Croatia Hiking National Parks and Multisport Adventure Tour
Overview
Read HERE for info on 2023 Dates.
Get ready to have your mind blown multiple times over turquoise waters, frothing waterfalls, badass mountain summits, and medieval towns. Croatia will turn anyone into an annoying romantic. Book your week-long women’s multi-sport adventure tour featuring hiking, e-biking, mountain-summiting, sea kayaking, snorkeling, and plenty of Adriatic Sea swimming. You’ll explore ancient cities tripping through architectural history from ancient Roman, Venetian Gothic, Romanesque, and Medieval. Cycle through stupid-pretty Istrian Peninsula hilltop towns. Bust your booties through Plitvice Lakes and Paklenica National Parks. Climb a freaking Via Ferrata to summit Bojin Kuk. And float through the 80+ islands that make up Kornati National Park. BRB we need to pick our jaw up from off the ground.
Explore Zagreb, Croatia’s capital city
You and your Explorer Chick entourage will geek over all the architecture porn – from medieval stone gates to Gothic cathedrals. We’ll visit all the “musts” and gather for a welcome dinner in the Old Town. Did you just change your Insta handle to Croatia_Cutie? We are obsessed with you!
E-bikes, Wine, and Truffles in the Istrian countryside
What could be better than seeing tiny cutie towns? TASTING the wares of those tiny cutie towns! We’ll cruise the Parenzana trail on our E-Bikes, stopping in Grožnjan, Oprtalj, and Motovun for coffee, olive oil tastings, and a spectacular lunch. By evening, we’ll cycle to the top of Motovun for a stunning gargoyle view of the Adriatic cities. Clear up some storage for all the dog pictures as our local truffle hunter talks fungi to us. You won’t leave Istria without loading your bike down with bottles of wine and a tummy full of truffles.
Hike Plitvice Lakes and Paklenica National Parks
You’re gonna see the kind of natural beauty that shows up in the screensavers of Apple products. The Instagram world is stark raving mad over Plitvice Lakes because of its unique system of lakes and waterfalls. A rock climbing and hiking paradise awaits you in Paklenica National Park with views of the Adriatic Sea from your very own mountain summit.
Kornati National Park Speed-boat and Split Sea-kayaks
The best views of this gorgeous region are often gleaned from the sea. Across two days, we’ll explore the island systems via speedboat and sea-kayak, leaving plenty of time for swimming, snorkeling, and floating otter-style on your back. You are basically a mermaid now and have to deal with mermaid things like schools of fish, coral spottings and island lunches. You poor thing.
Adventure Highlights
- E-Bike through Croatia’s “Tuscany” tasting Wine, Olive Oil, and Truffles along the way
- Discover charming hilltop medieval towns on the Istria Peninsula
- Truffle Hunt with a local in the forests of Motovun
- Hike the lower and upper falls of the famous Plitvice Lakes National Park
- Soak in sunsets over the Adriatic from beautiful viewpoints
- Climb a Via Ferrata to the summit of Bojin Kuk in Paklenica National Park
- Enjoy the background music of Zadar’s Sea Organ at sunset
- Explore Kornati National Park by speedboat with swimming, snorkeling, and a seafood lunch
- Sea Kayak to a secluded beach off Split with more swimming, snorkeling, and cliff jumping
- Get lost in the narrow streets of Split while enjoying a cone of gelato or a glass of wine
- Kick back in 3-4 Star boutique hotels throughout your adventure with fabulous views that pair well with a cocktail
- Relax with a comprehensive itinerary that makes logistics, transportation, navigation, meal planning, lodging, and everything in-between easy.
- Geek out with encouraging and supportive Explorer Chicks on a private, women-only, small group adventure tour.
Day 1: Welcome to Croatia
You ready to get Cray-Cray in the Cro-Cro? Welcome to the home of 4 million(ish) generous, nature-loving people who want you to have at least three food helpings. Beyond the mainland there are over 1,200 islands (48 are inhabited) – all with stunning Adriatic Sea views and gorgeous Gothic architecture – bring your own raven. And download the Duolingo app to work up to Croatia’s longest word: prijestolonasljednikovičičinima, which means “little heiress apparent to the throne.”
