EAST OF RAJAC – Vratna Natural Stone Arches, Rajačke Wine Cellars, Belogradchik Fortress
DATE: 07.02 – 08.02.2026
This time we’re heading east, to regions that are less frequently visited. We will follow the flow of the Danube, visit some of Serbia’s most beautiful natural stone arches, explore the unique Rajačke wine cellars, and then cross into Bulgaria to see the famous Belogradchik Fortress and its surroundings—landscapes whose rock formations resemble a mix of Arizona and Meteora.
ROUTE LENGTH: 2 km + 2 km
ELEVATION GAIN: 300 m
DIFFICULTY: EASY
Departure from Novi Sad around 1:00 AM from the ATP Vojvodina tourist terminal.
Departure from Belgrade around 2:15 AM from the Sava Center parking lot.
(Exact departure times will be confirmed the day before the trip; participants will be informed by the agency.)
We continue with a relaxed drive toward Vratna, with breaks for rest and border formalities.
Our first stop is the Vratna Monastery, in whose courtyard lie two of the most beautiful natural stone arches in this region, also known as the Gates of Vratna. A short and easy hike follows, giving us time to admire this unique natural phenomenon.
We then continue our adventure to the village of Mokranje, known for the Mokranjske Stene waterfall, where another light walk awaits us.
The final stop of the day is a visit to the famous Rajačke wine cellars, whose architecture represents a unique blend of French and Serbian styles and is truly one of a kind. We will talk about their history and development while tasting some of the highest-quality local wines.
Afterwards, we head to our accommodation for a well-deserved rest and continued wine tasting.
ROUTE LENGTH: 13 km
ELEVATION GAIN: 500 m
DIFFICULTY: MODERATE
In the early morning hours, we check out of our accommodation, pack our things, and set off on a short drive to the small town of Belogradchik.
Right at the start, we will find ourselves in front of a fortress skillfully integrated into the surrounding rocks—so striking that we may briefly wonder whether we are in an episode of Game of Thrones or if what we’re seeing is truly real. After a detailed tour of the fortress, we continue with a hike through a beautiful deciduous forest interwoven with these unique rock formations. Along the way, we’ll reach several viewpoints, and the highlight of the hike will be a visit to the Lepenica Cave, hidden far from casual passersby.
After completing the hike, there will be a lunch break, followed by a relaxed return journey back to Serbia.
Transportation by high-floor tourist bus (without WC)
Licensed mountain guide
1 overnight stay in Rajac, Apartments Perić, in double and triple rooms with private or shared bathrooms (or similar accommodation)
Tour organization costs
Entrance ticket to Belogradchik Fortress: €3
Travel health insurance with coverage up to €30,000
(Travel health insurance is recommended for trips abroad for your safety.)
Other individual, unspecified expenses
Bank transfer, 100% upon registration
Apartments Perić (link to accomodation) are located in the village of Rajac, just below the famous Rajačke wine cellars. The accommodation consists of two buildings with double and triple rooms. One of the buildings offers the possibility of organizing a communal dinner and breakfast in a traditional local setting.
Smile, good mood, and good health
Minimum 2L of water per hike, snacks, refreshments for hikes
Food, fruit, snacks, sweets for rest breaks
Comfortable and sturdy walking shoes
Your favorite walking stick (or find one in nature!)
Hat/cap, sunglasses, sunscreen—whatever you need for sun protection
Extra clothes—a dry, warm change at hand after each hike
Swimsuit, towel, slippers
Organizers reserve the right to change the program due to unforeseen circumstances or access issues
Upon registration, send full names, contact numbers, departure location, and membership confirmation
Due to proximity of departure, cancellations won’t be possible; however, replacements are allowed
Number of spots is limited; participation only for members of HTS Mountaineering Society (MB:28748817) or any society within the PSS (Mountaineering Association of Serbia)
Travel is covered by travel guarantee insurance policy no. 470000065481 by Triglav Insurance, up to €30,000 (in case of insolvency or non-performance by the organizer)
This trip is not recommended for individuals with heart conditions or other health issues negatively affected by physical activity
Be punctual for departures, but flexible with hike durations
Please bring only good vibes, cheerful spirit, and positive energy!
See you!
NOTE:
The program is based on a minimum of 50 participants.
In case of insufficient registrations, cancellation notice will be given 7 days before departure, as per Article 108 of the Consumer Protection Act.
The agency reserves the right to adjust transport price or collaborate with another agency, as well as to adjust prices due to currency exchange fluctuations.
The agency is not responsible for any oral information differing from this program.
Organizer retains the right to change the order of program content.
ORGANIZED BY:
Maja Asanović PR Sremac travel (License A), OTP 63/2024
The agency strongly recommends that travelers purchase individual trip cancellation insurance. Otherwise, in case of cancellation by the traveler, point 10 of the General Terms and Conditions – CANCELLATION OF TRAVEL BY THE TRAVELER will apply.
