7 Day Kayak & Wild Camp: Lake Skadar, Montenegro
7 Day Kayak & Wild Camp: Lake Skadar, Montenegro
7 Day Kayak & Wild Camp: Lake Skadar, Montenegro
7 Days Starting in Virpazar, Montenegro and ending in Virpazar
Visiting: Virpazar, Rijeka Crnojevića, Vranjina Monastery, Dodoši, Krnjice, Murići Beach, Beška Monastery
Tour operator:
Tour code:
MNE-KWC7
Recommended For:
Guide Type:
Fully Guided
Group size:
3 - 8
Age range:
14-0
Special diets catered:
Vegetarians
Tour operated in:
EnglishInterests:
Activities:
Private Available:
Request A Private Tour
Tour Overview
An unmissable experience for kayaking enthusiasts looking for a new adventure - escape to the wilds of Montenegro for a week's kayaking and wild camping in the remarkable untouched landscapes of Lake Skadar National Park! This little-known lake is the largest in Southern Europe and a paradise for nature lovers. You will cover a distance of c.65 km over 5 full days of paddling, with a day on either side to arrive and afterwards rest up, making up a week of an unforgettable adventure. Learn about the lake’s diverse flora and fauna including Dalmatian Pelican, sleep in tents next to the shore, enjoy a brilliant 2-day bushcraft course, watch millions of stars in the evening and learn new skills for the outdoors (foraging for wild food, shelter-building, fire-starting and fishing)! The week is suitable for anyone with prior kayaking experience and a reasonable level of fitness, from nature loving couples, groups of friends, families with teens and anyone who wants to try a new way of enjoying the outdoors.
Highlights
Itinerary
Day 1 : Arrival At Virpazar, The Gateway To Lake Skadar
Location: Virpazar
Accommodation: Homestay, HomestayHomestay
Accommodation Name: Lake View Andjela or similar
Meals Included: Dinner
Arrival at Virpazar from your arrival airport. In the evening we will enjoy a tasty home-cooked dinner at our homestay, where everyone can get to know each other a bit better. It’s also the time to get all your supplies and gear packed and ready for the adventure to begin the next day!
Day 2 : Rijeka Crnojevića To Dodoši
Location: Rijeka Crnojevića
Accommodation: Camp
Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Breakfast at our homestay. Transfer to the starting point of our kayaking trip, a 50-minute scenic drive away on the northern shores of the lake, from where we will paddle the majestic serpentines of the Crnojevića river which feeds into Lake Skadar. Taking another reed and willow-fringed river, we arrive at the charming fishing village of Dodoši, where we will camp for the night. Dinner is at small, locally-owned restaurant not far and right on the river bank - perfect for swimming and jumping in opportunities! Paddling distance: 17km.
Day 3 : Dodoši To Morača Delta
Location: Vranjina Monastery, Dodoši
Accommodation: Camp
Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
An early start to head back along the waterways of the wild Karatuna river, past the lily pad fields and with the chance to spot many different species of water bird as well as birds of prey above. Once we are into the main body of the lake, we paddle around deserted islands with jaw-dropping views over the hills and mountains before swinging past the twin peaks island of Vranjina to the shores of the Morača Delta, where our bushcraft instructors will be waiting for us. Paddling distance: 12km
Day 4 : Bushcraft Course
Location: Vranjina Monastery
Accommodation: Camp
Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Waking up in the willow tree forest, it's time for a bushcraft masterclass! Learn to start a fire without matches, build a bivouac out of available materials, whittle a spoon, learn to fish and navigate by the sun and stars – all skills that are so useful in the real outdoors! There's also plenty of time to relax, swim in the brilliant turquoise waters of the Moraca river and read books in the camp hammocks.
