9 independent reviews for Walking holiday in Montenegro
Reviews for Walking holiday in Montenegro
Rachel Ohman review 23 Jun 2023
1. What was the most memorable or exciting part of your vacation?
We ended up with some tough weather and snow in the highlands, but the guide was very inflexible and got angry when we tried to get creative. We were not allowed to do simple things like get up early to hike before the rains came. He would generally not get going till 10, cancel a good part of the hike because of rain or threat of rain, then. insist on getting back to the lodging or town by 3 when the rains were just clearing (presumably so he could look for his own stuff for future trips). We would never go with this outfit again. They did a decent job on accommodations. The guide was also was extremely critical/sarcastic about our hiking footwear despite the fact we have need hiking and backpacking in light footwear since before he was born. In addition we had communicated by email before the trip about the footwear and packed better footwear than was on the packing list. He also got extremely angry one day when he had taken off for town (not sure why) and we went for our own hike because we were sick of sitting around in the tiny cabin.2. What tips would you give other travelers booking this vacation?
Be very careful what guide you get and make a break immediately if its not working out.3. Did you feel that your vacation benefited local people, reduced environmental impacts or supported conservation?
yes4. Finally, how would you rate your vacation overall?
Fair. Beautiful country and people. Great fellow travelers. Inflexible, sometime angry guide.Read the operator's response here:
Thank you for taking the time to share your thoughts and experiences. We welcome all feedback as an opportunity to learn, and we deeply regret the frustrations and disappointment you experienced while on tour.
We begin every trip excited to show off our amazing corner of the world. It's not often we receive negative feedback, and when we do, we take it very seriously. Having reviewed our pre-trip communication, we can see you received a clear advisory about the unusually high snow levels in Montenegro prior to booking, and you were also advised to bring appropriate footwear for mountain hiking. You arrived only with light trainers.
Despite our advisory, there was also confusion in the group about which trails were feasible for safe hiking, with you and other members pressing our tour leader to climb mountains like Zla Kolata (2,534m with over 2m of snow) and Mali Medjed (2,217m, where a solo hiker from Austria was rescued just the previous week).
Client safety is our top priority, and as one of Montenegro's leading alpinists, we fully support our tour leader's call to choose lower-level trails and err on the side of caution. Persistently bad weather throughout the week further disrupted planned activities and prevented the climb of Volušnica on day three. We’re pleased that our tour leader was able to substitute for this with a delightful hike in Ropojana Valley when a weather window appeared on what would have normally been his free day.
We do sympathise with your frustrations - the hiking groups the week before and after you enjoyed some gorgeous clear skies. This was rotten luck. However, we do emphasise the volatility of weather conditions in the late Spring prior to booking, and following your tour leader's safety guidance was crucial.
Whilst we can't comment further on conversations that took place, we obviously regret any verbal clashes and will provide extra training for our guides to aid their handling of more challenging conversations and situations such as the one on Day 2, when your group effectively rebelled and headed off for a self-guided hike against given advice. With the benefit of hindsight, we should have ended your tour then, as this was a serious breach of our terms and conditions.
We want to highlight to anyone reading this response that the tour leader we allocated to this group is a fantastic person and the safest pair of hands you could hope to have in the Montenegro mountains, receiving five star reviews from hiking groups prior to and following this week. We would also mention that Rosie Powell-Tuck, whose review also appears on this page, was part of this same group.
Cat Wiener review 15 Jun 2022
1. What was the most memorable or exciting part of your vacation?
Difficult to choose amongst so many extraordinary locations but visit to waterfall and canyon in Gusinje was extraordinary... also staying in cabins surrounded by vast jagged mountains.2. What tips would you give other travelers booking this vacation?
Be prepared for unpredictable weather, so not all mountain peaks may be accessible and itinerary may change. Maybe don't travel with Wizz - we experienced long delays returning from Podgorica and apparently this is usual. Pack for a range of temperatures - can get cold in the mountains in June, but stiflingly hot in the capital.3. Did you feel that your vacation benefited local people, reduced environmental impacts or supported conservation?
Definitely benefited local people - we stayed and ate at local independent places, and our guide was very aware of protecting the natural environment. Quite a lot of driving involved which presumably is not great impact on environment, but not sure how it could have been done otherwise. But overall, it felt low impact on the environment.4. Finally, how would you rate your vacation overall?
I had a wonderful time, loved the country, felt well looked after and saw incredibly beautiful places. I would definitely recommend the experience.Robert Derbyshire review 14 Jun 2022
1. What was the most memorable or exciting part of your vacation?
Walking in the mountains, speaking with local people.2. What tips would you give other travelers booking this vacation?
Be prepared for rain!3. Did you feel that your vacation benefited local people, reduced environmental impacts or supported conservation?
Yes.4. Finally, how would you rate your vacation overall?
Excellent.Paula Dowdall review 27 Aug 2019
1. What was the most memorable or exciting part of your vacation?
Montenegro has stunning scenery, mountains almost everywhere you look. Hiking through mountains in different parts of the country including some not frequented by large number of tourists was a memorable experience. Our guide Bojana was a great example of the friendly, helpful people we met throughout our trip. She was massively knowledgeable, always with an alternative if the elements conspired.2. What tips would you give other travelers booking this vacation?
Have a good level fitness, pack the right equipment and have fun!3. Did you feel that your vacation benefited local people, reduced environmental impacts or supported conservation?
