Sutjeska National Park · Tjentište, BiH
Adventure · 3 days / 2 nights

Rafting & Trnovačko Lake

25 km of Tara River rapids, then a 1.5-hour hike to one of the most beautiful alpine lakes in the Balkans

3 days / 2 nights Max 25 people Moderate Tara Canyon · Tjentište Min age 7
Your adventure snapshot

Adrenaline on day one, silence on day two

This combination works because the two experiences are complete opposites — and both are extraordinary. Day one: 25 km of whitewater on the Tara River, through Europe's deepest canyon, with waterfalls, natural springs and rapids the whole way. Day two: a 1.5-hour hike to Trnovačko Lake at 1,517 m — a crystal-clear, heart-shaped alpine lake framed by the rocky ridgeline of Maglić, Bosnia's highest peak.

Between the two days you sleep at Green Villas Tjentište — a warm, well-run base inside Sutjeska National Park — with pool access, a regional dinner and a welcome brandy from the host. The transition from canyon to mountain happens overnight, and somehow that contrast makes both days more vivid.

No experience required for either activity. All rafting equipment is provided. The Trnovačko hike is suitable for ages 7–77 with no special fitness needed. All meals and accommodation are included throughout.

Trip at a glance

  • Duration
    3 days / 2 nights
  • Group size
    4–25 people
  • Fitness level
    Moderate · no experience needed
  • Minimum age
    7 years
  • Meeting point
    OutdoorBosnia centre, Drina riverbank (18 km from Foča)
  • Season
    May – October
Tour highlights

The moments you'll brag about later

25 km Tara River Rafting

A full-day descent through Europe's deepest canyon — rapids, waterfalls, natural springs and swimming stops, all with a professional skipper. Every metre of the Tara is protected UNESCO territory.

Trnovačko Lake at 1,517 m

A 1.5-hour hike to a heart-shaped crystal-clear alpine lake with Maglić (2,386 m) rising behind it. Swimming in summer, complete silence year-round. Suitable for ages 7 to 77.

Dragoš Sedlo & Jeep Safari

On the way to Trnovačko, stop at Dragoš Sedlo for a panoramic view over the Perućica primeval forest — Europe's largest — and the distant Skakavac Waterfall dropping 81 m into the canyon.

Canyon to Mountain in 24 Hours

The contrast is the experience — river canyon walls one day, open alpine horizon the next. Between the two, a warm villa, a welcome brandy and a dinner worth looking forward to.

Inclusions

What's included

Included

  • Accommodation at Green Villas Tjentište (2 nights)
  • All meals throughout the arrangement
  • Full rafting equipment (life jacket, helmet, neoprene, paddle)
  • Professional skipper and licensed mountain guide
  • 4×4 off-road vehicle transport for Trnovačko day
  • National park entrance fees and taxes
  • Pool access and laundry service

Not included

  • Flights and airport transfers (available on request)
  • Travel insurance
  • Beverages beyond meals
  • Personal souvenirs
3 days · 2 nights

The story of your trip, one day at a time

Day one starts on the river. Day two ends at the lake. In between, one of the best bases in Sutjeska National Park and a dinner you'll talk about at home.

Arrive at the OutdoorBosnia centre on the Drina riverbank by 10:00, eat, get briefed, gear up and spend the afternoon on the Tara. The canyon is one of the deepest in Europe — the walls close in on both sides and the river does the navigating.

  • 10:00
    Arrive at centre — breakfast and briefingCheck in at the OutdoorBosnia centre (18 km from Foča, on the Drina riverbank). Homemade breakfast, coffee and a full safety briefing. Paddling techniques covered before hitting the water.
  • 11:00
    Equipment fitting and transferLife jacket, helmet, neoprene suit and paddle fitted and adjusted. Vehicle transfer to Brštanovica — the put-in point 18 km from Foča.
  • 11:30
    On the water — 25 km descent beginsYour skipper leads the raft through 25 km of canyon. Stops at waterfalls, natural springs and swimming sections. Photo stops at the canyon's most dramatic viewpoints.
  • 15:00
    Canyon exit and return to centreExit the river and transfer back. Hot shower available at the centre before lunch.
  • 16:00
    Regional lunch at the centreFull traditional Bosnian lunch — veal soup, lamb, vegetables in foil and homemade pies. All included.
  • 17:30
    Transfer to Green Villas, TjentišteVehicle transfer to your base in Sutjeska National Park. Host Milan meets you at the villas.
  • 18:30
    Welcome brandy, pool and restSettle in, welcome brandy from the host, pool access if you still have energy.
  • 21:00
    Dinner at Green VillasLate dinner at the villa. The kind of meal that rewards a day on the river.

