Discover a hidden side of the Balkans on a one-of-a-kind 100km paddling adventure to reach the coast under your own steam
Descend the rivers of Crnojevića, Morača and Bojana, and spend days paddling the vast and beautiful Lake Skadar, crossing from Montenegro into Albania by kayak and SUP
Camp in breathtaking locations surrounded by mountains, cool off with wild swims and explore ancient towns, monasteries, and fortresses along the way
Day 1
Touch down at Podgorica Airport and meet your host for a short transfer to a lovely hotel in downtown Pogorica. Settle in and enjoy any free time exploring the city before tuck into a group dinner this evening with your fellow adventurers to discuss the exciting journey ahead.
Day 2
After an early breakfast you'll hit the road, leaving the city and heading towards Lake Skadar National Park, eventually reaching Rijeka Crnojevića, a medieval village on the eponymous Rijeka Crnojevića River. Nowadays, Rijeka Crnojevića is an idyllic, tucked-away fishing village set around an arched limestone bridge, but in the 15th century, it was Montenegro’s capital. Prepare the kayaks here and leave anything you don't need for the next two days in the support vehicle. You’ll kick things off with a gentle paddle along the Rijeka Crnojevića River, winding through stunning scenery with the Accursed Mountains as your epic backdrop. After 4–5 hours of paddling (with plenty of breaks and a riverside picnic lunch), your goal is to reach the island of Vranjina, nestled between the Morača River and Skadar Lake. After dinner at a local restaurant, you’ll set up camp on the island, with your first day’s adventure under your belt.
Day 3
Start your day with breakfast at the campsite before heading out to Skadar Lake, the largest freshwater lake in Southern Europe. Today you’ll paddle towards the picturesque fishing village of Raduš, with spectacular views of Rumija Mountain on one side and the Accursed Mountains on the other. From there journey on, passing by Krnjice Village and the historic island monastery of Starčeva Glava. Your efforts today are rewarded as you arrive at Murići Beach, a beautiful location with crystal-clear waters gently lapping at the pebbled shore. Grab a refreshing swim before heading off to enjoy a well-earned Montenegrin dinner before settling into camp for the night. You’ll also have the support vehicle on hand to switch out gear for the next leg of your adventure.
Day 4
Wake up in this cracking lakeside spot and ease into the morning with a dreamy swim before fuelling up on breakfast. Then, it’s back on the water to paddle along the widest section of the lake. Today’s a great chance to mix things up with some stand-up paddleboarding. Your host will have a few ready in the support vehicle, so the group can take turns, switching up the posture and perspective. This part of Lake Skadar is inside Europe’s largest bird reserve - providing you with the biggest chance of seeing some endangered Dalmatian Pelicans, one of the biggest flying bird species on the planet! You'll also kayak past many small islands dotted with monasteries and even make a pit stop for a short guided tour. Led by the local nuns you’ll be given insight into the monastery’s rich history and their life on the island. The day wraps up with a final push to Ckla, a village right on the Albanian border where you'll set up camp and head out for dinner at a local restaurant.
Day 5
After breakfast, it’s time to sort out some paperwork and get your border transit documents stamped - a pretty unique border crossing experience midway through a kayaking adventure in the Balkans. With the paperwork done, it’s back on the water to tackle the final stretch of Skadar Lake before it flows into the River Bojana. Within 3km of paddling this morning, you will officially enter Albanian territory, passing the beautiful village of Zogay on your way to Shkodra. Today is a lighter day with 15km in total to get through, aided by the river current as you exit the lake. Before reaching the city of Shkodra you'll stop at a well-known fisherman’s village of Shiroka, famous for its seafood restaurants on the shores of the lake. Here you will dine on fresh fish accompanied by delicious Albanian white wine in a stunning setting. Later you'll enter the historical city of Shkodra, the traditional capital of northern Albania and gateway to the Albanian Alps where you will be staying in a cosy guesthouse. This evening you’re free to wander around and explore Albania’s oldest city known for its arts, culture, religious diversity, and some great sundowner spots.
Day 6
The final day of your adventure is here, with the Adriatic Sea inching ever closer while you paddle through the longest day of the trip. Bid farewell to Shkodra and head downriver, crossing back into Montenegro as the Bojana River widens to 60m, its waters fresh and crystal clear. For about 15km, you’ll paddle right along the border of Albania and Montenegro, the border line running straight down the middle of the river. Just a few kilometres from the sea, you’ll officially re-enter Montenegro and make the final push towards Ada Bojana and Velika Plaža, a stunning 13km stretch of sandy beach on the glistening Adriatic Sea. This is the finish line of your epic journey! After tackling 100km under your own steam, it’s time to unwind. Celebrate with a swim in the Adriatic Sea, a drink or some seafood at a beachside bar, and a well-deserved rest. Your final night of the trip is at a gorgeous hotel in Ulcinj on the Adriatic Coast, settle in here ahead of tucking into dinner and raising a toast to the incredible adventure you’ve just completed.
