CROATIA PHOTO TOUR
Plitvice to Dubrovnik, Autumn 2027

This Croatia photography tour runs the length of the country, Zagreb to Dubrovnik, timed for the week Plitvice turns red and gold.

We spend two nights at Plitvice Lakes - the lower falls, the upper boardwalks, and viewpoints that stay open after the park closes - then drop to the coast at Zadar, where the Sea Organ plays the sunset. A mountain day at Tulove Grede in the Velebit range ends under some of the darkest night skies on the Adriatic. Then the coast takes over: Krka's waterfalls, Split from Marjan Hill, a night on the island of Hvar with sunset from its fortress, the walls of Ston, and two final nights in Dubrovnik - morning in the old city, evening looking down on it from Srd.

One direction, no backtracking - every day moves you somewhere new. And October is the window: the park forests at peak color, soft Adriatic light, and the old towns returned to their residents after the summer season.

Join our Croatia photo tour and photograph the whole country in its best ten days of autumn.

Trip Type

Photo Tour

Starts in

Zagreb (ZAG)

Day One

October 14, 2027

Group Size

4-10 Participants

Activities

Landscape, Old Towns, Night Sky

Ends in

Dubrovnik (DBV)

Last Day

October 23, 2027

Fitness

Relaxed

From $6,595 - BOOK NOW

Trip Enquiry

One autumn, two countries

This tour connects with our Slovenia Photo Tour (October 6 - 12): a free morning in Ljubljana, an included transfer to Zagreb on October 13, and a $500 combined-booking discount when you join both. Full details in the FAQ.

More about our Slovenia tour

Details

When: October 14 - 23, 2027.

Price: $6,595 US dollars
Single Room Supplement*: $1,095 US dollars

Deposit: $995 US dollars to secure your spot

Balance: Due 90 days before departure. Full terms and conditions in FAQ.

Who: Open to all skill levels; non-photographer spouses are welcome.

Group Size: Minimum 4 People, Maximum 10 People.

Where: This photo tour starts in Zagreb (ZAG) and ends in Dubrovnik (DBV).

Fitness Level: Relaxed; most photo opportunities are within one mile from where we leave the vehicle. Expect cobblestones and stairs in the old towns - including the Dubrovnik city walls - and boardwalk trails at the lakes.

The tour is open to all levels of photographic skills, from beginner to experienced. However, there will be no formal workshops or critiques. We will share knowledge and skills along the way in the spirit of real adventurers.

*Tour prices are set for double occupancy, so unless you travel with a friend or spouse, you'll need the single supplement. If you're traveling alone and choose not to book a single supplement, we'll try to pair you with another participant who also seeks to share.

Roommate pairings are not guaranteed; we'll always pair you with someone of the same gender. However, the single supplement fee will apply if we can't match you with another guest.

Why join a photo tour to Croatia?

Croatia packs an improbable amount into a small country: sixteen terraced lakes pouring into each other at Plitvice, a coastline of walled towns and islands, working stone villages, and at the end of it all, Dubrovnik, a city photographers have been chasing since long before it appeared on television.

October is the month to do it. The park forests turn red and gold over the turquoise water, the Adriatic light softens, and the summer crowds are gone from the old towns. You photograph Plitvice’s boardwalks and Dubrovnik’s walls with room to work.

Most visitors see either the parks or the coast. This photography tour connects them in one continuous journey, north to south, with no backtracking, every day moves you somewhere new.

Our Tour?

We built this Croatia photography tour with a local professional photographer who knows these locations in every season, and we timed it for the window when fall color typically peaks at Plitvice.

This is one of the most photography-focused itineraries we run. On most of our tours, a local guide adds the history and the stories of each place; here, our local partner is a working landscape photographer, and the days are built entirely around image-making, where to stand, when the light comes, how each location works. You will still experience the country fully, but through the lens first.

The route runs one way, Zagreb to Dubrovnik. Two nights at Plitvice give us the lower and upper lakes in the best light rather than a single rushed visit, including viewpoints that stay open after the park closes, so we keep the last light. From Zadar we spend a full day in the Velebit mountains at Tulove Grede, with an astro session under dark mountain skies if conditions allow.

