Trek the Mountains of Croatia 2023
Challenge level: 4 out of 5
Challenge level: 4 out of 5
Need a hand? Get in touch...
| 3 May - 7 May 2023 | On Sale | |
|---|---|---|
| 20 September - 24 September 2023 | On Sale | |
| Duration | 5 days |
Join us in the hidden gem of the Istria Peninsula for an almighty mountain trek in Croatia. Based at a hotel in Buzet, we’ll walk different trails every day through the northern mountains and get the best of the secluded landscape of Istria, worlds away from the world-famous Adriatic coast to the south.
With forested hills and limestone peaks, vineyards and olive groves, riverside trails and rich woodland, untouched stone villages and hilltop towns, we'll trek away from the crowds and immerse ourselves in nature.
Following the Istria Mountain Trail across the peninsula, we’ll trek from the wooded hills around Buzet into the Učka National Park. We’ll face challenging climbs and long days on our feet, but the views of waterfalls, indigenous nature and even the Adriatic Islands will make the trek a dream.
Prepare to crest three mountain peaks, including the mighty Mount Učka and reach a height of 1,401m! From here, we’ll look out across the entire peninsula, with the Alps to the north and an endless sea to the south.
The best part of this overseas trekking challenge is that you conquer it for the charity, hospice or animal sanctuary of your choice. In three tough but stunning days, you can make a big impact for the cause that means the most to you, while having the experience of a lifetime and making a group of new friends.
Extend your stay in paradise
You may never travel to Croatia again, so why not take this opportunity to explore the idyllic Plitvice Lakes? Jump on our awesome optional extension for an additional price and spend two days in the paradise of Plitvice Lakes National Park. You'll get to explore the waterfalls, caves and lakes, all famous for their beauty. We'll send you the full details, including the price, once you register.
Pay the registration fee (£149) and challenge costs (£850) + airport taxes/fuel surcharge (approx. £100).
$1,275
Pay the balance
Pay your registration fee (£149) and airport taxes/fuel surcharge (approx. £100), and fundraise £1,700 or more for your chosen charity.
$2,550
Minimum sponsorship target
Our Croatia Mountain Trek is not about living in the gym. Loads of people who sign up for our non-competitive charity challenges have low levels of fitness when they register. The point is to train, do your best, and reach your fitness goal, while making a big difference for the charity that means the most to you.
That said, we strongly recommend you train for the trekking challenge. We'll face long days on our feet (with the days ranging from 6-10 hours). We'll encounter steep climbs in the mountains and tackle a lot of uneven terrain. Please invest in a pair of quality hiking boots with ankle support to wear during your training and on your trek in Croatia, as these are essential for walking on uneven terrain. We also recommend incorporating hills in your training treks.
Our supportive challenge guides and community spirit will help you conquer the challenge of a lifetime. You're also likely to improve your mental health and well-being.
Once you register for the challenge, we'll send you a realistic training plan. This builds up gradually over time so you'll be ready and raring to go by the time we depart for Croatia. You can also check out our top trekking tips here and our indoor training ideas for the days you don't feel like facing the weather!
Please don't be! The majority of people will sign up on their own. Our charity challenges around the world are renowned for the amazing camaraderie and lifelong friendships made, as our groups take on these incredible feats together.
Once you've registered for the trek in Croatia, we'll send you a link to a private Facebook group for everyone on the challenge. Please use this space to swap questions, advice and updates with your fellow trekkers on your training and fundraising.
You may also want to reach out to the other participants in this group to see if there's anyone in your local area you can meet up to train and fundraise with.
The Dream Challenges team are here to help you achieve your charity trek in Croatia, and we will support you all the way. We're always on hand to answer any questions you have about your training or the challenge.
Once you've registered, we will send you a Welcome Pack with everything you need to know about your overseas challenge, including the itinerary, an example insurance policy, details about our challenge destination and the weather we can expect while we're trekking in the mountains of Croatia, the structure of an average trekking day, a full kit list and a realistic training plan to help you get fit for the challenge. The training programme builds up gradually as the event gets closer.
