Slovakia Explorer is a pioneer in adventure travel in Slovakia. Since 2003, we have been organising tours surrounded by beautiful Slovak nature, including this multi-activity winter trip for families. Over the course of a week, accompanied by a knowledgeable guide, you’ll experience a new adventure every day. Your guide will take care of all activities, daily transfers and will always be there to help so that you can focus on one thing – enjoying the beauty of the Tatras.
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This exclusive family winter adventure in Poland and Slovakia is an excellent opportunity for families to get to know the largest mountains in Central Europe - the High Tatras. Over eight days, you will visit Krakow, Poland´s former capital, some of the most popular Tatra villages – like Strbske Pleso, Tatranska Lomnica and Smokovec – as well as exploring more remote areas.
In just one week, you will experience:
- Medieval Krakow – Poland´s former capital with the largest ancient square in Europe.
- Strbske Pleso – Slovakia´s highest village with a beautiful mountain lake, ski jumps and cross-country ski stadium.
- Dog sled and Thermal pools – you’ll take an adventurous ride on a dog sled followed by swimming in outdoor thermal pools in the foothills of the High Tatras.
- Mountain huts and frozen waterfalls – discover the beauty of your surroundings.
- Skiing and sledding – on the longest slopes of the High Tatras.
- Belianska cave – an unforgettable experience for both children and adults.
Map & itinerary
Welcome to Poland!
Today, you and your family will arrive in Krakow, Poland´s former capital. You will be met by your tour leader at the hotel for an introductory briefing. Depending on your arrival time, the rest of the day is free to explore Krakow’s attractions. Krakow is a UNESCO World Heritage City, famous for its beautifully preserved Old Town. Today with your guide you will explore three kilometres of city walls, 46 spires, countless historical buildings, narrow streets, churches and Europe´s biggest medieval market square.
Meals included
None
Accommodation
Hotel Poleski (or similar)
This morning we leave Krakow behind us and transfer 2,5 hours to Smokovec, the oldest village in the High Tatras. After checking in, it will be time for our first mountain adventure, a cable car to the popular tourist resort, Hrebienok, at an altitude of 1285m.
Once we're here, we'll visit the Tatra Ice Dome, where we can admire the incredible beauty of ice sculptures created by masters from around the world. This will be followed by an 1 hour 30 minutes walk to Rainer's cottage - the oldest in the Tatras, with an exciting history. Then we will return to Stary Smokovec for a deserved relaxation before our first dinner either at your hotel or in one of the traditional restaurants.
Meals included
Breakfast
Accommodation
Hotel Villa Siesta (or similar)
This morning you’ll take a ride on the famous Tatra tram to Strbske Pleso, Slovakia´s highest village. During this tram journey we will pass through several Tatra spa villages. The guide will tell you a lot about each of them while driving.
After an introductory tour of Štrbské Pleso, we will head to Mlynická dolina. Our goal is the Skok waterfall. Hiking to this waterfall, which is frozen in the winter months, is a good choice for families with children and the route can be managed even by less able tourists. Our guide will take you safely up to this 30m. high waterfall. For easier movement in the snow, we use hiking poles.
We’ll keep an eye out for the Tatra chamois in the wilderness and have a picnic directly under the waterfall. Then, following the same route, we will return to Strbske Pleso and take the tram back to Smokovec.
Meals included
Breakfast
Accommodation
Hotel Villa Siesta (or similar)
This day is always a firm favourite with children. We will take a tour bus to the Tatra meadows to go dog sledding, with some incredible views on the way.
After an introductory briefing and driving with a professional masher, our instructors will explain the basic principles of safe driving, and then it’s your turn! You’ll be able to call yourself a masher after the experience, which is unlike any other.
After that, we’ll transfer to a traditional cottage for lunch. Then it’s time for a spot of relaxation in the healing hot thermal springs in the Besenova aqua park. There are many indoor and outdoor pools with water temperatures up to 38 C, and many other attractions like waterslides. In the late afternoon, after our three-hour entry to the park, we will transfer back to Smokovec.
Meals included
Breakfast
Accommodation
Hotel Villa Siesta (or similar)
Today we explore the beauty of the Belianske Tatras. After breakfast, we transfer 20 minutes to Tatranska Kotlina, the starting point for our 30 minutes winter walk to Belianska cave, the only cave open to the public in the High Tatras. The adventurous walk while listening to chore music in the central dome is an experience of a lifetime for both children and adults.
Then we will return to our bus and head to the typical Goral village of Zdiar. Zdiar is home to traditional wooden houses and barns, and you can learn a little about this old mountain community in the outdoor museum.