Day 7
Tuck into breakfast and maybe grab one last swim in the sea before your host drives you back to Podgorica Airport.
All your meals are provided for the duration of the trip. This includes:
Our trips do not include flights, trains or other travel to the start point and back from the end point.
Tips are not included in the trip cost. These are entirely at your discretion but there is an expectation to tip for good service. Your guide will help with advice, however we suggest the below as a guideline, shared between the group:
Of course, you are free to tip more or less, and the amount should be reflective of your perception of service and quality – a tip is not compulsory and should only be given when you receive excellent service.
You know your own spending habits best, so please budget an appropriate amount for things like optional meals and drinks, shopping, optional activities, and laundry.
Travel insurance is compulsory for all of our adventures and you are required to provide your policy information before departing. Your insurance should include adequate protection for overseas medical treatment, evacuation/repatriation, your baggage and equipment and the specific activities involved on your adventure. We also strongly recommend it includes cancellation and curtailment insurance, should you be unable to join your trip for specific reasons such as illness. Our recommended travel insurance provider is Campbell Irvine (opens in new tab), as their insurance offers all of the above.
Visa requirements often change, and you are responsible for obtaining any required visas for this trip. Please check with your nearest embassy or consulate for up-to-date advice.
Looking for a private room? See Optional Extras for details and pricing.
Breakfasts on the trip will vary from omelettes, oats with fresh fruit, breads with meats, cheeses and jams, plus tea, coffee and juices. Lunches will be picnic style where you'll likely to be provided with sandwiches or a local pie, fresh fruits and…
For solo travellers looking for their own space, an optional private room and tent throughout the trip can be booked for an extra charge - see Optional Extras for prices. Please note that private room and tent upgrades are subject to availability, so please request this at the time of booking.
To request any extras, message your host via your Much Better Adventures account once you have booked your trip.
All extras must be paid before your trip starts.
Made for those who seek to push themselves and embrace the outdoors
This trip is on the upper end of our Moderate level of trips, so it's important that you come prepared with some fitness, determination and a head for a wild journey in the gr...
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Sunday 5th July 2026
to Saturday 11th July 2026
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Know before you go! Some stuff we'll provide, other things you'll need to bring.
Each day you'll fuel up on breakfast at the campgrounds, hotels or guesthouses you'll have stayed at the night before. You'll have time for some coffee and a morning swim in the rivers or Lake Skadar before loading up the kayaks and setting off. Your host will give each group member a large drybag at the start of the expedition to pack away your sleeping bag and clothes, while you'll bring along a smaller drybag of around 10 litres to pack away your phone, camera and other valuables. Everything else will stay in your main luggage which will be left with the support vehicle - you'll be reunited with your luggage each evening after completing the latest leg of the expedition.
Yes, ability to swim is a compulsory safety requirement to participate on this tour.
There is one kayak guide for every 6 participants on this trip, plus the driver of the support vehicle who will assist with expedition logistics throughout the trip.
Your host designed this unique route after many years of guiding kayak, SUP and packraft trips in the Balkans. They know the route, logistics and conditions better than anyone, and alternative options have been factored in. Whilst rare during the season that the trip operates, if conditions such as high winds or heavy rains affect any day of the expedition, your host will make alternative arrangements. You may need to skip a day on the water and head off for a hike, a wine tour or visit local villages instead.
You'll be paddling in a single-berth expedition sea kayak. The model is the Expedition HV - made from high-tech material to provide rigidity, weight, comfort, speed and durability. These kayaks will help tackle the distances involved on this trip with comfort and speed, designed to easily handle choppier conditions if the wind picks up.
The kayaks used on this trip have a passenger weight limit of 105kg (16 stone, 5 pounds), not including luggage.
You will need to bring reusable water bottles and/or a water bladder to carry water with you on the expedition. There is safe drinking water at each of the hotels and campsites which you can fill up from in the morning. Your host will carry additional water for the group, approximately 2 litres per person per day in a large carrier. You are also able to fill up directly from the lake and rivers on the trip for some added wild factor, however, this will of course require that you bring your own water filter: Have a read of our guide to the best water filters for adventurers.
