Rivers by the sea – 8 days kayaking, trekking, cycling adventure

Active holiday Rivers by the Sea is a well-balanced mixture of activities.  Ranging from rafting, kayaking, trekking and cycling all within nature and culture. Your days will be filled with hiking and cycling through the most beautiful sceneries. Kayaking down rapids of exotic river canyons and rafting through jungle-like forests. This great week active holiday is based within a small picturesque town, rich in history. Skradin is a unique town hidden in the Krka River estuary, 80 kilometers from Split, on the very edge of the Krka River National Park entrance. Within Central Dalmatia, a region know for its long beaches, pine woods and the ancient towns of Zadar, Šibenik and Split. Also known for its good wines and friendly people. If you plan to spend your vacation in Croatia you will find a wide range of active holiday possibilities, but if you search for something very user friendly this is the trip for you, you can stop searching.

Day 1 – Arrival to destination – Skradin town

Upon your arrival to Croatia, we will transfer you to Skradin and accommodate you in the Skradinski Buk hotel. Skradin is a small picturesque town named after the world famous waterfall on the river Krka. It is the oldest Croatian settlement with the status of a town. It was once the capital of the Roman Liburnia and the most important war harbour of Croatia and Bosnia in the 14th century. Apart from a great history, Skradin and its surroundings are places of unique natural beauties. The breath-taking view over the town from the bridge on the highway towards Split was nominated for the prestigious Golden Flower of Europe award for the best sightseeing point on European highways. We will meet in the hotel lobby for a get-together dinner and presentation of the program. You are free to enjoy an evening walk around the town and its pubs. Find out which is your favourite Croatian wine, beer or ice-cream.

Meals: D; Van drive from airport: Split 1h 30 min or Zadar 1 h

Day 2 – Sea kayaking Zlarin Island, optional visit to Sibenik

The sea kayaking day starts from Zablace, little village close to Sibenik. After a short introduction to paddling, we start our expedition to the island of Zlarin, which is only 2 kilometers from the mainland. After paddling along the coast of the island we come to the town of Zlarin, a perfect place for a picnic break and some swimming. We slowly finish up our day with paddling along the island and the beautiful Sibenik coastline. We have the view of its remarkable fortress on the very entrance to town. After a beautiful day of sea kayaking in the Adriatic Sea returning to Skradin we can make on optional detour to visit Sibenik town for an inspirational sightseeing. An ancient town with lively Mediterranean spirit and its breathtaking cathedral make it an unavoidable destination.

Meals: B and D (lunch on your own); kayaking: 4 -5 h

Day 3 – Cycling day in NP Krka River and Visovac Island

Today we will take our bikes from Skradin to the 44-meters high Skradinski Buk waterfall visiting one of Croatia’s most popular National Parks, the Krka River National Park. The fantastic karst formations and travertine waterfalls make it a beautiful swimming area. This is the famous place where the second hydro plant in the world was built, just three days after the first hydroelectric power plant on Niagara Falls. After walking, sightseeing and taking breathtaking pictures we will make a swimming and picnic break under the great Skradinski Buk waterfall. After this relaxing first part we continue our cycling day by exploring the countryside surrounding the National Park Krka River. There is hardly a better way to get around the area of the park then cycling. This biking route will lead you thru Croatian history enjoying the landscape of forests and hills. We will bike to the shores of Visovac Lake where the boat will take us to Visovac Island and Franciscan monastery. After sightseeing the monastery and the museum the boat will bring us back to the shore where we’ll have a beach break for our picnic lunch. Continuing back to Skradin we have a magnificent ride downhill with a scenic view over the Prokljan Lake.

Meals: B and D (lunch on your own); cycling: 4-5 h, moderate – van support if needed

Day 4 – Kayaking on Zrmanja and Krupa Rivers

Early in the morning we drive towards the little village of Kastel Zegarski and start our expedition down the magnificent wild-west-like canyons of the Zrmanja and Krupa Rivers. The watercraft may be raft, canoe or sit-on-top kayak depending upon the river conditions. We push off for an afternoon of refreshing fun on the clear, warm and green waters of these Croatian rivers, considered two of the most beautiful in Europe. Waterfalls and easy rapids, hidden swimming pools, steep sided canyons… It doesn’t get better than this!

Meals: B and D (lunch on your own); Van drive: 45 min; kayaking or rafting: Class II-III rapids, 4-5 h

Day 5 – Optional trip day

On your optional day you can be as active or as lazy as you wish. Several organized and guided tours of hiking, canyoning, climbing, sightseeing or beach trips will be proposed in case you are keen on discovering more beauties that Croatia has to offer. (Please note that the optional trip will incur an additional charge of approx 50€ per head, payable on site, and is dependent on suitable weather conditions. The price is based on a min. of 4 participants.)

