Plitvice Lakes Activity Holiday

The highlights of this multi-activity adventure
holiday include kayaking, rafting, walking and cycling in the area around
Plitvice Lakes National Park while experiencing breathtaking views and stunning
scenery of Croatia. Plitvice Lakes National Park, a World Heritage Site, plays
host to 16 lakes, numerous waterfalls fed by both the Black and White Rivers,
as well as seemingly endless forests which make for unique and unforgettable
experiences. The itinerary will also take you on a journey
down Zrmanja and Mreznica Rivers by kayak, rafting down the Una River in Bosnia
and Herzegovina and cycling over rolling hills to Barac Caves.

Accommodation 

Accommodation is
provided by the families of Korana Village, a small romantic place hidden away
in a valley surrounding both sides of the river in Plitvice Lakes National
Park. The houses are small, traditional dwellings with simple rooms in an
idyllic setting. The peaceful atmosphere makes for an ideal base from which to
explore the surrounding area. Rooms: please note that the houses in Korana
Village have two or three bedrooms, with two rooms sharing one bathroom. Single
use rooms are available with 20% surcharge. Sharing a room with another person
is possible.

Meals

Breakfasts
and dinners are served by the river in Korana village. Weather depending, we
also eat in a big tent by the river, in one of the houses in Korana village or
in local restaurants.

Huck Finn
can provide meals for common dietary restrictions: vegetarian, vegan, raw,
gluten-free, peanut-free meals, etc. with prior notice. It is not possible to
provide high quality kosher and halal meals.

Breakfast -
typically continental style and includes cereal, fruit, eggs, pastries, sliced
meats, cheese, cream cheese, butter, honey, jam, chocolate spread, yogurt,
juice, milk, coffee, tea and cocoa. 

Lunch -
picnic-style lunch is planned, allowing flexibility along our route. You will
be able to buy lunch packages from the local shop.

 Dinner - when
we eat in Korana village, one menu is proposed each day. If for any reason you
can’t or don’t want to eat specialties on the menu for that evening,
alternatives can be made. In
Plitvice Lakes region “sarma” (ground meat in cabbage leaves), stuffed peppers,
barbecue and trout are popular main dishes. 

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

• 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.

• 7 nights accommodation (sometimes two rooms share
  one 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 Zagreb or Zadar airport, bus or train
  station

• 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 in Korana village

Leaving Zagreb or Zadar airport behind, we make our way to
the tiny village of Korana, located in a picture-perfect riverside setting near
Plitvice Park. Here we have a unique opportunity to spend a week with local
residents in their private guesthouses. After settling into your accommodation,
we will meet for dinner and brief orientation, where we will have the chance to
discuss the upcoming holiday and get to know our fellow travelers.

Meals: D; Van ride: 2 hours one way.

Day 2 Plitvice Lakes National Park walking

We start our day walking along the wooden paths and bridges
in and around Plitvice Lakes, Croatia's premier national park. Its exquisite
series of 16 emerald green and opal blue travertine lakes, more than 90
waterfalls and numerous caves make it a UNESCO World Heritage Site. The lakes
are surrounded by beech and pine forests and are home to extensive wildlife.
We’ll enjoy a picnic lunch in the pure, untouched nature. A panoramic boat and
train ride will take us back to the start. Later in the afternoon we return to
Korana village just in time to enjoy sunbathing by the clear river right in
front of your house.

Meals: B and D (picnic lunch on your own); Walking: 4-6
miles; Terrain: easy, well-marked paths.

Day 3 Cycling in Plitvice Lakes Area

Today is all about exploring the lovely pastoral Croatian
countryside by bike. We cycle on nearly traffic free roads through forests,
between hills and across green fields. We will have time for a picnic lunch and
time to relax outdoors. In the afternoon we bike back to Korana Village in time
to enjoy a traditional Croatian evening meal.

Meals:
B and D (picnic lunch on your own); Cycling: 4 hours; Terrain: rolling hills.
(Please note that cycling the entire route may be too difficult for small
children, but the support van can pick them up and take them back to the
village if they are tired.)

Day 4 Zrmanja River
kayaking

On the fourth day we head south, to the region of Dalmatia, to explore another beautiful river. We will kayak down the Zrmanja River, over its rapids and waterfalls to discover hidden swimming pools and canyons.

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. On the fifth day of your holiday you can
be as active or as lazy as you want. You can relax by the river, swim or even
take another optional cycling tour on your own in and around Plitvice Lakes
National Park. Several river, walking, sightseeing or beach trips will be offered,
in case you are keen on discovering more beauties that Croatia has to offer.

Meals: B and D (lunch on your own); Van ride: max 2 hours
one way.

Day 6 Una River Rafting

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.

Meals: B, L and D, Van ride: 1h one way; Rafting: class
I-IV easy/moderate, 2-3 hours.

Day 7 Kayaking in the Mreznica River Canyon

Another day, another beautiful river. Today we visit the Mreznica, one of Croatia’s best kept secrets – especially its upper section.
At the beginning of our kayaking trip we enter a deep and narrow gorge, and continue down the cascading waterfalls. For many of our guests highlight of this trip is a 8 m (26 ft) high waterfall. Of course, you don’t kayak down that waterfall, there is other way around, but jumping from that cliff is an exhilarating experience.

Later in the afternoon, after the kayaking trip, we will have some free time to visit Rastoke Village where the Slunjcica River creates stunning line of waterfalls before flowing into Korana River. We return to the Korana village for a farewell dinner.

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

Day 8 Departure

Depart Korana village for the 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.

Meals: B; Van drive: 2 hours one way.

Note on the itinerary:

This itinerary and the duration of the activities are
subject to change due to group abilities and preferences, weather conditions
and forecasts, 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.