This programme offers seven nights at a friendly and welcoming Croatian ranch. A great destination for families as well as single adults or groups, there is basic tuition offered as well as enjoyable rides out into the countryside. This is a wonderful chance to experience the culture as well as the beautiful outdoors. There are horses here to suit all riders and there are excellent options for children or nervous guests.

For the more experienced or confident rider, each day will take you in a different direction around this area - you can head out towards the river Cetina, where it is possible to swim with the horses in warmer months, or explore the fascinating town of Sinj. The programme offers six days of riding with guests spending between 4 and 6 hours in the saddle each day. For the less experienced guests, those lacking confidence or children, the centre can offer you some basic tuition and rides out at a more relaxed pace. The horses are calm with a kind temperament.

Your hosts here are very proud of the history and culture of this area and want their guests to have the opportunity to learn something about it. There are various excursions and extras which can be arranged for you if you'd like and here are some of the options:

- Trip to one of the most beautiful sandy beaches of the Adriatic Sea

- Tasting their homemade wines by the fireplace

- Visit to a local racecourse to see how the horses are prepared and trained

- Archery on Horseback competitions

- Museum visits and a trip to an old fort in the centre of town where the inhabitants defended themselves against the Turks long ago

- Trip to an old mill on the river Ruda where guests can mill the flour

- Visit to a local valley where guests can harvest the medicinal plants growing there

- A visit to Alkar stables where guests can view the horses used in the game of Alka - a traditional knights' game which originated in Sinj hundreds of years ago

This is a flexible based stay to suit all riders. It is enjoyable both from a riding point of view and for the chance to absorb the warm Croatian culture - it is also excellent value and the hosts are friendly and accommodating.

The Krka trail is ideal for the riders that want to experience wild and unspoilt Croatian countryside. You will be dazzled by the quaint and romantic villages of Dalmatia, which await you at the beginning of your journey. Then as you make your way through lush fields and forests, the Dinara and Svilaja mountains will watch over you.

There are many spectacular views of the Cetina river which runs through the valley, plus numerous streams and springs where you can refresh yourself and relax, listening to the sound of buzzing bees on blossoming heather or picking some of the sweet red cherries.

Your trail follows the river and Peruca lake and you will pass the romantic old towns of Vrlika and Drnis. After passing Drnis you will arrive into the Krka National Park. The Krka river region was declared a national park in 1985. Here you will be able to enjoy the exceptional beauty of the Krka river, the special features of its natural phenomena and the history surrounding it.

The Krka river hosts several amazing waterfalls and the park is characterised by an exceptionally rich flora and fauna, because of its distinctive position and diverse types of habitats, over 860 plant species and sub-species have been documented in the park.The Krka River area features many cultural and historical monuments representing traces of human activity from prehistory to the present day.

Itinerary:

Saturday: You arrive during the day. If you wish you can visit the town of Sinj and the remains of the fortress of Grad (the Town) that are the only witnesses of the numerous battles though history. One of the famous battles was in the year 1715 when the people of Sinj, inspired by their faith in Our Lady of Sinj drove away the powerful Turkish army which had besieged the town. Another monument of victory over the Turkish conquerors is the " ALKA". The game called "ALKA" has been performed every year since 1715. Guarding the symbols of the victory with their original outfits, the people of Sinj simulate the battle with horses. People from all over the world come to Sinj just to see this amazing game.

You will have the opportunity to get to know other riders, horses and friendly people on the ranch. Dinner will take place at sunset and you can relax, drink wine from their ranch's own vineyards, and eat delicious local food as well.

Sunday: After breakfast on the ranch, you set off for a test ride to see if you are matched with the right horse. If you are not satisfied with your horse you can change it before you start the trail. You can have an exhilarating gallop in the big fields of Sinj, and then a chance for you and your horse to cool off as you swim in the river. You will then head back to the ranch where lunch will be served.

Monday: After breakfast the group will tack up the horses and ride through beautiful fields up to the river Cetina where you can have a long gallop.

Lunch is prepared in stunning surroundings by the river. After a delicious lunch the ride continues, climbing up rolling hillsides to the plateau named "Bitelic". You will ride on old Roman stone roads and enjoy the views of the mountains Dinara and Svilaja that surround you.

The trail passes an old stone village called "Vucipolje" and leads you to the lake Peruca where you can swim with your horse. After some relaxation time you will leave the horses by the lake you will go back to the ranch by car (20 minute journey), where you will have dinner with a glass of home-made wine and enjoy traditional music played by your host on the guitar.

Tuesday: After breakfast, a quick drive to the lake where you will saddle the horses and move on up to the river following the waters edge of the lake Peruca.

With adrenaline pumping after some trotting and a long fast gallop, you can refresh yourself by the river and tuck into lunch. Moving on, the ride crosses the river and you can enjoy another long gallop through the lush open fields, arriving at a little Croatian town named Vrlika where you can learn about the rich history of the area. You will return to the ranch tonight to sleep. 

