Adriatic Ascents
Adriatic Ascents
Adriatic Ascents
8 Days Starting in Dubrovnik, Croatia and ending in Virpazar, Montenegro
Visiting: Dubrovnik, Trebinje, Kotor, Kolasin, Plav, Shkodër, Virpazar
Tour operator:
Tour code:
MCT-MAA
Guide Type:
Fully Guided
Group size:
2 - 16
Age range:
Min age:18
Special diets catered:
Please advise requests
Tour operated in:
EnglishTrip Styles:
Activities:
Tour Overview
This four-country road biking tour is the ultimate journey to explore and get the most out of diverse and culturally rich countries of the Balkans. Cycling through Croatia, Bosnia & Herzegovina, Montenegro and Albania, experience stunning landscapes from towering mountain ranges, deep blue lakes to the idyllic Adriatic coast. Here you will also find remarkable architecture, charming old towns and delicious Mediterranean cuisine.
Highlights
Itinerary
Day 1 : Arrival - Dubrovnik
Location: Dubrovnik
Accommodation: Hotel
Accommodation Name: Hotel Ivka
Meals Included: Dinner
Arrival in Dubrovnik and check in to your hotel. Take some time to get settled before meeting for a trip briefing. In the evening we head out to the old town of Dubrovnik to have dinner together.
Day 2 : Dubrovnik, Croatia - Trebinje, Bosnia & Herzegovina
Location: Trebinje, Dubrovnik
Accommodation: Hotel
Accommodation Name: Hotel Platani
Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
We start the day riding along the coastline. We move up north towards Trsteno Arboretum, a beautiful botanical garden known for its iconic appearance as King's Landing from the hit television series Game of Thrones. You are welcome to visit the garden. From Trsteno we climb a side road until Slano where we leave the coastline and continue towards the border with Bosnia & Herzegovina. Right at the end of our climb and already on Herzegovina terrain you will have the chance to visit a magnificent karst cave, the “Vjetrenica.“ From here we follow the old railway line, which once connected Mostar with Dubrovnik and Herceg Novi (Montenegro). Finally, after some serious ascents, we arrive in Trebinje, the heart of Bosnia's wine country. Trebinje is a very nice example of how a typical town in Bosnia & Herzegovina feels like. After a bit of rest, we will go on to explore its charming old town. In the evening we will set out for wine tasting at Tvrdos Monastery which exported its wines to the Austrian court back in the 19th century.
Ride: 96km
Elevation: +1217m
Descent: -961m
Day 3 : Trebinje, Bosnia & Herzegovina - Kotor, Montenegro
Location: Trebinje, Kotor
Accommodation: Hotel
Accommodation Name: Hotel Marija
Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
oday we ride through the southern half of Bosnia & Herzegovina to the magnificent Bay of Kotor in Montenegro. We have a short warm up before the climbing starts. We'll ascend just over 600 ms in 16 kms but then have a marvelous downhill to the deep blue waters of Kotor Bay. We take a break in picturesque Perast before following the shoreline to the old town of Kotor, a UNESCO World Heritage site built between the 12th and 14th century. Wander the medieval maze of alleyways and marvel at the historic fort walls.
Day 4 : Kotor, Montenegro - Kolasin, Montenegro
Location: Kotor, Kolasin
Accommodation: Hotel
Accommodation Name: Hotel Brile
Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
We leave the Bay of Kotor via one of the best climbs of the Balkans. The Kotor Serpentine starts at 458 m and 16 hairpin turns and 8 kms later ends at 881m. At the top take in one of the best panoramic views the Balkans has to offer. The climbing hasn't finished though, as we still have to reach 1100 m in the heart of Lovcen National Park before we start our descent to Cetinje, the former royal capital of Montenegro. We have time for a loop around the old town before we continue to another highlight of the day - Lake Skadar, the largest lake in Southern Europe. Depending on time we will end the cycling in the picturesque village of Rijeka Crnojevica or we continue on another 25 km to Montenegro's capital city of Podgorica as we have a train to catch! We'll board the evening train to Kolasin, a small resort town deep in the mountains. The 1.5-hour train ride itself is another highlight of the trip as it offers stunning views as the railway climbs high above the Moraca canyon to more than 900 m! What a way to gain altitude! Sleep well with the fresh air of Kolasin.
Ride: 89km
Elevation: +1777m
Descent: -1730m
Day 5 : Kolasin, Montenegro - Plav, Montenegro
Location: Kolasin, Plav
Accommodation: Hotel
Accommodation Name: Hotel Etno Selo Komnenovo
Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Today can be a semi-rest day or a full on climbing day. If you feel like having an easier day, we can give you a lift to Tresnjevik Pass, thereby avoiding 900 m of ascending in 27 km. From here it is 43 km to Lim valley with a delightful descent of 1151 m, ending at the peaceful town of Plav. We will make a stop to visit Redzepagic tower, one of the most interesting monuments of defensive architecture in Montenegro. Set on a lake the town is also known as the a gateway to the Cursed Mountains (Prokletije) shared by Montenegro, Albania, and Kosovo. End the evening with a relaxing sundowner amongst the beautiful setting of Lake Plav.
