8 Days
From US $2,395
Highlights of Montenegro and Albania Bike Tour
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.
Trebinje
Kotor
casual
easy
45km / 27mi
Min. 4, Max. 12
Dubrovnik Airport (DBV)
Tivat Airport (TIV)
Highlights
Itinerary
Brief Itinerary
Day | Place | casual Inns or similar | Meals | Distance | Activity |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
DAY 1 | Trebinje, Bosnia and Herzegovina | Hotel Platani | D | ||
DAY 2 | Herceg Novi, Montenegro | Hotel RR | B,D | 45km / 28mi | cycling |
DAY 3 | Stari Bar, Montenegro | Guesthouse Kula | B,D | 40km / 25mi | cycling |
DAY 4 | Shkodra, Albania | Hotel Tradita | B,D | 45km / 28mi | cycling |
DAY 5 | Shkodra, Albania | Hotel Tradita | B,D | 65km / 40mi | cycling |
DAY 6 | Cetinje, Montenegro | Hotel Ivanov Konak | B,D | 40km / 25mi | cycling |
DAY 7 | Kotor, Montenegro | Hotel Marija | B,D | 35km / 21mi | cycling |
DAY 8 | Departure | B |
Detailed Itinerary
Day 1: Trebinje, Bosnia and Herzegovina
Arrive in Dubrovnik airport and join a group transfer for a scenic 1-hour journey to Trebinje. Once there, 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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
Day 8: Departure
Your cycling trip concludes after breakfast. Make your own arrangements or any optional extensions to your journey.
Ready to plan your adventure? Download a print-ready detailed itinerary.
Map
Dates and Prices
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.
Arrival & Departure Details
Arrival Details:
Arrive at Dubrovnik Airport, where you’ll be greeted by our team and introduced to other group members. After everyone has gathered, we’ll set off on a scheduled group transfer to Trebinje, a scenic journey of about one hour. Sit back and enjoy the picturesque landscapes as you travel toward your first destination.
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.
Trek FX3 or similar
Included in your trip price
Specialized 105 or similar
Included in your trip price
Trek Verve+ or similar
Available at a surcharge
Weather
The best time for cycling in Montenegro and Albania is spring-summer (May to June) and autumn (September to October). During these months, the weather is typically mild and pleasant, with temperatures ranging from 15 to 25 degrees Celsius (59 to 77 degrees Fahrenheit).
Spring is characterized by blooming flowers and lush landscapes, while autumn offers vibrant colors as the leaves change. These seasons provide excellent conditions for cycling, with lower chances of extreme heat or heavy rainfall.
Summer (July to August) are warmer, especially in the lowland areas, with daytime temperatures often exceeding 30 degrees Celsius (86 degrees Fahrenheit). If you can handle the heat, cycling in the summer can still be enjoyable, especially in the mountainous regions where temperatures are more moderate.
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