2025 June 19 to 27
Prices listed are per person:
Shared Room: $7798
Private Room: $8998
Physical Challenge
Highlights
Raft the Cetina River
Experience the rich food and culture of Croatia!
Take a hike through time in the Polijicka Republika!
Zipline above the beautiful Cikola River!
Admire the beautiful views on our Paklenica Hike!
Venture along the wooden paths and bridges of the Plitvice Lakes National Park!
Explore the Samobor Highlands and local architecture!
Lavish in the rich culture of the capital city of Zagreb!
Overview
Enjoy the 1700-year-old city of Split then fly high above the beautiful terrain on a Zipline. Take a hike in the Polijcka Republika area and witness the remains of Middle Age communities. Experience the cool island terrain of Kornati National Park by speedboat. Take a casual rafting (or kayaking) trip down the Zrmanja River and witness why it’s known for its crystal clear waters. Prepare yourself for the breathtaking views on our Paklenica hike. Walk the handcrafted wooden paths that wind through the beautiful Plitvice Lakes. Hike and enjoy the Baroque architecture in Samobor and experience their famous Kremšnite dessert. Explore the capital city of Zagreb and take in the rich culture. All of this, with unique culinary delights to try along the way!
Day 1: Split and Welcome Dinner
Welcome to the city of Split, a 1700-year-old city that’s splitting at the seams with culture, and will be our home for the first three nights of the tour. This UNESCO location is stunning with landmarks like The Diocletian’s Palace, Peristil, and St. Doimus’s Cathedral. We recommend that you arrive early so you can enjoy the seemingly endless opportunities to experience unique architecture, art, music, and recreation. Split is surrounded by the lush Marjan park forest, known to many as the lungs of the city. Tonight we will enjoy a welcome dinner and get to know our travel mates for the next 11 days.
Day 2: Rafting in Omis
After breakfast and, we will transfer to Omis for a morning of beautiful rafting. The Cetina River flows into the sea in the city of Omiš. It has carved out the deepest canyon in the region over thousands of years. As we make your way down the river, we’ll be able to take in the stunning scenery of lush forests and rugged cliffs. Starting from an altitude of 1,263 ft above sea level, the Cetina River descends to the Adriatic Sea, providing an exciting rafting experience that’s suitable for all ages. You’ll only need basic swimming experience to participate in the 6 mile rafting tour.
After rafting, we’ll have the chance to change into dry clothes before departing on a short transfer to a nearby village for a delicious lunch.
After the adrenaline has worn off, we will return to Split, then have time to freshen up and enjoy free time to explore Split.
Day 3: Krka National Park – Hiking
Say goodbye to Split, as today we will travel further up the coast to Krka National Park. Krka National Park is home to the 22nd longest river in Croatia, the Krka River. The Krka River has seven waterfalls with a total drop in altitude of 242 meters. We’ll be taking a trail that passes the Roski slap while we make our way to the Skradinski Buk, the biggest waterfall of the seven! We will then conclude the day’s adventures by heading to Sibenik where will enjoy dinner with a view of the spectacular St. James Cathedral, which has been on the UNESCO World Heritage List since 2000.
Day 4: Kornati National Park – Snorkeling
After breakfast, we prepare for a day of beauty and speed in Kornati National Park. Bring your suit today for some amazing snorkeling as we head out on an unforgettable cruise through a breathtaking archipelago of 89 uninhabited islands, islet, and reefs. We will cruise beneath high vertical cliffs, some that tower 80 meters above the sea. We’ll experience a truly extraordinary landscape with numerous bays of clear water. It is not uncommon to see gulls gliding on the wind, sea turtles, or a pod of playful dolphins. We will have lunch at a small restaurant, dining on freshly caught seafood, prepared traditionally.
Day 5: Zadar and Ziplining
Get ready for an exhilarating 1.4 km zipline adventure that will send your adrenaline soaring! Feel the rush as we glide through the stunning landscapes of the Cikola River canyon, soaring between heights of 120 and 30 meters.
With three ziplines—measuring 820, 1640, and an impressive 2132 feet—you’ll experience thrilling speeds of up to 40 mph! But don’t rush—take a moment to soak in the natural beauty that surrounds you.
Nestled at the foot of Mount Svilaja, the Cikola River gracefully winds through the enchanting Petrovo field. This captivating river is home to a breathtaking 426 feet-deep canyon boasting 298 species of plants, mysterious caves, and ancient medieval fortresses—all part of a protected area. Witnessing this untouched wilderness from a bird’s-eye view is an experience like no other, especially when you’re safely harnessed in.
