In the morning, we set off to Western Serbia, and on our way we’ll pass through Užice – the biggest town and the center of Western Serbia. A brief stop in Užice allows us to explore Stari Grad, a 14th-century fortress perched on a cliff high above the Djetinja River valley, providing stunning views of the town. Uzice was a center of Uzice Republic, the only free state in occupied Europe during WWII, so here we’ll also get familiar with the story about partisans liberation movement and dark chapter of world’s history.After a short stop we head to Zlatibor, arriving approximately 25 minutes later.
Starting from the tourist center of Zlatibor, we’ll take a ride on Gold Gondola panoramic cable car. This extraordinary 9km-long cable car, the longest in the world, links the tourist center with Tornik, Zlatibor's highest peak (1496m) and a renowned ski center. Over a 30-minute panoramic ride, we'll enjoy the view over the sprawling slopes and meadows of Zlatibor, and Ribnica Lake, a Zlatibor gem popular for swimming during the hot summer months.
Returning to the Zlatibor center, we continue our journey to Stopica Cave, a natural wonder famous for its "siga" or limestone pools, subterranean water slopes, and cave formations. After delving into the cave's depths, we head to our next destination—Sirogojno village.
The Old Village museum awaits, preserving traditional architecture, ways of life, and customs of Western Serbia's people. Original wooden houses, transported from surrounding villages, stand as a testament to ancestral heritage.
After getting familiar with the culture of Western Serbia we will go to Ljubiš village. Here, cuisine takes center stage, and we'll indulge in the flavors of the region at a family-owned traditional restaurant. Experience the simplicity and incredible taste of local dishes, accompanied by a sampling of rakija, a traditional Serbian drink.
Late in the afternoon we’ll go back to Užice. Short tour in Užice.
Overnight in Užice.
After tasting traditional breakfast of Western Serbia (komplet lepinja) and after approximately 1 hour of driving, we'll arrive at Zlatar Lake. As the largest of three lakes created by dams on the Uvac river, Zlatar Lake is a picturesque setting with dense evergreen forests reflecting in its crystal-clear waters, offering a perfect photo opportunity to start the day.
After a brief stop at Zlatar Lake, our journey continues to the Uvac Special Nature Reserve. Nestled between the Zlatar and Javor mountains, as well as the Sjenica and Nova Varoš municipalities, this protected natural park is our next destination. Here, we'll embark on a boat cruise along the meanders of the Uvac canyon. During the cruise, our guide will share stories about the canyon's most famous inhabitants, the griffon vultures, as well as tales of the traditional way of life of the shepherds who have lived here for centuries. We'll also learn about the Imperial Road that once ran through this area, connecting Dubrovnik and Constantinople.
After the boat ride, we'll have the opportunity to visit the Ice Cave, named for its constant temperature of 8 degrees Celsius throughout the year. This 2.5km-long cave showcases stunning formations formed over millions of years, resembling ice-like sculptures.
Next, we'll begin a hike up the canyon, lasting approximately 30 minutes, to reach the top and Veliki Vrh viewpoint. The hike is steep, so comfortable and sturdy footwear is recommended. From the viewpoint, we'll marvel at the panoramic views of the canyon and witness the majestic flight of griffon vultures. We'll take a break to refresh and indulge in a local delicacy—pancakes made of buckwheat flour filled with kajmak.
Descending back to the boat, we'll cruise back to our starting point and return to our vehicle. On the way back we’ll make lunch break at one of the local restaurants serving delicious Western Serbian cuisine.
Overnight in Užice.
After another local breakfast we will set off for Mokra Gora village, acclaimed “The Best Tourism Village in the World” by World Tourism Organization.
After approximately 45 minutes of driving, we will reach our first stop – Wooden Town (Drvengrad) village. This complex represents a proper small town, with all the amenities one town needs, and it looks like it has stood in the same place for centuries – except it hasn't! The whole place was built in the last 20 years but still represents the traditional architecture of Western Serbia and is a meeting place for artists and guests from all over the world, especially during the Kustendorf film and music festival in January.
After visiting Wooden Town, we will proceed to the Shargan Eight railroad. This historic railway once formed part of the route connecting Belgrade to Dubrovnik on the Adriatic coast via Sarajevo. Passengers traversed the rugged Balkan landscapes aboard these vintage carriages, immersing themselves in the natural splendor of the region. While the railway was eventually overshadowed by modernization, a 15km stretch of the line has been meticulously restored and is now one of Serbia's premier tourist attractions. Here, we embark on a nostalgic journey aboard a century-old train, marveling at the pristine beauty of Shargan and Tara National Park. Prepare to be transported back in time as we traverse this engineering marvel, soaking in the unspoiled wilderness and rich history of the region.
After ride, we resume our journey, heading towards the majestic slopes of Tara mountain. Renowned as one of Serbia's five national parks, Tara stands out for its untamed wilderness, offering a glimpse into nature's unspoiled beauty. Here, the landscape remains largely untouched by human intervention, boasting lush evergreen forests that cloak its slopes and provide sanctuary to a diverse array of wildlife.
Tara's biodiversity is truly remarkable, with brown bears being among its most celebrated inhabitants. With a bit of luck, we might even catch a glimpse of these magnificent creatures in their natural habitat.
Our exploration of Tara continues as we visit the Zmajevac viewpoint, Zaovine and Spajići lakes, and, of course, Banjska Stena, the most famous viewpoint on Tara mountain. We'll also have the opportunity to see Pančićeva Omorika, a type of spruce tree unique to Tara mountain. After visiting Mitrovac village, we'll descend to Perućac lake and the Drina river. Along the way, we'll visit Vrelo river – 365m long, one for every day of the year.
Finally, we'll arrive at the world-famous House on the Rock, situated in the middle of the Drina river. The photo of this house was even featured as Photo of the Month in National Geographic magazine, bringing fame to this unique place.
In the afternoon we set off to Belgrade where we will arrive in the evening. End of the tour.
Price
1pax
$100
2pax
$100