Meals: B and D (lunch on your own)

Day 6 – Trekking in the NP Paklenica and sightseeing Zadar

If there ever was a morning for you to get up early, this is that morning. Our small expedition leads us into National Park Paklenica, the most famous trekking and rock climbing National Park in Croatia. It covers the area of torrent flows of Velika and Mala Paklenica, and their distinctive canyons carved vertically into the south slopes of Velebit and the broader surrounding area. The relatively small area has an abundance of exceptional diversity of geomorphologic phenomena and forms, diverse flora and fauna, attractive landscapes and intact nature. Having adapted to the geographic and climatic environment, the residents mostly engaged in nomad stock herding, which is confirmed by mountain shepherd residences. The fact that many people stayed in mountain residences in summertime is reflected in the ruins of numerous sacral buildings: churches, chapels, altars, holy hills and measures. The name Paklenica probably derives from black pine sap called “paklina”, which the locals used in traditional medicine, for wound treatment, for light and for coating of wooden boats. Hiking is the only way to really get to know Paklenica. Finishing our fabulous day in the NP Paklenica we continue our journey to visit Zadar, beautiful old town on the Adriatic coast. In the past several years Zadar town has become an outdoor exhibition, attracting people from all demographic structures. It is really worth seeing and experiencing it.

Meals: B and D (lunch on your own); Van drive: 1:15 min; hiking: 3-4 h; Sightseeing Zadar: 2 h

Day 7 – Rafting Cetina River and visit Split or Trogir

We drive south towards the little village near Omiš, where our adventure on the Cetina River begins. Clear green water, jungle-like forests, caves and waterfalls will thrill you and make this rafting trip an unforgettable experience. Cetina is easy enough for families and absolute beginners. The trip ends at Radman Mills, a national restaurant in a beautiful setting of old mills once powered by the waters of the Cetina River. After an optional lunch we continue to Split or Trogir (group depending decision). In Split you are free to walk its popular palm tree promenade and visit the Roman emperor Diocletian’s palace, a UNESCO World Heritage Site built in the 4th century or Trogir another UNESCO site, an old town with fairy-tale streets and stone houses of incredible architecture, filled with works of art and warm ambience.

Meals: B and D (lunch on your own); Van drive: 1h30; rafting: class II-III, 3 h;

Day 8 – Departure day

Depart from Skradin 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; Van drive to airport: Split 1:30 min or Zadar 45 min

Seasons & prices 2024

	High	Intermediate	Low
Double	890,00€	810,00€	720,00€
Child	801,00€	729,00€	648,00€
Single	1068,00€	972,00€	864,00€

High season: Jun 29 to Aug 23 Mid season: Jun 08 to Jun 28 / Aug 24 to Sep 13
Low season: May 18 to Jun 07 / Sep 14 to Sep 27 The prices are set in euros. The exact price in other currencies is calculated on the day of booking according to the exchange rate of the Croatian National Bank.
All prices are per person.

Minimum age: 8 years if accompanied by parent(s).
Children discount is valid for children 8-12 years.

What is included

• 7 nights in double/twin room
• meals as noted in itinerary
• use of kayaks, bicycles, paddles, life jackets, helmets
• 5 days organized activities
• neoprene shorts and booties or sandals in case of cold weather
• NP entrance fees
• Saturday transfers from Split and Zadar airport, bus or train station
• skilled guide and assistance
• ground transportation (private transport throughout)
• local taxes
• insurance

Not included

• international airfare to/from Croatia;
• beverages and meals as noted in itinerary
• items of a personal nature and optional gratuities to your guide(s).
• optional trip on day 5, but it can be booked and paid on spot.

Cancellation terms

If the Client should cancel or abort the travel, all Client’s cancellations must be in writing – by e-mail or fax. The written cancellation date shall be the basis for the compensation of cancellation costs which shall be collected by the Agency as per conditions set forth below (percentage of total arrangement price):

• 30 or more days prior to arrival: 10%
• 29-22 days prior to arrival: 25%
• 21-15 days prior to arrival: 40%
• 14-8 days prior to arrival: 80%
• 7-0 days prior to arrival or no show: 90%
  Failing to make appearance and travel without prior cancellation shall entitle the Agency to withhold 100% of the payment made regardless of the reason or reasons for the cancellation.

Accommodation:

The 3* hotel Skradinski Buk is located in Skradin.

You will be accommodated in completely renovated and refurbished rooms, equipped with air conditioning, mini bar, satellite TV, telephone and bathroom.

Meals

The meals tend to be fairly heavy on the meats, breads and pastries, pastas and dumplings. If you have special dietary needs, please let us know as soon as possible. Vegetarian diets can be accommodated but we recommend that you bring along with you some of your favorite protein snacks.

Transportation

Please check with us before purchasing your airline tickets to ensure your trip has the necessary minimum number of participants required to operate.

Staff & Experts

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. Raftrek 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. Raftrek reserves the right to alter the itinerary without prior notice.

We kindly ask you to fill out the reservation form with requested details to get an offer with a booking option.