Then the coast takes over: Krka’s waterfalls, Split from Marjan Hill, a night on the island of Hvar with sunset from its fortress, the salt town of Ston and its walls, and two final nights in Dubrovnik. morning in the old city, evening looking down on it from the Srd fortress, and a farewell dinner in the village of Bosanka above the city.

We keep the group to ten photographers at most, traveling in 9-seat vans with no more than five guests per van - everyone gets a window, and camera bags ride inside, not under your feet.

One autumn, two countries

This tour connects with our Slovenia Photo Tour (October 6 - 12): a free morning in Ljubljana, an included transfer to Zagreb on October 13, and a $500 combined-booking discount when you join both. Full details in the FAQ.

Full Itinerary

This plan stays flexible. Inland, the fall color at Plitvice peaks on its own schedule; on the coast, the light and the sea decide the best hours. We adjust day by day - if one location is ahead of season or the forecast shows better conditions elsewhere, we move accordingly.

Day 1 | Arrival in Zagreb (ZAG) | (D) | October 14, 2027

Arrive in Zagreb and check into our hotel. In the evening the group meets for orientation and a welcome dinner at a local restaurant.

Accommodation: Amadria Park or similar

Day 2 | Rastoke & Plitvice Lower Lakes | (B, D)

We drive south with a stop at Rastoke, the watermill village at Slunj where the Slunjcica River splits into dozens of small waterfalls between the houses. In the afternoon we reach Plitvice Lakes National Park and photograph the lower lakes, staying for the last light at the great waterfall from viewpoints that remain open after the park closes.

Accommodation: Hotel Lakeside or similar (Plitvice, 2 nights)

Day 9 | Dubrovnik | (B, D)

A full day for the Pearl of the Adriatic: a morning session in the old city before the day-trippers arrive, the circuit of the city walls with its views over the rooftops and the sea, and in the evening we drive up to the Srd fortress for sunset over the whole city. We close the tour with a farewell dinner in the village of Bosanka above Dubrovnik.

Accommodation: Hotel Villa Orabelle or similar

Day 10 | Departure | (B) | October 23, 2027

After breakfast, transfers to Dubrovnik Airport (DBV).

Meals: Breakfast

Day 3 | Plitvice Upper Lakes | (B, D)

A full day in the park, working the upper lakes: boardwalks over turquoise water, terraced travertine falls, and forest in full autumn color. Time to work slowly with tripods and long exposures, and a session at a viewpoint above the great waterfall to end the day.

Accommodation: Hotel Lakeside or similar

Day 4 | Zrmanja Canyon & Zadar | (B, D)

A morning session above the great waterfall, then we drive toward the coast with a stop above the bends of the Zrmanja River canyon. We reach Zadar in time for sunset at the Sea Organ, where the waves play the promenade’s pipes as the sun goes down - Alfred Hitchcock called this the most beautiful sunset in the world, and he had a point. Blue hour in the old town follows.

Accommodation: Hotel Miramare or similar (Zadar, 2 nights)

Day 5 | Velebit Mountains & Night Sky | (B, D)

A mountain day in the Velebit range at Tulove Grede, photographing the bare limestone towers above the Adriatic. After dinner, conditions allowing, we return for an astrophotography session under dark mountain skies. A later start the next morning is built in.

Accommodation: Hotel Miramare or similar

Day 6 | Krka Waterfalls & Split | (B, D)

South to Krka National Park for its waterfalls, then the viewpoint over Visovac, the island monastery set in the middle of the river. We continue to Split and photograph sunset from the dock, with the old town and Marjan Hill across the harbor.

Accommodation: Hotel Luxe or similar (Split)

Day 7 | Split & the Island of Hvar | (B, D)

Sunrise from Marjan Hill over the city, then we board the catamaran to Hvar. The afternoon is for Hvar town’s harbor and lanes, and we end the day at the Spanish fortress above town for sunset over the Pakleni islands.

Accommodation: Hotel Pharos or similar (Hvar)

Day 8 | Hvar to Dubrovnik: Neretva, Peljesac & Ston | (B, D)

A morning crossing back to the mainland and our longest driving day, broken up well: viewpoints over the Neretva River delta, the new Peljesac Bridge, and the medieval salt town of Ston, where we walk a stretch of the longest fortification walls in Europe for the view over both villages. We arrive in Dubrovnik in the late afternoon.

