City of Niš – Kozji kamen viewpoint – Rosomačko grlo canyon – Jelovičko vrelo spring – Arbinje – Tupavica waterfall – Draganov vir waterfall – Arbinje waterfall – Tri kladenca spring – Tri čuke summit – Zavoj lake – Gostuša village – City of Niš

Enjoy lush landscapes, pastures, meadows, hills, and the alluring play of wild horses at sunset! Discover the beauty of mountain rivers and clear streams that suddenly transform into untamed waterfalls often above 60 meters high. Meet wild, pristine, exceptional nature. Yes, meet Balkan, the mountain that gave its name to the Balkan peninsula. Welcome to the Balkan mountains, a unique nature park!

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 Vrska Cuka 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 summit), 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 nature park. Village landscapes resemble dreamlike images, such as the ones of a long forgotten paradise!

Tour plan - Itinerary:

We leave at 06:30 am from Nis. Driving along on the main road through the Sicevo Gorge to Pirot, and farther into the heart of the mountain. Through the majestic villages of the mountain, we arrive at the Rsovci village, from where we head on the magnificent hiking trail. During a light walking tour 7km in total length, we will visit one of the most beautiful viewpoints on Stara Planina, the Kozji Kamen viewpoint. Lunch break. We visit spring of Jelovica and Rosomačko grlo (canyon), a unique natural rarity, where water cascades from one “pot” to another. Then we leave for the “Gali” accommodation, which is located in Vrelo village. After sorting out accommodation, we have dinner and spend the night there.

After breakfast we take cross-country vehicles for a 16 km long trip to Arbinje.  The upper part of the Dojkinačka river – known as Arbinje – is regarded as the most beautiful river valley in Serbia. We set out on the circular hiking tour to Tri Čuke peak, one of the most beautiful peaks of Balkan mountain. Over the 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 very peak, Tri Čuke, wherefrom, by the forest track, we return to Arbinje. We return by jeep just like we arrived, with a tour of the Tupavica waterfall. Dinner. Bedtime.

Breakfast and transfer to the 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. We arrive in bay of Gostuša and set out on a hiking tour that last about 30 minutes. We 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 lunch break. After facultative sightseeing, we return by the same route we arrived. We pack the equipment and return to Niš. Arrival in Niš in the evening hours. The end of the programme.

After breakfast the day starts with a visit to a unique monument in the world, The Skull tower, it were declared Cultural Monuments of Exceptional Importance. After visiting this monument, we are back to the city center district. A walking tour: King Milan Square, Fortress of Nis, Jazz museum, Banovina building, Officers house, the oldest part of Nis, and Tinkers Alley-Bohemian quarter. Lunch break. Transfer to the airport. Departure from Niš. End of program.

Details:

  • Transportation by minibus or van, tourist high class during the program
  • Accommodation for two nights at the “Gali inc” in Vrelo; Service 2 half board (breakfast and dinner include one drink with a meal per person)
  • Accommodation for one night in apt in Niš; Service 1 half board (dinner and breakfast)
  • Two lunches on tour, in nature. Every passenger gets a lunch package before we start the tour
  • One traditional lunch on the tour in Gostuša village
  • One “lunch packet”, the last day on the tour
  • Driving an off-road vehicle
  • All outdoor activities throughout the program (hiking, kayak ride) in the Nature Park Stara Planina
  • Equipment and professional outdoor instructor’s supervision arranged
  • Guide for tours planned program
  • The costs of organization and leadership of times
  • Airfare tickets
  • Travel medical insurance
  • Optional transfer, activities, and excursions
  • Individual costs of participants

high-top sneakers or hiking shoes, multiple pairs of socks, short sleeved t-shirts, a lightweight jacket with a hoodie (waterproof if possible), a sweatshirt, a back-up pair of pants, sunglasses, a hat, sunscreen. If you want, you can bring candy or sweets, snacks, water and refreshments. Pack up everything in a small backpack. Do not forget: a swimming suit, a towel, a camera, back-up shoes and clothes, and, as always, a good mood!

Pansion Vrelo se nalazi na 1,5 km ispred sela Jelovice u jednom prekrasnom ambijentu u kome dominira Dojkinačka i Jelovička reka. Posebno se ističe kanjon reke Visočice sa svim ostalim elementima koji čine ambijentalnu celinu. Izletište Vrelo se nalazi na nadmorskoj visini od 730 m. Posebna odlika Vrela je da zbog vazdušnih strujanja ovde nema nikad magle pa predstavlja i svojevrsnu vazdušnu banju.

This program is based on at least 15 people applying. If the changes occur in the monetary market, commodity and services market, or when there is not a sufficient number of participants, the organizer retains the right to adjust the price, change, or cancel the program at least 15 days before the start of the program.

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 13 February 2023 to 13 February 2024. 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.