Croatia - South Dalmatia MTB Bike and Sail - 8 Days
Full suspension MTB - €220 pp
Full suspension e-MTB - €320 pp (limited)
Premium Carbon MTB - €420 pp
Premium Carbon e-MTB - €590 pp
Single cabin - price on request
Upgrade to upper deck cabin - €250 pp
Overview
Join us on this thrilling ride across the islands of South Dalmatia. The combination of MTB & Boat fulfils a bikers wildest dreams from trails to tranquil swim stops. A charming motor yacht with comfortable cabins and a traditional selection of cuisine is your floating home for the week. Explore the islands on your mountain bikes and the tour guides will provide you with plenty of interesting stories along the way. Honey and wine tastings will give insight to the everyday life of the locals. Our aim is to stay off road. To save time and energy some ascents will take place on tar-sealed roads, which lead to rewarding trails, riddled with technical sections down to the sea. Descents will require experience and will spread a smile across the faces of the participants. After a challenging ride there is no better reward than to unwind in a rustic café before the boat collects you and brings you to the next picturesque setting.
We also offer this tour on regular bikes and e-bikes on the same boat, providing a perfect opportunity for travellers who want to holiday together but have different riding preferences.
Highlights Include:
Culture: A tour through Korčula town - birthplace of Marco Polo
Nature: The vast lavender fields of Hvar
Activity: A rafting tour on the Cetina River
Culinary: Brodet - a Croatian fish soup with a glass of Dalmatian wine -Dingac
Souvenir: Honey or olives from Solta
Tour Gallery
Full Itinerary
Arrival In Trogir - Sail to Island of Solta
Welcome to Trogir, a city with 2300 years of history - with a number of palaces, churches, towers and fortresses, it deserves the nickname ‘the stone beauty’. Please make your own way to the harbour of Trogir (approx 5.5 km from Split airport) where you can check-in to your motor yacht between 2pm-2.30pm. At around 3pm we'll cruise to the island of Šolta where we'll stay the night in a quiet harbour. After a day of travel you may choose to have a refreshing swim.
Cycling Distance: 0km
Meals: Dinner
Accommodation: Boat - Solta
Island of Vis
During breakfast we'll cruise to the Island of Vis - the furthest inhabited island from mainland Croatia. A Greek colony called Issa inhabited the island 2300 years ago. Due to its strategic location it was a military zone until 1995 and prohibited to foreign tourists. Today we have plenty of time to explore this lovely island by bike as we'll also spend the night here.
Cycling Distance: 31km
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch and/or Dinner
Accommodation: Boat - Vis
Island of Korcula
This morning we leave the island of Vis and cruise towards the harbour town of Vela Luka on the Island of Korčula. Along the way we'll throw the anchor and have a refreshing swim stop. Korčula is regarded as one of the most scenic islands in the Adriatic with quaint villages nestled amongst green foliage. On arrival in Vela Luka we'll embark on a loop ride via the village of Blato. The night will be spent in Vela Luka.
Cycling Distance: 30km
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch and/or Dinner
Accommodation: Boat in Vela Luka
Island of Hvar
After a relaxing cruise to Hvar Island there's time for a stroll through Hvar town. Standing on the magnificent Renaissance Square there's a great view up to the Spanish fortress towering high above the city. Today's bike ride takes us from the town of Hvar through small villages and lavender fields to Stari Grad on the opposite side of the island. The descent to Stari Grad offers breathtaking views. After a lunch break we continue through the island's green plains to the seaside town of Jelsa. We'll stop for coffee and ice cream before returning to Stari Grad where we spend the night.
Cycling Distance: 22km + 20km
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch and/or Dinner
Accommodation: Boat in Stari Grad
Island of Brac - Milna to Postira
In the morning we cruise to the island of Brač - famous for its radiant, precious limestone that was used in the White House in Washington and in the construction of the German Reichstag building in Berlin. Today's ride from Milna to the picturesque harbour town of Postira begins with us cycling inland through small villages and past local architectural relics. Then we'll hug the coast and take in the spectacular views across the channel to the mainland. You will have the rest of the afternoon to explore the quiet harbour of Postira where we will spend the night.
