Snowshoeing In Bosnia
Bosnia and Herzegovina
Summary
Bosnia is the perfect place for a winter adventure and where
better to start than Sarajevo, the host city of the 1984
Winter Olympics. The wild and remote mountain ranges
surrounding Bosnia's capital are ideal for adventurous
exploration. Climbing through pine forests we follow crystal‐
clear streams to glacial lakes, frozen waterfalls and snow‐
covered summits. With sightseeing in Sarajevo and an
opportunity to visit the famous city of Mostar, this fascinating
country will not disappoint.
16
8 DAYS
8 DAYS
CVH
MIN AGE
FLIGHT INC.
LAND ONLY
TRIP CODE
At a glance
5 days guided snowshoeing
Snowshoes and poles provided
Group normally 7 to 15 plus leader.
Min age 16yrs
4 nights pension, 2 nights
traditional mountain chalet, 1 night
mountain chalet
All breakfasts, 5 lunches and 3
dinners included
Highlights
Five days adventurous snowshoeing
through remote and spectacular
winter mountain scenery
Explore the historic highlights of
both Sarajevo and Mostar
Fascinating Bosnian culture, with its
European and Near Eastern
influences
Bosnia and Herzegovina • Snowshoeing In Bosnia
Page 1
of Crveni Kuk Peak (1,733m). You will be rewarded with far
reaching views of the highest mountains in Bosnia & Herzegovina,
as well as those in neighbouring Montenegro. We overnight in
Umoljani.
Distance: 10km / Altitude gain 550m, loss 550m / Time 5‐6hrs
(Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner)
Day 3 ‐ Umoljani to Saruk
The difficulty of this trip depends very much on the snow
conditions, and our final route will be dictated by the conditions,
altough in general you should expect the following:
Activitly level: 4 ‐ Moderate/Challenging
Altitude gain: between 200‐600 metres ascent on most days.
Some of the ascents are quite steep, snowshoes can be removed
if necessary. Walking time will usually be around four to six
hours, plus photo, lunch and snack breaks; the longest day is up
to 7 hours. Distance walked: averages about 7 kms (4.5 miles) but
will feel longer in the snow.
NB: Snowshoes are adaptable to fit most trekking boot sizes,
however if you wear larger than UK size 12 boots (US13 or EU47)
please let us know at the time of booking. We will then be able
to confirm if we can provide suitable snowshoes for you.
The entries in bold at the end of each day indicate the meals
included.
Day 1 ‐ Start Sarajevo
The trip begins at our hotel in Bosnia's capital.
Day 2 ‐ Crveni Kuk Peak
Transfer 1.5 hours to Umoljani Village on the Olympic mountain
of Bjelasnica. Winding through Bjelasnica's back roads we'll reach
the Rakitnica River and cross over towards Visocica Mountain.
Tucked in the hills just above the ridged walls of this mountain
sits Sinanovici Village (1,250m). The walk up will take us through
beech forest and then open rocky terrain up to the summit
This morning we start snowshoeing directly from our pension
around the villages of Umoljani and Gradina. From the
traditional style Bosnian mosque in the village of Umoljani we'll
trek to the watermills and beautiful source used for centuries as
energy to grind wheat into flour. We hug the ridge until Rakitnica
Canyon opens up before us. After 45 minutes of an uphill through
thick snow we reach the Cascades of Studeni Potok. Here, at
certain times of the year, the stream falls in numerous cascades
into Rakitnica River, more than 300 metres below. Following the
stream up we hit Studeno Polje (Field) and the serpentine
formations of Studeni Potok (Stream). Here we'll have a super
view of Obalj and the long flat valley of Studeno Polje (Fields).
The shepherd's summer village of Gradina is just up the road and
and from here we will slowly ascend today's peak, Saruk
(1,828m) where we will take our lunch break. From here we will
return through the "back door" to Umoljani Village for a
welcoming homemade dinner.
Distance 12km Altitude gain 450m, loss 450m | Time 6‐7hrs
(Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner)
Day 4 ‐ To Babin Do
Leaving Umoljani Village we snowshoe toward Babin Do, the main
ski resort on this mountain. An ascent to the saddle right above
Stirna Lokva offers extraordinary views of the mountains of
Treskavica and Visocica and on a clear day the towering
mountains on the Montenegrin border are often visible. On the
way to Stirna Lokva we enjoy a picnic lunch and a hot tea or
coffee. We then take the eastern ridge to the open valley on the
opposite side of Belasnica's highest peak, arriving at the Babin Do
ski resort. A very short transfer (15mins) takes us to our
accommodation on the neighbouring Olympic Mountain, Igman.
