Description

Rafting on the Tara River – The Most Popular Adventure for May 1st

At the recently held Tourism Fair in Belgrade, one of the most sought-after arrangements for the new tourist season was rafting through the Tara Canyon.

The rafting season on the Tara River begins at the end of April each year and is the best way to celebrate International Workers' Day on May 1st. That is why rafting is such a popular and thrilling adventure for the May Day Early Morning Celebration and why rafting in the Tara Canyon is the perfect choice.

TARA CANYON

The Tara River originates below the Komovi Mountain, south of Kolašin in Montenegro. Spanning 144 kilometers, it is the longest river in Montenegro. The last third of the Tara River flows through the Republic of Srpska (Bosnia and Herzegovina), forming a natural border between the two countries, making it an international river.

According to international river classifications, the Tara River is one of the three most attractive rafting rivers in the world, alongside the Colorado and Zambezi Rivers. The canyon averages around 1,000 meters in depth, with its deepest point near Mount Obzir reaching an astonishing 1,333 meters. This makes Tara Canyon the deepest canyon in Europe and the second deepest in the world, after the Grand Canyon in Colorado.

The Tara River is a stunning natural reserve. Surrounding it are dense forests of black pine, oak, and ash, inhabited by diverse wildlife. The river is home to trout, a species that thrives only in pure waters. Tara's water is so clear and pure that it can be drunk throughout its entire course. Because of this remarkable purity, it has earned the nickname "The Tear of Europe."

Just as it originates, the Tara River also disappears—after rushing through winding mountainous landscapes, it meets the Piva River at Šćepan Polje. Here, the two rivers merge to form the Drina River.

RAFTING ON THE TARA

Just two kilometers from where the Drina River begins is Rafting Camp TARA INN, the starting point for many tourists embarking on this adventure. Located just 21 kilometers from the center of Foča (BiH) and 1.5 kilometers from Šćepan Polje, the Bosnia and Herzegovina-Montenegro border crossing, it is an excellent base for all activities in Sutjeska National Park.

Riding inflatable rafts down Europe's deepest canyon is a unique attraction, making rafting on the Tara River the most popular adventure for May 1st, also known as the May Day Early Morning Celebration. For those who love challenges and adrenaline rushes, April and May are the ideal months for rafting on the Tara. During this period, the water level is high, the river is fast and powerful, and navigating its rapids brings an intense adrenaline boost. In the summer months, the water level is lower, but the rapids remain just as exciting.

From April to October, Rafting Camp TARA INN offers three rafting package options:

• Full Tara Rafting (from the river’s source) – This increasingly popular package lasts four days, covering 90 kilometers of navigable waters over two days in the canyon.
• Mid-section Tara Rafting – A three-day package starting from Radovan Luka, covering 60 kilometers of the canyon over two days.
• Final and most exciting stretch (Brštanovica – Šćepan Polje) – The most popular package, lasting three days, with 25 kilometers of rafting completed in one day.

WHY RAFTING?

Active vacations and adventure tourism have become a top priority for travelers, and rafting adventures create the most lasting memories. The thrill of paddling through wild rapids generates huge adrenaline surges, releasing hormones that make people feel happier—one of the key reasons why some choose longer rafting experiences.

Beyond the adrenaline rush, rafting fosters camaraderie, new friendships, and unforgettable experiences—whether with friends, family, or coworkers on a team-building retreat. Add in sleeping in wooden bungalows by the river, live music in the evenings, local cuisine, and campfires with group sing-alongs, and it's clear why this is the perfect May 1st getaway.

MORE THAN JUST RAFTING

With several extra days off around the May holidays, travelers can enhance their adventure with excursions to:

• Mokra Gora, Višegrad, Sarajevo, or Trebinje
• The coastal cities of Herceg Novi or Dubrovnik

For those seeking more adventure after May 1st, additional activities in Sutjeska National Park include:

• Fishing in the Drina Canyon (just below the camp terrace)
• Hiking through the Perućica Primeval Forest
• Mountain biking around the nine glacial lakes of Zelengora
• Hiking to the famous heart-shaped Trnovačko Lake
• Climbing Maglić, the highest peak in BiH
• Exploring the Sand Pyramids (9 km from Foča)
• Visiting the Tjentište Memorial Complex – “Battle of Sutjeska” (WWII site)

RAFTING CAMP TARA INN

If you choose Rafting Camp TARA INN, all packages are full board, covering all costs, including:

• Accommodation and meals
• Taxes (resort, rafting/canyoning, and national park entry fees)
• Rafting/canyoning equipment (neoprene suit, boots, helmet, life vest)
• Transport from the camp to the starting point of any activity