Cycling Distance: 29km
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch and/or Dinner
Accommodation: Boat in Postira
Split (Bike or Rafting In Omis)
During breakfast we'll cruise to the city of Split. The old town adjoins the famous palace of the Roman Caesar Diocletian and is a UNESCO world heritage site. Today we have the choice of rafting through the Cetina Canyon (not included in the tour price) or exploring the wonderful Marjan forest Park in Split by bike. The rafting group will be transported by bus from the boat to Omiš for their excursion which offers a unique perspective of the canyon and its flora and fauna. Those choosing the scenic bike ride through green parts of Split's surrounds, will have the option of a swim stop at a local beach. In the afternoon we can all explore the bustling city of Split as we will stay in the harbour tonight.
Cycling Distance: 17km
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch and/or Dinner
Accommodation: Boat in Split
Island of Solta to Trogir
After cruising to the island of Šolta, there will be an opportunity to take a bike ride to visit local beekeeper Goran who has a true passion for bees and has worked with them his whole life. He teaches about the importance of bees and allows his guests to try the delicious bee products. We'll then cycle past walled fields, numerous olive groves, locust bean and fig trees which line the roads. The scent of rosemary accompanies us around the island. After our ride, we return to the ship for our last cruise past the cliffs of Čiovo Island and back to Trogir. There will be plenty of time to visit the Old Town of Trogir, listed as a UNESCO World Cultural Heritage Site. The last evening on board is celebrated in traditional fashion in the company of your fellow travellers and guides.
Cycling Distance: 20km
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch and/or Dinner
Accommodation: Boat in Trogir
Departure Day - Trogir
After breakfast, it's time to say farewell to your fellow group members. Please disembark by 9 am.
Cycling Distance: 0km
Meals: Breakfast
Accommodation:
Download the Itinerary PDF here
All distances are approximate. Our tours often go off the beaten track and follow routes that are not always predictable. We cannot always guarantee the weather. For these reasons we may occasionally have to update our itineraries. We will only do this to improve your experience or for safety reasons. Our listed accommodation is always accurate at the time of writing but should we need to change you can rest assured that it will be for similar or better. Display price may differ to what is quoted as this tour is invoiced in the currency stated, and can be dynamic with daily exchange rates.
The Details
- 7 nights on a premium motor yacht (cabins with ensuite & air conditioning)
- Meals: 2 x full board (breakfast, lunch, dinner) & 5 x half board (breakfast & either lunch or dinner)
- Bed linen and towels
- Guided cycling tours and sightseeing as described in the itinerary
- English & German speaking cycling guide(s)
- Cycling maps provided on board
- Flights, travel visas, Travel Insurance
- Surcharge for above deck cabin &/or single cabin
- Meals ashore (if not included in tour price)
- Bike hire (& optional insurance)
- Helmet (compulsory): bring own or request in advance
- Visitors tax, bottled water, tea and filtered coffee €80 (payable on board)
- Special dietary requests €70 (advise in advance, payable on board)
- SGR insolvency protection scheme: €5 pp
- Transfers between Split Airport & Trogir harbour (extra cost)
- Cetina rafting (paid directly to raft operator)
- Entrance fee for sights visited
- Drinks on board
- Tips for the tour guides and crew
This tour is graded hard and riders require stamina and technical expertise. The terrain in this region is diverse and changes from island to island. Technical and demanding single trails alternate with wide gravel 4x4 roads with a few quiet asphalt stretches thrown in. There are very few unrideable points. There are various sections in the tour which you can choose to ride at a higher or lower technical degree.
Riders must have a good level of fitness and bike control and be confident riding on various terrain. The route mostly follows hiking trails and single tracks (30 to 60 km and 400 to 700 m elevation per day). The trail classification ranges from easy to medium (S0 to S2). Please read the details below to ensure you are well prepared and know what difficulty level to expect on the tour.
Easy S0 -S1 - small obstacles (tree roots, stones), gradients of up to 40%, loose surfaces, tight corners but no hairpins. Skilful braking and weight shift required, riding while standing.
Medium S2 - loose surfaces, larger stones and roots, steps and ahllow stairs, gradients of up to 70%, light hairpins. Constant readiness brake, shift of centre weight to overcome obstacles, accurate braking, consistent body tension required.