This area has an interesting micro climate caused by the
particular relief of the area, with natural sinkholes and
distinctive mountains and vegetation. Bosnia's lowest ever
January temperature was recorded here, a chilly ‐43 degrees C.
This isn't the norm, but it can get very cold so it's worth packing a
few extra layers!
Distance: 8km / Altitude gain 150m, loss 350m / Time 4‐5hrs.
(Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner)
Bosnia and Herzegovina • Snowshoeing In Bosnia
Day 5 ‐ Igman to Sarajevo
A beautiful spruce and fir forest trail takes us towards a
wonderful mountain hut, hidden deep in the thick forests of
Igman Mountain. In an hour or so we reach the hut, rest and refill
our water bottles with fresh spring water. After a pleasant break
we continue north, down into the valley of Sarajevo. After some
two hours of fairly steep descent, we reach a plateau with views
over the city in the distance. We finish this beautiful and fairly
straightforward walk in Hrasnica, a suburb of the city of
Sarajevo. A short 20 minute transfer will take us to our
accommodation in the Old Town.
Distance: 6.5km / Altitude gain 200m, loss 800m / Time 4‐5hrs.
(Breakfast, Lunch)
Day 6 ‐ Free day
Free day to explore the fascinating city of Sarajevo or for an
optional visit to the city of Mostar with its famous old bridge.
Mostar was founded in the 15th century and well worth a visit.
The architecture is a combination of Turkish ingenuity and
Herzegovinian and Dalmatian workmanship. Many people will
have heard a great deal about this city, which was split during
the conflict in the early 1990s. You will still see the scars of war,
but these days Mostar is a warm and bustling place with a
fascinating history. (Breakfast)
Day 7 ‐ Trebevic Mountain
Today we snowshoe on Trebevic Olympic Mountain, a popular
route that provides views back over Sarajevo on a clear day.
We take the back road to Jahorina via Vraca to Brus, where we
park our vehicle and start our 500 metre ascent to the peak of
Trebevic (1,629 metres). Our walk takes us along a long and
winding mountain trail. Although we will be traveling most of the
way through pine and spruce covered forests you will be treated
occasionally to beautiful views of surrounding mountains.
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From the summit there are wonderful views of the surrounding
towns and villages, as well as mountains of Romanija, Maglic,
Volujak, Zelengora, Lelija, Treskavica, Visocica, Prenj, Cvrsnica,
including our previous two destinations Olympic Mountains
BjelaŠnica & Igman.
We descend via an alternative shorter trail to the mountain hut
where we take a break for some hot tea, cocoa or even a cold
beer.
Distance: 10km / Altitude gain 600m, loss 550m / Time 5‐6hrs.
(Breakfast, Lunch)
Day 8 ‐ End Sarajevo
Our trip ends in Sarajevo. Should you wish to spend more time in
the city please enquire about post tour nights. (Breakfast)
For those on group flights, these depart in the morning and will
arrive in the UK the same day.
Over the week, we spend a total of four nights in the friendly
pension Kandilj, located next to the Old town of Sarajevo, where
all rooms are en suite. We stay two nights in a traditional
mountain chalet in the village of Umoljani, which is heated by
wood‐burning stoves. It has shared toilets and showers inside the
house and we usually share 3‐4 person rooms. Our final night in
the mountains is in the newly opened Hotel Bjelasnica, a stylish
mountain hotel in the Babin Do ski resort offering a swimming
pool to relax in after a days snowshoeing.
Single Accommodation
Single rooms are available for a supplement of £80 (US$110).
Please note that this is only for 5 nights as single rooms are not
available in Umoljani.
Bosnia and Herzegovina • Snowshoeing In Bosnia
Food
In the itinerary we state which meals are included on which day.
All breakfasts, 5 picnic lunches and 3 dinners are included on this
trip.
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with considerable snowfall. We visit from February to March,
when temperatures will be generally cold (4º to ‐5ºC), but these
temperatures will be much lower (‐5º to ‐15ºC) in the mountains.
