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Živa Farm

Overview

Your hostess Iva invites you to her farm Živa to "breathe... with the horses, with the woods, with nature!". Živa is located on the edges of Uvac natural reserve, on the slopes of Zlatar mountain, home to many treasures including green forests, griffon vultures, blue lakes and sturdy native horses…

Highlights

  • Immerse yourself in traditional rural life
  • Contribute to the preservation of the local horse breed
  • Ride through beautiful, unspoiled wilderness
  • Experience real Serbian hospitality and food
  • Visit a rare colony of Eurasian griffon vultures

Essential Facts

  • 1 itinerary available
  • Max 4 riders per group
  • Average of 3 - 4 hours riding per day
  • Weight limit: 90kg / 198lbs / 14st 2lbs

Description

Your hostess Iva invites you to her farm Živa to "breathe... with the horses, with the woods, with nature!". Živa is located on the edges of Uvac natural reserve, on the slopes of Zlatar mountain, home to many treasures including green forests, griffon vultures, blue lakes and sturdy native horses. Iva enjoys these natural treasures every day, on foot or from horseback, and she would love for you to join her for a ride. She has a BSc degree in Equine Sports Science from the UK and has over 30 years of practical horsemanship experience.

This is a unique destination offering an immersive experience like no other. Situated in south-western Serbia, an area rich in natural and cultural wonders, this holiday is suited to those looking for an authentic and personalised adventure, those who yearn to 'unplug' from the stresses of daily life and to reconnect with nature. Zlatar mountain is green and wooded and has the highest number of sunny days of all the mountains in Serbia - its name 'Zlatar' means 'golden mountain'. The river Uvac flows beneath it, forming the ideal habitat for a rare and protected colony of Eurasion griffon vultures (Gyps fulvus), one of only two in Europe. The natural reserve Uvac is also home to many other protected plant and animal species, three lakes and all the surrounding forests.

The farm Živa is the fulfilment of Iva's lifelong dream - to escape from the city and live close to nature! It is named after the ancient Slavic goddess of fertility and has been Iva's family home since 2020. The land was untouched for 35 years before that but Iva's small herd of Serbian mountain horses, an endangered native breed, is playing an important role in conservation grazing. They live outside as a herd all year and are barefoot. Iva and her family are also working towards becoming self-sustainable, growing their own food, using organic and permaculture principles, and foraging for herbs and fruits in the forest. Riders and non-riders are welcome to join for this special experience.

Horses & Riding

Tack

English style.

Horses

Native Serbian mountain horses, small in size but strong and sure-footed.

Riding

There is 1 itinerary:

  • On the Slopes of the Golden Mountain is a based ride

Ages

None within reason.

Health

General good health recommended.

Weight

90kg / 198lbs / 14st 2lbs

Food & Accommodation

Food

All meals are included in the package and you will be served traditional, home-cooked food. This is simple but tasty and wholesome, mostly prepared from locally-sourced, organic ingredients and often fresh from the garden during the summer. Meat and milk forms a significant part of the local diet as the landscape here is well-suited to farm animals who live freely outside, eating mountain hay, corn and barley. Vegetables and fruit are not as easily produced here but nevertheless, a vegetarian menu can be catered for with prior notice with a focus on eggs and cheese.

We do not recommend this destination for vegans or those with strict dietary requirements (other than vegetarian), as the remoteness of the area does not allow your hosts to source alternative ingredients.

If you'd like to buy some drinks to stock in your accommodation (you will have use of a fridge) then please let us know and your hosts can stop at a shop with you. We recommend that you pack your own black tea or instant coffee if that's essential for your morning routine, although the local style coffee is great, and your hosts can provide milk and sugar.

Accommodation

You are accommodated in the village of Amzići, home to around 50 people and standing at an altitude of around 1000m. The people here are hospitable and warm, living primarily off the land. You will stay in a guesthouse, log cabin or guest room in a small, family-owned accommodation and in accordance with the needs and size of your group. This is simple, "no frills" accommodation but clean and comfortable - you will be welcomed as a friend. Options are limited due to the remote nature of the ride so in most cases you need to be a bit flexible, willing to share a bathroom for example, but we can provide a cabin privately for a couple or pair/trio of friends who are happy to be together.

NB. The accommodation is likely to be around 500m from Iva's house, easy walking distance.

Itineraries

On the Slopes of the Golden Mountain Basic accommodation.

Other Activities

1. Replacement activities that can be offered if the guests ask for them beforehand to substitute for afternoon activities on the programme or in case of weather dictated changes, included in the price:
-swimming
-mushroom gathering (if wet weather), herb gathering (if sunny weather)
-organic gardening and introduction to permaculture
-additional 1-1.5 hours of trail riding
-riding lessons, groundwork lessons
-horsemanship and theory lessons (eg. equine behaviour, nutrition, training etc.)
Note: the duration of these activities is from 1.5-2.5 hours, except for additional riding, groundwork, horsemanship and theory lessons. For these, the first lesson (45min.)of the day is free, additional lessons are charged as per our current price list for lessons (€20 single, €180 package of 10 lessons). Max 2 riding lessons per day total. Up to 3 groundwork, theory lessons per day.

2. Replacement activities that can be offered if the guests ask for them beforehand, payable on site:
-kayaking on the lake
-visit to Sjenica plateau “the coldest place in the Balkans” with lunch (local delicacy lamb roasted on a spit)
-cow milking and participating in cheese production

Travel

The nearest airports are Belgrade (270km) and Sarajevo (180km) and transfers are available from either airport or city at additional cost. In both cases the drive time is approximately 3.5 hours and quite scenic.