Day 5 : Bushcraft Course Day 2, Then On To Raduš
Location: Vranjina Monastery, Krnjice
Accommodation: Homestay
Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Your first day was about survival techniques – your second is about thriving in the outdoor environment! Navigation, fishing, foraging for and preparing food in nature, safe use of tools – it’s all about putting your new skills into practice in the setting of this stunning National Park. Once we are out of the heat of the day, we shall paddle down the other side of the delta and across the open water to the deepest point of the lake, Raduš (depth 120m) where locals Danilo and Lidija will prepare a delicious fish dinner for us. Swimming is very much encouraged at this spot, and arriving by starlight is sometimes an atmospheric bonus! We take a break from the tents and sleep in rustic waterside apartments with hot showers 😉 Paddling distance: 10km
Day 6 : Raduš To Murići
Location: Krnjice, Murići Beach
Accommodation: Camp
Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Hugging the shoreline, it's time to paddle further south towards the clear open waters of the vast Skadar Lake. Passing old fishing settlements, some of them completely abandoned, we will have stunning views of the 'Accursed' mountain range and Albania on our left. Eventually, we arrive to camp Murići, a glorious freshwater beach which even in summer is next to deserted. It stretches half a kilometre. This is our last night under canvas. Paddling distance: 15km
Day 7 : Visit To Beška Monastery And Return To Virpazar
Location: Beška Monastery, Virpazar
Accommodation: Homestay, HomestayHomestay
Accommodation Name: Lake View Andjela or similar
Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
The final leg of our journey! From the beach campsite, we first will pay a visit by kayak (just a short trip!) to the friendly and hugely welcoming nuns on the island monastery of Beška. Here we will take a tour of the medieval chapels and enjoy a glass of homemade pomegranate juice with the nuns to refresh us physically and spiritually before we return to the beach for our transfer by car back to Virpazar. The rest of the day is free for everyone. We enjoy a last dinner together at our homestay before farewells in the morning.
Day 8 : Departure
Location: Podgorica Airport
Accommodation: Homestay
Meals Included: Breakfast
Transfer to Podgorica Airport or onward travels.
What's Included
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Accommodation
Your first and last night will be spent at a homestay in Virpazar, a charming village which is the gateway to Lake Skadar National Park. The five nights in between are spent camping in two-person tents in various picturesque locations on the shores of the rivers and lake.
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Airport Transfers at Destination
Transfers from/to Podgorica/Tivat Airport are included in the price. Other destinations would incur an extra transfer charge.
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Free Wi-Fi at Accommodation
Most accommodations have WiFi, but we can’t guarantee it will always be working when we are in remote areas.
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Fully Guided
Personable, experienced Tour Leader throughout, who is a licensed kayaking guide.
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Entrance Fees
Lake Skadar National Park fee is included in the price.
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Meals
2 night of bed and breakfast, 5 evening meals, 5 lunches.
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Equipment
We supply all boats (Z-Pro Tango inflatable kayaks), tents, sleep mats, safety and cooking equipment, but you will need to bring your own sleeping bag and a certain amount of your own food.
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Dedicated Support Crew to Set Up Camp and Meals
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5 Days of Guided Point-to-Point Kayaking in Stunning Nature Areas in Montenegro
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'Book to Give Back' Donation
Donations to our chosen local environmental and community causes, e.g. Dalmatian Pelican Conservation at Lake Skadar.
What's Not Included
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Drinks with Meals
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Tipping and Gratuities
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International Travel
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Country Entry Visas
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Sleeping bags
Check out our Q&As
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Can you cater for vegetarians or other specialist diets?
Vegetarian diets are accommodated on this holiday.
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Are any meals included?
2 breakfasts, 5 lunches and 5 dinners.
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Are children permitted to take part in the tour?
Our recommended minimum age for this holiday is 14.
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Are vaccinations required for this tour?
There are no specific vaccinations required for your visit to Montenegro. The World Health Organisation recommends that all travellers be covered for diptheria, hepatitis B, measles, mumps, pertussis (whooping cough), polio, rubella, tuberculosis and varicella (chickenpox), regardless of their destination. You should also consider being vaccinated for hepatitis A. Since most vaccines don’t produce immunity until at least two weeks after they’re given, visit a physician at least six weeks before departure.
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Will passengers from another country be participating in the tour?
That's hard to answer, it truly varies, but the majority of our guests are British or West European.
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How expensive is eating out or buying food for self-catering?
Restaurants are great value – mains are generally € 5-10 and you should never pay more than € 2 for half a litre of beer. At the supermarket it’s even cheaper of course – a loaf of bread is 80 cents, milk is 60 cents.
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Can I pay for my holiday in a different currency?