Snow can fall at any time during this period, but that does not
mean it's extreme during this time of the year. On the contrary,
expect beautiful spells of sunny weather in the mountains which
can make the temperature feel very pleasant.
Typical Meals:
Breakfast will usually be a choice between hot and cold buffet.
8 days, normally depart London Sat, return Sat
Lunches will be picnics and may include bread, cheese, sausage,
meat or vegetarian paté, salad, chocolate bars, cookies, trail
mix, etc.
Itinerary Start
Evening meals usually include a soup, selection of traditionally
prepared meat, vegetables and a dessert. Vegetarian and special
diets can be catered for, but options are limited throughout
Bosnia and Herzegovina ‐ please inform the office of any specific
requirements upon booking.
The group flight from London is a daytime flight departing on Day
1 of the itinerary.
Flights from London
Please note if you are arriving on the group flight, the late arrival
time means you will not check into your hotel until around 11pm.
We therefore suggest taking some food to eat on the flight.
We normally use the scheduled services of Croatia Airlines
(depending on availability). As flight timings and schedules
change regularly we recommend you call one of our specialist
sales staff or your agent to confirm up‐to‐date timings. Please
note timings may change at a later date and cannot be confirmed
until approximately two weeks before departure.
Transport
UK Regional Flights
On the journey we travel by minibus.
The Flight Inclusive price is based on a London departure, but we
are happy to tailor this to your local or regional airport. Please
visit www.exodus.co.uk/regionaldepartures for a useful overview
of the options available, and contact our sales team for expert
advice.
The main roads are in generally good, but in places very winding.
At times on the mountain roads the ride is bumpy and slow.
If booking regional flights other than with Exodus, you must allow
a minimum connecting time (in addition to the international
check in time) of 1 hour at Gatwick, and 1½ hours at Heathrow;
this is longer than the official minimum, but baggage handling is
known to be subject to delays.
Airport Transfers
Airport transfers are included for those on the group flights.
Please note that transfers are not included for clients arriving on
any other flight, even if Exodus has booked it. Those arriving
from London on non‐group flights should read the airport transfer
section below for information on reaching the start point. Please
check with the Exodus office.
Bosnia & Herzegovina enjoys a similar climate to most of central
Europe ‐ hot summers, cool springs and autumns and cold winters
Bosnia and Herzegovina • Snowshoeing In Bosnia
8 days, normally start Sarajevo Sat, end Sarajevo Sat
Itinerary Start
Your trip normally starts at our hotel in Sarajevo in the evening
of Day 1 of the itinerary. Details of how to reach the start point
are provided in the Final Joining Instructions ‐ sent approximately
two weeks before departure.
Page 4
Tourism can be a real help to local communities, providing
income, positive cultural exchanges and a financial incentive to
protect their natural environment. Ours is a 'total approach' to
responsible tourism, covering everything from the way we plan
and operate our trips to the practices of Exodus as a company.
For full details of our Responsible Tourism Policy please visit:
www.exodus.co.uk/responsible‐travel
Airport Transfers
If you require airport transfers, you may (by prior arrangement
only) be able to join the group transfer. Transfers are arranged
to coincide with the arrival time of the group flight ‐ please check
the group flight details 2 weeks before departure. If you do not
take this transfer, or miss it, you must make your own way to the
joining point at your own expense.
If you arrive at a different time to our group flight, you will need
to make your own way to the start hotel. It can be reached easily
by taxi and will cost around 8 to 10 Euros. Taxis can be found
directly outside the airport, please agree the rate with your
driver in advance. The journey will take approximately 20
minutes. On arrival at the hotel please make the reception staff
aware that you are part of the Exodus group and they will give
you details on meeting with your group.
Full joining instructions including local emergency numbers will
be sent to you as part of our Final Joining Instructions. If you do
not receive these at least a week before departure, or require
them earlier please contact our office or your travel agent.
All guides and drivers used on the trip are local, and the
accommodation is generally small and family‐run. Visiting in the
winter is particularly important as tourism is very rare in the
mountainous regions during these months and guiding work is
hard to come by outside of summer months. Our local partners in
Bosnia are extremely sensitive to responsible tourism and have
gone out of their way to help to promote tourism in remote
villages. They have assisted some local families in creating the
guesthouse accommodation that Exodus groups use on some trips
and encouraged shepherds to host our groups at their traditional
accommodation. This brings a useful form of income in the
winter as well as helping to protect their traditional heritage and
lifestyle.
