Harvest, Taste & Hike Croatia

Guided Hiking, Harvesting and Culinary Tour

 Did you know that black and green olives all come from the same three? Do you know that famous strong alcoholic drink “Rakija” is produced from winemaking leftovers? Do you know how many tastes of Rakija there are? Did you know Croatia owns forests where black and white truffles grow? Have you tasted truffle Nutella? Do you know that there is smallest town in the world in Croatia?
Joining on our new program Harvest taste and hike Croatia will give you all the foodie answers you didn’t know and enable you to experience Croatia as it really is. Harvesting season in autumn done with locals, hiking through old villages, magical green waterfalls and hunting truffles in hidden forests of Istrian peninsula. Taste fresh produced extra virgin olive oil produced from olives which you picked up just minutes ago directly from the three! Feeling of complete relaxation and going back to nature while getting to know Croatian mountains and our biggest part of culture – food! Understanding Croatian culture means understanding our deep connection with nature through being in nature, producing, cooking and eating high quality homemade food!

One – time airport transfer to your Zagreb hotel. Depending on your arrival time, you will have free day in Zagreb to explore the city. (-)
After breakfast, transfer to the trail start of your todays hiking and harvesting.
We will hike up to local forest, privately owned and listen to all about how chestnuts are here traditionally grown and how they are preserved and cooked.
Depending on conditions, there will be a chance to cook and try our chestnuts.
Return hike and transfer to your hotel. Rest of the day free to explore Zagreb.
Visit Zagreb upped old town if you haven’t yesterday! (B)
After breakfast in your hotel, a walk through city centre to local market Dolac. Visit Zagreb central market - always live and colourful - and choose the ingredients for your lunch.

You will prepare traditional Croatian three courses meal. After hard work, and great cooking experience – enjoy what you have prepared – with a glass of Croatian wine!

Rest of the day free. Visit Zagreb tunnels if you haven’t already! (B, L) 

After breakfast, transfer to Istria for truffle hunting. Here, our hosts will expelain you all about truffles, and you will be able to taste all kind truffle specialites – truffle cheese, truffle olive oil, truffle sausage and truffle Nutella! You will try truffle “fritaja” (omelette) and some local “rakija” and wine. Professional hunters will show you specially trained dogs (no pigs, sorry) and we’ll go for our truffle hunting adventure!
After truffle hunting we will got and visit Hum – smallest (and cutest) town in the world! Near Hum we can enjoy 6 km / 3,7 mile hike to old Bencici village and finish our day with late lunch in local tavern. Transfer back to Zagreb. (B, S, L)
After breakfast, transfer to most famous and UNESCO protected Croatian National Park. Plitvice lakes! If lucky with weather, your will experience the park in its most colourful state of yellow red and brown leafs, contrasting green magic of lakes it makes you as entering Pandora planet and you just want to walk and enjoy more and more waterfalls and lakes. Hiking the Plitvice includes an electric boat and train ride, and it is always beautiful, no matter the rain, snow or sun. Transfer to Tucepi and dinner.
