Kayak and Hike Croatia in a Weekend
Paddle remote turquoise waters and hike in Paklenica National Park on this wild, long weekend adventure
What's Included?
Activities & Certified Guides
All itinerary activities with professional, English-speaking guideCamping
3 nights wild campingMeals
Breakfast and dinner each dayTransfers
To and from the airport (or Zadar main bus station) and everything in betweenEquipment
Kayaking and camping equipment (not including sleeping bag)Small Like-minded Groups
Solo-friendly by design, join our small n’ sociable groups of up to 8 like-minded, active and outdoorsy people…
What's it like?
Kayak down the majestic canyons and cascades of the Zrmanja River, cooling off in idyllic waterfalls along the way
Hike the tranquil trails of the Paklenica National Park, traversing forested valleys and a dramatic gorge
Pitch up beside the river and spend each evening relaxing around the campfire, tucking into hearty Croatian dishes
Key Information
Day 1
Kastel Zegarski
Meet your host in Zadar, then drive to the small village of Kastel Zegarski. Set up camp, relax and enjoy a BBQ dinner around the campfire whilst getting to know your fellow adventurers.
Day 2
Kayak the Zrmanja River
Kayaking
Spend the day paddling, swimming, jumping off waterfalls and enjoying the wilderness as you kayak a particularly scenic section of the beautiful Zrmanja River. Take a short hike to an eight-metre high waterfall for lunch and a refreshing swim, then return to the river to negotiate some Class II and III rapids, while floating through limestone canyons and past lush vegetation. Head back to camp for the evening and enjoy a traditional Croatian meal around the campfire.
Day 3
Hike the Paklenica National Park
Hiking
Today you'll hike a beautiful path that will first take you through a wild and impressive canyon, and later through the gentle, forested valley of Velika Paklenica National Park. The trail starts uphill, following the course of the river crossed by small bridges, and along rocky walls carved by water and time. Continue on through beautiful beech and pine forests before reaching Paklenica mountain hut, where you'll stop for an optional hearty lunch before descending back to your campsite.
Day 4
Kayak to the Adriatic and then head home
Kayaking
Continue your expedition down the Zrmanja River to the Adriatic Sea via a deep and spectacular canyon in the Velebit Nature Park. Finish off with some sea kayaking in the quaint village of Meka Draga ('Soft Valley'), where you'll have the opportunity to relax in a local beach bar, change into dry clothes and then head back to the airport in time for your flight home.
Day 1
Breakfast
Lunch
Dinner
Day 2 – Day 3
Breakfast
Lunch
Dinner
Day 4
Breakfast
Lunch
Dinner
What is the food like?
Meals tend to be based around meats and sausages, bread and pastries and pasta and dumplings. If you have any special dietary needs, please let your host know when booking. Vegetarians, vegans and other dietary requirements and allergies can be catered for, but we do recommend that you bring some of your favourite protein snacks along with you. Please let your host know of your dietary requirements by requesting it on your passenger info form.
What is the accommodation like?
Camping
You'll stay in a wild and beautiful location beside the river, in the lovely village of Kaštel Žegarski, on the Zrmanja river - perfect for swimming, diving and relaxing. You'll normally participate in setting up camp on arrival and sometimes packing down the camp at the end of your trip (although if you are tight on time then your guides may do this after your departure). There are some basic facilities at the camp such as a large wooden table, some benches, pillows and a cold shower and toilets are available a short walk away. Your host will provide a tent and sleeping mat as well as all communal equipment for eating, but please remember to bring your own sleeping bag or contact your host if you would prefer to rent one for a charge. Solo travellers get their own tent at no additional cost.
If you would like to arrive early or depart late, your host recommends staying in Zadar at the Hostel Forum.
This trip has been rated as Moderate
You need to have a reasonable level of fitness and an adventurous nature for this trip, but no previous experience is required.
On the Dalmatian Coast, the weather is a little warmer and drier than in Zagreb. Spring and autumn temperatures range from 9 to 21°C with roughly 10 days of rain per month. Summer temperatures range from 16 to 30°C, with just six days of rain each month.
