BALKANS • SEP 4–16, 2026
Balkans Tour 2026 — The Europe That Hasn’t Been Tamed
Austrian Alps, Croatian coast, Bosnian valleys, Montenegrin fjords. 12 days, 7 countries, the most cultural ride in our European calendar.
2,929 km on a BMW R1300GS.
The Balkans are the Europe that didn’t surrender. From the Austrian Alps and the Grossglockner, you ride south over the Predil Pass into Italy, where Trieste gives you the first sight of the Adriatic. Then down Croatia’s Dalmatian coast — Rijeka, Zadar, Šibenik fortress, the island of Hvar. From Hvar to Dubrovnik’s walls, then Montenegro’s Kotor serpentines — twenty-five hairpins above one of the most photographed bays in Europe, and the deep south at Žabljak’s Tara Canyon. The way back climbs the Una river through Bosnia to Plitvice‘s terraced lakes.
Then the heart of the tour: Sarajevo. The city that sparked the 20th century, scarred by the 1990s siege, rebuilt by people who refuse to forget. Mostar‘s rebuilt bridge, the rural Bosnia that tourism hasn’t reached. Twelve days, seven countries, ~2,929 km on BMW R1300GS.
Not a checklist tour. The Balkans demand attention — they reward riders who care about history, food, and the way landscape shapes culture. Full UpSerra logistics: hand-picked hotels, support vehicle, bilingual tour leader, professional photo coverage. The BMW R1300GS is included. You arrive in Munich, you leave from Munich.
BALKANS ON SCREEN
Watch the previous edition
Adriatic coast, Kotor serpentines, and the Balkans in motion. What UpSerra delivers — not in slogans, on the road.
More videos on @upserra YouTube channel →
THE ROUTE
Munich → Austria → Slovenia → Croatia → Bosnia → Montenegro → Munich
Day-by-day itinerary
MEET-UP · FRI SEP 4 · MUNICH
Bike handover and briefing dinner
Arrival in Munich. Afternoon technical handover of the BMW R1300GS by the European rental partner — full bike check, equipment review, documentation, and familiarization with your unit for the next 12 days. Briefing dinner with the team and the group: route overview, daily rhythms, meeting points, tips for crossing borders (intra-EU, Bosnia, Montenegro). First night in Munich.
DAY 01 · SAT SEP 5 · 277 KM · GROSSGLOCKNER
Munich → Lienz (Austria)
Day one and already the most famous road in the Alps. The Grossglockner High Alpine Road climbs through curves carved one by one, past viewpoints, tunnels and the glacier that gives its name to Austria’s highest mountain (3,798 m). Then down to Lienz, in the Drava valley, for the first night in the Alps.
DAY 02 · SUN SEP 6 · 262 KM · PREDIL PASS
Lienz → Trieste (Italy)
A day of alpine passes. The route crosses the border at the Predil Pass, between rock walls and high-altitude lakes, cuts through the Julian Alps and drops steadily towards the sea. Trieste welcomes the group with the first view of the Adriatic and a historic centre of Austro-Hungarian architecture on the waterfront.
DAY 03 · MON SEP 7 · 384 KM · CROATIAN COAST
Trieste → Šibenik (Croatia)
The longest day of the first half, and worth every kilometre: the route follows the Croatian coast through Rijeka and Zadar, the sea always on your right and the Dalmatian islands on the horizon. Arrival in Šibenik, a medieval town home to one of the finest cathedrals in Croatia.
DAY 04 · TUE SEP 8 · 150 KM + FERRY · HVAR
Šibenik → Split → Hvar (ferry)
A short coastal stretch to Split, city of Diocletian’s Palace, where the bikes board the ferry. Arriving on Hvar changes the rhythm of the trip: stone streets, transparent water and one of the best kitchens in the Mediterranean.
DAY 05 · WED SEP 9 · HVAR · FREE
Free day on Hvar
Not a single compulsory kilometre. Beaches such as Dubovica and Pokonji Dol, the old town, the fortress above the city or an optional boat trip around the Pakleni Islands — each at their own pace. A day to recover before the second half, which is the demanding one.
DAY 06 · THU SEP 10 · 213 KM · D8 ADRIATIC HIGHWAY
Hvar → Dubrovnik
Ferry back to the mainland and one of the most spectacular stretches of the Adriatic Highway (D8) — the sea always on your right, islands on the horizon and the mountain dropping straight into the water. The day ends in Dubrovnik, ringed by medieval walls (UNESCO World Heritage), with free time to walk them at sunset.
