Croatia Multisport

Croatia Multisport Itinerary:

• Day 1

  Your trip begins today in Zagreb, Croatia. Arrive by late afternoon and transfer on your own to the hotel for the evening. Zagreb, the capital of Croatia, is a lively and colorful city and is reasonably manageable on foot. Our hotel is well located for exploring the city's main attractions. At 6:30pm we will meet in the hotel lobby for a welcome drink and brief orientation where we will have the chance to discuss the upcoming itinerary and get to know our guides and fellow travelers. Dinner on your own.

• Day 2

  Meet in the hotel lobby after breakfast and head 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 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 hosts prepare a riverside barbeque. All meals included.
  
  Hiking: 4 miles; Terrain: easy, well marked paths.

• 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 man named Barać fought heroically and defeated a raging Turkish giant near these caves which were thereafter named in his honor. Relax this evening back in the peaceful Korana Village while enjoying a traditional supper. All meals included.
  
  Biking: 4 hours; Terrain: rolling hills.

• 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), 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. All meals included.
  
  Kayaking or rafting: Class I/II rapids.

• 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 near 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. Breakfast and lunch included; dinner on your own.
  
  Hiking: 8 miles; elevation gain 1000'- 2000'.

• 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 of 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. Breakfast and lunch included; dinner on your own.
  
  Kayaking: 4-6 hours.

• 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. All meals included.
  
  Hiking: 6- 8 miles; well marked paths.

• Day 8

  This morning we have an early rising and light breakfast before transferring to the international airport at Split for return flights home. Breakfast included.
  
  Explore even more. See the Dubrovnik & Beyond trip extension for this trip.

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.

Trip price includes 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.

International airfare to/from Croatia; airport transfers; 1 breakfast, 1 lunch, and 3 dinners; cost of passport; 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.

Croatia's Adriatic coast is blessed with a Mediterranean climate. The summers are typically warm and sunny with average daytime temperatures around 80°F and nighttime temperatures falling to around 60°F. From May to June and September to October temperatures are usually a bit cooler but still comfortable for hiking, paddling, and swimming. Rain is always a possibility in Croatia so it is essential to bring adequate rain wear and a warm jacket in case of inclement weather.

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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