This tour is primarily a guided group tour however, there may be opportunities for strong riders to ride independently along recommended suitable routes. You are free to take a half or full day to swim or chill on the boat instead of joining the planned bike tour.
If you're unsure about anything, please see our FAQs page for extra information.
FAQsBooking information
Participants will be asked to complete a booking form after confirmation of their booking.
BOOKING CONDITIONS
If the minimum number of participants required for a trip is not met (14 participants for bike and boat trips, unless otherwise noted), we reserve the right to cancel it. The decision about the trip taking place or not will be made as early as possible; at least three weeks before beginning of the trip. Upon submitting your booking request, we will provide specifics regarding minimum numbers. Following trip confirmation, you may proceed with flight bookings and other travel arrangements. A ‘Limited’ trip status signifies limited spaces available. For trip status inquiries, kindly email or call our office.
DEPOSITS AND PAYMENTS
A deposit is required to secure your place on your selected tour departure. On receipt of your deposit, Global Cycling Adventures will email you a confirmation to verify your travel arrangements and advise final payment details. The final payment is normally required 60 days before departure date unless otherwise specified.
CANCELLATIONS & AMENDMENTS
All tour cancellations will require notification in writing to Global Cycling Adventures by the person participating on the tour. Please be advised that booking cancellations or amendments will incur relevant fees. Cancellation charges are tour-specific and timing-dependent. For a comprehensive outline of our terms and conditions, including the cancellation policy, please refer to the travel proposal provided by our team.
We recommend that you purchase cancellation insurance on payment of your tour deposit in case unforeseen circumstances force you to cancel your tour.
OVERSEAS JURISDICTION AND TERMS
For all overseas tours, the terms and conditions, laws, and jurisdiction of the destination country will apply. By booking a tour with us, you acknowledge and agree that local regulations, industry practices, and terms specific to the destination country may supersede or modify our standard terms. It is your responsibility to understand and comply with all applicable local laws and regulations while participating in the tour.
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After 6 trips with Global Cycling this has to be up with the best! Mike our guide was outstanding. This tour was unforgettable, enough excitement without being dangerous, with very good quality hotels, I wouldn't hesitate to recommend.
Kristine & Ron
This was my first major overseas trip, and WOW what an experience. The trip was really well organised. I felt safe all the time, and the guides made sure that they took excellent care of us. We always knew what was happening and the non-cycling excursions were fantastic. I can't wait to do my next trip!
Kim Hamill
Excellent tour great to have 2 days at some places! Good mates and loads of fun! Rene was amazing - seems to really enjoy seeing the regular faces, always cheerful and ready to help!
Helene Hudson
The Croatian Islands are truly beautiful, each one with its own unique feel. We were lucky, due to an itinerary change, to also see the island of Brac. We met a great group of people on the tour and shared so much fun & laughter with them.The ceaseless attention and hard work of our guides (Toni & Josh) and their support crew (Captain Pave & his team) ensured that the week was absolutely amazing!
Sue & Geoff Welsh
The trip was, as expected, fantastic. Weather great, food great, company great, and fabulous accommodation. It was nice to be able to get in from a long days ride, and have a nana nap in a really nice hotel. ... on the last day I rode one of the new fangled e-bikes for the last stage into Santiago, and am now a convert. My road bike will probably never go on another tour. What a revelation. ... So in closing, probably one of the best tours I’ve been, I thoroughly enjoyed it and would absolutely recommend it to anyone.
John Hedge
I keep coming back because of the excellent service and results. They truly care about their clients and it shows in their work.
Great experience overall! The staff was friendly and knowledgeable, making the process smooth and enjoyable. I am very satisfied with the results.
Fantastic service! I was impressed by how quickly they responded to my inquiries and the quality of the final product. Highly recommend!
Excellent trip. I can't give Jo (tour leader) enough praise for the job he did and the support he gave us. The conditions for the majority of our trip were really challenging (weather-wise), and he was always there with a positive and friendly attitude. Ten stars!!! Lorna (guide) was incredible plus her salads were divine. The day cycling through Edinburgh was amazing, I so loved it in every way. The history, the miles of cycle paths - we went straight through the city center - just fabulous. I also loved Scone Palace for tea and scones, and cycling into Bettyhill - a relaxed day of beautiful scenery and easy riding. Guide lunches and snacks fantastic - so thoughtful and tasty for hungry riders!!