DAY 07 · FRI SEP 11 · 174 KM · KOTOR SERPENTINES
Dubrovnik → Kotor → Budva (Montenegro)
We cross into Montenegro and the road follows the Bay of Kotor, the southernmost fjord in Europe and a UNESCO World Heritage site. Up the Kotor Serpentines — 25 hairpins zigzagging up the mountain, with a panoramic view of the bay at every level — before continuing along the coast to Budva, a town enclosed by Venetian walls.
DAY 08 · SAT SEP 12 · 177 KM · DURMITOR
Budva → Žabljak (Durmitor)
The day the trip leaves the sea behind and turns to mountain. The road climbs steadily to the Durmitor National Park plateau, through glacial valleys, forests and high-altitude lakes. Riding unlike anything that came before.
DAY 09 · SUN SEP 13 · 314 KM · TARA + SARAJEVO + MOSTAR
Žabljak → Sarajevo → Mostar (Bosnia)
The longest day in the saddle of the whole trip. It starts at the Tara Canyon, one of the deepest in the world (1,300 m), crosses Bosnia with a lunch stop in Sarajevo — where Ottoman, Austro-Hungarian and European cultures meet — and ends in Mostar, facing the iconic Stari Most bridge (UNESCO World Heritage) over the Neretva river.
DAY 10 · MON SEP 14 · 345 KM · UNA RIVER + BIHAĆ
Mostar → Plitvice (Croatia)
The return begins, but it is not a transfer. The route climbs through inland Bosnia following the Una river, one of the most beautiful in the country, passes through Bihać and crosses back into Croatia already inside the lakes region. Overnight practically inside the park — to wake up the next morning with Plitvice at the door.
DAY 11 · TUE SEP 15 · 202 KM · PLITVICE
Plitvice → Ljubljana (Slovenia)
The morning belongs to the lakes. A system of 16 turquoise lakes linked by waterfalls and wooden walkways — UNESCO World Heritage and the best-known natural setting in Croatia. We go in before the tour buses, with morning light and empty trails. In the afternoon, a short and easy stretch to Ljubljana, the Slovenian capital.
DAY 12 · WED SEP 16 · 407 KM · CLOSING
Ljubljana → Munich
The final day. We cross the Alps once more toward Munich, closing an unforgettable loop through some of Europe’s most fascinating countries. After returning the bikes, what remains are legendary roads, historic cities and unforgettable landscapes.
Last day and the longest leg of the route. It crosses back over the Alps through Austria, passing close to Villach and Salzburg, at motorway pace — the right way to finish, covering distance quickly instead of spending a good day on the road back. Arrival in Munich with time to return the bikes and share the last table together.
EXPEDITION MEMORIES
The Balkans in pictures
A few memories from previous editions — to give you a sense of what September will look like.
More on Instagram @upserra_ →
seven countries, ONE STORY
The Europe that hasn’t been tamed
The Balkans are the chapter of Europe where empires left their marks and the landscape still surprises. Kotor Serpentines with 25 hairpins climbing the fjord. Tara Canyon in Durmitor, second deepest canyon in the world. Plitvice Lakes, UNESCO World Heritage. Mostar and Sarajevo, cities where recent history is still visible on the walls. Croatia’s D8 Highway, considered one of the most beautiful coastal roads in the world.
In 12 days you cross Austrian Alps, Croatia’s Mediterranean coast, the island of Hvar, the fjord of Kotor, the Balkan mountains. You start in Munich on German engineering, ride through Adriatic splendor, dive into the scars of Eastern Europe, and return through Slovenia. Every border changes the landscape, the food, the language — always with the right curve waiting.
What’s Included
- BMW R1300GS rental for 12 days (always included)
- 12 nights of hand-picked accommodation across 7 countries (3★/4★ category)
- Breakfast at all hotels
- UpSerra bilingual tour leader (PT / EN)
- Mechanical support vehicle with luggage and tools
- Hvar ferry crossings (Šibenik/Split ↔ Hvar)
- Professional photo and video coverage of the expedition
- Initial briefing in Munich
Not Included
- International airfare (round-trip to/from Munich)
- Mandatory international travel insurance
- Motorcycle fuel during the tour
- Meals (high-quality regional gastronomy)
- Park entrance fees
- Bike security hold and rider liability during the trip
- Optional Pakleni Islands boat trip on Hvar
- Personal expenses
- Tourist taxes and local fees — paid directly by the participant
Credit card hold for the bike: the European rental partner places a EUR ~2,000 hold on your credit card during the trip as a security deposit. Released in full at bike return, with no incident. Standard European motorcycle rental practice — UpSerra coordinates everything. Optional CDW (collision damage waiver) reduces your liability.
