Clear Rivers Country

Overview

This multi activity adventure holiday will take you along the Mreznica River, through Plitvice Lakes National Park and to the Krk Island on the Adriatic coast. You will explore this unique area on foot, by bike, on a Stand Up Paddle Board (SUP) and from a kayak. 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. The Mreznica is considered one of Croatia’s cleanest rivers, with plenty of great places for swimming, canoeing, stand up paddle boarding, kayaking and rafting. The river is 64 km long, and is special for its 93 waterfalls and pools of warm water between them, perfect for refreshment away from beach crowds. Clear green water, unspoiled woods and magical landscapes make it one of Croatia’s most desirable continental retreats.

Accommodation - Hotel "Zeleni kut" is a friendly, family-run hotel on the bank of Mreznica River, approximately one hour drive from Zagreb and Rijeka airports. The restaurant overlooks an old mill close to a small waterfall and serves freshly caught fish, as well as home-grown vegetables. Barbecue, which is also a specialty of the house, is often an enjoyable end to the day’s activities. All rooms are equipped with en suite bathrooms, TV, mini bar, telephone and have Internet access.

Meals - breakfast will be served in a rich buffet form with several types of cereal, butter, honey, jam, Nutella, cold cuts, meat spreads, cheese, eggs, yogurt, fruit, juice, coffee, tea and milk. For dinner you can try Croatian national specialties. The restaurant usually serves fresh fish from its own fish pond, vegetables and traditional barbecue meals. If for any reason you can’t or don’t want to eat specialties on the menu for that evening, alternatives can be made. On prior notice, we can also provide vegetarian, vegan and gluten free meals. Lunches are picnic-style allowing for flexibility along our route. You will be able to buy lunch packages from the local shop. 

Activity level - Our trips are designed for flexible, energetic people who like to be active and have a spirit of adventure and a positive attitude. You can expect to spend 4-5 hours on activities, but our schedule is very weather dependent. Previous kayaking experience is recommended, but not required. While the guides will do their best to stick with the described itinerary, changes might be necessary and the guide will determine the actual itinerary depending on the weather and group abilities.

Info

• The maximum number of participants: 16 guests per group. Larger groups upon request.
• Minimum age: 8 years if accompanied by parent(s).
• Child discount: 10% for 8-12 years of age at the time of travel
• Single use rooms are available upon request with a 20% surcharge. Sharing a twin room with another person is possible.
• Rooms: 3*** rooms in hotel in Zvecaj Village

Price includes:

• 7 nights accommodation (3*** hotel, en suite bathroom)
• halfboard
• use of bicycles, kayaks, canoes, rafts, SUP, paddles, life jackets, helmets
• 5 days of organized activities
• use of neoprene shorts and booties or sandals in case of cold weather
• Plitvice Lakes National Park entrance fee
• local taxes
• Saturday transfers from/to airport or meeting point in Zagreb
• ground transportation (private transport throughout)
• skilled English speaking guide and assistance
• insurance

Not included:

• airfare
• drinks and meals not indicated in the itinerary
• tips or other personal expenses
• optional trips

ITINERARY

Day 1: Arrival

Arrival in Croatia. A Huck Finn guide will be waiting for you at Zagreb airport, bus or train station. If previously arranged, the pickup may be at Karlovac or Zvecaj bus or train station. You will be transferred to your accommodation 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.

Accommodation: 3*** hotel; Meals: D; Drive: 1h30min from the airport.

Day 2: Walking in Plitvice Lakes National Park

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 with all rights 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: B and D (picnic lunch on your own); Walking: 4-5 hours; Terrain: easy, well-marked paths; Drive: 1 hour 45 minutes each way

Day 3: Kayaking and SUP on the Mreznica River

The day of water activities on the Mreznica starts with kayaking in front of the hotel. 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 a refreshing fun on the clear, warm and emerald waters of this river with numerous waterfalls. Due to its biological diversity and variety of habitats, the Mreznica area should soon be categorized as a Croatian Nature Park. It 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 short introduction you will have an active yet easy afternoon to start of the week. The day will be filled with swimming, jumping off the waterfalls and enjoying beautiful nature. Later in the afternoon we will have some free time to rest and will end the day with a group dinner on the restaurant terrace.

Meals: B and D (picnic lunch on your own); Activity: Kayaking, 2-3 hours, class I-II; Stand up paddle boarding (SUP), 2 hours, easy/moderate.

Day 4: Cycling in the Mreznica River area

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 on the bank. Those who still want to explore the area after the tour are free bike to other places of interests on their own, with directions given by the guide.                      

Meals: B and D (picnic lunch on your own); Cycling: 3 hours; Terrain: easy/moderate, rolling hills

Day 5: Optional trip day

For those who chose a 5-day trip, this is the end of your holiday. You are welcome to schedule your homeward transport for any time. The rest of the group continues the trip. Today you can be as active as you wish. You can relax by the river, swim, play beach volleyball or even take another optional bike tour on your own. Several optional trips will be proposed in case you are keen on discovering more beauties that Croatia has to offer: day on the Adriatic Sea, hiking in national parks, river canoeing and sightseeing.

Meals: B and D (picnic lunch on your own;) Drive: maximum 2h each way.

Day 6: Sea Kayaking Krk Island

On this day we continue towards the Adriatic coast where we will visit Krk – the biggest island in the Adriatic also known as the Golden Island. We will paddle and take a swim along the coast and around the isle of St. Mark and continue under the impressive Krk’s arch bridge, connecting Krk and Croatia’s mainland.
Afterwards, we will visit city of Krk – one of the oldest cities in the Adriatic which was already mentioned by the blind Greek Homer in his famous poem under the name of Koureto. The city is dominated by the Frankopan family castle and the cathedral complex famous for its variety of styles. The city of Krk today is the administrative, political, economic and religious center of the island of Krk. After an amazing day on the coast, we will return to our base in Zvecaj village for the dinner.

Meals: B, D; Activity: Sea Kayaking, 2-3 hours, easy/moderate; Drive: 1.5 hours each way.

Day 7: Kayaking in the 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 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 finally return to the hotel in the late afternoon.

Meals: B and D (picnic lunch on your own); Kayaking: class II-III, moderate, 2 - 3 hours; Drive: 45 min each way. In case of high water levels we use rafting boats (2 hours of rafting).

Day 8: Departure 

Depart from Zvecaj Village to Zagreb or Rijeka airport and flight home. 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.

This itinerary and the duration of the activities are subject to change due to group abilities and preferences, weather, water levels, special events of interest, etc. Huck Finn 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. Huck Finn reserves the right to alter the itinerary without prior notice.