(B, L, D)
After breakfast, transfer to deta of Neretva river. Also known as fruity Neretva valley, where lost of Croatian fruits are grown. First we do the hard work and we go in field with tangerines and harvest our own tangerines – we are allowed to take some with us! After hard work, we board a traditional wooden boat from Neretva and we drive through swampy area of Neretva delta. This boat ride is ideal for bird watchers! There are many birds hidden in the bushes and high grass that grows around channels that we will be driving in. We enjoy local lunch in tavern and transfer back to Tucepi. Dinner in Tucepi.
(B, L, D)
After breakfast, we start our hike to old villages of Biokovo.
As we climb higher in mountain, we can see more and more beautiful views on Croatian islands and coast.
We hike from Tucepi to Podgora where we meet with local olive oil producers. We hear the very personal story of how to pick up olives and join in the harvesting to help! Lunch – picnic in olive groove. Tired but extremely happy we return to our accommodation.
Depending on the timing in olive oil factory – we visit on our way back or later in evening to see how we get oil from olives that we have picked up.
Dinner in Tucepi.
(B,L,D)
After breakfast, transfer to peninsula Pelješac in town Ston. In Ston we can observe salt factory and magnificent Ston walls, but first we join to a hike on the Napoleon trail to our fist winery. As we walk, we observe local wine yards and after 7,5 km / 4,6 miles hike we reach our wine tasting site. Here we have a chance to taste several wines, cheese and oil before hiking one more km to next winery. Here we observe curious wine cellar and taste some more wines and oil. Transfer back to Mali ston to board boat and find out more about how oysters are grown! We enjoy oyster tasting on the boat and – depending on weather conditions – we have lunch on the small island. After lunch there is some free time to have a walk around Ston and transfer to Dubrovnik. Goodbye to your guide. (B, L)
Breakfast in hotel. One time transfer to airport and goodbye. (B)
  • Min No of persons: 2
  • Max No of persons: 14
  • Availability - harvesting season: 26. October to 3. November
  • Duration: 9 days
  • From: Zagreb to Dubrovnik
  • Type: GUIDED Hiking, Harvesting and Culinary Tour
  • Activity Level: 2 – Easy to Moderate.
DEPARTURES On Request.
PRICE FROM (From 2 persons) On Request
BOOK NOW 
INCLUDED
  • 5 nights 3*/4* hotels
  • 3 nights 3*apartments with sea view
  • Professional English-speaking local guide
  • All meals noted in program (B-breakfast, L-Lunch, D-Dinner)
  • all noted guided tours
  • National park entrance fees
  • All transfers noted in program
NOT INCLUDED
  • Flights
  • Meals and drinks not stated in program
  • Special food requests
  • Optional tours
  • Gratuities (optional)
OBLIGATORY EQUIPMENT
  • Easy hiking shoes
  • Comfortable walking clothes
  • Windproof jacket
  • Fleece
  • Day backpack
RECOMMENDED EQUIPMENT
  • Hat and sunglasses
  • Sunscreen
  • Small packable raincoat
  • Fleece
  • Photo camera
WATER PURIFICATION INFO
  • Keep in mind during your travel
  • tour in pdf
 

