Gorski Kotar is home to amazing attractions like Mount Risnjak and the Kupa River which are both part of Risnjak National Park. Our base is in Delnice, a town situated at the doorstep of the Park. We will spend our days enjoying charming hikes through Croatian national and nature parks, admiring stunning views over the countryside, exploring fascinating canyons, biking in valleys and paddling down the most beautiful rivers in Croatia.  Our spirits will be refreshed by the fragrant sea air and gentle climate of the Adriatic Coast while hiking in Ucka Nature Park and visiting Opatija, the oldest Croatian tourist seaside resort. You can also choose to visit the Istrian peninsula and explore Rovinj coast or maybe explore caves and gorges of the area.

Price Includes:

• 7 Nights in double/twin rooms
• 2 Meals per day (Dinner day 1 to Breakfast on day 8)
• 5 Days of organised activities
• Use of bicycles, kayaks, canoes, paddles, life jackets and helmets
• Use of neoprene shorts and booties in case of cold water
• Park entrance fees
• Local taxes and river permits
• Airport transfers from/to Zagreb or Rijeka airports
• Ground transportation
• Skilled English speaking guide and assistance
• Basic Insurance 

Maximum number of participants: 16 guests per group. Larger groups on request.
Minimum age: 8 years if accompanied by parent(s) 

5 Day trips are also available on request from €490 pp. Please contact customer service team for further info. 

Itinerary: 

Day 1 - Sat:  Arrival in Delnice

Arrival in Croatia. Our guide will be waiting for you at Zagreb or Rijeka airport, bus or train station. You will be transferred to your accommodation in Delnice, 1h30 drive from Zagreb or 1h drive from Rijeka. After settling into your room, you can have a drink on the terrace, go for a walk in the town or just relax. Meet the other members of the group over dinner and discuss the upcoming holiday with your guide.

Meals: D

Day 2 - Sun: Hiking / walking in Risnjak National Park

Our hotel in Delnice is situated near the entrance to the national park. The Risnjak mountain range is named after a rare animal that inhabits its woods – the lynx. The pristine park covers an area of 63,5 km2 and includes both the Risnjak and Snježnik mountain ranges and the source area of the Kupa river. The diversity of the flora and fauna is admired by scientists and nature enthusiasts alike. We start our hike from Crni lug, the seat of the Park’s management. The educational trail "Leska" will lead us towards our goal – “Big Risnjak”, the highest point of the mountain. Schlosser’s mountain hut, situated 100m below the peak, is probably one of the most beautiful mountain huts in Croatia. After resting and enjoying the amazing view over the sea, other peaks of Gorski Kotar and even the Alps, we will descend slowly back to Crni Lug and complete the educational trail.

Meals: B and D (picnic lunch on your own); Van ride: 20min one way; hiking: 7-9 miles; Terrain: moderate, well marked paths; Elevation: 5013 ft (1528 m, “Big Risnjak”)

Day 3 - Mon: Mreznica River kayaking / canoeing

The day of canoeing / kayaking on the river Mreznica starts in Zvecaj, an hour away from Delnice. We use two-person sit-on-top kayaks or open canoes which are easy and safe to navigate. After a short introduction to paddling, we push off upstream for an afternoon of 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. The day will be filled with swimming, jumping off the waterfalls and enjoying beautiful nature. After a light picnic, we'll paddle back to the hotel. Time permitting, we will visit the Zeleni Vir waterfall and Vrazji Prolaz Canyon (the Devil's Passage) before returning back to our hotel for dinner.

Meals: B and D (picnic lunch on your own); Van ride: 60 min one way; Kayaking: class I-II, easy/moderate, 2-3 hours

Day 4 - Tue: Cycling / biking in Kupa River valley

The source area of the Kupa River is beyond doubt one of the most beautiful places in Gorski Kotar. The Kupa River forms a natural border between Croatia and Slovenia. It springs from a karstic well at the Park's lowest point, forming a turquoise pond some 200 m long and 30 m wide. This natural phenomenon is one of the deepest and strongest river sources in Croatia and remains a mystery to the scientists. The Kupa flows through a picturesque valley, also known as the mysterious valley of butterflies - more than 500 species of butterflies are found in the area! We will start biking along the Leska Route in the park and bike towards Razloge, a small village above the Kupa River source. The route leads through villages and along forest paths, where the fresh clean air will renew your senses. Once in Razloge, we'll descend to the Kupa source and enjoy a picnic at this magical spot. You will most certainly feel the desire to take a swim in clear transparent water, but the temperature of merely 7 degrees Celsius will probably discourage you from having a swim. After the break, we get back on the road and cycle along the river. The bridge crossing the Cabranka River by Zamost is also a border crossing to Slovenia. After a short passport procedure, we will bike along the Slovenian bank of the green Kupa River to Brod where we will cross back to Croatia. We will have time to relax and go for a swim or a cold drink.

Meals: B and D (picnic lunch on your own); Cycling: easy/moderate, 3-4 hours

Day 5 - Wed: 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 or as lazy as you wish. You can relax, explore Delnice, exercise in the gym or even take another optional bike tour on your own.

Meals: B and D (picnic lunch on your own)

Day 6 - Thu: Kayaking / canoeing in Mreznica River Canyon

Today Zvečaj is our first stop and the place where we pick up the equipment. We head out in the direction of Mreznica's canyon section, where we’ll start our expedition upstream by the bridge over the river in Primislje village. We will 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. We paddle past cliffs of carved white rocks, lush vegetation and cascading waterfalls and 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 head downstream and finish the adventure back where we left our vehicles. On our way back to Delnice we will visit the impressive Kamacnik canyon, a protected landscape in Vrbovsko county. The trail leas over rock edges and wooden bridges that overlook a murmuring creek to a beautiful green valley and a clearing that holds a deep, dark lake - the well of Kamacnik.

Meals: B and D (picnic lunch on your own); Van ride: 1h30 one way; Kayaking: class I-II, easy/moderate, 3-4 hours

Day 7 - Fri: Hiking / walking in Ucka Nature Park

We start our journey with a drive to Lovran, a charming little coastal town at the foot of Mount Ucka, the highest mountain of the Istrian peninsula. Ucka Nature Park displays great variety of regional features within a relatively small area. This is where the Mediterranean and continental climates meet, resulting in a unique spectrum of flora and fauna. Therefore, this is the only place on Earth where you can enjoy taking pictures of steno endemic Ucka's Bellflower (Campanula tomassiniana),and it is also one of the very last European sites where you will be rewarded by the impressive silhouettes of the Griffon Vulture (Gyps fulvus) or Golden Eagle (Aquila chrysaetos). Hiking trails from Lovranska Draga will lead us to the highest peak Vojak (5.45 miles). This is a sightseeing point that offers a breathtaking panoramic view of the Croatia’s northern coast and islands, the mountains of Gorski Kotar, the Italian Alps and the Dolomites and the whole of the Istrian peninsula. The way back takes us across “Little Ucka” towards our starting point. Later in the afternoon we will visit Opatija. This elegant tourist destination is the oldest resort on the Adriatic coast, and is a land of contrasts: sea and mountains, green parks and blue sea, old buildings and modern comforts, busy entertainment venues and quiet destinations for excursions.

Meals: B and D (picnic lunch on your own); Van ride: 1h30 one way; hiking: 10-12 miles; Terrain: moderate, well marked paths; Elevation: 4.508 ft (1396m, Vojak)

Day 8 - Sat: Departure day

Depart from Delnice for the airport and flight home. You are welcome to schedule your homeward transport for any time. 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

Note on the itinerary:

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. Our 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. We reserve the right to alter the itinerary without prior notice.