Slovenia and Plitvice, October 2027
Slovenia and Plitvice, October 2027
Lakes, waterfalls and churches of the Julian Alps and the forests of Plitvice in autumn
At a glance
About the expedition
This expedition crosses the heart of the Julian Alps, in Slovenia, and Plitvice Lakes National Park, in Croatia, at the time of year when the forest changes colour. Limestone mountains, glacial lakes, intensely emerald rivers and waterfalls set the scene for a trip designed for photographing without hurry.
We photograph Lake Bled, the Vintgar Gorge, Lake Bohinj and Lake Jasna, in the Triglav National Park area, and cross the Italian border to catch sunrise at the Fusine lakes, at the foot of Mount Mangart. We look for sunrises and sunsets beside lonely churches on the hills, with mist, forests and waterfalls, and mountains reflected in the water.
Then we cross into Croatia to give a full day to Plitvice, a UNESCO World Heritage Site: 16 lakes, almost a hundred waterfalls, wooden walkways and forest. A trip to enjoy nature, to look for the light and to come home with a collection of images that are your own.
- Sunrise at Lake Bled and sunset at St Primož church in Jamnik
- Vintgar Gorge, with 1,600 metres of walkways over turquoise water
- Sunrise at the Fusine lakes, at the foot of the Mangart massif
- Lake Bohinj, the Savica Waterfall and sunset at Škofja Loka
- A full day in Plitvice Lakes National Park, a UNESCO World Heritage Site
- Groups of 7 at most and a 9-seat van
Itinerary
Day by day
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1
Arrival in Zagreb and first sunset at Bled
The trip begins in Zagreb. After picking up the van at the airport, we head into Slovenia and the Julian Alps. We check in at Bled and shoot our first session at sunset and blue hour by the lake, to get a feel for the landscape…
HotelRead the full day
The trip begins in Zagreb. After picking up the van at the airport, we head into Slovenia and the Julian Alps. We check in at Bled and shoot our first session at sunset and blue hour by the lake, to get a feel for the landscape. Dinner and rest.
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2
Bled sunrise, Vintgar and Jamnik
Sunrise at Lake Bled, a glacial lake with its small island and the Baroque Church of the Assumption of Mary at the centre of the scene. After breakfast we walk the Vintgar Gorge, in the Triglav National Park area: about 1,600…
HotelRead the full day
Sunrise at Lake Bled, a glacial lake with its small island and the Baroque Church of the Assumption of Mary at the centre of the scene. After breakfast we walk the Vintgar Gorge, in the Triglav National Park area: about 1,600 metres of wooden walkways over a gorge of turquoise water, rapids, waterfalls and pools.
In the afternoon we climb to the hills of Jamnik, where the small church of St Primož stands alone on a ridge with the mountains behind it. The sunset is for its silhouette.
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3
Fusine lakes, Lake Jasna and Peričnik Waterfall
Sunrise at the Fusine lakes, upper and lower, on the Italian side of the border. Two clear lakes beneath the limestone walls of the Mangart massif, with beech forests in their autumn tones and the reflections as the main subject…
HotelRead the full day
Sunrise at the Fusine lakes, upper and lower, on the Italian side of the border. Two clear lakes beneath the limestone walls of the Mangart massif, with beech forests in their autumn tones and the reflections as the main subject.
Back in Slovenia we explore the surroundings of Lake Jasna, with Prisojnik in the background, and end the day at Peričnik Waterfall, one of the most spectacular in the country.
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4
Lake Bohinj and sunset at Škofja Loka
We spend much of the day at Lake Bohinj, the largest lake in Slovenia, in Triglav National Park and the valley of the same name, among the Julian Alps. Mountain reflections, ochre forests, mist if we are lucky, the Savica…
Boutique hotelRead the full day
We spend much of the day at Lake Bohinj, the largest lake in Slovenia, in Triglav National Park and the valley of the same name, among the Julian Alps. Mountain reflections, ochre forests, mist if we are lucky, the Savica Waterfall and the Church of St John the Baptist with its quiet surroundings. If it is operating on those dates, we will ride the cable car up Mount Vogel.
