Tara National Park Ride

Introduction
Central Serbia
Explore one of Western Serbia's most beautiful natural park: Tara National Park.

Embark on a weeklong horse riding holiday, riding through mountains, meadows and following the historic Drina River. During the week, you will learn more about local culture and you will get to know the local people of this region.

Natural wonders, historic sites and warm hospitality awaits!

Accomodation


Accommodations
This is a progressive ride, so nights are spent in various locations.

Description
To make your riding holiday a unique experience we found a variety of accommodations ranging from hotels to mountain lodges, to private guesthouses.
Most accommodations feature private rooms with private bathrooms.
Wi-Fi is available in most accommodations. Cell service can be spotty in some parts of the trail. 

Accommodation Itinerary - subject to changes based on availability
Night 1: Ecolodge near Taor
Night 2: Cabins in Kostojevici 
Night 3: Guesthouse in Bajina Bašta
Night 3: Guesthouse in Zaovine
Night 5: Guesthouse in Tara National Park
Night 6: Guesthouse in Seca Reka
Night 7: Ecolodge near Taor

Ecolodge near Taor
You will sleep in the lodge or one of the 2 domes. The rooms are simple but comfortable and you can enjoy a great view over the surrounding mountains.

Cabins in Kostojevici 
You stay in small cabins near a lake. Each cabin has 2 single beds and the facilities are shared. 

Guesthouse in Bajina Bašta
The guesthouse offers simple but comfortable rooms. Each room is equipped with central heating, free Wi-Fi, a TV and a private bathroom.

Guesthouse in Zaovine
This rustic guesthouse offers very basic accommodation.
There is an outdoor pool where guests can relax in the evening.

Guesthouse in Tara National Park
The property offers incredible views over the surrounding mountains. You will sleep in small cabins that have been relocated from nearby villages. Some cabins are over 100 years old and each has its own bathroom. 
There is a sauna that guests can use to relax.

Guesthouse in Seca Reka
This rural guesthouse has 6 bedrooms and two bathrooms. 

Room Occupancy
If you are willing to share a room, there will be no supplement.



Meals
All meals are included from dinner on Day 1 to breakfast on the last day.
Most food is locally grown, and a lot of effort is put in to ensure guests are satisfied and left full. There is a lot of heart and soul that goes into the dishes!

One alcoholic drink is included with every meal.

Dietary Restrictions
We can cater to all restrictions if given prior notice.

This trip includes some wine with dinner and can accommodate special dietary requests.

Riding


Riding Experience
To participate you should be at least an intermediate rider, comfortable in the saddle at all paces, and have experience riding for up to 8 riding hours per day. The minimal requirement is that you are in control of a horse at a walk, trot and canter, and are used to riding in the open country over different types of terrain.

Horses
Horses that you will ride are Lipizzan horses, horses mixed with Lipizzan and Balkan, mixed Balkan and Bosnian Mountain horses. The breed of speckled horse is unknown. The Balkan breed is characteristic for this area and known for its gentleness.
They are small to medium sized, strong-hearted animals, especially suitable for trail and endurance riding. They are sure-footed on rough ground, which helps the rider cover greater distances with less effort.

Guides
Our guides can speak Serbian, English, and German.

Itinerary


Sample Itinerary - subject to changes

Day 1 (Saturday): Arrival
Arrive to Belgrade Airport where you will be met and transferred to your accommodation. The road goes through the Povlen Mountains, an eastern part of the Dinaric Alps. The drive to the village of Taor - a settlement that has existed since the Bronze Age - takes about 2.5 hours and upon arrival a warm dinner awaits you. Afterwards there is plenty of time to familiarize yourself with the surroundings and your four-legged companions.
Meals included: Dinner
Overnight near Taor

Day 2 (Sunday): Taor to Kostojevici
After breakfast, our riding tour begins. Today, we ride from Taor to Kostojevici . Our trail leads us through raspberry fields, meadows rich in herbs and dense forests. Steep paths are rewarded with breathtaking views. The wild nature awakens a unique feeling and lets you feel a certain lightness in the body.
Meals included: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
Overnight in Kostojevici

Day 3 (Monday): Kostojevici to Bajina Bašta
After spending the night in a cozy farm and a hearty breakfast we make our way to Bajina Bašta. We ride along the Drina River, one of the most historic rivers in the region. The Drina was the border between the Illyrians and the Celts, between Rome and Byzantium, between Christians and pagans, between the Austro-Hungarian and Ottoman empires ...
The river radiates a timeless energy that, in combination with the serenity of the horses, lets your soul relax .
Meals included: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
Overnight in Bajina Bašta

Day 4 (Tuesday): Bajina Bašta to Zaovine
Today, we finally reach Tara National Park, known for its exotic coniferous forests and rare conifer species such as the Serbian spruce (lat. Picea omorika ) or snake-skin pine (lat. Pinus heldreichii ). There are also various animal species to be found there, such as eagle owl, golden eagle, wolf, brown bear, lynx, griffon vulture, as well as lots of otters and martens. This site is known as the oldest reference of metalworking, dated to 3,600 years BC. After a complex riding stage through prehistoric places and wild nature, a bathing break at Lake Zaovine awaits. Please pack suitable swimwear.
Meals included: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
Overnight in Zaovine

Day 5 (Wednesday): Nature & People of the Park
Riding through Tara National Park, we are seduced by the smells and sounds of the coniferous forests. On the way we will see small mountain huts, most of which were built by only a few men, equipped with the most essential tools. But we will not only meet old buildings, but also different people - real highlanders, a bit sparse and distant in their appearance, but after initial acquaintance very warm and after getting to know each other very friendly.
Meals included: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
Overnight in Tara National Park

Day 6 (Thursday): Ride to Seca Reka 
We slowly leave the park and head to Seca Reka. Nature gives us wonderful views of countless distant valleys and mountains.
When the sky is clear, the view extends to Durmitor, the highest mountain in Montenegro - also a national park that belongs to the southern part of the Dinaric Alps .
Meals included: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
Overnight in Seca Reka

Day 7 (Friday): Taor Water Springs
This morning we head to the Taor water springs. There are many small arteries of water that arise from the porous limestone tuff - in winter the water is rather warm and in summer quite cool, on hot summer days a glass of cold spring water gives you a very satisfying feeling. In earlier centuries there were around 20 active water mills along the water sources, which milled rye, barley and oats at full capacity. Most of them have disappeared , but a small watermill has remained that can transport us back in time. The freshly prepared food and the miller's good mood underline the atmosphere and lifestyle of the highlands. After a visit to the local miller, we go up to the farm, where we enjoy a farewell dinner with local fruit brandy.
Meals included: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
Overnight near Taor

Day 8 (Saturday): Departure
After breakfast, we transfer you back to the airport.
Meals included: Breakfast

Rates and Dates for Tara National Park Ride

Dates Note:

Other Info
Meeting: Taor
Airport: Belgrade
Transfer: Belgrade airport

Climate:
                                                    Belgrade area