Self-guided · 8 days · Starigrad base
Explore national parks, rivers and the Adriatic coast at your own pace from one family guesthouse in Starigrad, with local guides on the river and the sea.
Trip at a glance
Overview
Croatia is a small Mediterranean country with a stunning variety of landscapes. The beautiful Adriatic coast with more than 1,000 islands is just the beginning: rugged mountains rise straight from the sea and shelter rivers, lakes and waterfalls with clear turquoise water, while warm, friendly people and a rich cuisine reflect a culture and history more than 2,000 years old.
Each day of this family adventure is filled with activities such as kayaking, walking, hiking and cycling through river canyons, national parks, local villages, medieval towns and the Adriatic coastline. You sleep in the same family guesthouse in Starigrad every night and do the days at your own pace. The Zrmanja river trip is a group trip run by a local company with its local guides, and the sea kayaking is run by a local company too. We are available 24 hours a day if you need us.
Highlights
Itinerary
Day 1 · Starigrad
You make your way to Starigrad, a little coastal town at the foot of majestic Mount Velebit. It is your base for the whole family adventure week, a special place where the energy of the mountain and the sea come together. You settle into your family guesthouse, and we are available 24 hours a day if you need anything.
Day 2 · Paklenica National Park
The entrance of Paklenica National Park is just a couple of minutes' drive from your guesthouse. Besides being a paradise for hikers, Paklenica is a climbing destination known around the world for its amazing rock formations, and today you decide between hiking and climbing.
The park covers one of the most beautiful parts of the Velebit mountain, the small and the big Paklenica canyons and the area around them. If you choose hiking, you explore the big one, Velika Paklenica, and walk to one of the nicest huts in the canyon. Climbing is optional and not included in the price, so ask us about it when you book.
Day 3 · Zrmanja river
The Zrmanja is a real beauty of the Croatian karst, with crystal clear water and many waterfalls. Whether it is your first time holding a paddle or you have paddling experience, you enjoy the day equally.
The Zrmanja trip is always a group trip, run by a local company with its local guides. Depending on the water level it is kayaking or rafting, and kayaking usually takes place between mid June and the end of September. You spend the day on the river with stops for swimming and a picnic.
Day 4 · Plitvice Lakes National Park
You drive north to visit the oldest national park in Croatia and a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Sixteen turquoise lakes linked by waterfalls and travertine pools are as beautiful as in the photos, and even more. The lakes are surrounded by beech and pine forests and are home to a lot of wildlife.
You walk beside the lakes and past the waterfalls, and the trails sometimes lead up to viewpoints where you can see the whole picture of this amazing natural attraction.
Day 5 · Starigrad and surroundings
Today is reserved for relaxing in Starigrad or taking an optional trip of your choice in the surroundings.
You can enjoy some free time in Zadar, a coastal city with interesting Roman and Venetian ruins, medieval churches and cosmopolitan cafes and restaurants. Or explore the gorgeous canyons of the Krupa and Zrmanja rivers, part of Velebit Nature Park and a real western movie setting and a perfect destination for all trekking lovers. Other optional trips can be proposed, such as stand-up paddleboarding, hiking or a visit to a nearby cave. Optional trips are not included in the price.
Day 6 · Starigrad and Vinjerac
Your sea kayaking adventure starts in Starigrad and takes you across the channel to the small coastal village of Vinjerac, where you walk, rest and have a delicious lunch in one of the local restaurants. Swimming is a must! After some more exploring of the surrounding bays you paddle back to Starigrad.
The sea kayaking is run by a local company.
Day 7 · Krka National Park and Šibenik
With its seven travertine waterfalls and a total drop of 242 m, the Krka river is one of the most beautiful natural and karst phenomena in Croatia. It is protected as a national park for its very rich and diverse wildlife, with numerous endemic, rare and threatened species. The main attractions are the big Skradinski Buk waterfall, the small island of Visovac with its Franciscan monastery and the Roški waterfall. You explore the area by bike, a great and time-saving way to see the many beauties along the shores of the Krka.
Šibenik is very close, so there is time for a short afternoon visit to walk its narrow streets, admire the old stone houses and see the famous St James Cathedral.
Day 8 · Starigrad
This is the last day of your family adventure. You check out after breakfast and continue your journey. If you would like to spend more time in Croatia, for example in the Split or Zadar region, contact us for recommendations.
Note on itinerary: The program can change because of weather, water levels, the group’s preferences and abilities or other exceptional situations. Safety and comfort come first.