At sunset we move to Škofja Loka, with one of the most recognisable churches in Slovenia as a backdrop.
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5
St Thomas hills, Ljubljana and arrival at Plitvice
Sunrise on the hills around St Thomas Church, one of the most recognisable landscapes in Slovenia. After breakfast we leave for Croatia, with a stop in Ljubljana, a small, green and relaxed capital of under 300,000 people. We…
Guesthouse roomsRead the full day
Sunrise on the hills around St Thomas Church, one of the most recognisable landscapes in Slovenia. After breakfast we leave for Croatia, with a stop in Ljubljana, a small, green and relaxed capital of under 300,000 people.
We stroll through its old town: the castle, the Dragon Bridge, Prešeren Square and Metelkova, the alternative space where street art fills every corner. In the afternoon we continue to Plitvice and stay at the park's doorstep, ready to spend the whole next day inside.
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6
A full day in Plitvice Lakes National Park
We walk and photograph Plitvice Lakes National Park, a UNESCO World Heritage Site since 1979. Sixteen turquoise lakes, almost a hundred waterfalls and wooden walkways through forests that turn ochre, gold and red in autumn. A day…
Guesthouse roomsRead the full day
We walk and photograph Plitvice Lakes National Park, a UNESCO World Heritage Site since 1979. Sixteen turquoise lakes, almost a hundred waterfalls and wooden walkways through forests that turn ochre, gold and red in autumn.
A day without hurry to look for the light, the reflections and the details. Every path offers a different frame.
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7
Rastoke and Zagreb
Sunrise in the old town near our accommodation. After breakfast we head for Zagreb, stopping at Rastoke, the small village of mills and waterfalls next to Slunj, where water runs through the village between streams and old mills…
HotelRead the full day
Sunrise in the old town near our accommodation. After breakfast we head for Zagreb, stopping at Rastoke, the small village of mills and waterfalls next to Slunj, where water runs through the village between streams and old mills.
We continue to Zagreb for a photographic walk around the cathedral and Ban Jelačić Square, the heart of the city.
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8
Return from Zagreb
Transfer to Zagreb airport and flight home.
Gallery
What's included
Included
- Seven nights in double rooms with breakfast included (Bled 3, Škofja Loka 1, Plitvice 2, Zagreb 1)
- Zero Expeditions photography guide throughout the trip
- 9-seat van for all transfers, with fuel, tolls and the Slovenian vignette
- Entry to Plitvice Lakes National Park and Vintgar Gorge
- Mount Vogel cable car, if operating on the trip dates
Not included
- Flights to and from Zagreb
- Travel and cancellation insurance
- Lunches and dinners, except hotel breakfast
- Single room supplement: €455
- Personal expenses and tips
Your guide
Eduardo Marcos Quevedo
Nacido en Cuéllar (Segovia), situado en el corazón del “mar de pinares” de la meseta castellana en España. Cautivado por la fotografía como medio para documentar y compartir los mejores momentos que la naturaleza tiene para ofrecer. Si tuviera que…
View profileFrequently asked questions
What is the weather like in Slovenia and Plitvice in October?
It is mountain autumn: cool mornings by the lakes, a chance of rain and mist, and weather that can change quickly. At Plitvice the heaviest rainfall is recorded in spring and autumn, and snow usually arrives from November. This is general climatology, not a forecast. Bring warm layers, thin gloves for the sunrises and rain protection.
Will the forests be in full autumn colour?
We cannot guarantee it. Colour depends on the temperatures, rain and wind of each year, and it changes with altitude, so Bled will not look like Plitvice. That is why the route combines lakes, waterfalls, churches, gorges and forests, so there are always photographic subjects even if the foliage is not at its peak. Your guide adjusts the order of the sessions to what each day offers.
