HEARTLAND OF MONTENEGRO - NATURE LOVER TOUR
Kotor - Famous Serpentine road – Njegusi village – Mausoleum (viewpoint) & Ivanova korita – Panoramic Cetinje - Rijeka Crnojevića (River Crnojevic) - Pavlova strana (viewpoint) - Karuc village – Panorama Budva & Sv. Stefan - Kotor
Duraion: 7-8hrs
FAMOUS SERPENTINES - The back road leading from Kotor, up the slopes of Mt Lovćen to the old Montenegrin heartland is quite possibly the most memorable of any in the country – both for the incredible views and for the hairpin turns up the hill. Feel the cool mountain air as you zig-zag up the slopes for several kilometers and then you’ll reach those famous 16 hairpin turns, that turns back and forth high above the Bay of Kotor giving spectacular views with each turn and each one revealing a view more impressive than the last. At the top, the views stretch right over the bay and all the way to the sparkling blue Adriatic beyond.
NJEGUSI - With the mountains hovering all around and fields of wild grass covering every square inch of the land, the character of this small mountaintop village, in southern Montenegro within Cetinje municipality, shines through. It is located on the slopes of Mount Lovcen, within Lovćen national park at 1,111 meter above sea level. This village is best known as birthplace of Montenegro’s royal dynasty of Petrovic that ruled Montenegro from 1696 to 1918. Njeguši, while quaint, is very famous for its smoked ham (prosciutto) and local cheese (called Njeguški sir and Njeguškipršut) as well as for its well-preserved traditional folk architecture.
MAUSOLEUM, THE VIEWPOINT AND IVANOVA KORITA - Following the road that goes through the heart of Lovcen National Park you will reach the spectacular Njegos Mausoleum, sitting atop the mountain’s second-highest peak (Jezerski Vrh, 1657m). There you will find a circular viewing platform behind the Njegos Mausoleum, from where one can gaze over the lunar landscape of the Lovcen massif. The panorama is really spectacular, and like Kotor’s town walls, it’s the pay-off for a hard slog to the top. From the road, 461 steps head straight up a grand processional way to the tomb of Montenegro’s poet, prince and Bishop Petar II Petrović Njegoš.
Ivanova Korita is a big valley 1200 m. long, located 12 km. from a former capital of Montenegro, Cetinje, in Lovcen National Park. It is named after Ivan Crnojevic, the founder of Cetinje. According to the legend, he made a trough (korito) with his own hands. Numerous brooks connect in the valley following through stone bowl flow into beech trough. Every year numerous tourists and scientists come here, as there are more than 1000 species of the most various plants. This place is also popular among historians and archeologists, since there are many ancient monasteries and temples, such as Church of St. Archangel Michael and Church of St. George.
PANORAMIC CETINJE - The Old Royal Capital of Montenegro, founded in the 15th century is located at the foot of Lovcen Mountain. You will discover the story on Montenegrin history through the riches of historic edifices and museums in the “valley of gods”. Your guide will take you straight through the labyrinth of roads the aristocrats of Europe showed off on. Also you will have a chance to see The King Nikola Castle, The Cetinje Monastery, churches, “Biljarda” – the Residence of bishop, well-known writer and philosopher – Petar II Petrović Njegoš, and all this will just scratch the surface, as every wing treasures its own secrets. After panoramic sightseeing of Cetinje which is a “town-museum” you will continue towards Rijeka Crnojevica.
RIJEKA CRNOJEVICA - (River Crnojevic) flows from cave Obod with its short 13 kilometer long course it passes through beautiful regions of old Montenegro to Lake Skadar. The fishing village named after the river, Rijeka Crnojevića, lies directly on the river. Village is famous for its bridge, Rijeka Crnojevića Bridge. The bridge spans the Crnojevic River and is one of the most important historical monuments and tourist attractions in Cetinje municipality. The bridge connected Rijeka Crnojevića with the medieval town of Obod, located on a hilltop across the river, which was the location of a first printing house. The Crnojević printing house was the first printing house in Southeastern Europe. The facility operated between 1493 and 1496. It was founded by Djuradj Crnojevic, the ruler of Zeta between 1490 and 1496. The Crnojević printing press was also the first state press in the world. Five Orthodox liturgical books were printed in this printshop. In addition, the first pharmacy in Montenegro, as well as the first weapons workshop, was opened in this area. Rijeka Crnojevića is also known as the starting point of the boat trips over the river Rijeka Crnojevića, going over the idyllic water lily rich river with the famous river bend, which can be found on many postcards, and eventually flowing into Lake Skadar. Famous for its fish specialties this magnificent place attracts many locals from the area itself. Beauties of Rijeka Crnojevića and villages on its waterside have inspired artists coming to this region for centuries.
PAVLOVA STRANA - is one of the most spectacular places and sceneries in Montenegro. It is one of the most photographed places in in the area, which is almost unavoidable when it comes to travel guides, websites and postcards. This viewpoint owes its photogenic to the River Crnojević, which here flows into Lake Skadar. Looking from above one can not accurately determine whether in this place the river enters the lake or the opposite. Perhaps it is best to say that this is periodically changing. It is impossible not to feel the beauty of this jewel of Lake Skadar National Park. The best time to come is in the period from May to October because of water lilies that further contribute to the charms of this stunning landscape.
IDYLLIC KARUC VILLAGE is a small fishermen's village situated on the banks of Lake Skadar. It is one of traditional villages where you can enjoy in amazing nature, feel the spirit of past times and enjoy in its marvelous environment while tasting national food. Like any other village on Lake Skadar, it's tiny in size, but giant in terms of history and nature. Karuč was a temporary village from where fishermen used to go fishing as the Karučko oko (Karuč' Eye) was known for the abundance of bleak. There are still ruins of the houses that the fishermen were using to storage their nets and other equipment. Having a mild climate and being a place where the winters are not very cold and almost never windy, Karuč was a place where even Petar I Petrović Njegoš had his winter home built. There are still ruins of this object which you can visit and admire the beautiful view. Karuč village and its surroundings are definitely worth visiting while exploring Lake Skadar area.
PANORAMAS Budva, St. Stefan and Kotor are breathtaking. The amazing scenery of the mountains disappearing in the water, endless views of the sea and sky, and the mighty walls with their imposing watchtowers, looming over the medieval cities and dramatic fortifications edging the sea cliffs, make these ancient cities an impressive sight.
This tour can be booked with licensed tour guides speaking English, Spanish, German, French and Italian.
The tour can be modified (shortened or prolonged) to suit your personal preferences and adjusted according to your needs and wishes.
