Bosnia & Herzegovina Adventure

Dobro Dosli! Welcome to Bosnia and Herzegovina. Your adventure begins in Sarajevo, the capital and largest city that sits on the Miljacka River, surrounded by the Dinaric Alps. You’ll have a welcome meeting at 6 pm tonight, where you’ll meet your leader and fellow travellers. After, head into the surrounding hills for a cooking demonstration and welcome dinner with your local hosts, Mersiha and Mustafa in their home overlooking the city. Learn how to make burek (Bosnian pita), 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 to grab some lunch. Then, take a walking tour with a local guide. Jajce is the birthplace of Yugoslavia, so you’ll visit the AVNOJ Museum to learn about Jajce and Bosnia in the 20th century. On the way, stop by the 22-m-tall Pliva Waterfall in the centre of town. This small town dates back to ancient times and maintains a mix of cultures and religions. Tonight, you have free time to explore at your own pace – maybe go and see the incredible views from the top of the town at the local 14th-century fortress.

Head south via private transfer towards Mostar, stopping in Livno along the way. When you arrive in Livno, head up to the base of Cincar Mountain in 4WDs to take in the views of the Dinaric Alps before venturing off-road in search of the 400 wild horses that call these foothills home. After, carry on to Mostar, famed for its iconic Stari Most, which stands as a symbol of reconciliation and international cooperation and hosts a 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.

Spend the day exploring the nature, history and treats of the Herzegovina region – the southern part of the country. Stop at Blagaj Tekke – a dervish monastery perched above the Buna River at the base of a towering cliff. Explore the sacred site and museum, wandering through Ottoman architecture and colourful rooms. Next, stop in Stolac and pop into Mehmedbasica Kuca (a historic house) for a slice of smokvara (traditional fig cake) before embarking on a short hike to Kravica Waterfall. Go for a dip in the waterfall, then head back to Mostar, where you’ll have a free evening to explore at leisure.

Fuel up for the day with a Bosnian coffee demonstration in a local, traditional coffeehouse that uses beans freshly roasted on-site. Travel to the nearby town of Konjic, known for its military history. Tour the Armijska Ratna Komanda ARK D-0 (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 7000-sq-m, 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 with a stroll along the riverside path before tucking into a home-cooked, organic dinner back at the guesthouse.

This morning, enjoy a homemade breakfast with regional specialties like prosciutto or cream-filled donuts. Then, drive to Umoljani. When you arrive, you'll embark on a circular hike to the mountain village of Lukomir, near the Bjelasnica Mountain. Home to some incredible hiking trails and myths of dragons, Lukomir is the highest and most remote village in the country, with a population of only 15! Today's hike is along the most beautiful route in the area, along a path that winds up and down the rolling mountains. When you arrive in the village, you'll be treated to some homemade cheese in one of the village households, followed by some freshly baked meat pies. Mingle with the locals, explore the tiny village, then make your way back to Umoljani for the night.

This morning you'll drive to Sarajevo – the heart of the country. After checking into 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 Bascarscija – the historic bazaar in the city’s cultural centre. Tonight, maybe head out for a farewell dinner and top your adventure off with a slice of Sarajevska baklava.

Your expedition comes to an end after breakfast today in Sarajevo. If you'd like to extend your adventure, just get in touch with your booking agent ahead of time.