Kozji kamen – Slavinjsko grlo – Jelovica River spring – Arbinje – Tupavica Waterfall – Draganov vir – Arbinje Waterfall – Tri kladenca – Tri čuke – Topli Do – Down and Upper Pilj waterfalls – Bukovački Do Waterfall

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: BELGRADE - PIROT - KOZJI KAMEN - SLAVINJSKO GRLO CANYON - JELOVICA RIVER SPRING

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: VRELO - DOJKINCI - ARBINJE WATERFALL - TRI KLADENCA - TRI ČUKE PEAK - DRAGANOV VIR - TUPAVICA WATERFALL

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: VRELO - PIROT - TOPLI DO - PILJ WATERFALLS - BUKOVAČKI DO WATERFALL - BELGRADE

Breakfast and transfer to the Topli Do village, an authentic Balkan’s village. We start our trekking tour to the waterfalls belonging to this part of Balkan Mountains. On the route, we’ll see the Down Pilj Waterfall, one of the most beautiful waterfalls on the Stara planina Mountain. By an unmarked path along Lisevski do we will reach the Upper Pilj Waterfall. Lunch break in the nature. Return via the circular path to Topli Do. This tour, with a total length of 9 km, requires a higher level of physical fitness. On return, we visit Bukovicki Do Waterfall, located near the road. Arrival in Niš (Belgrade) in the evening hours. End of program.

Details:

Price include

  • Transportation by high-class tourist minibus or van,
  • Accommodation for two nights in a traditional guesthouse in Vrelo village,
  • Full board service (breakfasts, lunches and dinners),
  • Off-road vehicle transfers,
  • Licensed tourist guide,
  • Licensed mountain guide,
  • Complete trip organization and logistics.

Price not include

  • Personal expenses,
  • Travel insurance (recommended).

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. 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

A 50% advance payment of the total arrangement price is required at the time of booking. The remaining amount must be paid no later than 20 days before the start of the trip (with the option of installment payments). This program is based on a minimum of 8 registered participants. In case of changes in the monetary market (or the market of goods and services) or an insufficient number of registered participants, the tour organizer reserves the right to adjust prices, modify the program, or cancel the trip no later than 5 days before the scheduled departure.

Travel organizer

The organizer of the trip is travel agency Nature Travel Office, licence number OTP 38/2025 issued by the Business Register Agency as of May 06, 2025. 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 30000049351, by the insurer MILENIJUM OSIGURANJE ADO Belgrade. The policy is valid from April 01, 2025 to April 01, 2026. 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.