Wendy Norwood
Had an epic trip.
Well organised, great food, super accommodation, brilliant guides.
Bloody amazing Weather.
So pretty happy.
Maree
Super well organised - guide’s were very attentive to us all.
Super weather 1hr of rain for the whole 22days - John-o Groats was 14 degrees sunny, no wind, beautiful.
Well fed - morning and afternoon teas and lunches too.
Well worth the effort.
A great way to see the country at a slower pace.
Andrew
Andrew and I enjoyed our time in Madagascar immensely. The team were very well organised (in the context of the general chaos that is Madagascar!)
Naina, Tina, Fenu and Tulca were all excellent, and went to great lengths to make sure that we were having the best experience possible.
The route was very interesting and traversed evolving landscapes and communities as we headed South.
The rides were interspersed with non-riding days, that had hikes or interesting stopovers and/or gave us exposure to native flora and fauna.
The team provided excellent fresh food each day, with great variety and plenty.
Peter and Andrew
“We would highly recommend Global Cycling Adventures golf tour to Scotland. Our trip was very well organized playing a range of challenging Links courses on Scotland’s East Coast.
The Hotels, transport and staff were superb. A golf enthusiasts dream come true!”
Chris and Judy James
It was our first tour and was way above expectations---thank you
Bill & Christine
The overall experience was wonderful. A mix of fantastic scenery, daily exertion on the bikes, excellent tour guides who blended history ,geography and language with ensuring all participants were treated well.
Kees and Monica Haverkamp
This is a thank you and a huge recommendation to anyone interested in seeing Croatia the way we did with Global Adventure Guide. Everything about our trip in September was perfect, the boat, the guides, the food, the riding and Croatia itself was awesome. Our global adventure was brilliant!!
Ros
I enjoyed the Croatia bike and sail tour very much - making new friends, learning to e-bike and the beautiful warm clear azure blue sea are great memories of the trip for me.
Gary
The guides and crew were exceptional on our tour. I can’t say enough about how pleasant they all were.
Courtney Fraser
The tour guides and all crew made the experience exceptional. We chose this tour so that I had the option of either the Ebike or ordinary and ended up deciding each day which I would choose depending on the climbs.
Kate Williams
Fellow cyclists were a great bunch, we were lucky that we all got on so well, a lot of laughs. The most clearest of water and to be able to swim off the back of the boat, fab.
Chris Cantwell
Our special experience was the close encounter with the Lemurs at small nature reserve of Anja exceeded expectations.
Mora Mora.
Alistair and Ann
The group was very good, good atmosphere and help from all participants.
Jef Raus
The whole tour was fantastic. Loved the food/culture/people and of course the bike riding. The support from staff during the tour was beyond the call of duty and the local guides were wonderful.
Greg Griffith
It was excellent! Our tour leader was helpful on every front, plus we had 5 others as part of the support team. They all worked really well together, were lovely and made things seamless for us. We ate really well, the lunches they prepared for us on the road were great, I might even say they were the best I had on a cycling tour. The restaurants they picked for the restaurant meals were good choices to give us some variety.
The routes were generally good, giving us a nice variety of landscapes and towns. To my surprise (I’m not much into hiking) I enjoyed the hikes and parks on the non-cycling days, particularly the latter 2. I wanted lemurs and I got many as well as cool other creatures in those parks as well as in our stay at Camp Catta (great location).
Our group got along really well & friendships were made. Anyway, it was a great trip, I am really happy with the experience. So a big thank you for everything!
Linda S
I have done a few bike trips with GCA and Costa Rica/Panama lived up to the usual high standards. We had excellent care and service from the local guide (Mike) and his crew. The biking highlight for me was descending the Irazú volcano, a drop of some 2000 meters on excellent road. Some non riding highlights would be Ziplining through the tropical rainforest.
