The group will meet at Dubrovnik Airport for a single-timed group transfer (3 hrs) to Mostar. From Dubrovnik we drive through ever-changing scenery towards the border with Bosnia and Herzegovina. Initially we follow the spectacular Adriatic Coast before heading inland and the journey is the perfect opportunity to sit back and watch local life go by amongst amazing scenery. Late afternoon we'll arrive in Mostar and after checking in at the hotel take a relaxed walking tour. Mostar is incredibly beautiful with the iconic Stari Most spanning the Neretva River. An important trading route for many centuries the town was heavily damaged during the breakup of Former-Yugoslavia. The original bridge was destroyed in 1993 but as a testament to peace it is now fully restored in all its splendour. Mostar is almost fairy-tale like when illuminated and a great place to photograph especially the cobbled streets and Ottoman quarter. Staying overnight in Mostar means we see the town lit up and enjoy its hearty cuisine.

This morning we leave Mostar and take a short drive (45mins) to Diva Grabovica, nestled in the Cvrsnica Mountains. The landscape here is dramatic with deep gullies formed by the tributaries of the Neretva River and today we'll follow the historic trails of King Karadjordjevic. Peter of Serbia reigned as the last King of Serbia (1903-1918) and the first King of Serbs, Croats and Slovenes (1918-1921). Today's walk starts in the valley of the Diva Grabovica and takes us through rich forests of beech to the hamlet of Zljeb. In this charming hamlet we'll enjoy lunch as we look out over the most dramatic rock faces in the Balkan Peninsula. We're still in the area of the Neretva River which in areas has created wetlands areas that are under the Ramsar Convention. In the afternoon we'll descend to the valley before transferring (1.5 hours) to our mountain accommodation in Tusila. We are now in the Bjelasnica Mountains which are our base for two nights. Life here is simple and part of the overall incredible experience is we get to step back in time and slow down.

We start our day with a brief transfer (15 minutes) to the village of Umoljani, which has a traditional mosque and seven watermills. Surrounded by dramatic beautiful nature we are today walking towards the village of Lukomir (1496m) which is the highest village in Bosnia. Located in the municipality of Konjic, Lukomir is also the most remote village in the entire country. The village is famed for its wonderful stecci or medieval tombstones which mean Lukomir has been inhabited since the 14th Century. This charming village is a collection of simple stone houses set amongst lush high pasture where the local people follow a very traditional way of life. The air is crystal clear up here, the scenery spectacular and we get a real insight into a rare way of life that seems to have disappeared in our own busy lifestyles. After taking in the views and enjoying this very special place we'll descend to a road head where we meet our vehicle which takes us back to Tusila for our second night.

Today is our final day in the mountains before we head to the capital. After breakfast, we start walking directly from out guesthouse in the village of Tusila (1200m). We are now in the heart of the Visocica Mountain which is home to the peak of Vito (1960m) which is on the new Via Dinarica White Trail. The whole area is home to the beautiful stone of karst stone with water sources and underground rivers as high as 1700m. During springtime the area is dotted with lakes which dry out as summer approaches but reappear in the autumn! After leaving the village we hike up through open meadows and lush beech forest until the summit of Vito (1960m) where the views are spectacular. Romantic and incredibly beautiful we'll take time to enjoy lunch and the all-important summit photos. In the afternoon we descend to our vehicle and transfer (1 hour) to the capital of Sarajevo where we spend the night. Staying here ensures we see the city lit up at night and experience Sarajevo in the evening.

This morning we'll enjoy a walking city tour which is the perfect way to see the city and the afternoon will be at leisure. Larger than life Sarajevo is one of the friendliest cities in Europe and has risen from the breakup of Yugoslavia to a must see Balkan city. As one of Europe's most vibrant capitals, it's a fantastic place to see locals relaxing and enjoying life. The city was originally governed by the Ottomans for over 400 years until the arrival of the Austro-Hungarians in the late 19th century and the result is a real mix of architecture. Rich in Ottoman history, Bascarsija or Pigeon Square has stone-flagged alleys and red-roofed houses which sit amongst minarets and a mountain backdrop. In 1914 Archduke Franz Ferdinand was assassinated in Sarajevo and the result was the collapse of the Austro-Hungarian Empire and start of First World War. The Winter Olympics were hosted in 1984 before the city was thrown into the spotlight in 1990 for being besieged by Serb forces. Novo Sarajevo, the newer part of the city is the home of café culture where drinking coffee, a beer or glass of wine and people watching is a way of life. Late afternoon we'll transfer to our hotel in the heart of Sutjeska National Park where we'll stay for the next two nights. We'll have dinner and a briefing on tomorrow's hike to the highest point in the country.

This morning after breakfast we transfer (1 hour) to Lokva Derneciste for the start of our ascent of Maglic (2386m), the highest point in the country. Initially we ascend in forest before our trail brings us onto wild and dramatic terrain. The mountain itself is beautiful and stands proudly close to neighbouring Montenegro in Stjeska National Park. The park was established in 1962 and is the country's oldest national park. The Perucica forest reserve is one of only two primeval forest reserves remaining in Europe and the national park is also home to Balkan Chamois, bear, wild boar, wolf, wild cat and fox. If we very lucky we may spot Golden Eagle, grouse, peregrine falcon, blackbird and rock partridge. The route includes some short cabled sections for protection but these are non-technical. Next the steepness softens onto grassy slopes for the final approach to the summit. The ascent should take around 4 hours and weather permitting we'll have lunch at the top! There is a Bosnian flag on the summit and a plaque dedicated to the partisan movement under Marshall Tito. As Maglic is on the border between Bosnia and Montenegro we'll be able to enjoy views into both countries. Our descent to Trnovacko Lake takes us briefly into Montenegro and finally to the endpoint of our walk at Prijevor where we meet our vehicle for the transfer to Tjentiste.

Today we start by visiting the Tjentiste war memorial built in the 1960s to remember Operation Fall Schwartz otherwise known as the Battle of Sutjeska during World War II. Around 7000 people died during this offensive, mainly civilians who were not able to escape with the Yugoslavian military forces. The memorial is quite simple but the setting is spectacular and it's an important part of Bosnian history. Our final stop in Bosnia is Trebinje, the most southern town in the country and famed for its wine cellars. This quaint walled old town has Serbian-Orthodox Churches and a pretty main square. As we learn about the art of wine making we'll enjoy a tasting and lunch before the 30km transfer to Dubrovnik. After checking in at the group hotel there will some free time before we meet in the old town for our final dinner.

After breakfast a single-timed group transfer (30mins) for Dubrovnik Airport will leave the group hotel at 9am. Dubrovnik is a short transfer from the airport and a fantastic place to spend a few extra days sightseeing at the end of the holiday. The town has an abundance of museums and historical sights to explore and the lush island of Lokrum complete with wild peacocks wandering the beaches is a 15min boat ride from the harbour. The Dubrovnik cable car offers a bird's eye view of the old city and is also home to a fascinating but harrowing museum which shows the breakup of Yugoslavia and the siege of Dubrovnik. If you would like to extend your time in Dubrovnik at the group hotel then please contact the KE office and we can help you organise this.