UNTAMED BALKANS MOTORCYCLE EXPEDITION

Arrival to Zagreb for most expedition members. We’ll be spending the afternoon in a garage, getting to know each other, practicing and preparing our bikes. Those who decide to rent will be able to adjust risers, footpegs, suspensions etc. After discussing the expedition plan, it’s time for dinner. We have a rule: beer for the group is on whoever loses something from their bike on our way to the restaurant!

Let’s see how well we’ve prepared for this expedition. We’ll be avoiding asphalt and riding diverse off roads along rivers, across mountains and passing through remote villages and wilderness until we’ve reached the river Una. The sun sets with us setting up camp and cooking a dinner over fire.

Apart from a few old villages and two smaller towns along the way, today we are moving away from civilization. We are slowly approaching the most beautiful parts of Bosnia. Long twisting macadams, pastures, lakes and rivers… it’s getting serious!

Dusty macadams, stone chunks the size of bowling balls and captivating mountains… It’s going to be one of the longest and most beautiful days.

Believe it or not, today we’ll be climbing four consecutive mountains! Hold tight and hope you don’t get a broken light or a hole in your helmet from sputtering pebbles. We’ll be sleeping in a modest family farm in the small village of Lukomir hidden on top of the mountain. Lukomir also boasts as being the highest village of Bosnia.

Those who feel tired today have the opportunity to get some rest. Others can stretch their legs and hike or explore Lukomir, the highest village in Bosnia, which only recently got its road to civilization. Those who are still hungry for more will get an ideal chance for a rough enduro. After dinner it’s time for group engine check and fixing whatever needs to be fixed. There is much more ahead of us and our bikes.

Apart from the short ride through the historical valley of Sutjeska River, we’ll be spending all day in the mountains: Bjelašnica, Visočica, Treskavica, Zelengora, Volujak, Maglić… This day will feel like eternity! We’ll be ending it in a charming Alpine-like town on Durmitor Mountain. Prepare to undo a button or two, traditional Montenegrin food is on the menu!

You’ll love our first day-long ride through Montenegro! Dozens of peaks, plateaus, rivers, lakes… it’s a smaller replica of Kyrgyzstan! The best place to share your daily impressions is “Katun” – a shepherds hut turned into a family farm along with a restaurant and accommodation that sits high up in the mountains.

Another day in the Montenegrin mountains. We’ll be searching for the best path following the barely recognizable traces in the tall grass and jolt our kidneys on rocky slopes. You’ll hate us for Mrtvica canyon, and love me for everything else 🙂 We might go on a short swim in one of the magical Montenegrin mountain lakes.

We’ll be spending most of the day on the famous Croatian coast! From the old Illyrian town, across the old pirate town of Omiš, we drive to the old Roman city of Split. Where else could you get such diversity? Riding through Dalmatian karst offers a unique experience.

This is our last rest day and after 10 days of wilderness everyone could use a good rest. You could visit the ancient Diocletian’s palace or just indulge in ‘fjaka’, a sleepy Dalmatian state of mind.

From the big lazy city of Split, we move to peace and serenity of the Dalmatian outback. Expect an amusing team chase on the mountains of the most remote parts of Croatia. Hope you brought an extra blanket, tonight we’ll be sleeping by the river.

Did anybody even come this far reading this itinerary? You’ll be happy to know that the island of Pag has some of the best seafood restaurants in the world. Did you know that an excellent soup can be made of sea stone? You’ll get an even better perspective on Pag from the top of Velebit, the most beautiful Croatian mountain.

Wake up to the smell of fresh coffee and breakfast cooked over a fire. Eat it up because today’s gonna be rough! Today we’ll be traversing this sturdy mountain and continue to the forests of hinterland.

Yesterday we kissed the sea goodbye and now with every mile we’re deeper in the continent. We’re not returning to Zagreb in any of the “conventional” ways! This is your last chance to go wild on a heavier Enduro course. We descend to the picturesque town of Samobor and ride by the river all the way to Zagreb.

We’re back but it’s not over yet! Depending on the flight schedule, we still have enough time to grab a plentiful lunch and exchange impressions, photos, equipment… I know, I know, you’ll be back! 🙂 Until then, I wish you thousands of wonderful miles! See ya!