Croatia & Montenegro: Hike, Bike & Raft

Trip Code: ZMXM

Why we love it

Raft on the clear blue waters of the UNESCO World Heritage-listed Tara River Canyon, weaving along the last 18 km between towering mountain peaks., Cycle the ring road in Durmitor National Park, surrounded by limestone peaks and glacial lake views. Then, stop for lunch on the mountain with locals, filling up on regional specialties made with local ingredients., Spend a day kayaking, snorkelling and swimming in the Adriatic, on the peaceful Elaphiti Islands – just a short ferry ride from Dubrovnik., Hike Mount Lovcen to Kotor Fortress, dating back to the 9th century, for sweeping panoramic views of Kotor's Old Town and the bay., Start and finish the trip in Dubrovnik, where you can walk the ancient city walls and wander the Old Town, searching for that perfect restaurant serving up fresh seafood, sweet treats and glasses of local wine.

Is this trip right for me?

This multi-active trip requires a good level of fitness, due to the varied terrain and potentially hot temperatures.

While the activities are diverse, they are all run at a relaxed pace and do not require a high level of experience to participate. You will need to be a competent swimmer to participate in the rafting and kayaking sections of this trip.

The weather in this region varies seasonally. Be prepared to get sweaty and for the occasional rainstorm, which may require a change of plans. Drink plenty of water and remember a good-quality hat and sunblock.

Important information

1. It is very important that you provide your height at time of booking so we can ensure that you have an appropriately sized bicycle. If you don't provide your height ahead of arrival we can't guarantee a suitably sized bike.
2. A reasonable level of fitness is required to enjoy all activities to the fullest. It’s also essential that you’re both confident and competent in riding a bicycle.
3. A single supplement is available if you’d prefer not to share a room on this trip, subject to availability at the time of booking. Due to the small properties we use in Europe there is only a limited amount of single supplements available per trip departure. If you would like to book a single supplement and enquire about availability please speak to your booking agent.
4. An arrival transfer is NOT included, however can be booked at an extra cost. Please speak to your travel agent at the time of booking. If no transfer has been booked, please make your own way to the hotel for the welcome meeting at 6pm on Day 1.
5. An e-bike option (at additional cost) may be available on this trip. We have limited numbers of these bikes available and they are on request only. E-bike hire only applies to day 4. Please ask your agent for more details at the time of booking.

What to bring/pack

LUGGAGE
Alongside your main piece of luggage, we recommend bringing a small to medium backpack (25-30 litres) for day walks. A backpack with a waist strap will be the most comfortable option for all included walks.

ESSENTIALS
Lightweight, comfortable and quick-drying clothing is recommended. Laundry facilities may not be available every day.

• Warm layers such as a light jacket, fleece and base layers.
• Breathable, non-cotton t-shirts.
• Long hiking pants or zip-offs.
• Nylon hiking shorts.
• Wind and waterproof outer layers (jacket and trousers).

Hiking boots with a good grip, ankle support and waterproof membrane that are comfortable to wear for an entire day.

Walking poles for support on steep uphill sections and longer descents.

Comfortable shoes or sandals for shorter walks or time spent not hiking.

A water bottle that holds 1 – 2 litres.

Sun protection – sunscreen, sunglasses, hat, bandana.

Torch, flashlight or headtorch.

ADDITIONAL RECOMMENDATIONS
For general packing considerations, check out our ultimate packing list:, https://www.intrepidtravel.com/packing-list

Physical rating

3

You’re in for an active trip! Whilst previous experience isn’t essential for getting involved, a decent level of fitness will help you get the most out of this tour. There’s always a choice to opt out of certain activities too.

If you’re already a regular exerciser, you’re probably good to go. If you’re not, it might be an idea to add it into your routine in the weeks leading up to your departure. Anything cardio related (swimming, running, cycling, etc.) would definitely help you to enjoy this action-packed adventure to the max.

Joining your group

Hostel Sol, Obala Ivana Pavla II 13, Dubrovnik, CROATIA, Phone: +385 20610300

Hostel Sol is located 450 metres from Gruz Port from which you can access ferries to surrounding islands. Frequent city buses connect the hostel to Pile Gate at the entrance of the old town. Alternatively you can take a taxi, or walk (about 30 minutes). The hostel has free Wi-Fi, comfortable private modern rooms with en-suite bathrooms, TV and air-conditioning.

Alternate Joining Point


Joining instructions

Taxis are available outside the arrivals area at Dubrovnik Airport (airport code DBV). Alternatively, an airport bus meets all arriving flights arriving to the main bus station located near the port.
Please make sure that you provide your flight details no later than 14 days before departure to book your arrival transfer with us. Pre booked arrival transfer from Dubrovnik Airport (DBV): If you have pre booked an arrival transfer, your transfer driver will be waiting in the arrivals hall, holding a board with Intrepid's Logo or your name. In case of flight cancellations and changes or if you are not able to find the driver, please contact the transfer operator directly: +385 98 285 298.

Finishing your trip

Hostel Sol, Obala Ivana Pavla II 13, Dubrovnik, CROATIA, Phone: +385 20610300

Hostel Sol is located 450 metres from Gruz Port from which you can access ferries to surrounding islands. Frequent city buses connect the hostel to Pile Gate at the entrance of the old town. Alternatively you can take a taxi, or walk (about 30 minutes). The hostel has free Wi-Fi, comfortable private modern rooms with en-suite bathrooms, TV and air-conditioning.

