Packrafting Adventure in Croatia

Great adventure and adrenaline kicks, while having time to chill and relax!

It was a fantastic experience in an beautiful part of the world. Riverside lodgings, a couple of nights in tents, and the hike made it feel like we'd seen and done loads in the few days we were on the river. I'd had practically no kayaking experience before booking, and certainly no pack rafting experience. Eugen the guide was excellent however and got us feeling confident in no time. I'm glad I took the plunge!

An absolute blast from start to finish! The group size (7 of us) was perfect, the pickup smooth, and our guide truly made the trip special. I’d read that day three could feel slow, but thanks to our guide’s initiative (and our group’s pace), we squeezed in a detour to a national park that turned it into one of the highlights of the whole adventure. Campsites were great, though I’d recommend bringing your own sleeping bag and mat for extra comfort. What really made it unforgettable was the people — I’ve met friends for life, and honestly just wish the trip had been longer. Good company, good food, and a great time all around. Croatia stole a piece of my heart on this trip, and I’d recommend it to anyone craving adventure!

This was my very first adventure holiday, and I honestly didn’t know what to expect – but it exceeded every single one of my hopes. From day one, the organisation was flawless. Everything you could possibly need was included in the trip cost (aside from the beers – of which there were plenty, and all wonderfully cheap!). The value for money was outstanding. Our guide, Basti – a true certified adrenaline junkie – made the experience unforgettable. He struck the perfect balance between putting us at ease and gently nudging us out of our comfort zones. Thanks to his energy, encouragement, and knowledge, every single person in our group achieved things they didn’t think they could, all while having an amazing time. Speaking of the group, I couldn’t have asked for better company. From the moment I arrived, I found myself surrounded by like-minded, adventure-seeking people who were sociable, welcoming, and just as excited to try new things. We quickly bonded, and it felt like we were all on the same journey together – pushing boundaries, sharing laughs, and creating lifelong memories. The structure of the trip was excellent. Each day built on the last in terms of both adventure and challenge. We travelled further south each day, exploring stunningly beautiful rivers that were as peaceful as they were dramatic. The scenery was breathtaking – every paddle felt like drifting through a postcard. On top of the main itinerary, we even managed to squeeze in extra activities by waking up early as a group. Highlights included exploring an old military base hidden inside a mountain and visiting a national park so full of waterfalls it was almost impossible to count them all. We were lucky with the weather for most of the week, enjoying sunshine throughout, and even when we were hit by a fierce thunderstorm on the final night, it only added to the adventure – an awe-inspiring reminder of nature’s power. This holiday challenged me in ways I hadn’t anticipated, both physically and socially, but in the best possible way. I left with new friendships, incredible memories, and even a new life motto: Scary things in life are like jumping off a waterfall – the build-up is intimidating, the leap is exhilarating, and the landing leaves you elated… and wanting to do it all over again. I can’t recommend this trip highly enough – whether it’s your first adventure holiday or your tenth, you’ll come away with experiences and stories you’ll treasure forever. I haven’t laughed so much in years.

100% would recommend to anyone thinking about this. Each day was full from start to finish. Our host Basti was sensational. Funny, helpful, full of knowledge and experience, and really tried to make sure we got the most out of every day. Beautiful country, great mix of waterfalls, calm waters, swimming spots and plenty of good food! Everyone in the group was amazing as well, everyone gelled together straightaway.

This was a great introduction to packrafting, with an itinerary that I think is catered to beginners who don’t have much “paddling fitness” to make sure there is adequate recovery time between the actual rafting. Personally I would have preferred more time on the water, but our guide filled the downtime with some very interesting side excursions such as a visit to the old Yugoslav airbase under the mountain at Zeljava. Basti was an excellent guide overall, full of knowledge about the local history which he enthusiastically shared. Thanks to all my fellow adventurers too, as always the group dynamic is what makes the trips special!

Overall, I enjoyed the trip but it didn't live up to the high expectations I had based on previous MBA trips. There were a couple of quite major mismatches between the itinerary and reality. The itinerary incidentally now seems to have been updated to reflect some of these points. Day 2 - we were back at hotel at 1. 30pm after 2 hours rafting (rather than "late afternoon" as advertised) and given free time until dinner at 7. 30pm. 6 hours is a lot of time to be left in a remote location with nothing to do and was a wasted opportunity. Day 3, we got in 2 hours rafting (rather than 3-4 hours advertised) and then back in van for a long drive. We were all expecting to be camping in ". . a wild and beautiful location. . . on the banks of the Zrmanja River. . . perfect for swimming, diving and relaxing. . . " (as advertised). In fact we arrived at a family holiday park miles from the river, which bore no resemblance to the description. We were all really disappointed by this. Day 4 was great and wonderful kayaking (3 hours) and hiking although not with raft on back (as advertised) as national park will no longer allow it. Overall, I did enjoy but am left feeling frustrated because this could have been so much more. I was away from home for 5 days. . . the total activity (7 hours of kayaking and 2. 5 hours of hiking) was far too little in my opinion. The camping element needs re-thinking. In its current format I couldn't recommend this trip sadly.

The weather mucked up the original plan, but Iggy was super enthusiastic about the alternative options. He was an absolutely delightful guide and made sure everyone was accommodated and comfortable with whatever we were doing. And most importantly, he made sure everyone was safe at all times. This trip showed parts of Croatia I probably wouldn't have gone to otherwise, so it was fascinating, and Iggy's history knowledge made it even more so.

I'm not even home yet and I'm looking at coming back. I loved every minute of this trip. Because of heavy rain the week before our itinerary changed as the water level was too high so now I want to come back and do it again.

Great trip on stunning river systems - dramatic canyons and green waters, narrow rivers with cascading rapids. Sea swims, waterfall swims and lots of laughter with a bunch of strangers who have become friends. Igor our guide was superb - making us all feel welcome and relaxed. His wide ranging and deep historical knowledge of the country was fascinating and impressive. Just a superb trip!