All that jet lag will kindly slip away the second you peep Zagreb’s Austro-Hungarian architecture. After a quick pits and bits refresher at your hotel, we’ll gather for an afternoon guided walk through Croatia’s capital city. We’ll wrap up our walking tour with a spirited welcome dinner in the old town – živjeli!
Accommodation: 4* Hotel within 5-10 minutes walking distance of popular sites, Shared Doubles
Meals: Welcome Dinner
Day 2: E-bike Hilltop Towns of Istria + Olive Oil Tasting
After breakfast, we’ll drive three hours to explore the storybook scenery of the Istrian countryside, Croatia’s culinary darling!
Agenda: booty up on our E-bikes to take in the sights, smells and tastes up close.
We’ll glide along the famous Parenzana Trail, a former railroad between Trieste and Parenzo (Porec). Now the only toots you’ll hear are caused by your Explorer Chicks’ fiber bars. We’ll cruise the hilltop towns of Grožnjan, Oprtalj, and Motovun, pedaling through farmland and olive groves, buoyed by the aroma of trailside herbs and flowers. That ain’t Aveda, girl. That’s Croatia batting her eyelashes!
A stop in the charming Grožnjan will introduce you to the town of artists and music. Since 1965, artists from all over the world snatched up the houses abandoned by Italians after WWII. As many as twenty galleries and art studios can be found all over the city! It’s perfectly okay to pull a Rose Dawson and ask someone to “paint you like one of their French girls.”
We’ll continue riding the trails through the forest and old train tunnels. Prepare to visit one of Croatia’s best olive oil producers and enjoy a tasting of oil along with a spectacular local lunch. We’ll then rejoin the Parenzana trail for the final push to the foot of Motovun, one of many spectacular, medieval fortified villages perched high on the Istrian hilltops.
E-Biking Distance: 22 miles. Moderate +
Drive Time: 3 hours
Accommodation: 3 star charming B&B atop Motovun with panorama views from the terrace. Shared Doubles.
Meals: B-L-D
Day 3: E-bike to a Truffle Paradise and Drink all the Wine
Today is for all the days your farmer’s market ran out of truffles by frikkin’ 6am. We’ll continue E-biking along the Parenzana toward Motovun’s forested truffle hunting hub. A local truffle hunter will talk fungi to us before we embark on a curated truffle hunt! Yes – there will be dogs.
Later, we’ll visit a local winemaker and try the best vintages of Malvasia, the QUEEN of Istrian wine cellars. Can you believe this is your life yet?!
After an amazing truffle lunch, we’ll drive onward to Plitvice.
E-Biking Distance: 10 miles. Moderate.
Drive Time: 3.5 hours
Accommodation: 4 star Hotel near the Entrance of Plitvice with a pool. Shared Doubles.
Meals: B-L-D
Day 4: Explore Plitvice Lakes National Park
You know when cartoon characters’ eyeballs fly out of their head because they are in mad love? That’s what’s gonna happen when we enter the world-famous Plitvice Lakes National Park – the oldest and largest National Park in the Republic of Croatia.
The lakes system here, to put it scientifically, is bananas. A shimmering water orgy of 16 named lakes and several smaller unnamed lakes was formed by tufa or travertine. Fancy fact: The Plitvice Lakes were internationally recognized on the UNESCO World Heritage List on October 29, 1979.
Today we’ll beat the crowds, entering the park early to explore the wooden boardwalks just by the lakes and the countless waterfalls. We’ll learn all about the local flora and fauna, as well as the fascinating geography and geology of the region.
Then it’s onward to the coastal town of Starigrad Paklenica where we’ll check in to our hotel on the shores of the Adriatic Sea. Afternoon dip, anyone? We can arrange on the spot an optional afternoon rock climbing in Croatia’s climbing mecca or hike out to a stunning viewpoint and enjoy the sunset high above the sea.
Hiking: 4-6 hours, 5 miles. Easy.
Drive Time: 1.5 hours
Accommodation: Local Guest House in Starigrad Palenica on the shores of the Adriatic. Shared Doubles.
