Montenegro and Albania Bike Tour

Albania Shkodra Lake (1)

Overview

Discover the magic of Montenegro and Albania on an unforgettable bike tour starting in Trebinje, Bosnia and Herzegovina. Begin with a guided tour of Trebinje before cycling through the picturesque Konvale Valley to Herceg Novi, Montenegro.

In Albania, explore the vast beauty of Lake Skadar, the largest lake in the Balkans, and delve into the rich history of Shkodra’s Marubi photo collection, a UNESCO treasure. Delight in local food and wine, immersing yourself in vibrant cultural traditions.

Returning to Montenegro, take in panoramic views of Lake Skadar and the Albanian Alps, ride along the stunning Bay of Kotor, with its mesmerizing Adriatic views, and conquer the famous "Ladder of Kotor." The journey culminates in the historic coastal town of Kotor, a UNESCO World Heritage site.

Start

Trebinje

Finish

Kotor

Lodging

casual

Level

moderate

Avg. dist. cycled

50km / 30mi

Group size

Min. 4, Max. 12

Fly-In

Dubrovnik Airport

Fly-Out

Tivat Airport

Highlights

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A Transnational Adventure Through the Balkans

Since the cultures and geographies of the Balkan states are so intimately tied with each other, we’ve designed this tour so that it passes through three countries - Montenegro, Albania, and Bosnia and Herzegovina.

Itinerary

Brief Itinerary

Detailed Itinerary

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Day 1: Trebinje, Bosnia and Herzegovina

Arrive at Trebinje, where you'll receive a brief orientation about the program, followed by a bike fitting session. Later join a guided city tour of Trebinje to explore the rich history that lies at the crossroads of the Orient and the Occident. Enjoy an overnight stay in Trebinje.

Meals: D
Accommodation: Hotel Platani
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Day 2: Herceg Novi, Montenegro

Our journey begins by pedaling through the charming villages of the romantic Konvale Valley. We'll then continue along a scenic route overlooking the coast. After covering 35 km, we'll pause for a light lunch before reaching the border between Croatia and Montenegro. Once we've crossed into Montenegro, we'll cycle to its first town, Herceg Novi. The final stretch of the day takes us along a picturesque old railway track that once linked Herceg Novi with Dubrovnik and Trebinje, following the town's delightful seaside promenade.

Albania-Bosnia to Montenegro.png

Meals: B,D
Cycling Distance: 45km / 28mi
Accommodation: Hotel RR
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Day 3: Stari Bar, Montenegro

Explore the stunning highlights of the Bay of Kotor on this cycling day. Start the journey by riding along the old railway line that once connected Dubrovnik and Herceg Novi, leading us to Zelenika. Continue cycling along the scenic shoreline, passing through Risan and Perast, known as the "pearl of the bay." Take time to explore this picturesque historical town and visit its beautiful church islands by shuttle boat.

Enjoy a delightful lunch at a local mussel farm before continuing the ride along the shoreline to the charming town of Kotor. Here, a 1.5-hour boat transfer awaits, taking us along the breathtaking coastline past Budva and Sv. Stefan, offering views of the old town of Kotor, which we visit on day 7. End day in the medieval town of Stari Bar, where we spend the night, at a place overlooking this historic gem.

Alabani-Bay of Kotor .png

Meals: B,D
Cycling Distance: 40km / 25mi
Accommodation: Guesthouse Kula
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Day 4: Shkodra, Albania

On today's ride, we pass through ancient olive groves, home to trees that are over 2000 years old. Our route will take us along a scenic side road above the Adriatic, weaving through the olive groves around Bar, known as the "olive oil capital" of Montenegro. We pause for a picnic at the serene Lake Sas, allowing us to soak in the beautiful views. The ride continues through a vast, picturesque valley, eventually leading us to the Ulcinj–Shkodra road, which we will follow all the way to Shkodra.

Albania-Stari-Bar-Shkodra.png

Meals: B,D
Cycling Distance: 45km / 28mi
Accommodation: Hotel Tradita
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Day 5: Shkodra, Albania

Today ride to the Drin River and treat yourself to an exceptional lunch at one of Albania's finest dining experiences, the slow-food restaurant "Mrizi I Zanave" ("Garden of the Fairy"). Continue a few kilometers further to visit a local winemaker, where we'll stop en route to sample the locally produced red wine, "Kallmet." Along the way, we pass the impressive dam of the River Drin and get a glimpse of traditional Albanian village life. We return the same way back to Shkodra.

