SLOVENIA WHITEWATER

Day 1
Arrive Ljubljana and transfer to Kobarid (approximately 2 hours), arriving in the very early hours.

Day 2
We will have an easy morning to recover from travelling including a full briefing on the week's activities. Then after lunch we head on to the river for rafting in 8-man vessels. Basic instruction is given at the beginning of the trip as to how to steer and propel the craft. Paddling is compulsory, as the raft must be moving in the water for the guide to be able to steer a course through the rapids. The first part of the course is mild and there is a stop on the riverbank and a chance for a swim. The second part then gets a little rougher and the rafting really starts. The run is usually 10 kilometres.

Day 3
Todays activity is tubing, a relatively new water sport that involves floating down the river and through the rapids in a large inflatable tyre. Using a paddle to steer, we will navigate our way for a fun and exhilarting ride downstream. Our afternoon is free to choose from one of the many optional activities including some more challenging rafting for those who wish to develop on the skills learned the previous day.

Day 4
Whitewater kayakers travel from all over to enjoy the Soca River, which hosted the European Kayak Championships in May 2002. The Soca valley has also become a very popular place to learn this exciting sport. Whitewater kayaks are short, light and manoeuvrable. You will be equipped with a helmet, spraydeck (skirt) and life jacket. Competent kayakers perform rolls to turn themselves upright after capsizing: those who can't roll can release themselves from the kayak and swim ashore, or wait to be assisted upright by the instructor. The first session will take place in a pool or in calm water and you will learn to release yourself and the basics of the roll. You will also be taught the basic paddle stroke. There will be one instructor for every 8 kayakers and instruction will be given for 2 hours in the morning with a further 2 hours in the afternoon after a well deserved lunch break.

Day 5
You can relax on the hotel veranda, hire mountain bikes or try tandem paragliding. The early evening is often the best time for paragliding, and conditions allowing, we can arrange for a flight. There should also be more time for flying after the activities on later days, or on the morning of departure. Kobarid is also home to an award winning WW1 museum. It tells the soldiers stories from the trenches and also has some exhibits of Ernest Hemingway who served in the area at the time and whose novel 'A Farwell to Arms' is based on his experiences in this region. In the evening you can choose to eat in one of the local restaurants. The Hisa Franko is a delightful family run restaurant serving award wining food within a picturesque setting.

Day 6
Our morning will be spent trying hydrospeed which is a river descent with a buoyancy device (rather like a body board): you have flippers (fins) on your feet, a lifejacket and helmet. Kick with your feet and ride the waves and stoppers as you head downstream! Optional activities will be available in the afternoon and your leader will be happy to organise these for you.

Day 7
Weather permitting, we will aim for a half-day of Canyoning to round off the week. The Susec canyon is the usual destination, and after donning the appropriate clothing (wetsuits and helmets), we hike up to the entry point. The first few drops are gentle and instruction is given as to how to descend. On one of the larger falls you will be lowered down with a rope. If the water level is too high in the canyons, or the forecast unpredictable, we will enjoy a further day of activities back on the river, with the group free to choose which to repeat.

Day 8
A free morning for last minute adrenaline (paragliding or mountain biking) or relaxation; return to Ljubljana; fly to London.