Accommodation: Hotel Villa Orabelle or similar (Dubrovnik, 2 nights)

One autumn, two countries

This tour connects with our Slovenia Photo Tour (October 6 - 12): a free morning in Ljubljana, an included transfer to Zagreb on October 13, and a $500 combined-booking discount when you join both. Full details in the FAQ.

The price of the tour includes:

9 nights of accommodations on a twin/double sharing basis, as listed.
Meals: all breakfasts and all dinners, including the welcome and farewell dinners (non-alcoholic beverages included).
All park and monument entrances as per itinerary: Plitvice Lakes (2 days), Krka National Park, the Hvar fortress, and the Dubrovnik city walls.
Split - Hvar catamaran crossings.
Photo tour leader, providing guidance and help throughout.
Local English-speaking professional photographer and driver.
Ground transportation in 9-seat vans, maximum 5 guests per van.
Daily bottled water.
Government tax and service charge.

The price does not include:

Your flight or other travel to Zagreb / from Dubrovnik.
Lunches, and meals or snacks not listed above.
Alcoholic beverages.
Tips for your guide and driver.
Personal travel and medical insurance (required).
Medical expenses.
Personal spending (souvenirs, spa treatments, laundry, etc.).
Optional activities: anything outside what's listed above.

Tour Leader

Daniel Korzeniewski

Photography is more than a passion for Daniel; it’s a golden opportunity to document the world and share unique cultures with people across the globe. Embarking upon his creative path at the age of 17, he has since shot assignments, commercial work, and lifestyle campaigns.

However, his primary focus is on travel and landscape photography. Daniel led photo tours in Morocco, India, Peru, Cuba, and Vietnam during the last few years.

Daniel is fluent in both Spanish and English.