Meals: B-L-D
Day 5: Hike and Via Ferrata Paklenica National Park
After we fill our bellies and hopefully enjoy some AM BMs, we’ll drive around to Velebit, a fantastic mountain range that follows the coastline of central Croatia. Velebit is full of interesting rocky formations, extensive forests and grassy peaks. It is wild and pristine, offering bum-puckeringly-beautiful views up to 1,700 meters above the Adriatic Islands.
We will hike within Paklenica National Park where we’ll climb a Via-Ferrata to summit Bojin Kuk. It’s a fairly easy path with a built-in mountain laddering system that will turn you into an instant badass at your next high school reunion. Fear not, all safety equipment is provided and mountain guides will lead the way. We’ve got you, and you’ve got this!
We leave plenty of time in Zadar where you’ll be free to roam. Be sure to catch what Alfred Hitchcock claimed to be the most beautiful sunset in the world with the otherworldly music from the Sea Organ humming behind you. Enjoy dinner on your own.
Hiking: 4-5 hours, 6.2 miles, 1,640′ Gain. Moderate+
Drive Time: 2 hours
Accommodation: 4 star Hotel in Zadar inside the historical core. Shared Doubles.
Meals: B-L
Day 6: Speedboat through Kornati National Park
Put on your *fancy* Lycra as we hop aboard our bougie private boats in Zadar. Next stop: Kornati National Park, a smattering of more than 80 islands that cannot wait for us to flash our ta-tas. We’ll swim, snorkel, gorge ourselves on seafood and scramble up a peak for a bird’s eye view of the islands.
Today is a super chill day to vibe with the labyrinth of islands and untouched nature. Underwater you’ll see schools of fish, impressive coral, and stunning undersea landscapes.
We’ll finish the trip in Sibenik, enjoy a coffee (or cocktail) and drink in the amazing Old Town before transferring to the gorgeous renaissance city of Split. Enjoy an evening stroll and dinner on your own.
Boat Ride + Short hike, swimming, snorkeling. Easy.
Drive Time: 1 Hour
Accommodation: 4 star Hotel in Split minutes walking from Diocletian’s Palace. Shared Doubles.
Meals: B-L
Day 7: Sea Kayaking in Split
Our last full day in Croatia packs in some truly special city and sea exploration. We’ll explore the quieter side of Split more slowly today, enjoying some truly stunning kayaking, more swimming, and wolfing down lunch on a secluded beach accessed only by sea. Oh, and all the cliff jumping!
We’ll return late afternoon to Split leaving you plenty of time to swoop up all the last minute souvenirs, get lost in the maze of the palace, or to simply enjoy a glass of wine on the promenade. In the evening, we reconvene for our farewell dinner. WE’RE NOT CRYING, YOU’RE CRYING.
Sea Kayaking, 6 hours, 7.5 miles. Easy+
Accommodation: 4 star Hotel in Split minutes walking from Diocletian’s Palace. Shared Doubles.
Meals: B-L-D
Day 8: Farewell Croatia :*(
After an easy morning and final breakfast, you’ll board a transfer to Split airport. Wanting to travel onward? Please reach out. We would love to help!
Meals: B
*Explorer Chick reserves the option to modify trip itineraries at the discretion of your tour director as necessary due to weather, conditions, illness, injury, group dynamics, or other unforeseen incidents.
- 7 Nights/8 Days in Hotels. Shared 2 per room. Amenities vary and will be detailed in your Travel Guide.
- 2 days of E-Biking in Istria including helmet
- An Olive Oil Tasting in Istria
- Truffle hunting experience with dogs
- Wine tasting in Istria
- Mountain Guides and equipment for the Via Ferrata in Paklenica
- Speed boat day tour to Kornati National Park with swimming, snorkeling, lunch
- Sea Kayaking off of Split
- National Park Entrance Fees – Plitvice, Paklenica, Kornati
- All meals as indicated in itinerary: B-7, L-6, D-5
- All tips for included meals and tours.
- A commemorative Explorer Chick shirt.
- Private Explorer Chick land-transportation throughout itinerary
- A detailed Travel Guide with everything you need to know for your trip
- Local English speaking guide throughout the full itinerary.
- One experienced Explorer Chick Leader ensuring your trip is seamless and unforgettable!