Ride: 70km
Elevation: +1274m
Descent: -1313m
Day 6 : Plav, Montenegro - Shkodra, Albania
Location: Shkodër, Plav
Accommodation: Hotel
Accommodation Name: Hotel Tradita
Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Another iconic day! Within only a few kilometres of departing Plav we reach the Albanian border and the climbing soon starts. We ascend for 8 km, almost 400 m, to an altitude of 1,350 m before descending an epic 1,400 m in 30 km. We take a break at Tamara village as our day is far from over. Now we have our next serpentine to conquer, the Leqet e Hotit mountain pass at an elevation of 684 m. Though the climb is only 8 kms long, the gradient is a steep 7% average. Several switchbacks later, we reach a very nice viewpoint called Enver Hoxha's 'balcony', named after the former leader Enver Hoxha who was Albania's mastermind of isolation until the mid-1980s. We roll down once again, cycling close to the border with Montenegro. You will have the option to take a lift to Shkodra or continue biking along the flat shoreline (+35 km) of Lake Skadar to Shkodra. Albania's second largest town it has a nice center and charming vibe. Celebrate your massive accomplishment at dinner!
Ride: 110km
Elevation: +1624m
Descent: -2528m
Day 7 : Shkodra, Albania - Virpazar, Montenegro
Location: Virpazar, Shkodër
Accommodation: Homestay
Accommodation Name: Badanj Apartments
Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Though the distance may look to be on the shorter side today, we still have lots of climbs ahead of us. We cross back into Montenegro and cycle the southern shoreline of Lake Skadar, which offers some beautiful views of the lake and the Albanian Alps. The first climb comes just aafter crossing the border, then it is a rolling day all the way to the village of Virpazar. We have our farewell dinner at the hotel and reflect back on our legendary ride.
Ride: 73km
Elevation: +1345m
Descent: -1346m
Day 8 : Departure
Location: Virpazar
Meals Included: Breakfast
There are many airport options to depart from nearby and we can assist you with arranging a transfer to the most convenient one. Podgorica Airport is 30 minutes away, Tivat Airport is slightly more than one hour away and Dubrovnik Airport is almost 2.5 hours away.
What's Included
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Accommodation
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Fully Guided
Experienced local English-speaking guide on this tour.
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Meals
As detailed in itinerary.
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SpiceRoads jersey
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Water bottle,Snacks and drinks
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Support vehicle
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Entrance fees
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Train rides
What's Not Included
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Additional Services
Tips service are not included.
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International Travel
International flights are not included.
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Optional
Food and drink not included within the cost of the trip
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Airport Transfers at Destination
Airport pick up and drop off service are not included.
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Alcohol
Bike Hire
Standard Road Bike: US$ 250
Single Supplement
US$ 320
Mode of Transport
Bikes
Since some people can't imagine going on a trip without their own beloved bicycle, we do not provide them as part of this tour. However, you can hire Specialized Allez road bikes for the price listed in the tour pricing section. If you do bring your own bikes, please make sure that they are road bikes and in good mechanical condition.
Bike Repairs
Basic spares and tools are carried by the guide and on the support vehicle, though we cannot guarantee having spares for every conceivable problem. Carrying a basic tool kit, a spare tube and a pump while riding is recommended.
Check out our Q&As
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Are all entrance fees included in the price?
Yes, Entrance fees is included.
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Do you require a visa for this holiday?
Passport holders of up to 70 countries are not required to obtain a visa when entering Albania and are permitted to stay in the country for a period of 90 days. All foreign nationals who have a valid multi–entry Schengen visa, type “C” or “D”, or a valid residence permit in one of the Schengen member states, can enter, stay and transit Albania without a visa, within the validity term of the visa or the residence permit. Please check the Albanian government website for further details.
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Is there a supplement for solo travellers?
SpiceRoads does not require you to pay a surcharge for travelling alone. We will arrange for you to share accommodation with another traveller of the same gender and if we can not match you up we will provide a single room at no extra charge. If you prefer not to share a single supplement is payable to guarantee your own room. The cost of the single supplement is US$ 320.
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What is the maximum group size?
The max group size is 16 peoples.
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Are airport transfers included in this tour?
Airport pick up and drop off are not included.
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What is the fitness level required to do this tour?
This tour is classed as ETAPE. For serious cyclists looking for challenging, multi-stage rides. Etape tours feature quintessential cycling terrain with multiple tough climbs over long distances, frequently venture into steep topography, and hold enough wildcard days to continually test power and grit. Expect daily climbing of over 1,000 meters (and then some), and over 100 kilometers of pavement. Etape tours require confident and ambitious cyclists with experience and stamina to meet the challenge.
Work on maintaining a 28 - 30km per hour on the flats for a minimum of an hour at a time, and be comfortable riding longer climbs. Preparation is key. Ride 3 times a week, with a longer, more challenging ride on the weekend. Cross training with bodyweight exercises and stretching is recommended. Be sure to include ample recovery time- at least 2 days a week. -
Is there any free time to explore places during the tour?
