The Croatian Adventure 2018 Info This scenic cycling tour will take you from Croatia s inland mountain region to the Adriatic coast through five national parks: Risnjak, Northern Velebit, Plitvice Lakes, Paklenica and Krka. Daily cycling routes are between two and five hours on easy to moderate terrain and leave enough time for relaxing in the evening. The accommodation is chosen carefully to reflect the local feel close to the key destinations, while the foodies will enjoy variations of continental specialities and sea food delicacies. Our skilful and knowledgeable guides will share with you insights on flora and fauna diversities as they change throughout the regions. Itinerary Days Activities Destination Meals 1 Arrive in Croatia Zvecaj Dinner 2 Cycling Risnjak National Park Breakfast + Dinner 3 Cycling Northern Velebit National Park Breakfast + Dinner 4 Walking Plitvic Lakes Breakfast + Dinner 5 Cycling Barac Caves Breakfast + Dinner 6 Hiking Paklenica National Park Breakfast + Dinner 7 Cycling Krka River National Park Breakfast + Dinner 8 Departure to Mumbai Skradin Hotel Breakfast Detailed Itinerary Day 1 Oct 4: Arrival in Zvecaj Zvecaj is a small village by the Mreznica River, not far from the highway connecting the Croatian capital city of Zagreb with the harbour of Rijeka. We will be transferred from Zagreb, the capital city of Croatia to Zvecaj from where we will start our adventure. We get together around mid-day, which will give us enough time to choose and test the bicycles on a short tour of the villages. At 8:00 pm we will meet on the terrace of the hotel overlooking the river for dinner and brief orientation, where we will have the chance to discuss
the upcoming holiday and get to know our guides and fellow travellers. Day 2 Oct 5: Risnjak National Park and Kupa River Valley Cycling Activity: Cycling, 3-4 hours/ around 50 km, easy/moderate; Van ride: 1-1.5h each way. On our first day of biking, we ll start exploring Risnjak National Park. The pristine park covers an area of 63,5 square kilometers including the Risnjak and Snjeznik ranges. The Kupa River forms a natural border between Croatia and Slovenia. The Kupa flows through a picturesque valley, also known as the mysterious valley of butterflies more than 500 species of butterflies inhabit the area! We ll start the tour from the entrance to the National Park and bike towards Razloge. The route leads through little villages and forest paths, where the fresh clean air will renew your senses. 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. Here we will have time to relax and freshen up a cold drink before returning back to our hotel in Zvecaj for dinner. Day 3 Oct 6: Northern Velebit National Park Cycling Activity: Cycling, 3-5 hours/ 43 63 km, easy/moderate; Drive: 2-3 h. After breakfast, we ll load our bikes and luggage and drive to Croatia s youngest national park Northern Velebit National Park, 800 meters above sea level. After a short walk in Krasno village and the park area, we will descend by bikes to the Valley of Gacka River, world famous for excellent trout fishing. A stop for lunch will be made by its source, surrounded by numerous old wooden mills. From here, we drive towards the UNESCO World Heritage Site Plitvice Lakes National Park. Accommodation in the park is provided by the families of Korana Village, a small romantic place hidden away in a valley by the Korana River. The houses are small, traditional dwellings with simple rooms in an idyllic setting. The peaceful atmosphere makes the village an ideal base from which to explore the surrounding area Korana Village has no pubs, restaurants, shops, schools, not even a church it s just a village as small and wonderful as it can be, an ideal setting for a fairy tale. Day 4 Oct 7: Walking The 16 Lakes Route Activity: Walking, 4-6 km, easy; Drive: 10 min each way. Today we will be visiting the most beautiful and stunning national park of Croatia Plitvice Lakes National Park possible only by walking or hiking
around its 16 lakes, numerous waterfalls fed by both the Black and White Rivers, and seemingly endless forests. 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. Day 5 Oct 8: Countryside and Barac Caves Cycling Activity: Cycling, 2 3 hour/ 30 km, easy/moderate. Today is all about exploring the lovely pastoral Croatian countryside by bicycle. We cycle on roads that are nearly traffic free through forests, between hills and across green fields. Cycling through traditional villages, we reach Barac Caves, where we stop for a guided underground tour of the cave s fascinating limestone formations. According to local legend, a man named Barac fought heroically and defeated a raging Turkish giant near these caves, which were thereafter named in his honor. After visiting the caves there will be enough time for sunbathing by the river Korana in the village before we enjoy traditional Croatian dinner. Day 6 Oct 9: Paklenica National Park Hiking Activity: Hiking, 4 hours, easy/moderate ; Drive: 2h+1h. After saying goodbye to our village hosts we continue south to Paklenica National Park, part of a UNESCO World Biosphere Reserve and a favorite hiking and climbing destination. Lying on the southeast slopes of the Velebit Mountains near the coast and cut by two awe-inspiring gorges, Mala Paklenica and Velika, Paklenica s scenery is one of the most pristine in the whole Mediterranean. The lofty peaks making up this range offer huge views of both coastal and mountain scenery. There are several wonderful hikes through beech and black pine forests to choose from. The most popular is the trail leading to Borisov Dom, a mountain hut popular among mountaineers. After descending all the way to the sea we drive to Skradin for the evening. Day 7 Oct 10: Krka River National Park Cycling Activity: Cycling, 3 hours/30-40 km; easy/moderate.
The last day of the journey takes us to Krka River National Park with its fantastic karst formations and travertine waterfalls. We explore the park s extensive waterways and complex history dating back to late 10th century and first Croatian kings. One of the options is a visit to Skradinski Buk waterfall, the place where the second hydro plant in the world was built, just a few years after the one on Niagara Falls. We will bike to the viewpoint over Lake Visovac where we will have a view over the island and its monastery. After cycling, we return to the hotel and enjoy a late afternoon in the old town before the final evening dinner and a celebration of an amazing adventure. Day 8 Oct 11: Departure Drive: Zadar 45 min, Split 1 h, Zagreb 3.5 h. Depart from Skradin to the airport and flight home. If you decide to spend more time here, there are other beautiful places to visit not only all over the country but also the continent. Included services 7 nights accommodation 2 meals per day (dinner day 1-breakfast day 8) Bicycle rent 6 days organized activities National parks entrance fees Local taxes and river permits Arrival transfer from Zagreb/Rijeka airport Departure transfer to Zagreb/Zadar/Split airport Skilled English speaking guide and assistance Ground transportation Insurance Excluded Services Air fare to and from Croatia Visa Fees Lunches on all days Drinks and meals not indicated in the itinerary Personal Expenses of all kinds Tips Registration Process: Please click on the link below to fill up the registration form in order to reserve your place on the tour: https://goo.gl/forms/kdsnwu3tudcsdcvp2
In order to confirm your place on the tour please either pay the tour cost by cheque drawn in favour of GREEN EARTH ADVENTURES or transfer to the following bank account: Account Name: Green Earth Adventures Bank Name: ICICI Bank, Pune Bhandarkar Road Current Account No.: 624005017291 IFSC: ICIC0006240 Note: Please make sure you write your name as well as the event name in the remarks column when you transfer the amount by NEFT. Cancellation charges: 1. More than 30 days prior to departure - 20% of the Tour Cost 2. Less than 30 days prior to departure - 50% of the Tour cost