Croatia Multisport

Croatia Multisport Itinerary:

• Day 1

  Your trip begins today in Zagreb, Croatia. Arrive anytime today and transfer on your own to the hotel for the evening. Zagreb, the capital of Croatia, is a lively and colorful outdoor city and is reasonably manageable on foot. Our hotel is well located for exploring the city’s main attractions. Dinner on own.

• Day 2

  After breakfast, meet your guides and other group members in the hotel lobby for a brief trip orientation before heading out to Plitvice Lakes National Park, a UNESCO World Heritage Site and Croatia’s premiere inland destination. The drive to the park is through lovely countryside with a stop for lunch in the picturesque riverside village of Rastoke.  Once at Plitvice, we have the late afternoon to explore on foot.  Plitvice Park is a spectacular karst landscape, a sequence of sixteen turquoise lakes linked together with cascading falls and travertine pools. The lakes are surrounded by beech and pine forests and are home to extensive wildlife. This evening we retire to the tiny village of Korana located in a picture-postcard riverside setting near Plitvice Park.  Here we have the unique opportunity to spend two evenings with local residents who offer simple, clean and comfortable rooms in their homes.  Tonight, weather permitting, our home hosts prepare a riverside, get-together barbeque.  Hiking: 4 miles; Terrain: easy, well marked paths; Lunch and dinner included. 

• Day 3

  Today is all about exploring the lovely pastoral Croatian countryside by bicycle. We cycle roads that are nearly “traffic free” around Rakovica, a community founded in the Middle Ages and known historically for the 1871 uprising led by Eugen Kvaternik. While unsuccessful, it was the first attempt to win independence for the state of Croatia. Cycling through traditional villages, we come to Barac’s Caves. After a picnic lunch, we spend a couple of hours exploring the cave’s fascinating karsts formations. According to the oral tradition of the local people, a person with a surname Barac fought heroically and defeated a raging Turkish giant near the caves therefore the caves were named in his honor. Relax this evening back in the peaceful Korana Village while enjoying a traditional supper. Biking: 4 hours; Terrain: rolling hills; All meals included. 

• Day 4

  After saying goodbye to our home hosts, we continue south to the “Wild West” narrow canyons of the Zrmanja and Krupa Rivers. We visit a medieval monastery en route as well as enjoy a picnic lunch with local farmers. After a short instructional introduction to paddling (watercraft may be raft, canoe or sit-upon kayaks depending upon the river conditions at the time), we push off for an afternoon of refreshing fun on the clear, warm and green waters of these Croatian rivers, considered two of the most beautiful in Europe.  Waterfalls and easy rapids, hidden swimming pools, steep sided canyons and, very likely, no one else on the river but our group – it doesn’t get better than this! We overnight in the ancient city of Zadar on the coast, which replaced its city walls with a promenade in 1874. Kayaking or rafting: Class I/II rapids; All meals included.

• Day 5

  Roughly an hour’s drive from Zadar is Paklenica National Park, part of a UNESCO World Biosphere Reserve and a favorite hiking destination for the locals. Lying on the southeast slopes of the Velebit Mountains not far from the coast and cut by two awe-inspiring gorges, Mala Paklenica and Velika, Paklenica’s scenery is one of the most pristine in the whole Mediterranean. The lofty peaks making up this range offer huge views of both coastal and mountain scenery. There are several wonderful hikes through beech and black pine forests, to choose from depending upon weather and other factors. One possibility is the trail leading to Borisov Dom, a high mountain hut popular with alpinists. We return to Zadar for the evening. Hiking: 8 miles; elevation gain 1000’; Breakfast and lunch included; dinner is on your own.

• Day 6

  Croatia has more than 3,500 miles of stunning coastline dotted with 1,700 islands of all descriptions. Our morning begins with a short ride on a local wooden boat to the small island of Vrgada where we enjoy a day kayaking. This lovely island has no cars, no hotels and has one of the finest sandy beaches you’ll ever dig your toes into. Paddling comfortable sit-upon kayaks, we explore the bays and the beaches while having ample time to swim in the clear azure waters, bask in the sun and savor a delicious beach picnic. This evening we transfer to the charming medieval, island town of Trogir, a UNESCO World Heritage site that dates back to the Greek colonists in the third century BC and is considered a remarkable example of continued of urban dwelling. The well-preserved town is a labyrinth of cobblestone streets with stone bridges, a 13th-century cathedral and 15th-century fortress built by the Venetians, a true step back in time. Kayaking: 4-6 hours; Breakfast and lunch included; dinner on your own.

• Day 7

  A full day of exploring takes us to Krka National Park with its fantastic karst formations and travertine waterfalls. By boat and by foot we explore the park’s extensive waterways including visits to both the largest waterfall, Skradinski Buk, as well as the widest series of falls at Roski Slap. Be sure to bring your swimsuit as it may be tempting to swim in the warm emerald-green pools! Return to Trogir for our final evening dinner and a celebration of an amazing adventure. Hiking: 6- 8 miles; well marked paths; All meals included.

• Day 8

  An early rising and light breakfast before transferring to the international airport at Split and return flights home. Or, you may choose to continue your time in Croatia by joining us for the four-day Dubrovnik extension that includes a day of rafting on the Cetina River (Class II and III), a guided exploration of the Dubrovnik’s fortressed medieval town, a day trip of sea kayaking out to one of the pristine Elafiti Islands and three nights in the charming seaside town of Zaton (half an hour from Dubrovnik). Breakfast included.
  
