2025 ULTIMATE BALKANS TOUR with Kach Umandap - 6 countries in 2 weeks
The long awaited tour.. thanks for waiting! - Kach Umandap
Do you have limited vacation time but want to see and experience the Balkans? If you’re collecting passport stamps then Eastern Europe is the best since you’ll get an Entry and Exit stamp for each country, so join my group tours in 2025!
There can be more challenges in traveling around the Balkans compared to the rest of Europe. There are fewer public transport options in the Balkans, unlike the well-connected trains of countries like France, Spain, Italy, and the Netherlands. The best way is by private car, but of course this becomes much more expensive, and you must drive on unfamiliar and often mountainous roads.
That’s why I’ve put together these group tours to help more people enjoy this incredible region - Montenegro, Albania, North Macedonia, Kosovo, Serbia and Bosnia & Herzegovina. Anyone who would decide to stay longer, we can also explore Croatia.
Who is this tour for?
Any nationality as long as you can get a tourist visa (in advance) or can enter visa free to these 6 countries (having a valid USA or Schengen visa would give you visa-free access to all the Balkans). We can also support you with the visa application.
Solo, Couple or Family Travelers who are 18 years old and above (no children, sorry)
Friends traveling together
2025 Tour Details:
We’ll have our own private van and driver who will handle everything for us, including the immigration border crossings, unlike other tours where you’d be using public transportation. We’ll have a minimum of 14 and a maximum of 18 people in each group.
There will be parties and wine tours, but if you don’t drink, then don’t worry. I’ll make sure you’ll have your water & juice (and no pressure to drink!).
The itinerary is subject to change based on the weather, but the dates are confirmed. You’ll all get your final tour kit with a complete itinerary, hotel reservations, what to pack, and everything that you may need. You’ll receive this via email three weeks before the trip departure.
Flashpacking Tour with KACH - 2,200 Euro/ person
This would end up costing you 150 euro per day, including your meals, accommodation, entrance fees, tour guide, and private transportation!
Confirmed Tour Dates:
September 21 to October 05, 2025
October 11 to October 25, 2025
Accommodation: Twin-sharing - 14 nights hotels
Tour Highlights:
Budva Old town – a unique architectural, urban entity more than two thousand years old. The architecture is highly influenced by the Venetian middle age style;
Kotor Bay – Europe’s most southern fiord. A magnificent masterpiece of nature;
Kotor Old Town – Beautiful UNESCO-protected old town in Kotor Bay;
Skadar Lake – the largest lake in southern Europe. National Park in Montenegro and protected natural reserve in Albania;
Ohrid Lake – one of Europe’s deepest and oldest lakes, with a unique ecosystem of worldwide importance & UNESCO-protected;
Ohrid Old Town – a UNESCO-protected cultural world heritage lying on Ohrid lake shores. The town once had 365 churches, one for each day, and is also known as the “Jerusalem of the Balkans” and “The pearl of the Balkans”.
St. Naum Monastery – magnificent monastery on the shore of Ohrid Lake and also a place where the Drim River springs are located;
Painted Mosque in Tetovo – a masterpiece of Ottoman art;
Matka Canyon – a protected natural region near Skopje, home of thousands of butterflies;
Skopje Old Bazaar – second largest open-air bazaar in the world;
Prizren old town – a beautiful ottoman architecture town;
Belgrade – a vibrant metropolis full of history, bohemian life, and monumental structures;
Kustendorf (Mecavnik) – a traditional village erected by the film director Emir Kusturica located in Mokra Gora National Park;
Mostar – a picturesque ottoman architecture town lying on Neretva River, famous for the UNESCO-protected old bridge from the middle ages;
Herceg Novi Old Town – a 600 years old town that represents a great fusion of history, culture, tradition, and spirituality…
SUMMARY OF WHAT’S INCLUDED
What’s Included:
Tour Leader: Kach Umandap
Welcome Dinner
English Speaking Local Guide
Accommodation: Twin-sharing - 14 nights hotels
Transportation -Mercedes Sprinter/ Tourist Bus Coach with Driver (not using public transportation!)
