Plitvice Lakes and Rivers - 8 days

Leaving Zagreb, Zadar or Rijeka airport behind, we make our way to the tiny village of Korana, located in a picture-perfect riverside setting near Plitvice Park. Here we have a unique opportunity to spend a week with local residents in their private guesthouses. After settling into your accommodation, we will meet in the river-side hacienda for a welcome drink and brief orientation, where we will have the chance to discuss the upcoming holiday and get to know our fellow travelers.

Meals: D; Van ride: 2 hours one way.

We start our day walking along the wooden paths and bridges in and around Plitvice Lakes, Croatia's premier national park. Its exquisite series of 16 emerald green and opal blue travertine lakes, more than 90 waterfalls and numerous caves make it a UNESCO World Heritage Site. The lakes are surrounded by beech and pine forests and are home to extensive wildlife. We’ll enjoy a picnic lunch in the pure, untouched nature. A panoramic boat and train ride will take us back to the start. Later in the afternoon we return to Korana village just in time to enjoy a swim in the clear river just in front of your house.

Meals: B and D (lunch on your own); walking / hiking: 4-6 miles; Terrain: easy, well-marked paths.

Today is all about exploring the lovely pastoral Croatian countryside by bike. We cycle on nearly traffic free roads through forests, between hills and across green fields. We will have time for a picnic lunch and time to relax outdoors. In the afternoon we bike back to Korana Village in time to enjoy a traditional Croatian evening meal.
(Please note that cycling the entire route may be too difficult for small children, but the support van can pick them up and take them back to the village if they are tired.)

Meals: B and D (picnic lunch on your own); Cycling: 4 hours; Terrain: rolling hills.

This kayaking trip is an expedition down the magnificent Wild West-like canyons of the Zrmanja River in Velebit Nature Park. Perfectly clear and green waters, rapids and waterfalls, hidden swimming pools and steep sided canyons will steal your heart and make this excursion an unforgettable experience. No previous kayaking experience is needed if you can swim. We use open canoes or sit-on-top kayaks for 2 persons with optional child seat. Rafting boats are used during high water season (usually before May and after September, but the water level can vary a lot in spring and in autumn). After an amazing day on the river, we will return to our vans and drive back to Korana village.

Meals: B, D; Kayaking: class II-III, 4 h, easy/moderate; Van drive: 2h to the Zrmanja River, 2h to Korana village

For those who chose a 5-day trip, this is the end of your holiday. You are welcome to schedule your homeward transport for any time.
The rest of the group continues the trip. On your optional day you can be as active or as lazy as you wish. You can relax by the river, swim or even take another optional cycling tour on your own in and around Plitvice Lakes National Park. Several organized and guided tours of hiking, canyoning, climbing, sightseeing or beach trips will be proposed in case you are keen on discovering more beauties that Croatia has to offer. (Please note that the optional trip will incur an additional charge of app 50€ per head, payable on site, and is dependent on suitable weather conditions. The price is based on a min. of 4 participants.)

Meals: B and D (lunch on your own)

The Una River forms a natural border between Croatia and Bosnia. It will steal your heart with its beauty, green clear water and a landscape of dense forests. The Una is rich in water even in summer so rafting is possible all year round. There are several sections to choose from, and our guides will select the one that is best adapted to group abilities and current water levels.

Meals: B and D (picnic lunch on your own); Van ride: 1h one way; Rafting: class I-III, 2-3 hours.

We return to the river this morning in the upper Mreznica canyon. Our route takes us from the hotel to a point approximately 45 minutes away where we’ll start our expedition into the canyon. We travel through a gorge so narrow and deep that the sun enters it for only a few hours each day, around noon, creating spectacular light effects. Paddling past cliffs of carved white rocks, lush vegetation and cascading waterfalls, we will arrive at a strong freshwater spring. We continue our journey to the second highest waterfall on the Mreznica (8m), a magical place ideal for swimming and a picnic. After a break, we continue and finish the adventure and finally return to the hotel in the late afternoon.

Meals: B and D (picnic lunch on your own); Kayaking: class II-III, moderate, 4 - 5 hours; Drive: 45 min each way.
Please note that in case of very low water levels the trip can only be done downstream - in that case
the duration of kayaking is 2-3 hours. In case of high water levels we use rafting boats (2h rafting).

Depart for the airport and flight home. You are welcome to schedule your homeward transport for any time. If you decide to spend more time in Croatia, our guides will be happy to recommend other beautiful places to visit - especially those you won’t find in tourist guide books.

Meals: B; Van drive: 2 hours one way