Day 1 - Arrival
Riding: No riding.
You will be picked up from the airport and driven to your first accommodation at an altitude of almost 1100m. This area slopes straight down to the Povlen Mountains in the eastern part of the Dinaric Alps. You will be driven to the village of Taor, a settlement which has existed since the Bronze Age, and the journey takes around two and a half hours. A warm dinner awaits you and there is time to settle in and perhaps to meet your new four-legged friends.
Day 2 - Taor to Divčibare
Riding: 4 - 5 hours
After breakfast you ride to Divčibare which is currently a famous ski area. The mountain, Maljen, belongs to the Ore Mountains and also to the Dinaric mountain system in northwest Serbia. It is characterised by diverse and specific flora and fauna due to the climate. The resort of Divčibare is located on the central part of the mountain and the heights that surround it protect against the winds and also offer a view of parts of the Maljen massif as well as the near and far surroundings. The views this morning are really beautiful - you can see green slopes all around you! It's around 3 hours of riding in the morning with a lunch stop whilst the horses rest and graze in a paddock.
NOTE: after lunch the riding is on asphalt roads as it is the only way to reach the next accommodation at Divčibare. There is not much traffic and the horses are not worried by any passing cars.
Further info on this area:
Although it is often mentioned that Divčibare is a mountain, it is actually a field on the Maljen mountain, which, due to its specific topography and geographical location, is considered a separate tourist resort with many advantages.
The highest peak of Maljen is Kraljev stol at 1103m. Two parts are divided by the height of the Guard of Divčibare : Divčibare in the strict sense and Pitomine. This hill got its name during the Austrian rule in northern Serbia from 1718 to 1739. At that time the border between Austria and Turkey ran there, and there was the Austrian border guard. The guard consisted of bandits, residents of the surrounding villages (mostly from the village of Krčmara ). From this hill you can see the entire Divčibare field, other heights of Maljen, a range of mountains and the city of Valjevo. The mountains Medvednik , Jablanik and Povlen, like Maljen, belong to the Ore Mountains and are the last massifs of the Dinaric Mountains in the northwest of the country.
Day 3 - Divčibare to Rajac
Riding: 5 - 6 hours
Today the road leads you through the Serbian steppe, which is reminiscent of Mongolia. The power of this steppe leaves no one indifferent and the 360 degree view gives you a feeling of space and freedom of movement. On your tour today you will hardly see any houses and it often happens that you do not see anyone except the climbers. Silence, space, a view as far as the eye can see, horses, harmony... in the afternoon you will reach Mount Rajac .
This riding day is quite long, around 30 - 35km with some challenging terrain. Sandwiches are carried in the saddlebags this day.
Day 4 - Rajac to Kostunici
Riding: 2 - 3 hours
Today you have a shorter ride to Kostunici and are there by lunchtime - this ethno-village is located in one of the most beautiful parts of Serbia, on the southern slope of the Suvobor mountain. There are two stories about how the village got its name and no one knows which is correct, probably because one talks about nature, the other about people. And your hosts say - nature is cared for and loved here! The complex you stay at was built in accordance with traditional Serbian architecture.
There is a swimming lake in the complex. The lake is surrounded by the Cer forest and is sunny on all sides. It was created by dividing the Čemernica river with a concrete dam just 300m below the settlement with sculptures. It is 1.90 m deep and 30 m wide. Children and sports enthusiasts have volleyball and soccer fields on the shores of the lake. There are also pottery and handicraft shops where passionate ethno collectors can add to their collections or bring "summer memories" to friends.
Day 5 - Kostunici to Gostoljublje
Riding: 5 - 6 hours
Today you are slowly leaving the Serbian steppe and returning to the Dinaric Alps with another longer, challenging riding day. This transition from the mountain steppe to the Dinaric Alps is very impressive and shows you how much nature has changed in this area. Today has some more steep ups and downs, remote trails and a little bit of quiet road work. After a long, restful lunch for both horse and rider you continue on to Gostoljublje.
The ethno-village Gostoljublje is located 140km from Belgrade and belongs to the municipality of Kosjeric, the village of Mionica. The village is near the mountain centre Divcibare, on the south side of the Maljen mountain. Rural tourism is the main activity of this farm and agriculture is an activity that complements what is on offer in terms of food production. It is ideal for guests who want an active vacation and want to get to know the way of life and work in the country.
Day 6 - Gostoljublje to Taor
Riding: 3 - 5 hours
Slowly you are returning to the paths of the ancient Romans who took Dubrovnik and, over the Povlen mountain, connected with the Danube. In this way too, you visit the ever-dear 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 early centuries there were around 20 active water mills along these water sources and they milled rye, barley and oats at full capacity. Most of them have disappeared now but a small watermill has remained and it can transport you 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 you will go up to the original farm to enjoy a dinner with local fruit brandy ('rakija'), over which you can share your impressions and ideas from the ride.
Today is generally an easier, shorter riding day but the route is sometimes adapted if the conditions are favourable so as to give a little more time in the saddle.
Day 7 - Departure
Riding: No riding.
Departure after breakfast. Flights should leave Belgrade 12:00 or later.
Note: All programmes and itineraries are weather dependent; in the face of adverse, or unexpected, weather conditions reasonable attempts will be made to provide equivalent riding. All programmes are accurate at the time of writing. However, the team may adapt or modify details, whilst aiming to provide a similar experience.