Yes, but as Lloyds Bank UK somehow still does not offer Euro or Dollar account internet banking we prefer to arrange alternative currency payments via Paypal, for which there is a 3% surcharge.
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Do you require a visa for this holiday?
No, no visa is needed if you're coming from the EU countries, US, UK, Australia, or Canada...
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Is there a limit to luggage that can be brought on the tour?
Not really, but we advise to pack
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Will there be an escort accompanying this tour?
Your Tour Leader is both your pre-departure contact and your on-location guide for all or most of the week (on occasion, they will hand over to another experienced member of our team for a day or two’s activities). Once you have booked, all questions about the holiday should be directed to your Tour Leader.
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Is free Wi-Fi available in the accommodation used?
In most cases wifi is available, but in some more remote locations or due to bad weather conditions, wifi might be unstable.
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Will I know the names and details of all the accommodation before I depart?
Of course, you'll get the trip note prior to your trip with all the necessary information.
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Do I need to bring any specialist gear?
We supply all boats (Z-Pro Tango inflatable kayaks), tents, sleep mats, and safety and cooking equipment, but you will need to bring your own sleeping bag and a certain amount of your own food.
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What is the standard of the hotels on this tour?
This tour is mostly camping wild on the shores of the lake. The first and last nights are in a 3-star chalet.
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What is the tipping policy?
While tipping is not mandatory in Montenegro, it is a customary way of expressing gratitude for exceptional service received in the service industry. Leaving a tip can show appreciation for the hard work of the staff, however, it is not expected if you were not fully satisfied with the service.
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What is the fitness level required to do this tour?
If you are an experienced paddler looking for a kayaking adventure, this kayaking trip in Montenegro may be perfect for you! Prior paddling experience is necessary, and a minimum age of 14 is required. This kayaking trip is physically demanding, with several hours of paddling each day. Fitness is essential to complete the program, as is a readiness for basic but clean accommodations in remote areas.
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Do we need a car?
All transport is taken care of by us!
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Is there any free time to explore places during the tour?
Sure, on our last day, when we return to Virpazar, you'll have a couple of hours to explore on your own.
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Is there a supplement for solo travellers?
No.
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How is accommodation arranged?
Your first and last night will be spent glamping at Green Hills Chalets, situated just 2km from Virpazar. The 5 nights out on the lake will be spent either sleeping under the stars or in two-man canvas tents (you may bring your tents if you prefer).
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What happens if a group doesn’t make its minimum required number of passengers?
We're flexible on that and open to tailor-made requests.
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Are all the relevant entry visa’s included in the price of the tour?
No, entry visas are not included in the tour price. However, citizens from the EU, US, UK, and Australia are able to enter Montenegro visa-free for up to 90 days at the time of writing.
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How much travelling is involved on your trips?
We firmly believe that holiday time in the car should be kept to a minimum. No single journey is ever longer than 4 hours, and most transfer times between centres are less than 2 hours.
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How hot is it in summer?
April/May temperatures range from 20-30C. June/July – 25-35C. August – 30-35C. September – 20-30C. October – 15-25C. For the North of Montenegro, Albania and Kosovo, knock off 10C!
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Are all entrance fees included in the price?
Yes, all entrance fees are included in the tour price.
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Are there many mosquitos?
Like anywhere in the Mediterranean, mosquitos are around but there are never swarms of them. If you’re worried about bites, bring some repellent and some antihistamines too if you know you react badly to them (hard to buy locally). They are not generally a problem away from the coast.
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Are airport transfers included in this tour?
Yes, airport transfers to/from Podgorica Airport are included in the price. Other locations require an extra fee charge.
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Is the tour coach air conditioned?
Yes.
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Are you insured for the activities you offer?
We have full liability insurance up to £ 5 million.
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Is Undiscovered Balkans a UK company?
We operate as Undiscovered Montenegro, which is a fully registered UK company, registered company number 06779866. Our Montenegrin company, Miela d.o.o handles our logistical operations in Montenegro, and in other territories, we partner together only with fully licenced, family-run businesses. Payment for our holidays is generally made in Sterling.
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What currencies are required for this tour?
Euro (€), since that's the official currency of Montenegro.
