In the first week of June I had the honor to host a group from Israel. It was my first group from that country. A bit of concern at the beggining, but without reason. When I saw them for the first time on the airport, I knew it would be a super week. And it was! Although weather was not our friend, we realized our plan. The trip began in Kolašin, from where we choose many different easy to moderate hikes. After a few days we switched to Žabljak and Durmitor National Park. Like never before in this time of the year, the mountains were full of snow. We enjoyed it even more! Crna Gora does not only consist of mountains. Cetinje - the old historic capital and Kotor - an old town in the bay of Boka Kotorska are places you must visit! That is why my trips always finish in Kotor. Thanks to my friends from Israel for a great week.

 " I would like to express my gratitude and appreciation for he excellent organizations of the tour in the cities, nature reserves and mountains of Montenegro. Your proffesionalism, knowledge of the area and confidence on the one hand and taking care of our comfort and safety on the other made out tour successful and uniqe. For all of the above I would like to say THANKS"
Moshe Eidelman, Jerusalim, Israel

" We are group of 8 people who travel for trekking worldwide. In 2013 we choosed Montenegro. Through internet we came to know about Vanja, we did not know him before, but through e mails we made our plan and few months latter we landed on Podgorica airport. What we got is more than we expected, based on our experience. A very polite, serious, well trained, reliable and generous guide. Excellent car, nice hotels a very exciting trails."
Isaac Zuckerman, Jerusalim, Israel 

This winter I hosted three groups from Italy and Austria, led by mountain guides Hermann Tauber and Ingo Kroath. Although the weather was not so good we were able to do some nice ski tours and lot of cultural trips, enjoying the hospitality of local people and good food. Thanks to mountain guides and all participants.

A long and demanding tour in the central part of Montenegro to the highest peak of Sinjajevina - Jablanov Vrh (2203 m). The tour starts almost at the beginning of Lipovo valley near Kolasin. For those whose physical shape is not so good or who simply do not like long tours, there are smaller peaks around 1900 m. Fortunately, we had a nice day and a beautiful view from the summit. In total, we passed 25 km and 1400 m of ascent. The snow conditions were fine, the night before had been clear and most of the time snow was hard. Now it is snowing again in the mountains, it seems that the best time this year will be April. Thanks to my friends for their company.

Late February/ early March is a perfect time for winter trekking tours. Thanks to my friends Gisela and Bernhard Buhler from Switzerland, we spent a very nice week walking on snow shoes. Firs we spent a few days on Mount Durmitor, than Bjelasica and Kolašin and we ended on Mount Lovćen. These  were days of joy and learning more about the potential of this relaxed winter activity. There is enough snow in the mountains,so enjoy it, if you are in Montenegro. If not, let these picture invite you!

Late September and early October I had a honor to host a group of 15 people from Switzerland, led by mountain guide Bernhard Buhler, at a two - week tour around Montenegro. The tour was designed to go through the most beautifull parts, starting from the northeast all the way to the far south, covering the natural beauties of both mountains and canyons, and also visiting cultural and historical monuments. We spent the first nine days in the north, where we hiked almost each day between 4 to 7 hours on Prokletije, Komovi, Zijevo, Bjelasica, Mrtvica canyon and Durmitor, enjoying the beautiful weather, delicious local food and šljivovica! This part of the trip was physically more demanding. After that we moved to the south, where it was more relaxed and easier, but still beautifull, as we visited many cultural and historical monuments, ancient cities, museums, monasteries... we also walked several hours on Vrmac hill above Boka Kotorska bay, we enjoyed the autumn sun on the sandy beaches of Ulcinj and made a boat cruise by on Skadar lake. Many thanks to all participants for this great trip, especially to mountain guide Bernhard Buhler.


"As a Swiss mountain guide, I organize trips abroad and was looking for a leader in Montenegro. When I was in Montenegro last year, I knew emmediately that I was very lucky to meet Vanja. In September this year I was with the group of 15 people travelling with him, my impression has been confirmed. The cooperation with him was great and the group was enthusiastic about him. Experience in leading groups was very impressive for me. He's quite and very responsible. We have made hikes in Prokletije, Komovi, Zijevo, Durmitor and on the coast. The people and the fantastic areas made our stay to a great experience. Montenegro is close to my heart. I am looking forward to meet Vanja next year again. Thanks a lot!"
Bernhard Buhler,
Mountain guide,
 Switzerland

" To this tour I would give the name "the beauty of colors and variety", a real pleasure! Hiking through a shady, cool beech wood we arrived at a wide open plateau wich slopes lighted towards us in the brightes autumn colors. This was Indian summer in Montenegro! Far above us we spied the ridge wich we reached finally from time to rime on all fours. What a view! Far below us we saw villages in Albania, the ridhe on wich we walked along was the border: one foot in Albania and other in Montenegro, funny idea! With the next ascent we reached at the top of the ridge. And again a most fantastic view: far down below us a very solitary Alps and very close to us the next gigantic mountain chain, the "Monte negro" in the real meaning of the word "black mountain". Over white shiny rocks we reached again the slopes of Indian summer and with last melancholy look back we proceded into the forest back down into the valley. With good beer and "zivjeli" (prost)"
Silvia Hochstrasser,
participant, 
Switzerland

