Montenegro is a small country situated in the Balkans but don’t let its size fool you, this hidden gem of Europe boasts some of the most spectacular nature on the planet. From rugged mountains and pristine beaches to crystal-clear lakes and abundant rivers, is it really any wonder that travelers are starting to flock here in their droves for the summer holidays?!
Durmitor is where you can find most of the mountainous adventures in Montenegro – since it’s a UNESCO-listed site and home to the highest peak in the land called Bobotov Kuk, in addition to other creations of Mother Earth such as green and blue glacial lakes. Hikers are spoilt for choice on which trail to hit up in this park. The coast of Montenegro is another feature not to be missed for outdoor-lovers, with spots like the Bay of Kotor standing out for its towering mountainsides and tranquil waters.
But perhaps the crown jewel in all of Montenegro is the Tara River, otherwise known as the “Tear of Europe”. The Tara River Canyon is the largest of its kind on the European continent and the river flows for over 140 kilometers, entering parts of Bosnia and Herzegovina too. This river is characterized by emerald green and pure white waters, rock walls that rise up to heights of up to 1,300 meters (making it the second deepest canyon in the world behind the Grand Canyon), and fish such as trout and grayling.
There are so many awesome things to do in and around the river including fishing, hiking, zip-lining, rafting and viewpoints. While standing on the impressive Durdevica Tara Bridge and admiring the river’s scale from afar is one must-do at the Tara River, you would be silly not to give rafting a go as well in order to witness the beauty and power of the river up close. On a rafting adventure you typically spend about two or three hours navigating the various rapids and soaking up the serene environment around you.
Why Book your Tara River Rafting Tour with 360 Monte
The Tara River has rapids that change depending on the time of year you visit. As a general rule, anytime between the months of April and October provide good conditions for rafting. Summer is considered perfect for tourists because the rapids decrease in strength and the warmer weather makes it much more appealing to take a plunge in the chilly waters.
During spring, in April and May, the river fills up with melted snow and the rapids can increase to the Class V expert level. From June the rapids drop to Class IV and Class III, meaning every ability can be catered for. Even kids can enjoy these moderate water movements (in the company of their parents and rafting guides, of course). Throughout the year, the water remains immaculately clean and clear – so when you go is up to you.
If you are planning a trip to Montenegro in the near future, and have rafting on your bucket-list, then we recommend booking your tour through the fantastic local company: 360 Monte. This popular tour operator specializes in thrilling outdoor activities and rich cultural encounters that help travelers immerse themselves in the Montenegrin way of life. They organize everything from action-packed day tours (like Tara rafting) to multi-day, multi-country journeys that take you to the best of the Western Balkans.
The great thing about the Tara River rafting tour with 360 Monte is that the whitewater rafting is only one component to the experience. Not only will you get your adrenaline pumping by plunging over six meter high drops and being sprayed under graceful waterfalls on the Tara River, but you will also be passing quaint towns and stopping for amazing photo-ops along the way. The tour leaves from Kotor and involves a bit of sightseeing before the actual rafting commences. It’s an absolutely brilliant trip!
A Complete Rundown of the Tara River Rafting Tour
Leaving from Kotor at 7:00 am and arriving back at 7:30 pm, the Tara Rafting tour offers a truly exciting day full of unforgettable moments that you will cherish forever. It combines exhilarating rapids, astonishing landscapes and delicious food into one stress-free and comfortable trip. For those new to whitewater rafting, you have nothing to worry about as the friendly and professional guides at 360 Monte ensure you are looked after.
Starting bright and early, the group meets in the Old Town of Kotor before setting off to the gorgeous baroque town of Perast. The early wake up call is worth it to get photo-ops of cool islands such as Our Lady of the Rocks and St. George. As the tour continues, it heads above Risan Bay for a chance to spot the rising sun looming over a majestic panorama. The next points of interest that you cruise by are Salt Lake and the Piva River Canyon.
But the real adventure begins when you arrive at the Tara River at around 10:45 am. After enjoying a traditional homemade breakfast and getting kitted out with gear, it will be time to go rafting. On this Tara Rafting tour with 360 Monte you will be greeted to 21 rapids out of a possible 50 that exist on the river. Make sure you bring a GoPro because the content you can capture here is unlike anything else in the world. If you are a brave soul, you can even go swimming and get soaked by the Skakavica waterfall!
All in all, the rafting lasts for three hours until 15:00 pm but that depends on the amount of stops made. The flowing river takes you back to the base camp where you change back into your dry clothes and enjoy a hearty Montenegrin lunch. Full and satisfied with the tour, you return to the Kotor Old Town on a relaxing drive that offers plenty of picturesque views.
Stellar Customer Reviews of the Tara River Rafting Tour
360 Monte has gained hundreds of 5-star reviews on Tripadvisor, with the Tara Rafting tour being one of their most popular excursions. Customers are enamored by the mix of scenic driving, local foods and invigorating rafting on offer. But don’t just take our word for it, have a browse through some of the real customer reviews below to see what you can expect:
“This tour was one of the highlights of my trip! It came as described but the experience exceeded my expectations. Rafting the rapids was so amazing and the views from the Tara River were phenomenal. I can’t rave enough about this tour! Breakfast and lunch were fantastic and our tour guide was good fun. I will definitely do this tour again”. – Rosemary Okoli.
“We had an amazing day on this tour. The drive to the rafting camp was long but also very beautiful. We had a few stops to enjoy the views and take some photos. Our guide told us so much about Montenegro during the drive. The rafting was a lot of fun! The water was quite calm but for us (first time rafters) it was perfect. The water was so clear and the mountains looked spectacular. Our guides were very professional and made you feel safe. They were also fun and made everyone laugh”! – Esther Sleurink.
How to Score Yourself a 10% Discount on this Tour
It’s effortless to reserve your spot on the Tara Rafting tour with 360 Monte. All you have to do is head to the tour page on the 360 Monte website, click on the “Book Now” button and choose your preferred date. Additionally, if you are not situated in Kotor itself, you can request to get picked up in another nearby destination such as Budva or Herceg Novi. To receive a 10% discount on the tour, make sure to use the promo code “MAGWORLD” upon checkout. This deal is unique to our readers as a way of saying thanks!