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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- Dec
Explore the largest mountains in Slovakia – the High Tatras. In just one week you will experience:
- Snowshoeing – walk on snowshoes along the former smuggler’s paths, with beautiful views of the snow-capped peaks of the Belianske Tatras and the Pieniny National Park.
- 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 waterfalls – discover the beauty of your surroundings.
- Skiing and sledding – on the longest slopes of the High Tatras.
Map & itinerary
Welcome to the Tatras! Today you and your family will arrive in the mountain village of Smokovec, which will be your home for the next seven nights.
Smokovec is the oldest, and one of the biggest villages in the High Tatras, located at the foot of the famous Lomnicky peak. It will be the starting point for your family adventures.
When you get to the hotel, you will be welcomed by your guide who will tell you about the plans for the following days. Dinner is included in the price of the holiday and will be served in the hotel’s restaurant with a choice of three dishes.
Accommodation
Three star hotel
Meals included
Dinner
This morning you’ll take a ride on the famous Tatra tram from Tatranska Lomnica to Strbske Pleso. During this sightseeing tour we will pass through several Tatra spa villages, including Stary Smokovec. 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, snowshoes or cats.
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 Tatranska Lomnica.
Total walking: 10,5km, ascent/descent 430m, time 4.5h.
Accommodation
Three star hotel
Meals included
breakfast, packed lunch
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
Three star hotel
After a hearty breakfast, another adventure awaits us. We will take the tour bus to the Bachledova Valley, 16 km away. Here we will arm ourselves with snowshoes and hiking poles, and from here we will take a cable car directly to the ridge of the hill, which will be our starting point for today's walking.
The route will take us along a former smuggler’s trail with beautiful views of the Pieniny National Park and the snow-capped peaks of the Belianske Tatras. The area is full of tales and legends, which our guide will tell you about.
After a packed lunch, our final part of today's walking will be the descent to the Goral village of Ždiar. We’ll head back from here to the hotel in our tour bus.
Total walking: 7,5km, ascent 113m, descent 394m, time 4 hours.
Meals included
Breakfast, packed lunch
Accommodation
Three star hotel
This morning we’ll take a cable car to the popular tourist resort, Hrebienok, which is at an altitude of 1285m.
Once we’re here we’ll visit the Tatra Ice Dome, where we will be able to admire the incredible beauty of ice sculptures created by masters from around the world. This will be followed by an easy walk to Rainer's cottage - the oldest in the Tatras, with an interesting history. Then transfer to Zdiar to visit an outdoor museum and enjoy down hill sledding.
Meals included
Breakfast
Accommodation
Three star hotel
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.
Accommodation
Three star hotel
Meals included
Breakfast
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
Three star hotel
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
| Dates | Status | Adult price | Child price |
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| Sun 22 Dec 24 - Sun 29 Dec 24 | Guaranteed |
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| Sun 29 Dec 24 - Sun 05 Jan 25 | Guaranteed |
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| Sun 09 Feb 25 - Sun 16 Feb 25 | Guaranteed |
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| Sun 16 Feb 25 - Sun 23 Feb 25 | Guaranteed |
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Please note that our official rates are in Euros. Other currencies are informative only.
Holiday information
Airport transfers
Seven nights in a three-star, family-run hotel
Seven breakfasts, two packed lunches
All activities as per itinerary
Tour leader
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
Airport transfers are included in the price of your holiday.
List of hotels:
Hotel Villa Siesta
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 – 16.
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.
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.
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