Wednesday: The next morning, you ride through Vrlika and start climbing up the mountains through the village of Maovice. At the top of the mountain you will be amazed at the breathtaking, panoramic views across the beautiful landscape of wild rivers, fields and hills.After a quick break, the group will start the descent down to the foot of the mountain where you will have lunch. Then the pace will pick up as you trot, canter and gallop through stunning plantations of vineyards to the town of Drnis.

After unsaddling the horses the group will walk to the motel in the centre of the town, where you can refresh yourself before a short walk to a nearby restaurant where you will have scrumptious Croatian cuisine and local wines. Afterwards you can enjoy a good night sleep.

Thursday: Today you start the adventure to the National Park Krka, you will gallop to the little village Bristane where lunch is served at a family farm with local cuisine and schnapps.The group will then leave the horses and travel by boat to see the island of Visovac whom is counted among the most important natural and prehistorical monuments of the Republic of Croatia. Since 1445 it has been the site of the Franciscan Monastery of Our Lady of Mercy and the church of Our Lady of Visovac.

Together with the magnificent landscape of Visovac lake, this creates a unique setting. The monastery has an important archaeological collection, a collection of historical vessels, and a rich library of many historical manuscripts and valuable books. After seeing the island Visovac and its lake you continue with the sightseeing tour to see "Roski slap". You will be able to swim in the river, enjoying the amazing surroundings and marvel at the beautiful waterfalls along the river.

After sightseeing this breathtaking landscape the group go back to the lovely village of Bristane, to enjoy dinner in the company of the hospitable hosts, and then a good night sleep.

Friday: In the morning the group continue riding, trotting and galloping to the Canyon of the river Cikola. The canyon is one of the most beautiful places at the National Park Krka. As you continue, on your right hand side you can see the river Cikola entering the Visovac lake surrounded with enormous cliffs, rich in colourful flora.You then make your way down in to the canyon and continue trotting and galloping to the place where you will be crossing Cikola river. After climbing up the canyon you will have lunch and refresh with a cold drink.

After a lunch break the group carry on riding through the villages Goris and Konjevrate with a combination of trotting and galloping until you arrive at the entrance of the National Park Krka named "Skradinski Buk". That is also the end of this unforgettable trail, after the group unsaddle the horses, they will be transferred back to the ranch.

During that time you can go sightseeing and visit "Skradinski Buk" the longest and most widely visited series of waterfalls on the Krka river. It is the one of the best known natural beauties of Croatia. The waterfalls are composed of travertine barriers, islands and lakes, which can be viewed freely thanks to a network of paths and bridges that enable a comfortable and safe walk. At the bottom of the waterfalls you can enjoy swimming in the clean water whilst watching butterflies flutter around you.

The travertine cascades of the Krka river are made of very delicate material and are sensitive to natural changes and all human activity. They can even be considered a living creature as they grow, develop and age and can die if there is no water.

One of the interesting things that you will be able to see is the renovated water-mills of the Krka National Park, the presentations include the milling of grain, the washing and treading of cloth, the weaving of bags and rugs, the smithing of horseshoes, ploughing, sowing, and the preparation of the food in an old-fashioned kitchen.

Saturday: After a final delicious breakfast you prepare to leave taking with you many unforgettable memories of your magnificent trail.

The horses used on this trail are English bred, Anglo Arab, Holsteins, Croatian Warmbloods, Bosnian horses. They have a kind temperament and are well trained, sure footed, reliable. These horses are fit and forward going but they know their job well. They act in a herd mentality which adds to the experience and reflects the natural environment that they live in.

Due to the weather or any other unforeseen circumstances, the route and programme may have to be adapted.

This trail is perfect for riders with intermediate experience to have the trip of a lifetime. This is an area that the Romans and Napoleon explored leaving behind a rich cultural heritage. On the roads though Dalmatia you will meet friendly and welcoming people and get to know the villages unspoilt by time where you can drink and swim in the clean spring water. You will listen to the buzzing of bees on the heather blossom and pick sweet red cherries.

Dalmatinska Zagora is protected by Dinara and Svilaja mountains and rich with fields and forests, watered by Cetina and numerous streams. You will make your way up river to Cetina and Peruca lake (famous as one of the places where the Winnetu films were filmed) to one of the sources of the river with the cleanest water in Europe where you can refresh yourself and swim with the horses.

Itinerary:

Saturday: On arrival you have the opportunity to visit the town of Sinj and the remains of the Grad fort which was witness to numerous battles through the ages. In 1715 the people of Sinj drove away the powerful Turkish army which had besieged the town. Another monument of victory over the Turkish is the game called ALKA which has been performed every year since 1715. To celebrate the victory the people of Sinj recreate the battle with horses and people from all over the world come to see this amazing game. On the ranch you have the opportunity to get to know the other riders, the horses and your friendly hosts. Delicious local cuisine will be served at sunset, accompanied by wines from their own vineyards.