The Area
Logistics
Starts
Zadar Bus Station or Zadar Airport
17:30 or 18:00
Ends
Zadar Bus Station or Zadar Airport
16:30 or 17:00
Transfers
You can be met either at the main Zadar Bus Station at 17:30, or at Zadar Airport at 18:00 – however, you may decide to arrive a day or two early to suit flight times and explore more of Croatia. Your host will be in touch before the trip to finalise the details. At the end of your trip, you will be dropped off at Zadar Airport around 16:30 (in time to catch flights that depart after 18:00), or at Zadar Bus Station at 17:00. Alternatively, you could leave a day or two later and explore some more of Croatia.
Travel options
There are regular flights to Zadar from airports across the UK and Europe.
If you wish to travel between the main coach station and the old town in Zadar, there is a public bus which takes 20-25minutes and costs Eur5pp (luggage included): https://www.zadar-airport.hr/en/public-transport
Enjoy 12.5% Off Outdoor Gear
In need of a few more items? All bookings receive a 12.5% discount to use at Cotswold Outdoor, Snow + Rock and Runner's Need.
What's included?
- Tents
- Sleeping mat and pillow
- Life jacket
- Paddle
- Helmet
- Neoprene wetsuit
- Rain jacket
- Waterproof container for shared group use
What do I need to bring?
- Lightweight, easily washable clothing for travel and daily wear
- Swimwear
- Towel
- Sun hat with brim
- Sunglasses
- Thin trousers and long sleeved top for the evenings (just in case)
- Lightweight rain jacket (waterproof and breathable)
- Water shoes, or other sports shoes that you don’t mind getting wet
- Hiking shoes or hiking boots
- Sleeping bag
- Water bottle or hydration pack
- Sun block and lip balm
- Personal first aid kit (including any medications you use)
- Small backpack
- Dry bag (optional)
- Camera, film/memory cards and spare batteries
- Head torch
- Bug spray
Sleeping bag hire: 2 nights
Payable Before Departure
Sleeping bag hire: 2 nights
…
Highly recommend
Amazing experience
First time solo traveller and this experience was perfect for that. Everything was organised for us, food was amazing and the guides were knowledgeable and friendly.
Fantastic few days
Highly recommend this trip and will be looking at other Much Better Adventures in the future. From start to finish, getting picked up, the site, the food, the activities, couldn't fault it. We had a lovely group of people and friendly guide and had an amazing time.
Wonderful trip…
Such a great trip… We were a small group of four and it was perfect. The hiking was really enjoyable, beautiful scenery and the chance to take a dip in the mountain stream… ‘refreshing’, though well worth it! The two days kayaking were outstanding. One day paddling down a stunning ravine towards the sea, the second some river and whitewater paddling. Both fun and relaxing - the perfect antidote to a busy life at home. The food was amazing - freshly cooked, hand-made breakfast and dinner in the sunshine with a camp fire to end the evening. Our guide, Rene, supported by the equally lovely Eva, was a real star. Knowledgeable, interesting and thoughtful. He read the group so well and nothing was too much trouble. I’ll certainly look to book future trips with MBA in the future… thank you for a fantastic break! Jon
Awesome "Hiyaking" long weekend, in a beautiful country!
Travelled as a group of 3, and we had an amazing time. Croatia is beautiful, the trip takes you to some amazing place, we loved the kayaking and hiking, and the camp site was lovely. Great wood fire, nice that tent was set up, fun to shower in the river, unique to have your own spring, grateful there was a charging point. Level was pretty easy the (although we three are pretty active). Food, breakfast and dinner, was really good and plentiful. Guide was funny.
Very happy I went
I was lucky with the people in the group, they were fun. The Croatian hosting company is also just great, their guides are really friendly, as well as the programme is very good and the right balance of pleasure and difficulty.
Amazing Weekend Trip- thoroughly recommend
Had the most amazing weekend break in Croatia. The activities and our guide Eugan were second to nine, Eugan absolutely made the trip for us. He is a credit to Much Better Adventures.
Leader - Eugen was absolutely
Leader - Eugen was absolutely fabulous - and made the trip memorable!
Place - Croatia was wonderful and Eugen took us to some fabulous places!
Campsite - was okay - good spot - basic facilities.
First day of rafting amazing. Second day terribly boring.