The day will be concluded by sledging on one of the slopes surrounding this authentic village.
Meals included
Breakfast
Accommodation
Hotel Villa Siesta (or similar)
We’ll spend today on the ski slopes of Tatranska Lomnica. First we’ll head to the local ski rental for skis, or snowboard if you prefer. Then we will move to the ski lifts where your guide will help you buy a ski pass (this is not included in the tour price).
After that there’s nothing to stop you from enjoying real Tatra skiing on the sunny side of the Tatras, which has slopes for beginners and experienced skiers. You can take the cable car to the popular Skalnate Pleso at 1754m, or even to Lomnicky stit at 2634m, which was for many years considered to be the highest peak of the High Tatras.
A trip to Lomnický štít is a once-in-a-lifetime experience and therefore popular, so we recommend booking a ticket a few days in advance. Of course, there is also a ski school for complete beginners.
Meals included
Breakfast
Accommodation
Hotel Villa Siesta (or similar)
Today is free for activities of your choice. You can go skiing again, go hiking with your family to some of the other mountain huts, try the basics of cross-country skiing around Strbske Pleso, grilling on open fire, horse and carriage ride or go for a ride on the longest toboggan run in the Tatras.
If you’d prefer something less physically demanding, we recommend a visit to the Belianska Cave, or AquaCity Poprad water park with its many attractions and water pools.
If you’re a history lover, we recommend a visit to the ancient UNESCO town of Levoca, or a visit to the very interesting museum of the High Tatras National Park TANAP. There are many options, and your guide will be happy to advise and help you organise your day.
Meals included
Breakfast
Accommodation
Hotel Villa Siesta (or similar)
This morning we transfer back to Krakow airport. We wish you a pleasant journey home and look forward to seeing you on one of our other family tours.
Meals included
Breakfast
Gallery
Video
Dates & Prices
Ways to Travel
Below are our scheduled dates for this trip. Booking your place on one of these dates means you'll most likely be in a group with other people.
Private Groups - choose your own dates
* Do our normal group departure dates not fit?
* Are you wanting to travel with just your friends or family?
* Are you planning a trip for your company, local school or club?
We are experts in creating private holidays for organizations, groups of friends, families, charities and clubs. Our personal service means you’ll be fully involved as we make the arrangements for your perfect adventure holiday.
BOOKING IS QUICK AND EASY
To take your first step to a fantastic adventure with your friends and family, send us your enquiry by clicking on the ENQUIRE OR BOOK button below.
| Dates | Status | Adult price | Child price |
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| Sun 12 Feb 23 - Sun 19 Feb 23 | Available |
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| Sun 19 Feb 23 - Sun 26 Feb 23 | Available |
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| Wed 27 Dec 23 - Wed 03 Jan 24 | Available |
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| Sun 11 Feb 24 - Sun 18 Feb 24 | Available |
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| Sun 18 Feb 24 - Sun 25 Feb 24 | Available |
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Please note that our official rates are in Euros. Other currencies are informative only.
Holiday information
One night in a three-star hotel in Krakow
Six nights in a three-star, family-run hotel in the Tatras
All activities and transfers that are part of the itinerary
Departure airport transfer on day eight
Seven breakfasts
Tour leader
Arrival airport transfer on day one
Activities on free day
Ski pass
Ski school
This holiday starts in Krakow. We recommend flying to Krakow Airport with a wide selection of international flights.
Airport Transfers
Book your private airport transfer directly with us. Our fast, reliable, and affordable private transfers are the best way to reach your starting hotel quickly and comfortably.
Public Transport
You can reach your starting hotel also by public transport (bus, train). Public transport is another way of experiencing your destination, which puts you right in the centre of the action. We can help you find the best option if you prefer public transport.
We base the price of this walking holiday on three-star hotels. During this tour, you´ll stay one night in a three-star Hotel Poleski in Krakow and six nights in a comfortable family-run Hotel Villa Siesta in a quiet part of Novy Smokovec within walking distance to restaurants. The hotel provides ensuite facilities, a restaurant, a sauna, and free WiFi.
List of hotels:
Krakow – Hotel Poleski
High Tatras – Hotel Villa Siesta
When the hotels are full, you can still join the trip on your preferred date by staying at an alternative accommodation. We will provide full details upon booking.
Do you want to upgrade to four-star?
If you prefer a higher standard of accommodation for a supplement, we offer the option to upgrade to a four-star hotel.
