WELCOME TO ČAKORSKI KONACI

Traditional Katun Household on Čakor

ABOUT ČAKORSKI KONACI

Welcome to Čakorski konaci — a traditional katun household located in the high mountain area of Čakor, surrounded by untouched nature, mountain pastures, forests, and traditional transhumant landscapes.

Čakorski konaci is not only a tourism household. It is an active farming family that continues the centuries-old tradition of seasonal movement with livestock to mountain katuns during summer months.

The family lives in Berane during winter, and every summer moves to Čakor together with their animals, continuing the traditional practice of transhumance.

This practice was officially recognized in December 2025 as Intangible Cultural Heritage of Montenegro.

The household has also been awarded by the Ministry of Tourism for the quality of its tourism offer.

Today, Čakorski konaci combines:

• traditional mountain life
• agriculture and livestock breeding
• local gastronomy
• rural tourism
• preservation of katun culture and traditions

The household is run by the whole family. Marija is the key person responsible for hospitality, food preparation, guest care, and farming activities, while all family members have their roles to play.

A LIVING KATUN TRADITION

Čakorski konaci is part of a living transhumant tradition that still survives in the mountains of Montenegro.

The family moves cattle to mountain pastures every summer and continues producing:

• cheese
• dairy products
• vegetables
• fruit and preserves

The household owns:

• 10 cows
• 6 pigs
• around 40 chickens

They produce (in the village and in katun):

• potatoes
• corn
• peppers
• onions
• carrots
• green beans
• beans
• plums
• apples
• pears
• quinces
• walnuts
• cherries

Most of the food served to guests comes directly from the family’s own production.

LOCAL FOOD & TRADITIONAL CUISINE

Food at Čakorski konaci reflects authentic mountain gastronomy.

Meals are prepared according to traditional recipes and seasonal availability of products.

The family produces almost everything they need themselves and buys only products that cannot be produced locally. Additional products are occasionally sourced from neighboring households and local producers.

Guests are served:

• homemade dairy products
• traditional mountain dishes
• vegetables from the garden
• homemade juices and preserves
• local meat products
• traditional breakfasts and dinners

The household does not use standardized restaurant menus. Instead, meals are based on:

• seasonal production
• homemade ingredients
• traditional hospitality

Guests with:

• allergies
• intolerances
• special dietary needs

are kindly invited to inform the family in advance.

The family completed training related to preparation of food for guests with special dietary requirements.

A PLACE CONNECTED WITH NATURE

Čakor is a remote and preserved mountain area characterized by:

• forests
• mountain pastures
• wild berries
• medicinal herbs
• traditional katun landscapes

Nature is deeply integrated into daily life and tourism activities.

The family:

• hand-picks blueberries and wild berries
• collects mushrooms and medicinal herbs responsibly
• avoids collection of protected species
• does not participate in hunting activities

Mico, the owner, works as a forestry ranger responsible for preventing illegal hunting activities in the Čakor area.

Guests are encouraged to:

• hike
• explore mountain trails
• experience authentic katun life
• enjoy peaceful natural surroundings

SUSTAINABILITY AT ČAKORSKI KONACI

Sustainability is part of the family’s everyday life and traditional way of living.

The household continuously works on:

• preserving katun traditions
• reducing environmental impact
• protecting mountain nature
• supporting local community life
• maintaining traditional agriculture and landscapes

ENERGY & CLIMATE

Čakorski konaci operates almost entirely off-grid.

The household:

• uses solar energy systems
• uses solar water heating
• uses LED lighting throughout the property
• carefully manages electricity consumption
• minimizes use of generators

More than 75% of electricity comes from solar energy.

Traditional wooden huts naturally regulate temperature during summer months, reducing the need for additional cooling systems.

The family also developed underground cheese storage to adapt traditional production to warmer summer temperatures caused by climate change.

Guests are kindly invited to:

• switch off lights when not needed
• use electricity responsibly
• help preserve limited energy resources
• Avoid using gair dryers are they quickly consume a lot of energy, which is limited.

WATER PROTECTION

The household uses its own abundant well water and carefully manages water resources.