Meals
3 – Course Welcome Dinner In a Local Restaurant In Budva On Day 01 (One
Drink Included)
3 – Course Menu Dinner In a Local Restaurant In Tirana On Day 05 (No Drinks Included)
3 – Course Menu Dinner In a Local Restaurant In Skopje On Day 08 (No Drinks Included)
3 – Course Menu Dinner In a Local Restaurant In Belgrade Skadarlija Bohemian
District On Day 10 (No Drinks Included)
3 – Course Menu Dinner In a Local Restaurant In Sarajevo On Day 12 (No Drinks Included)
3 – Course Farewell Dinner In a Local Restaurant In Budva On Day 14 (No Drinks Included)
Photos of your trip
Welcome Goodie bag!
Entrance Fees to:
Kotor Old Town
Lady Of The Rock Island Boat Rid
Skadar Lake National Park Boat Cruise + Coffee
“House Of Leaves” Museum, Tirana
Bunk’art 2 Museum, Tirana
St. Sofia Cathedra
lPlaosnik Archeological Complex
Ohrid Lake Boat Ride
St. Naum Monastery
St. Jovan Bigorski Monastery, Mavrovo National Park
Vrelo Cave Boat Ride, Matka Canyon
Nikola Tesla Museum, Belgrade
Mecavnik Village
Exclusions:
International Airfare (Roundtrip Flight Ticket)
Airport pick-ups can be arranged from €80 per car (1-3pax) from Tivat and Croatia, while it is €150 from Podgorica.
Travel Insurance (required!)
Lunch, Dinner (not mentioned)
Alcohol Beverage
Gratuity/ Tips
PAYMENT TERMS
To reserve your seat, you need to pay a non-refundable deposit fee of 300 EURO
We accept up to 4 Installment* and full payment must be made 60 days before the tour.
You can pay directly on our website with Paypal, VISA, Mastercard or AMEX.
I can also accept BPI or BDO Bank Transfer in the Philippines, Barclays Bank Transfer in the UK or Western Union but should be paid in Euro so email me to arrange this payment method, kach@filipinopassport.ccom
*For Installment, you just have to pay the deposit fee, and I’ll be coordinating with you for the payment terms.
PAY DIRECTLY BELOW (Click ADD TO CART)
OPTION 1: PAY VIA PAYPAL FOR CREDIT OR Credit/ Debit CARDS (VISA, MASTERCARD, AMEX)
OPTION 2: Bank Transfer (Philippines OR UK) & Western Union / Money Transfer
PHILIPPINES Bank Name:
Bank of the Philippines Island/BPI
Account Name: Katrina Medina Umandap
Account #: 9789604573
WESTERN UNION/ MONEY TRANSFER
For details, email me at kach@filipinopassport.com
Send the payment and email me at kach@filipinopassport.com
DETAILED DAILY ITINERARY
(This can change but don’t worry, I will make sure you’ll have the best fun!)
DAY 1: ARRIVAL IN BUDVA
Arrival on the Balkans, more concrete, to Montenegro. A country blessed with beautiful sea, mountains, and forests. Upon arrival at Podgorica airport, meet and greet with your throughout guide and driver and then transfer to our hotel in Budva. Arrival in Budva, accommodation, free time at leisure until time for the welcome dinner in a local restaurant. Overnight in Budva.
EXTRA: Airport pick-ups can be arranged from per car (1-3pax) from Tivat and Croatia and also from Podgorica.
You can also DIY. Shuttle from Tivat Airport to Herceg Novi €9pp one way.
DAY 2: BUDVA
Today we’ll have the day for Budva exploration. We’ll enjoy visiting the beautiful beaches and the old town, which is a beautiful coastal settlement with architecture influenced and erected by the Venetian republic in the post-medieval and renaissance period. This place is paved with marbled streets and is surrounded by Venetian walls rising from the clear waters below. At its seaward end, the Citadela offers striking views, a restaurant, and a library full of rare tomes and maps. After the sightseeing, we’ll have lunch in a local restaurant and then enjoy free time in the city to ourselves, to do as we see fit. In the evening, dinner and overnight in our hotel.
