Tour Detail

Your Go Get Lost adventure starts this morning at our meeting point, the lobby of our centrally located hotel in Ljubljana. We'll board our private coach and enjoy a picturesque ride up into the nearby Julian Alps. Our trailhead is in the town of Mojstrana, one of the gateways to Triglav National Park, where we'll spend the day hiking along nature trails rich in natural and cultural attractions. The trail is intended for hikers and runs on undemanding terrain, using the paths along the captivating Triglavska Bistrica river while passing quaint river bridges embedded in dense mature forest in the heart of the Vrata Valley. The path connects the most interesting and mysterious parts of the valley, including the Peričnik Fall, the Galerije, and the majestic north face of Triglav, the largest mountain wall in Slovenia, a true marvel of nature that rises 1200m high and spans 3km wide, traversed by over 100 different climbing routes that are the home of the alpine elite.

After our day in the mountains, we'll head to our home for the next two nights, a 4-star lakeside hotel in the small but lively mountain town of Bled. Tonight, we'll sit down to an excellent dinner featuring local Slovenian specialties...and of course paired with wonderful Slovenian wine! Slovenia has an amazing wine industry, with thousands of small family wineries producing over 100 million bottles annually. Relax and enjoy!

Today's hike is approximately 3-5 hours, depending on the route, with an elevation gain of a little over 1000' (most of it at the waterfall ascent) and an elevation loss of 750'. The total distance will be between 6-8 miles, depending on the trails used. The trail is rated MODERATE.

Non-hiking option: If you decide to opt out of the Vrata Valley hike today, you can stay with the transfer vehicle as it makes a few stops along the valley to support the hiking group. It's peaceful and scenic, but you might want to bring a book.

After breakfast this morning we'll gear up for a day in the spectacular Vogel mountains. Overlooking Lake Bohinj, one of Slovenia's lesser known but most scenic lakes, the surrounding peaks and ridges make for wonderful hikes. We'll use the cable cars to access the high country, then head off onto trails that provide amazing views of Bohinj far below, and the surrounding valleys all the way bag to Triglav. The Vogel Mountain area has a wide range of trail options, all of them scenic, so we have several excellent hike options today, based on our group and local conditions.

Today's hike will be about 3-4 hours and is rated MODERATE. There is about 1395 feet of ascent, the same of descent, with a distance of 4-5 miles. Most of the trail will be between 5,000 and 6,000 feet of altitude. The trail surface is rocky and uneven in places, normal hiking balance skills are required.

Non-hiking option: If you decide to opt out of the Vogel Mountain hike today but you still want to see some mountain scenery, you can ride the cable car up to the high country with the group and spend some time walking nearby, then relax with a book in the lodge as you wait for the group to finish their hike, then have lunch with them at the lodge. Or you could opt to stay in Bled and explore that town and its many shops, there is an easier walk around the lakeshore and a boat service to take you out to the picturesque island.

Today we make our way south, cross into Croatia and have our hike...underground! From time immemorial, people have been attracted to the gorge where the Reka River disappears underground and wondered at the mysterious cave entrances near the village of Škocjan. We'll solve the mystery as we walk through the incredible labyrinth of the Škocjan Caves - an exceptional system of limestone caves and almost 4 miles of underground passages with a total depth of more than 200 meters, many waterfalls and one of the largest known underground chambers in the world.

Archaeological research has shown that people lived in the caves and the surrounding area in prehistoric times – from the Mesolithic, the Neolithic, the Bronze and Iron Ages and the Middle Ages to the present...altogether for more than 5,000 years. The site, located in the Kras region (literally meaning Karst), is one of the most famous in the world for the study of the karstic phenomena. The Caves represent one of the world's largest known underground river canyons, that was cut into the limestone bedrock by the Reka River. Due to its exceptional significance, Škocjan Caves have been on the UNESCO’s list of natural and cultural World Heritage Sites since 1986. Our path through the caves goes across catwalks suspended over the river, through enormous caverns and through beautiful, illuminated passageways.

After our underworld hike, we'll continue on our way, stopping to enjoy lunch at a simple cafe along our route. Eventually we'll arrive at our home for the night, a beautiful 4 Star hotel tucked away just a few miles from Plitvice National Park.

Today's walk is rated EASY, on catwalks and mostly flat surfaces, with some stairways. The distance will vary from 3-4 miles.

Non-hiking option: If you want to skip the underground experience, you can hang out at the main Skocjan area that has picnic tables along with a few shops and cafes, and a small museum that illustrates how the cave was found and explored.

This morning, we embark on yet another totally unique hike, in the stunning Plitvice Lakes National Park. This is a land of enchantment, with scenery that will take your breath away. The park's crown jewel is the chain of 16 terraced lakes, all joined by a series of over 90 picturesque waterfalls that wind through limestone canyons. As we hike along the meandering walkways and trails, we'll be surrounded by the park's awe-inspiring limestone canyons and sparkling waters that seem to change color with each turn. Get ready to capture some of the most Instagram-worthy shots of your life, as the park's fairytale landscape will leave you spellbound. The hike is crowned by the 230-foot waterfall, a true natural wonder that adds to the already mesmerizing beauty of the area.