Will there be a full moon during the trip?
Very close to the start. The full moon is on 15 October 2027, and during the trip it wanes from 99% illumination on the 16th to around 44% on the 23rd. These are calculated astronomical data, not a sky forecast. This is not a night-photography trip, but a bright moon on the first evenings can give us good reflections at the end of the day.
What time are sunrise and sunset?
By our calculations for the Bled, Plitvice and Zagreb area, the sun rises between about 07:15 and 07:30 and sets between about 17:55 and 18:15, on summer time, the same clock as Spain. These times are approximate and shift by a few minutes from day to day and place to place. Sunrises mean early starts and, at some locations, leaving while the sky is still dark.
How do we get to Zagreb and how do we travel during the trip?
The group meets at Zagreb airport on Saturday 16 October, and the return is from the same airport on Saturday 23 October. Flights are not included: ask us before booking so you can choose times that fit the programme. Throughout the trip we travel in a 9-seat van. The route crosses Croatia, Slovenia and, briefly, Italy (the Fusine lakes), and the rental is arranged with cover for those countries.
What documents do I need?
Croatia, Slovenia and Italy are all in the Schengen area and all use the euro, so there is no need to change currency. Spanish citizens need a valid ID card or passport. If you hold another nationality, check the entry requirements with your consulate. We recommend taking out travel and cancellation insurance, which is not included.
What fitness level is needed?
Low to moderate. The days are long and start early, but most of the walking is short and on wooden walkways, as at Vintgar (about 1,600 metres in total) and at Plitvice, where we spend a full day on foot. The pace is slow, with your gear on your back. If you have any mobility limitation, tell us before booking so we can look at the programme together.
What photography gear should I bring?
A sturdy tripod is essential for waterfalls, reflections and blue hour. A polarising filter and ND filters help control the glare on the water and lengthen exposures. A wide-angle lens covers lakes and waterfalls, and a medium telephoto (70-200 mm or similar) is useful for isolating churches, hills and forest. Also bring spare batteries, as the cold drains them faster, microfibre cloths, and protection against rain and waterfall spray.
Can I bring a drone?
We recommend leaving it at home. Drone flights are prohibited in Plitvice Lakes National Park and in Vintgar Gorge. In Triglav National Park, where Lake Bohinj is, they are only allowed with the park's prior authorisation. Slovenia also sets its own requirements for drone operators. The programme does not include drone flights. Rules can change; if you still want to bring one, ask us before booking.
What backpack should I bring and how much weight will I carry?
A comfortable camera backpack, with room for your tripod and rain protection. Almost the whole trip is on foot with your gear on your back, and at Plitvice we walk for a full day. Bring only what you will use: camera body, wide-angle lens, telephoto, filters, batteries and warm clothing. At Vintgar a helmet is mandatory and is collected at the visitor centre, so allow for it when packing your bag.
Is a compact camera or a phone enough, or do I need an advanced camera?
You do not need professional gear. A phone with manual mode or an advanced compact gives good results at lakes, reflections and churches. What you will miss most is the ability to lengthen exposures at waterfalls and image quality in low light at sunrise. A tripod helps with any camera. Our guide will help you with framing and settings whatever equipment you bring.
What does the price include?
It includes seven nights in a double room with breakfast, the photography guide throughout the trip, the 9-seat van with fuel, tolls and the Slovenian vignette, and entry to Plitvice Lakes National Park and Vintgar Gorge. The Mount Vogel cable car is included if it is operating on the trip dates. It does not include flights, travel and cancellation insurance, lunches and dinners, the single-room supplement or personal expenses.
How big is the group and how are rooms shared?
The group is a maximum of 7 participants plus the guide, so everyone travels together in one 9-seat van. Accommodation is in double rooms, shared with another participant. If you prefer a single room, ask us about the supplement before booking.
Another question? Ask the assistant or write to us on WhatsApp.