Grandhotel **** Starý Smokovec
Grandhotel **** Starý Smokovec has been writing its long story in the heart of the High Tatras under Mt Slavkovský štít since 1904. The first big hotel in the Tatras has been visited by various eminent personalities – Saxon prince Frederick Augustus, Czechoslovak president Eduard Beneš, British prime minister Harold Wilson, Fidel Castro and many others.
Despite disturbing times and two world wars, Grandhotel**** has remained an inseparable part of Starý Smokovec and its atmosphere. There is a lower funicular station located next to the hotel. It operates to Hrebienok, which makes the hotel an ideal starting point for trips and hiking in the High Tatras. The hotel Wellness & Spa centre is available to guests after a day of hiking or skiing in nearby ski resorts and offers a wide choice of massages and treatments.
Grandhotel **** Starý Smokovec offers conference rooms for organising exceptional corporate events with a touch of historical romance, rich history and eminent personalities still remembered inside the hotel premises.
All breakfasts are included.
Breakfasts
Each morning the hotel´s restaurant provides a delicious buffet breakfast. The standard choice includes several types of bread and rolls, salami, ham, sausages, boiled or scrambled eggs, and cheeses, including traditional Slovak sheep cheese, cakes, fresh fruit, cereals, jam, or even quality Slovak honey directly from a local beekeeper.
The hotel is usually able to cater for clients with different types of diets, including vegetarians or gluten-free diets.
Lunches
Lunches are not included. On each day your tour guide will recommend a restaurant for a enjoyable lunch.
Dinners
Dinners are not included. You can enjoy your dinners at your hotel´s restaurant or try out some of the local traditional restaurants in the town.
Water
Water is drinkable from the tap on this holiday. Please fill your bottles for your day in the morning. We do not encourage the purchasing of single-use plastic bottles.
Whilst we can generally cater to vegetarians and gluten-free diets, providing other special diets might be difficult and sometimes impossible. Therefore, you may have to supplement your diet with food and snacks from home. If you have specific dietary requirements, please get in touch with our sales team, and they will be able to advise you whether or not we will be able to offer your specific choice.
Please note that we cannot provide separate menus and cannot accept liability for any problems arising from special dietary requirements or intolerances.
The group will be led by a professional and qualified tour leader. They will be there to assist you with anything you might need.
Normally 4 – 12.
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.
Single room supplement: ,- EUR
Upgrade to a four-star hotel Grandhotel Stary Smokovec ****: ,- EUR / sharing a twin room.
Single-room supplement: ,- EUR
We recommend you pack as light as possible, with a backpack for your main luggage and daypack for each day’s trekking. Below you will find a recommended packing list. It is by no means exhaustive, so if you’re in any doubt, please contact us. There is no specialist walking or climbing equipment, such as harnesses etc., needed for this trip.
Walking boots
Trainers
Shorts and t-shirts
Walking trousers and tops
Fleece or warm jumper
Waterproofs
Water bottle
Flask
Small first-aid kit
Sun cream, sunglasses and sunhat
It is an essential condition of joining a holiday with Slovakia Explorer that you have a valid travel insurance policy to cover the cost of medical treatment and to protect the value of your holiday in the event of cancellation. When taking out insurance please ensure the policy you choose covers you for the activities and altitude included in your itinerary.
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.
Have a look at our detailed trip notes or please feel free to contact us if you have any questions at all.
Our knowledgeable and helpful team is here to help, and we look forward to welcoming you to our spectacular country soon!
Customers reviews
Tanya C
(United Kingdom)
December 2021
We had the best time on our Slovakia High Tatras trip. Myself, my husband and two daughters aged 7 & 9. From the start of contacting Slovakia Explorer Petr was responsive to my emails and requests. We decided to book our own accommodation, this was not a problem and the price was adjusted accordingly. When we arrived, Gabo our driver was waiting for us in arrival with Andy. Gabo was always on time and was a safe driver with a nice mini bus with plenty of space for us all. Andy - our guide was brilliant. We thoroughly enjoyed every day with him and by the time we left to go home we considered him a friend. He was excellent with our girls. He was very knowledgeable and always explained what we would be doing, how many hours walking the day would entail etc. The whole trip was like being taken out by a friend. A particular highlight for us was the day we hiked up into the mountains to see a frozen waterfall, when we arrived the girls said they felt like they were real mountain climbers - we did too! Unfortunately covid meant we missed out on the horse drawn carriage ride but Andy really thought about what we could do instead which was a challenge because restrictions in Slovakia meant that not a lot of activities were open. He arranged alternative activities for us, went to a great effort to do this and genuinely cared about making our experience the best it could be. We even went to neighbouring Poland one day where there were no restrictions so that we could do similar activities. We did consider cancelling or rescheduling our trip due to covid, but we are so glad we went ahead with it now. We had some wonderful experiences which we will never forget. Slovakia is a beautiful country and we can’t wait to return. Thank you Andy and Gabo for being such good hosts and going above and beyond to make sure covid had as little impact as possible!
