Croatia is really just a giant playground packed into one sun-drenched, bite-sized package. One minute you’re standing in the mist of the turquoise Plitvice Lakes, and the next, we’re trading waterfalls for the rugged, silent ridges of Risnjak National Park. I’ve designed this week to show you the best kind of whiplash—the transition from conquering a mountain peak to floating in the Adriatic by sunset. Between the trekking and paddling, we’ll dive deep into the Istrian food scene, hunting for truffles and sampling oysters that were in the sea just hours before. It’s high-energy, high-flavor, and exactly how Croatia is meant to be seen.
Conveniently nestled among the Adriatic Sea, Pannonian plains, and Dinaric Alps, Croatia is overflowing with national parks, waterfalls, spectacular wildlife, and idyllic landscapes—nowhere else in Europe can you encounter so many contrasting sceneries in a matter of hours. And as you revel in the blue and green hues of Istria and Gorski Kotar, take a break in charming towns and cities whose welcoming locals will take you on a gastro-journey with their delicacies and unique tradition. Let thousands of years of architecture take you back in time.
Included:
Add-ons:
Not included:
This tour is for beginner to intermediate hikers and bikers with good fitness and riding abilities. You should be able to hike for several hours per day, carrying a light daypack. Each day you will hike, bike, kayak or raft—usually for several hours, sometimes a bit longer.
The mountainous karst terrain can be challenging. On occasion, you might have to do some scrambling but there are always easier ways of getting around the difficult parts of the trail! That said, if you are looking for adventure and up to the task, you’ll be rewarded immensely.
Want to see what else is there in the area? Discover more active adventures in Croatia here!
During your stay in Zagreb, you will stay in a hotel in the city center. You will share double bedrooms with en suite bathrooms. In Plitvice and Crni Lug, you will stay in local guesthouses and sleep in double bedrooms with shared bathrooms. Each house has a local host, a kitchen, and a common area. The guesthouses provide mostly queen-sized beds with few twin beds. In Rovinj, you will stay in tourist apartments close to the sea.
Single supplement is available upon request—please reach out to us prior to booking!
Prior to the start of the route, the guide together with each traveler will review the material to ensure that everything necessary is available. Here’s a general list of the equipment you need to bring:
Dress comfortably and for the weather in clothes you can move in. We suggest bringing clothing appropriate for the season. Layers are best and don’t wear jeans.
Croatia is home to mostly steady weather, but you should be prepared with the right gear nonetheless. It’s pretty mild and sunny this time of year, but the same white cloud shielding you from sunbeams can easily turn into a stormcloud within minutes. Rest assured, your guide will know the correct course of action if the weather throws a curveball!
Group sizes and pricing
Min. age requirement:
If your group has hikers under the age of 18, contact us prior to booking to make arrangements.
We highly recommend that you cover all your bases with insurance. To make your booking and traveling experience as carefree as possible, you’ll be offered to simply insure your trip with Redpoint at checkout.
Redpoint—the official 57hours insurance partner—tailors protection packages for adventure travel, offering a comprehensive travel program, even in remote locations! Trip cancellation, natural disasters, pandemic coverage, medical evacuation, primary medical expenses—regardless of the travel interruption that may happen, Redpoint will have you covered.
To get to Zagreb, most people fly into Franjo Tuđman Airport in Zagreb. There are two options of reaching your accommodation in Zagreb from the airport, by public transport or taxi:
Other options include flying into Venice, Italy, or Beograd, Serbia, both 4 hours away from Zagreb. If you opt for a bus ride to Zagreb, there are two easy ways to reach the hotel from the main station, by tram and by taxi.
Once you and your guide agree on the details of your itinerary, your guide will suggest the best place to meet, likely at your hotel in the city center.
Deposits
Secure your spot with a 30% deposit upon booking! The remaining 70% of the trip price must be paid 90 days prior to departure at the latest. If booking within 90 days of departure, the full amount is required at the time of booking.
Cancellations
Booking fees are non-refundable after a 48-hour grace period. During checkout, however, you can choose one of 57hours’ flexibility options—Basic, Flexible, or Super Flexible. Depending on which one you choose, a different cancellation policy will apply to your booking.
Basic
Flexible
Super Flexible