Alternatively you can come by bus to the nearby town of Nova Varoš and your hosts can collect you there. The bus takes approximately 4.5 hours and tickets can only be bought on site (approx €20 at time of writing).

Itinerary & Pricing

Day 1

Riding: No riding.

Arrival to the village of Amzići in the late afternoon. After settling into the accommodation with hospitable locals and enjoying a refreshing cup of coffee or tea, you will take a tour of Živa family owned organic farm, meet the hosts, fellow riders and the horses. You will proceed to have a hefty welcome dinner and a good night rest in fresh mountain air.

Day 2

Riding: 2 - 3 hours

After a hearty breakfast you'll prepare the horses and head out for a 2-3 hour trail ride on forest trails around the village. You’ll come back to the farm before lunch, take care of your horses and eat another tasty meal. After the lunch and a cup of coffee, you drive to the middle lake dam (cc.30min) and a griffon vulture observation spot. If you are lucky and the vultures are there, you spend some time observing the majestic birds. If not, you continue our drive towards the ancient etno-village of Stitkovo.

You stroll around the tiny village, have our snack there and visit local church and a small cave. You return home for dinner and have a well-deserved rest.

Day 3

Riding: 2 - 3 hours

After breakfast, you get the horses ready and head for another 2-3 hours trail ride that will take you down to the shores of Zlatar lake. If the weather is warm, you can have a time for a quick dip before returning to the farm. After lunch, you go for a hike through a natural preserve forest and the village of Amzići, visiting friendly neighbors and their farms along the way, experiencing something of a time travel effect along the way. You come back to the farm for dinner. After dinner, if the energy levels still allow it, in the evening you head for a nearby town of Nova Varos, take a stroll and have a cup of coffee. If not, you retire for the day.

Day 4

Riding: 2 - 3 hours

After breakfast, you get the horses and head out for your next ride towards Zlatar mountain, passing through several villages along the way. You come back in time for lunch. After lunch you drive to the Mileseva monastery (cc.40 min drive) and enjoy the amazing history of this 13th century monastery, the home of the famous Beli Andjeo (White angel) icon. You go for a delicious trout dinner at a family owned restaurant Kanjon, located in the canyon of the river Milesevka (dinner this day is paid for locally). Afterwards, if you feel so inclined, we take a stroll through the town of Prijepolje, before returning to Amzići for a good night sleep.

Day 5

Riding: 5 - 6 hours

After another hearty breakfast, you get ready for a full day ride of around 5-6 hours. You will ride through the forest and pastures to an old hanging pedestrian bridge over the Zlatar lake, that used to be the only connection to the “civilization” for the villages on the other side of the lake. You tuck in to your picnic lunch there, enjoying the view and the air. After lunch you go for a swim or just relax by the water. Refreshed, you jump back into the saddle and head back home through picturesque villages. Once home, you take care of your horses and enjoy dinner together.

Day 6

Riding: 2 - 3 hours

Today starts with another delicious breakfast before your last ride together, another 2-3 hours, revisiting some of the favourite spots, stopping along the way to forage for some strawberries, mushrooms and herbs. You come home a bit earlier, and enjoy an early lunch, in order to prepare for an action packed afternoon. You drive to the upper lake, get in to the boat and ride along the meanders of Uvac river to the “Ice” Cave. You visit the cave and the view point above it. You get back into the boat and head back to the shore, enjoying the sunset on the water over a beer. You arrive back to our village in the evening, to a table set for a farewell dinner and drinks.

Day 7

Riding: No riding.

After your last breakfast it's time to say goodbye to the village of Amzići, your faithful steeds and to each other before departing for home.

Experience Beginner / Intermediate / Experienced

This ride is suitable for novice riders and above - you should be secure in trot and canter on a sensible horse, but canters are short and limited due to the terrain. The programme can be adapted to accommodate beginners for private groups.
Minimum group size 2
Maximum group size 4
Departure windows

April 13, 2025 - April 19, 2025

April 27, 2025 - May 3, 2025

May 11, 2025 - May 17, 2025

May 25, 2025 - May 31, 2025

June 8, 2025 - June 14, 2025

June 22, 2025 - June 28, 2025

July 6, 2025 - July 12, 2025

July 20, 2025 - July 26, 2025

Aug. 3, 2025 - Aug. 9, 2025

Aug. 17, 2025 - Aug. 23, 2025

Aug. 31, 2025 - Sept. 6, 2025

Sept. 14, 2025 - Sept. 20, 2025

Sept. 28, 2025 - Oct. 4, 2025

Oct. 12, 2025 - Oct. 18, 2025

Pricing

2025
Rider, shared room		 £1000 $1295 €1200
2025
Non-rider, shared room		 £830 $1080 €1000
Several non-riders can be accommodated.
Included 6 nights of accommodation, three meals per day (and an occasional snack!) except for dinner on day 4, a homemade soft drink or rakija before/with meals, coffee, horse riding as detailed in the itinerary, a boat ride, entrance to national park and cave, transfers during the itinerary and transfers from/to Nova Varos bus station for those arriving by bus.
Not included Flights, airport transfers, travel insurance, additional food and drink, dinner at Kanjon restaurant on day 4, souvenirs, additional activities, tips.

Extras

2025 - Airport Transfer (Sarajevo or Belgrade) €90
Paid locally
Price is per person and includes travel in both directions. Please pay cash directly to the driver.
Note: All programmes and itineraries are weather dependent; in the face of adverse, or unexpected, weather conditions reasonable attempts will be made to provide equivalent riding. All programmes are accurate at the time of writing. However, the team may adapt or modify details, whilst aiming to provide a similar experience.