As detailed in itinerary.
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Are flights included in this tour?
No, international flights to Dubrovnik/from Podorica Airport are not included
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Are the local guides on the tour English speaking?
Yes, Local English speaking guide on this tour.
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Do I need to have travel insurance?
Yes! SpiceRoads insists that all clients must take out good travel insurance before joining one of our tours. There are inherent risks involved in cycling and mountain biking and we will not be liable for your medical expenses or evacuation in case of an accident. This insurance must include adequate coverage for any personal accident, medical expenses, injury, death and repatriation. Insurance should also provide coverage for cancellations or curtailment of the holiday. Clients should also ensure that there are no exclusion clauses limiting protection for any dangerous or unusual activities that might be included in their tour. If you join the tour without adequate insurance you may be disallowed from continuing on the tour without the right of refund. Clients are solely responsible for arranging their insurance and they should ensure that they are covered for the full duration of their tour. Your tour leader will ask for copies of your insurance before allowing you to join the tour. This protects both you and us.
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Is the trip guaranteed to depart and does it require a minimum number of people?
There is a minimum number of participants (usually 2) required to enable the trip to go ahead. Once the minimum number is reached, the trip status will change from 'Available' to 'Guaranteed to Depart'. Once a trip is guaranteed to depart you are free to book your flights and make other travel arrangements. If the trip status is ‘Limited’ will mean we have only a small number of spaces available for booking. If you are unsure about the trip status, please contact us.
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Why hire a bike from SpiceRoads?
SpiceRoads bikes are never just "fit for duty" but a key component of our riders’ tour experience and satisfaction. For tours with bike hire option, renting one of our bikes saves hassle, not to mention precious luggage allowance. All SpiceRoads tours use well-known makes of mountain, hybrid or road bikes (depending on the tour) with lightweight alloy frames, 24- to 27-speed gearing, v-brakes or disc brakes and Shimano components. Mountain bikes all have front suspension. We renew bikes in our fleet every two seasons. When in use, our bikes are well-cared for, including full service before each trip and daily cleaning while on tour. SpiceRoads tour support vehicles carry plenty of spares and extra tubes for every emergency.
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Do you have E-Bikes?
Electric "pedal assist" e-bikes are available on select tours. E-bikes can help manage long distances and climbing terrain through the use of a pedal-activated electric motor. Unlike other e-bikes, "pedal assistedr" e-bikes feel more natural to the rider. We recommend e-bikes for riders interested in tours that might normally be too challenging for them, or for groups of riders with mixed ability. E-bikes provide assistance for long distance or more challenging terrain, but they can’t do all the work for you! Always chose a tour within the range of your own abilities to ensure your own enjoyment when exploring a new destination. Contact us for a complete list of e-bike available tours.
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What do I need to bring if I rent a SpiceRoads bike?
Bikes rented for tours always come with a helmet, a single water bottle cage, and a standard saddle. If you prefer to bring your own saddle (just the saddle, not the seat post), additional water bottle cage, or SPD pedals, we will fit them to your bike for the tour. Don’t forgot to bring your shoes and cleats if you bring SPD pedals! Women specific seats are recommended for longer tours. We have a limited supply of gel seat covers to soften the ride, and of strap-on toe cages. Please enquire about adding these during your booking.
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Do you have details of the SpiceRoads fleet?
In Thailand we have a fleet of Verve city bikes, TREK 4300 and X-Caliber 7 mountain bikes, TREK 7.2 X, FX 3 and 7200 hybrid bikes and Trek 2.1 C, Domane 2.0, Lexa SL and carbon Émonda S5 road bikes. We also carry Giant 2019 Explore E+ 3 e-bikes. Our bicycles are available in sizes ranging from 13 inches to 22 1/2 inches or 47 cm to 62 cm. Please note that a certain frame model is not guaranteed. In Bangkok and Chiang Mai, baby seats, tag-alongs, and child bikes for children are available. In Bangkok the single-wheeled tag-along bike attach to the seat-post of an adult bike, allowing a child to pedal along behind the adult. There's no age limit to the tag-along bike, but there is a 36 kg weight limit. Bike hire is include in the tour price for short tours, while longer tours offer bike hire as a supplement, as many riders opt to bring their own bike for our cycling tours. Depending on the destination, length of tour, and type of bike, hire costs vary.
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Transfer as credit to Future Tours
SpiceRoads Cycling allows you to transfer existing payments to a future tour to avoid cancellation fees if you can't travel and inform spiceroads cycling, 40 days before departure.
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Low Deposit
SpiceRoads Cycling requires a minimum deposit of 10% or the full booking value, whichever is less, with the final balance not due until 60 days before departure.
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Cancellation Policy
We don't charge a cancellation fee, here is a summary of spiceroads cycling charges.
At 61 days before tour starts: Forfeit 0% of booking price.
At 60 days before tour starts: Forfeit 70% of booking price.
At 14 days before tour starts: Forfeit 100% of booking price.