- The freedom to enjoy your vacation and mindlessly wander!
- Small Group experience! Your Explorer Chick Adventure is exclusive and limited to 12 women
*Packages do NOT include your airfare, airport transportation, alcoholic beverages, travel insurance, meals exclusive of itinerary, or costs for additional activities.
*Does NOT include your Explorer Chick Guide’s Tips – Tipping your Explorer Chick Guide is optional, but customary. If you wish to recognize your Explorer Chick Guide for exceptional service we recommend you tip them 10-25% of your trip costs.
You will receive a Travel Guide with all the rendezvous hotel and additional information you’ll need to prepare for your epic trip!
Your adventure begins in Zagreb, Croatia (ZAG) at our Rendezvous hotel and ends in Split, Croatia (SPU)
Day 1: Arrival. We will rendezvous as a group in the evening on Day 1 for a city walk and a Welcome Dinner. You are responsible for booking your airport transportation. Details provided in your Travel Guide.
Day 8: Departure. You are welcome to depart at anytime today. You are then responsible for your airport transfer. If you wish to transfer onward, please reach out. We would love to help!
Optional Add-Ons: Pre and Post tour rooms at our Rendezvous Hotel in Zagreb and Departure Hotel in Split are available at booking for an additional $175/night/single room and $199/night/double room.
We require a minimum of 5 Explorer Chicks for this trip. Please confirm your trip is guaranteed before booking airfare.
DAILY CROATIA ACTIVITY:
During your Croatian Adventure you will hike and explore some of Croatia’s best National Parks and natural areas. This trip is rated moderate but a base level of fitness is required.
- Day 2: E-Bike, approximately 22 miles. Moderate+
- Day 3: E-Bike, approximately 10 miles. Moderate
- Day 4: Hiking, 4-6 hours, 5 miles. Easy.
- Day 5: Hiking + Via Ferrata, 4-5 hours, 6 miles, 1,640′ Gain. Moderate+
- Day 6: Boat Ride + Short hike, swimming, snorkeling. Easy
- Day 7: Sea Kayaking, 6 hours, 7.5 miles. Easy+
We highly recommend training prior to your adventure. The itinerary is packed full of active adventures. You should be comfortable with being on your feet all day and hiking up to 6 miles with 1,700ft gain in the mountains.
You should be training on rough and rugged terrain – not perfectly paved sidewalks. Also, find steps, a hill, or the StairMaster and get to climbing! Your quads, booty, and calves will thank you.
Train your tootsies! Do not show up with brand new hiking boots or trail shoes. You should be spending hours upon hours in your boots leading up to your adventure to break them in. Better to suffer blisters at home than to miss out on a hike due painful hot spots on your feet. This is our number one injury. Don’t let it happen to you!
Please consider your ability to meet the physical demands very seriously. It is for the safety of both you and our group. All Explorer Chicks will be required to sign an Acknowledgement of Physical Demands as part of their waiver upon booking.
Still not convinced that THIS is the adventure for you?
We’ve rounded up some of our most popular blog posts, so you can get to know us a bit better and learn what really goes down on your Explorer Chick Adventure.
- Remember How it Feels to Play
- You are NOT Alone
- The Power of Explorer Chick
- What Does an Explorer Chick Look Like?
- We are ALL IN
- We Do Dumb Stuff
- The Explorer Chick Purpose
- The Traveler vs. the Tourist
- 6 Benefits to Booking with a Tour Company
You can always reach us by email with more questions! Info@ExplorerChick.com
To protect your travel investment and your hide, we highly recommend purchasing travel insurance. World Nomads is our trusted travel insurance provider. Receive an no-hassle, online quote in less than 2 minutes.
$4,599
Save $200 with Early Bird Pricing!
See our Discount page for Codes and Expirations!
Non-Refundable Deposit: $300 due at booking to secure your spot
Pre Tour Zagreb Hotel Stays – $150/night/Single Room; $175/night/Double Room
Post Tour Split Hotel Stays – $250/night/Single Room; $300/night/Double Room
Single Room Upgrade: $700.
Payment Plans Available: Email payments@ec-old.design-works.com after booking to set up your monthly payment plan.
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