ITINERARY

DAY 1 – Arrival to destination – Plitvice Lake area

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 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: 2 hours one way

DAY 2 – Plitvice Lakes National Park Walking

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.

Walking: 4-6 miles; Terrain: easy, well-marked paths. 

DAY 3 – Cycling in Plitvice Lakes Area

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.

Cycling: 4 hours; Terrain: rolling hills. (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.) 

DAY 4 – Zrmanja River Kayaking

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.

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

DAY 5 – Optional trip day

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 60€ per head, payable on site, and is dependent on suitable weather conditions. The price is based on a min. of 4 participants)

Van ride: max 2 hours one way

DAY 6 – Una River Rafting

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.

Van ride: 1 hour one way; Rafting: class I-III, 2-3 hours

DAY 7 – Kayaking Mreznica River Canyon

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 with kayaks through a gorge so narrow and deep that the sun enters 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 to the end point of the kayaking trip. After the activity we will have some free time to visit Rastoke Village where the Slunjcica River creates stunning line of waterfalls before flowing into in to Korana River. We return to the village for a farewell dinner.

Accommodation: Private guesthouse; Activity: Kayaking, 2 – 3 hours, class II-III, easy/moderate; Drive: 45 min each way. In case of high water levels we use rafting boats instead of kayaks (2 hours of rafting). 

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 guide books.

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, kayaks, canoes, paddles, life jackets, helmets
• 5 days organized activities
• neoprene shorts and booties or sandals in case of cold weather
• NP entrance fees
• Saturday transfers from/to Zagreb, Zadar or Rijeka airport, bus or train station
• skilled guide and assistance
• ground transportation (private transport throughout)
• local taxes
• insurance

*Arrival and departure transfers: several group transfers between the airport and destination depending on arrival/departure time. Arrivals after 6 pm may be subject to surcharge of 30 euros per transfer.

Not included

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

Group size

Min 4 – max 16 people per group; larger groups are on request. Minimum numbers apply. There is a possibility of cancellation after confirmation if there is 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 families and owners of the private guest houses in Korana Village, a small romantic place hidden away in a valley surrounding both sides of the Plitvice Lakes National Park. The houses are small, traditional dwellings with simple rooms in an idyllic setting. The peaceful atmosphere makes for an ideal base for exploring the surrounding area. Rooms: please note that the houses in Korana Village have two or three bedrooms, with two rooms sharing one bathroom. Single use rooms are available with 20% surcharge. Sharing a room with another person is possible.

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

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. Early arrivals / Extended stay notes – we include two transfers with each trip. These are usually the transfers on the first and the last day of the trip. In case you are arriving a few days earlier or extending your stay in Croatia after your trip with us, we can provide additional airport transfers.

• 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.

Note: Arrivals are recommended by 3 pm. Transfers for arrivals by 6 pm are included, but you may miss group dinner and orientation. Arrivals after 6 pm may be subject to surcharge for transfers or overnight on land.

Meals

Meals tend to be fairly heavy on the meats and sausages, breads and pastries, pastas 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

Minimum age: 8 years if accompanied by parent(s)

Children discount is valid for children 8-12 years of age if accompanied by an adult. 1 child enjoying discount shares parents’ room, 2 or more children can have their own room.

Single use rooms are available upon request, with 20% surcharge. Sharing a room with another person of the same sex is possible

Rooms: Please note that the houses in Korana village have 2 and 3 bedrooms, with 2 rooms sharing a bathroom. No 1-bedrooms are available. Single use rooms are available upon request, only as double rooms/single use, with 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