Mary Ann Kenny
(United Kingdom)
December 2019
GENERAL FEEDBACK - YOUR OVERALL EXPERIENCE
We had a fantastic holiday and came home feeling refreshed and invigorated. We had tons of exercise and fresh air and met a lovely group of people. The activities were great fun and very varied and were suitable for both adults and children.
WHAT WERE THE HIGHLIGHTS OF YOUR TRIP?
Lots of highlights, so it’s hard to choose! Skiing, thermal pools, winter walk to Skok waterfall, BBQ, sledging
ACCOMMODATION
The accommodation was ok. Warm, dry and clean. It was a bit cramped and gloomy, but it’s not like we spent much time in our room!
TRANSPORT
Really nice friendly driver. Punctual and helpful. All transport – both public and private – ran on time and was warm and comfortable.
MEALS
I loved the breakfast every morning in the hotel. The packed lunches were ok. And we bought our own evening meals at various restaurants in the area which were consistently good value. It was interesting to try the local food. I was impressed by the quality of everything we ate and drank.
PLEASE RATE YOUR LEADER
Andrej was a fantastic leader. He genuinely wanted us to have a good time and really seemed to care about us all. He was calm, efficient and organised and was able to relate to everyone in the group, from kids to adults to granny! Lovely guy.
WHAT TIPS WOULD YOU GIVE OTHER TRAVELLERS BOOKING THIS HOLIDAY?
The trip notes state that no real physical fitness is required. This is an understatement as some of the activities - snow shoeing for example - are quite strenuous. Not a problem for our family but best to be forewarned!
Steve Thompson
(United Kingdom)
December 2019
GENERAL FEEDBACK - YOUR OVERALL EXPERIENCE
Great family winter holiday for all ages, excellent mix of activities in a beautiful landscape. It was nice to be with other families and make new friends.
WHAT WERE THE HIGHLIGHTS OF YOUR TRIP?
Snowshoeing was really good, hard, but we really enjoyed it. We also enjoyed the BBQ in the woods and sitting around the fire, the hosts were so welcoming. We also enjoyed the skiing and loved the sledging (all big kids!)
ACCOMMODATION
Rooms were clean and comfortable. Our only criticism was the lack of relaxation space, the lounge area is quite small and there are no facilities.
TRANSPORT
Excellent throughout and was very accommodating with Jane (Liz’s mum)
MEALS
Breakfast was ok. Good choice of restaurants locally, Andrej helped us with recommendations and reservations and we had some lovely meals.
PLEASE RATE YOUR LEADER
Andrej was excellent and so helpful. He was also very good company and we enjoyed talking to him over dinner about his life and the other tours he is a guide for.
WHAT TIPS WOULD YOU GIVE OTHER TRAVELLERS BOOKING THIS HOLIDAY?
Definitely take strong walking boots, if you’re nervous on icy paths/tracks then crampons would be a good idea. A buff/balaclava would be a good idea too.
Lisa Cooke
(United Kingdom)
February 2019
We all had a fantastic time and made new friends. We felt very lucky to be in the group that we had, we all got on very well. It was nice not to have too large a group.
We were very impressed with you communication prior to our holiday. Jan was an excellent guide, very friendly and was keen for us to have the best experience that we could whilst on holiday. The holiday appeared to work well as the members of the group appeared to be of similar fitness and ability (I feel that the holiday might not have gone so well if this were not the case). The activities were thoroughly enjoyed.
Kerry Godliman
(United Kingdom)
February 2017
We really enjoyed our holiday. All the activities were lovely and despite my daughter not being fully well (had a cold throughout the week) the kids loved it. Our guide Dana was great, she really made us feel looked after. The weather was fine, albeit a bit warm for snow, but no one can help that! Thanks for all your help, and send our thanks again to Dana.
Alison OCallaghan
(Dubai)
February 2016
We had a fantastic holiday and loved Slovakia! Our guide Linda was brilliant and did everything to make our stay a memorable one.
Helene Demetriades
(United Kingdom)
February 2016
Go ahead and book it! Great fun, with variety. I would recommend skiing in Strbske Pleso – I found that a very beautiful location. Of course it helped that there was lovely snow that day. Children will love the adrenalin water tubes at the thermal pools. And do have a go at being a sledge driver with the dogs! It is quite exhilarating!
Trip notes & FAQs
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.
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