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This activity holiday thoroughly explores the stunning Mreznica river canyon & Plitvice Lakes region.
START / FINISH - Zagreb
Activity code: CRHK05
Difficulty: Activity level: moderate (average level of fitness).
Duration: 8 Days
This fun-packed holiday is a multi-activity week taking take you along the Mreznica and Una Rivers and through Plitvice National Park. You will have opportunity to explore this unique area on foot, by bike, on a Stand up Paddle Board (SUP) and from a kayak and raft. Our guides will seize every opportunity to steer you away from the busy everyday life ensuring a truly memorable experience which you will cherish for many years to come.
During this trip you will be accommodated in a family-run, 3* hotel on the bank of the Mreznica River. The restaurant overlooks an old mill close to a small waterfall and serves freshly caught fish, as well as home-grown vegetables. All rooms are equipped with en suite bathrooms, TV, mini bar, telephone and have Internet access You will experience true local hospitality.
What activities are included ?
River kayaking, hiking, rafting, cycling and swimming are included in the program as everyday activities and are suitable for all ages with a moderate degree of fitness and swimming ability. The rivers are friendly – they have pleasant temperatures in summer and they are not dangerous or physically too demanding.
Departure Dates
Essential Information
Activity level: Trips are designed for flexible, energetic people who like to be active and have a spirit of adventure and a positive attitude. The daily program is a combination of kayaking, walking, swimming, sightseeing and exploring. You can expect to paddle about 10 miles a day (four hours), but our schedule is very weather dependent. Previous kayaking experience is recommended, but not required.
Minimum age: 8 years - 8-12 years only if accompanied by parent(s).
Meals: The meals tend to be fairly heavy on the meats, 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 favourite protein snacks.
Weather: The summers are typically warm and sunny. From May to October temperatures are comfortable for hiking, paddling, and swimming. Rain is always a possibility in Croatia so it is essential to bring adequate rain wear and a jacket in case of inclement weather.
Group size: Min 4 – Max 16 per group; larger groups are on request.
NB. This itinerary can be subject to change due to group abilities and preferences, weather, water levels, special events of interest, etc. Our guides and tour leaders will do their utmost to ensure the best possible experience for you 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.
Single supplement (from): £ 146 per person
Itinerary
Arrival in Croatia. You will be transferred to your accommodation approx. 70 km from Zagreb in Zvecaj village, by the Mreznica River. After settling into your room, you can have a drink on the terrace overlooking the Mreznica and its waterfalls, walk by the river, go for a swim or just relax. Meet the other members of the group over dinner and discuss the upcoming itinerary with your guide.
Meals: Dinner
Drive: approx. 2 hours from the airport.
Early in the morning we start our ride through lovely countryside roads towards Plitvice Lakes, Croatia's first National Park. Once at Plitvice, we have the day to explore it on foot. Plitvice Lakes National Park is a spectacular geological and hydrogeological karst phenomenon, 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. The richness of flora and fauna attracts visitors and scientists from all over the world. UNESCO has declared it as a World Natural Heritage site. We’ll walk through the National Park following narrow paths, crossing over wooden bridges and even taking a boat ride on Lake Kozjak.
Meals: Breakfast & Dinner (lunch - own arrangements)
Walking: approx. 4-5 hours;
Terrain: easy, well-marked paths
Drive: approx. 1 hour 45 minutes each way
The day of water activities on the Mreznica starts with kayaking. We use two-person sit-on-top kayaks which are easy and safe to navigate. After a short introduction to paddling, we push off upstream for refreshing fun on the clear, warm and emerald waters of this river with numerous waterfalls. Mreznica is home to many endangered and protected plant and animal species that you may get a chance to observe. These include 4 species of birds from the “red list” of the International Union for the Conservation of Nature – the Golden Eagle, the Lesser Spotted Eagle, the Western Capercaillie and the Great White Egret. After a light picnic, we’ll paddle back to the hotel. In the afternoon we will change our kayaks with stand up paddle boards and discover the river bed from a different perspective. Starting with a short introduction you will have an active yet easy afternoon to start off the week. Later in the afternoon we will have some free time to rest and will end the day with a group dinner.
Meals: Breakfast & Dinner (lunch - own arrangements)
Activity: Kayaking, approx. 2-3 hours, class I-II; Stand up paddle boarding (SUP), approx. 2 hours, easy/moderate.
*In the case of high water levels, we use rafting boats (approx. 2 hours of rafting).
A well-paced bike tour through villages and along country roads is a great way to experience Croatia much more closely than from a vehicle. There are many trails in the Mreznica area well-adapted for cycling tours. We'll start from the hotel and meander past numerous small family farms and homesteads. There are great places to take breaks along the road and look out over the valleys and fields. You will be able to go for a swim in the river and enjoy a picnic lunch.
Meals: Breakfast & Dinner (lunch - own arrangements)
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. In months when water levels are lower (July, August, September) additional Mreznica kayaking trip will be proposed as a substitute to avoid long driving time.
NB. Passport obligatory!
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Activity: Rafting, approx. 3-4 hours, class I-IV, easy/moderate;
Drive: approx. 2.5 hours each way.
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 from where we’ll start our expedition into the canyon. We travel 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 and finish the adventure and return to the hotel in the late afternoon.
Meals: Breakfast & Dinner (lunch - own arrangements)
Kayaking: class II-III, moderate, approx. 2 - 3 hours;
Drive: approx. 45 min each way. In the case of high water levels, we will use rafting boats
(approx. 2 hours of rafting).