Yes we stayed in small local hotels/accommodation and used local restaurants. We visited local people living in Cartons (seasonal accommodation in the mountains) and enjoyed their hospitality. We felt that the places chosen to stay in, eat in and visit were carefully considered to benefit local economies and minimise environmental impact.4. Finally, how would you rate your vacation overall?
A wonderful experience that will live long in the memory.Michaela Brinkhaus review 11 Aug 2019
1. What was the most memorable or exciting part of your vacation?
2. What tips would you give other travelers booking this vacation?
3. Did you feel that your vacation benefited local people, reduced environmental impacts or supported conservation?
4. Finally, how would you rate your vacation overall?
Linda McDonald review 17 Jul 2017
1. What was the most memorable or exciting part of your vacation?
The scenery especially the views from the peaks over 2000 metres.2. What tips would you give other travelers booking this vacation?
Be prepared for challenging hiking but relax and enjoy it. Bojana, our guide, was committed to doing everything possible to ensure we had a great trip. She gave good advice about the local food and wine. (don't expect to lose weight on this trip!). We visited areas away from the usual tourist routes and met interesting locals doing their daily work. If you don't like Turkish coffee bring your own. Montenegrin wine generally good.3. Did you feel that your vacation benefited local people, reduced environmental impacts or supported conservation?
Most of our food and wine was locally produced and cooked.4. Finally, how would you rate your vacation overall?
ExcellentMalcolm Hill review 5 Aug 2016
1. What was the most memorable or exciting part of your vacation?
Activity Vacation: Two days walking, one day wine tasting and one day kayaking (1 week) plus add on (3 nights) of two days walking and one day white water rafting. Walnut Valley walk was our favourite in the first week and white water rafting was our favourite in the add on2. What tips would you give other travelers booking this vacation?
Not a vacation for the couch potato. The vacation is reasonably active. We are in our mid and late 50's and fit in the sense that we walk quite a bit. The age group on the vacation varied from 15 to 59.3. Did you feel that your vacation benefited local people, reduced environmental impacts or supported conservation?
Yes. If there are any costs for additional elements to the vacation, all of the money goes to the person/people providing them.4. Finally, how would you rate your vacation overall?
Not quite reborn!!!! but up there with the best vacation we have ever been on...Rosie Smith review 10 Jun 2015
1. What was the most memorable or exciting part of your vacation?
The view from the top of Mt Rumija.2. What tips would you give other travelers booking this vacation?
Other members of the group may not be very fit. Whilst Emma and Ben will do their best to accommodate the range of abilities the walking can be very frustrating and definitions of a 5/6 hour hike seem to vary. In general not for the super fit! Having said that there are some lovely walks, a chance to see and sample the local culture and the incredibly diverse flora and fauna. Plus abundant opportunities to swim! Definitely a great hol if you want some relaxed walking, leisurely lunches, to nature spot and to experience the traditional Montenegran way of life. Worth a trip to the more commercial coast for the contrast.3. Did you feel that your vacation benefited local people, reduced environmental impacts or supported conservation?
Definitely benefited the locals. Emma and Ben made a real effort to make sure they worked closely with the community, providing employment and ensuring local produce was purchased wherever possible. Supported conservation by showing the locals how tourists value the nature and landscape.4. Finally, how would you rate your vacation overall?
Fantastic vacation. Amazing place and lovely people!jon Aldous review 9 Sep 2014
1. What was the most memorable or exciting part of your vacation?
Every single day had really memorable moments. Top 5 (but it could have been a top 20) - Standing under a waterfall in a stunning rocky glade on the first day's walk - Amazing lunch of totally home grown and home cooked delicacies at Tanya's - Paddling our kayaks over serene Lake Skadar to a nunnery and a monastery - Hilarious games in the evenings with our new mates over several bottles of local rose and the odd pivo! - Helping to get a singalong going in the restaurant with a local guy's guitar2. What tips would you give other travelers booking this vacation?
Relax and enjoy it all and leave everything to Ben and Emma who lay on brilliantly planned days out. My wife and I had planned a walking vacation with some biking, probably spending quite a lot of time on our own In reality, the walks we did, whilst constantly interesting and full of surprises, were not hugely challenging and (in very hot weather) that suited us perfectly as we invariably ended up somewhere very nice for lunch! And so much for being on our own - we shared the villa with two families with children from 8 to 12. Great kids who were happy to try anything and in many ways that lively group made the vacation even better. Not sure its worth bothering going to the coast. Lake Skadar region has all you need for a week, especially with knowledgeable and well connected guides like Ben and Emma. The food might not have been so enjoyable if we didn't like fish!3. Did you feel that your vacation benefited local people, reduced environmental impacts or supported conservation?
Absolutely! Everything seemed to be locally caught, grown and cooked. Mio's one man restaurant being an example, he gets up at dawn to catch the carp, despite having badly sprained his ankle, fries them up for you and serves them with a delicious home made soup and salad and a large glass of his really excellent home produced wine. We indeed felt that we were welcome regular customers at one restaurant in Virpazar village, not least when the waiters offer to drive you home to the villa at the end of the evening! Thanks for that also to Ben and Emma, because the locals seem to welcome everyone who vacations with them and of course the business they bring to the community.4. Finally, how would you rate your vacation overall?
Gotta be five stars for all the above reasons, still glowing from it ten days later!Holiday Reviews
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