Clear Rivers Country

2012 Prices and Departure dates

Other dates on request

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NOTE: The prices are fixed in euros. This conversion is for comparison purposes only.
The exact price in dollars or pounds is calculated on the day of booking according to the exchange rate of the Croatian National Bank.

High season - July 14 - August 24, 2012
Intermediate season - June 9 - July 13, August 25 - September 14, 2012
Low season - April 21 - June 8, September 15 - October 5, 2012

All prices are per person, in EUR.

Prices include:

• 7 nights in double/twin rooms
• 2 meals per day (dinner day 1-breakfast day 8)
• use of bicycles, kayaks, canoes, paddles, life jackets, helmets
• use of neoprene shorts and booties in case of cold weather
• 5 days organized activities
• Plitvice Lakes National Park entrance fee
• local taxes and river permits
• Saturday transfers from/to Zagreb or Rijeka airport
• skilled English speaking guide and assistance
• ground transportation
• insurance

Not Included:

• international airfare to/from Croatia
• items of a personal nature and optional gratuities to your guide(s)
• optional trip on day 5
• beverages and lunches or picnics as noted in itinerary

Optional trips on Day 5 are NOT included in price and can be booked and paid on spot – the additional charge of approx 50€ per person is payable on site, and is dependent on suitable weather conditions. The price is based on a min. of 4 participants.

- Maximum number of participants: 16 guests per group. Larger groups on request.
- Minimum age: 8 years if accompanied by parent(s).
- Children discount: valid for children 8-14 years of age if accompanied by an adult. One child enjoying discount shares parents’ room; two or more children can have their own room.
- Rooms: Zeleni kut hotel offers rooms from 1 to 4 beds.

Single use rooms are available upon request, with 20% surcharge. Sharing a room with another person is possible.

Detailed Itinerary

Day 1 - Sat: Arrival in Zvecaj village 

Arrival in Croatia. A Huck Finn 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: D

Day 2 - Sun: Rafting on the Dobra River

(Please note that if the water level is not appropriate, we will transfer the excursion to another nearby river or kayak down the Mreznica).

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: B and D (picnic lunch on your own); Rafting: class II-III, easy/moderate, 2.5 hours; Drive: 20 min one way

Day 3 - Mon: 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 or open canoes 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: B and D (picnic lunch on your own); Canoeing / kayaking: class I-II, easy/moderate, 3-4 hours

Day 4 - Tue: 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: B and D (picnic lunch on your own); Walking / hiking: 4 hours; Terrain: easy, well marked paths; Drive: 1h45 one way

Day 5 - Wed: Optional trip day

For those who chose a 5-day trip, this is the end of your holiday. You are welcome to schedule your homeward transport for any time.
The rest of the group continues the trip. 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. Several optional walking / hiking, canoeing or sightseeing trips will be proposed, in case you are keen on discovering more beauties that Croatia has to offer.

Meals: B and D (picnic lunch on your own)

Day 6 - Thu: 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: B and D (picnic lunch on your own); Cycling / biking: 3 hours; Terrain: easy/moderate, rolling hills

Day 7 - Fri: 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: B and D (picnic lunch on your own); Canoeing / kayaking: class II-III, moderate, 4 - 5 hours; Drive: 40 min one way

Day 8 - Sat: Departure day

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: B

Note on the itinerary:

This itinerary and the duration of the activities are subject to change due to group abilities and preferences, weather conditions and forecasts, water levels, special events of interest, etc. Huck Finn guides and trip leaders will do their utmost to ensure the best possible experience for their clients without compromising safety at any time. This may mean changing the original itinerary to avoid discomfort or risk which could be caused by exceptional situations. Huck Finn reserves the right to alter the itinerary without prior notice.

Contact for booking

Gorana Bajcetic
gorana@huck-finn.hr
Mob: +385/(0)99 314 7373
Tel. +385/(0)1 618 3333

If you are contacting us by e-mail, please include the following information in your request:

• number of persons in your party
• average age
• your preferred date(s)
• contact telephone number
• means of travel to / in Croatia
• other preferences

Gear List

This gear list has been created to help you in choosing your equipment for the trip. Try to bring only what is necessary, this will help you and the field staff. In addition to your usual clothing you should consider bringing along some other items which will make your activities more enjoyable. Required gear for paddling and cycling is provided. 
Clothing:

• Few lightweight, casual, easily washable items for travel and daily wear
• Hiking shorts, synthetic
• T-shirts (at least 1 synthetic)
• Swimmwear
• Brimmed sun hat

Outerwear:

• Lightweight rain jacket, waterproof and breathable

Footwear:

• Lightweight hiking shoes
• Water shoes for kayaking/ rafting (stiff sole sandals)

Travel Accessories:

• Water bottle or hydration pack
• Sunglasses
• Sunblock and lip balm
• Personal first aid kit
• Small backpack

Optional Accessories:

• Camera (waterproof), film/memory cards and spare batteries

Reviews

We had a fantastic family holiday on Mreznica River last month. In particular this was due to Huck Finn's organisation and your guide, Robi. He was great! We are a family of 4 with 2 teenage children. It was the best family holiday we have had. Robi was excellent in taking us through the water activities in a way that made us feel excited but also safe. He gave clear safety
instructions (which is not easy to our teenage children) and got a good balance between being authoritative and friendly. Robi offered to eat with us each evening in the hotel Zeleni Hut and his conversation made him very good company. We learned a lot about the history and culture of Croatia. He worked long hours during the week but made us all feel that he was enjoying it which of course made us happy!
I don't think I have ever written a spontaneous letter of recommendation before, so this is an indication of how pleased I was with Robi. Please would you pass on our thanks to him?
Regards,

D.R., UK

Hello all Huck Finners,
We had a fantastic trip on Country of Clear Water tour with Branimir. He is a fantastic guide, the best in Europe!  Wanted to let you know we enjoyed his professionalism, enthusiasm, energy, and ability to conform to weather problems, additional clients on random days, and all of our needs.  Thanks to him we are still smiling!
Cheers,

G.C. and M.W., USA

Thank you so much for providing us with a terrific teambuilding trip to 'incredible' Clear River Country in Croatia.  We had an amazing time and not one thing went wrong from your side (which I find amazing).
Marko Obranovic did a SUPER job.  He is an amazing guide and a really top notch professional and manager.  I cannot say enough good things about him.  You have yourself a real star there and I am sure he will go far in his career with your company!
I will spread the word to everyone I know about what fantastic trips and service you offer! Thanks again and kind regards,

T.L., UK