DAY 3: BUDVA – KOTOR – BUDVA
After breakfast we drive to the amazing town of Kotor, a UNESCO protected old town laying in the magnificent Kotor Bay. Upon arrival, we’ll start with sightseeing with our storyteller and throughout guide. After the tour, lunch in a local restaurantThen we’ll head to the famous isle called “Our Lady of the Rocks” to enjoy a boat ride that will take us there. After the tour, we get back on the mainland and return back to Budva. Free time in Budva until time for dinner. Dinner and overnight in our hotel.
DAY 4: BUDVA – SKADAR LAKE – SHKODRA – KRUJA – TIRANA
After breakfast today we continue our adventure south, towards Albania. But first, we’ll stop at Skadar Lake to take a boat ride in the Skadar Lake National Park. This lake is the largest one in southern Europe and is home of many marine and bird species. After the tour, we cross the border with Albania and stop for a visit and lunch by the Buna river in the northern town of Shkodra. On our tour there, we’ll enjoy a stroll on the pedestrian zone in the central area and hear about the story of this place. Afterwards, we continue our way south again towards the historic town of Kruje. Upon arrival we’ll meet our local storyteller and start a walking tour to visit the Kruje castle, a stronghold of the Albanian hero Skanderbeg, an Albanian national hero that fought and repelled the Ottoman armies right from this place. Continuing even more south, to the capital of Albania, Tirana.
Upon arrival, we accommodate in our hotel, have dinner and overnight.
DAY 5: TIRANA, ALBANIA
Today is all about Tirana. After breakfast we’ll meet our local guide that will tell us all the stories of this city. First, we’ll have a walking tour of the central area and see the main city square with the impressive museum building of the National History Museum, the Ethem Bay Mosque and other significant structures. We’ll also visit the “House of Leaves” Museum of Sercret Surveillance and Bunk’art 2 Museum where we’ll learn about the communist era times in Albania. During the tour we’ll sit and enjoy lunch in one of the great local restaurants. After the city exploration we’ll enjoy free time in Tirana, at leisure or for shopping. In the evening, dinner in local restaurant and overnight in our hotel.
DAY 6: TIRANA - OHRID – ST. NAUM – OHRID
Today, our adventure continues towards the hearth of the Balkans, Macedonia. This millennia old country holds many stories and legends that wait to be heard.
Half an hour after crossing the border we arrive in Ohrid, one of the oldest settlements in Europe, also known as ”Jerusalem of the Balkans” (because it once had 365 churches, one for each day) or “The pearl of the Balkan” (because of it’s beauty). Upon arrival we’ll be guided by our throughout storyteller for a sightseeing tour of the old town. During the tour we’ll stroll through the cobbled narrow streets while enjoying the unique architecture of the houses. There we’ll enter and explore the Plaosnik Archeological complex and St. Sofia cathedral. One of the spots that we’ll reach and enjoy very much too is the plateau of St. Kaneo church from where we’ll gaze at one of the most beautiful panoramas ever. After the tour we’ll have lunch in a local restaurant by the lake and then enjoy a boat ride.
Continue on our road going by Ohrid Lake (UNESCO), towards the monastery of St. Naum. Upon arrival we’ll have a tour of the monastery complex and we’ll enter and visit the monastery as well. On the monastery terrace a beautiful view awaits us again.
After the visit we transfer back to Ohrid, accommodation in our hotel, dinner and overnight.
DAY 7: OHRID – TETOVO – MATKA CANYON – SKOPJE
After breakfast we head towards the capital of Macedonia, Skopje. On the way we’ll firstly stop at St. Jovan Bigorski Monastery, a beautiful fortress like monastery holding one of the most beautiful wood carved iconostas. Then, we continue to the city of Tetovo to visit the masterpiece of oriental Ottoman art, the colored mosque. After the visit we head towards the protected natural reserve of Matka Canyon, home of hundreds of butterfly species and a place of great natural beauty. There we’ll enjoy a sightseeing of the canyon and boat ride to Vrelo Cave and lunch in a local restaurant by the lake afterwards.
