Trekking in the Pieniny and the Polish Tatra Mountains

The trip takes place in the Pieniny and the Tatra Mountains. These two massifs have very different lie and characteristics. In the Pieniny Mountains we are far from the noise and everyday stress. The mountains are gentle, with grassy peaks, offering impressive views and surrounded by deep, wild forests. With a bit of luck we can even find animals on our way, especially in the National Park of the Tatra Mountains.This region has strong folklore and highland traditions. The wooden architecture has a magical charm. Our trip is a great opportunity to see the most interesting cultural attractions in the area like Krakow, Zakopane, the castle of Niedzica and Debno wooden church.

Highlights:
♦ The Dunajec River Gorge - characterized by some of the most interesting geological and geomorphological structures and area-specific natural ecosystems with little anthropogenic influence
♦ Niedzica Castle - picture perfect castle you muist have already seen on any postcard from Poland
♦ Zakopane - resorta bit like Chamonix of the Carpathians - popular with skiers in winter and with hikers and climbers year-round, with a splendid mountain frame and undeniable charm of wooden architecture

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Itinerary:

Day 1. Arrival to Krakow
Arrival to Krakow and sightseeing on your own. Krakow was never destroyed in the past. Its Old Town, added to UNESCO’s list of World Cultural Heritage Sites in 1978, is of an exceptional architectural value. Night in a hotel in the centre  -/-/-

Day 2. Krakow - Jaworki 
In the morning you take a local bus to Szczawnica, from where you have a private transfer to Jaworki -a charming, small village in the valley of the Pieniny Mountains. Circular walk in the Litlle Pieniny Range. From the ridge you have a marvellous view of the Polish and Slovakian side, with high peaks of the Tatra Mountains in the background. You walk along the ridge through the mountain pastures, where sheep are pastured – they give milk for the production of the famous local cheese. B/L/D
Walking time: 5 hrs; 
Note: for the great jazz concerts in Jaworki you have to be there on Friday or Saturday evening in June and September and on Thursday to Saturday in July and August.

Day 3. Across the Pieniny Mountains 
In the morning you take the local bus to the beginning of the trail near the village of Szczawnica. Your trip will start with crossing the river Dunajec by barge, because of the lack of a bridge. You enter thus to the National Park of the Pieniny Mountains, famous for its characteristic limestone lie, eroded with the passage of time. You have to be prepared for steep climbing up to Sokolica (747m), from where you will have a splendid view downhill at the gorges of Dunajec. Your trip continues through the main ridge of the Pieniny Mountains till the highest peak 3 Crowns. Descending to Kroscienko and return by bus to Jaworki for overnight. B/L/D
Walking time: 6 hrs;  Ascent  700m/ Descent 700m. 

Day 4. Jaworki - Zakopane
After breakfast a private taxi will take you to Zakopane. On the way you will stop for visiting the castle of Niedzica, built by the Hungarians in the 14th century, and the church in Debno, one of the most beautiful wooden churches in Poland, famous for its polychromes. After reaching Zakopane and having a meal you can have a walk round the town: wooden church, promenade with the stalls and rambling vendors. Your pension is about 15 min on foot from the main promenade, its wooden architecture is typical for the region. B/L/D

Day 5-7. Trips of choice in the Tatra Mountains
For these three days you have a choice of the following walks:

The Tatras are the highest range in the Carpathians. There are many trails for each. We would like to offer You:
a) Chocholowska Valley in the West Tatras – long, postglacial valley with pastoral glades. Peaks around are gentle and grassy, they offer splendid panoramic views. Medium. From 6 to 12hours of walking

b) Koscieliska Valley - the valley is similar to Chocholowska Valley, but it is shorter and more interesting, possibility to visit caves. Climb to Iwaniacka pass or lake Smreczynski. Easy; 6-7 h, max +/- 600 m.

c) Kasprowy Mt and West Tatra Ridge – cable railawy to Kasprowy Mt, the most popular peak in polish Tatra. Walking on the main ridge of West Tatra mountains and descend to Koscieliska Valley. Exceptional views. Medium, 7h walk, +350, - 1300 m
d) the High Tatra Mountains – hard and very alpin trip, for experienced. The landscape is rather with rocks prevailing at the mountain pastures. When climbing at the pass of Zawrat (2159m), you will go by the Black Lake and the small Dead Lake, and later on through a steep trail, often covered with snow till beginning of summer. Finally, you will reach the pass – railings (cables) are installed in some places of the trail. From the pass you have a view at all the highest peaks of the Tatra Mountains. The descent is very pleasant: through the Valley of Five Lakes and the Valley of Roztoka. +/- 1200 m, 7-8 hours walk

Day 8. Departure
Return by a public bus to Krakow and flight back home. B/-/-

We recommend trip in the period: June - October

Practical information: It is possible to realize this program from 1st May to 30th October. Still the trails in the Tatra Mountains can be covered with snow until 15th June. The trails in West Tatra valleys and peaks, even covered with snow, are not very difficult. The trail in the High Tatra Mountains is not recommended before 15th June for people not used to walking in the snow.

Necessary equipment: sturdy walking boots and walking socks, a small rucksack, a water bottle with at least 1 litre capacity, sunglasses, sunhat, sun cream, rainwear, insect repellent.

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Price Includes:
accommodation standard hotels (double occupancy) and pensions with breakfast in rooms with private facilities
lunch packs (except Day 4 – lunch in a pension)
dinners on days 2 – 5
private transfers on day 2 and day 4
luggage transport
public bus from Krakow-Szczawnica on Day 2 and from Zakopane to Krakow on Day 7
road book
maps and 24-h telephone assistance

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Not Included:
flight tickets
drinks
dinners on days 1,6 and 7
transfer from/to the airport and transfers on day 3
the barge for crossing the river Dunajec ( about 0,50 Euro/pp)
entrance fees
insurance
personal expenses

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Additional Services:
Single room supplement: 110 EUR

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Vacation Extensions:
Carpathian Mountains Self Guided Trek,Transylvania (Romania)

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Gallery

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