  For those joining the Dubrovnik extension today, you depart Trogir after breakfast driving southeast about one hour to the Cetina River.  On with the bathing suits and into the rafts for a fun filled paddle and scenic float down this lovely river!  The rapids are not difficult but are great fun, the water’s warm and clear, and the scenery is one of waterfalls, caves, canyons and jungle-like vegetation.  We enjoy a bite to eat at a restored watermill at the end of our run.  We continue our drive south to the seaside village of Zaton, just outside of Dubrovnik (7 miles), our home for the next three nights.  Zaton is a picturesque village set in a deep bay that offers us easy access to the bustle of Dubrovnik while providing a quiet and traditional setting from which to base our explorations.  Rafting: Class 2-3 rapids; All meals included.

• Day 9

  Spend the morning relaxing and explore the local seaside neighborhood on your own. In the late morning / early afternoon we head into Dubrovnik for a guided tour of its fascinating Old Town.  Enroute to Dubrovnik we hike up a small hill that offers a terrific vantage from which to view the city.  Certainly one of the world’s most beautiful and iconic fortified cities, Dubrovnik is a medieval port consisting of bastions, fortresses, casements, bell towers, draw bridges, granaries, cathedrals and an endless, interesting maze of terracotta-roofed houses and shops.  Your guide will share the rich history of the city while opening up some its hidden backdoors.  You have time to explore more on your own as well as choose from Dubrovnik’s many open-air cafes for dinner.  Return to Zaton, overnight.  Breakfast included.

• Day 10

  This morning it’s off to southern Croatia’s “undiscovered-paradises” – the Elafiti Islands.  Depending on the weather, the condition of the water and the make-up of the group, we paddle our kayaks directly from our home base in Zaton or we take a short ride on a local ferry takes us to the smallest of the Elafiti Islands, Kolocep.  A better destination for our last day in Croatia couldn’t be imagined … fragrant cypress and pine forests creeping down rocky hillsides to beautiful sandy beaches and warm waters.  We spend our day exploring the island coast by kayaking, short walks, and relaxed beach time.  The evening is on your own back on the mainland – you may want to take in the nightlife of Dubrovnik again or enjoy watching the sunset over the Zaton Bay. Kayaking 4-6 hours; Breakfast and lunch included.

• Day 11

  Early morning transfer to Dubrovnik airport for flights home.

If you are traveling alone and specifically request single accommodations, you will be asked to pay the full single supplement noted above. If you wish to share accommodations, we will assign a roommate if one is available. If a roommate cannot be found, you will be asked to pay a reduced single fee, which is one-half of the full single supplement. Please be advised that there are a limited number of single rooms available. Single accommodations may not be available at the village homestay. 

All accommodations as noted in itinerary; meals as noted in the daily itinerary; private bi-lingual guides; private transport throughout; park entrance fees; all activity gear as necessary including sea kayaks, rafts / river kayaks, and bikes; island ferry; airport transfer for departure when leaving with group.

***Dubrovnik extension only:  3 nights small local pension; meals as noted in the daily itinerary; private transfer Trogir to Dubrovnik; transfer to Dubrovnik from Zaton; bi-lingual guide; rafting and sea kayak gear; guided tour / entrance fee old town Dubrovnik; island ferry; airport transfer if departing with group.

International airfare to/from Croatia; 1 breakfast, 1 lunch, and 3 dinners; cost of passport; alcoholic beverages; items of a personal nature and optional gratuities to your guides. 

Dubrovnik extension only: 1 Lunch and 2 dinners; additional optional transfers to Dubrovnik town from Zaton; alcoholic beverages; items of a personal nature and optional gratuities to your guides.

This trip is rated Moderate [3] and will be enjoyed by anyone who is physically fit and enjoys active days. Paddling on Day 4 (Zrmanja and Krupa Rivers) is typically an easy paddle requiring no prior experience however, you should be comfortable in water and able to swim. This is also true of the sea kayaking on Day 6 when you will be paddling in fairly protected waters along the island coastline. Although the hiking is not particularly long or strenuous, prior hiking experience is recommended. The hiking distances range from 5-8 miles over uneven terrain and in Paklenica Park there may be significant elevation gain as well. Several days have van transfers of 2+ hours.

***Dubrovnik Extension: the Cetina River is classified as a Class II / III river with some very fun rapids as well as lovely, quiet stretches; sea kayaking in the Elafiti Islands may involve a short open water crossing but otherwise is along a protected coastline and at an easy to moderate pace.

Croatia’s Adriatic coast is blessed with a Mediterranean climate. The summers are warm, dry and brilliantly sunny with the average day time temperatures around 80°F and nighttime temperatures possibly falling to around 60°F. May to June and September to October are the most rewarding times to visit for active pursuits such as hiking, paddling, and biking since the temperatures are comfortable and the water is still warm enough for swimming.

This trip is subject to the booking information set forth in the current REI Adventures Reservation Information. Please read this information carefully and call us if you have any questions. A full gear list and pre-departure information is sent upon sign-up. We highly recommend the purchase of travel insurance through REI Adventures. If coverage is purchased within 21 days of your initial trip deposit, the 'Pre-existing Conditions Exclusion' is waived (certain exclusions apply).

We look forward to having you join us for the trip of a lifetime! Why wait? Space is limited, reserve your adventure today.

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