Kozji kamen – Slavinjsko grlo – Jelovica River spring – Arbinje – Tupavica Waterfall – Draganov vir – Arbinje Waterfall – Tri kladenca – Tri čuke – Zavoj Lake – Gostuša

Meet the untouched nature, experience Stara Planina Mountain, its extraordinary beauty, power and charms hidden in intertwined natural and anthropogenic motifs.

There is no monotony here, but only the strength and wildness of the mountain and a unique feeling that a stay in this undiscovered area gives you.

The Balkan mountain range (Balkan) lies partially in Serbia, and mostly in Bulgaria. It is about 600 km long, and from 30 to 50 km wide. It stretches from Vrška Čuka in the north to the Black Sea in the east, and it’s the extension of the southern Carpathians.

Harmoniously blended intact nature, interesting history, and rich tradition have made the mountain a perfect place for vacation. Especially attractive and significant natural sights on Balkan include the Bigar stream valley, Midžor (the highest peak), the impressive rocks of Babin Zub, the Temštica River meanders, to name a few.

Balkan is a protected area, and it is classified as a national park. Village landscapes resemble dreamlike images, such as the ones of a long forgotten paradise!

Tour plan:

Day 1: Kozji kamen and Slavinjsko grlo

Departure from Belgrade (Niš) at 06:30 a.m. Driving on the highway to Niš and Pirot and further into the heart of the mountain. Through the majestic villages of the mountain, we arrive in Rsovci village, from where we head on a magnificent trekking tour. During a light walking tour, 7 km in the total length, we will visit one of the most beautiful viewpoints on Stara Planina Mountain – Kozji Kamen viewpoint. Lunch break. We visit spring of Jelovica River and Slavinjsko grlo (canyon), a unique natural rarity, where water cascades from one “pot” to another. Then, the journey continues to the Vrelo village. Accommodation in the guest house “Vrelo”. Dinner. Overnight stay.

Day 2: Arbinje and Tri čuke peak

Breakfast. Transfer by off-road vehicles to Arbinje in a length of 16 km. The upper part of the Dojkinačka River, known as Arbinje, is considered as the most beautiful river valley in Serbia. Start of the circular hiking tour to Tri čuke peak, one of the most beautiful peaks of Balkan Mountains. Over Arbinje Waterfall, we arrive at Tri Kladenca, the mouth of the Dojkinačka River. Climbing up the waterfall to the river’s mouth is one of the most attractive parts of the Balkan mountain trip. Over the mountain ridge, from which a wonderful view on neighbouring Bulgaria extends, we arrive at the Tri Čuke, wherefrom, by the forest trail, we return to Arbinje. We return to our accommodation by jeep just like we arrived, with a tour of Tupavica Waterfall. Dinner. Overnight stay.

Day 3: Zavoj Lake - kayak tour

Breakfast and transfer to Zavoj Lake. We prepare the equipment and arrange all details for the kayak adventure. We set out on the kayak adventure on Lake Zavoj, through wonderful meanders 7 km long. Arrival at the Gostuša bay and start of a trekking tour that lasts about 30 minutes. We will visit the stone village that represents a unique ambience whole, a natural and historic-cultural monument. Degustation of traditional homemade products in our host’s house with a lunch break. After facultative sightseeing, we return by the same route to the lake. We pack the equipment and return to Niš (Belgrade). Arrival in Niš (Belgrade) in the evening hours. The end of the program.

Details:

Price include

  • Transportation by tourist high class minibus or van
  • Accommodation for two nights at the guest house “Vrelo” in Vrelo village; Service 2 half board (breakfast and dinner include one drink with a meal per person)
  • Two lunches on the tour, in nature. Every passenger gets a lunch package before we start the tour
  • One traditional lunch on the tour in Gostuša village
  • Off-road vehicle drive
  • All outdoor activities throughout the program (hiking, kayak ride) in the Stara Planina National Park
  • Equipment and professional outdoor instructor’s supervision arranged
  • Guide for planned tours
  • Trip organization costs

Price not include

  • Airfare tickets
  • Travel health insurance
  • Optional transfer, activities, and excursions
  • Individual expenses

It is necessary to take

Sneakers, a few pairs of socks, T-shirts, a hooded waterproof parka, sweatshirt, back up clothes and shoes, sunglasses, a cap, suntan cream, swimming suit, a towel. It is also recommended to take candy bars, nibbles, refreshing beverages and water. Put everything into a small backpack.

Accommodation

Guest house “Vrelo” is located 1.5 km in front of the village of Jelovica in a beautiful environment dominated by the Dojkinačka and Jelovica rivers. The Visočica River canyon with all the other elements that make up the ambient whole stands out in particular. Vrelo village is located at an altitude of 730 m. A special feature of Vrelo is that due to air currents, there is never any fog here, so it is a kind of air spa.

Method of payment

Cash: cash, up to 7 days before departure, or in instalments – the first instalment is 50% upon registration, the rest of the following month by depositing a check in dinar equivalent at the mid-rate of the National Bank of Serbia on the day of payment. This program was made on the basis of 8 registered passengers. In the event of changes in the monetary market (or the market of goods and services) or an insufficient number of registered passengers, the travel organizer reserves the right to correct prices, change the program or cancel the trip no later than 5 days before the start of the trip.

Note

The organizer of the trip is travel agency Lord Travel, licence number OTP 211/2021-A issued by the Business Register Agency as of 30 November 2021. Lord Travel is insured by an insurance policy against responsibility for travel agencies in case of insolvency and liability in case of damage to the traveller, number 2700924, by the insurer KOMPANIJA DUNAV OSIGURANJE ADO Belgrade. The policy is valid from 01 October 2021 to 01 October 2022. In this program, travel agency Lord Travel applies their general terms and conditions of traveling, which are included in signing up for the trip.

Note II

The organizer of the trip is travel agency Nature Travel Office, licence number OTP 19/2023-A issued by the Business Register Agency as of 10 March 2023. Nature Travel Office is insured by an insurance policy against responsibility for travel agencies in case of insolvency and liability in case of damage to the traveller, number 3000001622, by the insurer MILENIJUM OSIGURANJE ADO Belgrade. The policy is valid from 07 February 2023 to 07 February 2023. In this program, travel agency Nature Travel Office applies their general terms and conditions of traveling, which are included in signing up for the trip.