Immerse Yourself in a Complete Local Experience while Exploring the Wilderness and Mountains of Montenegro

Enjoy the wild beauty and serenity of the mountains as we ride through Biogradska Gora National Park, which hosts one of the last virgin forests in Europe. On this progressive trip, we will ride through small villages, pass by pure mountain lakes, explore the Tara River valley, traverse Durmitor National Park and spend our non-riding time in katuns with local families.

Historically, mainly pre-WWII, the katuns of Montenegro were summer pasture lands for farmers who would herd their livestock up from the arid and warmer coastal areas each season.  While much of these traditional farming practices have long since ended and many katuns have fallen into disrepair, the fairly new emergence of tourism in these more remote areas, has allowed for a boost to the local economies and the preservation of buildings and culture.

It is true that this trip will feature awe-inspiring views and pristine riding, but know that your tourist dollars in this area also greatly support the livelihood of the people and culture here.

  • Imagine yourself deep in the mountains, sleeping in a cozy mountain hut, sharing a traditional meal such as kacamak with your local host family and knowing that your riding partner is just outside of your door.

  • Listen to the night sounds of silence that may occasionally be interrupted by the hooting of owls or howling of wolfs.

  • Enjoy riding your steady Balkan horse, perfectly suited for this terrain, as you experience a part of Europe that very few people get to see.  This is a completely off-the-beaten path trip that will surprise and delight you with its natural beauty.

Trip Highlights

  • 6 full days of riding and 7 nights in the unspoiled wilderness of the Montengrin mountains

  • 1 night in Podgorica to recover from jet lag and meet your fellow riders for the week

  • A visit to the Moraca monastery, a restaurant lunch on the banks of the Tara River and picnic lunches with your horses, surrounded by wild beauty

  • Local experiences every step of the way, from the food to our hosts to our accommodations.  It doesn’t get much more local than this!

  • Savina Voda:

    A ride to Zabojsko lake, hidden in Sinjajevina cliffs and surrounded by dense coniferous trees, it is a lake of emerald green color and is an almost undiscovered jewel of the country

  • Deep immersion into nature with constant views and beauty while riding by rivers and lakes, peaks and valleys, small villages and mountain pastures

                                                            

                                                             

Trip Includes

  • All guided horse treks, in-house meals, travel and accommodations while together in Montenegro

  • A intimate group experience as we leave the crowds behind with a trip designed for people who are passionate about horses, natural beauty, wide open spaces and authentic travel

  • Riding guidance, mindfulness activities and complete trip support while together at the barn and on the trails

  • 3 coaching calls prior to our trip to discuss what you hope to discover and gain from the adventure

  • 1 follow up phone call after our trip to continue the process of self-discovery and mindful living

  • 8 days and 8 nights of pure off-the-beaten path Montenegrin culture, including an evening to rest upon arrival. I will also be happy to provide my personal guidance on organizing travel plans to and from the country. Once we meet up at the designated time and place, all of your travel needs will be taken care of

The Horses, The Accommodations, The Food, The Trail

Your riding partner will be a mountain Balkan horses; calm and very skilled in all varieties of terrain.  You will have your own horse for the week to ride, take care of, connect with and who will take you to amazing places.

We will stay in the traditional summer villages of the locals, enjoying a variety of cultural experiences and meals together.  Sleeping quarters are simple, clean and cozy.  Rooms and bathrooms are shared.

This is a progressive ride meaning we will be traveling through different areas every day.  The terrain is varied mountain riding and is suitable for intermediate through advanced riders.  Total saddle time is between 4-7 hours each day with long breaks for lunch, with rest stops also available for some stretching and picture taking!

Riding and Fitness Level

Horse skills: intermediate through advanced. You need to be comfortable in walk, trot and canter and be able to control your horse in all gaits when not in a nose-to-tail line. We will do some extended trots and/or canters on the trail, as well as a significant amount of climbing/descending, so if you have a weak back or core, it is imperative to start a workout routine several months prior to the trip to strengthen these areas. Also, to make the trip the best possible experience for you, we recommend that you ride at least one to two days per week starting two or more months prior to the trip, just to get your derrière and riding muscles ready to spend some hours in the saddle.

If you haven’t ridden for awhile and are a lower intermediate rider, for maximum enjoyment of the experience, you can still prepare by taking 8 or more riding lessons before joining me on this trip.

***While we all do our best to stick to exact itineraries, sometimes changes are inevitable and flexibility is key.

  • Cost: Early bird pricing from now until December 31, 2024 – $5200. Regular pricing after January 1st, 2025- $6000

  • $1000 will reserve your spot and payments plans are tailored to individual needs.

  • *All prices are based on double occupancy. Single occupancy rates may be available at the hotel upon request for an additional fee, but accommodations are shared in the katuns. Airfare and restaurant meals are not included.

Cancellation policy:

If you have to cancel, costs are fully refundable (less deposit and 3% credit card fees) up to 120 days before the start of the trip. Between 60 and 120 days before the trip, 50% of the costs are refundable, less a 3% credit card fee.  If you have to cancel 0-60 days before the trip, the costs are nonrefundable, but are transferable to another person with appropriate riding skills and/or fitness levels.  The trip deposits are nonrefundable. However, the deposit amount may be transferred to another excursion if your spot can be filled on your previously booked trip and if space is available on an alternate trip.