Important sustainability measures include:

• installation of bio-septic wastewater treatment system
• dual-flush toilets for reduced water consumption
• responsible towel and linen replacement policy
• limited unnecessary room cleaning
• The household also uses environmentally friendly Frosch cleaning products.

Guests are informed that:

• towels and bed linen are changed upon request
• room cleaning is organized only when necessary

These measures significantly reduce unnecessary water consumption and environmental impact.

WASTE REDUCTION

Very little waste is generated at Čakorski konaci.

The household:

• avoids disposable tableware and packaging
• uses reusable glass, metal, and ceramic materials
• reuses jars and bottles for preserves, juices, and rakija
• uses cheese containers repeatedly
• promotes tap water instead of bottled water
• minimizes food waste through careful planning

Any leftover food is:

• shared with neighbors
• reused within the household
• eventually given to domestic animals

Guests are provided with reusable glass bottles for water.

The family also introduced alternative reusable packaging solutions for takeaway food and sandwiches.

CULTURE & HERITAGE

Culture and transhumance heritage are among the strongest elements of Čakorski konaci.

The household actively participated in katun protection activities organized by local organisation and contributes to preservation of:

• katun traditions
• mountain architecture
• traditional gastronomy
• seasonal pastoral life

The huts are decorated in traditional mountain style, while meals and hospitality reflect authentic local customs.

The household also provides publications and educational materials related to katun heritage and mountain culture for guests.

COMMUNITY & LOCAL LIFE

The family actively participates in community life and local environmental activities.

Every spring, before moving cattle to Čakor, the family organizes clean-up activities because they want to preserve the landscape and protect animals from waste left in nature.

Family members also participate in:

• local reforestation activities
• road maintenance
• maintenance of local graveyards
• community environmental actions

The household collaborates with local women entrepreneurs by selling homemade jams and preserves as souvenirs.

GUIDELINES FOR GUESTS

We kindly invite you to help us preserve the spirit of Čakorski konaci and its mountain surroundings.

ENERGY

Please:

• switch off lights when not needed
• avoid unnecessary charging of devices
• use warm water responsibly

The household operates off-grid and relies mainly on solar energy.

Energy resources are limited and should be used carefully.

WATER

Water is precious in mountain environments.

Please:

• avoid unnecessary water use
• reuse towels whenever possible
• request room cleaning only when necessary

The household carefully manages water resources to protect surrounding nature.

WASTE

Please help us minimize waste:

• avoid unnecessary plastic
• use designated waste bins
• do not litter in nature

Reusable packaging and materials are preferred whenever possible.

NATURE

You are staying in a preserved mountain ecosystem.

Please:

• respect plants and wildlife
• do not collect protected plants
• avoid disturbing animals
• stay on marked paths
• do not light fires in nature without permission

Nature is the foundation of life on the katun.

ANIMALS & FARM

Čakorski konaci is an active farming household.

Please:

• do not feed animals without consulting the hosts
• avoid disturbing livestock
• keep respectful distance where needed

If you would like interaction with animals or farm activities, the family will gladly guide you.

PEACE & QUIET

Čakor is a place for:

• relaxation
• silence
• mountain nature
• authentic rural life

Please:

• respect quiet evening hours
• avoid excessive noise

The sounds of animals, wind, forests, and mountain life are part of the experience.

HIKING & OUTDOOR ACTIVITIES

Guests are welcome to:

• hike
• explore mountain trails
• enjoy cycling and nature activities

Please:

• wear suitable clothing and footwear
• bring water during hikes
• ask the hosts for route recommendations and safety advice

Mountain weather can change quickly.

FOOD & DIETARY NEEDS

Please inform us in advance about:

• allergies
• intolerances
• dietary preferences

The family will gladly adapt meals whenever possible.

RESPECT FOR THE HOUSEHOLD

You are visiting a family home and active katun household created with work, tradition, and dedication.

Please:

• treat the property respectfully
• respect the hosts and other guests
• ask if you need any assistance

We want you to feel at home.

THANK YOU

By staying at Čakorski konaci you support:

• preservation of transhumance traditions
• protection of mountain landscapes
• local farming families
• sustainable tourism in Montenegro
• preservation of intangible cultural heritage

Thank you for being part of this story.

Welcome to Čakorski konaci.