Mountain Country
Risnjak National Park, Croatia

2012 Prices and Departure dates

Other dates on request. Please note that the minimum number of persons for this trip is 4. In case there are not enough participants, we will offer you a similar alternative – Clear Rivers Country or Land of Waterfalls, or full refund.

Currency converter

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
• Park entrance fees
• 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: 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 Delnice

Arrival in Croatia. A Huck Finn guide will be waiting for you at Zagreb or Rijeka airport, bus or train station. You will be transferred to your accommodation in Delnice, 1h30 drive from Zagreb or 1h drive from Rijeka. After settling into your room, you can have a drink on the terrace, go for a walk in the town or just relax. Meet the other members of the group over dinner and discuss the upcoming holiday with your guide.

Meals: D

Day 2 - Sun: Hiking / walking in Risnjak National Park

Our hotel in Delnice is situated near the entrance to the national park. The Risnjak mountain range is named after a rare animal that inhabits its woods – the lynx. The pristine park covers an area of 63,5 km2 and includes both the Risnjak and Snježnik ranges and the source area of the Kupa river. The diversity of the flora and fauna is admired by scientists and nature enthusiasts alike. We start our hike from Crni lug, the seat of the Park’s management. The educational trail "Leska" will lead us towards our goal – “Big Risnjak”, the highest point of the mountain. Schlosser’s mountain hut, situated 100m below the peak, is probably one of the most beautiful mountain huts in Croatia. After resting and enjoying the amazing view over the sea, other peaks of Gorski Kotar and even the Alps, we will descend slowly back to Crni Lug and complete the educational trail.

Meals: B and D (picnic lunch on your own); Van ride: 20min one way; hiking: 7-9 miles; Terrain: moderate, well marked paths; Elevation: 5013 ft (1528 m, “Big Risnjak”)

Day 3 - Mon: Kupa River kayaking / canoeing

A special way to discover and explore the natural beauties of Gorski Kotar region is by paddling down the clear and green Kupa River. Spend a relaxing day on the water while enjoying beautiful nature. We use open canoes or sit-on-top kayaks for 2 persons with optional child seat. During high water season (usually before June and after September) we use professional Sotar rafting boats for max 10 persons, with one trained guide in each boat. We will drive from Delnice to our starting point by the Kupa River. After providing you with the equipment, preparing the boats and giving you paddling and safety instructions, we will start our expedition through the impressive canyon and a landscape of forests. Time permitting, we will visit the Zeleni Vir waterfall and Vrazji Prolaz Canyon (the Devil's Passage) before returning back to our hotel for dinner.

Meals: B and D (picnic lunch on your own); Van ride: 30 min one way; Kayaking: class I-II, easy/moderate, 2-3 hours

Day 4 - Tue: Cycling / biking in Kupa River valley

The source area of the Kupa River is beyond doubt one of the most beautiful places in Gorski Kotar. The Kupa River forms a natural border between Croatia and Slovenia. It springs from a karstic well at the Park's lowest point, forming a turquoise pond some 200 m long and 30 m wide. This natural phenomenon is one of the deepest and strongest river sources in Croatia and remains a mystery to the scientists. The Kupa flows through a picturesque valley, also known as the mysterious valley of butterflies - more than 500 species of butterflies are found in the area! We will start biking along the Leska Route in the park and bike towards Razloge, a little village above the Kupa River source. The route leads through small villages and forest paths, where the fresh clean air will renew your senses. Once in Razloge, we'll descend to the Kupa source and enjoy a picnic at this magical spot. You will most certainly feel the desire to take a swim in clear transparent water, but the temerature of merely 7 degrees Celsius will probably discourage you from having a swim. After the break, back on the road along the river. The bridge crossing the Cabranka River by Zamost is also a border crossing to Slovenia. After a short passport procedure, we will bike along the Slovenian bank of the green Kupa River to Brod where we will cross back to Croatia.We will have time to relax and go for a swim or a cold drink.

Meals: B and D (picnic lunch on your own); Cycling: easy/moderate, 3-4 hours

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, explore Delnice, exercise in the gym or even take another optional bike tour on your own. Sea kayaking to Rovinj in Istria 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: Kayaking / canoeing on the Mreznica River

The day of kayaking on the Mreznica starts in front of Zeleni kut hotel/restaurant in Zvecaj village. After a break and a coffee on the terrace overlooking the waterfalls, we head upstream for an afternoon of refreshing fun on the clear, warm and emerald waters of this  river. Due to its biological diversity and variety of habitats, the Mreznica area should soon be categorized as a Croatian nature park. It is a 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 numerous waterfalls and enjoying beautiful nature. After a light picnic, we'll paddle back to the hotel. On our way back to Delnice we will visit the impressive Kamacnik canyon, a protected landscape in Vrbovsko county. The trail leas over rock edges and wooden bridges that overlook a murmuring creek to a beautiful green valley and a clearing that holds a deep, dark lake - the well of Kamacnik.

Meals: B and D (picnic lunch on your own); Van ride: 1h30 one way; Kayaking: class I-II, easy/moderate, 3-4 hours

Day 7 - Fri: Hiking / walking in Ucka Nature Park

We start our journey with a drive to Lovran, a charming little coastal town at the foot of Ucka, the highest mountain of the Istrian peninsula. Ucka Nature Park displays great variety of regional features within a relatively small area. This is where the Mediterranean and continental climates meet, resulting in a unique spectrum of flora and fauna. Thus, this is the only place on Earth where you can enjoy taking pictures of steno endemic Ucka's Bellflower (Campanula tomassiniana), and it is also one of the very last European sites where you will be rewarded by the impressive silhouettes of the Griffon Vulture (Gyps fulvus) or Golden Eagle (Aquila chrysaetos). Hiking trails from Lovranska Draga will lead us to the highest peak Vojak (5.45 miles). This is a sightseeing point that offers a breathtaking panoramic view of the Croatia’s northern coast and islands, the mountains of Gorski Kotar, the Italian Alps and the Dolomites and the whole of the Istrian peninsula. The way back takes us across “Little Ucka” towards our starting point. Later in the afternoon we will visit Opatija. This elegant tourist destination is the oldest resort on the Adriatic coast, and is a land of contrasts:  sea and mountains, green parks and blue sea, old buildings and modern comforts, busy entertainment venues and quiet destinations for excursions.

Meals: B and D (picnic lunch on your own); Van ride: 1h30 one way; hiking: 10-12 miles; Terrain: moderate, well marked paths; Elevation: 4.508 ft (1396m, Vojak)

Day 8 - Sat: Departure day 

Depart from Delnice 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

Just wanted to let you know that I had a fantastic trip and will be highly recommending it to my friends! Also a big thank you to Davor who was an excellent guide.

Cheers, Tracey