White rocks and Velebit Wilderness in Croatia

Engage in this adventure and in one-weekend experience Top 3 most beautiful trails in Croatia: Vihoraški trail, Velebit - Zavižan trail and Premužić trail. Be ready to take real adventure, scramble white rocks, hike & trek for 3 days and experience remarkable beauties of Croatian nature!
Starting from Zagreb, this tour takes you into the wild deep mountains and trail leading through restricted reserve area of White and Samarske rocks. Legendary trail “Vihoraški put” by the mountaineers the most beautiful and challenging trail in Croatia! Next day visit bear refugee on our way and hike up National Park Nothern Velebit - hidden beauty of Croatian wilderness.
Hiking starts with an easy trail that gives you magnificent views on Croatian islands at the top. Unforgettable sunsets can be seen just in front of the Zavižan mountain hut where we stay overnight. Next day we go deeper in the mountain following famous Premužić trail to next mountain hut Alan. Full of impressions from our last 3 days we board our transport and head back to Zagreb.

Optional evening meeting in city centre. If you are available you can meet the team, and do the briefing for next 3 days.
Early start today 6:00, to catch all the sunlight for Vihoraški trail. Breakfast on our way while we transfer (2h) to the starting point of hike to wild strict natural reserve White rocks (hr. bijele stijene). Leave all the things that you do not need for next day and night in the car, and take only the necessary. Keep in mind to have backpack for carrying day food and water pack (or make a note for us to prepare it). We will carry  separatley sleeping bags and mats, food and drinks and camping equipment  for the night in shelter. Climb to top of white rocks (hr. Bijele Stijene) lasts around 1,5h. Scrambling to the top of the rocks and taking in the magnificent view from the top. After a short break, trekking the Vihoraški trail follows. Depending on the group condition and technical capabilities, level trekking the trail takes from 4 to 6 or 7 hours. Picnic lunch during the trekking, and snacks when we have low energy feeling. Vihoraški trail is the wildest and the most beautiful trail in Croatia. Trail goes between the rocks, through narrow passages in the rocks, and includes a lot of scrambling – climbing short distances on the rocky area.
When not on rocks, trail goes through magic green meadows and valleys with astonishing views on surrounding shining white rocks and blue sky. This is true wilderness, with a high chance to see a snake or some other wild animal, so please take care to where you put your feet, hands and where you sit! Final destination of this magic wild trek is romantic shelter located in the rock, very special and unique. Here we will rest and cook our dinner. No bathroom facilities available here, mobile signal is rare, and no electricity. Water is available from a rain collected water tank. Use it sparingly! (B, L, D)
After breakfast, 1-2h trekking back to our car, and 2,5h transfer to national park Northern Velebit. Transfer takes us about 2h and on our way we make a short stop in Bear refugee Kuterevo, to observe local bears rescued in the mounatins. Half hour more transfer to the starting point of the trail, and again here we leave our things in the car and take only necessary for next 2 days and 1 night in the mountain! We carry all the food, water for one day and sleeping equipment with us. Hiking arround 3-4h, easy to moderate.
Today we trek a trail that takes us to the Zavižan mountain hut. Here famous Ante will greet us. Ante can offer us strong alcoholic brandy, homemade and local beer called the same as the mountain “Velebitsko pivo”. We prepare lunch and dinner. Zavižan mountain hut is in the same time weather station and Ante and his family is for generations working there for meteorological and hydrological service. We can observe the weather station and instruments. Optional trail visits around Zavižan to nearby mountaintops, and at the evening unforgettable sunset with sea view on Croatian islands.
An exceptional experience! (B, L, D)
Early start today again 6:00! Today we hike Premužić trail. Top rated and most beautiful trail in Croatia, built in 1930 using special local drywalls technique without any machines! It is a true natural heritage and represents a local knowledge and architecture incorporated in nature.
Interesting fact about Premužić trail is that it is easy trail to walk; even an unexperienced person can do it! It is wide enough and does not have high elevation changes. Other special thing is that it gives you true wild mountain experience with unique views changing all the way! With all this, we take our trip that lasts between 6 and 8 hours to next mountain hut Alan. Here we have lunch, and rest. After rest transfer back to Zagreb (3h) (B, L) -- End of services --
  • Min No of persons: 2
  • Max No of persons: 6
  • Availability: 1. May - 1. November
  • Duration: 3 days
  • From: Zagreb to Zagreb
  • Type: GUIDED hiking tour
  • Activity Level: 5 – Strenous.
DEPARTURES:
Every week, on demand
CODE WVW
PDF 1447893666 file pdf
PRICE/person (minimum 2 persons) €499
STATUS Open
BOOK NOW 
INCLUDED
  • Professional English speaking guide
  • 2 nights mountain shelter/hut
  • All transfers
  • All meals noted in program (B-breakfast, L–Lunch, D-dinner)
  • Snacks and water
  • Backpack and walking sticks (on request)
  • Camping equipment
  • National park entrance fees
NOT INCLUDED
  • Flights
  • Meals not stated in program
  • Drinks
  • Optional tours
  • Transfers not stated in the program
  • Gratuities (optional)

Unless noted otherwise all photos are property of Natural Croatia

 

OBLIGATORY EQUIPMENT
  • High trekking shoes
  • Long hiking pants
  • Comfortable walking clothes
  • Windproof jacket
  • Hat/Buff
  • Head lamp
RECOMMENDED EQUIPMENT
  • Small packed personal hygiene set
  • Wet wipes
  • Sunglasses, Sunscreen
  • Small packable raincoat
  • Backpack (available on request)
  • Photo camera - for your memories!
WATER PURIFICATION INFO
  • Keep in mind during your travel
  • tour in pdf

IMPORTANT
This tour is “backpacking style”: we carry all needed food and water together with sleeping bags and mat with us. Water for personal hygiene is available from the water tank. 2 nights sleeping in mountain shelter/hut, with no bathroom services. Keep your necessities to minimum, not to overload your backpack!