The tour was great. DD was a good host, I enjoyed hearing about some of Croatia's past. Day one was definitely my favourite and included jumping off a few waterfalls (optional) which was amazing. The first part of the river was filled with waterfalls and blue/green water. No litter at all and so beautiful. The second day was shorter and through a more desert-looking canyon. Which contrasted strongly with day 1. You don't need to bring too much for lunch as breakfast is quite substantial. But bringing lunch did cause some confusion about how much to bring.
Technically it's absolutely fine for beginners although I have a decent amount of experience kayaking. Some level of fitness for day 2 makes it easier as there was less natural river flow.
Overall, definitely recommended!
This really was a much better adventure than I thought it would be. You never know if these things will be lame, but it wasn’t. It wasn’t hardcore. But it was a fun effort. Great for solos, couples or friends. Our guide, Ivan, was probably the most enthusiastic and friendly person you could hope for! And, luckily, our particular group of eight consisted of a bunch of great and sound characters - mostly from England, but also from the Netherlands and Greece :). The scenery was dramatic, high, lush and barren, and waterfalls roared peacefully. Snakes lurk, but are mostly harmless… Bring snacks for lunch. Bring water shoes. And either a waterproof camera or a simple waterproof phone case/bag so you can quickly grab the shots you want. It was also my birthday, and it couldn’t have been a better place to spend it.
Very nice adventure trip. Beautiful places, nice people and food. Would do it again 100%
Beautiful nature! Great time with new friends. Laura was the best host I could imagine. Camping spot was just perfect, quiet and wild.
My family and I had a fantastic time (6 of us, ranging in age from 20-65). Even before leaving for our trip, our contact, Kristina, was very helpful and responded promptly to our queries. Our guide, Didi, was excellent. From the moment we arrived he was a great host, always making sure that we had everything we needed and that we were comfortable in camp. He was easy to talk to and he gave us a good insight into what local life was like. Whilst kayaking he put our safety first and made us feel in very safe hands whilst also enabling us to have lots of fun. He knows the river and local area very well which complemented the whole experience. I also have to mention the chef, Marina, who prepared delicious meals for us, including vegetarian options (which can’t have been easy in traditional, rural Croatia!). Thank you all so much, would highly recommend this experience!
Overall, beautiful scenery and fun paddling location, but not quite the trip we were expecting for the price. The river is quite low in September so most of the exciting rapids shown in the video are not as pictured, though thankfully the waterfall drop is still navigable (and very fun!). The camping is not wild at all, but just pop up tents at the base camp and car transport back and forth between camp and the raft kayak return / sea kayak start. We got stormed out of the second day kayak, which wasn't handled very smoothly and put an additional damper on the trip after the camping disappointment, but Edis let the three of us still in town return a few days later to redo it and we were very glad to not miss paddling the beautiful canyon to the sea.
Overall the trip was good, the host and guide was brilliant and the organisation was great.
Day 1 kayaking on the river was beautiful and just what I was hoping for (a bit more water in the river would have helped but we can't do much about a summer draught). The group dynamic was great and the difficulty level was good, perhaps a little easier than I'd have proffered but really it was the location not the difficulty I was going for.
Unfortunately day 2 kayaking didn't happen. We were advised the weather wasn't good as it was too windy. It was a shame that we didn't even try though because it wasn't at all windy at the campsite. I sort of felt we were being discouraged because it was a bit cold and wet. Personally I thought we'd have been fine to go out with full wetsuits, and if it had been too windy we could have turned back but they never even loaded the boats.
The guide did take us on a scenic road trip back to Zadar but we were back at the bus station at about 2 pm so it didn't feel like we'd had a two day trip at all. Shame really.
Amazing trip. I would highly recommend for singles or for couples.. the scenery is just stunning. Bring a head torch…
A thoroughly enjoyable trip - kayaking was great fun if not hard on the arms for two days.
Camping is rustic and cramped with pop up tents for two - not the most comfortable experience.
Great scenery and beautiful surroundings. Our host was delightful and knowledgeable and ensured everyone had a great experience.