You can leave excess luggage in the accompanying vehicle while you are on the expedition. Your host does not have storage options in Podgorica at the start of the trip.
Sure can! Over 70% of our travellers travel solo, it’s a great way to meet like-minded people.
Our team of Adventure Hunters co-create exclusive adventures which are run by highly vetted, specialist hosts. The trip is run by our trusted host partner in the destination. We only work with independent, local, in-destination experts who know the very best places to explore and how to stay safe. Read more information about the local teams we partner with. You’ll be introduced to the host straight after making a booking via the Much Better Adventures platform.
Much Better Adventures refer to the UK Government’s official travel advice when designing trips and monitoring trip operations. We recommend that all customers are familiar with the practical information provided on the Government’s FCDO website, where current travel advice can be found by searching for the applicable destination(s).
For customers joining this trip from other international destinations – please also read the official travel advice applicable to your country of residence/origin, as this may differ.
We recommend checking out the country-specific information and also talking to a travel nurse.
We automatically convert prices from the local currency that a host receives to your chosen currency. We update our exchange rates on a daily basis so this does mean that prices displayed on the site are subject to currency fluctuations, which is why you may see them change over time.
If you wish to change the currency you pay in, head to the bottom of the page.
All of our group adventures are specially designed for adults to enjoy as we want these adventures to bring together outdoorsy people who are truly like-minded. You must be over 18 to join one of our trips.
You're always in good company on one of our adventures.
Our trips are typically made up of a mixture of solo travellers and small groups of 2 or 3 friends, with most in their 30s-50s.
Our sociable adventures are solo-friendly by design and naturally attract outdoorsy people with a shared mindset; a love for adventure, a desire to push themselves and meet awesome, like-minded people along the way.
It’s this camaraderie that has so often turned a great adventure into a life-changing one.
Don't just take our word for it:
See here for more info about the Much Better Adventures tribe.
The area around Lake Skadar spanning Montenegro and Albania enjoys a Mediterranean climate with distinct seasonal variations. Things can get uncomfortably hot for a trip of this nature from mid-July through August, so we don't run trips during this period. Here's an overview of what you can typically expect on the trips we run from April to June / September to October:
April: Spring begins and the area becomes greener with blooming vegetation. Daytime highs average around 15–20°C (59–68°F), with cooler nights at 8–12°C (46–54°F). Some rainy days, but sunny spells increase.
May: Pleasant and warm with highs of 20–25°C (68–77°F), with nights around 12–15°C (54–59°F). Expect mostly sunny days with the odd bit of rain.
June: Early summer with long sunny days. Highs of 25–30°C (77–86°F), and nights are comfortable at 15–18°C (59–64°F). There is minimal rain during the month of June.
September: Early autumn has mild, pleasant days, with temperatures of 25–30°C (77–86°F), and nights cooling slightly to 15–18°C (59–64°F). A slight increase in rainfall, but generally dry.
October: Autumn sets in, bringing cooler and wetter weather. Highs of 18–23°C (64–73°F), with cooler nights at 10–14°C (50–57°F). Rain becomes more frequent, but sunny intervals remain.
We partner with the World Land Trust to ensure this trip achieves Net-Zero emissions. We also support their Buy an Acre programme, helping local communities to buy and protect natural habitats in perpetuity.
What's the number?
It works out on average at 138kg of CO2 emissions per person, including all local transport, accommodation, food, activities, guides, staff and office operations.
The only thing it doesn’t include right now is flights and travel to the destination. We do make an overall estimate across all our customers separately, but as we don’t book flights, have customers from all corners of the world, and no way of reliably knowing their travel plans, we simply can’t include an individual number in the figure on display here. We’ve got a goal to fix that, so that when you book, there is a way to measure and mitigate the carbon emitted by your flight too.
But what does the number mean?
Yep, hard to picture eh? To give you an idea:
What are we doing about it?
Our trips are relatively low-carbon by design, and we're working with all our hosts to develop long term carbon reduction plans. We partner with the World Land Trust to ensure this trip achieves Net-Zero emissions. We also support their Buy an Acre programme, helping local communities to buy and protect natural habitats in perpetuity, ensuring the protection of the reserve and its wildlife.
Want to know more?
Amazingly, no international travel company has ever publicly published their carbon measurements before, as far as we know. We believe that must change, quickly. So we’re openly sharing the method we used in the hope that other companies will be able to more easily follow suit and build on what we've done so far. You'll find it all here.
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