Tour itinerary
Day 1
After joining the trip in Zagreb you transfer (70km) to Zvecaj, your base for the week. You will stay in a small hotel situated on the beautiful Mreznica River. Rivers, canyons, forests, country roads, hills and caves in the area provide wonderful settings for adventure, water sports and relaxation. The river, its island and waterfalls are all at your doorstep. The hotel’s restaurant usually serves fresh fish from its own fish pond, vegetables and traditional barbecue meals.
Hotel with air conditioning and private bathrooms – 7 nights
Day 2
Today you get your first introduction to kayaks and canoes as we head to an upstream section of Mreznica River, one of the most beautiful parts of the river and where water temperatures can reach 25?C in summer.
Mreznica is a typical karst river with numerous travertine waterfalls and calm water between them. In summer it is usually warm and pleasant for swimming. We stop for a light picnic by the river at lunchtime. In the afternoon we paddle back to our hotel at a leisurely pace. At night we enjoy a riverside barbecue to finish off the day – a great setting to compare highlights!
(BLD)
Day 3
Today you can test some of the skills you learned yesterday as we head to a different stretch of the river for some more canoeing. There are plenty of waterfalls in this area to play in.
In the afternoon we embark on a bike tour along country roads and through villages of the area. This is a great way to see the country at a pace that allows you to experience it very differently than if you were driving: you can stop to chat to people, wave at kids, and generally see those little things by the roadside that end up as your favourite holiday shot. There are many great routes to take, and your guides know some of the best!
(BLD)
Day 4
The Adriatic coast is a great place for sea kayaking. Strong currents, big waves and strong winds are rare, making paddling much easier, especially for people with less experience. There are plenty of islands and picturesque spots to explore. You can enjoy sun and warm water and sea kayaks, as opposed to sailing boats, can take you very near to the rocks, to the thin line between the sea and land where hundreds of colourful fish and other creatures seek food and shelter. And of course there will be time to relax and enjoy a swim as well!
(BD)
Day 5
Today we venture to a different part of the river – by now you probably feel quite confident in canoes. Our expedition takes us into canyons and past waterfalls of a remote section of Mreznica. We will stop for a leisurely picnic lunch at the riverside – a great opportunity to sit back and truly appreciate the stunning landscapes.
(BLD)
Day 6
Time to get the adrenalin levels up a bit! Today sees us rafting on the Dobra River. The Dobra is widely considered the first and best white water rafting river in Croatia. Traditionally, Croatians have been travelling the river on wooden rafts, but we go for the safer and more comfortable option of inflatable rafts! The Dobra is a dam controlled, safe river with some wild grade four and five rapids and big waves. The river gradually slows and changes into easier rapids and calm sections which are great to relax in, swim and enjoy the spectacular scenery of forest covered canyon and trees that reach the water’s edge. Please note: if the water levels are low and the river too calm for rafting kayaks will make the trip more interesting.
(BLD)
Day 7
On your final day you can be as active or as lazy as you wish. You can take a bicycle tour to other places of interest in the area or set off on foot for more independent exploration. If you are ready for some urban surroundings a train ride can take you to Zagreb, the cultural and political centre of Croatia. If you crave sightseeing and museums, this is the place to go. Zagreb allegedly has more museums per square foot than any other city in the world. The “Croatia History Museum” in particular is worth a visit. It is sited in a beautiful Baroque palace, Vojkovic-Orsic-Rauch, in the historic centre of the town. In the late 1930s the palace became the residence of Zagreb’s mayors, before being designated as a repository for the historical relics of the city. It currently houses more than 140,000 artefacts in various collections, from stone monuments to fine art and religious artefact.
(BD)
Day 8
An early morning transfer to Zagreb (70km). The trip ends here for Land Only clients. (B)
Due to the central location of Zvecaj some of the activities take a while to get to. Please bear in mind that you should generally allow an hour to arrive at your activities except for the biking and hiking.