We had a brilliant time kayaking the rapids on the Zrmanja River on the first day and then kayaking through the canyon and out to sea on day two. Our guide, Davor, was brilliant - really friendly, helpful and engaging, and we had a lovely, small group. We had some bad weather but the organisers were quick to adjust the itinerary to make sure we were safe. The campsite was quite basic and the tents were a little small, but the food was absolutely delicious. (Thanks Marina!) I can highly recommend this experience - though some previous kayaking experience would definitely be an advantage, particularly for the longer haul on the second day.
A fun weekend but not exactly as sold - the kayaking level is definitely harder than advertised and the camping was not 'wild'. I enjoyed the company of a lovely group!
Renee was our fantastic leader. He gave clear instructions, had loads of local knowledge and had a positive and fun outlook. The first day kayaking down the rapids was great.
Host was lovely , kayaking was a great experience and the views are stunning .
Fantastic trip - incredible scenery with quite a variety each day. Camping was not exactly wild, but very enjoyable. Great guide, and a really fun group!
Had a great time, would book again
Stefan was amazing, really knowledgeable and friendly. The group we were with were good fun - lots of laughs for the whole trip. Really different kayaking experiences across the two days - the first day was kayaking down rapids and jumping in waterfalls and the second day was a more chilled sea kayaking day. Great trip away!!
Absolutely loved the trip, met some great people, our guide (stefan) was really friendly and very knowledgeable about the river and surrounding nature. 100% would recommend. Although the camp sites do have facilities so not as wild camping as you may think!
A great trip in a beautiful place. Our guide Stefan was knowledgable, interesting and very much cared for the well-being and enjoyment of the group. Particular highlights were crossing the Novi Zad sea, and the waterfall rapids.
So much fun - beautiful part of the world and a great way to see it! Our guide Andro was great fun. I will be coming back to Croatia!
Breakfast was great, the structure of every day, the friendly skipper and host, Luka and Stepijan.
The staff were amazing, the food was great and the kayaking also.
We partner with the World Land Trust to ensure this trip achieves Net-Zero emissions. We also support their Buy an Acre programme, helping local communities to buy and protect natural habitats in perpetuity.
What's the number?
It works out on average at 42kg of CO2 emissions per person, including all local transport, accommodation, food, activities, guides, staff and office operations.
The only thing it doesn’t include right now is flights and travel to the destination. We do make an overall estimate across all our customers separately, but as we don’t book flights, have customers from all corners of the world, and no way of reliably knowing their travel plans, we simply can’t include an individual number in the figure on display here. We’ve got a goal to fix that, so that when you book, there is a way to measure and mitigate the carbon emitted by your flight too.
But what does the number mean?
Yep, hard to picture eh? To give you an idea:
- Driving 1000miles/1609km would be approx. 281kg of CO2 in an average car (or 140.5kg per person if there was 2 of you in it).
- A return economy class flight London - New York would be approx. 1,619kg (1.66 tonnes) per person.
- 10 trees in a temperate forest are estimated to remove approx. 250kg of CO2 from the air in a period of 5-10 years.
What are we doing about it?
Our trips are relatively low-carbon by design, and we're working with all our hosts to develop long term carbon reduction plans. We partner with the World Land Trust to ensure this trip achieves Net-Zero emissions. We also support their Buy an Acre programme, helping local communities to buy and protect natural habitats in perpetuity, ensuring the protection of the reserve and its wildlife.
Want to know more?
Amazingly, no international travel company has ever publicly published their carbon measurements before, as far as we know. We believe that must change, quickly. So we’re openly sharing the method we used in the hope that other companies will be able to more easily follow suit and build on what we've done so far. You'll find it all here.
Marta Marinelli, raised in Italy’s serene Prosecco Hills, dreamt of global adventures, inspired by her father's travel stories. Her passion evolved into a career, backed by a decade of studies including degrees in international tourism and destination management. She’s worked in the adventure travel sector since 2012, living in Italy, the UK, and now sunny Portugal.
Over twenty years, Marta has explored over 55 countries, visiting remote areas like Ghana, Rwanda, Sao Tome and Principe, Haiti and Nepal’s Upper Mustang region. As a Senior Adventure Expansion Manager at Much Better Adventures, she focuses on creating life-changing experiences, ranging from multi-activity adventures, challenging treks to ultimate adventures in iconic places. She loves the challenge of finding the best local adventure hosts around the world, collaborating on adventures that offer genuine immersion, pushing beyond the beaten path and working on exclusive itineraries that challenge your comfort zone.