Requirements
Documentation (international riders)
- Passport valid for at least 6 months beyond return date (must be valid past March 2027)
- Schengen Area: US/CA/UK/EU/AU/NZ visa-free (Germany, Austria, Slovenia, Italy, Croatia). Bosnia & Montenegro: visa-free for the same nationalities, but tracked separately at borders
- Motorcycle license (Class A or equivalent) — valid in country of issue. The European rental partner accepts US/Canadian/UK/AU/NZ home licenses
- International Driving Permit (IDP) recommended (issued by AAA in the US, AA in UK)
- Mandatory international travel insurance with motorcycle riding coverage + medical evacuation
- Credit card with at least USD 2,500 / EUR 2,000 available limit for the bike security hold
Other requirements
- Moderate level — heavy-bike experience (700cc+) with comfort on twisties — Grossglockner and Kotor Serpentines have 25–36 consecutive hairpin turns. Most paved, occasional rough sections in rural Bosnia
- Mountain riding gear: jacket and pants with full protection, riding boots, knee armor, riding gloves, rain shell. September Balkans range from 12°C / 54°F (mountains) to 28°C / 82°F (coast)
- Arrive in Munich by September 4 — afternoon technical handover of the bikes + briefing dinner. Arriving on Day 1 isn’t optional: you need to receive the bike, review documentation, and join the briefing before the Day 1 departure (Sep 5 early)
- Vaccinations: none mandatory for Schengen entry
RESERVE YOUR SPOT
Reserve your spot — Balkans Tour September 2026
Leave your details and our team will reach out on WhatsApp within 24 hours.
Prefer to talk first? Message us on WhatsApp →
Frequently Asked Questions
How many countries do we cross?
Six. Germany (start/finish), Austria (Day 1–2), Slovenia (Day 2–3), Croatia (Day 3–9), Bosnia & Herzegovina (Day 11), Montenegro (Day 9–10). Italy is a brief passage on Day 12. Most are Schengen Area; Bosnia and Montenegro are tracked separately at borders but visa-free for US/CA/UK/EU/AU/NZ citizens.
Is it safe to ride in Bosnia?
Yes. Bosnia & Herzegovina has been at peace since 1995. Sarajevo is one of the most welcoming cities in Europe. Roads are generally good — some rural sections in Bosnia have rougher pavement, but nothing technical.
Do I need a visa for the Schengen Area?
US/CA/UK/EU/AU/NZ citizens: visa-free Schengen entry (up to 90 days within any 180-day window). UpSerra confirms latest requirements at booking.
Is my motorcycle license valid?
Yes — the European rental partner accepts US/CA/UK/AU/NZ home country motorcycle licenses (Class A or equivalent). We strongly recommend an International Driving Permit (IDP) — issued by AAA in the US, AA in the UK.
What’s the weather in September?
Late summer / early autumn. Coast (Croatia/Montenegro): 22–28°C / 72–82°F. Mountains (Sarajevo, Žabljak, Slovenia): 12–22°C / 54–72°F. Mostly dry with occasional rain. Layered gear with rain shell mandatory.
How tough is the tour?
Moderate. The Kotor serpentines and Tara Canyon are technically demanding twisties. Roads are 99% paved. Riding days are short to moderate (100–300 km, with one long final stage). Heavy-bike experience required.
Is Hvar worth the ferry?
Absolutely. Hvar is one of the most beautiful islands in the Mediterranean. The free day there (D6) is designed for you to rest, hit the beach, eat Croatian food, optional Pakleni Islands boat trip. Most riders go home wanting to come back — Hvar is a destination on its own.
Best flights to Munich?
Munich (MUC) has direct flights from JFK/EWR, ATL, ORD, CLT, IAH, LAX, MIA, SFO, plus London, Toronto, Sydney. Plan to arrive on September 3 to recover from jet lag. Important: arrival by morning/afternoon of September 4 is mandatory — afternoon technical handover and evening briefing dinner happen the same day, before the Day 1 departure on September 5 early.
How do I pay? What’s the deposit?
10% deposit at booking confirms your spot. Balance via international wire transfer in EUR or USD. Once you submit the booking form, our team contacts you on WhatsApp within 24 hours to handle the details.
Pricing
Per person, in USD. BMW R1300GS rental and full UpSerra logistics always included.
| Package | Price (USD) |
|---|---|
| Solo (single room, BMW R1300GS included) | USD 9,500 |
| Couple (rider + passenger, double room, BMW R1300GS included) | USD 11,500 |
Payment terms: 10% deposit at booking confirms your spot. Balance via international wire transfer (EUR or USD). Talk to the UpSerra team on WhatsApp.
Limited spots.
Small group to preserve pace and full attention from the team.
Reserve your spot directly with our team.
“More than roads, we live experiences. More than destinations, we build friendships.”
@UPSERRA_ · OFFICIAL BMW MOTORRAD PARTNER