breakfast featuring regional specialties (how do homemade prosciutto or cream-filled donuts sound?). Then, your skipper-guide for the morning will get you fully decked out in the appropriate rafting gear and brief you on important rowing and safety techniques before heading into the river where you’ll tackle the rapids, visit waterfalls and enjoy a picnic lunch and a swim. In the afternoon, hop aboard an off-road jeep and head into the mountains to capture incredible panoramas. Dinner and a relaxing evening await back at the guesthouse.

Return to Sarajevo, the heart of the country, via private transfer and a scenic public bus journey. After checking in to the hotel, set out into the city for a guided walking tour. You’ll visit the shop of Bosnia’s sole female coppersmith, Nermina Alic, who learned the trade from her father and continues the family business today, using traditional methods to handcraft coffeepots, candleholders and plates. Wander among the shops and stalls of Basčarščija, the historic bazaar in the city’s cultural centre. Join the optional farewell dinner tonight and top it off with a slice of Sarajevska baklava.

The expedition comes to an end after breakfast today in Sarajevo.