Active Croatia Adventure

Custom - designed for E&J, the active travellers!

Active Croatia Adventure discovers Top 5 most beautiful nature spots in Croatia: Biokovo - Vošac trail, Paklenica climb, Velebit - Premužić trail, Bijele stijene - Vihoraški trail and Plitvice lakes hike. Be ready to take real adventure, kayak, trek, bike and climb for 11 days and experience remarkable beauties of Croatian nature! Starting from Dubrovnik, we kayak to discover the beauties of mysterious Lokrum Island, next day hike to magnificent mountain Biokovo is on the menu and most beautiful sunset over the islands. After this we discover Tučepi and move to northern city Zadar, magic for itself. Then we climb the rocks of Paklenica National Park and move to next National Park Nothern Velebit where we hike Premužić trail on the mountains, and with sea views! We finish with astonishing scenery deep in mountains, from white rocks over the Vihoraški trail hidden gem of Croatia! Next day visit to UNESCO protected National Park Plitvice lakes and transfer to Zagreb, capital of Croatia. Hike to mountain, Medvednica in Zagreb and next day is goodbye.

Meeting your guide in small port Pile in Dubrovnik centre for kayaking tour (4,35mi, 3h). Kayaking to explore caves and beauties of mysterious Lokrum Island, also called 'The Island of love'. After paddling around the island, you will paddle across the bay until you reach hidden cave beach called Betina. Paddling under the impressive city walls and rocks on which they were built on you will enjoy breath-taking views of the Pearl of the Adriatic from a different perspective. Rest of the day free. NOTE: summer departures only, other dates exchanged with Adventure park visit! (S)
Pack your bags as today we hike to mountain shelter Vošac! Easy morning and transfer will pick you up in your accommodation around 10:00.  Transfer to Makar with stop for lunch on the way. Afternoon hike to Vošac (3-4h, 3,2mi, 3749ft climb), lodging in cute shelter on mountaintop with unforgettable sea view sunset!
Leave all the things that you do not need for the hike in the car, and take only the necessary. (L)
Morning wake-up, easy breakfast with the best view ever!
Return hike back down to Makar. Short transfer to delicious lunch and our accommodation in Villa Ban in Tučepi. Rest of the day free. (L)
After breakfast, we get ready for biking Biokovo.
First we do the hard climb to the close local hamlet old Tučepi, and then we bike around old stone houses in the hill foot of mountain, with the sea views on our side. Lunch, and rest of the day free in Tučepi. 4-5 hours biking on road and trails (L)
After breakfast, transfer to our apartment in Pridraga (cute Hamlet near the sea), settling in our apartment and biking tour to nearby old water mills trail. Lunch in local traditional restaurant. Afternoon transfer to beautiful city of Zadar. Walk around city, visit to “The greeting to the Sun” and “Sea organ”!  (L)
After breakfast, 45 min transfer to National Park Paklenica. Paklenica is famous for rock climbing, but also has magic on its own and gives possibilities for nice hikes after the climbing. We climb sport routes on great limestone rock. Lunch break when we are tired and dinner after the climbing. Weather permitting, perhaps choose to book an optional skydiving view of Zadar and islands arround (additional cost).(L)
Early start today and transfer to start of the trail at mountain hut Alan. Hike Premužić trail on Velebit, the most famous trail going through unreachable areas of the national park.
Built in 1930 using special local drywalls technique without any machines! It is a true natural heritage and represents a local knowledge and architecture incorporated in nature. Astonishing views on the trail take our breath and we have picnic break when needed. Optional climbs to nearby peaks and lodging to mountain hut Zavižan. Here famous Ante will greet us. Ante can offer us strong alcoholic brandy, homemade and local beer called the same as the mountain “Velebitsko pivo”. We prepare dinner. Zavižan mountain hut is in the same time weather station and Ante and his family is for generations working there for meteorological and hydrological service. We can observe the weather station and instruments. At the evening unforgettable sunset with sea view on Croatian islands. An exceptional experience! (D).
