NEW
Highlights
Ideal for families & couples
Hikes, bikes & rafting in the Julian Alps
Bear watching deep in the forest
Introduction
Ideal for couples, groups of friends or families this adventure holiday in beautiful Slovenia will get you exploring the best of the great and diverse outdoors.
Outline Itinerary
Day
1. Arrive Ljubljana, to Bohinj
2. Hiking in Triglav Nat. Park area
3. Mountain biking at Planica & to Tolmin
4. Mini-rafting on the Soča River & Tolmin Gorge walk
5. To the South & Škocjan Caves
6. Hiking on the Bear Trail. Bear watching
7. Depart Slovenia.
Cost
Price is dependant on season and numbers travelling
Departure Dates
April - October, dates to your requirements
After arriving into the small international airport at Ljubljana there is a chance to visit the capital before you transfer the short distance to Lake Bohinj, the starting point for many adventures. Bohinj sits beneath the great circle of mountains of Triglav National Park, named after the highest mountain in Slovenia and is splendid in this setting.
Your first full day will be spent hiking around the Bohinj area and this can mean anything from a gentle amble around the lake to a 885m climb from Savica waterfall to the hut at Komma where a welcome lunch awaits. More challenging routes can be accommodated too, the length of hiking and seriousness all depends upon your fitness and experience; there is some terrific hiking in the area and you can even start high by using the cable car to Vogel.
The following morning you head to the Nordic ski centre of Planica to enjoy its summer mountain bike trails. In the afternoon you take the train through the mountains to arrive in the Soča Valley, this saves time and sets you up nicely for mini-rafting the next day on the beautiful turquoise waters of the Soča River.
However, before the rafting part of this adventure is experiencing the local way of life and we use a cosy farmhouse for your overnight stay. The first thing you will notice with a hearty welcome from the owner is that he is likely to bring out his home brewed local drink for your good health! Dinner is passionately prepared by his mother who makes it using as many resources as possible directly from the farm. A chance to taste Slovenian tradition at its best.
Undoubtedly one of the most popular activities on this trip is mini-rafting. Unlike rafting, you and your friends sit in the mini raft alone (max. 3 people per raft), while the guides accompany and entertain you from their kayaks. Even though this isn't an adrenaline-filled activity, it offers a fantastic and unforgettable adventure on the intense blue river.
Later in the day explore the trails of the Tolmin Gorges, a popular tourist spot but still worth seeing for the crystal clear turquoise waters. Head back to the farmhouse to relax with a glass of Slovenian wine.
Time to head south the following day and you will visit the Škocjan Caves, a UNESCO natural and cultural heritage site among the Karst limestone scenery. Rare olm live here along with other aquatic cave species and the guides can explain their habitat in these show caves. After a lunch with traditional dried hams and truffles you head to Lake Cernika, an important wetland before reaching Kočevje.
On your next adventure you enter the forests that cover 85% of this region and are home to large predators such as bear and wolf. You will hike through these serene woods on the Bear Trail with an expert guide who can interpret the signs of the forest and relive stories of encounters. Lost in time it is no wonder some of the trees here are 500 years old.
Your final activity is perhaps another highlight of the week as you head to a hide deep in the forest for an evening bear watching. Nicely rounding out an exploration of this remarkable small and friendly country.
Note:
This itinerary is excellent as a multi-activity adventure holiday for those who enjoy being out in nature but we can tailor it to your requirements. Responsible Tourism:
This tour is labelled as 'Bear Friendly' and you will be directly contributing to nature conservation in the Dinaric Alps. For further information discover the LIFE DINALP BEAR Project
Please contact us for more details.