What makes her tick? Enabling people to live adventure-rich lives while positively impacting and empowering local communities around the world, generating sustainable opportunities for both the host, guides, community, and the environment.
Sure can! Over 70% of our travellers travel solo, it’s a great way to meet like-minded people.
Yes, anything that you don't need for the trip itself can be kept securely ready to pick up once you've finished kayaking.
The local tap water is safe to drink. Please bring along your own reusable water bottles (at least 1.5L) to fill up to avoid buying single-use plastic bottles.
This trip visits locations where daytime temperatures can be extremely high during the times of year when this trip operates. High humidity and limited access to shade can also be factors, and warm temperatures can continue into the nighttime, which additionally influence the body’s ability to cool down. Personal care should be taken to keep cool as best possible in the conditions, such as wearing appropriate clothing and proper hydration. Very high temperatures can impair an individual’s physical abilities to perform an activity that they may otherwise be able to do competently at cooler temperatures. People may experience symptoms associated with dehydration and Heat Stroke. Your guide(s) are trained to mitigate the risks associated with high temperatures, by carefully managing the intensity of the activity, and to provide the appropriate support response should someone feel ill during the trip. Should you experience health issues during your trip you should inform your guide immediately so the proper care can be provided.
Our recommended travel insurance provider is Campbell Irvine.
Travel insurance is compulsory for all of our adventures and you are required to provide your policy information before departing.
Your insurance should include adequate protection for overseas medical treatment, evacuation/repatriation, your baggage and equipment and the specific activities involved on your adventure. We also strongly recommend it includes cancellation and curtailment insurance, should you be unable to join your trip for specific reasons such as illness.
We fully endorse Campbell Irvine as their insurance offers all of the above, so get in touch with them or call on 020 7938 1734 to get your insurance sorted. We suggest that you book travel insurance as soon as you book your adventure, just to cover you for any last-minute life changes. We know you’re an active lot and injuries do happen!
We automatically convert prices from the local currency that a host receives to your chosen currency. We update our exchange rates on a daily basis so this does mean that prices displayed on the site are subject to currency fluctuations, which is why you may see them change over time.
If you wish to change the currency you pay in, head to the bottom of the page.
All of our group adventures are specially designed for adults to enjoy (18+) as we want these adventures to bring together outdoorsy people who are truly like-minded. Children can be accommodated on some private departures.
You're always in good company on one of our adventures.
Our trips are typically made up of a mixture of solo travellers and small groups of 2 or 3 friends, with most in their 30s-50s.
Our sociable adventures are solo-friendly by design and naturally attract outdoorsy people with a shared mindset; a love for adventure, a desire to push themselves and meet awesome, like-minded people along the way.
It’s this camaraderie that has so often turned a great adventure into a life-changing one.
Don't just take our word for it:
- 95% of people rate the group dynamics on our trips 5/5
- 90% of people recommend joining a trip to make new friends
- 75% of people have met people on our trips that they would now consider friends
See here for more info about the Much Better Adventures tribe.
Interested in a more exclusive experience? Opt for a 'Private Group' through the dates and prices tab to book this adventure for just you and your chosen companions.
Our team of Adventure Hunters create exclusive adventures with highly vetted, specialist hosts. We only work with independent, local in-destination experts who know the very best places to explore and how to stay safe. Read more information about the local teams we partner with.
Much Better Adventures refer to the UK Government’s official travel advice when designing trips and monitoring trip operations. We recommend that all customers are familiar with the practical information provided on the Government’s FCDO website, where current travel advice can be found by searching for the applicable destination(s).
For customers joining this trip from other international destinations – please also read the official travel advice applicable to your country of residence/origin, as this may differ.
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DEPARTURE DATES
Thursday • 8th August 2024
to Sunday • 11th August 2024
Fully Booked
Thursday • 15th August 2024
to Sunday • 18th August 2024
Hurry, only 3 spaces left
Thursday • 29th August 2024
to Sunday • 1st September 2024
Fully Booked
