Tara River Rafting: 21 Rapids in Europe's Deepest Canyon

The Tara River Canyon drops 1,300 meters at its deepest point, and you paddle through it.

Tara River rafting from Kotor is a full-day activity on 18 kilometres of river through Europe's deepest canyon, with 21 challenging rapids between Brštanovice and Scepan Polje. The trip includes hotel pickup, an English-speaking guide, breakfast and lunch, all rafting equipment, and transport back to Kotor in an air-conditioned van. A minimum of four people per booking is required, and participants must be at least 16 years old.

Step-by-step itinerary

Full day Tara River rafting trip

• Travel from Kotor to Tara River
• Raft 18 km on Tara River
• Navigate 21 challenging rapids
• Enjoy scenery of Tara River Canyon
• Return to starting point

The experience

The Tara River Canyon stretches 82 kilometres through Montenegro and is the second-deepest canyon in the world after the Grand Canyon. You launch from Brštanovice and paddle 18 kilometres downstream to Scepan Polje, navigating 21 rapids that range from moderate to demanding. The canyon walls rise 1,300 metres around you, and the river itself is protected as part of Durmitor National Park, a tentative UNESCO World Heritage Site. The full day on the water (from pickup at your Kotor hotel through breakfast, the paddle, lunch, and the drive back) takes about 12 hours.

Your guide speaks English and travels with the group throughout the day. You get a raft, helmet, life jacket, footwear and a wetsuit or splash jacket. Bring a swimming suit and dry clothes to change into after. Breakfast happens before you launch, and lunch is served partway through the paddle. Transport is by air-conditioned Mercedes van, either an E-class sedan or a Vito depending on group size. Insurance is included in the price, and the operator asks that you bring good humour along with your gear.

The trip suits all fitness levels, though the rapids themselves are the constant: you are paddling a real river with real current, not a guided float. The minimum booking is four people, and anyone under 16 cannot join. If you are swimming or paddling in cold water for the first time, the 12-hour day and the number of rapids mean this is not a gentle introduction. It is a full engagement with the canyon.

What’s included

• Hotel pickup and drop-off from Kotor.
• English-speaking guide for the full day.
• breakfast before the paddle and lunch during it.
• all rafting equipment including raft, helmet, life jacket, footwear and wetsuit or splash jacket.
• insurance.
• transport by air-conditioned Mercedes van.

Before you book

Days and timesEvery day11 departure times: the first at 06:00, the last at 08:30

Book up to1d before

AgesAdult (16 to 56 years) · Under 16: can't be booked

GroupPrivate

Live guideEnglish

Meeting point and pickupHotel pickup included.

Cancellation and refundsFree cancellation up to 24 h before the start. After that, no refund.

Prices and times updated 8 days ago

Good to know

Low physical effortStroller-friendlyInfant seats available

Operated by Kotour

Is this one for you?The guide speaks English, so you follow the commentary and safety instructions clearly throughout the day. This suits anyone paddling for the first time as well as experienced rafters, though the 21 rapids mean you are paddling real whitewater, not a gentle float.

Traveler reviews

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Top questions

How deep is the Tara River Canyon?

The Tara River Canyon reaches 1,300 metres at its deepest point, making it Europe's deepest river canyon and the second-deepest in the world after the Grand Canyon.

What do I need to bring for the rafting?

Bring a swimming suit, dry clothes to change into after the paddle, and good spirits. The operator provides the raft, helmet, life jacket, footwear and wetsuit or splash jacket.

Is there a guide with the group the whole time?

Yes, an English-speaking guide travels with you throughout the full day, from pickup through the paddle and back to your hotel in Kotor.

How many rapids will I paddle through?

You navigate 21 challenging rapids over the 18-kilometre stretch from Brštanovice to Scepan Polje.

What is included in the price?

Hotel pickup and drop-off in Kotor, breakfast and lunch, all rafting equipment, insurance, and transport by air-conditioned van are included. Drinks and gratuities are not.