Tour Itinerary:
Day 1: Vienna (or Budapest) – Mala Fatra.
We meet with the guide in Vienna and start with a 3 hour transfer to Slovakia. On the way we stop in the Rajecka Valley to visit Cicmany, a village of unique wooden houses. Their folk decorations resemble gingerbread houses. We do a two hour walk in the area. If time allows we can visit the biggest nativity scene in Europe, at Rajecka Lesna. Afterwards we transfer to Mala Fatra National Park, a limestone area with interesting outcrops, steep ridges, and narrow gorges.
Overnight: Bela, Mala Fatra (Slovakia)
Hike: rolling terrain, 2 hours
Meals: L, D
Day 2: Mala Fatra National Park.
We make a full-day (approximately 5 hour) hike in Mala Fatra National Park, with its deep limestone gorges, rocky peaks, and wonderful wildflower displays, Mala Fatra, is one of the most beautiful national parks in Slovakia. It was also the hideout of the legendary 17th century Slovak “Robin Hood.” Juraj Janosik was a hero in his time for stealing from the nobles and giving to the poor.
Overnight: Bela, Mala Fatra (Slovakia)
Hike: hilly terrain, 5 hours
Meals: B, L, D
Day 3: Through Velka Fatra National Park.
In the morning we visit magnificent Orava Castle, where the first Dracula movie was filmed. It is perched 300 feet above the Orava River and offers spectacular views. We arrive in the foothills of Velka Fatra National Park for a two-hour hike to the UNESCO village of Vlkolinec, a remarkably intact rural settlement of 45 homes of traditional log architecture dating to the 14th century. This village is on the UNESCO list for its folk architecture. It is place where time has stopped. In the late afternoon we come to the High Tatras National Park.
Overnight: Tatranska Lomnica, High Tatras (Slovakia)
Hike: rolling terrain, 2 hours
Meals: B, L, D
Day 4: High Tatras National Park.
The granite peaks of the High Tatras zigzag across the skyline of the plains of central Europe. They are the highest mountain in Carpathian Range. Ten summits top 8,500 feet. Below the summits are broad glacial valleys dotted with blue, blue lakes. Today we have several hiking options of about 5 hours. A challenging option begins with a gondola ride up to Skalnate Pleso (lake) at about 5,700 feet. We take a 7-mile hike through Mala Studena Valley, with its true mountain atmosphere and a variety of wildflowers towards Teryho Chata hut (6,700') set in a basin with five alpine lakes. The easier option is a ride to Strbske Pleso, the highest of the Tatras’ resorts, for a walk to Popradske Lake.
Overnight: Tatranska Lomnica, High Tatras (Slovakia)
Hike: hilly terrain, 5 hours
Meals: B, L, D
Day 5: High Tatras National Park.
Today we hike in the part of the Tatras called the White Tatras, made up of a single white limestone ridge, while the rest of the Tatras is granite. The White Tatras are strictly protected and there is only one trail open to hikers. Our 6-hour hike (about 6 miles) goes through Brncalova Hut at the Green Lake and than takes us across Kopske Sedlo Pass, which divides the White Tatras from the High Tatras. (This is our longest but not the most difficult hike). After our hike we drive across the border to Poland’s mountain centre Zakopane. Zakopane is located at the base of these grand peaks and has a traditional architectural mountain style. It is the mountain and ski center of Poland.
Overnight: Zakopane, Poland
Hike: hilly terrain, 6 hours
Meals: B, L
Day 6: Polish High Tatras National Park.
This morning we hike over Kopske sedio to Javorina and take short transfer to the Polish mountain resort of Zakopane.
Overnight: Zakopane, Poland
Hike: hilly terrain, 5 hours
Meals: B, L, D
Day 7: Zakopane, Krakow.
Leaving the mountain world behind us, we make the 2-hour drive to Krakow, a remarkable city virtually unscathed by the wars of the 20th century. Krakow feels like a small town, and everything is close and within walking distance. The ancient royal city of Krakow has an incredibly well-preserved medieval heart, now listed by UNESCO as one of the 12 most significant historical sites in the world.
Meals: B, L
Notes:
Airfare is not included in the tour price.
This itinerary averages 2-6 hours of hiking per day on rolling to hilly terrain. Inclusions: lodging 6 nights in 3-4 star properties, meals as indicated, van transportation; driver; English speaking guide; entrance fees. Itinerary is available for groups as small as 2 persons. Pricing varies depending on size of group. Hotels subject to availability.
Also see tour packages in:
Europe
Slovakia
Poland
Austria
Outdoor: Land Rambler
Walking Tours
Hiking & Trekking
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