FAQ

If you want the full sweep of Croatia - lakes, mountains, islands, and walled cities - in one continuous journey timed for autumn color and photographed at the right hours, this is that tour. Two nights at Plitvice instead of a drive-through visit, a real night-sky session in the Velebit mountains, an island night on Hvar, and two nights in Dubrovnik. The group stays small, ten photographers at most, and all skill levels are welcome. Non-photographer companions enjoy this route as much as anyone behind a camera.
Plitvice’s forests typically reach peak color in October, right when this tour visits - and in recent drier years the color has come early, which is why we run in the first half of the month. On the coast, October brings soft Adriatic light, mild temperatures, and old towns returned to their residents after the summer season. It is the photographer’s window: the landscape at its most colorful, the locations at their least crowded.
Croatia is one of Europe’s safest travel destinations, with low crime rates and excellent infrastructure. The locals are welcoming and English is widely spoken in the areas we visit. As with travel anywhere, we recommend standard precautions such as safeguarding your belongings and being aware of your surroundings.
We have rated this tour as Relaxed. It is suitable for most people with a basic level of fitness. Expect some walking each day, sometimes on uneven terrain - the Vintgar gorge walkways and short trails to viewpoints - but nothing overly strenuous. We move at a relaxed pace, giving you ample time to set up your shots and enjoy the surroundings.
Expect mild autumn weather: inland at Plitvice, cool mornings and daytime temperatures around 8°C to 17°C (46°F to 63°F); on the coast, warmer and sunnier, often around 15°C to 20°C (59°F to 68°F). Some rain is possible, so bring a waterproof layer. The mixed weather is good news for photography: mist at the lakes and dramatic light on the coast.
Croatia in mid-October is mild and often sunny on the coast, cooler inland at Plitvice, with rain possible anywhere. Layers cover it.
Clothing:
Base layers and a fleece for cool Plitvice mornings
Windproof and waterproof outer shell
Comfortable walking pants
Sturdy walking shoes with good grip for park boardwalks and old-town cobblestones
Lightweight shoes for evenings
A light hat and gloves for sunrise sessions and the Velebit night
A small overnight bag for the Hvar night - the vans and main luggage stay in Split
Photography gear:
A wide-angle zoom (16-35mm equivalent) for the lakes, canyons, and city walls
A mid-range zoom (24-70mm) for general work
A medium telephoto (70-200mm) for compression on the coast and details in the old towns
A fast wide lens (f/2.8 or faster) if you want to make the most of the Velebit astro session
A sturdy travel tripod for waterfalls, blue hour, and the night sky
A circular polarizer and ND filters for Plitvice and Krka
A headlamp for pre-dawn starts and the astro session
Plenty of memory cards and at least two camera batteries
A laptop and external storage for image review and backup
Lens cleaning kit and a rain cover
Personal:
Sunglasses and sunscreen - the Adriatic sun is still strong in October
Personal medication
A reusable water bottle
A small daypack for shoots and town walks
Universal travel adapter (Croatia uses Type C and F plugs, 230V)
A little cash in euros for markets and konobas
Croatia is part of the Schengen area. Your passport should be valid for at least six months beyond your travel dates. Travelers from the United States, Canada, and most of Europe do not currently need a visa for short tourist stays; entry requirements can change, so please verify current rules for your nationality before travel.
It is required that all of our guests have their own travel insurance, which should include evacuation for medical reasons.
Croatia uses the euro. Credit and debit cards are widely accepted, and ATMs are easy to find in every town we visit. A little cash is useful at markets and small konobas.
We stay in well-located 4-star hotels throughout: Amadria Park in Zagreb, Hotel Lakeside at Plitvice, Hotel Miramare in Zadar, Hotel Luxe in Split, Hotel Pharos on Hvar, and Hotel Villa Orabelle in Dubrovnik, all "or similar." Locations are chosen to keep us close to the morning and evening sessions. Breakfast is included everywhere we stay. Final confirmed accommodations are provided about forty-five days before the trip.
Yes - the two tours were designed as a pair. Our Slovenia Photo Tour runs October 6 - 12, ending two days before Croatia begins. Combined-tour guests stay the night of October 12 in Ljubljana, enjoy a free morning there, and travel with us to Zagreb on October 13 - the transfer is included when you book both tours, and a combined-booking discount applies. The in-between hotel nights are available as extra-night add-ons at booking; the discount more than covers them.
1) Booking procedure:
All prices for the tours are quoted in US Dollars.
We require a deposit to reserve a place on the selected photo tour. The deposit is due at the time of booking and can be paid online via credit card; ACH and Debit Cards are also accepted.
Other than the deposit, you must complete the registration form for you and your guests, if any.
If you are traveling solo and want to share a room, we will try our best to find you a match. However, if, for any reason, we don't find a suitable match, the single supplement fee will apply.
We will email you shortly after confirming your booking. Please do not book your flights at this time unless otherwise indicated by us. We will email you once the minimum number of guests to run the tour has been reached.
2) Balance of Payments:
The final payment for the trip is 90 days before departure. Such payment shall be made via credit card or wire transfer. Failure to meet the payment schedule will result in cancellation and forfeit of the deposit.
3) Cancellations and Refunds:
If DAK Photography Inc. must cancel the trip for any reason, 100% of paid deposits will be fully refunded. We reserve the right to cancel any trip/tour/group due to insufficient registration at any time. In the event of such cancellation, those with reservations shall be notified as soon as possible, and a full refund of the trip payment will be given.
Please note that deposits are non-refundable. However, they may be applied as a credit toward a future trip with us, provided the credit is used within 12 months of the original trip's start date.
If a guest needs to cancel, we must receive written notification. Email is accepted.
The following cancellation fees apply:
- 120 days or more before departure: no charge.
- 61 days to 119 days before departure: 50% of the tour fee.
- 60 days or less before departure: 100% of the tour fee.
In the event that you have to cancel, we will do our best to fill your spot. If we do so, we will refund 100% of the tour fee minus an administrative fee of $250.
Refunds will not be made for any other costs you may have incurred as a result of your booking.
Travel and medical insurance, including emergency evacuation coverage, are mandatory for all participants. To safeguard your investment, we strongly recommend purchasing this coverage as soon as your trip is confirmed. We also encourage you to select an insurance policy that covers non-refundable deposits and other pre-trip expenses in case of unforeseen cancellations.
All refunds will be processed within 30 days of receiving written confirmation of your cancellation.