Alternate Finish Point


An airport bus service operates from the main bus station which is located 500 meters away. It meets all departing flights. Please check with reception as to exact times. Alternatively they are able to organise a transfer or taxi for you.
If you have pre booked a departure transfer to Dubrovnik Airport (airport code DBV), you will be collected at the hotel reception 3 hours before your flight departure time. In case of flight cancellations, changes or if you are not able to find the driver, please contact the transfer operator directly: +385 98 285 298.

Meals & dietary information

Breakfasts included: 6

Lunches included: 2

Dinners included: 1

While travelling with us you'll experience the vast array of wonderful food available in the world. Your group leader will be able to suggest restaurants to try during your trip. To give you maximum flexibility in deciding where, what and with whom to eat, generally not all meals are included in the trip price. This also gives you more budgeting flexibility. As a rule our groups tend to eat together to enable you to taste a larger variety of dishes and enjoy each other's company. There's no obligation to do this though.

BREAKFASTS
There are some continental breakfasts included on this trip which may simply include bread/toast or pastries, butter, jam, coffee/tea/juice (or similar).

VEGETARIANS
Vegetarians might find the menu selection in Europe less varied than they would see at home. Vegetarianism is not as common in this region and generally the choices are basic, involving vegetables, soups, salads, bread, cheese, fruit, yoghurt, eggs etc. Vegans and those on gluten-free diets may find this region very challenging and may need to supplement meals with their own supplies from supermarkets and markets. Wherever possible we will cater for dietary needs for any included meals, but there may be times when those with special requirements may need to provide their own.

Climate & seasonal information

SUMMER
Summer temperatures can be extreme in many of the regions visited (over 40°C/104°F), which can be uncomfortable. It’s important to use sun protection and drink plenty of water. Please carefully consider the time of the year you wish to travel and your suitability to that season.

SHOULDER SEASON
In contrast, weather in shoulder season can be unpredictable, and snow is not unheard of at higher altitudes. If you travel at the start or towards the end of the European season please pack accordingly with warm and/or waterproof clothes (preferably layers). The advantage of travelling during this time is that there are less tourists around.

In case of emergency

While we always endeavour to provide the best possible holiday experience, due to the nature of travel and the areas we visit sometimes things can and do go wrong. Should any issue occur while you are on your trip, it is imperative that you discuss this with your group leader or local representative straight away so that they can do their best to rectify the problem and save any potential negative impact on the rest of your trip.

We recognise that there may be times when your group leader or local representative may not be able to resolve a situation to your satisfaction - if this is the case, please ask the group leader or local representative to speak to their direct manager.

You may also choose to provide details in your online feedback, which we ask you to complete within 30 days of the end of your trip. Please do be aware that it is very difficult for us to provide any practical help after the trip is completed, so informing us while still travelling will give us the opportunity to resolve the issue in real-time.

For general contact details please use the following page: https://www.intrepidtravel.com/contact-us

In case of a genuine crisis or emergency, you can reach our local office on the numbers below:

If you have booked an arrival transfer, and you experience severe delays at immigration, baggage collection or customs, or if you are not able to find to the driver, please contact the transfer operator directly on the number listed in the joining point instructions in the section above.

Intrepid’s Local Operator: +49 8024 4679 540

Accommodations

The style of accommodation indicated in the day-to-day itinerary is a guideline only and may change. On some occasions, alternative arrangements may need to be made due to the lack of availability of rooms in our preferred accommodation. In these cases, we will use a similar standard of accommodation.

Throughout the trip, we request that our properties prepare rooms in time for our arrival, especially if we're arriving prior to normal check-in time. However, this isn't always possible which means we won't be able to check-in immediately on arrival at some hotels. Instead, we can store our luggage and explore our new destination or on some trips, have use of shared day rooms until all rooms are available.

OCCASIONAL ALTERNATIVE ACCOMMODATION
The style of accommodation indicated in the day-to-day itinerary is a guideline. On rare occasions, alternative arrangements may need to be made due to the lack of availability of rooms in our usual accommodation. A similar standard of accommodation will be used in these instances.

TWIN SHARE BASIS
Accommodation on this trip is on a twin/multishare basis. We pair up solo travellers with another traveller of the same gender as per the gender marker on each of their passports. Please note there may be times where facilities will be shared rather than ensuite and rare occasions when you share a room with passengers travelling on different Intrepid trips than your own.

CHECK-IN TIME
Throughout the trip we request that our hotels prepare rooms in time for our arrival, especially if we're arriving prior to normal check-in time. However this isn't always possible which means we won't be able to check-in immediately on arrival at some hotels. Instead, we can store our luggage and explore our new destination.

PRE/POST TRIP ACCOMMODATION
If you've purchased pre-trip or post-trip accommodation (if available), you may be required to change rooms from your trip accommodation for these extra nights.

FACILITIES
Your accommodation may not always have private en suite facilities or air-conditioning. European hotels generally don't provide kettles or fridges.

Transportation

TRANSPORT IN EUROPE
Half the fun of travel is the travelling itself, that's why we like to travel the local way – whether that means mingling with commuters on a local train, watching the scenery roll by from the window of a long distance bus, arriving on a high speed train in the city centre of your next destination, or navigating each city's public transport system. In Europe, you are guaranteed to travel by genuine local public transport wherever possible, which puts you right in the centre of the action.

PRIVATE VEHICLES
All sections of this trip are travelled by private transport. Our vehicles are locally sourced, comfortable and mostly air conditioned, which makes travelling enjoyable. On some days we will be covering long distances, which will make these days feel longer, however spectacular views and interesting stops along the way make up for it.