Where the Tara is
The Tara rises in the mountains of northern Montenegro and flows north-west for about 146 kilometres. For much of that distance it cuts a canyon up to around 1,300 metres deep, which is why it is usually described as the deepest river canyon in Europe. At Šćepan Polje, on the border with Bosnia and Herzegovina, it meets the Piva and the two become the Drina.
The upper part of the canyon lies inside Durmitor National Park, a UNESCO World Heritage Site since 1980, and the whole Tara basin is a UNESCO biosphere reserve. The town that serves as base for most trips is Žabljak, on the Durmitor plateau.
The sections that are rafted
Rafting trips on the Tara are sold by distance and by where they start. The operator listed on this site, Tara Kula Raft from Žabljak, publishes these options:
| Trip | Distance | Time | Price |
|---|---|---|---|
| Durmitor National Park | 14 km | about 3 h on the water | €60 (under 12: €50) |
| Brštanovica – Šćepan Polje | 18 km | half day | €60 |
| Deepest part of the canyon | about 36 km | about 7 h, 9:30–17:00 | €120 |
| Two days from the deepest part | two days | about 4 h rafting on day one | €200 |
| Special two days with camping | two days | about 8 h rafting on day one | €250 |
| Family day: rafting + jeep | 18 km | 3 h rafting + 4 h jeep | €120 |
If you only have a morning, the 14 km trip is the one that fits: three starts a day, the first at 9:30, with pickup from accommodation in Žabljak. If you want the canyon at its most dramatic, the 36 km day goes through the deepest section.
What is included
On the 14 km and 36 km trips the operator provides a wetsuit, neoprene boots, life vest, helmet and paddle. The boats stop at the Ljutica spring, and on the 14 km trip there is a photo of each boat under the Đurđevića Tara bridge. The two-day trips include the night at camp Brštanovica with dinner and breakfast. Details differ by trip, so check each route page.
Getting there
Most trips start from Žabljak or from the operator's second office near the Đurđevića Tara bridge. From the coast it is roughly a three-hour drive; see rafting the Tara from Kotor or Budva for the routes.
Booking and cancellation
You enquire here or on WhatsApp (+382 69 202 254), the operator confirms the date, and you pay the operator. Cancelling more than 24 hours ahead is free; later cancellations are not refunded. If the operator cancels for water level or weather, you choose a full refund or a new date.
Questions and answers
How much does Tara rafting cost?
With the operator listed here, from €60 per adult for the 14 km or 18 km trips (€50 for children under 12 on the 14 km trip), €120 for the full 36 km day, and €200–€250 for two-day trips.
How long is a Tara rafting trip?
The short trips take about three hours on the water. The 36 km trip runs from 9:30 to around 17:00. Two-day trips include a night at a riverside camp.
Where does Tara rafting start?
Most trips start at the operator's office in Žabljak or near the Đurđevića Tara bridge, with pickup from accommodation available on several trips.