Discover Bosnia & Herzegovina: Sarajevo, Mostar, & Travnik - 10 Days

Day 1: Sightseeing in Sarajevo

Welcome to Bosnia and Herzegovina! Once you land in Sarajevo, you can begin your sightseeing tour of Bosnia's multicultural capital. One of our guides will take you on a brief walking tour of the city as well as a visit to the Museum of Sarajevo, which was built on the site where Franz Ferdinand was assassinated. After the museum, you'll have the rest of the day to explore Sarajevo on your own.

Suggested activities include:

• Check out the Sarajevo Tunnel Museum, built around the Tunnel of Hope, which offered access to the outside world during the Siege of Sarajevo.

• Hop on a cable car up to Trebevic, where you can take in amazing views of the city, relax in a pine forest, and see the 1984 Olympic bobsled track.

• Settle in at an outdoor cafe, where you can try dishes like cevapi, a local specialty of spicy sausages served in a warm flatbread.

Day 2: Experience the Mountain Villages of Lukomir and Umoljani

Embark on a journey to Lukomir, Bosnia's most remote village, which is nestled high in the Bjelašnica Mountains. The two-hour drive from Sarajevo will take you through Bosnia's lush countryside and you'll get the chance to take in the landscape from various viewpoints along the way.

If you're interested in hiking part of the way to Lukomir, you can choose to take a breathtaking walk along the Rakitnica Canyon. It's an easy hike but make sure to bring good walking shoes if picking this option.

Enjoy a hearty lunch in the mountain village of Lukomir, where residents still wear traditional hand-knit costumes. You will learn about the ways in which the inhabitants of Lukomir (less than 20 total) live in this beautiful yet sometimes harsh environment.

After lunch, you will continue on to Umoljani. This village is known for its eight watermills, beautiful landscape and waterfalls, and the "Dragon of Umoljani," a stone which, according to local legend, holds the petrified remains of a dragon, who once terrorized the village. Spend the night at a rustic and cozy bed and breakfast in Umoljani, where you can enjoy a peaceful and refreshing sleep in the heart of Bosnia's mountains.

Day 3: Travel back to Medieval Times in Central Bosnia

Today will begin with a two-hour drive to the village of Kraljeva Sutjeska. You can visit the medieval ruins of the old Bosnian court as well as the 14th-century Franciscan Monastery. Head to the Mehmed II Fatih Mosque, which was built in the 15th century and is the oldest mosque in the country.

The next stop is Travnik, a historic town that was once the capital of the Ottoman Empire and known as the "European Istanbul." Travnik is located in the picturesque Lasva River valley. Grab a bite of local sheep's cheese from the region as you explore the beautiful Travnik Fortress. After spending a few hours in Travnik, you will go on to Jajce to spend the night.

Day 4: Explore the Spectacular Sights of Mostar and Blagaj

Spend the morning visiting some of the highlights of Jajce, such as the Pliva Waterfall and ruins of St. Luke's Church.

Say goodbye to Jajce before moving on to Mostar, where you can take a tour of Herzegovina's cultural capital. The most well-known site is Stari Most, also called the Mostar Bridge, which was commissioned by Suleiman the Magnificent in 1557. Replenish yourself with some fresh food at a farmer's co-op, where you can sample delicacies such as prosciutto and local Livno cheese.

The afternoon activity is to visit Blagaj, a beautiful village located at the spring of the Buna River. There, you can see the tekke, an incredible 15th-century Dervish monastery, which sits above turquoise waters at the bottom of a large cliff. Return to Mostar for the night, where you can see the Mostar Bridge lit up under the night sky and try more of the delicious local cuisine.

Day 5: Discover the History of the Ottoman Empire

This morning begins with a trip to Pocitelj, a historic village and open-air museum. This old Ottoman border town had significant strategic importance in Bosnian history, which you can learn about as you wander its narrow, cobblestoned streets.

Later, you will go on to Mogorjelo to see the 4th century CE ruins of a Roman villa rustica or country house. Sit down to a delicious lunch in the Herceg Ethno Village, where you can experience the traditional ways of Herzegovinian life. You can then spend the afternoon enjoying the impressive Kravica Waterfall on the Trebižat River before returning to Mostar.

Day 6: Relive Ancient History in Radimlja - Vjetrenica Cave - Tvrdoš

Begin the day at Radimlja, site of a stećak necropolis, which dates back to the 15th century CE. Stećak refers to a medieval tombstone and there are 133 of these monuments in Radimlja. Travel back thousands of years as you move on to the Vjetrenica Cave, famous for its cave drawings, which are estimated to be over 10,000 years old.

The day's activities will end with a visit to Tvrdoš, a 15th century Serbian Orthodox monastery. This monastery is known for wine production as well as the 17th-century frescoes adorning its interior walls.
Spend the night in Trebinje, where you can enjoy a lively evening out in this southernmost city of Bosnia and Herzegovina.

Day 7: Hike in Sutjeska National Park

Take in a hearty breakfast and tie up your hiking boots before embarking on a two-hour transfer, which will take you through the majestic countryside of eastern Bosnia. This moderate hike will cover 5.5 miles (9 km) and take four to five hours total.

Your first stop is Dragos Saddle to see the Skavaca Waterfall, which flows deep in the valley of Perućica, one of the last primeval or old-growth forests in Europe. Primeval forests are areas that have attained a significant age without substantial disturbance to the landscape or ecosystem, so breathe in the fresh air as you hike through the lush forest to Prijevor, where even more incredible views await.

Make your way down towards Trnovacko, a glacial lake surrounded by an amphitheater of rocky peaks. If the weather permits, you might have the chance to jump in the icy cold lake before settling in for lunch below the mountains.Take in Maglić, Bosnia's highest peak, during magic hour, as you walk back to the center of the park to return to Tjentiste for the night.

Day 8: Rafting down the Tara River - Return to Sarajevo

Continue your trek through Bosnian nature as you embark on a half-day rafting tour on the Tara River. The Tara River is one of four whitewater rivers in Bosnia and Herzegovina.

Our skippers are certified by the International Rafting Federation and can take people of all levels on the rafts. If you've never gone rafting before, don't worry -- no experience is necessary for this trip. 

Take in the unforgettable landscape of rushing waters and verdant mountains as you raft down the Tara River, which is home to the longest canyon in Europe and second-longest in the world, after the Grand Canyon. The river is a site of a variety of activities for outdoor enthusiasts of all levels. 

After rafting for three to four hours and working up an appetite, take a break and enjoy a hearty, homemade lunch. Following lunch, we will transfer you back to Sarajevo to spend the night.

Day 9: A Day of Exploration in Sarajevo

After your journey through the history and breathtaking landscapes of Bosnia, you'll have a day to explore Sarajevo.

Suggested activities include:

• Lose yourself in the back alleys of Baščaršija, the old town of Sarajevo, where you can see the Sebilj, the famous Ottoman-style wooden fountain in the center of a square.

• Pick up gifts for friends and family, such as an iconic Tito t-shirt or hand-crafted Ottoman style copper pieces from Kazandziluk Street. 

• Walk across the Latin Bridge, where Franz Ferdinand was assassinated, which initiated the start of World War I.

• Order some pita, cevapi or any of your new favorite local dishes as you sit at a lively cafe or restaurant, taking in the excitement of the city.

Spend the night in Sarajevo before moving on to your next destination.

Day 10: Depart Sarajevo

Enjoy the end of your trip as you take in any last sights of Sarajevo before we take you to the airport, which is 20 minutes away.

We hope you'll cherish the unforgettable land of Bosnia and Herzegovina and return soon!