Route
| Day | Where | Activity | Driving |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Arrival, Starigrad | – | – |
| 2 | Paklenica National Park | Hiking or climbing | a few minutes |
| 3 | Zrmanja river | Kayaking or rafting, group trip | – |
| 4 | Plitvice Lakes National Park | Walking | – |
| 5 | Starigrad and surroundings | Free day or optional trips | – |
| 6 | Starigrad and Vinjerac | Sea kayaking | – |
| 7 | Krka National Park, Šibenik | Cycling and walking | – |
| 8 | Departure | – | – |
Inclusions
Prices and dates
Every price has 2 options: the standard price when you pay by card and a discounted price when you pay by bank transfer or Wise.
| Group size | May, October | June to September |
|---|---|---|
| 1 guest | €3,923card€3,790bank / Wise | €4,130card€3,990bank / Wise |
| 2 guests | €2,163card€2,090bank / Wise | €2,370card€2,290bank / Wise |
| 3 guests | €1,646card€1,590bank / Wise | €1,853card€1,790bank / Wise |
| 4 guests | €1,646card€1,590bank / Wise | €1,853card€1,790bank / Wise |
| 5 guests | €1,439card€1,390bank / Wise | €1,646card€1,590bank / Wise |
| 6 guests | €1,335card€1,290bank / Wise | €1,542card€1,490bank / Wise |
| 7 guests | €1,232card€1,190bank / Wise | €1,439card€1,390bank / Wise |
| 8 guests | €1,232card€1,190bank / Wise | €1,439card€1,390bank / Wise |
| Single room supplement | €217card€210bank / Wise | €217card€210bank / Wise |
| Upgrade to 4-star accommodation | €217card€210bank / Wise | €217card€210bank / Wise |
Choose your own start date, any day from May to October.
Other dates may be possible, so contact us to ask.
See the free dates, pick one and book. Prefer to talk first? Use the message form below.
If you cancel, we charge a share of the tour price, depending on when we receive your cancellation:
| When you cancel | We charge |
|---|---|
| Up to 30 days before the tour | 30% of the price |
| 29 to 15 days before | 50% of the price |
| 14 to 8 days before | 75% of the price |
| 7 to 0 days before, or no-show | 100% of the price |
Credit card or bank fees are deducted from any refund: the fee charged when you pay and the fee charged when we refund.
Good to know
Private en-suite rooms in a 3-star family guesthouse in Starigrad, the same one for all seven nights. Families and groups of friends can ask for a whole private house or apartment. An upgrade to 4-star accommodation is possible for €217 per person when you pay by card, or €210 when you pay by bank transfer or Wise.
Seven breakfasts are included. Lunches and dinners are not included, and we give you restaurant recommendations. We are available 24 hours a day if you need us.
The Zrmanja river trip is always a group trip with a local company and its local guides, kayaking or rafting depending on the water level. The sea kayaking from Starigrad is run by a local company too.
Transport is not included, and you arrange it yourself. Paklenica is a couple of minutes from your guesthouse.
Photos
FAQs
Every night is spent in the same family guesthouse in Starigrad, a coastal town at the foot of Mount Velebit, and each day starts from there. You make your own way to Starigrad and home again, and we are available 24 hours a day if you need us.
Yes, the trip is designed for families. Tell us the ages of your children when you book so we can make sure the program suits them.
Hiking in Paklenica National Park, kayaking or rafting on the Zrmanja river, walking in Plitvice Lakes National Park, sea kayaking from Starigrad to Vinjerac, and cycling along the Krka river with bike rental. The equipment is included, and the park entrances for Paklenica, Plitvice and Krka are in the price.
Yes. The Zrmanja trip is always a group trip run by a local company with its local guides, on both the guided and the self-guided version. Depending on the water level it is kayaking or rafting, and kayaking usually takes place between mid June and the end of September. No experience is needed.
Yes. On day 2 you choose between hiking and climbing. Climbing is optional and not included in the price, so ask us about it when you book.
Seven breakfasts are included. Lunches and dinners are not included, and we give you restaurant recommendations in each location. Vegetarian and vegan meals are easy to find, and we are happy to advise.
In private en-suite rooms in a 3-star family guesthouse in Starigrad, all seven nights. Families and groups of friends can ask for a whole private house or apartment. An upgrade to 4-star accommodation is possible for €217 per person when you pay by card, or €210 when you pay by bank transfer or Wise.
Every trip is private for your own group. We price each group size from 1 to 8 guests, and the price per person drops as the group grows. For bigger groups, contact us for a quote. If you would like us to join other travelers to your tour so the price per person can drop, let us know. We can open your dates for bookings and see if other travelers apply.
Yes. The solo price already includes your own private room, so you do not add the single room supplement. If you book as a group and one person wants their own room, the single room supplement is €217 by card or €210 by bank transfer or Wise.
You choose your own start date, any day from May to October. Other dates may be possible, so contact us to ask.
Yes. The guided Family Multisport Adventure Croatia follows the same route with an English-speaking guide, private transport and airport transfers.
Yes. The program can change because of weather, water levels, group preferences and abilities or other exceptional situations. Safety and comfort always come first.
Get in touch
Ask us anything about this trip, or tell us your preferred dates and group size.
Each trip is rated from 1 to 5. The rating mainly reflects the hours of walking per day and the terrain.
Self-Guided Family Multisport Adventure Croatia
Choose a date to see your price. Dates that are greyed out are not available.
Self-Guided Family Multisport Adventure Croatia
8 days / 7 nights · self-guided family multisport adventure
Sample route · Day 7
Sample route. Distances and profiles can be adapted to your wishes, and you can always jump into the support vehicle if you don’t feel like biking anymore.
Elevation profile
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