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8 Day itinerary in Croatia, Europe

Croatia's Mountains & Islands

We dare to say that this is one of the most spectacular walking trips in Croatia! For its diversity, stunning scenery from the forests & mountains to the turquoise beaches, and cute little island towns. You will experience some of Croatia’s highlights and many off-the-beaten-path places, taste the h... Read More

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Miha

By Miha

Overview

Physical Difficulty

Average
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Recommended Age

Everyone

Operated in

English

GUIDANCE

On Some Day Trips

starting point

Zagreb

trip type

Private

trip attributes

Skiing/Snowboarding

Hiking

Kayak & Canoe

Rafting

Snorkeling/Diving

Cycling

Nature & Wildlife

Explorer Trips

Start/End

Night

Highlights

1

Explore Plitvice Lakes National Park, Croatia’s most stunning National Park

2

Enjoy relaxed coastal walks on the island of Losinj

3

Ride a private speedboat to explore the little-known islands of northern Adriatic

4

Experience sea kayaking and paddle the placid waters of Krk island

Itinerary

Mid-Range Accommodation expand_more

Day 1

place Welcome to Zagreb

Arrive in Croatia’s capital city of Zagreb. Check-in at our hotel in the town center and explore the city on your own. In the afternoon, you’ll meet your trip guide over a welcome drink to discuss all the trip details and answer any questions you might have and enjoy the evening in lively Zagreb. However, go to bed early and get some rest. We are starting extremely early tomorrow!

Accommodation:

  • Mid-Range Accommodation: Hotel Park 45
Day 2

place Plitvice Lakes National Park

Today we are starting at 5.00 AM. We know… you are on holiday. But there is a reason for such an early start, and you’ll be able to have a 2-hour nap in the van. We are driving straight to Plitvice Lakes National Park, Croatia’s most stunning national park. Mother Nature has done an incredible job and has created a series of lakes and waterfalls which are just calling to be explored. Of course, its beauty is not unnoticed, therefore we want to be the first ones to enter the park when it opens and beat the crowds. We will walk the lovely wooden boardwalks just by the lakes, be amazed by the countless waterfalls, and learn about local flora and fauna, as well as the fascinating geography & geology of this mesmerizing place. We will do a break around noon when the park gets most busy and head to our hotel. A great home-cooked lunch and a relaxed “siesta” later, we will head to the park once again, walk the less visited trails and enjoy the tranquility of Plitvice Lake National Park as much as possible. It is amazing. We promise! Walking: 16 km / elevation gain +450 m, -450 m / approx. 5-6 hours Transfer time: 2 hours

Guide: Included for the day

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch

Accommodation:

  • Mid-Range Accommodation: Rustic Lodge Plitvice
Day 3

place Hiking in Velebit & Island Hopping

After breakfast, we drive 1.5 hours to Velebit: a fantastic mountain range that follows the coastline of central Croatia and forms a part of the Dinaric Alps. It is full of interesting rocky formations, extensive forests, and grassy peaks with amazing views up to 1,700 meters above the Adriatic islands way underneath. It is wild, pristine, and adds so much to the diversity of this walking tour. We’ll do a beautiful semi-circular hike along a grassy ridge, enjoy the superb views, and later head to the coastline. A private speedboat picks us up here, and we are off to explore the little-known islands of the northern Adriatic. Our captain knows the region like the palm of his hand and he will take us to secluded bays with crystal clear turquoise waters to enjoy the Adriatic Sea without the crowds! We will spend around 3.5 hours on the boat and allow time for swimming, snorkeling and simply taking advantage of our private boat to get away from it all. In the meantime, your hiking guide will drive the van and your luggage to the island of Krk, where you get off the boat and check-in to your hotel for the next 2 nights. Let’s have a lively night out on Krk island! Walking: 12 km / elevation gain +500 m, -500 m / approx. 4-5 hours Transfer time: 2.5 hours by van + boat time

Guide: Included for the day

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch

Day 4

place Krk Island: Hiking & Sea-Kayaking

Today we start hiking directly from our hotel’s doorstep in the town of Baska. The hiking trails will take us across the barren terrain of southern Krk which reveals a completely different face of Croatia’s islands. So rugged and hostile, but spectacular at the same time. We are rewarded with stunning island views, the high Velebit mountains in the background, and spectacular beaches to cool off in the blue Adriatic. There is almost no shade during the hike and if you are sensitive to the heat, you might want to cut the hike short and return to town by boat. We will all return to Baska for a nice sea-food lunch and later drive across the hill to the hamlet of Stara Baska. Here we get our sea kayaks, paddle the placid waters of Krk island, and again avoid the crowds to find our secret picture-perfect bays. Return to Baska in the evening or stop in the charming town of Vrbnik for dinner (not included). What a day! Walking: 13 km / elevation gain +350 m, -350 m / approx. 4-5 hours Transfer time: 1 hour

