If you manage to pass under the colorful rainbow – make a wish and it will come true. At least that’s what the stories say. We will take you under three rocky rainbows and hidden arches of eastern Serbia. It’s a crossroad of underground winds, ghosts of magic of Homolje (it’s believed that is a most powerful one along with voodoo magic) and songs of water fairies – all that being surveilled by orthodox monastery from 14th century, located on the gate of Vratna canyon. The river carved the canyon, know for its 3 stone arches over 40m high – just like a gate between two dimensions. Exiting the canyon, the river takes a calmer course and flows into Danube.
First day
Our adventure starts with walking through the canyon of Vratna, climbing the arches and wriggling through the narrow parts of the canyon. Soaking our feet during a little bit at some points, jumping from one rock to another and enjoying wooden and stone bridges over the river.
Just like Indiana Jones, we will move around ancient and hidden terrains, that only real adventurers decide to visit. On our way back through the canyon we will climb the second arch, where we can see the entire canyon from bird perspective.
After this adventure, we will visit the medieval monastery on the very entrance of the canyon, surrounded by narrow cliffs. With a break in the shade of the monastery, we will pack and go to have a lunch. Every good lunch is followed by a glass of wine, that is why we will enhance ours with wine from this region.
By tradition, in order for wine to be good, five conditions need to be fulfilled: it had to be far from the stream, cattle, people and dumps, and to „enjoy: in the comfortable, peaceful and quiet accommodation. The climate is practically meant for vineyards. The grapes is full of sugar, but sour enough to result in a high quality wine.
After wine tasting and walking around vineyards, we will step back and go to rest, to gain energy for tomorrow’s adventure.
Second day
After breakfast, we prepare for trekking to viewpoint Štrbac, from where Danube’s iron gate can be seen – it’s a a part of Đerdap gorge, where Danube carved the narrow and steep pass. After trekking through a hundred years old beech forests, we reach the top of the cliff. The Danube is shining almost 700 m under our feet.
We will have some rest, just to take some photos and get ready to climb down. Miroč mountain, whose paths we will be floating above, is carved with numerous caves, pits and hidden ravines and it represents one of the biggest wildernesses in Serbia.
After walking around 2 h downhill (depending of the breaks we make), we arrive at the foot of the mountain where the bus will be waiting for us. We will pack and go to have lunch. Danube salutes us with its spark and burble.
We will arrive in Belgrade in the evening hours.
Itinerary
Saturday
- Departure from Belgrade at 07.00 h
- Transfer from Belgrade to Vratna: 07.00 – 11.00 h
- Preparation and passing through Vratna canyon with a brief tour of monastery: 11.00 – 15.30 h
- Transfer to Rajacka brewery: 16.00 – 16.45 h
- Tour of brewery w/ wine degustation: 16.45 – 19.00 h
- Dinner and overnight stay
Sunday
- Breakfast: 08.00 – 9.00 h
- Transfer to the Veliki Strbac starting point: 09.00 – 10.00 h
- Climb to Veliki Strbac peak and viewpoint: 10.00 – 14.00 h
- Departure for Belgrade: 15.00 h
- Arriving in Belgrade at around 18.00 h
