Slovenia: Julian Alps Trek

DAY 1: Arrival – Ljubljana – Bled

Welcome to the Slovenian Alpine fairytale. You have the option of meeting your Zephyr guides at Ljubljana airport (LJU) this morning or in the lobby of our host hotel, 30 minutes away in Bled (we can book extra nights for you if you’d like to arrive earlier). After brief introductions, we will depart for an exploratory walk to the Vintgar Gorge, one of the most extraordinary natural wonders in Slovenia. Be sure to bring a rain jacket as we will be walking on boardwalks through narrow and dramatic ravines, above the rushing Radovna River. We return back to Bled to visit the medieval Bled castle, followed by lunch on your own and an optional Pletna boat ride or walk around the lake. We’ll have time to refresh and change clothes before gathering for a welcome dinner at our hotel, with fabulous views of Lake Bled. Today's walk: 2 - 3 hours on flat boardwalks and flat path around lake 

DAY 2: Bled – Stara Fužina – Sedmera Triglav Lakes Hut (elevation 5,528 feet)

After a 30-minute shuttle to the town of Stara Fužina near Bohinj Lake, we will begin our approximately four-hour trek to the Seven (Sedmera) Lakes Valley. Our route passes high altitude pastures and traverses the Valley of Seven Triglav Lakes, with 6,600-foot peaks on your left, the vast green mountain plateau of Komna on your right, and tiny lakes of different shapes and colors that gave inspiration for their names: Brown, Green and Kidney Lakes. You can take your time and go at your own pace. Once we arrive, we’ll drop our daypacks, claim our beds (we will spend two nights at this cozy mountain hut in rooms with one to three other people), have our dinner, and relax in the incredible alpine setting, just under the towering mountains. You'll sleep in one of the most beautiful high altitude alpine valleys just at the foothills of Mt. Triglav, Slovenia’s highest peak. Today's hike: 5.3 miles, with approximately 2,200 feet of elevation gain

DAY 3: Loop hike near Sedmera Triglav Lakes Hut

We have breakfast this morning at our hut before packing our lunches into our daypacks and heading out for a loop hike with spectacular above-the-treeline vistas. We are staying in the same hut tonight, so we can offer two hikes of different lengths, depending on how you (and your feet!) are feeling today. In either case, you will be surrounded by beautiful scenery and alpine flowers of all colors that are the best remedy to regain one’s strengths – Zois bellflower, Carniolan Lily, Erica, Gentian, with some luck we may spot even Edelweiss.  We break for lunch at a mountain hut along the trail and reconvene at our hut to enjoy a well-deserved dinner. And yes - beverages of all kind (including local beer, wine and schnapps) are available! Today's hikes: Option 1 - 6.4 miles with approximately 1,200 feet of elevation gain / Option 2 - 9.8 miles with approximately 2,500 feet of elevation gain

DAY 4: Sedmera Triglav Lakes Hut – Krn Lake Hut (elevation 4,543 feet)

Another hearty breakfast will be served this morning at our hut before we say goodbye to this lovely place and begin trekking for approximately 8 hours toward Krn Lake (where we can rest our weary feet in the soothing alpine waters after our day-long hike). We will begin our day by hiking on the ridge of Komna Plateau. Limestone rock accompanies us on the right and left, with spectacular views towards the glacial Bohinj Lake. This is the home of magical white chamois buck called the Zlatorog who holds the keys to the golden treasure and as the legend says, lives in these mountains, known to the locals as the “mystic kingdom of the golden horn.” This is also where, during World War I, Italian and Austro-Hungarian troops battled at the Isonzo Front (which set the scene for Ernest Hemingway’s novel A Farewell to Arms). This wild area is home to beautiful mountain flowers and high-altitude farming - perhaps you will want to stop and try some of the local sheep cheese along the way! Dinner tonight will be at our mountain hut. Today's hike: 8.6 miles, with approximately 1,600 feet of elevation gain

DAY 5 – Krn Lake Hut – Soca Valley

Today is our last day of hiking in this phenomenal landscape. We begin our four-hour descent into the Soča Valley, where a van will be waiting for us at the bottom for a short 30-minute drive to our hotel in the adventure town of Bovec to enjoy the comfort of our rooms and relax our weary legs at their spa. Or, if you have energy, we can book you in for optional “on your own” activities – we recommend a whitewater rafting trip on the gorgeous Soča River! Tonight, we raise our glasses and celebrate our accomplishments with a special farewell dinner.  (Note, groups have the option to enjoy a culinary extravaganza at Hisa Franko, voted among the 100 best restaurants in the world and owned by the world's best female chef of 2017, Ana Ros. This is based on availability and will incur an additional charge.) Today's hike: 3 miles and approximately 180 feet of elevation gain (2,500 feet of loss)

DAY 6 – Soca Valley to Ljubljana

On our final morning, you can choose to sleep in, or explore the cute town of Bovec. We will  shuttle everyone back (two hours) to the town of Ljubljana or to the airport, where we will say our farewells. You can then catch your flight home or continue on to your next destination.