ITINERARY

DAY 1 – Arrival to Plitvice Holiday Resort

If you choose to arrive in Croatia with plane our guide/driver will pick you at airports Zagreb, Zadar or Rijeka for an additional charge. Plitvice Holiday Resort provides high service with varied accommodation options, which bring it to award-winning resort ideal for a continental region holiday. We will meet for a welcome drink and a brief orientation, where we will have the chance to discuss the upcoming holiday and get to know our fellow travellers.

Van ride: from Zagreb, Zadar, Rijeka 2 hours one way

DAY 2 – Plitvice Lakes National Park Walking and Zip Line

We start our day checking bikes, sizes and heading to Plitvice Lakes, Croatia’s premier national park. Your local guide will know when to start to avoid rush hour in the park. With combining several walking routes you will explore the park, seeing a different perspective of its beauty. 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. It could be only explored by foot so, after 11km cycling, we are back on foot.

Cycling distance: 23 km; Terrain: rolling hills, up and down, tarmac; Difficulty: easy/moderate

DAY 3 – Cycling to the tunnels in airbase Željava

Today is all about exploring the lovely pastoral Croatian countryside. We cycle on near traffic free roads through forests, between hills and ruined villages from the war. Our goal is to get to the old Military airport ‘object 505’. Airport Željava, code name ‘Object 505’, was the largest underground airport and military air base in the former Yugoslavia, and one of the largest in Europe. Construction of the Željava or Bihać Air Base (code-named ‘Objekat 505’) began in 1948 and was completed in 1968. During those two decades, SFRJ (Socialist Federal Republic of Yugoslavia) spent approximately $6 billion on its construction, three times the combined current annual military budgets of Serbia and Croatia. We will have time for a picnic lunch and to relax next to the river before heading back to the resort.

Cycling distance: 54 km; Terrain: rolling hills, 70% tarmac, 30% gravel road;
Difficulty: moderate/challenge 

DAY 4 – Cycling to cave and exploring medieval ruins

Day of culture and nature beauties. Our country is a speleological El Dorado. Not many countries in the world have so much surface covered in karst. Over fifty percent of Croatian territory, even seventy percent if we include the undersea surface area, is made of limestone. According to the local legend, the caves were named after someone named who defeated the furious Turkish giant in the battlefield and earned himself such an honour. We know that there are three caves. We will visit the only one which is open to visitors. It is an amazing place with a great picnic spot plus clean fresh water. Be aware that its cold inside even in summer and you should bring long sleeves.

Cycling distance: 12-50 km; Terrain: rolling hills, 90% tarmac, 10% gravel road;
Difficulty: easy/moderate 

DAY 5 – Optional day, Cycling along “cheese” road and visiting family farms

Today is your day, to enjoy easy rides following the “cheese” road and visiting family farms, like dairy farms, dear farm, horse farm, bee farm… You will get a map, a bike, and all needed information about what, where you can do it and see for yourself. Also, we offer other optional trips of different activities in the region and places which you can choose from our Optional Book. That will be presented by your guide a few days before.

Van ride: max 2 hours one way

DAY 6 – Cycling hilly roads to reach amazing views of the region

After a day of rest, it’s time to get sweaty. This time we will be far from civilization, cycling through forest uphill to get a nice view of the area. Where there is an uphill, there must be a downhill so be prepared for it. Mostly we will be on a gravel road. On our way back will stop several times in small villages, for a short but great refreshments.

Cycling distance: 55 km; Terrain: rolling hills, 80% gravel, 20% tarmac road;
Difficulty: moderate/challenge 

DAY 7 – Cycling to Rastoke mills village and Mrežnica waterfalls for a swim

So today is your last active day with us. After several kilometres on the bicycles, we will reach Bosnian border inhaling Bosnian air mostly all the way to the Rastoke village. Often called “Little Plitvice”. Once the waterfalls provided power for local mills, and today they add to the natural setting of the historical center of Slunj town. It is a rural Croatian settlement now distinguished by stone and wooden houses, paths, bridges, and charming restaurants that overlook the natural wonders. After a refreshment, we will cycle to one more beauty called Mreznica River. We do kayaking and rafting trips there so we know every waterfall but the most famous is 7m high perfect for jumping in the pool below. Jumping is optional as just relaxing on one of the waterfalls as long as you want. We will take a van ride back just before dinner.

Cycling distance: 60km; Terrain: rolling hills, 80% gravel, 20% tarmac road;
Van ride: 35 min one way; 

DAY 8 – Departure day

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 guidebooks.

Van drive: 2 hours one way 

Note on Itinerary:
This itinerary is subject to change due to group abilities and preferences, weather, water levels, special events of interest, etc. Raftrek Guides and Trip Leaders will do their utmost to ensure the best possible experience for their clients without compromising safety at any time. This may mean changing the original itinerary to avoid discomfort or risk which could be caused by exceptional situations. Raftrek reserves the right to alter the itinerary without prior notice.

TRIP NOTES

What’s included

• 7 nights in double/twin rooms (sometimes two rooms share one bathroom)
• meals as noted in itinerary
• use of bicycles, helmets, etc.
• 5 days organized activities
• NP entrance fees
• skilled guide and assistance
• Arrival and departure transfers to Plitvice Holiday Resor
• ground transportation (private transport throughout)
• local taxes
• insurance

Not included

• international airfare to/from Croatia
• beverages and lunches or picnics as noted in itinerary
• optional trip on day 5, but it can be booked and paid on spot
• items of personal nature and optional gratuities to your guide(s)

Group size

Min 4 – max 8 people per group; larger groups are on request. Minimum numbers apply. There is a possibility of cancellation after confirmation if there are not enough passengers to meet requirements. In the event of this occurring, you will be offered an alternative or full refund. In case the minimum number of participants is not met but the guest/s still want to do the trip, the price increases by a percentage depending on the final number of participants.

Accommodation

Accommodation is provided by the Plitvice Holiday Resort. You can choose from a private room, mobile home, bungalow, apartment or camping. Located only 8km from the Plitvice National Park in a peaceful atmosphere, makes it an ideal base for exploring the surrounding area. With several awards for the best continental resort. You can also enjoy the outdoor swimming pool, volleyball playground, table tennis, open workout gym, and restaurant.

Air Travel

Please check with us before purchasing your airline tickets to ensure your trip has the necessary minimum number of participants required to operate.

Before booking a flight please contact us to get the best transfer service, as you can share a van to get a lower price. We would suggest arriving at Zagreb airport if it is possible for you.

Let us know if you need a transfer to get to Plitvice Holiday Resort.

Meals

Meals tend to be fairly heavy on the meats and sausages, bread and pastries, pasta and dumplings. If you have special dietary needs, please let us know as soon as possible. Vegetarian diets can be accommodated but we recommend that you bring along with you some of your favorite protein snacks.

PRICES

All prices are per person in EUR

Maximum number of participants: 8 guests per group. Larger groups upon request

Minimum age: 16 years if accompanied by parent(s)

Rooms: Please note that the accommodations are in 2 and 3 bedded rooms, mobile houses where 2 rooms share a bathroom. No 1-bedrooms are available. Single use rooms are available upon request, only as double rooms/single use, with a 20% surcharge. Sharing a room with another person of the same sex is possible.

This itinerary includes a visit to Bosnia and Herzegovina. Please contact the appropriate government office or Bosnian embassy or consulate to confirm whether you need a visa. If you need an EU visa, you will require a double entry visa.