Plitvice & Krka: Croatia Waterfalls, Lakes & Adventure

Today you leave the capital and head into the mountains to Plitvice Lakes National Park. You journey south through the green Croatian countryside, the city giving way to hills, rivers and deep forest, arriving at Plitvice Lakes, a UNESCO World Heritage Site and Croatia's most beloved natural wonder. This afternoon, with your nature guide, you begin exploring its fairy-tale landscape of sixteen terraced turquoise and emerald lakes linked by a cascading chain of waterfalls, hiking the wooden boardwalks that wind right across the astonishingly clear water and past the tumbling falls, the light glinting on the travertine barriers and darting fish, and taking an electric boat across the largest lake. You breathe the cool, pine-scented forest air. As the day ends, you settle into your accommodation near the park amid deep, tranquil forest. This evening, savour the peace and the fresh mountain air. Rest well, ready for a full day hiking the lakes tomorrow.

Today you spend a full, glorious day hiking the magical landscape of Plitvice Lakes. With your guide you follow the park's network of boardwalks and forest trails through both the upper and lower lakes, crossing right over the astonishingly clear turquoise and emerald water and passing beside a cascading chain of some ninety waterfalls, the colours shifting with the light. You stand before the mighty Veliki Slap, the park's tallest waterfall, gaze down through the crystal water at travertine barriers and darting fish, and walk quiet forest paths where you might spot deer, woodpeckers and other wildlife (the deep forests here shelter bears, wolves and lynx, rarely seen but thrillingly present). You take electric boat and panoramic shuttle rides between sections, covering the park's most beautiful corners. As the day ends, you return to your forest lodge, refreshed and awed. This evening, savour a hearty dinner and the tranquil forest night. Rest well, ready to journey to Krka tomorrow.

Today you journey from the mountains to Krka National Park and its swimmable waterfalls, near the coast. You leave Plitvice and travel south-west through the dramatic Dinaric landscape towards the coast, arriving at Krka National Park, a beautiful stretch of the turquoise Krka river where it tumbles over mighty travertine waterfalls into clear pools amid green forest. With your guide you follow the wooden boardwalks and trails that wind across the water and past the falls, above all the spectacular, wide Skradinski Buk cascade, and cruise the turquoise river by boat to the tranquil island monastery of Visovac. In permitted areas and season, you can swim in the clear river near the thundering falls, a magical, refreshing experience. As the day ends, you settle into your accommodation near the historic coastal town of Sibenik, with its magnificent stone cathedral. This evening, savour fresh seafood by the water. Rest well, ready for a final coastal adventure tomorrow.

Today you enjoy a final, exhilarating adventure amid Croatia's wild landscapes, tailored to your taste. You might cruise by boat into the Kornati islands, a national park of some 140 mostly uninhabited islands and reefs, a stark, beautiful moonscape of white stone, hidden coves and dramatic sea cliffs, sailing among the maze of islands and anchoring in secluded turquoise coves to swim and snorkel in the crystal-clear water. Alternatively, you might head inland to the emerald Cetina river near Omis to raft or kayak a scenic stretch through its dramatic gorge, riding gentle rapids, drifting through the tranquil canyon and swimming in clear pools beneath towering walls (the adventure level is easily tailored). Either way, it is a spectacular, refreshing day amid wild beauty. As the day ends, you return to Sibenik. This evening, enjoy a farewell dinner celebrating your journey through wild Croatia. Rest well ahead of departure.

After a final morning near Sibenik, perhaps a last look at its magnificent stone cathedral or a coffee by the sea, you are transferred to the nearest airport (Split or Zadar) for your onward departure. You leave having immersed yourself in the wild, spectacular natural beauty of Croatia, hiking the boardwalks of Plitvice amid its emerald lakes and thundering waterfalls, walking and swimming near the mighty falls of Krka, and cruising the wild Kornati islands or rafting the emerald Cetina river, all amid ancient forests, turquoise rivers and rich wildlife. The images stay vivid long after you land, the turquoise cascades of Plitvice, the wide falls of Krka, the crystal river pools, and the white-stone maze of the Kornati. Croatia's wild landscapes offer spectacular scenery, active adventure and refreshing swims in abundance, and you depart already dreaming of a return to the beautiful lakes, waterfalls and rivers of Croatia.