Transfer to Skopje. Upon arrival we’ll enjoy a walking tour of the city with our throughout storyteller. Here, we’ll visit the second biggest open air bazaars, then we’ll cross over River Vardar via the symbol of the city, the Stone Bridge, down to the main city square with the imposing statue of Alexander the Great. The tour continues down to the Museum of Skopje, passing the Macedonia street and the mother Theresa Memorial House. Accommodation in our hotel in Skopje, dinner and overnight in our hotel.
DAY 8: SKOPJE – PRISTINA – PRIZREN – SKOPJE
In the morning, after breakfast, we head to the youngest country in Europe, Kosovo. There we’ll first visit the capital city of Pristina. Walking tour in the central area, through the pedestrian zone to enjoy the everyday dynamic of this vibrant city. Continue our tour to the city of Prizren to the west. Upon arrival we’ll first have lunch in a local restaurant. Then, we’ll enjoy a walking tour in the old part of the city with its beautiful ottoman architecture and slow pace atmosphere. In the late afternoon we head back to Skopje for dinner in local restaurant and overnight in our hotel.
DAY 9: SKOPJE – BELGRADE
Our adventure continues north towards Serbia. After a five-hour drive, with on the road stops for refreshments, we arrive in the Serbian metropolis and capital city, Belgrade. Upon arrival we’ll enjoy lunch in a nice local restaurant. Afterwards, we’ll meet our local storyteller to take us on a walking tour in the cities most important sites and learn about this place that never sleeps. During the tour we’ll visit the Nikola Tesla Museum to learn about this most appreciated scientist and the Kalemegdan Fortress, overlooking the city. After the tour accommodation in our hotel, dinner and overnight
DAY 10: BELGRADE, SERBIA
Today we’ll have a full day at leisure in the city. Our driver will be of service to take us to the center. On the agreed time we meet with the bus again and head to our local restaurant for lunch. Continue with free time at leisure afterwards. In the evening, dinner in local restaurant in Skadarlija bohemian quarters and then overnight in our hotel.
DAY 11: BELGRADE – KUSTENDORF – VISEGRAD – SARAJEVO
In the morning, after breakfast, we head towards yet another beautiful Balkan country, Bosnia & Herzegovina. On our way we’ll first make a stop at the one of a kind, village of Kustendorf (Drven Grad or Mecavnik) in Mokra Gora National park, laying between Serbia and Bosnia. Sightseeing tour of the village and then enjoy lunch in the Village tavern. This unique village was erected by the famous film director Emir Kusturica in a local traditional style. After the visit, we cross the border and go down to yet another significant town called Visegrad, laying on River Neretva. Here we’ll hear the story about the Nobel prize awarded writer, Ivo Andric and visit the famous bridge.
Continue to Sarajevo, the capital of Bosnia afterwards.
Upon arrival, we accommodate in our hotel, have dinner and overnight.
DAY 12: SARAJEVO, BOSNIA & HERZEGOVINA
An enjoyable day in the Bosnian capital. In the morning we’ll meet with our local storyteller who will tell us the story of this city full of history. We’ll enjoy our walk in the old bazaar (Bascarsija) and visit the Latin Bridge, a witness of the assassination of the Archduke Franz Ferdinat of Austria which ultimately led to the start of WWI. Lunch in a local tavern and then free time at leisure until time for dinner in a local restaurant. Overnight in our hotel in Sarajevo.
DAY 13: SARAJEVO – KONJIC – MOSTAR – BLAGAJ
After breakfast, we continue our journey south-west. First we’ll visit a small town named Koniic, laying on river Neretva. The town is nestled in a heavily wooded and beautiful area and has old ottoman architecture which makes it very sympatric and unique. Some coffee break there will be great.
Continuing our way, we get to the famous Mostar. There we’ll meet with our local storyteller to learn about this magic place. We’ll cross over the old bridge which is UNESCO world heritage and stroll through the tight cobbled streets. In the old town we’ll enjoy lunch in a local restaurant.
Then, we continue to a nearby town of Blagaj where we’ll accommodate in our hotel.
