Cowboy Wilderness Adventure

Introduction
Velebit Nature Park Croatia
Amidst the foothills of the Velebit Mountain lies a hidden valley full of natural beauty, horses, culture and endless adventures, home to a private and unique guest ranch, Croatia’s premier horse and riding destination! The ranch offers a beautiful blend of luxurious living with Michelin-quality food and authentic cowboy life in the West.

The Cowboy Wilderness Adventure is carefully tailored 7-day program to liven your spirit and engage your body. Your adventure will have you staying in a variety of accommodations from a real Sioux tipi or cozy chalet at the ranch to camping in the mountains. This ensures you get the full exposure of Croatia's beautiful lands and fantastic hospitality!  Ride in a pristine nature, visit a ghost town on horseback and indulge in a tasty cuisine featured in a Michelin guide. Experience frontier life in this heart-changing adventure. You will come as a city-slicker and leave as true and tried cowboy and cowgirl.

Accomodation


Accommodations
This is a progressive ride, so nights will be spent in different locations.

Description
You will be staying in a variety of accommodation types in order to fully experience Croatia's hospitality and beauty. Laundry is available at the ranch for an added fee.

Accommodation Itinerary - subject to changes based on availability
Night 1 & 2: Ranch
Night 3, 4 & 5: Basecamp
Night 6: Ranch



Ranch
The ranch offers a variety of accommodation types from ranch rooms to suites, lodges, tents, and even tipis! They all feature beds dressed with soft linens, private baths (river tents have detached bathrooms), porches and mountain views. With Studio hall, Saloon, the Square, Japanese hot tub (available year-round), swimming pool (only heated during the summer months), archery range, horse riding arena, tack room, two creeks and a river, there’s plenty of indoor and outdoor space for guests to spread out comfortably.

Camping
At the base camp, you will sleep in comfortable safari-style tents on proper made-up beds and mattresses (duvet included). There are hot showers available.



Meals
All meals are included from lunch on Day 1 to breakfast on your last day.

Our food has been called “soul food” and designated as “cooked with love.” It is best described as a Croatian mosaic of world flavors – a sensational fusion of Mediterranean dishes plated with an international flare.  Eating food grown on-site or foraged from the nearby meadows and forest is at the heart of every menu. Respect for the sustainable production, harvest and preparation of these ingredients is always at the forefront of our mind.

Microbiome & Nutrition
At the Ranch, we think that there is a way to rebalance your body through food and science. Together with our partner Luxia Scientific, a French biotech company, we bring our guests an opportunity to sequence their microbiome.
If you are willing to give this a try, before you arrive at the Ranch, we organize for sample collection. When you arrive at the Ranch, the 10-page report awaits you. However, please note that due to the remote nature of this ride, a specific diet plan cannot be accommodated.
The testing service is available for an extra fee.

Dietary Restrictions
We can cater to dietary restrictions if given prior notice.

This trip includes and can accommodate special dietary requests.

Riding


Riding Level
We welcome all levels of riders from a good novice to experienced! If the group is mixed in riding abilities, we will split the group at time so that the more experienced riders can go at faster paces.

Horses
We have a variety of breeds (Quarter horses, Arabians, Lipizzaners, mountain horses) to suit each individual rider's needs. We breeds our own horses and take extra care in their care and training. We ensure they are calm, collected, and desensitized.

Guides
We always have 1 guide for 5 guests.

Age Limit
The minimum age to join this tour is 13 years old. Anyone under 18 should be a regular and enthusiastic rider, have a keen sense of adventure and must be accompanied by a parent or guardian. We have had people in their 70's on trips, but again, they were fit, in good health and rode regularly prior to their holiday. We ask that you judge yourself (and your children) honestly in this regard, as we will take your word for it and plan the trip accordingly.
It is important that you feel fit and healthy before going on the trail. We are traveling in the wilderness, where medical services (beyond first aid) are not readily available.

Itinerary


Sample Itinerary 2023 - subject to changes

Itinerary and the duration of the activities are subject to change due to group abilities and preferences, weather conditions and forecasts, snow and water levels, special events or interest, etc. Guides and trip leaders will do their utmost to ensure the best possible experience for their clients without compromising safety at any time. This may mean changing the original itinerary to avoid discomfort or risk which could be caused by exceptional situations. Our partner reserves the right to alter the itinerary without prior notice.

Day 1: Arrival
Arrival during the day. You can arrive at the ranch in time for lunch in order to get the whole afternoon to explore the ranch and go on a test ride.
Meals included: Lunch & Dinner
Overnight at Ranch

Day 2: Ride to Camp & Horsemanship
After breakfast we set out for the mountain. Our goal for this day is to reach a hidden mountain valley at 1200 meters above sea level, where our crew has set up two different base camps. After lunch in the first camp, try yourself in a natural horsemanship session. Our signature style of horsemanship is a combination of “a natural human on a natural horse” and genetic memory. By allowing yourself to be authentic, you will experience fellowship with a horse unlike ever before.
Meals included: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
Overnight at First Camp

Day 3: Wolf Territory
Nothing beats getting up in the early morning on the mountain, hearing eagles and smelling fresh coffee straight from the campfire. After breakfast, we tack the horses and head for another climb, on our way to the wolf territory. This is an intensive ride, covering some rough terrain. A real adventure!
Meals included: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
Overnight at Second Camp

Day 4: Old Roman Road
Proper cowboy breakfast will be served in the morning. On this day we will ride on the old Roman road built 1600 years ago. We will stop for rest and lunch break at the Ranger’s station, before heading back to the camp.
Meals included: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
Overnight at Second Camp

Day 5: Riding through Bear Country
Ride on this day takes us over the mountain to a valley which is a popular brown bear habitat. There is a high probability of spotting these majestic animals.
We will eat our lunch out of the saddlebags. In the afternoon we will circle back to the camp, riding on a road that goes through a deep forest. There are opportunities for nice canters in the forest.
Meals included: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
Overnight at First Camp

Day 6: Ride Back
We slowly return to the Ranch using high altitude switchbacks, frequented during middle-ages by outlaws and renegades. Lunch out of the saddlebags near the animal watering hole, so very likely we will run into forest critters there.
In the evening, a feast will await us at the Ranch, and after a soak in the hot tub!
Meals included: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
Overnight at Ranch

Day 7: Departure
Departure after breakfast or extend your stay for more relaxation, rejuvenation or other activities that Ranch has to offer.
Meals included: Breakfast

Rates and Dates for Cowboy Wilderness Adventure

Dates Note:
Sold Out Dates (as of 3/21/23): April 18- May 6, May 13-20 and June 2-4

Other Info
Meeting: Velika Plana
Airport: Zadar Airport (ZAD)
Transfer: Gospić

Climate:
                                                Donje Pazarište area