Yesterday was the canyon. Today is the mountain. A short jeep drive, two dramatic viewpoints, a gentle 1.5-hour hike and then hours at one of the most beautiful alpine lakes in the Balkans.

  • 08:30
    Breakfast and equipment checkFull breakfast at Green Villas, followed by a guide orientation for the day's route. Swimwear recommended.
  • 09:00
    Off-road vehicle to Prijevor plateau4×4 transfer through Sutjeska National Park to the Prijevor plateau at 1,668 m.
  • 09:30
    Dragoš Sedlo viewpointStop for a panoramic view above Perućica primeval forest and the distant Skakavac Waterfall. One of the best viewpoints in the national park.
  • 10:00
    Prijevor stop10-minute stop at the plateau — photo opportunity and water before the hike begins.
  • 10:10
    Hike to Trnovačko Lake — 1.5 hoursA leisurely pace on a clear mountain trail. Suitable for all ages from 7 upwards. The lake appears around a ridge — and when it does, it's worth every step.
  • 11:40
    Arrive at Trnovačko Lake (1,517 m)3–4 hours at the lake. Swim in summer, sit by the water in all seasons, eat your packed lunch (sandwich, chocolate, water and fruit — all provided). Maglić's summit watches from the far ridge.
  • 15:30
    Return hike and transferHike back to the vehicle and return to Tjentište. Tour concludes on arrival.

Breakfast from 07:00. Depart at your own pace. An additional night at Green Villas is available at a 30% discount.

  • 07:00
    Breakfast availableFinal breakfast at Green Villas. Depart when ready.
  • On request
    Airport or city transferTransfers to Sarajevo, Mostar or Dubrovnik available with 48 hours' advance notice.
Dates & availability

May to October — rafting season

This tour runs from May to October. The Tara is best in late spring and early summer when snowmelt keeps the river full. Trnovačko Lake is swimmable July–August. Contact us for current availability and we'll find the right dates for your group.

From our travellers

Take it from them

4.8★★★★★34 reviews
5 ★
85%
4 ★
12%
3 ★
3%
2 ★
0%
1 ★
0%
Oliver & Grace N.
United Kingdom · June 2025
★★★★★

The combination is perfect — rafting gives you adrenaline, the lake gives you peace. We did both in 48 hours and it felt like we'd done a week's worth of experiences. The dinner at Green Villas after Day 1 was genuinely one of the best meals of our entire trip to Bosnia.

Lukas H.
Austria · August 2025
★★★★★

Trnovačko Lake on Day 2 was the standout for me. The hike isn't hard at all and when you come over the ridge and see the lake with Maglić behind it — that image stays with you. The rafting was fantastic too, but the lake is what I'll remember longest.

Sofia L.
Slovenia · July 2025
★★★★★

We were eight people from three different countries and this was the trip that everyone agreed on at the end. The rafting skipper had perfect English and great stories about the canyon. The guide on Day 2 knew every species of plant and bird on the plateau. Two completely different but equally great days.

Arnaud & Céline M.
France · September 2025
★★★★☆

Great balance of activity levels — Day 1 is intense, Day 2 is gentle. Suits couples who want some adventure but not every moment action-packed. The Dragoš Sedlo stop on the way to Trnovačko was an unexpected highlight. Book it in late summer when the water level is still good.

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Questions, custom dates or a private group? We're a small local team and reply fast — usually within a few hours.

Email us +387 65 381 258
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  • Sutjeska National Park, Tjentište