Bike, Hike and Kayak Croatia
Base yourself in Croatia's capital for a weekend exploring the region's most beautiful wildernesses. 1 day off work.
Immerse yourself in the stunning landscapes outside Zagreb with a weekend of adventure sports. You’ll start with a biking city tour, then head into Mreznica Canyon and Plitvice National Park for a day of water sports and hiking, and Medvednica Nature Park for a scenic hike to the park’s highest peak. Your hassle-free trip includes:
- 2 nights at a centrally located hostel in Zagreb
- Bike tour of Zagreb
- Kayaking Mreznica Canyon
- Hiking Plitvice Lakes National Park
- Hiking Medvednica Nature Park
- Airport transfers
- Breakfasts (2)
- All ground transportation in the itinerary
- All necessary equipment and gear
- Park entrance fees
- Travel insurance
- Professional, experienced, English-speaking guide
- Local taxes
Perfect for:
This is the perfect weekend getaway for active travelers seeking fun, adventure, and beautiful scenery in an easy-to-access location.
Need To Know
The following are not included in the tour price:
- Flights to/from Croatia
- Accommodation before or after the tour
- Travel insurance that covers kayaking
- Lunches and dinners
- Snacks and drinks
- Personal expenses
- Tips for your guides (optional)
Sure can! A lot of people do, it’s a great way to meet like-minded people.
This trip will run with a minimum of 4 people, and a maximum of 16. Please note, if there are not 4 people booked trip may be rearranged or cancelled.
At this point we’ll also offer you the opportunity to pay 20 percent more to guarantee the departure for less than 4 people
Croatian cuisine is quite diverse. Popular meals include charcuterie, meat and vegetable stews, gnocchi, sweet potato dumplings, and cottage cheese with sour cream. Meat is typically chicken or veal. In coastal regions you’ll find more Mediterranean food and seafood.
Vegetarian diets can be catered for, but Croatian cuisine is based around foods like pasta, bread and dumplings, so gluten-free diets are difficult to accommodate.
You need to have a good level of fitness for this tour. The hiking is easy to moderate on well-maintained paths up to an elevation of 1035m. The kayaking is class II and III; no previous experience is required.
From spring to fall, Zagreb and central Croatia are generally sunny and warm, with good conditions for hiking and watersports. Temperatures range from 5 – 21 °C in the spring and fall, and 13 – 26 °C in the summer. It rains roughly one out of three days year round with no defined dry season.
Bring comfortable, wicking clothing suitable for athletic activities. A swimsuit and towel are necessary for the watersports. Neoprene shorts and booties are provided for kayaking if the weather is cold. Also bring a water bottle, sun protection, and a small rucksack to carry personal items.
Start point?
You will be met by your host in the city center or at the airport in Zagreb, whichever works better with your flight. Please schedule your flight to arrive prior to 14:00 so you can fully enjoy the day’s activities. Your host will be in touch before the trip to finalise details.
Finish point?
You will be dropped off in the city center around 14:30 or at the Zagreb airport around 15:00. Your host will be in touch before the trip to finalise details.
Getting there and away?
Zagreb Airport (ZAG) is served frequent, inexpensive flights from spring to fall. There are well-timed direct flights from London to Zagreb on British Airways, and good return flights on KLM. We will contact you before you leave to check your arrival and departure plans.
For extra financial protection against unforeseen circumstances such as erupting Icelandic volcanoes, we recommend you book your flights using a credit card.
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Location
Croatia is a diverse country that seems custom made for outdoor adventure. Its capital, Zagreb, is a small and scenic city surrounded by hills. Cobblestone alleys and winding streets lend the city a medieval feel, especially in its Old Town neighborhood. Cafes, churches and parks abound.
Medvednica Nature Park is just outside Zagreb. The park is home to Mount Sljeme (1035m), extensive beech forests, and a variety of wildlife including roe deer, wild boar, foxes, bats and hawks. The park is a “climate island” with a cooler, wetter climate than Zagreb.
Plitvice Lakes National Park is a wonderland of blue-green water and lush vegetation. To date 1,267 plant species have been identified in the park, along with native wildlife including brown bears, trout, otters and deer. The park features 16 lakes, more than 90 waterfalls, numerous caves, and breathtaking limestone rock formations that thrust upward from the jungle-like forests.
Start point?
You will be met by your host in the city center or at the airport in Zagreb, whichever works better with your flight. Please schedule your flight to arrive prior to 14:00 so you can fully enjoy the day’s activities. Your host will be in touch before the trip to finalise details.
Finish point?
You will be dropped off in the city center around 14:30 or at the Zagreb airport around 15:00. Your host will be in touch before the trip to finalise details.
Getting there and away?
Zagreb Airport (ZAG) is served frequent, inexpensive flights from spring to fall. There are well-timed direct flights from London to Zagreb on British Airways, and good return flights on KLM. We will contact you before you leave to check your arrival and departure plans.
For extra financial protection against unforeseen circumstances such as erupting Icelandic volcanoes, we recommend you book your flights using a credit card.
What to Expect
Friday: Arrival and Zagreb biking tour
Your host will meet you at the airport and drive you to your accommodation in central Zagreb. After checking in, you’ll explore the town by bicycle, visiting the Zagreb cathedral, parliament building, St. Mark’s Square, National Theatre, beautiful parks and more.
In the evening you’ll be taken to the town center to enjoy the vibrant Croatian nightlife.
30 minutes driving, 2 – 3 hours biking
Saturday: River and lakes adventure
After breakfast you’ll drive to the head of Mreznica Canyon, a beautiful gorge that narrows to allow just a few hours of sunlight in each day. You’ll kayak downstream to an 8m waterfall for pool jumping and swimming, then continue on through the narrow section to witness the amazing natural light show.
In the afternoon you’ll head to Plitvice Lakes National Park, a stunning landscape of lakes, forests, caves and waterfalls. You’ll spend several hours hiking into the park, then head back to the start by boat and train.
Return to Zagreb in the evening to enjoy the city.
4 hours driving, 2 – 3 hours kayaking, 3 – 4 hours hiking
Sunday: Hiking Medvednica and departure
Your guide will lead you on local transportation to the base of Medvednica (“Bear Mountain”), a Nature Park located just outside the city. You’ll spend the morning hiking to the highest summit in the park, Sljeme (1035m) via the Bikceviceva trail.
Near the summit you can stop at the Puntijarka mountain hut for a hot lunch of bean stew and sausage*. Finish the ascent to the peak, then descend back to the base via the medieval fortress of Medvedgrad where you can enjoy expansive views over the city.
Back in town your host will drop you off in the city center or drive you to the airport to catch your flight home.
30 minutes driving, 3 – 4 hours hiking
optional lunch - not included in the price of this trip.*
Please note: This itinerary is subject to change due to group abilities and preferences, weather, water levels, etc. Your host will do their utmost to ensure the best possible experience for you without compromising safety.
Accommodation
You will be staying in a centrally located hostel in Zagreb. Rooms are shared dormitories with shared bathrooms. Free wifi is included.
