Bordering Bosnia and Herzegovina and sprawling over an expanse of 300 square km are present 16 lakes that have been separated into an upper and lower cluster by run-off descending from an altitude of 636 m to 503 m from the surrounding mountains. the 12 Upper Lakes are called Gornja jezera whereas the four Lower Lakes are called Donja jezera. These together form the Plitvice Lakes of Croatia – a major tourist attraction today.
When we say heaven abode, it can be experienced in its truest form here. Idiosyncratic colours, cover a spectrum from azure to green to grey or even darker blue. The colors change like a camouflaging chameleon with change in the quantity of organisms or minerals in the water, clubbed with the angle of the suns rays hitting its rippled surface.
Located on the coast, halfway between capital city Zagreb and Zadar, these 16 lakes are interconnected by waterfalls. Veliki Slap, the largest waterfall, is 70m tall. The waterfalls feed bacteria algae and moss that grow at the rate of 1cm per year. This basin also houses karstik rock, main components being dolomite and limestone which form the most extraordinary structures of the place. Spruce, Fir and Beech trees mainly cover the fertile lands of the area forming a mixture of Mediterranean and Alpine type of vegetation. A variety of flora is given refuge and its growth is facilitated by the range of microclimates and soils.
This place shelters deep-seated woodland inhabited by bears, deer, wolves, boars and houses rare bird species. European brown bear, lynx, capercaille, eagle, owl and the wolf can be found there along with others. In totality, 126 species of birds have been known to exist here out of which 70 breed there itself. This form the Plitvice Lakes National Parkthat has attained UNESCO World Heritage status in 1979.
Summer is the best season to get feast your eyes on the most tasteful sights. The park in summer is generally open from 8am to 7pm. The entrance fee is used to upkeep the park. For adults it’s 55 Kunas in November – April; 85 Kunas in May & June and September & October; 100 Kunas in July & August. Children aged 7 to 18 have cheaper tickets, whilst children under the age of seven have free entrance. Groups of 15 or more people can get discounted tickets. 3-hour guided tours in English, German or Italian can also be pre-booked at 20 Euros per hour. Skytravels offers excellent deals to make your trip to the place a cake walk from wherever you hub.
In order to explore the par and its treasure you may walk or hike, hire a boat or even a shuttle bus – whichever will let you experience the woodland to its fullest?
In case you haven’t had enough out thee in a day you can stay over at the park. Accommodation is not much of a hassle. Entrance two of the park has provided space for 3 hotels where you can house yourself. Its campsite is a more exciting option though – bungalows and space for around 500 camping units which is located around 7km outside the northern entrance of the park. 12km away from the park is Hotel Grabovac. Besides these, the road to the park is dotted with various private accommodations in the surrounding tows and villages such as Sluni. Your hunger too will be timely satiated by two restaurants in the park the Borje and the Poljana. For small snacks you always have tiny hunger outlets to grab a bite from.
So what are you waiting for!!! I’m sure your holiday destination hunt this summer has ended right here….go and grab the feast at the Plitvice Lakes!!!!