Visit-Montenegro.com : Treasures Unseen: Fascinating Canyoning in Montenegro

Budva – Montenegro’s configuration makes it, among other things, perfect for an extreme sports which is conquering the world: canyoning. Montenegro is full of canyons and river-pearls: canyon of Grlje near Plav, Rikavac river in Bar, Skurda river in Kotor. These rivers pose a challenge for adventurers and, more recently, for tourists.

By all means, the most famous canyon is the canyon Nevidio at Komarnica river. People call it the “Miracle Unseen.”

Canyon is named Nevidj Bog (transl. “God does not see”), meaning that not even the God has not seen it. The origin of the name has to do with the fact that it had not been conquered for ages. Locals, highlanders and northerners pronounce its’ name with respect. Even now, when one comes in front of the canyon, he remains speechless.
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Nevidio canyion is some 15 kilometers distant from small town of Savnik. First people to go through it have been the members of Niksic’s mountaineering club. Going through the canyon took them two days.

Since then, Nevidio canyon has not seen too many visitors. However, there are an increasing number of experienced guides who can take a tourist safely through this unexplored pearl of Europe.

Montenegro’s Tourist Center has set up an expedition through Nevidio canyon for those who have never been here and who would want to do tourism in one or the other.

Expedition had been headed by Austrian Ambassador to Montenegro, Florian Raunig, who is passionate about nature and Montenegro itself.

Other members included Dragan Ivancevic, owner of the hotel “Queen of Montenegro”, Marko Novakovic of NTV “Montena” television, Blagota Raickovic from TV PINK, Ljubisa Perovic, head of government’s office for sustainable development, Elisabeth Meyer, Austrian economist, Jelena Subin, journalist of Vecernje novosti” and many others.

Guide to this expedition was Niksic’s Budo Backovic, who is a member of nature-lovers’ club “Montanja”. In order to interest the other’s in the wild beauty of the canyon, a documentary had been shot by a crew of “Wild Beauty-Live” TV-show.

A walk through the canyon took five hours. It has really been far from easy to go through all of the cascades, siphons, lakes and passages which came down to half a meter at certain spots.

Members of the expedition remained speechless, at moments, especially due to the fact that Komarnica river had been much higher than it usually is at this time of year, which made the adventure even more dangerous and full of unexpected.

There were also problems with four girls who participated in this expedition, as two of them refused to jump in the cold river from the great height, but they went ahead, with the support of the other members of the team, as going back was not an option. It is precisely the reason – the fact that one cannot return after passing a certain point – that makes these canyon even more magical.

One of the expedition-members stretched his muscle, but the other members of the team were united in an effort to help him proceed.

In words of Ambassador Raunig, himself: “This is the beauty I have not seen so far”, adding that he would convey his experience to Austrians and make sure they come and visit the Miracle Unseen.

Owner of “Queen of Montenegro” hotel, Dragan Ivancevic says: “What I have just lived is meant for Gods, this is an unbelievable beauty, adventure and intact nature. Real combination for any tourist who wants to spend his holidays in an elite hotel and go for a one day trip of this sort. For, they would never forget it, and neither will I.”

Elisabet Meyer emphasizes: “I have seen Oregon canyon, but this cannot be compared with anything I have seen.”

Miroslav Dragicevic, MTC: “We have organized this expedition for the people to see and feel the magic of this canyon. We want as many people as possible to go through Nevidio Canyon and feel the magic of the Miracle Unseen, as they would, then, always come back and return as guests.”

(14 July 2008)

By: V. L.