This multi-activity holiday in Poland and Slovakia includes stops in Krakow and Bratislava, and an action-packed list of outdoor activities in the Slovakian High Tatra mountains.
To get things off to a flying start, you’ll begin by getting to know Krakow, which was once the capital of Poland. Then for a real mountain adventure we move to the spectacular Tatra Mountains. This 8 day adventure is concluded by a scenic train to Bratislava, Slovakia´s capital where you explore the highlights of this charming city.
Over eight days you will experience:
Krakow is the perfect place to start your Polish-Slovakian adventure. Today you´ll meet your guide at your starting hotel in Krakow. Depending on your arrival time there might be time for an introductory walk to the old town.
Meals included
No meals included
Accommodation
Hotel Benefis (or similar)
Today we’ve included a guided tour of Krakow to see Krakow´s top historical sites, including Wawel castle and Rynek Glowny square, Europe´s biggest medieval market square.
After lunch there is the option to visit nearby UNESCO sites like Wieliczka salt mine or Auschwitz.
Meals included
none
Accommodation
Hotel Benefis (or similar)
This morning we’ll take a two-hour journey to the Pieninski national park, which forms a natural border line with Slovakia. Our destination is Cerveny Klastor, the starting point of our easy rafting trip down the Dunajec river, which – over millions of years – created one of the longest canyons in Europe. Rafting through this meandering canyon is an amazing experience. The scenery is beautiful and you´ll be able to admire many natural beauties as well as the Red Monastery right from your raft. During this activity, which takes around two hours, your instructor will tell you many interesting stories and legends. The most famous is the legend of a monk called Cyprian who lived in the monastery – he invented the hang-glider and established the first pharmacy in Central Europe.
After lunch in a traditional restaurant called KOLIBA we’ll drive to the village of Smokovec located in the heart of the High Tatras, our home for the next five days.
Meals included
Breakfast
Accommodation
Hotel Villa Siesta (or similar)
This morning we’ll take a mountain tram to Tatranska Lomnica, one of the youngest and biggest settlements in the High Tatras. From here we´ll take a cable car to Skalnate Pleso (1751m). Look out for Tatra chamois bouncing around on the rocks below!
Skalnate Pleso is home to one of the most important observatories in Slovakia as well as a small mountain lake. We´ll follow a circular route around the lake before heading to Hrebienok.
On the way to Hrebienok, with countless spectacular viewpoints, you’ll visit some of the legendary mountain huts in the area. That includes Rainerova hut, the oldest one in the Tatras, and the cascading waterfalls of Studeny Potok (Cold Creek).
In the late afternoon we´ll head back to our hotel.
Meals included
Breakfast, packed lunch
Accommodation
Hotel Villa Siesta (or similar)
This morning you’ll transfer to the charming region of Spiš, which is home to a number of remarkable UNESCO sites. The first one on the list will be the medieval town of Levoca. This authentic town with beautifully preserved city walls is the jewel of the Spiš region. In the heart of the town you´ll find the ancient square of Master Paul, the creator of the highest wooden altar in the world, whose beauty you can admire during your visit in the basilica of St James. You´ll also visit the town’s hall.
The next highlight on the list will be Spissky castle, the biggest castle site in Central-Eastern Europe. Your tour then continues with a hike to Spisske Podhradie, a little town beautifully nestled below the castle.
After lunch in Spisske Podhradie you’ll continue hiking to Spisska Kapitula, the main seat of the church administration in the region in the 12th century. Today’s hike ends with a walk across Spissky Jerusalem, which recalls ancient Jerusalem in on-to-one scale. It’s a magical end to this walking adventure with stunning views over the Spisska Capitula, Spissky castle and the Tatra mountains. You’ll then return to Smokovec.
Meals included
Breakfast
Accommodation
Hotel Villa Siesta (or similar)
This morning we´ll take a mountain tram to Strbske Pleso, Slovakia´s highest village. Famous for its beautiful tarn, or mountain lake, the village is a popular destination for skiers during the winter season, while in the summer it is a much sought-after stop for walkers and hikers. There is a wide range of trips and walks on offer to suit all tastes, from some very easy ones to some demanding treks.