The place has beautiful atmosphere, laying by river Buna that is coming out from a cave.
Dinner and overnight in our hotel.
DAY 14: BLAGAJ – POCITELJ – HERCEG NOVI – BUDVA
In the morning today, we head back to our starting point, the city of Budva. But first, we’ll visit two beautiful places that cannot be missed. On the way we’ll first stop for sightseeing of the village of Pocitelj. A picturesque place of ottoman style where we’ll make our break.
Then we enter Montenegro and stop in the old town of Herceg Novi where we’ll enjoy a walking tour to learn about the stories of the place and marvel at the beautiful architecture of this coastal town.
After the tour we sit for lunch in a local restaurant.
Continue to Budva driving through the whole Kotor Bay. Arrival, accommodation in our hotel. When the time comes, we’ll enjoy a farewell dinner in a local restaurant. In the evening overnight in our hotel.
DAY 15:BUDVA
Our last day on the Balkans. We gather our impressions and hope to come back again sometime.
Transfer to airport and departure.
STEP BY STEP ON HOW TO AVAIL THE TOUR
STEP 1: TO RESERVE YOUR SLOT, PAY THE FEES OR THE DEPOSIT
You can see the the PURCHASE button below and after you click it, a form will show up. If you’ll pay by bank, email me at kach@filipinopassport.com
STEP 2: WAIT FOR MY EMAIL CONFIRMATION!
I will be sending you to confirm your slot and discuss the trip details.
STEP 3: VISA APPLICATION/ FLIGHT ARRANGEMENT
Once you paid the deposit, I’d be able to assist you with documents or research for this process.
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
1. Can I just do part of the tour?
Sorry but no, you can contact me though if you want to go on a private tour!
2. Do you offer payment plans?
We can accept up to 4 installments and full fees must be made 60 days before trip departure.
3. Do you cater to dietary requirements?
Yes, you’ll be receiving a questionnaire form after you fill up the downpayment to prepare us before your trip.
4. Are there single occupancy rooms?
Yes but depends on the availability.
5. Can you help arrange my Travel Visa?
After the non-refundable deposit fee, you’ll get a free coaching session with Kach for your visa application (details here)
6. Do I need travel and medical insurance?
Travel Insurance is required! You can book with my recommended insurance company or I can book it for you.
7. What should I pack?
You’ll be getting a full list of what to pack and prepare 1 month before the trip departure! Don’t worry, I got you!
8. How much cash/spending money (local currency) do I need?
I suggest bring EURO or just withdraw from the ATM when we arrive in Montenegro. We will be doing money exchange stops whenever we arrive in a new city. Since more of the expenses are covered on this tour, I suggest to put a budget of 50 Euro per day as your pocket money unless you drink a lot, plan to go crazy shopping, or always hungry! HAHA
10. Do I need to tip my guide?
I would request that you give a tip to our guide and driver after the end of the tour, ideally 10% of the tour fees. You don’t need to tip me but hugs.
11. Will there be a WIFI?
Most hotels/ hostels will have an internet connection but I’ll try my best to check how we can have an internet connection while traveling on the private mini-bus. You know that I’m a blogger and I need the internet most of the time! Haha!
12. How will you accept the payment?
You can pay directly on our website with Paypal, VISA, Mastercard or AMEX. I can also accept BPI or BDO Bank transfers in the Philippines and Barclays Bank transfers in the UK or Western Union but should be paid in Euro.
Can’t find the answer to your question? EMAIL ME kach@filipinoPassport.com
BOOK AND MAKE A SEAT RESERVATION NOW!
OPTION 1: PAY VIA PAYPAL FOR CREDIT OR Credit/ Debit CARDS (VISA, MASTERCARD, AMEX)
OPTION 2: Bank Transfer (Philippines OR UK) & Western Union / Money Transfer
PHILIPPINES Bank Name:
Bank of the Philippines Island/BPI
Account Name: Katrina Medina Umandap
Account #: 9789604573
WESTERN UNION/ MONEY TRANSFER
For details, email me at kach@filipinopassport.com