Passports and Visas
All nationalities require a full passport that must be valid for 6
months beyond the intended length of stay. It is your
responsibility to have the correct personal documents and to
obtain your own visa, if one is necessary, in accordance with the
regulations of the country you are to visit. The information below
is primarily for UK passport holders, and
Bosnia and Herzegovina • Snowshoeing In Bosnia
other nationalities should check with their travel agent or the
relevant embassies. We are not responsible for the actions of
local immigration and customs officials, whether at points of
entry or otherwise, and any subsequent effects.
No visa required for British passport holders.
Visa regulations can change without notice: please check the
current regulations in good time to obtain a visa if one is
required.
Page 5
Currency Information
The national currency of Bosnia and Herzegovina is the Bosnian
Convertible Mark (BAM), with an exchange rate at the time of
publication of approximately 2.78 to the UK£ and 1.78 to the
US$.
Exchange rates are correct at the time of publication.
Vaccinations and Health
Travel health can often be something people forget about before
going away, but a little preparation and knowledge can go a long
way to help you stay fit and healthy while abroad.
Euros are no longer widely accepted in Bosnia, you will generally
need to use the local currency. If bringing cash from the UK or US
you will find it easier to change Euros rather than £ Sterling or US
dollars.
There are no specific health risks on this trip.
ATM availability/Credit Card Acceptance/Travellers cheques
The above information can change at short notice; as we are not
qualified to answer all your questions about travel health we
strongly recommend you contact your Medical Professional or a
Travel Health Clinic at least 8 weeks prior to departure for up‐to‐
date information.
ATM machines can be found in Sarajevo and Mostar, but not in
the smaller places we visit. Similarly, major credit cards are
widely accepted in these cities. There are also bureau de change
offices in Sarajevo
Extra Expenses and Spending Money
Insurance ‐ are you adequately covered?
You must have adequate travel insurance, and if you are joining
a trip which goes to high altitude, you must check that you are
covered up to the maximum altitude of the trip. If you are
resident in the UK we strongly recommend Exodus travel
insurance, which is specifically designed to cover all activities on
your trip.
As the majority of food is included on this trip, you won't need
much additional money except for drinks and any souvenirs that
you may like to buy. On the free day (day 6) we recommend that
you allow up to €10 for lunch and €15 for dinner in either
Sarajevo or Mostar. This amount will obviously vary according to
where and what you choose to eat. Although not customary in
Bosnia you can leave a 10% tip as a sign of your appreciation
after your meal.
Local Time
GMT +1 hour
Electricity
In Bosnia they use the two‐pin Type C (Europlug) electrical plug.
Voltage is 220‐240 Volts. You will be able to charge a
phone/camera etc on every night except on day 2.
Group, Staff and Support
The group will generally be between 7 and 15 people. There will
be a local leader and drivers and local guides where needed.
The optional visit to Mostar on day 6 should cost approximately
€50‐60 per person, the exact price will depend on how many
people choose to go. This will include transport and a guided
sightseeing tour.
Tipping (leader and local staff)
Should you wish to tip your leader and driver, we recommend
between €20‐€30 for the leader and between €10‐€15 for the
driver. Most groups prefer to present the money to the leader at
the end of the week with two separate envelopes (one for the
leader and one for the driver). This is completely at your own
discretion and to be used as a guideline only.
The minimum age of clients on this trip is 16 years. Please note
that anyone aged under 18 must be accompanied by (and share
accommodation with) a parent or legal guardian.
Essential Equipment and Clothing
Walking boots: 3 or 3‐4 season waterproof walking boots with
semi‐rigid soles, and good ankle support.
Bosnia and Herzegovina • Snowshoeing In Bosnia
Medium sized daypack: (30‐45 litres), on occasions you should
expect to carry your snowshoes on the outside of your pack (packs
with a lid or adjustable side straps are well‐suited for this).
Outdoor/winter clothing: Good quality waterproof jacket;
waterproof trousers and gaiters; fleece; warm hat and gloves.
Occasionally we experience unseasonably warm days, where t‐
shirts, lightweight trousers and light fleeces are more
appropriate.
Other essentials: large capacity water bottle and/or thermos
flask; sun hat/cap, sunglasses and high factor sun cream;
trainers/comfortable shoes for the evenings; blister kit (some
people find they are more prone to blisters with snowshoes); sit‐
mat (or small square of karrimat) for taking lunches in the snow.