Guide: Included for the day

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch

Accommodation:

  • Mid-Range Accommodation: Bed & Breakfast Došen
Day 5

place Hiking & Swimming on Cres Island

All the early risers among you will have the chance to do a truly spectacular morning hike to our favorite viewpoint above Baska. The views of Goli Otok, the stunning Prvic island, and the Velebit mountains are definitely worth the effort. We will come back for late breakfast, have our last swim on Krk island and then take a short ferry ride to Cres island. Immediately you will feel the difference between both islands. Cres is much more forested, and you will smell all those pine trees and other Adriatic flora. We will drive to the tiny hilltop village of Lubenice. After a nice lunch in the old town, we will hike approx. 45min downhill to the famous Lubenice beach. We’ll be rewarded with a perfect white pebbly beach and refreshing turquoise waters. Again, we will explore the unknown bays, and later get a fishing boat to take us to the nearest harbor and save ourselves the hot & steep hike back to the van. Your guide will do the sacrifice, hike up that hill, get the van, and pick you up after you have finished those cold beers in the nearest bar. We still have about 1-hour drive to change islands again and reach the charming little village of Veli Losinj on Losinj island, our place for the following two nights. Walking: 8 km / elevation gain +160 m, -500 m / approx. 3 hours Transfer time: 2 hours by van, 25 min ferry, 30-min boat ride

Guide: Included for the day

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch

Accommodation:

  • Mid-Range Accommodation: Hotel Vila Conte and Olive Tree Restaurant
Day 6

place Coastal Walks and Villages of Losinj

Today we are doing relaxed coastal walks on the island of Losinj. After an easy-going breakfast, we start directly from the hotel and explore the east coast of Losinj. The pleasant trails will take us along the rocky coast and past several pebbly bays. You will enjoy the smell of the pine trees and have some refreshing swims before returning to Veli Losinj for lunch. In the afternoon you can relax, swim, sleep & drink in Veli Losinj, explore the neighboring town of Mali Losinj or join us on another easy coastal walk on the island’s west coast. We will wrap it up with some drinks on the island’s best sunset location overlooking the town of Mali Losinj and the pointy Osorscica ridge – our tomorrow’s challenge! Walking: 12 km / elevation gain +100 m, -200 m / approx. 4 hours Transfer time: only short local transfers

Guide: Included for the day

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch

Accommodation:

  • Mid-Range Accommodation: Hotel Vila Conte and Olive Tree Restaurant
Day 7

place The Peaks of Losinj Island

Time to start early again! After a 30min drive, we will reach today’s trailhead and tackle the ascent to Osorscica ridge. It is a constant ascent with approx. 500 m of elevation gain, luckily mostly in the shade of the forest. On the top, we are rewarded with spectacular views of Losinj’s and Cres’ coastline and numerous other islands. After wrapping up our final hike of this trip, we drive to the tiny town of Osor for our final lunch together. If time permits have another swim and head towards Zagreb. It is quite a drive, which means nap time for you again! We will reach the Croatian capital in the early evening, check-in at our hotel and have a final gelato together before saying goodbye to your guide and partying all night long with your new hiking friends. Walking: 8 km / elevation gain +500 m, -500 m / approx. 4 hours Transfer time: 3-4 hours by van, 25-min ferry ride

Guide: Included for the day

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch

Accommodation:

  • Mid-Range Accommodation: Hotel Park 45
Day 8

place Bye bye Croatia

After breakfast, this unforgettable hiking tour ends. Your memories of northern Croatia however, will remain in your hearts for a long time. Enjoy your time and explore Zagreb or head to your next adventures in other parts of Croatia or other Balkan countries. It was a pleasure having you! See you soon!

Meals: Breakfast

What’s Included

Accommodation expand_less

  • Hotel Park 45
  • Rustic Lodge Plitvice
  • Bed & Breakfast Došen
  • Hotel Vila Conte and Olive Tree Restaurant

Meals expand_less

  • Breakfast (7)
  • Lunch (6)

Transport expand_less

  • Private speed boat island hopping
  • Boat ride in Cres
  • All transfers and ferries listed in the itinerary

Activities expand_less

  • Welcome meeting over a drink in Zagreb
  • All guided activities as per itinerary

Extras expand_less

  • Plitvice Lakes entrance fee
  • Organisation, 24-hour holiday service & support
  • Kayak rental on Krk island

Not Included expand_less

  • International flights
  • Airport transfers
  • Drinks
  • Meals not specified in the itinerary
  • Travel insurance
  • Personal expenses
  • Guide gratuities
  • Other services not specified in the Inclusions

About Miha

TEAM LEAD

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In love with Slovenia and its great outdoors! Since sLOVEnia is all about LOVE, we put a lot of LOVE into what we do, which makes our trips special, personal and caring.Visit Slovenia! Be our guest!

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FROM PRICE PER TRAVELER

$2,084.00 USD