Lovcen, Mausoleum, Crnojevic, 11 Hours

Great Montenegro Tour-Lovcen NP,Mausoleum Lovcen,River of Crnojevic,Sveti Stefan runs through 360Monte. Rated 4.9 across 686 reviews. Runs 11 hours. From $108.

Overview

This is a full-day loop out of Kotor run by 360Monte, built around the Kotor Cable Car, the serpentine road above the bay, the village of Njegusi, Lovcen National Park and the Njegos Mausoleum. An English-speaking driver-guide stays with the group for the full 11 hours.

After the mountain the route drops to Cetinje, then on to the River of Crnojevic for a boat ride toward Lake Skadar, with a swim possible when the water is warm enough. Reviewers often describe the day as dense with history, from Montenegro itself back through the Yugoslav era.

It suits travellers who want a broad sweep of the country in one long outing, since it combines coach travel with a boat trip and stops at several very different places. The group runs to a maximum of 21 people. Hotel pickup is included as arranged at booking, while entrance fees, meals and the cable car are paid separately.

What's Included

Itinerary

1. Hotel pickupPickup from the hotel as detailed at booking, with the guide and vehicle for the day.
2. Kotor Cable CarAround 30 minutes at the lower station. The ride itself is optional and costs extra; wind can suspend it temporarily.
3. Kotor SerpentineA roughly 30-minute stretch on the Kotor Serpentine road, with the road itself free.
4. NjegusiAbout an hour in Njegusi, free to wander.
5. Lovcen National ParkAround 30 minutes in the park, which requires an entrance fee.
6. Njegos MausoleumAbout an hour, with an admission fee. Reached by a long staircase that reviewers describe as roughly 460 steps.
7. CetinjeAbout an hour in the town, free to wander.
8. Lake SkadarAn hour and 30 minutes in the Lake Skadar area, including the boat ride on the River of Crnojevic, with a possible swim depending on water temperature.
9. Sveti Stefan viewpointA short stop of about 10 minutes. The listing warns it may not be possible in July, August and September because of traffic.

What To Expect From The Tour

A few practical points come up again and again in the listing and in traveller reviews, and they shape how the day feels.

• The staircase. The mausoleum sits at the top of a long climb that reviewers count at around 460 steps.
• Long day. The tour runs 11 hours and includes a lot of driving between stops. Reviewers repeatedly call it a long day, so plan for a full outing rather than a relaxed half-day trip.
• Extra costs on the day. Entrance fees for the parks and mausoleum come to 16 EUR in total, paid in cash at the agency office. The cable car is a further 14 EUR, breakfast is around 9 EUR and lunch starts at 18 EUR, so bring cash and a budget for these.
• Water and photos. One reviewer advises taking plenty of water for the day. Another points out that photos from the cable car are worth taking on the way up, since the journey continues by road from the top.
• Swim stop. The boat ride on the River of Crnojevic sometimes allows a swim, depending on water temperature. One reviewer found the water warm and full of tiny fish, so a towel and swimwear both earn their place in the bag if a dip appeals.
• Group feel. The cap is 21 travellers. Reviews often mention friendly groups and guides who share history and jokes throughout the day, and one reviewer described becoming good friends with fellow passengers by the end.

Common issues. The day is long, with lots of travel between stops as one reviewer points out. Weather can bite twice: wind can stop the cable car temporarily, and the Sveti Stefan viewpoint may be dropped in July, August and September due to traffic jams. The tour is not wheelchair accessible, infants must sit on laps, and it may be cancelled if a minimum number of travellers is not met, in which case a different date, a different experience or a full refund is offered. One reviewer also noted a promised breakfast shot was never mentioned on the day.

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