3-day Zrmanja river trip from Zadar

Minimum age: 12

Highlights

• Kastel Zegarski village
• Krupa waterfalls
• Velebit nature park
• Zrmanja river and waterfalls

All about the trip

Zrmanja and Krupa are among the most beautiful rivers in Europe: perfectly clear warm water, a spectacular canyon with magnificent waterfalls. They are easy and safe enough for beginner canoeists. Their scenery makes them also very exciting. The trip begins in Kastel Zegarski, only an hour drive from Zadar. After the first hour of paddling down easy rapids, you will – if time and weather permit – visit beautiful Krupa waterfalls and swim under them. Following a night’s rest, you will continue your trip from a small town called Obrovac. Spectacular sights of the cliffs in contrast to the turquoise river color will lead you all the way to the river estuary. You finish up in the Novigrad Sea, so this is a great opportunity to combine river and sea kayaking in one trip!

DAY 1

Arrival to the destination

Your host will meet you at the Zadar bus station at 17:30 or at the airport in Zadar at 18:00, and drive you to the small village of Kastel Zegarski. Our trip begins with gathering up, setting up the camp, and enjoying a BBQ dinner around the campfire.

Campsite; Meals: dinner

DAY 2

Starting our river trip

After breakfast, you’ll be put into the river and kayak along a flat, scenic section of the river. Around midday, you’ll take a short walk to an 8 m high waterfall for a picnic lunch and a refreshing swim. Back at the river, you’ll kayak through a slightly more challenging section. The day will be filled with swimming, jumping off the waterfalls, and enjoying beautiful nature. That night you’ll camp near one of Zrmanja's biggest waterfalls and enjoy a traditional meal around the campfire.

Campsite; Meals: breakfast, dinner (optional picnic lunch on your own); kayaking: 15 km; 4-5hours

DAY 3

Continuing our expedition downstream

This morning after breakfast we embark on a kayaking expedition down the Zrmanja River all the way to the Adriatic Sea. The journey meanders through a spectacular deep canyon. The Zrmanja area is categorized as a Park of Nature within the Velebit Nature Park. After this long but beautiful and challenging day on the river, we finish up in Novigrad where we have time to change into dry clothes and relax while having lunch. We depart home after.

Meals: breakfast (optional lunch on your own); kayaking: 17 km; 4-5hours, moderate to challenging

What is included in the price

• 2 nights at the campsite (tent and sleeping mat included)
• Meals as noted in the itinerary
• Use of kayaks, paddles, life jackets, helmets
• 2 days of organized activities
• Neoprene shorts and booties or sandals in case of cold weather
• Skilled guide and assistance
• Pick-up and drop-off from Zadar airport or bus station
• Ground transportation (private transport throughout)
• Local taxes
• Insurance

What is not included in the price

• Personal expenses
• Meals not mentioned in the itinerary

Instructions

Accommodation:

You will be accommodated in our campsite in Kaštel Žegarski and in a camp next to one of Zrmanja river’s waterfalls, a perfect place for swimming and diving. Located in the heart of beautiful preserved nature, this unique canyon attracts the attention and admiration of all visitors. It’s a perfect harmony between man and nature. We will provide tents and sleeping mats. There is no better place to relax and enjoy but in a beautifully preserved nature of the river bank.

Meals:

Meals tend to be fairly heavy on the meats and sausages, bread and pastries, pasta and dumplings. If you have special dietary needs, please let us know as soon as possible. Vegetarian diets can be accommodated but we recommend that you bring along with you some of your favorite protein snacks.

Please note that rafting boats are used in case of high water levels