Robin Morton
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I want to give a big shout out to Ralph and Global Cycling Adventures (GCA) for the recent bike tour through Costa Rica and into Panama. This was our second tour with GCA (following a tour through Vietnam and into Cambodia back in 2019). My wife and I joined the Costa Rica tour with 15 others and had a blast. Throw some zip-lining and white water rafting in and there was something new and different every day. A highly recommended this tour for those who want to experience Central America through Costa Rica into Panama via MTB.
Matthew Riordan
Enjoyed the Gobi Desert with visits to Flaming Red Cliffs and Singing Dunes. The friendly locals and the little 'treats' they gave us.
Greg Griffith
An amazing experience for a keen mountain biker who has been with Global Adventures for several trips throughout the world and for years to come. My wife also loves the way she is catered for as a non-biker. The experience starts with the promotional material, then the detailed notes, the trip itself and the final celebratory dinner.
John Brannock
This trip was an awesome adventure to a very special unique country. The nomadic people showed us how simple yet rewarding life can be, in what can be a very harsh environment.
Ann & Alistair Bennett
A very special challenging 3 weeks spent in a gorgeous part of the world with awesome company. To quote the feelers "It's as good as it gets".
Pete Richards
Fantastic trip. Cycling the HCM trail was superb. We understand many of the cycling trips are only down the southern coastal route but the northern sector from HaNoi down the HCM trail is a must. Highly recommend Global Adventure.
Ross
The whole thing was special for us, we had a great time. Great group of people.
Eddie and Anita Corrigan
Ajaccio to Calvi was one of the best road rides I've done anywhere, Excellent mountain roads, well graded climbs, coupled with great scenery, through a world heritage area & overlooking the Mediterranean.The Sardinian Island of San Pietro was nice riding and very interesting from a traditional cultural perspective.Robert, our guide was extremely helpful and looked after the riders very well. He was attentive but still allowed us to do our own thing. VERY safety conscious which is crucial.
John
The wonderful scenery & the choice of towns/cities were well researched. We both had a great time.
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Our special experience: Mingling with the "real" people of Africa and realising how lucky we are in NZ. Our in- house quote was DIA, meaning 'dis is Africa!
Alistair & Ann
Twice on tour I had the best day of my life!
Gary
The people were wonderful - so friendly, the children would run from far in the fields to see us on our bikes for lots of high 5's. The game drives were amazing, we saw so much in Ngorongoro and Lake Manyara...I loved Tanzania and this experience got me out of my comfort zone
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The inclusion of some iconic cultural and heritage sites into the program is a highlight.
Carolyn & Warren Mckenzie
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Alistair and Anne
If you want a tour where every day is different, the scenery stunning and the distances long enough that you have earned that extra piece of apple strudel then this is the tour for you!
Vicki
The trip exceeded my expections and we all loved Hoa. He was perfect for our group! Even the things out of our control (weather, flights being on time, etc) went perfect.
Kymberly Lehenbauer USA
We had an amazing time on our trip and would like to take this opportunity to say how great the three guides were. They looked after us so well, providing snacks, checking our bikes and ensuring that our experiences were outstanding. I have no hesitation in recommending this tour and the Halong Bay trip to anyone that will listen. Thank you to you for your part in the organization of our trip as well.
Peter
I thought the Island of Corsica was the highlight. Cycling predominately near the coastline,and the deep blue of the Mediteranean was very picturesque. Looking forward to the next trip.
Graeme Oakley
Everything was done very well. South Africa is a magical destination for cyclists.
Sue Semple-Rowland
The e-bikes certainly enhanced our enjoyment of the spectacular journey this tour offers. Totally would recommend e-bikes on this tour!
Alistair & Ann Bennett
Overall the tour was excellent!
David Williams
My special experience of the tour was: My decision to go with the ebike. Great experience using the Stromer. Made my holiday very enjoyable.
Cheryl Van
The whole tour was fantastic. Loved the food/culture/people and of course the bike riding. The support from staff during the tour was beyond the call of duty and the local guides were wonderful.
Greg Griffith
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Why Travel with global cycling adventures?
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We have over 20 years experience and many of our clients tour with us year after year. Several clients have done over 25 tours with us.
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We value the privilege to explore the world by bike. We partner with organisations and people that behave with respect and awareness to minimise any negative impact.
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We believe our tours should improve life for the people and places we visit and leave a positive impact. We work in partnership with local people and providers who have local knowledge.