Sunday: After breakfast on the ranch you will meet your horse and set off on your first ride. You will make your way through the big fields of Sinj where you can canter all the way to the Cetina river. You will have a short break by the river where you can refresh yourself by swimming with your horse. You will resume your ride trotting and cantering until lunch time.

After lunch you will leave the horses by the river and take a ten minute car trip to visit an old romantic village where time has stood still. You will visit a 300 year old mill that still works today in the same way as it did all those years ago. Around the mill there are numerous springs from which you can refresh yourself. There is an old wives tale that says if you swim in this water, as the ladies did in days gone by, then you will stay young forever. After relaxing in this wonderful spot, you will return to the horses and resume your ride with a gallop to the Kriz hill where you will be astounded by the amazing view of Sinj and its beautiful countryside. You will return to the ranch where you can sample home made wines and schnapps with your delicious dinner.

Monday: Following breakfast you will ride along the forest trails to the long fields where you will canter past the Brnaze village and climb your way up the Gaj hill to the place where you will receive a delicious lunch. You will enjoy the view of the fort in the town of Grad which was witness to battles against the Turks.

You will continue your way down, following old trails that will lead you all the way to the centre of the romantic town of Sinj. In the centre of the town you will be surrounded by history and culture. You will pass by an old church built 1713 years ago and the legend says the the Holy Lady of Sinj helped the local people to defend the town against the Turkish army. You will pass by a fort in the centre of the town of Kamicak. On the way back you will visit the Alkars stable and see their horses, which are near the racing track. You will enjoy a well deserved dinner. Today you will have ridden for about 4-5 hours.

Tuesday: Today you will ride to the little village of Han, where you will cross an old stone bridge on the Cetina river to continue up the hill to the mountains, leaving behind a breathtaking view of the valley. You will ride on tracks that no one has passed for a long time, that lead you to the Gljev village. The countryside has rich red soil, ancient stone walls and contrasts to the karst rock formation. This is a wonderful time to reflect and feel at one with nature whilst you are riding along the slow and windy roads. Lunch will be enjoyed on the amazing plateau. Returning, you can once again stop and refresh yourselves at the Cetina river, perhaps enjoying a swim with the horses in the clean water. You can then canter back to the ranch through the valley of Glavice. Todays riding time totals 4-5 hours.

Wednesday: After breakfast you will trot and canter west towards the Cetina river, all the way to the little village of Jasensko. Passing by the village, the route leads through the forest trails back to the ranch, where you will enjoy local specialities for lunch.

After lunch you will have the chance to visit the UNESCO protected town of Split, which is Dalmatian's most picturesque coastal town. You can visit the palace in the centre of town. There will be time to explore the town's delightful meandering streets, the romantic harbour where you can see the fishermen in action, or weather permitting you can swim in the crystal clear Adriatic sea on one of the most beautiful beaches in Dalmatia. You will return to the ranch for another delicious dinner and rest, ready for a longer riding day tomorrow. Total riding time is around 3 hours today.

Thursday: Today you will experience some more beautiful landscape as you ride into the heart of Dalmatinska Zagora. As you ride across the old village of Citluk, you will be riding on some old stone Roman tracks and through the fields of Hrvace where you will enjoy some faster riding. You will be surprised by the variety of the terrain, flora and fauna. You will cross the old stone bridge to the romantic village of Panj, where you will have lunch by the river and enjoy some swimming.

After lunch you will continue the trail through the fields and will climb your way to the village of Vucipolje, which lies in a valley protected by the Dinara mountain. It is very beautiful here and the views are fantastic. Continuing on, you will come to the Dabar, one of the most beautiful canyons by the Peruca lake (this is one of the places where Winnettu films are made and attracts visitors because of the legend). You will have dinner by the campfire whilst listening to the lake. Tonight you will sleep in tents by the lake and enjoy some guitar playing and tales around the fire. Todays riding is about 5 hours in total.

Friday: You will wake up to enjoy the calm and stilllness of the lakeside and breakfast will be fun in the early morning sun. It will be very peaceful and tranquil. The ride will continue through the old villages of Bitelic, passing by the old stone houses that will captivate you. You will ride down the stone tracks with wonderful views of the river and valley that lay in front of you. After lunch by the Rumin river, where you can refresh yourself by the cleanest water in the world, you will continue back to the ranch. Dinner will be accompanied by homemade wine and schnapps and your hosts will entertain you with their guitar. Todays riding 5-6 hours.

Saturday: After breakfast it is time for everyone to leave and say goodbye to their new friends and caring hosts, taking with you unforgettable memories of this truly amazing trail.