Tara raften - halve dag

Things to know: -The water is the most intense in early Spring (April); the half day experience lasts about 30 mins -We went in late June and it was pretty tame, mostly floating; the half day trip took about 2hrs -There were lots of providers offering what looked like the same experience -The pickup was in downtown Zabljak, a van drove us across the Tara Bridge where we put on wet suits and booties, clothing/towels in the back of the van, phones in a dry bag (which you can access on the ride), drive to the beginning of the ride, get in boats, float, stop in some cool spots, water is beautiful, swimming, cool feeder rivers, views of the bridge, get out, change, drive out of the canyon, people to signed up to do the zipline across the river do it, drive back to Zabljak.

Great day to be on the river. Fun guides - beautiful scenery. The Tara bridge is incredible (currently under construction - but able to cross) A bit crowded with all the other rafts touring, but still worth the adventure.

If you're near the Zabljak area, this is the best rafting you will find. It's right over the Tara Bridge at Taraf Cafe. We parked before the bridge and walked over since the bridge was closed at certain points during the day. We got there before 9 and didn't need to make a reservation. It was 70 euro a person. When the bus with other people from zabljak came, we got into wet suits, shoes, helmets, and life vests. Then they drove us about ten minutes to the start of the river trail. In June the water was very calm. It's not so much white river rafting as much as just rafting. There were a few exciting areas but it's mostly calm water. There was a place we stopped to look at rapids. We also stopped at another place to swim and jump off a rock (for those that wanted to). The rafting itself was about an hour. When we got to the end, there was a place to change into dry clothes (you left your bag in the van that met us at the end point). And then it was about a 40 minute drive back to the Cafe. We then went to the zip line, and it was a lot of fun. The zip line ended across the bridge (which is where we parked) so it was perfect for us. The staff themselves don't tell you much about the process of everything but they tell you a lot when you're in the raft. It's a great morning activity.

Picked up from Zbaljek and taken 30 minutes in minibus to Tara bridge. Changed into wet suits, helmets and life jackets and back in mini bus to the start the rafting about 45 minutes up stream. Good skipper guided down stream. Not too rough which suited us. Stopped for waterfall viewing and for those that wanted to swim or jump from rocks into the river. Trip back included stop at Tara bridge to see the zip lines and then dropped back at Zbaljek. Great trip with nice people. One point to note. The pick up could be improved. We had arranged pick up from our apartment and decided to check by phone a couple of hours before. I’m not convinced they had the pick up list and instead asked us to meet at their office in Zbaljek.

The Tara River region is beautiful and worth seeing. But we felt that the rafting experience fell short. Our guide was less than communicative, providing no instruction on rafting or safety and barely interacting with the group. In addition, the materials are not clear that in June, this is a Class 2-3 river, so more of a float. Finally, the generic information for this tour could have had more detail and been more accurate (i.e. no wetsuits are provided in the summer months). Transportation from the hotel was helpful.

Good company, would recommend. We did a half day Rafting trip. We met at the caffe Tara which is right next to the bridge. Plenty of parking. Life vests, water shoes and dry bags provided. You could take phones if you wanted, the guides were using theirs regularly so clearly didnt feel it was a risk! You could leave them in the dry bags until you wanted to use them. They would provide wet suits if needed but suggested we didn't wear them because the weather was so warm. It was a hot day but the water was still freezing! The rapids weren't too big but it was good fun, I never felt like I was at risk of falling in. The water is crystal clear and absolutely beautiful. There was a short stop off at a waterfall for pictures, then a stop near the end to jump in and jump off a high rock if you wanted. The guide had a rescue rope to pull you back in if the water was fast flowing. There are changing cabins at the end point, then a short drive in the minibus back to the start point. The zip line was good fun, it's not that long but has great views over the river and bridge. You go from the caffe side then have to walk back from the other side.

Poor experience. A deplorable organization. No wetsuit. The host would do better to change jobs, very unpleasant. I regret my purchase.

I was a few minutes late and they left without me. When I called them they just said “we already left”, didn’t even say “sorry you missed it” or anything like that. It’s so disappointing to miss out on this experience, it was meant to be the highlight of my trip to Montenegro. And also to waste my money. I’m upset, it’s so disappointing.

The very friendly team picks you up from your hotel (and drops you off there on the way back) At the bridge you can change. The ride on the water is very beautiful and the guides very kind. You can bring your phone to take photos, the guides have waterproof bags. In summer, the river is shallow and there are few rapids so it is quite calm.

The river was crystal clear, really beautiful. There wasn't much action, the water level was perhaps too low.