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Are the local guides on the tour English speaking?
Of course! All of our guides are fluent or near native in English and even in some other languages!
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What is the maximum group size?
8.
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Can you assist with pre or post tour accommodation?
Not directly, but we can give you some recommendations if needed!
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Are flights included in this tour?
No, flights are not included in the price.
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Who will be my travelling companions on the tour?
While we cannot say for certain who your travelling companions will be, many of our guests are from the UK and some holidays may be fully booked by a group of friends or family. We believe in creating a welcoming and inclusive atmosphere for all guests to share experiences and create lasting memories.
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What documents will I receive before I travel?
You will receive a trip note with all the necessary information!
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Is any experience necessary for any of the activities, for example the kayaking?
No experience is necessary for any of the activities – our kayaking, rafting and canyoning guides have BCU or equivalent qualifications and all our other guides are equally experienced and qualified in their fields. Full safety equipment is provided where necessary. The exception is our kayaking holidays; these are not recommended for novice paddlers.
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Do you operate a “single share” option and how does it work?
While it depends on the specific holiday and accommodations available, we always strive to meet the needs of our guests. If a guest requires a solo room for any reason, we will do our best to provide one, but if such accommodation is not available, it may be necessary to share a room with another solo traveller of the same gender.
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Will the accommodation included meet local health and safety regulations?
Of course, ensuring that our guests have safe and comfortable accommodation is of utmost importance to us. All the accommodation included in our holidays meets local health and safety regulations and while it may be simple, it is always clean and equipped with all necessary basic features.
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How long has the tour company been trading?
Undiscovered Balkans is part of Undiscovered Montenegro, a UK-registered adventure travel company founded in 2008 by British husband and wife team, Emma and Ben Heywood.
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Can I join the tour once it has departed?
While we appreciate your interest in joining our tour, unfortunately, we are not able to accommodate guests who wish to join after the departure date. We highly recommend booking in advance to secure your spot and ensure a smooth and enjoyable travel experience.
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Am I contributing to any charity by booking the tour?
At our tour company, we believe that responsible travel not only benefits the environment but also the local community, which is why we are committed to our "Book to Give Back" motto. By choosing to go on our tours, you are not only experiencing the best of what the destination has to offer, but you are also supporting the local economy through our "Going Local" initiative.
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Is there WiFi at our accommodation?
We have free WiFi throughout all of our other accommodation options. Please be aware however, that in remote areas reception can be sporadic.
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What happens if I need to change my holiday date once I’ve booked?
If it's early enough for us to update the chn
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How fit do I have to be to enjoy the activities?
In all cases, please refer to the activity level rating provided on each holiday page, and the “activity levels explained” tab on the “About” menu. As a rule of thumb, you don’t need to be a marathon runner or champion athlete to enjoy most of our holidays (those who regularly push themselves to their physical limits would find our trips “soft”!), but you do need to be in good health and have a re
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Is a stay of less than one week possible?
For our multi-activity holidays, in July and August, our minimum stay is one week. At other times, we can occasionally offer shorter stays (3 nights, 2 activities minimum) at our discretion. We do not arrange accommodation only breaks – sorry.
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Are your holidays suitable for young children?
Active families love our holidays – you can read what guests with children have to say about us via reviews on Responsible Travel and Tripadvisor. The minimum age for most of our holidays is 7 years but we can make exceptions for kids as young as 5 years old if your child is active, adventurous, can swim and has experience of hiking for at least 7 miles including some uphill stretches. On the othe
Reviews from travellers on this tour
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Sunday - Sunday
Oct 06, 2024 - Oct 13, 2024Book with Confidence
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Low Deposit
Undiscovered Balkans requires a minimum deposit of 30% or the full booking value, whichever is less, with the final balance not due until 45 days before departure.
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Cancellation Policy
We don't charge a cancellation fee, here is a summary of undiscovered balkans charges.
At 90 days before tour starts: Forfeit 30% of booking price.
At 40 days before tour starts: Forfeit 60% of booking price.
At 28 days before tour starts: Forfeit 75% of booking price.
At 14 days before tour starts: Forfeit 90% of booking price.
At 7 days before tour starts: Forfeit 100% of booking price.