The afternoon will see us at our home for the next two nights, a beautiful 4-star hotel in a great central location in the charming town of Split. The town's historic core is a UNESCO World Heritage Site, dating back to the Roman era, and is surrounded by beautiful scenery including glimmering pebble coves, pine-fringed shorelines, and soaring mountains with hiking trails crisscrossing throughout. Split is also known for being the gateway to some of the most stunning islands in the Mediterranean. One of the most enthralling areas of Split is the Old Town, a maze of streets and cobblestoned lanes that surround the impressive Diocletian's Palace. This area is steeped in history and is a must-visit for any culture enthusiast. People's Square (Narodni Trg) is the heart of the Old Town, where cafes and restaurants spill out onto the square.

Today's walk is rated EASY to MODERATE. The distance will be between 5 and 8 miles, depending on which trails we choose, and elevation gain will be between 900 and 1500 feet.

You have the entire day free to explore Split! It's historic and captivating Old Town can keep you occupied all day, shop til you drop! If you feel like venturing further afield there is the stunning coastline and myriad offshore islands to explore. You can choose from half-day and full-day boat tours that depart from the nearby waterfront. Visit the Blue Cave, go swimming in the Blue Lagoon, enjoy sunning on secluded beaches, or just cruise and relax while you enjoy the scenery!

This morning we'll leave the coastline and head into the interior mountains, crossing the border with Bosnia-Herzegovina to reach the picturesque city of Mostar. Founded as a market town on the ancient trading route between Europe and the East, it fell under the rule of the Ottoman Turks in 1468. In 1566 it's iconic Stari Most, the "Old Bridge" was built by Suleiman the Magnificent, ruler of the Ottoman Empire. The charm of Mostar extends well past the span of this bridge, the city center looks as if it could be from a movie set of this period. After that the town was ruled by the Austro-Hungarian Empire, then various governments until after WWII, when it became part of Yugoslavia. It again became war-torn while declaring independence in the 1990's, and the scars of that recent war are still evident. We'll have a walking tour with a local guide to introduce us to the history and sites of this little-known Balkan gem. The afternoon is free to explore the winding streets and narrow alleys, full of shops and market stalls.

This morning after breakfast we'll again head south towards Dalmatia, passing through the stunning landscape of this mountainous region. The unique geography offers a range of mesoclimates that are perfect for viticulture, making it home to some of the Balkan's best-known wines. Enroute we'll have a stop at localy winery for a tasting, then continue on to Dubrovnik, the "Pearl of the Adriatic", our home for the next two nights. This UNESCO-protected city is where medieval history meets sun-splashed Mediterranean ambiance...a treasure trove of cultural and historical heritage, with unique local seafood cuisine, palaces, galleries, museums, and the iconic city walls that have protected the city for centuries. Its old-world charm was such that it was chosen as the filming location for Game of Thrones. Founded in the 7th century, Dubrovnik was the only city-state on the Croatian coast from the 14th to the 19th century and has a strong historical background as one of Europe's most important ports and prosperous maritime trade centers. Our 5-Star hotel is situated a few miles north of the old town alongside the sea, with 7 gorgeous swimming pools and plenty of ocean access for swimming and snorkeling.

After getting settled at our hotel, your tour leader will take you into Dubrovnik old city for a walking tour of its iconic streets and squares. The city has a long, amazing history of overlapping civilizations and momentous events, and even as recently as the 1990's it was a battleground.

This morning after breakfast we'll combine views, hiking and history as we embark on the trail to the top of Mount Srđ, perched above the historic city of Dubrovnik. The route was used by Dubrovnik women and children during the siege of Dubrovnik in 1991. Each night they carried supplies to the townsmen who were manning Fort Imperial at the top of Mount Srd, protecting Dubrovnik from invasion. As you ascend, prepare to be blown away by the stunning panoramic views of the surrounding landscape, with the town of Dubrovnik spread out below you. After the hike, you will take a scenic ride down on the cable car and into Dubrovnik itself. You'll have free time to explore the city further and even take a jaunt of the city walls.

This evening we'll meet up with the rest of the group for a farewell dinner at a local restaurant. Here you can indulge in delicious local dishes and reminisce about the amazing experiences you've had on this unforgettable journey in the magical Balkans.

Today's hike is EASY, with a total distance of 1.4 miles and an elevation gain of 886 feet. It is a steady climb on a wide, rocky, switchback path.

Your Go Get Lost tour ends today after breakfast. Your tour leader can help you arrange a taxi to the airport for your flight home. If you're starting our Exploring Montenegro tour, you'll be picked up this morning at the hotel to continue your adventures!