For today, we’ve picked an easy hike to Popradske Pleso hut with one of the biggest mountain lakes in the Tatras right next to it. Here we´ll enjoy a lunch on the hut´s terrace with views of the lake and surrounding peaks before returning to Strbske Pleso, followed by a train journey to Bratislava, Slovakia´s capital.
Meals included
Breakfast
Accommodation
Hotel Devin (or similar)
The walking route in the old town has been carefully planned so you can take in all of Bratislava’s main sights, including the Bratislava castle perched on a hill above the Danube river, the 18th-century Primate´s Palace, the old town hall and Michalska gate. Just bear in mind you’ll need to pay the entrance fees if you’d like to get a closer look at any of these.
For a memorable end to the tour, you can have dinner at the UFO restaurant tower located above the Danube river at a height of 95 metres. From here, you’ll have a stunning view of Bratislava´s castle and the historical part of the city – the perfect setting to end an incredible week.
Meals included
Breakfast
Accommodation
Hotel Devin (or similar)
Head home
After breakfast your tour ends.
Meals included
Breakfast
This trip operates daily, so you can pick a date that suits you. Choose a day between May and October, and we’ll make all the arrangements for you. Just let us know when you want to travel.
Available
to Sunday 18th August 2024
Guided Groups
Minimum 6 people. Smaller groups are welcome, but the price may be amended accordingly.
This well-thought-out trip is a great choice for people who like active holidays or would like to try something new. In general this summer multi-activity trip is designed so that it can be managed by active people with an average level of fitness.
Single room supplement: 185 EUR
Normally max 16.
This tour starts in Krakow.
This tour ends in Bratislava.
Our holidays do not include flights. This gives you the freedom to choose a local airport that works for you and shop for the best deal.
We recommend booking your flight to Krakow as this is the official starting point of this tour.
Once you have decided which airport works for you best you will need to choose the way how to get to the starting hotel / joining point. There are two options:
Public transport
You can reach Krakow by public transport (bus, train). Using the public transport is another way of experiencing your destination, which puts you right in the centre of the action. If you prefer to travel by public transport we can help you find the best option.
Private transfers (door to door service)
Book your private airport transfers directly with us. Our fast, reliable and affordable private transfers are the best way to reach your starting hotel quickly and comfortably. For up-to-date prices of Airport private transfers click here.
During this tour you´ll stay in three star hotels.
If you need to arrive or leave on a different date, please contact us and we’d be more than happy to arrange extra pre or post tour accommodation for you.
We recommend you pack as light as possible, with suitcases or backpacks that are easy for parents to lift and carry. A daypack for activities is also useful. Below you will find a recommended packing list. It is by no means exhaustive, so if you’re in any doubt, please contact us.
T-shirts and shorts
Long-sleeved tops and trousers
Jacket/coat/fleece
Swimwear
Walking boots
Strong trainers
Water bottle
Small first-aid kit
Sun cream, sunhat and sunglasses
Please note, we want to run this trip following the day-to-day itinerary on the trip notes. However, sometimes operational circumstances may sometimes prevent us from doing this. Your tour leader will keep you fully informed of any alternative plans that are necessary on-the-ground. Also, based on feedbacks from past travellers, occasionally our itineraries are amended. Final version of your trip notes will be emailed to you prior to travel.
Feel free to contact us if you have any questions at all. Trip Notes provide detailed information including visa info, how to get to your hotel, what to pack, money matters, climate – pretty much everything you need to know about this tour and more.
Our knowledgeable and helpful team is here to help, and we look forward to welcoming you to our spectacular country soon!
An amazing week. Trekking was amazing. Both in the mountains as well as in the national parks. Enjoyed the cultural experiences especially Spissky Castle + Levoca. Our leader Peter was excellent; informative, helpful, efficient, charming company.
Download the detailed trip notes for everything you could possibly want to know about this trip, including detailed itinerary and full kit list.
To download trip notes, please submit your email address down below.
This holiday is operated by our in-country team of experts at Slovakia Explorer. By booking with us, you get our unrivalled local knowledge and 24/7 support during your trip.
Our holidays offer unique experiences that give you an unparalleled insight into Slovakia. During the planning and booking process, we pay attention to every detail of your holiday to make sure your trip is perfect.
Our prices are fair and our standards are sky-high, which means you get top quality and great value.
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