Slovakia – exploring the Tatra Mountains

SUMMARY

Dates: Saturday May 31st to Thursday June 5th –  5 nights and 4 days of walks.

We recommend extending Thursday 5th to Sunday 8th June in Krakow – we can help you plan.

Guide: Alena our local guide. Born and bred in Poprad and lives between England and Slovakia. English speaking.

Walking Grade: 2 Goats

Base: Penzion Darinka in the medieval Slovakian town of Poprad in the Tatra Mountains on the border with Poland. A short walk away is the towns square with lots of cafes and restaurants.

Getting there : Fly to Krakow airport which is  2-3 hours from Poprad town . The airport transfer will pick up at 13.00 so please arrive by then. Departure transfer will be on Thursday 5th June leaving Poprad at 10am.

There are very early flights from London Luton directly to Proprad if you prefer to take this route. From Proprad airport it is a short trip to your hotel and we can arrange pick up and return transfer which will be included in the cost of your holiday.

Krakow is a lovely city and you may want to extend your visit with a stopover there – we can help arrange hotels and tours of the city. You may also want to visit Auchswitz  close to Krakow.

It is also possible to travel by train to Poprad as there is a train station with connections to all the main cities and towns.

Price:£ 1300 per person solo occupancy including:

• Solo occupancy ensuite rooms for 5 nights
• All breakfasts
• Welcome Evening Meal
• Packed lunch on day 4 – other days we have restaurant stops at your own cost( all very reasonable)
• Experienced english speaking local guiding
• WalkingWomen support which includes support preparing for your trip including Krakow.
• Group Airport transfer pick up and return
• Local transport required for walking
• Mountain insurance needed for hiking in the Tatras

£1200 per person if you bring a partner/friend and share a room.

Not included:

• Travel to Krakov or Propad
• Lunches which will be in local mountain huts to try Slovak regional cuisine whilst supporting the local businesses. Expect 8-10 euros per meal.
• Evening Meals after 1st night – there are lots of interesting local restaurants to try in the town and your guide will recommend and arrange. Meals are usually between 10- 20 euros with a beer approx 3 euros.
• Additional Drinks
• Additional activities not in the programme
• Walking Poles which can be rented for 5 euros per day.

An extention stay in Krakow would be an additional cost.

DETAILS

We seek out entrepreneurial mountain women who can help create and offer wonderful walking holiday experiences to our WalkingWomen Guests. We found Alena who grew up in Propad, Slovakia and spent her childhood exploring the Tatra Mountains and breathing the wonderful mountain air. She wants to share her passion for the Tatra’s with others. Partnering with WalkingWomen together we bring you an undiscovered area known as the smallest alpine mountain region in Europe. We stay in Alena’s home town of Poprad which is the gateway to the magnificent High Tatra mountains. It is a historic city with a 13th century Church, baroque houses and medieval squares. There  are plenty of things to do  with art galleries, an aqua park, spa’s, cafe’s and restaurants.

Poprad is situated in the north of Slovakia and the mountains are shared with Poland (Slovakia has 75% and Poland 25%) Many believe these mountains to be a hikers paradise with over 350km of hiking and trekking trails.

In summer the snow has melted and we have green wide open spaces. There are lakes and mountains and a great variety of walks. Alena will help you discover this beautiful area.

If you fly via Krakow we have a fascinating package to extend your trip. Working in partnership with our travel concierge service your flights can be booked, your hotel in Krakow and we have local guides to show you around.

Activities would include:

A walk around Krakow’s Kazimierz district, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, and the location where Schindler’s List was filmed, with a friendly welcome from your guide at the Jewish Cultural Centre.
Discover this charming part of Krakow with its monuments, markets, synagogues, and Kirkuts (Jewish cemeteries). Learn from your guide about the Jewish community that shaped the character of this neighbourhood.

A walk around Wawel Castle, the massive structure sits upon Wawel Hill, overlooking the Vistula River. The castle served as the royal and political centre of Krakow for centuries, dating back to the eleventh century. Before becoming a museum in 1930, the castle was also a hospital, a military barracks, and a governmental residence.
Your guide will take you into Old Town Krakow, where some of the finest examples of medieval architecture remain today and you can enjoy the restaurants and cafes of the city’s main square.

A visit to the most notorious World War II-era sites, the Auschwitz-Birkenau concentration camps. Whether you’re a history buff or just want to learn something new, your tour guide will explain the significance of this place. Visit two different camps (Auschwitz I and Auschwitz II Birkenau). Visitors have the opportunity to see a lot of original evidence of Nazi crimes.

ITINERARY

Itinerary – could change depending on the weather and at the discretion of the guide

Day 1 Saturday  – arrival for airport transfer 13.00. For those not flying or arriving at a different airport we will give instructions for getting to our hotel. Your airport transfer would be at your own expense.

18.00 Briefing with guide and get to know the local area

Welcome dinner together in Propad.

Day 2 – Popradske Lake walk – 10km – final destination 1,298 meters – 3.5 hours – restaurant for lunch mid stop (ascend 387 meters)
Evening– Explore locally and free time

Day 3 – Green Lake Chalet hike– 15km – final destination 1,632 meters – 6 hours – restaurant available mid stop (ascend 675)
Evening– Explore locally and free time.

Day 4 – Cold Water Waterfalls – 8km – final destination 1,335 meters – 3.5 hours – restaurant is available at the start/finish (ascend 435 meters)

Evening–optional water park and spa

Day 5 – cultural day with options to visit Spis Castle (one of the  largest castle sites in Central Europe) to do a Cable car trip to Lomnicky Peak – 2,634 meters above sea level – spectacular views or do a Belianska Cave visit or explore on your own/free time
Evening– farewell dinner

Day 6 – departure to Krakow after breakfast leaving 10am