Experience Overview
Nature, history and culture collide across Bosnia and Herzegovina on this round-trip eight-day exploration from Sarajevo. So recently touched by upheaval, the people of Bosnia and Herzegovina are eager to share their history and customs with you – through good food and local stories. Spot wild horses in the mountains, step inside a preserved bunker that remained a national secret for decades, go hiking to the mountain village of Lukomir and tuck into home-made cheeses, pies and boreks.
Highlights
- Share a meal hosted by locals Mustafa and Mersiha in their kitchen overlooking the city of Sarajevo.
- Go off-road in search of wild horses in the foothills of Mount Cincar – your expert local leaders and guides know all the best spots to look.
- Explore the historic and off-the-beaten-path town of Jajce – the birthplace of Yugoslavia and home to centuries-old architecture and a fairytale waterfall.
- Step inside Josip Tito’s bunker – a massive and well-preserved underground nuclear shelter from the Yugoslav era that just recently opened to visitors.
- Meet Sarajevo’s only female coppersmith while wandering the cobblestone walkways of the city’s historic cultural centre.
Trip Details
Product Code: 2960
Tour Type: Small Group
Accommodation: Moderate
Transport: Public bus,Private vehicle,4X4 Jeep
Guide Language: English
Tour Operator: Intrepid Travel
Supplier Code: WBSE
Starts: Sarajevo, Bosnia And Herzegovina
Finishes: Sarajevo , Bosnia And Herzegovina
Duration: 8 days
Departures: Guaranteed
Physical Rating: Light
Includes
Meals: Breakfasts (7), Lunch (1), Dinner (3)Accommodation: Hotel (5 nights),Guesthouse ( 2 nights)
Price
Price per person: (Double Occupancy) CAD $2,164 ($270 /day)
Itinerary
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.
Included Activities:
- Sarajevo - Bosnian cooking demonstration & dinner
Accommodation:
- Hotel (Number of Nights: 1)
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.
Included Activities:
- Jajce - Pliva waterfall visit
- Jajce - Guided walking tour and AVNOJ museum visit
Accommodation:
- Hotel (Number of Nights: 1)
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.
Included Activities:
- Livno – Wild horse safari
- Mostar - Guided walking tour & craft workshop visit
Accommodation:
- Hotel (Number of Nights: 1)
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.
Included Activities:
- Blagaj – Blagaj Tekke monastery
- Stolac - Coffee & cake at Mehmedbašića Kuća
- Trebižat River - Kravica Waterfall
Accommodation:
- Hotel (Number of Nights: 1)
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.
Included Activities:
- Konjic - Armijska Ratna Komanda ARK D-0 (Tito’s Bunker) tour
- Konjic - Herzogovian Home-cooked Meal
- Konjic - Bosnian coffee demonstration
Accommodation:
- Guesthouse (Number of Nights: 1)
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.
Included Activities:
- Lukomir - Home-cooked lunch
- Umoljani – Bjelašnica Mountains hike
Accommodation:
- Guesthouse (Number of Nights: 1)
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.
Included Activities:
- Sarajevo – Guided City Tour
- Sarajevo - Coppersmith visit
Accommodation:
- Hotel (Number of Nights: 1)
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.
Optional Activities:
- Sarajevo - Sarajevo Museum (5 BAM)
- Sarajevo - Jewish Museum (5 BAM)
- Sarajevo - Gazi Husrev-beg Mosque (3 BAM)
- Sarajevo - City Hall & Old National Library (10 BAM)
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Tour Operator
Intrepid Travel
Intrepid Travel is a global adventure travel company, dedicated to providing sustainable, experience-rich travel opportunities. They’ve been the leader in ethical, small-group travel since 1989 - taking people around the world for more than 30 years. They’re the world’s largest travel B Corporation - dedicated to being the best travel company for the world. In 2002, they established The Intrepid Foundation so their travellers could make a lasting impact on the communities they had visited. Although Intrepid Travel absorbs all administrative costs of The Intrepid Foundation, they are separate legal entities, allowing The Intrepid Foundation to grow independently. Intrepid Travel is made up of a collection of tour operator brands and 28 destination management companies all united by one vision: To change the way we all see the world.
In Business Since 1989
Reviews
Jennifer - Traveled, October 2023
This was a wonderful trip! I highly recommended Bosnia. It is such an interesting country that deserves to be better explored. The waterfalls and mountains are stunning. I especially loved the wild horses and the days in Mostar. Sarajevo is such a great city too. This trip had loads of interactions with local people, and lots of great food too! Tito's bunker was epic. The group were so lovely, and our guide Petar was exceptional. He was so enthusiastic and knowledgeable and keen that we understood Bosnia and the wider region properly. I recommend adding a day in Sarejevo before/after and do the Siege of Sarajevo tour with Meet Bosnia.
Source: Tour operator Submitted: 11/06/2023
Andrew - Traveled, September 2023
I recommend this tour for people who want to learn more about Bosnia and Herzegovina and experience some of the very welcoming local hospitality.
Source: Tour operator Submitted: 09/15/2023
Alexander - Traveled, September 2023
This was an excellent trip. Would highly recommend visiting Bosnia to anyone - brilliant people, food and culture!
Source: Tour operator Submitted: 09/15/2023
Tara - Traveled, September 2023
A brilliant tour of Bosnia/Herzegovina with a great mix of activities from white water rafter to cooking demonstrations to history and culture. Pavle was a brilliant leader who was great fun, whilst keeping us all on track. Highly recommend both Intrepid and Bosnia and Herzegovina.
Source: Tour operator Submitted: 09/18/2023
Virginia - Traveled, June 2023
This is a great trip for those with an interest in the Balkan region's history with lots of chances to enjoy a beautiful natural environment and fascinating city attractions too. Arrive a day early to spend time in Sarajevo. This trip suits all ages.
Source: Tour operator Submitted: 06/24/2023
Shazna - Traveled, May 2024
A breathtaking and magnificent country with wonderful people. Everywhere you turn there was a piece of history, culture or a view to absorb! Ivan our leader was amazing too!
Source: Tour operator Submitted: 07/07/2024
Alex - Traveled, May 2024
A fantastic and fascinating trip. Busy and varied covering highlights of the country with a wide range of activities and destinations. Everyday felt packed but not rushed, good food and accommodation and fabulous scenery and sights. Would highly recommend!
Source: Tour operator Submitted: 05/23/2024
Alexandra - Traveled, May 2024
I implore you to consider Bosnia & Herzegovina it is a destination of such diversity in food, culture, history and wilderness. One of the highlights of this trip included a traditional Bosnian dinner with a delightful couple who were generous with their time, food and experiences - a great ice breaker on your first night together as a group. However, finding wild horses in the mountains and getting to see them interacting with each other was super special. I learnt so much about the history of Bosnia & Herzegovina and the wider political landscape that contributed to where it is today. Hearing first hand accounts of the recent war was a humbling and unique experience. Our guide Ivan was fabulous he made everything seamless and did so with such humour. This trip is full of stunning landscapes, history, tasty delights and incredibly strong coffee. I have recommended it to any one that asks how my trip to Bosnia & Herzegovina was.
Source: Tour operator Submitted: 06/02/2024
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