Albania-Day 5.png

Meals: B,D
Cycling Distance: 65km / 40mi
Accommodation: Hotel Tradita
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Day 6: Cetinje, Montenegro

Today we take an hour-long drive across the border into Montenegro and over the first major ascent. Today’s route offers a stunning, yet challenging panoramic tour featuring three major ascents. We'll follow a narrow road above Lake Skadar, cycling through vineyards, picturesque villages, and offering countless breathtaking views of the lake and the dramatic Albanian Alps. As we ride through centuries-old majestic chestnut groves surrounding the village of Ostros, we'll pause for a picnic near the village of Murići, where we can enjoy stunning views of the small monastery islands.

Continue biking high above the lake, catching sight of Montenegro’s "Alcatraz" in the distance—a former prison from the time of King Nikola. In Godinje, a traditional wine region, we have the opportunity to rest and regain our strength before tackling the final ascent on our way to Virpazar. Here, we can relish the beauty of Lake Skadar during a two-hour boat ride to the village of Rijeka Crnojevića. Have dinner at a charming winery, and afterwards, we will take a shuttle (30 minutes) to Cetinje.

Montenegro and Albania Bike Tour-Day6.png

Meals: B,D
Cycling Distance: 40km / 25mi
Accommodation: Hotel Ivanov Konak
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Day 7: Kotor, Montenegro

Today's journey takes us from the mountains to the sea along the renowned Austro-Hungarian serpentine road, offering the most stunning panoramic views of the Bay of Kotor. Starting from the hotel in the national park, those seeking a challenge can cycle the final 200 meters up to the mausoleum of Montenegro’s most significant historical figure, Petar Petrović Njegoš, before descending the mountain. From the observation platform, we'll be treated to breathtaking panoramic views of nearly all of Montenegro.

After conquering the initial ascent, enjoy a thrilling downhill ride of over 30 km. We'll take a small 4 km detour to the village of Njeguši to savor their famous locally produced ham and cheese. The grand finale of our cycling tour is a descent to the Bay of Kotor, with numerous picturesque spots perfect for photo opportunities. The tour concludes right in front of the old town of Kotor, where our accommodation is located. After checking in, we can explore the rich history of Kotor on a guided city tour. In the evening, enjoy a farewell dinner and soak in the Mediterranean ambiance of the Old Town of Kotor.

Montenegro and Albania Bike Tour Day 7.png

Meals: B,D
Cycling Distance: 35km / 21mi
Accommodation: Hotel Marija
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Day 8: Departure

Your cycling trip concludes after breakfast. Make your own arrangements or any optional extensions to your journey.

Meals: B
Accommodation:

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Map

Dates and Prices

Members get an estimated 10% off when booking at least 6 months in advance.

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Single Supplement

From US $350

E-Bike Upgrade

From US $80



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Essential Info

Inclusions

LODGING

All hotels as mentioned in the tour details or similar (subject to availability).

trip leader

Expert Trip Leader(s) who look after your every need and add meaning to your vacation.

bike

Immaculately maintained bike with helmet, suited to a terrain.

shuttle

A Van support follows the group of riders and carries all belongings.

meals

Meals as per itinerary. Guests are given the opportunity to dine on their own so that they discover a location independently.

refreshments

Refreshments and mineral water while cycling.

entrance

Entrance fees to most of the monuments and temples.

Exclusions

Airport pickup and drop

We recommend to book direclty from airport or hotel.

Beverages

Beverages such as alcohol, tea, coffee, juice at a hotel or restaurant.

Gratuity

Gratuities for your guide team are not included in the trip price.

Bikes

When you have a road and the thrill of a journey ahead of you, it’s imperative to have a good bike to enjoy it. Our fleet majorly consist of the below bikes as a part of this tour. However, sometimes due to height or availability constraints, we may provide a different but similar quality bike.

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Trek FX3 or similar

hybrid

Included in your trip price

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Specialized 105 or similar

road

Included in your trip price

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Trek Verve+ or similar

ebike

Available at a surcharge

January

Offseason

February

Offseason

March

Offseason

April

Offseason

May

Best

June

Best

July

Mixed

August

Mixed

September

Best

October

Best

November

Offseason

December

Offseason

Best

Good

Mixed

Offseason

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