30 September 2008

Mt. Tara: Active holiday in stunning nature

The regal mountain of Tara stands at 1,500 meters and dominates the surrounding country with its beautiful forests, numerous clearings and meadows, cliffs, ravines and caves.

(Photo: Tara.org.yu)

The Tara National Park is well preserved from outside influences and is a secret destination still untouched by mass tourism.

The park has a good ranger service and is home to many children's summer camps. The forests contain unique species of plants and trees and are home to indigenous animals, including a refuge of the diminishing European bear.

Of particular beauty is the stunning Drina River Gorge, which separates Serbia from Bosnia and can be experienced on an exhilarating raft trip down the river.

Tara is a great opportunity for an active holiday in nature, whether camping or hiking in its forests, fishing on Perućac Lake or an adventurous raft ride down the Drina River. It is also close to the resorts at Zlatibor, ethno-villages of Sirogojno and Mećavnik (the creation of world-renowned film director Emir Kusturica), and many quaint villages and hidden medieval monasteries.

The Tara National Park was designated a national park in 1981. The 19,200-hectare area, with administrative offices in Bajina Bašta, is spread out over a group of mountain peaks in the Tara, Crni vrh, Stolac and Zvezda ranges, the Canyon of Drina with Perućac and outskirts of Bajina Bašta.

Known for its beautiful peaks, thick forests, and deep caves, the park's highlight is the massive Drina River Gorge, where rafting and boat trips are organized. The park is home to the rare Pančić Spruce (Picea omorica), which dates to the pre-historic Tertiary era.

Also in its forests are many varieties of wild animals. Waterfalls within the national park are also part of its impressive beauty along the course of mountain rivers and streams.

The Tara National Park can be reached from Bajina Bašta directly (by the Bajina Basta - Kaluđerske Bare road), from Bajina Bašta via Perućac (by the Perućac - Mitrovac road) and from Kremna (the Kremna - Kaluđerske Bare road).

Favorable climate conditions, lot of sunny days, average altitude about 1,000m and nature beauties enable pleasant sojourn, walking and trekking. Lake Perućac on river Drina and Lake Zaovine in Beli Rzav valley are very convenient for water sports, mountain slopes for winter sports and variety of game for hunting tourism.

There are three tourist facilities with accommodation in the park, at Kaluđerske Bare with two hotels, at Predov krst (hunters lodge) and at Mitrovac, where there is a well-known children's camp.

Rafting

(Photo: Tanjug)

Rafting down the Drina is marvelous experience, with magnificent nature views of Mountain Tara.

The Drina River Grand Regatta has been held since 1990, every year in July, along the 25km Perućac - Rogačica route. It includes both a competition and a recreational "regatta."

The Drina Downfall, log-rafting along the "Drina Route" is organized in summer.

It can be held daily from Perućac to Bajina Bašta, to Rogačica or even Ljubovija.

A trip down the crystal clear waters that can last for two or four hours, or a whole day.

Source: National Tourism Organization of Serbia

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