The bus seating order is determined based on the date of payment, i.e., the signing of the travel contract. When assigning seats, priority is given to elderly passengers, pregnant women, families with children (under 12 years), and travelers with documented medical issues. The front row seats are reserved for official use and are not allocated to passengers unless necessary. Passengers must accept the seat assigned by the agency.
When signing the contract, travelers must provide all requested information to the travel organizer, including passport number used for border crossing. If this is not provided at the time of signing, the deadline for submission is within 48 hours.
For passengers holding a red biometric passport of the Republic of Serbia, the passport must be valid for at least 3 months after the return date when entering the EU, and 6 months after return when entering Turkey.
Travelers are responsible for ensuring the validity of their travel documents, especially for children.
The organizer is not authorized to verify the validity of documents. Non-Serbian citizens must independently check visa requirements for the countries they plan to visit. Travelers are advised to consult the EU Delegation in Serbia (www.europa.rs) or the embassy or consulate of the destination or transit country for information about entry requirements (e.g., sufficient funds, travel insurance, accommodation confirmation). The agency is not responsible if border authorities deny entry.
Travelers who pay extra for an additional seat on the bus are not entitled to a refund if empty seats remain on the bus after the trip.
48 hours prior to departure, the travel organizer will send a departure notice with all details. If you do not receive this message, please contact the agency to confirm departure details.
Rest stops will be made every 3.5 to 4 hours of driving, depending on rest area availability and road conditions.
Travelers are asked to keep their travel documents, money, and personal belongings safe during the trip. Leaving valuables on the bus or in hotel rooms is not recommended as neither the transport company nor the hotel is responsible. In case of theft, only insured items can be claimed through the appropriate insurance provider. The tour organizer cannot be held liable.
This is a group trip, and travelers should keep in mind that music and movies played on the bus will be neutral in content. Bus temperature cannot be adjusted individually—what is warm for one might be cold for another. Therefore, understanding and group spirit are essential.
Luggage space on the bus is limited. Each passenger is allowed one suitcase and one piece of hand luggage.
Due to schedule constraints, the bus cannot stop at border crossings for tax-free refund processing, so please keep this in mind.
The organizer reserves the right to change the itinerary due to unforeseen circumstances (e.g., traffic congestion, border delays, closure of scheduled sites).
The organizer may also change the dates and conditions of optional excursions, as well as the order of sightseeing, due to objective circumstances. Please note that certain sites, malls, stores, restaurants, or museums might be closed on public or religious holidays.
The duration of free time for individual activities will depend on objective circumstances (length of tours, departure times, arrival times, and other planned activities).
Travelers planning to visit museums or galleries are advised to check working hours online and plan accordingly.
The hotel rating stated in the program reflects the official classification valid on the day the contract was signed with the foreign partner. Any subsequent changes unknown to the organizer will not be considered grounds for complaint.
Check-in at accommodation begins after 3:00 PM on the first day (early check-in may be possible), and check-out is by 9:00 AM on the last day.
All hotels have a restaurant. Rooms may have shared bathrooms. Accommodation offered has been registered, inspected, and standardized by the national tourism authority of the host country.
If the exact name of the hotel is not published, the organizer is obligated to announce it no later than 7 days before departure. If a change in the listed hotel occurs, the organizer must inform all travelers in writing, and the replacement hotel must meet the same standards. If you do not accept the change, you may cancel the trip without penalty.
Descriptions of accommodations are for informational purposes only. The organizer is not responsible for service quality as this depends on the accommodation provider.
Some services may be available at an additional cost, and availability may vary (e.g., safe, parking, minibar, TV, air conditioning, hair dryer, Wi-Fi…). We recommend checking for additional details online
The organizer has no influence over room allocation, as this is the responsibility of the hotel reception.
Requests for connected rooms, family rooms, or other specific features (balcony, smoking room, floor level, French bed) will be considered, but group bus trips do not guarantee such options. The agency cannot promise these features.
Group accommodation is typically in quadruple or six-bed rooms. Extra beds are smaller and may reduce comfort for the third traveler (e.g., fold-out chairs or sofa beds with thin mattresses).
All times in the travel program are based on local time at the destination.
The trip contract signatory or group representative must inform all travelers of the travel program, payment terms, insurance, and the General Terms and Conditions of the travel organizer.
Minors must have a notarized travel consent from parents or guardians when traveling.
International travel health insurance is mandatory for some destinations. We strongly advise travelers to obtain insurance for all international trips. Without it, travelers bear full responsibility during border checks in the destination or transit countries.
The agency is not responsible for any verbal, phone, or electronic information provided. The only valid itinerary is the written program displayed at the agency.
The organizer reserves the right to offer Last Minute deals at different prices than those listed in the catalog. Clients who booked at regular prices are not entitled to compensation for any price difference.
GENERAL TERMS & CONDITIONS of the travel agency Maja Asanović PR Sremac Travel Ruma apply.
Special Notes are an integral part of the travel program.
Program Number: 07/2026
Price List No. 1, date 28.1.2026.