After lunch, we will head to Zadar, a city with a rich culture and history spanning over 3,000 years. Here we will have the opportunity to visit the ancient Roman Forum, visit medieval churches, or visit interesting museums in the historic old town as the afternoon is free to explore.
Day 6: Paklenica National Park – Hiking – All-Terrain Vehicles
Today we depart Zadar in all-terrain vehicles and head up to the Veliko Rujno plateau. This will be a 60-minute drive including periodic breaks to gaze out at the breathtaking sights of the Zadar archipelago and hinterland. Then we hike through Veliko and Malo Rujno. Along the way we will see unique summer homes, both old and new, revealing the passage of time and the Our Lady of Assumptions Church, greatly admired by the locals. We will have a 2-hour walk uphill as we continue our hike towards Paklenica National Park which will bring us to Strazbenica, one of the most beautiful viewpoints of Paklenica Pinus Nigra. Lunch will be served in a mountain hut, and then it is time for the downhill journey, a lovely 2.5-hour hike.
Before heading to Velika Paklenica Gorge, we’ll take a break for refreshments, then hike along Velika Paklenica Creek to a point where we will descend through the impressive gorge and after 6-7 hours and a lovely day we will enjoy an evening at leisure.
Day 7: Plitvice National Park Hiking and Zagreb
Croatia’s capital Zagreb will be our final destination today. Along the drive, we will stop at Plitvice National Park. Here we will take a day hike along wooden paths and bridges around the Plitvice Lakes. This is a UNESCO World Heritage Site and we’ll be able to see more than 90 waterfalls, numerous caves along with the exquisite series of 16 emerald green and blue travertine lakes. At the end lies a panoramic boat and train ride, ready to take us back to the start.
We will then head to Zagreb, stopping for lunch along the way, enjoying the exquisite scents and flavors of local Lika cuisine. Tonight we are free for an evening of exploring the city.
Day 8: Samobor Highlands Hiking
Today we set off toward the town of Samobor, where we will enjoy a leisurely hike less than an hour drive from Zagreb. The Zumbeaka and Samobor Highland Nature Park stretches over the hilly slopes of the Zumberak Mountain. The large variety of hiking trails attracts hikers, climbers, and nature enthusiasts from central Croatia.
After our hike, we will take some time to visit the small town of Samobor – where we can take in the beautiful Baroque architecture. They say you cannot visit Samobor without stopping for coffee and Kremšnite, a puff pastry with a delicious custard cream filling. We will definitely stop for a coffee break and a tasty treat.
This evening, we’ll have a guided tour of the Old Town, so you don’t miss any of the exciting sights. Then our Farewell Dinner to wrap up a fantastic tour.
Day 10: Departure Day
Today we have breakfast then check out of the hotel. There will be transfers to the Zagreb airport depending on your schedule.
Price Includes
Price includes: Airport transfers in and out of Croatia; Accommodations in a shared room; All activities as listed in the itinerary; All breakfasts, 5 lunches and 4 dinners; Services of knowledgeable local guides, and the services of a knowledgeable HE Travel tour host (with a minimum number of participants); HE Travel provides complimentary Medical & Evacuation Insurance for every US Resident on our group tours who does not have other coverage.
Not included: Airfare to and from Croatia; two lunches, 4 dinners; Gratuities to the national guide and HE Travel host; Personal items including some drinks at meals; alcoholic beverages, snacks, laundry, and telephone calls.
Tour Insurance
We strongly recommend the purchase of Trip Cancellation and Interruption insurance to protect your vacation investment in case of unforeseen circumstances such as flight delay, illness, or injury. Click Here to learn more about our Insurance partner.
Extensions
Stay longer and join our Alpenglow Tour
Everyone in Switzerland seems to hike, and once you’ve experienced a week in the Alps, you’ll understand why. On our gay hiking trip, you will revel in new panoramas every day: hike through fields of wildflowers and tiny alpine hamlets, past waterfalls and alongside cold, clear mountain streams.
When you take two tours Back-to-back, you get a discount! Contact us for details.
- What is the physical activity level of this tour?
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Physical Activity Level
The main daily activities involve hiking, snorkeling, kayaking, zip-lining and walking around town on guided tours. You should be comfortable hiking many miles on uneven surfaces and going up and downhill. We recommend hiking poles.
- Where does the tour start and end?
- This tour begins in Split, Croatia, and ends in the capital city of Zagreb.
- What will the hotels be like?
- We will be staying at four different hotels along the way. We have selected boutique hotels which have great locations in each city.