We'll also send you regular updates in the lead-up to the adventure, with more important details, motivational resources, and seasonal fundraising ideas.
During the trek, we'll have a UK doctor with expedition medicine training accompanying the group at all times, along with a team of outdoor remote first-aid trained challenge guides.
Your non-refundable registration fee of £149 per person is used to administer the challenge.
Your challenge costs of £850 (ie. 50% of the fundraising target if you choose the Sponsorship option) cover:
*Accommodation is included on a twin-sharing basis. If you would rather pay for a single supplement and have a room to yourself, we can arrange this for you for an additional cost. Just give us a call on 01590 646410 (Monday-Friday, 9am-5pm) or email us at bookings@dream-challenges.com at least 17 weeks before your overseas challenge.
We'll trek on a mix of terrains following clear trails in the northern mountains of Croatia.
We'll walk on a lot of uneven ground and tackle steep ascents, but all that goes up must come down, so we'll trek downhill and enjoy flat sections as well. We recommend including a lot of hills in your training.
Please make sure to use high ankle walking boots during your training and on the challenge in Croatia, as these are essential to protect your ankles on uneven terrain.
In addition to paying your registration fee (£149) and either self funding your challenge costs (£850) or fundraising the minimum sponsorship target, you will need to budget for your:
No, our support team will transport your main luggage each day.
We advise you to pack light. You will only need to carry a small day pack, containing essential accessories and equipment, including your 2-litre water bottle.
You will need a pair of quality walking boots with ankle support — these are essential for trekking on uneven terrain. Please also bring a 2-litre water bottle.
We'll supply you with a full kit list for your overseas trekking challenge well before we leave for Croatia.
Absolutely! If you want to spend longer in this stunning slice of paradise, why not jump on our optional Plitvice Lakes extension package (not included in challenge costs)?
Instead of flying back with our main group on Day 5, our trusted local partner in Croatia will take you to the amazing Plitvice Lakes National Park. You'll spend two days relaxing and exploring the waterfalls, caves and lakes, world-famous for their beauty. Then on Day 7, you'll be transported to the airport for your arranged flight home. We'll send you the full details, including the price, once you're registered for the challenge.
If you'd like to book a place on the optional extension for an additional price, please give us a call on 01590 646410 (Monday-Friday, 9am-5pm) or email us at bookings@dream-challenges.com at least 17 weeks before the challenge and we'll be happy to help.
Alternatively, if you would like to extend your stay in Croatia, but would not like to partake in the optional extension, we can arrange this for you. Please get in touch on the email or phone number above to discuss your options at least 17 weeks before the challenge.
Travel Insurance
You will need to take out your own personal travel insurance covering health, accident, loss and repatriation. Please arrange your insurance as soon as you can after you sign up to ensure you have coverage for your booking as well as the challenge.
In your Welcome Pack, you will receive information about an insurance provider that specialises in our type of overseas challenges and also covers you for cancellation due to medically-diagnosed COVID-19.
You can, however, take out your own insurance, providing it covers you for a charity trek in Croatia. Please ask the insurer about the nature of the cover. It is your responsibility to ensure you have adequate coverage for your challenge.
Please ask the insurer about the nature of the cover. It is your responsibility to ensure you have adequate coverage for your charity trek.
Visa
Currently, UK citizens do not require a visa for Croatia, but we'll let you know if this changes before the challenge in 2023.
There will be around 20 participants in our group for Trek the Mountains of Croatia. You'll no doubt make a bunch of awesome new friends!
As we're not medically trained, we're afraid we can't offer you advice on this. We recommend you contact your GP or your local travel clinic, who will have the latest travel health advice.
We also recommend you visit the NHS Fit for Travel website here, to keep up to date with current travel health news and advice on staying healthy abroad.
NHS Fit for Travel website: https://www.fitfortravel.nhs.uk/home
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