Description

Velebit is the largest though not the highest mountain range in Croatia. Its highest peak is the Vaganski vrh at 1,757 m. The range forms a part of the Dinaric Alps and is located along the Adriatic coast, separating it from Lika in the interior. Velebit begins in the northwest near Senj with the Vratnik mountain pass and ends 145 km to the southeast near the source of the Zrmanja river northwest of Knin.

MOUNTAIN VELEBIT AND RIVIERA PAKLENICA

Get the whole program in PDF – The beauties of Velebit mountain

DAY 1: ARRIVAL ON SPLIT OR ZADAR AIRPORT

Warm welcome and transfer to Starigrad – Paklenica with our guide.

DAY 2: EXPLORING THE OLD VILLAGES AND RIVIERA PAKLENICA

Duration: 8h (app. walking time: 3-4 hours)

Level of physical condition: (K1-K4) K1

Technical demand: (T1-T4) T1

Altitude difference: 250m+

After breakfast we’ll have a meeting to get all information about days ahead and get to know Riviera  Paklenica. Transfer to the entrance of National park Paklenica.

An educational trail begins near the entrance to the National Park Paklenica along the left bank of the river where we are visiting the old, renovated Paklenica Mill which, along with the other six mills, supplied the population of Podgorje with flour. We continue further on till the lookout Paklarić that offers a panoramic view of Starigrad, in the past times also known as Argyruntum. Paklarić Fort was built in the late Middle Ages (14-16 c.) on the ruins and remains of prehistoric drystone walls. It is believed that this defense facility’s purpose was to control the significant communication that through Paklenica was leading from the sea to the Lika region and vice versa. Upon our return from the Paklarić Fort, the educational trail takes us on a journey through the past villages where life is coming back again. At the end of this interesting path, we descent to the sea, and walk along the beach and enjoying the great view on mountains.

Transfer to small village across the Velebit chanell, Vinjerac to a tavern with an excellent selection of fish and other sea food. After lunch, transfer back to hotel. Dinner and overnight.

DAY 3: VIEWPOINT TOUR

Duration: 8h (app.walking time: 5 hours)

Level of physical condition: (K1-K4) K2

Technical demand: (T1-T4) T1

Altitude difference: 800m+ (ascent), 800m- (descent)

After early breakfast, transfer to the entrance of Paklenica National park.

Hiking that passes by the right edge of the Velika Paklenica Canyon and reveals views of the most salient points of National park Paklenica. A pretty interesting tour for your camera. Upon arrival at a mountain hut and a traditional lunch called “peka” followed by a homemade brandy and herbal tea degustation, natural juice and honey degustation (Velebit herbs) we visit Sklopina site (17th century), houses made of stone built into the cracks in the rock. Return by a path that leads to the very bottom of the Velika Paklenica canyon along the creek Paklenica where you can freshen up.

Transfer to hotel. Dinner and overnight.

DAY 4: THREE CANYONS TOUR

Breakfast. Transfer to upper lot at the Velika Paklenica Canyon. The tour passes three canyons carved vertically into the southern slopes of the longest Croatian mountain Velebit.

Hiking takes about 6 -7 hours (900m+), and ends at the farm situated on the plateau Libinje.

After a traditional lunch we are going for sightseeing the vicinity of the farm in order to get to know Velebit lifestyle a litle more closely. Here you can see wild horses, Istrian Ox called boskarin (an indigenous Istrian cattle, nowadays in danger of extinction) and other domestic animals while enjoying stunning views over the reef and the highest peaks of Velebit. Transfer by jeeps to Starigrad-Paklenica. Arrival at the hotel, dinner and overnight.

DAY 5: VISIT TO WINERY, CITY TOUR ZADAR AND DEPARTURE

After early breakfast, transfer to the best winery in Zadar area (1h).

Croatia, in addition to natural beauty, can boast the production of high quality wines and olive oils. At a time when we are not quite sure of the food quality and origin we are consuming, we will take you to the most renowned winerie in Dalmatia, where you will taste the wines of superior quality produced by the strict standards for organic production. Our winemakers are winners of numerous awards for product quality and these wines are recognized by the world’s and Croatian leading enologists.

After degustation in winery (2h) transfer to the city of Zadar (40 min). City tour (2h).

Somewhere near the Mt. Velebit, the last European wilderness, there is a place where fertile Ravni kotari (‘flat districts’), blue Adriatic Sea and a magnificient archipelago meet and greet each other. At this intersection there is a living time machine. This time machine will launch you through the solar system and while being accompanied by a sweet melody of the Sea Organ you will be flying through millennia of Zadar history – an ancient city of which some might say it is older even than Rome itself.

If you look beyond the scars of the recent war, away from the socialist legacy, behind the ruins of the Second World War, you will see the regional center of the Habsburg Monarchy and the Venetian protectorate. Behind the walls that were once protecting Europe from the Otomane empire in this medieval royal city you will discover traces of 4th crusade peacefully resting on the foundations of a Roman colony. Two hours of time travel will take you from the technological 21st century to the hard stone of the ancient civilization. And back. Other important things, such as tastes, smells, colors and valuables, you shall be discovering by yourself in many picturesque cafes and restaurants, narrow streets, amazing museums and beautiful churches. Do not forget – it is local people who supply the time machine with their life energy – the time machine called the city of Zadar! City of Zadar – proclaimed the best European destination in 2016.

After the city tour, transfer to the Zadar or Split airport.