Sport climbing is slowly growing activity in MN, but potential is great. At the moment there are few areas with bolted routes:

 - Smokovac, near Podgorica, my favorite place for climbing. There are around 70 routes. Hard, overhanging routes with good holds are charactersitic. There is room for 1000+ routes. Best time for climbing is spring and autumn, but it is possible in summer too, because of orientation. At any time of the day you will rock in the shadow!
 - Kolasin - small crag on the north with 30 routes is nice place during summer.
 - Gusinje, another climbing area on the north at the foot of mount Prokletije. There are few sectors, biggest one is near Alipasini springs. Unfortunately, climbing is not yet popular among locals, so crag is not well maintained.
 - Pirlitor - Zabljak, newest crag, with 20 routes, good place during summer.
 - Boka Kotorska, around 15 routes on 3 different places. Most interesting is above bus station in Kotor, but with only 4 routes.
 - Povija, village near Ostrog monastery, very few routes, great potential, as well.

 More information you can find on www.montenegroclimbing.net

 If you need sport climbing instructor or just climbing partner feel free to contact.

Two days of hiking in Prokletije with Nives and Mojca, two ladies from Slovenija. Mount Prokletije was, as always, full of contrast: flowers, green meadows, forests and snow higher on the northern slopes.Thanks to Nives and Mojca for the chance to show them my favorite mountains. Unfortunately, two days were not enough, but we did the best we could: Grbaja and a round trip over the ridge of Volušnica, Popadija and Talijanka peaks, and next day we walked to Hridsko Lake and the peak of Hridski Krš with a beautiful view of the whole Prokletije masiff.

Once more I had the opportunity and honor to work together with my friend Heli Gargitter and to spend a great week with him and other people from Dolomites. The tour started in Durmitor National Park, where we made several tours. This spring snow conditions are good and safe, which enabled us to ski from several peaks in one day. For the second part of our trip we moved to Kolašin. The mountains around are not as high as Durmitor, but that does not make them less attractive for skiing. I would like to thank Mrs.Erminija from Brile hotel for the excellent food. We enjoyed it a lot, and that also applies to the last part of the trip - a unique experience of skiing, cultural, historical and natural diversity spiced with a delicious fish dinner on the coast and all in one day! Thanks to all participants and special thanks to Heli for the photos.

 

" To climb mountains in Montenegro with the touring skis was a special experience for all of us, because in the Alps you can hardly find such a beautiful landscape with no people at all! That mean, off course, to enjoy tranquility and untouched slopes with greasy, smooth snow. In some parts we were even the first to descent by skis. Thanks to Vanja, we also got to know a lot about daily life, culture, history and politics in Montenegro. A really unforgettable trip!"

Gunda Regensberger, journalist, RAI, Radiotelevisione Italiana

Each year, the mountains of Montenegro attract more and more skiers. This year there was not much snow in the Alps and Dolomites, while the quantity of snow in our country this winter was quite sufficient. This was another reason to come and enjoy the untouched white slopes. A group of 10 people, led by mountain guide Hermann Tauber from South Tyrol, visited Montenegro in the last week of March. We enjoyed perfect weather, good snow conditions, nice and warm accommodation and excellent  food. We were lucky to make first ski descent from Jablanov Vrh on Sinjajevina. Montenegro is a country full of contrast, natural and cultural diversity. In the morning we skied from the Troglava peak on Bjelasica and later we got acquainted with the culture and history during our visit of the Morača monastery, Cetinje - the old royal capital and Kotor. And let´s  not  forget Skadar Lake, another National Park. The day was ended with delicious fish dinner in Budva.. and all in one day!

 "It was a wonderfull week with great weather and perfect snow conditions. Thank you, Vanja, for the great tours, the delicious food, good accommodations and the perfect organisations of the trip! I am sure we'll meet again next year for a ski and trekking week!"
 - Hermann Tauber, mountain guide, Sud Tirol

After heavy snowfall in February, it is time for fun on snow. No matter if you like ski touring or winter climbing, conditions in the first half of March were almost perfect. The first tour was on Mount Bjelasica mountain - the Troglava peak, a very nice and easy tour, quite safe and good for beginers in ski touring with its wide and low angle slopes. The second tour was on Sinjajevina at Jablanov Vrh with a group from Germany. This tour was more demanding than Troglava. Unfortunately, we did not reach the top. The well-known Durmitor offers various tours, the easiest one is from Zabljak to Mali Štuoc (2050 m). The mountains are full of snow and this season will last to late April.