Today we start very early, and after breakfast, we head to Bijele stijene (White rocks). Here we leave the car, take our bikes and drive part of the path in mountain dirt road. Climb to white rocks lasts around 1,5h. Scrambling to the top of the rocks (available cable and wedge to help the climb), and taking in the magnificent view from the top. After a short break, follows trekking Vihoraški trail. Trekking the trail takes from 4 to 6 hours. Picnic lunch during the trekking, and snacks when we have low energy feeling. Vihoraški trail is the most beautiful, special and astonishing trail in Croatia. Trail goes between the rocks, through narrow passages in the rocks, in and out of magical valleys and over the shining white rocks. Most amazing part is called Shell – Ljuska, and if you are lucky, you can see Runolist flower growing here! When not on rocks, trail goes through magic green meadows and valleys with astonishing views on surrounding shining white rocks and blue sky. Final destination of this magic wild trek is romantic shelter located in the rock, very special and unique. Here we will rest and cook our dinner. No bathroom facilities available here, mobile signal is rare, and no electricity. Water is available from a rain collected water tank. Use it sparingly! (-).
After breakfast we move to our car and transfer to National Park Plitvice Lakes. After a beautiful hike through this UNESCO protected area of green lakes and waterfalls, we have a local lunch and transfer to Zagreb. Lodging to local apartment, free evening to explore Zagreb. (-).
After breakfast, transfer to start of the hiking trail to local mountain hut. Today we hike the trail that local hikers traditionally do every weekend. At the mountain hut we have delicious local lunch and after rest we head back to Zagreb. Rest of the day free to explore Zagreb. (L).
Today is a free day in Zagreb, with possibility to arrange optional tours or airport transfer.(-)
  • Min No of persons: 2
  • Max No of persons: 7
  • Availability: 1. May - 10. June
  • 1. September - 1. November
  • Duration: 11 days
  • From: Dubrovnik to Zagreb
  • Type: GUIDED multi activity tour
  • Activity Level: 5 – Strenous.
  • Meals not included are self-catering with no restaurant options in mountains for days 2, 7 and 8. We cook together, with food from common basket bought in local store/market.
  • Luggage limit - please 1 mid-size bag only.
DEPARTURES
On Request
CODE ACA
PDF 1447893666 file pdf
PRICE (min 2 persons) 1669€
STATUS Open
BOOK NOW 
INCLUDED
  • Professional English speaking guide
  • Accommodation (except Dubrovnik): Mountain shelter/hut &Private apartments (3*)
  • All transfers
  • All meals noted in program (B-breakfast, L–Lunch, D-dinner)
  • Snacks in the mountain
  • Water
  • Backpack (on request)
  • Walking sticks (on request)
  • ALL EQUIPMENT FOR ACTIVITIES (kayaking, biking, climbing, hiking)
NOT INCLUDED
  • Accommodation on 1st day in Dubrovnik
  • Flights
  • National park entrance fees
  • Meals not stated in program
  • Special dietary requests
  • Drinks
  • Optional tours
  • Transfers not stated in the program
  • Gratuities (optional)

Unless noted otherwise all photos are property of Natural Croatia

 

OBLIGATORY EQUIPMENT
  • High trekking shoes
  • Long hiking pants
  • Comfortable walking clothes
  • Small packable raincoat
  • Windproof jacket
  • Hat/Buff
  • Fleece for warmth in mountains
  • Headlamp
RECOMMENDED EQUIPMENT
  • Small packed personal hygiene set
  • Wet wipes
  • Sunglasses, Sunscreen
  • Bathing suit (summer tours)
  • Backpack (available on request)
  • Sleeping bag &mat (available on request)
  • Photo camera - for your memories!
WATER PURIFICATION INFO
  • Keep in mind during your travel
  • tour in pdf

IMPORTANT
This tour is “backpacking style”: on some trails we carry all needed food and water together with sleeping bags and mat with us. Water for personal hygiene is available from the water tank. 3 nights sleeping in mountain shelter/hut, with no bathroom services. Keep your necessities to minimum, not to overload your backpack!