Canoeing Holidays in Croatia

Clear Rivers of Croatia

This multi-activity adventure holiday will take you along the Mreznica and Dobra rivers and through Plitvice Lakes National Park. You will explore this unique area on foot, by bike or from a kayak. Our guides will seize every opportunity to steer you away from the busy everyday life ensuring a truly memorable experience which you will cherish for many years to come. The Mreznica is considered one of Croatia's cleanest rivers, with plenty of great places for swimming, canoeing / kayaking and rafting. The river is 64 km long, and is special for its 93 waterfalls and pools of warm water between them: perfect for refreshment away from beach crowds. Clear green water, unspoiled woods and magical landscapes make it one of Croatia’s most desirable continental retreats

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Itinerary / Highlights

Day 1- Saturday: Arrival in Zvecaj village

Arrival in Croatia. Your guide will be waiting for you at Zagreb or Rijeka airport, bus or train station. If previously arranged, the pickup may be at Karlovac or Zvecaj bus or train station. You will be transferred to your accommodation situated 70 km from Zagreb in Zvecaj village, by the Mreznica River. After settling into your room, you can have a drink on the terrace overlooking the Mreznica and its waterfalls, walk by the river, go for a swim or just relax. Meet the other members of the group over dinner and discuss the upcoming itinerary with your guide.
Meals: dinner

Day 2: Rafting on the Dobra River
After breakfast we will head out to Lesce village where our trip on the Dobra River begins. The Dobra is the second largest river in the Gorski Kotar region. It offers good rafting conditions all year round because of its dams and reservoirs. The river has a long tradition of conducting commercial rafting trips, which date back almost two decades. Paddling all together as a crew, we will pass through a breathtaking landscape filled with green forests, meadows and hills. The rapids are not difficult and we’ll easily conquer them in our 6-10 person rafts. The trip ends in Jarcepolje village. Time permitting, we will cross an ancient bridge over the Dobra and visit a 15th century fortress town, Novigrad na Dobri. Both the bridge and the fortress are state-protected cultural heritage monuments of great historical value. Return to Zvecaj in the afternoon and relax until dinner. (Please note that if the water level is not appropriate, we will transfer the excursion to another nearby river.)
Meals: breakfast and dinner (picnic lunch on your own); Rafting: class II-III, easy/moderate, 2.5 hours; Drive: 20 min one way

Day 3: Canoeing / Kayaking on the Mreznica River
The day of canoeing / kayaking on the Mreznica starts in front of the hotel. We use two-person sit-on-top kayaks which are easy and safe to navigate. After a short introduction to paddling, we push off upstream for an afternoon of refreshing fun on the clear, warm and emerald waters of this river with numerous waterfalls. Due to its biological diversity and variety of habitats, the Mreznica area should soon be categorized as a Croatian Nature Park. It is home to many endangered and protected plant and animal species that you may get a chance to observe. These include 4 species of birds from the "red list“ of the International Union for the Conservation of Nature - the Golden Eagle, the Lesser Spotted Eagle, the Western Capercaillie and the Great White Egret. The day will be filled with swimming, jumping off the waterfalls and enjoying beautiful nature. After a light picnic, we'll paddle back to the hotel.
Meals: breakfast and dinner (picnic lunch on your own); Canoeing / kayaking: class I-II, easy/moderate, 3-4 hours

Day 4: Walking / Hiking in Plitvice Lakes National Park
Early in the morning we start our ride through lovely countryside roads towards Plitvice Lakes, the first Croatian National Park. Once at Plitvice, we have the day to explore it on foot. Plitvice Lakes National Park is a spectacular geological and hydrogeological karst phenomenon, a sequence of sixteen turquoise lakes linked together with cascading falls and travertine pools. The lakes are surrounded by beech and pine forests and are home to extensive wildlife. The richness of flora and fauna attracts visitors and scientists from all over the world. UNESCO has declared it with all rights as a World Natural Heritage site. We’ll pass through the National Park following narrow paths, crossing over wooden bridges and even taking a boat ride on Lake Kozjak.
Meals: breakfast and dinner (picnic lunch on your own); Walking / hiking: 4 hours; Terrain: easy, well marked paths; Drive: 1h45 one way

Day 5 - Optional trip day
Today you can be as active or as lazy as you wish. You can relax by the river, swim, play beach volleyball or even take another optional bike tour on your own. Sea kayaking to Rovinj in Istria will be proposed, as well as several optional walking / hiking or sightseeing trips, in case you are keen on discovering more beauties that Croatia has to offer.
Meals: breakfast and dinner (picnic lunch on your own)

Day 6 - Cycling / Biking in the Mreznica area
A well-paced bike tour through villages and along country roads is a great way to experience Croatia much more closely than from a vehicle. There are many trails in the Mreznica area well-adapted for cycling / biking tours. We'll start from the hotel and meander past numerous small family farms and homesteads. There are great places to take breaks along the road and look out over the valleys and fields. You will be able to go for a swim in the river and enjoy a picnic lunch on the bank. For those who still want to explore the area after the tour, they can bike to other places of interests on their own, with previous directions given by the guide.
Meals: breakfast and dinner (picnic lunch on your own); Cycling / biking: 3 hours; Terrain: easy/moderate, rolling hills

Day 7 - Canoeing / Kayaking on upper gorge section of the Mreznica
Back on the water this morning in upper Mreznica canyon. Our route takes us from the hotel to Primislje village, where we'll start our expedition upstream. We travel through a gorge so narrow and deep that the sun enters for only a few hours each day, around noon, creating spectacular light effects. Passing by cliffs of carved white rocks, lush vegetation and cascading waterfalls, we will arrive at a strong freshwater spring. We continue our journey to the second highest waterfall on the Mreznica (8m), a magical place ideal for swimming and a picnic. After a break, we head downstream and finish the adventure back where we left our vehicles. Ride back to the hotel in the late afternoon.
Meals: breakfast and dinner (picnic lunch on your own); Canoeing / kayaking: class II-III, moderate, 4 - 5 hours; Drive: 40 min one way

Day 8 - Departure
Depart from Zvecaj Village 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: breakfast

Other Details

Accommodation Details

The accommodation is a friendly, family-run, 3* hotel on the bank of Mreznica River, approximately one hour drive from Zagreb and Rijeka airports. The restaurant overlooks an old mill close to a small waterfall and serves freshly caught fish, as well as home-grown vegetables. Barbecues are also a speciality of the house. All rooms are equipped with en suite bathrooms, TV, mini bar, telephone and have Internet access.

Departure Dates, Options & Prices

7-day half board package in a double room:
July 14 – August 24 740,00
June 09 - July 13, August 25 - Sept 14 670,00
Apr 21 - June 08, Sept 15-Oct 19 560,00

7-day half board package in a single room
July 14 – August 24 888,00
June 9-July 13, August 25-Sept 14 804,00
May 26-June 8, Sept 15-Oct 5 672,00

Children discount (10%) is valid for children 8-14 years of age if accompanied by an adult. 1 child enjoying discount shares parents’ room, 2 or more children can have their own room.

+385 23 386479