Swimming costume and towel for the pool in our Bjelasnica
hotel.
Equipment Provided
Snowshoes and walking poles. If you have a UK shoe size of 12 or
over (US13 or U47), please let us know so we can ensure that we
have snowshoes available that will fit.
Page 6
Don't forget to visit the Community area on our website. You can
view the range of Exodus videos and podcasts, read trip write‐ups
which have featured in the national media and take advantage
of some special deals on travel gear and equipment.
In the Community Travel Forum you'll find the Departure Lounge
where you can discuss your trip with fellow travellers before you
depart. When you get back from your holiday remember to
upload your images to the relevant trip page on our website. This
helps other people see what our holidays are really like and you'll
be entered automatically into our monthly photo competition.
To make full use of the Community you'll need to join My Exodus.
It's free, registration is simple and easy, so what are you waiting
for?
http://www.exodus.co.uk/community
Baggage and Baggage Allowance
At time of writing the standard weight limit for hold baggage on
the recommended international carrier for this trip is 20kg. We
recommend packing only one piece of checked baggage.
As advice about luggage allowances for both hand and hold
luggage is subject to change, we suggest you check the airline's
website for the latest information prior to your departure.
Reading List:
Bradt Guide to Bosnia and Herzegovina.
The Cellist of Sarajevo by Steven Galloway.
Exodus operates a 24 hour duty office for emergencies, which
can be contacted on 0044 (0)1582 640 045.
Every time that you travel abroad you should take the time to
read the warnings in the essential information in the brochure or
at www.exodus.co.uk/about‐exodus/essential‐information?
Full joining instructions including local emergency numbers, and
details of how to reach the start point, will be sent to you
approximately 2 to 3 weeks prior to departure. If you do not
receive these at least a week before departure, or require them
earlier please contact our office or your travel agent.
Bosnia and Herzegovina • Snowshoeing In Bosnia
The information in these Trip Notes is given in good faith. Where
differences exist between the Trip Notes and our current
brochure or website, the Trip Notes supersede the brochure and
website. All holidays can be subject to unexpected changes; in
order to enjoy them you should be prepared to be flexible where
necessary. Occasionally, as stated in our brochure, it may not be
possible to follow the itinerary as planned. This may be for a
variety of reasons ‐ climatic, political, physical or other. In these
circumstances we will make the best possible alternative
arrangements that maintain the integrity of the original itinerary.
Page 7
(IATA) and we are members of the Federation of Tour Operators
(FTO) and ABTA ‐ The Travel Association. This means you can
book your Exodus holiday with confidence, as all monies paid to
us for your trip are fully protected.
As fuel prices, airport taxes and exchange rates fluctuate, and
airlines manage their rates to match demand, it is proving harder
than ever to guarantee our Flight Inclusive prices. Although we
endeavour to keep our website as accurate as possible, daily
fluctuations mean that our Flight Inclusive price may be out of
date. For accurate prices we recommend that you contact one of
our Travel Experts, or your Travel Agent.
The UK Foreign and Commonwealth Office (FCO) Travel Advice
Service advises British tourists on the potential dangers they
might experience when travelling overseas. We liaise closely with
them and adhere to their travel advice. For up‐to‐date advice on
all countries, please visit www.gov.uk/foreign‐travel‐advice.
Should there be any change to advice prior to or during travel,
we may have to cancel or curtail a tour at short notice, or re‐
route an itinerary part way through.
Prices and exchange rates were correct at the time of
publication. The most up‐to‐date prices can be found on the
Exodus website.
© Exodus Travels Ltd. ATOL 2582/FTO
1. Check availability
Go online to check availability, or contact us by phone or email.
2. Secure your place
You can provisionally hold a place on this trip, usually for
between three and seven days.
3. Complete your booking and payment
When you're ready to book, go to www.exodus.co.uk for online
booking, book over the phone or you can complete a booking
form (available online or on request by calling us). We accept all
major credit and debit cards, or you can pay be cheque. Book
with confidence: Exodus is fully licensed and bonded as a tour
operator. We hold Air Traffic Organisers Licence (ATOL) number
2582 issued and bonded with the Civil Aviation Authority (CAA).
We are also bonded to the International Air Transport Association
Edition No. TW 03 2016